Door for laundry care machines with a dissolution chamber for additives and laundry care machine comprising said door

Abstract

A door (5) for accessing the interior of a laundry space (6) of a laundry care machine (1) comprising a door frame (14) and a door leaf (13), wherein the door leaf comprises an inner surface (22) that, in a door closure position, is facing the laundry space (6) and an outer surface (23) that, in the door closure position, is facing out of the laundry care machine, wherein the door comprises a dosing window (10) with a window cover for closing the dosing window, further comprising a dissolution chamber (11) for additives (7) adjacent to the inner surface so the dissolution chamber can be accessed through the dosing window, wherein the dissolution chamber comprises at least one dosing pipe (12) for dosing the additive out of the dissolution chamber.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to doors for laundry care machines including a dissolution chamber for laundry care additives and separate from the laundry as well as to a door additionally comprising a mechanism for causing additives to reach the dissolution chamber. Furthermore, the invention relates to a laundry care machine comprising a door that comprises a dissolution chamber for additives and a door additionally including a mechanism for causing additives to reach the dissolution chamber.

[0002] Washing machines or laundry care machines are known like those described in the application EP3736371A1, which discloses a breaker for a washing machine having at least one receiving device to receive laundry care additives. The breaker is characterised in that the receiving device has a base body in the carrier, the base body forms at least part of a receiving space for at least one additive single-dose capsule, the base body has a lower height than the height of the breaker, the base body is permeable to water and at least a part of the receiving device is movably mounted in the breaker. Furthermore, the invention relates to a laundry care machine with at least one such a breaker.

[0003] Doors for laundry care machines are also known like those described in the application EP3249092A1, which discloses an inner door assembly for a washing machine drum including an inner housing of an inner door made of plastics and including an edge portion and a protruding portion protruding from the edge portion; and an outer housing of the inner door made of metal and including an edge portion and a protruding portion corresponding to the edge portion and to the protruding portion of the inner housing of the inner door, in which the outer housing of the inner door is combined so as not to separate from the inner housing of the inner door.

[0004] The laundry care machines or washing machines and / or dryers described in EP3736371A1 have the problem that, if the user forgets to add the additive and starts the washing programme, they will then have to pause the laundry care machine and wait a few minutes until the door can be opened to introduce the additive into the breaker. In addition, said machines have the problem that, if the user forgets to add the additive before introducing the laundry into the drum, the user will have to take the laundry out to get to the breaker to be able to add the additive and re-introduce the laundry into the drum, which takes time and efforts for the user of the laundry care machine.

[0005] Doors for laundry care machines like those disclosed in the application EP3249092A1 make a time saving possible for the user when the additive is to be added if it has been forgotten, since the interior of the drum can be accessed quickly but they have the problem that the additive goes directly into the space in which the laundry is cared for, it is mixed with said laundry and the problem of this is that, if the added additive is encapsulated for example in a foil that dissolves in water, this foil might not dissolve properly and remain adhered to the laundry and stain this. The same problem arises if the additive is liquid or powdery, since it may land directly on the laundry and adhere to it, a sense of dirt being thereby created. This problem is particularly relevant in laundry made in certain colours such as black or if the additives are added in short washing cycles, i.e. less than 30 minutes, or in washing cycles in which little washing water is used, since it may occur in such cases that the foil encapsulating the additive does not dissolve properly.

[0006] Therefore, doors for laundry care machines are required allowing additive to be added quickly and conveniently and in which it is also guaranteed that the additive or the foil encapsulating it does not adhere and stains the laundry.

[0007] The object of the present invention is a door for accessing the interior of a laundry space of a laundry care machine comprising a door frame and a door leaf, wherein the door leaf comprises an inner surface that, in a door closure position, is facing the laundry space and an outer surface that, in the door closure position, is facing out of the laundry care machine, wherein the door comprises a dosing window with a window cover for closing the dosing window, further comprising a dissolution chamber for additives adjacent to the inner surface so the dissolution chamber can be accessed through the dosing window, wherein the dissolution chamber comprises at least one dosing pipe for dosing the additive out of the dissolution chamber.

