Clothing processing apparatus

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a cabinet, a tub, a drum, and a storage part, wherein: the storage part comprises a body portion which has an opening formed at one surface thereof and in which a detergent is stored, and an opening cover which is coupled to the body portion and covers the opening; the opening cover includes a cover recess which is formed to be recessed toward the inside of the storage part; and a detergent hole communicating with the inside of the storage part is provided in the cover recess.

Description

[0001] This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT / KR2023 / 018638, filed Nov. 20, 2023, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0085014, filed Jun. 30, 2023, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply device for supplying detergent.BACKGROUND

[0003] A laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus that performs a washing course that removes contamination from laundry by putting clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as laundry) inside a drum. In addition to the washing course, the laundry treating apparatus may also perform a rinsing course, a spin-drying course, and a drying course.

[0004] The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet that forms an outer appearance, a tub provided inside the tub, ad a drum rotatably provided inside the tub to accommodate laundry.

[0005] The laundry treating apparatus may include a detergent supply device that supplies detergent into the tub or drum to perform a washing course, and the like. When the drum rotates while washing water and detergent are supplied inside the tub, contaminants may be removed from the laundry through friction with the drum and washing water.

[0006] The detergent supply device may have a detergent supply function to enhance a washing effect. Here, the detergent may include all substances that enhance a washing effect, such as a detergent that induces the decomposition and separation of contaminants, a softener that improves the flexibility of fabric of laundry, and a bleaching agent that improves the color stains of the laundry. The detergent may include both powder and liquid forms.

[0007] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0007549 discloses a laundry treating apparatus including a detergent supply device. The detergent supply device includes a drawer to be withdrawn from a cabinet and a detergent channel provided in the drawer to guide detergent to the tub. The conventional manual detergent supply device described above uses a method in which detergent injected into the detergent channel is supplied to the tub together with water.

[0008] However, the conventional manual detergent supply device described above has difficulty in quantitatively adding detergent as the user directly adds detergent for each washing course, and there is inconvenience in that the user adds detergent for each cycle.

[0009] To resolve this problem, a detergent supply device that automatically supplies detergent for each washing course has been developed, and furthermore, a method has been developed that allows the user to selectively use any one of the detergent supply devices by adding the automatic detergent supply device described above to a laundry treating apparatus including the conventional manual detergent supply device.

[0010] When an automatic detergent supply device is additionally installed as above, it is necessary to ensure a space for each component of the automatic detergent supply device to be installed. However, in a laundry treating apparatus with a manual detergent supply device and other components installed, there may be limitations in the space in which the automatic detergent supply device is to be installed. To overcome this, a structure is developed in which a part of the automatic detergent supply device is located outside the cabinet.

[0011] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0120202 discloses a laundry treating apparatus in which an automatic storage container for storing detergent in an automatic detergent supply device is located outside a cabinet.

[0012] However, the detergent storage container located outside the cabinet as above may be vulnerable to vibrations caused by the rotation of the drum, and the like. For example, the storage container may include a detergent inlet for injecting detergent, and when vibration occurs, the detergent may leak out through the inlet, and the detergent leaking from the storage container may be present outside the cabinet, which may increase user inconvenience.

[0013] It may be difficult for the user to intuitively check the amount of detergent stored in the storage container, and thus it may be difficult to determine whether the amount of detergent stored in the storage container is insufficient to perform the washing course.

[0014] Accordingly, it is important in this technical field to effectively ensure a space for storing detergent, minimizing unintentional leakage of detergent from the detergent storage container, and furthermore, to conveniently check the amount of detergent stored in the storage container.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0015] An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus for effectively ensuring a space for storing detergent.

[0016] An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that is installed outside a cabinet, is to be conveniently managed, and improves the storage capacity of detergent.

[0017] An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that effectively prevents detergent from leaking from a storage portion in which detergent is stored.

[0018] An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus for conveniently checking the amount of detergent stored in a detergent storage portion.Technical Solution

[0019] A laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum, and a storage portion. A cabinet may include a top cover having a laundry inlet. A tub may be provided inside the cabinet to store water.

[0020] A drum may be rotatably provided inside the tub to accommodate laundry. A storage portion may be provided on the top cover and exposed to an outside of the cabinet to store detergent.

[0021] The storage portion may include a body portion having an opening formed in one surface to store detergent therein, and an opening cover coupled to the body portion to cover the opening, and the opening cover may include a cover recess that is recessed towards an inside of the storage portion, and a detergent hole communicating with the inside of the storage portion is provided within the cover recess.

[0022] The opening cover may further include an input recess that is recessed towards an inside of the storage portion from the cover recess and includes the detergent hole.

[0023] The opening cover may further include a cover base that is coupled to the storage portion to cover the opening and includes the cover recess formed therein, and the cover recess may include a cover recess surface that is recessed towards the inside of the storage portion from the cover base and a cover circumferential surface surrounding the cover recess surface.

[0024] The input recess may include an input recess surface that is recessed towards the inside of the storage portion from the cover recess surface and an input circumferential surface surrounding the input recess surface.

[0025] The detergent hole may be provided in the input recess surface or the input circumferential surface to communicate with the inside of the storage portion. A portion of the detergent hole may be located in the input recess surface and a remaining portion may be located in the input circumferential surface.

[0026] The detergent hole may be provided in a plural number and the plurality of detergent holes may be arranged in the circumferential direction of the input recess. The detergent hole may extend in the circumferential direction of the input recess.

[0027] The input recess may have a display area in which a letter or a pattern is configured to display on an input recess surface recessed from the cover recess. The letter or pattern of the display area is formed to pass through the input recess surface to communicate with the inside of the storage portion.

