Washing machine with a device for filtering fabric particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine, specifically to a washing machine with a system for draining and re-injecting washing fluid (i.e. a jet system) into the washing machine drum, and more specifically to a device for filtering fabric particles inside the said washing machine. The said device (8) for filtering fabric particles is arranged inside an opening (2) for loading the laundry to be washed and connected to a sealing bellows (4) with at least one protrusion (6) formed on the sealing bellows (4), wherein the said device (8) for filtering fabric particles comprises a curvilinear formed body (10) adjusted to fit the sealing bellows (4). The body is designed with a suitable cut-out (10a) for the inflow of washing fluid from a duct (5) of the system for draining and re-injecting washing fluid into the washing machine drum. Furthermore, the said device (8) for filtering fabric particles comprises a collecting container (11), which has a shape adjusted to fit the said curvilinear body (10) and which is, on the side facing the interior of the washing machine, at least partly formed with a removable filtering wall (12) comprising a frame (13) on which a filtering mesh (14) is installed, wherein the filtering wall (12) on the said collecting container (11) is held in place by means of a cover (15).

Description

WASHING MACHINE WITH A DEVICE FOR FILTERING FABRIC PARTICLES

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine, particularly to a washing machine with a system for draining and re-injecting washing fluid (i.e. a jet system) into the washing machine drum, and more particularly to a device for filtering fabric particles inside the said washing machine.

[0002] During a washing machine cycle, the motion, friction and deformation of the laundry result in the release of fibres. Laundry made from synthetic materials, which constitutes a significant portion of clothing, releases a large number of tiny fibres (plastic microfibres) during washing that pollute the environment and pose a potential threat to living beings. Various systems for filtering the said tiny fibres from the washing fluid in the washing machine during the washing process are known.

[0003] Document KR2464105 Bl describes a filtering unit for filtering particles from the washing fluid in the washing machine, which is removably inserted into a specially formed rib attached to the washing machine drum.

[0004] Document WO2022115085 Al describes a device for filtering microfibres from the washing fluid in the washing machine, which comprises multiple parts and is integrally installed in the door of the washing machine specifically adapted for this purpose.

[0005] Specific structural modifications of the certain standard washing machine components are required with the said filtering device solutions, resulting in higher investment costs.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to create a new device for filtering fabric particles inside a washing machine, which can easily be installed in an existing washing machine without any major modifications or adaptations to standard washing machine components and which is at the same time easily accessible to the user and easily removablefrom the washing machine.

[0007] The object according to the present invention is accomplished by the characteristics set forth in the characterising portion of claim 1. The details of the invention are disclosed in the corresponding sub-claims.

[0008] The invention is further described in detail by way of a non-limiting embodiment and with a reference to the accompanying drawings whereFig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a washing machine,Fig. 2 shows a sealing bellows of the washing machine of Fig. 1,Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a device for filtering fabric particles according to the invention, andFig. 4 shows an exploded view of the device of Fig. 3.

[0009] A washing machine with a device for filtering fabric particles according to the invention comprises a body 1 with a tub containing a rotating drum and an opening 2 for loading the laundry to be washed, wherein the said opening 2 can be closed by means of a door 3. The said door 3 is, in relation to the said tub and / or drum, sealed by means of a sealing bellows 4. A system for draining and re-injecting washing fluid (i.e. a jet system) into the washing machine drum, which is known per se and not shown, is fluidly connected by means of a duct 5 to the said sealing bellows 4.

[0010] With the washing machine comprising the system for pumping and re-injecting washing fluid, the said sealing bellows 4 is, in its upper part facing away from the floor on which the washing machine is placed, formed with at least one protrusion 6 arranged at the periphery of the sealing bellows 4, preferably with multiple protrusions, wherein each protrusion 6 is formed with a through hole 7. The said protrusions 6 formed with through holes 7 are provided either for connection with a duct 5 for the inflow and injection of the said washing fluid or for installing a lighting means for illuminating the said washing machine drum, such as LED lighting or similar.

[0011] A device 8 for filtering fabric particles according to the invention is inserted through the opening 2 for loading the laundry to be washed and connected to the said sealing bellows 4 or via at least one said protrusion 6. In the preferred embodiment, the said connection is achieved by means of the protrusion 6, which is provided to accommodate the said lighting means. The connection with the said sealing bellows 4 via the selected protrusion 6 is established by means of a binding attachment 9 of the device 8 for filtering fabric particles, wherein the said binding attachment 9 is tightly inserted into the through hole 7 in the selected protrusion 6.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the present invention it is provided that the said binding attachment 9 is an integral part of the device 8 for filtering fabric particles. In the preferred embodiment it is provided that the said binding attachment 9 is removably connected to the body 10 of the device 8 for filtering fabric particles. This allows for a quick and simple method of removing the device 8 for filtering fabric particles in such a way that the said device 8 does not present an obstacle between loading and unloading laundry from the said washing machine drum.

[0013] The said device 8 for filtering fabric particles comprises the said body 10, preferably shaped in a curvilinear form to conform as closely as possible to the shape of the sealing bellows 4 and minimising obstruction when loading and unloading laundry from the said washing machine drum. The said body 10 is formed with a suitable cut-out 10a for the inflow of washing fluid from the said duct 5 of the system for draining and re-injecting washing fluid. Furthermore, the surface of the said body 10 is, on the side facing the said door 3, designed with a plurality of holes 10b to accommodate elastic spacers, which are not depicted and which are provided to prevent impacts with the glass on the door 3 of the washing machine during its operation.