[0008] This door has the advantage that a quick and simple addition of additives is allowed even once the washing cycle has started. Furthermore, it is avoided that the additive can reach the laundry directly, since it is added to a separate chamber from the laundry and, therefore, it does not reach the laundry in a direct manner. Other advantageous features of the invention shall derive from the following description in this specification.

[0009] Washing machine doors are composed of a usually transparent door leaf made of glass and / or plastics and surrounded by a door frame usually made of a plastics that can have different colours and / or decorations. The door usually comprises a hinge through which it is connected to the front panel of the laundry care machine. The door in the door closure position has an inner surface facing or oriented towards the laundry space of the laundry care machine. The inner surface in the closure position is facing the laundry space, which is the place where the user places the laundry to be cared for. The laundry space is usually surrounded and delimited by the drum and the door itself.

[0010] A "dosing window" is understood to be any through-hole allowing an additive in a liquid, solid or powdery state and / or in a single-dose capsule or any combination thereof to pass through from outside the laundry care machine up to the dissolution chamber.

[0011] A "window cover" is understood to be any element able to close the dosing window to prevent solid and / or liquid elements from entering the dissolution chamber and any liquid contained in the drum of the laundry care machine from flowing out of the laundry care machine. The window cover needs to be removable so that, when the window cover is opened or removed, the additives can pass through the dosing window and so that, when the window cover is closed, those fluids contained inside the laundry care machine cannot flow out. Preferably, the window cover needs to be tight. The window cover may be composed of a single piece or have a structural part perimetrically surrounded by a gum and / or rubber window cover frame, which is the one interacting with the perimeter of the dosing window in such a manner that tightness is guaranteed. The window cover and the window cover frame, if any, are preferably made of materials such as plastics and / or gum and / or rubber.

[0012] "Additives" for laundry care machines are understood to be substances like detergents, fabric softeners, odour removers, stain solvents, aromatising substances, bleachers or stain removers among others.

[0013] The additive can be added in a liquid or powdery format or in a single-dose capsule format. "Single-dose capsules" are understood to be small capsules containing the amount of additive estimated to be necessary for a laundry care programme. These are commonly known as detergent tablets, capsules, single-dose capsules, tabs, pods, etc. as well. These single-dose capsules comprise a water-soluble foil encapsulating different types of additives generally in a liquid or powdery format. The additive contained within them is released when this foil dissolves in water during the laundry care cycles or programmes. It is usual too that these single-dose capsules have multiple independent compartments or sub-capsules storing different types of additives to be released at the same time or at different times during the laundry care programme.

[0014] The dissolution chamber needs to contain at least one dosing pipe to be able to release the additive contained in said chamber. Preferably, the dissolution chamber has multiple dosing pipes through which a washing fluid can flow in to mix in this manner with the additive contained inside the dissolution chamber and the additive dissolved in the fluid (commonly water and / or air) can flow out. The fluid can flow into the dissolution chamber by diverse mechanisms such as by sprinkling the fluid used in the washing cycle, by contact with the fluid contained in the own laundry, by recirculating the fluid from the laundry care programme and / or due to the fact that mains water reaches the dissolution chamber. The mains water may arrive through a water inlet located in the top of the laundry space and directly at the dissolution chamber itself and / or slipping over the inner surface of the door leaf of the washing machine. A "dosing pipe" is considered to be any through-hole and / or pipe communicating the interior of the dissolution chamber with the outside thereof and through which a fluid can circulate. In addition, if the dissolution chamber comprises multiple dosing pipes, the additive will go out of it through different positions and, therefore, it can reach a higher number of pieces of laundry when this door is utilised in laundry care machines.

[0015] The term "laundry care machine" is used as encompassing washing machines, dryers and laundry washers-dryers.

[0016] In a preferred door configuration, the dosing window is located on the door leaf.