[0028] The input recess may include an input recess surface recessed from the cover recess, and a height of the input recess surface with respect to a bottom portion of the storage portion may be related with a maximum allowable amount of detergent stored in the storage portion The input recess surface may display a letter or pattern indicating the maximum allowable amount of the detergent stored in the storage portion.

[0029] The opening cover may further include a cover base that is coupled to the storage portion to cover the opening and includes the cover recess formed therein, and a peripheral coupling portion coupled to an opening peripheral portion surrounding the opening of the surface of the storage portion may be formed around the cover base.

[0030] The opening peripheral portion may be inserted into the peripheral coupling portion in a direction parallel to the surface. The peripheral coupling portion may include an accommodation portion accommodated on an outer surface facing the outer cover in the opening peripheral portion, and an engaging portion including an engaging projection that extends from the cover base towards the inside of the storage portion and protrudes to come in contact with an inner surface of the opening peripheral portion.

[0031] The accommodation portion may include an accommodation extension extending from the engaging portion to an outside of the cover base, an accommodation protrusion that is provided at an end of the accommodation extension and accommodated on an outer surface of the opening peripheral portion, and a first leakage prevention portion located between the accommodation protrusion and the engaging portion and protruding from the accommodation extension towards the outer surface of the opening peripheral portion.

[0032] The engaging portion may include an engaging extension extending from the cover base towards the inside of the storage portion, an engaging projection being provided at an end of the engaging extension, and a second leakage prevention portion protruding from the engaging extension towards the opening peripheral portion and spaced apart from the engaging projection.

[0033] The opening cover may further include a detergent check portion including a check hole that exposes the inside of the storage portion to the outside.

[0034] The detergent check portion may include a display extension extending towards a bottom portion of the storage portion, and a minimum display part provided at an end of the display extension having a height with respect to the bottom portion, which is related with the minimum allowable amount of detergent stored in the storage portion.

[0035] The detergent check portion may include a peripheral rib that surrounds the check hole and protrudes towards the outer cover. The detergent check portion may include a light-transmitting shield that covers the check hole, and the light-transmitting shield may have light-transmitting properties such that that the inside of the storage portion is to be checked through the check hole.

[0036] The laundry treating apparatus may further include an outer cover coupled to the body portion to cover the opening cover and exposed to an outside of the storage portion.

[0037] The outer cover may be rotatably coupled to the storage portion, rotated to a closed state to cover the opening cover, and rotated to an open state to expose the opening cover to the outside of the storage portion.

[0038] The opening cover may further include a detergent check portion including a check hole that exposes the inside of the storage portion to the outside, and the outer cover may include a check area that is provided at a position related with the check hole and through which light passes to check the inside of the storage portion through the check hole.Advantageous Effects

[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus for effectively ensuring a space for storing detergent.

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus that is installed outside a cabinet, is to be conveniently managed, and improves the storage capacity of detergent.

[0041] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus that effectively prevents detergent from leaking from a storage portion in which detergent is stored.

[0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus for conveniently checking the amount of detergent stored in a detergent storage portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a detergent portion located on a top cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a downward perspective view of a storage portion provided in a detergent portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mounting portion provided in a detergent portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detergent pump and detergent hose provided in a rear space of a top cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a movement path of detergent flowing through a detergent pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a storage portion of a detergent portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an opening cover coupled to a storage portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a storage portion with a separated opening cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cover recess and a input recess of an opening cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a peripheral coupling portion of an opening cover taken along line A-A of FIG. 9.

[0055] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detergent check portion and a check area of an outer cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a storage portion with an outer cover of FIG. 13 rotated to a closed state.

[0057] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a detergent check portion accommodated inside a body portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so as for those of ordinary skill in the art to easily implement with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to these embodiments. To clearly describe the present disclosure, a part without concerning to the description is omitted in the drawings, and like reference numerals in the specification denote like elements.

[0060] In the specification, a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.

[0061] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,”“directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

[0062] The terms used in the present specification are used for explaining a specific exemplary embodiment, not limiting the present inventive concept.

[0063] In the specification, the singular expressions in the present specification include the plural expressions unless clearly specified otherwise in context.

[0064] In the specification, terms such as “include” or “comprise” may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, or combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, or combinations thereof.

[0065] In this specification, the term ‘and / or’ includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or any of the plurality of listed items. In this specification, ‘A or B’ may include ‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘both A and B’.

[0066] A laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet 10. The cabinet 10 has a defined space inside and may define an outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0067] The cabinet 10 includes a laundry inlet 11. The laundry inlet 11 may be provided in the form of a hole in the cabinet 10 and may be provided to connect the outside and inside of the cabinet 10. A user may load laundry for washing from the outside to the inside of the cabinet 10 through the laundry inlet 11.

[0068] The cabinet 10 may be provided by combining a plurality of panels. For example, the cabinet 10 may include at least a portion of a front panel, a side panel, a rear panel, and a top cover 13. The laundry inlet 11 may be provided in the front panel or the top cover 13.

[0069] That is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may be a front-loader type in which the laundry treating apparatus 1 is provided on the front panel of the cabinet 10 or a top-loader type in which the laundry inlet 11 is provided on the top cover 13 of the cabinet 10.

[0070] However, for convenience of explanation, the following description is based on the top-loader type in which the laundry inlet 11 is provided on the top cover 13 unless otherwise specified.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cabinet 10 may include a cabinet body 18 and the top cover 13, and the cabinet body 18 may include the front panel, side panel, and rear panel described above, and may be provided in an open top form.

[0072] The top cover 13 may be provided above the cabinet body 18. The top cover 13 may be provided to cover the open upper surface of the cabinet body 18 and may include the laundry inlet 11 described above.

[0073] The top cover 13 may include a laundry door 12 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 11. The laundry door 12 may undergo a displacement and open and close the laundry inlet 11. The laundry door 12 may undergo a displacement to correspond to either a closed state P1 in which the laundry inlet 11 is closed or an open state P2 in which the laundry inlet 11 is opened.