[0014] The said device 8 for filtering fabric particles comprises a collecting container 11, which has a design adjusted to fit the said curvilinear body 10. The said collecting container 11 is, on the side facing the interior of the washing machine, at least partly formed with a removable filtering wall 12 comprising a frame 13 on which a filtering mesh 14 is installed.The said filtering mesh 14 is preferably provided for filtering fabric particles at least 50 pm in size. Furthermore, the said filtering wall 12 on the said collecting container 11 is held in place by means of a cover 15 formed with a plurality of holes or slots 16 for the outflow of washing fluid from the device 8 for filtering fabric particles.

[0015] The said holding of the filtering wall 12 in place by means of the cover 15 is formed in the sense of a temporary form-locking joint. The said cover 15 is, in the preferred embodiment, formed with at least one locking means 17, which is provided for cooperation with a corresponding cut-out 18 on the said body 10. The entire assembly of the collecting container 11, filtering wall 12 and cover 15 is inserted into the said body 10, wherein at least one said locking means 17 fits the corresponding cut-out 18.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is provided that the said temporary form-locking joint or the said assembly of the collecting container 11, filtering wall 12, and cover 15 comprises at least one additional locking means 19 formed on the said cover 15, which is provided for cooperation with the corresponding cut-out 20 on the said body 10. At least one said additional locking means 19, which is provided for quick removal of the said assembly of the collecting container 11, filtering wall 12, and cover 15 from the said body 10, is arranged on the opposite side of the cover 15 from at least one said locking means 17.

[0017] The device 8 for filtering fabric particles can be cleaned by the user pushing on at least one said additional locking means 19, which releases the said assembly of the collecting container 11, filtering wall 12, and cover 15 from the said body 10. This way, the filtering mesh 14 can be accessed for cleaning.

Claims

Claims1. A washing machine with a device for filtering fabric particles comprises a body with a tub, which contains a rotating drum, and an opening for loading the laundry to be washed, wherein the said opening can be closed by means of a door, which is, in relation to the said tub and / or drum, sealed by means of a sealing bellows, wherein the said sealing bellows is fluidly connected via a duct to a system for draining and reinjecting washing fluid into the washing machine drum, wherein the said sealing bellows is, in its upper part, formed with at least one protrusion that is formed with a through hole, characterized in that the device (8) for filtering fabric particles is arranged inside the opening (2) for loading the laundry to be washed and connected to the sealing bellows (4) via at least one protrusion (6).

2. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claim 1, characterized in that the said device (8) for filtering fabric particles comprises a curvilinear formed body (10) adjusted to fit the sealing bellows (4) which is formed with a suitable cut-out (10a) for the inflow of washing fluid from the duct (5) of the system for draining and re-injecting washing fluid, wherein the said body (10), on the side facing the door (3), is formed with a plurality of holes (10b) to accommodate elastic spacers provided to prevent impacts with the glass on the door (3) of the washing machine during its operation, and a collecting container (11), which has a shape adjusted to fit the said curvilinear formed body (10) and is, on the side facing the interior of the washing machine, at least partly formed with a removable filtering wall (12) comprising a frame (13) on which a filtering mesh (14) is installed, wherein the filtering mesh (12) on the said collecting container (11) is held in place by means of a cover (15).

3. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claim 2, characterized in that the said holding of the filtering wall (12) in place by means of the cover (15) is designed in the sense of a temporary form-locking joint.

4. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claims 2 through 3, characterized in that the said cover (15) is designed with at least one locking means (17) provided for cooperation with a corresponding cut-out (18) in the said body (10).

5. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claims 2 through 4, characterized in that the assembly of the collecting container (11), filtering wall (12), and cover (15) is inserted into the said body (10), wherein at least one said locking means (17) fits the corresponding cut-out (18).

6. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one said protrusion (6) is provided for either a connection with the said duct (5) for draining and re-injecting washing fluid or for the installation of a lighting means for illuminating the washing machine drum.

7. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said connection is achieved by means of the protrusion (6), which is provided for accommodating the lighting means, wherein the said connection between the said sealing bellows (4) and the selected protrusion (6) is established by means of a binding attachment (9) of the device (8) for filtering fabric particles, wherein the said binding attachment (9) is tightly inserted into a through hole (7) in the selected protrusion (6).

8. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claims 3 through 7, characterized in that the said temporary form-locking joint comprises at least one additional locking means (19) formed on the said cover (15), which is provided to cooperate with the corresponding cut-out (20) on the said body (10), wherein at least one said additional locking means (19), which is provided for the quick removal of the said assembly of the collecting container (11), filtering wall (12), and cover (15) from the said container (10), is arranged on the opposite side of the cover (15) from at least one said locking means (17).

9. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claim 7, characterized in that the said binding attachment (9) is removably connected to the body (10) of the device (8) for filtering fabric particles.

10. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claim 7, characterized in that the said binding attachment (9) is an integral part of the device (8) for filtering fabric particles.

11. The washing machine with the device for filtering fabric particles according to claims 2 through 10, characterized in that the said filtering mesh (14) is provided for filtering fabric particles at least 50 pm in size.

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