[0017] This configuration has the advantage that the door frame is not weakened by placing some orifice that weakens it. In addition, this has the advantage that the dosing window is located in the structural part of the door without weakening it. Furthermore, it has the advantage of generating a direct and simple access to the dissolution chamber from outside the laundry care machine and the dissolution chamber is put closer to the laundry space. This also makes the inflow of the fluid (mainly water and / or air) from the laundry care programme into the dissolution chamber easier.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the dissolution chamber comprises a housing able to rotate relative to the door.

[0019] This embodiment has the advantage that the rotation of the housing helps dose the additive contained in the dissolution chamber. In addition, if the user introduces a single-dose capsule into the dissolution chamber, the rotation of the housing may help break the foil encapsulating the additive and release it.

[0020] It is understood that the housing of the dissolution chamber rotates when at least a part of the housing is able to rotate or turn about an axis relative to the rest of the door. It is another preferred configuration that the dissolution chamber has a housing fixed part fixedly connected to the door frame and / or door leaf providing it with structural strength and a housing moving part in its closest part to the laundry contained in the laundry space helping dose the additive and break the foil encapsulating it in the case of single-dose capsules. Making the housing rotatory part be the closest part to the laundry has the advantage that the laundry can act as an actuating element causing said rotatory housing to rotate.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the housing rotates about an axis perpendicular to the dosing window.

[0022] This embodiment has the advantage to be the easiest one to be realised as to construction. It has the additional advantage that the action of the laundry as an actuating element causing the housing to rotate is facilitated.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a housing outer surface facing out of the dissolution chamber, which comprises at least one rib protruding from the housing outer surface.

[0024] This embodiment has the advantage that the laundry contained in the drum can rub against the rib of the housing outer surface and cause the housing to rotate or turn. That is to say, the laundry contained in the drum can act as an actuating element for the housing to rotate more easily and it can help achieve a better dosing of the additive contained in the dissolution chamber. Obviously, a configuration in which the housing surface comprises multiple ribs is even more advantageous.

[0025] In a preferred configuration, the housing comprises a housing inner surface facing the interior of the dissolution chamber, which comprises at least one rib protruding from the housing inner surface.

[0026] This configuration has the advantage that, if the additive added in the dissolution chamber is configured in a single-dose capsule format with a foil encapsulating the additive, the at least one rib combined with the rotation of the housing would help break said foil and would therefore help dose the additive. Obviously, it is even a more advantageous configuration that the housing inner surface comprises multiple ribs able to break the foil in the case of single-dose additives encapsulated in a water-soluble foil.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a geometry substantially matching a hemisphere, a truncated cone or a prism base with n sides, n being larger than or equal to 3.

[0028] This embodiment has the advantage that these geometries help prevent the laundry contained in the drum from getting tangled or interacting with the at least one rib of the housing surface. In this manner, the rotation of the housing relative to the door is favoured.

[0029] It is a preferred configuration that the rotatory housing has a geometry substantially like a hemisphere with ribs radially extending from its centre analogously to the part of a citrus squeezer helping squeeze citruses.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the door leaf has a door leaf flat part that, in the door closure position, is located in the closest part to the interior of the laundry care machine and a truncated-cone part connecting it to the door frame and wherein the dosing window is located on the door leaf flat part.

[0031] This embodiment has the advantage of promoting the interaction of the housing of the dissolution chamber with the laundry, the rotation thereof relative to the door being thereby promoted. This embodiment in combination with the housing surface comprising at least one rib is even more advantageous to favour that the laundry causes the housing to rotate.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the door comprises a storage space at the outer surface, which the dosing window can be accessed from.

[0033] This embodiment has the advantage that the user can store or keep the additive in the door itself so it will be much better accessible to insert it into the laundry space of the laundry care machine when required. This storage space is particularly useful and convenient for additives in the form of a single-dose capsule. Furthermore, considering that the door leaves of a washing machine are usually concave in a door closure position observed from outside the laundry care machine, this allows to benefit from a space that is usually empty and unused in most of the laundry care machines.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the storage space has a storage space geometry able to store single-dose capsules containing additives in a column.