[0074] The laundry door 12 may be rotatably provided on the top cover 13. A rear end of the laundry door 12 may be hinged to the top cover 13 and rotated to be in close contact with the top cover 13 or rotated away from the top cover 13.

[0075] The top cover 13 may include a front portion 14 located in front of the laundry inlet 11 and a rear portion 15 located in the rear of the laundry inlet 11. The front portion 14 of the top cover 13 may include an input / output part 80 that is operated by the user or provides information to the user.

[0076] The input / output part 80 may include an input part that is operated by the user to generate an input signal and an output part that is operated by a controller to generate an output signal. The input part may include various types of buttons, touch panels, microphones, and the like. The output part may include a display part for outputting a screen, and a speaker for outputting sound.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the top cover 13 may include a rear portion 15 located in the rear of the laundry inlet 11, and the rear portion 15 may include a detergent portion 100 for supplying detergent into a tub 30 to be described later.

[0078] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the detergent portion 100 may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10. For example, the detergent portion 100 may include a storage portion 200 in which detergent is stored, and the storage portion 200 may be exposed to the outside of the top cover 13. The detergent portion 100 may further include inner detergent portions 500 and 190 that communicate with the laundry inlet 11 and discharge detergent into the tub 30.

[0079] The tub 30 and a drum 20 may be provided inside the cabinet 10. The tub 30 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 to store water, and the drum 20 may be provided inside the tub 30 to accommodate laundry.

[0080] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] The tub 30 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 to store water. The water stored in the tub 30 may be used as washing water for washing laundry. The tub 30 may have a roughly cylindrical shape and include a tub opening 31 be formed in one surface facing the laundry inlet 11.

[0082] For example, the tub 30 may have the tub opening 31 provided on the upper surface, and the tub opening 31 may be located below the laundry inlet 11 and may face the laundry inlet 11.

[0083] The drum 20 may be provided inside the tub 30, have a roughly cylindrical shape, and may be rotatably arranged. For example, the drum 20 may have a rotation shaft and may be rotatably installed around the rotation shaft.

[0084] The drum 20 may have a drum opening 21 facing the tub opening 31 on the upper surface. Laundry loaded through the laundry inlet 11 may pass through the tub opening 31 and the drum opening 21 and be accommodated inside the drum 20.

[0085] A driving shaft connected to a driver 70 may be provided on a lower surface of the drum 20. The driving shaft may correspond to the rotation shaft described above, and the drum 20 may be rotated through the driver 70.

[0086] A plurality of holes may be on a circumferential surface of the drum 20. Water received inside the tub 30 by the plurality of holes may be provided to the inside of the drum 20, and water and detergent are provided inside the drum 20 such that a washing course of laundry may proceed along with rotation of the drum 20.

[0087] A water supply portion 40 may be provided in the cabinet 10 and may be connected to an external water supply source provided outside the cabinet 10. The water supply portion 40 may supply water delivered from the external water supply source into the tub 30.

[0088] The water supply portion 40 may be directly connected to the tub 30 to supply water into the tub 30, or may be connected to the detergent portion 100 described above, for example, the inner detergent portions 500 and 190, to supply water to the inner detergent portions 500 and 190, and the inner detergent portions 500 and 190 may discharge water and detergent together into the tub 30.

[0089] The detergent portion 100 may store detergent as described above, and supply the detergent into the tub 30 together with water supplied from the water supply portion 40. The detailed structure of the detergent portion 100 will be described later.

[0090] The drain portion 60 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 and connected to the tub 30. The drain portion 60 may be provided to discharge water accommodated in the tub 30, and the drain portion 60 may include a drainage pump for discharging water.

[0091] FIG. 3 illustrates the detergent portion 100 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The detergent portion 100 may include the storage portion 200 exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10.

[0092] The storage portion 200 may be provided in the top cover 13 and exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 to store detergent. The storage portion 200 may be in a form that protrudes upward from the top cover 13 and may be detachably provided from the top cover 13.

[0093] The user may separate the storage portion 200 from the top cover 13 to wash the storage portion 200 or store detergent. The user may also store detergent in the storage portion 200 while the storage portion 200 is connected to the top cover 13.

[0094] The storage portion 200 may be exposed to the outside of the top cover 13 and provided in a protruding from the top cover 13, thereby ensuring a space for storing detergent by utilizing a space outside the cabinet 10.

[0095] The storage portion 200 may have a storage space 218 formed therein in which detergent is stored, and may include an opening 212 that connects the storage space 218 and the outside of the storage portion 200. The user may inject detergent into the storage portion 200 through the opening 212.

[0096] The storage portion 200 may include an outer cover 400 for opening and closing the opening 212. The outer cover 400 may be rotatably provided in the storage portion 200. The outer cover 400 may be rotated to the closed state P1 to close the opening 212, or rotated to the open state P2 to open the opening 212.

[0097] The outer cover 400 may be rotatably coupled to a body portion 210 of the storage portion 200 in the rear end of the opening 212. The outer cover 400 may define a part of the outer appearance of the body portion 210.

[0098] The detergent portion 100 may include a mounting portion 110 provided on the top cover 13. The mounting portion 110 may define at least a part of the top cover 13. The storage portion 200 may be mounted on the mounting portion 110 provided on the top cover 13.

[0099] A detergent port 112 may be provided in the mounting portion 110. The detergent port 112 may be inserted into the storage portion 200 to communicate with the inside of the storage portion 200 mounted on the mounting portion 110. The detergent stored in the storage portion 200 may flow to the outside of the storage portion 200 through the detergent port 112.