[0035] This embodiment is advantageous to take full advantage of the space of the storage space and to be able to keep in said space the single-dose capsules that will be used at a later time during the laundry care programmes.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the door further comprises a dosing system comprising a dosing element able to displace a single-dose capsule containing additives from the storage space to the dissolution chamber through the dosing window by opening the window cover.

[0037] This embodiment is advantageous to facilitate the introduction of the additive into the dissolution chamber by the user of the laundry care machine.

[0038] In a preferred configuration, the dosing element can be a bar fixedly connected to a pushing element located at the closest bar end to the laundry space and which can move linearly and wherein the pushing element collides with a single-dose capsule in such a manner that it pushes this and the single-dose capsule is able to open the window cover, thereby allowing the single-dose capsule to move into the dissolution chamber through the dosing window. In this configuration, the window cover can be fixed to the dosing window by means of a hinge system that allows the window cover to switch from closed to opened when the pushing force is received by it by means of the single-dose capsule, which in turn receives said force from the dosing element.

[0039] In a preferred configuration, in which the storage space has a storage space geometry able to store single-dose capsules containing additives in a column, it is a preferred option that the pushing element of the dosing element is located at the height of the single-dose capsule located at the base of said storage column. In this manner, the pushing element acts on the lower single-dose capsule of the storage column and inserts it into the dissolution chamber. Once the pushing element and the dosing element return to the original position prior to the dosing, the single-dose capsule that was in the second position starting from the bottom of the column will fall by the gravity effect to the position of the single-dose capsule that has just been dosed and remain ready to be dosed subsequently. This configuration has the advantage that the user can take full advantage of the storage space and dose the single-dose capsules more easily by using the gravity effect.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the dosing system comprises such a counteracting element that the counteracting element counteracts the displacement of the dosing element.

[0041] This embodiment has the advantage that the counteracting element helps guarantee a resting position and reduces the possibility for the additive to enter the dissolution chamber by accident. In this case, the user has to apply on the dosing element a greater force than the force counteracting the displacement exerted by the counteracting element so, below this force, the dosing element will not displace. Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage that, once the user has dosed the additive and stops exerting the force, the dosing system returns automatically to the original position, which is more convenient for the user of the laundry care machine.

[0042] Preferably, the counteracting element is a spring or a helical spring and / or a rubber and / or gum elastic element. If it is, for example, a helical spring, the force counteracting the displacement can be determined very easily by taking the elastic constant of the spring into consideration.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the window cover and the dosing element are fixedly connected to each other.

[0044] This embodiment has the advantage that the additives are dosed in an easier and more precise manner, particularly in the case of single-dose capsules.

[0045] Another preferred configuration consists in that the dosing element is a bar fixedly connected to a pushing element located at the closest bar end to the laundry space and, in addition, the pushing element is fixedly connected to the window cover. The geometry of the pushing element and the window cover may be the same and be connected by side bars in such a manner that a space is generated being able to contain, for example, a single-dose capsule and also able to allow a single-dose capsule to fall by gravity in the space existing between the pushing element and the window cover. This is a preferred configuration used in combination with a storage space having a storage space geometry able to store single-dose capsules containing additives in a column. In this manner, the user can dose single-dose capsules to the dissolution chamber very easily by pushing the capsule located at the column base and, after the dosing, allowing the capsule that was located right above the capsule of the column base to fall by gravity and become the column base and remain located between the pushing element and the window cover.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the door leaf is made of a plastic material or glass.

[0047] A door leaf made of a plastic material is particularly advantageous if the door further comprises a storage space, since the plastic acts as an insulating element for the additives contained inside said space against the temperature that may be reached in the laundry space.

[0048] A door leaf made of glass is particularly advantageous if the door does not comprise a storage space, since this makes it possible for the user, particularly at the beginning of the washing programme, to see if there is or not an additive in the dissolution chamber to discern whether the additive has already been added or if they need to add it. However, a door leaf made of glass also including a storage space and a dosing system including a counteracting element falls within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0049] Furthermore, the invention relates to a laundry care machine comprising a laundry space for laundry care delimited by a drum and a door for accessing said drum, wherein the door is a door according to any of the previously described embodiments.

[0050] The drum is the place where the laundry is placed to be cared for. The drum is encapsulated in a supporting frame comprising a rear wall, two side walls and a front wall through which the drum can be accessed. The drum is closed by a usually usable door by which the access to it is opened and closed. The door usually comprises a hinge by means of which it is connected to the front wall and the door does not allow the access to the interior of the drum in a door closure position and does allow the access to it in a door opening position.

[0051] This configuration has the advantage that a dissolution chamber is comprised next to the laundry to be cared for but separate from it at the same time to prevent the additives or their packages from staining or damaging the laundry. A quick introduction of the additive into the dissolution chamber is also allowed by this configuration.

[0052] The laundry care machines are mainly understood to be washing machines, dryers and washer / dryers.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the laundry care machine comprises a water pipe the outlet of which is located in the top of the laundry space so that the water falls onto the dissolution chamber.

[0054] The water reaching the top of the dissolution chamber can be water from the own washing programme recirculated through a recirculation pump or can be the mains water falling from the top of the drum onto the dissolution chamber. It can be also water falling from the top of the drum in such a manner that it falls on the top of the door inner surface and slips over said door inner surface until reaching the interior of the dissolution chamber through the dosing pipes located in the top thereof.

[0055] This embodiment has the advantage that the water can flow in through the dosing pipes located in the top of the dissolution chamber, mix with the additive contained inside it and carry the water and additive mixture along towards the dosing pipes of the bottom of the dissolution chamber for the additives to reach in this manner the laundry being already dissolved in water. This is also advantageous if the additive is added in the form of a single-dose capsule, since the water helps dissolve the foil encapsulating the additive.

[0056] Aspects and embodiments of the invention are described subsequently based on schematic drawings, in which figure 1 is a section of a schematic view of a door according to the invention; figure 2 is a section of a schematic view of a door according to the invention figure 3 is a section of a schematic view of another door according to the invention; figure 4 is a section of a schematic view of another door according to the invention; figure 5 is a section of a schematic view of another door according to the invention; figure 6 is a schematic side view of a dosing system used in a door according to the invention; figure 7 is a schematic side view of another dosing system used in another door according to the invention; figure 8 is a section of a schematic view of a door in a door closure position according to the invention; figure 9 is a section of a schematic view of a laundry care machine comprising a door according to the invention.