[0100] The detergent portion 100 may further include the inner detergent portions 500 and 190 provided inside the cabinet 10. Here, the inside of the cabinet 10 may include not only a space defined by the cabinet body 18 but also a space formed inside the top cover 13.

[0101] The inner detergent portions 500 and 190 may be provided in the top cover 13, and may be formed to pass through a circumferential surface surrounding the laundry inlet 11 in the top cover 13 to communicate with the laundry inlet 11. The inner detergent portions 500 and 190 may be installed in a space formed inside the top cover 13.

[0102] The inner detergent portions 500 and 190 may include a detergent case 192 provided inside the top cover 13 and an inner drawer 195 inserted into or withdrawn from the detergent case 192. The inner drawer 195 may store detergent inside.

[0103] The detergent case 192 may have its front surface facing the laundry inlet 11 open. The open front surface of the detergent case 192 may be exposed towards the laundry inlet 11. The inner drawer 195 may be inserted into the detergent case 192 towards the front surface of the detergent case 192.

[0104] The inner detergent portions 500 and 190 may receive detergent stored in the storage portion 200, and may be arranged to discharge at least a portion of the detergent stored in the inner drawer 195 and the detergent and water delivered from the storage portion 200 into the tub 30.

[0105] FIG. 4 shows a view of a bottom portion 215 of the storage portion 200 as viewed from below, and FIG. 5 shows the mounting portion 110.

[0106] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage portion 200 may be provided in a plural number and have separate storage spaces 218. The user may store and use different detergents in each of the plurality of storage portions 200.

[0107] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of storage portions 200 may include a first storage portion 201 and a second storage portion 202, and the first storage portion 201 and the second storage portion 202 may be mounted on the mounting portion 110 such that their inner end surfaces 216 facing each other are adjacent to each other.

[0108] The storage portion 200 may be moved along a width direction of the cabinet 10 and mounted on the mounting portion 110 or moved along a height direction of the cabinet 10 and mounted on the mounting portion 110.

[0109] A detergent valve 220 may be provided on the bottom portion 215 of the storage portion 200. The detergent valve 220 may be exposed to the outside of the storage portion 200 and may selectively connect the storage space 218 inside the storage portion 200 to the outside of the storage portion 200.

[0110] For example, the detergent valve 220 may be opened when the detergent port 112 provided in the mounting portion 110 is inserted, thereby connecting the detergent port 112 and the storage space 218. The detergent valve 220 may be provided to be closed when the detergent port 112 is not inserted to prevent unnecessary detergent leakage.

[0111] The body portion 210 of the storage portion 200 may include a body fixing protrusion 222 on the bottom portion 215. The body fixing protrusion 222 may protrude downward from the bottom portion 215 and may be supported by the mounting portion 110 to prevent the body portion 210 from being separated from the mounting portion 110.

[0112] The body fixing protrusion 222 may be movably provided. For example, the body fixing protrusion 222 may include a manipulator having a variable protrusion amount protruding downward from the bottom portion 215 and configured to adjust the protrusion amount of the body fixing protrusion 222. The user may change the protrusion amount of the body fixing protrusion 222 to fix the body portion 210 to the mounting portion 110 or separate the body portion 210 from the mounting portion 110.

[0113] A receiving groove 115 into which the body portion 210 of the storage portion 200 is to be accommodated may be provided in the mounting portion 110. The storage portion 200 may be fixed in position while being accommodated in the receiving groove 115. The number of the receiving grooves 115 may correspond to the number of storage portions 200. FIG. 5 illustrates a pair of receiving grooves 115 arranged in a width direction of the cabinet 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mounting portion 110 may include a groove or surface for contact with the body fixing protrusion 222 of the body portion 210 described above.

[0114] FIG. 6 illustrates the top cover 13 shows the top cover 13 with a rear space 16 that is exposed by separating the mounting portion 110. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the top cover 13 may have the rear space 16 inside the rear portion 15 described above.

[0115] The rear space 16 may include a detergent pump 120 for flowing the detergent stored in the storage portion 200 and a detergent hose 125 for forming a detergent channel. The inner detergent portions 500 and 190 may be accommodated in the rear space 16.

[0116] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent pump 120, the detergent hose 125, and the like may be provided in the rear space 16 of the top cover 13, and the top cover 13 may be partially opened to expose the rear space 16 to the outside.

[0117] The mounting portion 110 may be coupled to the top cover 13 to close the rear space 16, and the storage portion 200 may be coupled to the mounting portion 110 from the outside of the cabinet 10 to store detergent by utilizing a space other than the rear space 16.

[0118] FIG. 7 illustrates the detergent portion 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, the detergent channel of the detergent portion 100 is described as follows.

[0119] The detergent stored in the storage portion 200 may flow to the outside of the storage portion 200 through the detergent port 112 coupled to the detergent valve 220. The detergent discharged from the storage portion 200 may flow towards the detergent pump 120 through the detergent hose 125 connected to the detergent port 112.

[0120] The detergent pump 120 may be controlled by a controller and may flow detergent for the washing course. The amount of detergent supplied into the tub 30 by the detergent pump 120 may be adjusted by the controller.

[0121] The detergent passing through the detergent pump 120 may flow along the detergent hose 125 connecting the detergent pump 120 to the detergent case 192 and may be supplied to the detergent case 192. The detergent case 192 may discharge detergent supplied through the detergent hose 125, detergent stored in the detergent drawer described above, and water supplied from the water supply portion 40 together into the tub 30.

[0122] FIG. 8 shows an outer appearance of the storage portion 200. Referring to FIG. 8, the storage portion 200 may have a shape extending approximately along a width direction of the cabinet 10 and may have a shape protruding upward from the mounting portion 110.

[0123] The storage portion 200 may include the body portion 210 and the outer cover 400 that is rotatably coupled to the body portion 210. The outer cover 400 may be provided on one surface 211 of the body portion 210, for example, the upper surface of the body portion 210 and may define a part of the outer appearance of the body portion 210 in the closed state P1.

[0124] The body portion 210 may be provided in a plural number, and the plurality of body portions 210 mounted on the mounting portion 110 may be fixed such that their respective inner cross-sections 216 face each other.

[0125] FIG. 9 illustrates the storage portion 200 with the outer cover 400 rotated to the open state P2. FIG. 10 illustrates an opening cover 300 separated from the storage portion 200.

[0126] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage portion 200 may include the body portion 210 and the opening cover 300. The body portion 210 may have the opening 212 formed on the surface 211 and store detergent therein.

[0127] The surface 211 may be the upper surface of the body portion 210, and detergent may be input from the outside of the body portion 210 into the storage space 218 inside the body portion 210 through the opening 212. That is, the opening 212 may connect the storage space 218 of the body portion to the outside of the body portion 210.

[0128] The outer cover 400 may be coupled to the body portion 210 to cover the opening cover 300 and may be exposed to the outside of the storage portion 200. The outer cover 400 may be rotatably coupled to the storage portion 200, rotated to the closed state P1 to cover the opening cover 300, and rotated to the open state P2 to expose the opening cover 300 to the outside of the storage portion 200.

[0129] The opening cover 300 may be coupled to the body portion 210 and cover the opening 212. The opening cover 300 may be provided to shield the opening 212 provided in the body portion 210. Accordingly, even if vibration is transmitted to the storage portion 200, detergent may be prevented from leaking out of the body portion 210 through the opening 212 by the opening cover 300.

[0130] The opening cover 300 may be detachably provided from the body portion 210. The opening cover 300 may include a peripheral coupling portion 370 coupled to an opening peripheral portion 213 that surrounds the opening 212 at the body portion. A detailed description of the peripheral coupling portion 370 will be given below.

[0131] The opening cover 300 may include a cover base 340 including the peripheral coupling portion 370. The cover base 340 may include a base surface 341 facing the outer cover 400. The opening cover 300 may include a detergent inlet portion 310 including a detergent hole 311 communicating with the inside of the storage portion 200.

[0132] The detergent hole 311 provided in the detergent inlet portion 310 may be formed to pass through the opening cover 300 and connect the outside of the storage portion 200 to the storage space 218. The user may supply detergent into the body portion 210 through the detergent hole 311 provided in the detergent inlet portion 310 without separating the opening cover 300.

[0133] The opening cover 300 may include a cover recess 350 that is recessed towards the storage space 218 in the cover base 340, and detergent inlet portion 310 may be located within the cover recess 350. The detergent hole 311 communicating with the inside of the storage portion 200 may be provided within the cover recess 350.

[0134] Accordingly, even if detergent leaks out through the detergent hole 311, the leaking detergent may be collected within the cover recess 350, effectively preventing the detergent from leaking out of the storage portion 200.

[0135] The opening cover 300 may include an input recess 360 that is recessed towards the storage space 218 in the cover recess 350, and the detergent inlet portion 310 may be located within the input recess 360. For example, the detergent inlet portion 310 may include the input recess 360.

[0136] That is, the opening cover 300 may be recessed towards the inside of the storage portion 200 from the cover recess 350 and may include the input recess 360 including the detergent hole 311.

[0137] Accordingly, even if detergent leaks out through the detergent hole 311, the leaking detergent may be collected within the input recess 360, effectively preventing the detergent from leaking out of the storage portion 200.

[0138] FIG. 11 illustrates the opening cover 300 separated from the body portion 210. FIG. 11 illustrates a height difference between the cover base 340, the cover recess 350, and the input recess 360 of the opening cover 300.

[0139] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening cover 300 may include the cover recess 350 recessed towards the inside of the storage portion 200. The detergent inlet portion 310 may be located within the cover recess 350.

[0140] The opening cover 300 may include the cover base 340 that is coupled to the body portion 210 to cover the opening 212, and the cover recess 350 may be recessed from the cover base 340.

[0141] The cover recess 350 may include a cover recess surface 351 located closer to the storage space 218 than the base surface 341 of the cover base 340, and may include a cover circumferential surface 352 surrounding the cover recess surface 351.

[0142] The cover circumferential surface 352 may connect the cover recess surface 351 to the base surface 341. The cover recess 350 may be formed stepwise from the cover base 340, and the detergent inlet portion 310 may be provided in the cover recess surface 351.

[0143] Accordingly, when detergent leaks out through the detergent hole 311 of the detergent inlet portion 310, the leaking detergent may be collected on the cover recess surface 351 surrounded by the cover circumferential surface 352, thereby preventing detergent from leaking out of the opening cover 300.

[0144] The opening cover 300 may include the input recess 360 that is recessed towards the inside of the storage portion 200 within the cover recess 350, and the detergent inlet portion 310 may be provided in the input recess 360.

[0145] The input recess 360 may include an input recess surface 361 located closer to the storage space 218 than the cover recess surface 351 of the cover recess 350, and may include an input circumferential surface 362 surrounding the input recess surface 361.

[0146] The input circumferential surface 362 may connect the input recess surface 361 to the cover recess surface 351. The input recess 360 may be formed stepwise from the cover recess surface 351, and the detergent inlet portion 310 may be provided in the input recess surface 361.

[0147] The opening cover 300 may have a multi-stage recess structure through the cover recess 350 that is recessed stepwise from the cover base 340 and the input recess 360 that is recessed stepwise from the cover recess 350.

[0148] The detergent inlet portion 310 may be located in the input recess 360, and thus detergent leaking out through the detergent hole 311 may be collected in the input recess 360 as well as the cover recess 350, so that the detergent leaking out through the detergent hole 311 may be effectively prevented from leaking out to the outside of the opening cover 300.