[0057] Figure 1 shows a section of a schematic view of a door 5 according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a door 5 having a door frame 14 and a door leaf 13 with an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 23, which further comprises a dissolution chamber 11 adjacent to the inner surface 22 and that can be accessed through a dosing window 10 closed by means of a window cover 2. The dissolution chamber 11 comprises a housing 15 able to rotate relative to the door 5 and comprises multiple dosing pipes 12, all of them located in the housing 15 in this case. Furthermore, the housing 15 comprises several ribs 16 that favour the contact between the laundry 3 (not shown) and the housing 15 so that it is favoured that the laundry 3 acts as an actuating element helping the housing 15 rotate about the axis X. The door 5 from figure 1 further comprises a storage space 9 adjacent to the outer surface 23 able to house additives 7 in a single-dose capsule format in the example shown and which can access the dissolution chamber 11 through the dosing window 10. The storage space 9 has the geometry of the single-dose capsule and extends vertically so it can house single-dose capsules in a column as it is shown in figure 1. Furthermore, the door 5 from figure 1 comprises a dosing system 24 comprising a dosing element 20 that comprises a pushing element 56 able to push the additive 7. The dosing element 20 and the pushing element 56 are fixedly connected to each other and, in addition, are fixedly connected to the window cover 2, since the pushing element 56 is connected to the window cover 2 by means of two side bars 18.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a section of a schematic view of a door 5 like the one shown in figure 1 and with the same constructional elements. For this reason, the description of figure 1 applies regarding references to figure 2, although the difference lies in that, in the door 5 from figure 2, the dosing element 20 has received such a force F that it moves linearly into the dissolution chamber 11. The displacement of the dosing element 20 causes the displacement of the pushing element 56, which, in turn, causes the displacement of the single-dose capsule containing additive 7 and the displacement of the window cover 2. In this manner, the access of the single-dose capsule containing additive 7 into the dissolution chamber 11 is allowed. Once the additive 7 has been introduced into the dissolution chamber 11, a force exerted out of the laundry care machine 1 is required to bring the actuating element 20 back to the position shown in figure 1.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a section of a schematic view of another door 5 according to the invention. The picture from figure 3 shows a door 5 having a door frame 14 and a door leaf 13 with an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 23, which further comprises a dissolution chamber 11 adjacent to the inner surface 22 and that can be accessed through a dosing window 10 closed by means of a window cover 2. The dissolution chamber 11 comprises a housing 15 able to rotate about an axis X relative to the door 5 and comprises multiple dosing pipes 12, all of them located in the housing 15 in this case. Furthermore, the door 5 from figure 3 comprises a storage space 9 adjacent to the outer surface 23 able to house additives 7 in the example shown in a single-dose capsule format and which can be dosed or introduced into the dissolution chamber 11 through the dosing window 10. The storage space 9 features the geometry of the single-dose capsule containing additive 7 and extends vertically so it can house single-dose capsules in a column as it is shown in figure 3. Furthermore, the door 5 from figure 3 comprises a dosing system 24 comprising a dosing element 20 that comprises a pushing element 56 able to push the single-dose capsules. The dosing element 20 and the pushing element 56 are fixedly connected to each other and, in addition, are fixedly connected to the window cover 2, since the pushing element 56 is connected to the window cover 2 by means of two side bars 18. In addition, the dosing system 24 comprises a counteracting element 21 in the form of a helical spring in this case in the example shown in figure 3, which collides with the stop 26 causing the counteracting element 21 to compress when a force is applied on the dosing element 20 causing it to move linearly into the dissolution chamber 11.

[0060] Figure 4 shows a section of a schematic view of a door 5 like the one shown in figure 3 and with the same constructional elements. For this reason, the description of figure 3 applies regarding references to figure 4, although the difference lies in that, in the door 5 from figure 4, the dosing element 20 has received such a force F that it moves linearly into the dissolution chamber 11. The displacement of the dosing element 20 overcoming the counteracting force FR of the counteracting element 21 causes the displacement of the pushing element 56, which, in turn, causes the displacement of the single-dose capsule containing additive 7 and the displacement of the window cover 2. In this manner, the access of the single-dose capsule containing additive 7 into the dissolution chamber 11 is allowed. Once the additive 7 has been inserted into the dissolution chamber 11 and this force F ceases to be exerted, the actuating system returns automatically to the position shown in figure 3 as a consequence of the counteracting force FR exerted by the counteracting element 21, which tends to recover its geometry and resting position.