[0149] The detergent hole 311 may be provided in the input recess surface 361 or the input circumferential surface 362 and may be connected to the inside of the storage portion 200. That is, the detergent hole 311 may be formed to pass through the input recess surface 361 and / or the input circumferential surface 362.

[0150] The detergent hole 311 may be provided in a plural number, the plurality of detergent holes 311 may be arranged along a circumferential direction of the input recess 360, and the detergent hole 311 may extend along the circumferential direction of the input recess 360.

[0151] As illustrated in FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent hole 311 may be arranged in the input recess 360 and may be provided in a plural number and may be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the input recess 360. The plurality of detergent holes 311 may each extend along the circumferential direction of the input recess 360.

[0152] However, the shape of the detergent hole 311 is not necessarily limited to the above. For example, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the detergent hole 311 located together on the input recess surface 361 and the input circumferential surface 362.

[0153] In detail, a portion of the detergent hole 311 may be located in the input recess surface 361, and the other portion of the detergent hole 311 may be located in the input circumferential surface 362. That is, the detergent hole 311 may have a shape extending from the input recess surface 361 to the input circumferential surface 362.

[0154] The detergent hole 311 may be provided only in the input circumferential surface 362 excluding the input recess surface 361. The plurality of detergent holes 311 may include at least one of one located only in the input recess surface 361, another located only in the input circumferential surface 362, and another located together in the input recess surface 361 and the input circumferential surface 362.

[0155] The input recess 360 may have a display area in which a letter or a pattern is displayed on the input recess surface 361 recessed from the cover recess 350. The letter or pattern of the display area may be formed to pass through the input recess surface 361 to communicate with the inside of the storage portion 200.

[0156] The input recess 360 may include the input recess surface 361 recessed from the cover recess 350, and a height of the input recess surface 361 with respect to the bottom portion 215 of the storage portion 200 may correspond to the maximum allowable amount of detergent stored in the storage portion 200. The input recess surface 361 may display a letter or pattern indicating the maximum allowable amount of detergent stored in the storage portion 200.

[0157] In detail, a maximum display part 335 provided in the detergent inlet portion 310 may be provided in the input recess surface 361. For example, the maximum display part 335 may correspond to at least a portion of the input recess surface 361. However, if necessary, a surface defining the maximum display part 335 may be provided offset from the input recess surface 361.

[0158] The maximum allowable amount may mean the maximum storage amount of detergent determined by design for the storage portion 200. That is, detergent leakage is expected when detergent exceeds the maximum allowable amount, and thus the user may be recommended to store detergent equal to or less than the maximum allowable amount.

[0159] The maximum display part 335 may be a device for indicating a surface height of the detergent corresponding to the maximum allowable amount. That is, the height of the maximum display part 335 from the bottom portion 215 of the storage portion 200 may be a surface height of the detergent corresponding to the maximum allowable amount.

[0160] Accordingly, the user may estimate the amount of detergent to be stored by comparing the height of the detergent with the height of the maximum display part 335 during a process of storing detergent in the storage space 218 of the storage portion 200.

[0161] FIG. 12 illustrates the opening peripheral portion 213 and the peripheral coupling portion 370 taken along line A-A of FIG. 9.

[0162] The opening cover 300 may further include the cover base 340 that is coupled to the storage portion 200 to cover the opening 212 and in which the cover recess 350 is formed. The peripheral coupling portion 370 coupled to the opening peripheral portion 213 surrounding the opening 212 of the surface 211 of the storage portion 200 may be provided around the cover base 340.

[0163] The opening peripheral portion 213 may be inserted into the peripheral coupling portion 370 in a direction parallel to the surface 211. That is, the peripheral coupling portion 370 may be provided such that an end of the opening peripheral portion 213 is to be inserted.

[0164] The peripheral coupling portion 370 may include an accommodation portion 371 and an engaging portion 375. The accommodation portion 371 may be accommodated on an outer surface facing the outer cover 400 in the opening peripheral portion 213. That is, the accommodation portion 371 may be accommodated on the surface 211 of the body portion 210.

[0165] The engaging portion 375 may include an engaging projection 376 that extends from the cover base 340 towards the inside of the storage portion 200 and protrudes to come in contact with an inner surface of the opening peripheral portion 213. Accordingly, the opening cover 300 may be fixed in position by supporting the accommodation portion 371 upwards by the opening peripheral portion 213 and supporting the engaging portion 375 downwards by the opening peripheral portion 213.

[0166] The accommodation portion 371 may include an accommodation extension 372 extending from the engaging portion 375 to the outside of the cover base 340. The accommodation extension 372 may extend parallel to the base surface 341 of the cover base 340. The accommodation extension 372 may be provided to surround the cover base 340.

[0167] The accommodation portion 371 may include an accommodation protrusion 373 that is provided at an end of the accommodation extension 372 and accommodated on an outer surface of the opening peripheral portion 213. The accommodation extension 372 may be located on the outer surface of the opening peripheral portion 213, for example, on the upper surface of the opening peripheral portion 213 and supported upwards by the upper surface, thereby preventing the detergent stored in the storage space 218 from leaking out through a space between the opening peripheral portion 213 and the accommodation extension 372.

[0168] The accommodation portion 371 may include a first leakage prevention portion 374. The first leakage prevention portion 374 may be located between the accommodation protrusion 373 and the engaging portion 375 and may protrude from the accommodation extension 372 towards the outer surface of the opening peripheral portion 213.

[0169] Accordingly, even if the detergent stored in the storage space 218 flows between the opening peripheral portion 213 and the accommodation extension 372, leakage may be prevented by the first leakage prevention portion 374 protruding from the accommodation extension 372.

[0170] The first leakage prevention portion 374 may have a shape of a rib extending along a circumference of the cover base 340, and the protruding end may be provided in contact with the opening peripheral portion 213.

[0171] The engaging portion 375 may include an engaging extension 377. The engaging extension 377 may extend from the cover base 340 towards the inside of the storage portion 200, and an engaging projection 376 may be provided at an end of the engaging extension 377.

[0172] The engaging extension 377 may extend downwards from the cover base 340, and the engaging projection 376 may protrude from the end of the engaging extension 377 in a direction away from the center of the cover base 340. The engaging projection 376 may protrude parallel to the base surface 341.

[0173] The engaging extension 377 may extend to pass through the opening 212 of the body portion 210, and the engaging projection 376 may protrude to the outside of the opening cover 300 from the storage space 218 of the body portion 210 and may be located below the opening peripheral portion 213.

[0174] The engaging projection 376 may come in contact with a lower surface of the opening peripheral portion 213 to prevent the detergent in the storage space 218 from flowing between the engaging extension 377 and the opening peripheral portion 213.

[0175] The engaging portion 375 may include a second leakage prevention portion 378, and the second leakage prevention portion 378 may protrude from the engaging extension 377 towards the opening peripheral portion 213 and may be spaced apart from the engaging projection 376.

[0176] The second leakage prevention portion 378 may be located between the lower surface of the cover base 340 and the engaging projection 376. The second leakage prevention portion 378 may protrude away from the center of the cover base 340 from the engaging extension 377. A protrusion direction of the second leakage prevention portion 378 may be parallel to the base surface 341 of the cover base 340.

[0177] The second leakage prevention portion 378 may face an end surface of the opening peripheral portion 213 or come in contact with the end surface. Accordingly, the detergent that has passed between the engaging projection 376 and the opening peripheral portion 213 may be prevented from leaking out of the storage portion 200 by the second leakage prevention portion 378.

[0178] FIG. 13 illustrates the opening cover 300 including a detergent check portion 380 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 illustrates the outer cover 400 rotated to the closed state P1 with a check area 410 provided therein.

[0179] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening cover 300 may include the detergent check portion 380, and the detergent check portion 380 may include a check hole 381 formed to pass through the opening cover 300. That is, the opening cover 300 may include the detergent check portion 380 including the check hole 381 that exposes the inside of the storage portion 200 to the outside.

[0180] The user may visually check the storage space 218 through the check hole 381. The check hole 381 may be spaced apart from the detergent hole 311, may have a larger area than any one of the plurality of detergent holes 311, and may be provided in a shape for easily checking the inside of the storage space 218 with the naked eye.

[0181] As described above, the detergent hole 311 may be provided in the input recess surface 361 or the like, but it may not be easy for the user to check the inside of the storage space 218 through the detergent hole 311 and check the amount of detergent stored in the storage space 218.

[0182] Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the check hole 381 may be formed separately from the detergent hole 311 in the opening cover 300, and thus the user may easily check the amount of detergent through the check hole 381.

[0183] The detergent check portion 380 including the check hole 381 may be provided within the cover recess 350. The detergent check portion 380 may be located on the cover recess surface 351 of the cover recess 350 and may be spaced apart from the detergent inlet portion 310.

[0184] The detergent check portion 380 may include a peripheral rib 384 that surrounds the check hole 381 and protrudes towards the outer cover 400. The peripheral rib 384 may protrude upwards from the cover recess surface 351 and may surround the check hole 381. Accordingly, detergent may be prevented from leaking out through the check hole 381.

[0185] The detergent check portion 380 may include a light-transmitting shield 415 that covers the check hole 381, and the light-transmitting shield 415 may have light-transmitting properties such that that the inside of the storage portion 200 may be checked through the check hole 381.

[0186] The light-transmitting shield 415 may be provided in the form of a plate including a transparent material. The light-transmitting shield 415 may be provided to shield the check hole 381. The light-transmitting shield 415 may be provided at an upper end portion of the peripheral rib 384. The check hole 381 may be closed by the light-transmitting shield 415 to prevent detergent from leaking out through the check hole 381.

[0187] The outer cover 400 may include the check area 410 that is provided at a position corresponding to the check hole 381 and through which light passes to check the inside of the storage portion 200 through the check hole 381.

[0188] In detail, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer cover 400 may include the check area 410 through which light passes. The check area 410 may be provided at a position corresponding to the detergent inlet portion 310 or the detergent hole 311 in the closed state P1 of the outer cover 400.

[0189] The check area 410 may be provided such that light may pass through the detergent hole 311 from the outside of the storage portion 200 to identify the inside of the check hole 381. The check area 410 may be provided in the form of a hole in which at least a portion of the outer cover 400 is removed to allow light to pass through, or the light-transmitting shield 415 including a light-transmitting material may be provided in the check area 410.

[0190] The check area 410 allows light to pass through, and thus the user may visually identify the check hole 381 through the check area 410 from the outside of the storage portion 200. Accordingly, the user may check the check hole 381 of the detergent check portion 380 through the check area 410 even when the outer cover 400 is in the closed state P1 without rotating the outer cover 400 to the open state P2, and may effectively determine the amount of detergent stored inside the storage portion 200 by checking the detergent surface level with the naked eye.

[0191] FIG. 15 illustrates a minimum display part 383 of the detergent check portion 380 located inside the storage space 218. In detail, the detergent check portion 380 may include display extensions 382 and 320 extending towards the bottom portion 215 of the storage portion 200 and the minimum display part 383 provided at an end of the display extensions 382 and 320 having a height with respect to the bottom portion 215, which corresponds to the minimum allowable amount of detergent stored in the storage portion 200.

[0192] The minimum display part 383 may be located inside the storage space 218 and may have a height corresponding to the minimum allowable amount determined by design for the storage portion 200. The minimum allowable amount may refer to the minimum amount of detergent required to perform one washing course.