[0061] Figure 5 shows a section of a schematic view of another door 5 according to the invention. Figure 5 shows a door 5 having a door frame 14 and a door leaf 13 with an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 23, which further comprises a dissolution chamber 11 adjacent to the inner surface 22 and that can be accessed through a dosing window 10 closed by means of a window cover 2. The dissolution chamber 11 comprises a fixed housing 25 in the area adjacent to the inner surface 22 and a housing 15 able to rotate relative to the door 5 comprising multiple dosing pipes 12. The housing 15 comprises a housing outer surface 17 comprising several ribs 16 that favour the contact between the laundry 3 (not shown) and the housing 15 so that it is favoured that the laundry 3 acts as an actuating element helping the housing 15 rotate. Furthermore, the housing 15 comprises a housing inner surface 27 also comprising several ribs 16 (not shown in figure 5) protruding into the dissolution chamber 11 and which would help break by friction the foil encapsulating the additive 7 if the employed additive 7 has the single-dose capsule format. The door 5 from figure 5 comprises a removable window cover 2 that closes the access through the dosing window 10. The window cover 2 has a part the geometry and size of which match those of the dosing window 10 and closes it by means of a positive-fit connection. Furthermore, the window cover 2 has another part protruding out of the laundry care machine 1 in the door closure CP position, which is bigger so as to guarantee the tightness of the closure realised by the window cover 2 relative to the dosing window 10. The additive 7, in any format, i.e. liquid, powdery, in single-dose capsules or any other existing format can be added into the dissolution chamber 11 through the dosing window 10 just by removing the window cover 2.

[0062] Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a dosing system 24 utilised in a door 5 according to the invention. The dosing system 24 shown in figure 6, which is the same as the one utilised in the embodiments described in figures 1 and 2, comprises a dosing element 20 comprising a pushing element 56 at its closest end to the dissolution chamber 11 (not shown in figure 6). The pushing element 56 is fixedly connected to the window cover 2 by means of two side bars 18. A space is thereby left between the pushing element 56 and the window cover 2, in which the additive 7 can be placed. In addition to being fixedly connected to each other, the dosing element 20, the pushing element 56, the window cover 2 and the side bars 18 are preferably made in one single piece.

[0063] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of another dosing system 24 used in a door 5 according to the invention. The dosing system 24 shown in figure 7, which is the same as the one utilised in the embodiments described in figures 3 and 4, comprises a dosing element 20 comprising a pushing element 56 at its closest end to the dissolution chamber 11 (not shown in figure 7). The pushing element 56 is fixedly connected to the window cover 2 by means of two side bars 18. A space is thereby left between the pushing element 56 and the window cover 2, in which the additive 7 can be placed. Furthermore, the dosing system 24 comprises a counteracting element 21 (shown as a spring in figure 7) so that, when the dosing element 20 moves linearly due to a force F towards the dissolution chamber 11, the counteracting element 21 collides with the stop 26, which does not move from its position in spite of the displacement of the dosing element 20, and this collision with the stop 26 causes the counteracting element 21 to compress in such a manner that, when the dosing element 20 ceases to receive the force F displacing it, it returns automatically to the position shown in figure 7. In addition to being fixedly connected to each other, the dosing element 20, the pushing element 56, the window cover 2 and the side bars 18 are preferably made in one single piece.

[0064] Figure 8 shows a section of a schematic view of the door shown in figure 3 in the door closure CP position according to the invention. All the features described in figure 3 apply to the door 5 shown in figure 8. The door 5 is mounted on the front panel 57 and shown in the door closure CP position. Furthermore, figure 8 shows the drum 4 housing the laundry 3 and it shows in addition a water pipe 59 located in the top of the dissolution chamber 11 so that the water 60 either falls directly onto the dissolution chamber 60 or falls onto the inner surface 22 and slips over it until reaching the housing 15 of the dissolution chamber 11. With this arrangement, the water 60 can flow in through the dosing pipes 12 from the top of the housing 15 and mix with the additive 7 contained in the dissolution chamber 11 and the mixture composed of additive 7 and water 60 flows out of the dissolution chamber 11 through the dosing pipes 12.