[0193] In other words, if the detergent is stored below the minimum allowable amount, the washing course may not be fully performed. The minimum display part 383 may be located to correspond to the height of the detergent corresponding to the minimum allowable amount.

[0194] The display extensions 382 and 320 may extend downwards from the opening cover 300. The display extensions 382 and 320 may extend from the cover recess surface 351 towards the bottom portion 215 of the storage portion 200. The minimum display part 383 may be provided at a lower end portion of the display extensions 382 and 320.

[0195] The minimum display part 383 may be located rearward compared to the check hole 381. That is, the minimum display part 383 may be located below the check hole 381 and behind the check hole 381. Considering that the user is generally positioned in front of the cabinet 10 to use the laundry treating apparatus 1, the minimum display part 383 may be located behind the check hole 381 inside the storage space 218 to be identified through the check hole 381 by taking into account the user's line of sight looking downward from above the cabinet 10 in front of the cabinet 10.

[0196] To this end, the display extensions 382 and 320 may have a shape that extends to be inclined towards the bottom portion 215 of the storage portion 200. The display extensions 382 and 320 may be provided in pairs and spaced apart from each other to form a space between them.

[0197] The detergent may flow through the space, and the minimum display part 383 may include a letter or pattern to indicate the minimum allowable amount, and the letter or the pattern may be provided to pass through the minimum display part 383.

[0198] Although the present disclosure has been shown and described in relation to specific embodiments, it is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure as provided by the following claims.

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:a cabinet including a top cover having a laundry inlet;a tub provided inside the cabinet to store water;a drum that is rotatably provided inside the tub to accommodate laundry; anda storage portion provided on the top cover and exposed to an outside of the cabinet to store detergent,wherein the storage portion includes a body portion having an opening formed in one surface to store detergent therein, and an opening cover coupled to the body portion to cover the opening, andthe opening cover includes a cover recess that is recessed towards an inside of the storage portion, and a detergent hole communicating with the inside of the storage portion is provided within the cover recess.

2. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening cover further includes an input recess that is recessed towards an inside of the storage portion from the cover recess and includes the detergent hole,wherein the detergent hole is configured to extend in the circumferential direction of the input recess.

3. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the opening cover further includes a cover base that is coupled to the storage portion to cover the opening and includes the cover recess formed therein,the cover recess includes a cover recess surface that is recessed towards the inside of the storage portion from the cover base and a cover circumferential surface surrounding the cover recess surface, andthe input recess includes an input recess surface that is recessed towards the inside of the storage portion from the cover recess surface and an input circumferential surface surrounding the input recess surface.

4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the detergent hole is provided in the input recess surface or the input circumferential surface to communicate with the inside of the storage portion.

5. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein a portion of the detergent hole is located in the input recess surface and a remaining portion is configured to locate in the input circumferential surface.6-23. (canceled)24. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the input recess has a display area in which a letter or a pattern is configured to display on an input recess surface recessed from the cover recess,wherein the letter or pattern of the display area is formed to pass through the input recess surface to communicate with the inside of the storage portion.

25. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the input recess includes an input recess surface recessed from the cover recess, anda height of the input recess surface with respect to a bottom portion of the storage portion is related with a maximum allowable amount of detergent stored in the storage portion.

26. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening cover further includes a cover base that is coupled to the storage portion to cover the opening and includes the cover recess formed therein, anda peripheral coupling portion coupled to an opening peripheral portion surrounding the opening of the surface of the storage portion is formed around the cover base,wherein the opening peripheral portion is inserted into the peripheral coupling portion in a direction parallel to the surface.

27. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 26, further comprising an outer cover coupled to the body portion to cover the opening cover and exposed to an outside of the storage portion,wherein the peripheral coupling portion includes:an accommodation portion accommodated on an outer surface facing the outer cover in the opening peripheral portion; andan engaging portion including an engaging projection that extends from the cover base towards the inside of the storage portion and protrudes to come in contact with an inner surface of the opening peripheral portion.

28. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 27, wherein the accommodation portion includes:an accommodation extension extending from the engaging portion to an outside of the cover base;an accommodation protrusion that is provided at an end of the accommodation extension and accommodated on an outer surface of the opening peripheral portion; anda first leakage prevention portion located between the accommodation protrusion and the engaging portion and protruding from the accommodation extension towards the outer surface of the opening peripheral portion.

29. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 27, wherein the engaging portion includes:an engaging extension extending from the cover base towards the inside of the storage portion, an engaging projection being provided at an end of the engaging extension, anda second leakage prevention portion protruding from the engaging extension towards the opening peripheral portion and spaced apart from the engaging projection.

30. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening cover further includes a detergent check portion including a check hole that exposes the inside of the storage portion to an outside.

31. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 30, wherein the detergent check portion includes:a display extension extending towards a bottom portion of the storage portion; anda minimum display part provided at an end of the display extension having a height with respect to the bottom portion, which is related with a minimum allowable amount of detergent stored in the storage portion.

32. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 30, further comprising an outer cover coupled to the body portion to cover the opening cover and exposed to an outside of the storage portion,wherein the detergent check portion includes:a light-transmitting shield that covers the check hole, anda peripheral rib that surrounds the check hole and protrudes towards the outer cover,wherein the light-transmitting shield has light-transmitting properties such that that the inside of the storage portion is to be checked through the check hole.

33. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an outer cover coupled to the body portion to cover the opening cover and exposed to an outside of the storage portion,wherein the opening cover further includes a detergent check portion including a check hole that exposes the inside of the storage portion to the outside, andthe outer cover includes a check area that is provided at a position related with the check hole and through which light passes to check the inside of the storage portion through the check hole.

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