[0065] Figure 9 shows a section of a schematic view of the door shown in figure 3 in the door closure CP position according to the invention. All the features described in figure 3 apply to the door 5 shown in figure 9. The door 5 is mounted on the front panel 57 and is shown in the door closure CP position. Furthermore, figure 9 shows the drum 4, encapsulated in a supporting frame 28, housing the laundry 3 and it shows in addition a water pipe 59 located in the top of the dissolution chamber 11 so that the water 60 either falls directly onto the dissolution chamber 60 or falls onto the inner surface 22 and slips over it until reaching the housing 15 of the dissolution chamber 11. With this arrangement, the water 60 can flow in through the dosing pipes 12 from the top of the housing 15 and mix with the additive 7 contained in the dissolution chamber 11 and the mixture composed of additive 7 and water 60 flows out of the dissolution chamber 11 through the dosing pipes 12.List of reference signs

[0066] 1laundry care machine 2window cover 3laundry 4drum 5door 6laundry space 7additives 8single-dose capsule 9storage space 10dosing window 11dissolution chamber 12dosing pipe 13door leaf 14door frame 15housing 16rib 17rotatory housing outer surface 18side bar 19storage space geometry 20dosing element 21counteracting element 22inner surface 23outer surface 24dosing system 25fixed housing 26stop 27housing inner surface 28supporting frame 33door leaf flat part 56pushing element 57front panel 59water pipe 60water CPdoor closure Fforce FRcounteracting force Xaxis

Claims

1. A door (5) for accessing the interior of a laundry space (6) of a laundry care machine (1) comprising a door frame (14) and a door leaf (13), wherein the door leaf (13) comprises an inner surface (22) that, in a door closure (CP) position, is facing the laundry space (6) and an outer surface (23) that, in the door closure (CP) position, is facing out of the laundry care machine (1), wherein the door (5) comprises a dosing window (10) with a window cover (2) for closing the dosing window (10), characterised in that it further comprises a dissolution chamber (11) for additives (7) adjacent to the inner surface (22) so the dissolution chamber (11) can be accessed through the dosing window (10) and wherein the dissolution chamber (11) comprises at least one dosing pipe (12) for dosing the additive (7) out of the dissolution chamber (11).

2. The door (5) according to claim 1, characterised in that the dosing window (10) is located on the door leaf (13).

3. The door (5) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dissolution chamber (11) comprises a housing (15) able to rotate relative to the door (5).

4. The door (5) according to claim 3, characterised in that the housing (15) rotates about an axis (X) perpendicular to the dosing window (10).

5. The door (5) according to any of claims 3 to 4, characterised in that the housing (15) comprises a housing outer surface (17) facing out of the dissolution chamber (11), which comprises at least one rib (16) protruding from the housing outer surface (17).

6. The door (5) according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the housing (15) has a geometry substantially matching a hemisphere, a truncated cone or a prism base with n sides, n being larger than or equal to 3.

7. The door (5) according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the door leaf (13) has a door leaf flat part (33) that, in the door closure (CP) position, is located in the closest part to the interior of the laundry care machine (1) and a truncated-cone part connecting it to the door frame (14) and wherein the dosing window (10) is located on the door leaf flat part (33).

8. The door (5) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a storage space (9) at the outer surface (23), which the dosing window (10) can be accessed from.

9. The door (5) according to claim 8, characterised in that the storage space (9) has a storage space geometry (19) able to store single-dose capsules (8) containing additives (7) in a column.

10. The door (5) according to any of claims 8 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a dosing system (24) comprising a dosing element (20) able to displace a single-dose capsule (8) containing additives (7) from the storage space (9) to the dissolution chamber (11) through the dosing window (10) by opening the window cover (2).

11. The door (5) according to claim 10, characterised in that the dosing system (24) comprises such a counteracting element (21) that the counteracting element (21) counteracts the displacement of the dosing element (20).

12. The door (5) according to any of claims 10 to 11, characterised in that the window cover (2) and the dosing element (20) are fixedly connected to each other.

13. The door (5) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the door leaf (13) is made of a plastic material or glass.

14. A laundry care machine (1) comprising a laundry space (6) for laundry (3) care contained in a drum (4) and a door (5) for accessing said drum (4), characterised in that the door (5) is a door (5) according to any of claims 1 to 13.

15. The laundry care machine (1) according to claim 14, characterised in that it comprises a water pipe (59) the outlet of which is located in the top of the laundry space (6) so that the water (60) falls onto the dissolution chamber (11 ).

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