Household washing appliance and HOSE attachment assembly

Abstract

The invention relates a household washing appliance (1) comprising an outer casing (2) and a hose (20) for transporting fluid inside the appliance (1) or outside the appliance (1), wherein the outer casing (2) comprises an elongated open slot (30; 230) disposed at a peripheral edge (18) thereof. There is provided a hose attachment assembly (100; 200) for releasably connecting the hose (20) into the slot (30; 230), wherein the hose attachment assembly (100; 200) comprises a retaining device (110; 210) associated to the slot (30; 230) and a snap-in member (120; 220) arranged in a passage area (38) of the slot (30; 230) so that the snap-in member (120; 220) retain the hose (20) in the slot (30; 230).

Description

[0001] HOUSEHOLD WASHING APPLIANCE AND HOSE ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a household washing appliance, preferably a dishwasher or a laundry washing machine, and an attachment system for hose used therein, for example a drain hose or a water supplying hose.

[0003] BACKGROUND ART

[0004] In washing appliances, such as dishwashers or laundry washing machines, flexible hoses are provided to hydraulically connect the appliance to a supply clean water and to a drain wastewater to respective supply point and drainage point arranged outside the machine and which are generally located nearby the place where the machine is installed.

[0005] The hose, for example the supply hose or the drain hose, is preferably installed to have an outer portion which stands outside the casing with a connection end for the connection to the external point and to have an inner portion which stands inside the casing with a connection end for the connection to a dedicated component of the appliance, such as an input valve or a drainage pump. In preferred embodiments the hose is arranged to lay in the lower portion of the appliance, more preferably attached to the basement of the appliance.

[0006] The hose is therefore arranged to pass through a wall of said casing, more preferably arranged to pass through a wall of the basement.

[0007] It is an aim of the producer that of keeping the hose firmly attached in correspondence of a pass-through hole made in the wall, or in the basement, where the hose is arranged.

[0008] W02006036039A1 discloses a drain hose fixing assembly arranged in correspondence of the basement of a dishwasher to prevent removal of the drain hose from the sump to which is connected inside the casing.

[0009] The drain hose fixing assembly is mounted on a pass pass-through realized in a wall of the basement. There is provided a holder body comprising an outer circumference with at least one flexible hook: the hook can be easily bent when it passes through the pass-through hole of the basement and returned to an initial shape after it passes through said hole.

[0010] Assembly requires that the hose is first inserted through the hole and then the holder body is inserted into the hole to lock the hose in place by pushing it towards the hole in a direction substantially parallel to the main axis of extension of the hose.

[0011] Disassembly requires the holder body to be pulled out of the hole to clear the hose, and the hose to be successively removed by extracting it from the hole.

[0012] Known fixing assembly, therefore, require complex assembling and / or disassembling operations.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to optimize assembling and / or disassembling operations in a washing appliance.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a washing appliance suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a solution that makes maintenance and / or dismantling operations of a washing appliance more efficient compared to known systems.

[0016] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Applicant has found that by providing a household washing appliance for washing items comprising a washing chamber, an outer casing for said washing chamber and a hose for transporting fluid inside said appliance or outside said appliance, by providing an elongated open slot disposed at a peripheral edge of said outer casing and by providing a hose attachment assembly comprising a snap-in member arranged in said slot to retain said hose in place in said slot, it is possible to reach the mentioned objects.

[0018] In an aspect thereof the present invention relates, therefore, to a household washing appliance for washing items comprising:

[0019] - a washing chamber apt to receive said items to be washed;

[0020] - an outer casing for said washing chamber;

[0021] - a hose for transporting fluid inside said appliance or outside said appliance, wherein said outer casing comprises an elongated open slot disposed at a peripheral edge thereof, said elongated open slot comprising:

[0022] - an external opening;

[0023] - a holding area for said hose provided with at least a first gripping surface configured to contact the outer surface of said hose;

[0024] - a passage area extending from said external opening to said holding area; - a hose attachment assembly for releasably connecting said hose into said holding area of said slot, said hose attachment assembly comprising:

[0025] - a retaining device associated to said slot;

[0026] - a snap-in member arranged in said passage area of said slot, said snap-in member cooperating with said retaining device to retain said hose in place in said holding area of said slot, said snap-in member comprising at least a second gripping surface configured to contact the outer surface of said hose, wherein said hose is sandwiched between said first gripping surface of said slot and said second gripping surface of said snap-in member.

[0027] Advantageously, during manufacturing of the appliance the hose is easily attached to the outer casing thus simplifying and / or reducing the time of the assembly operations.

[0028] Also, advantageously, the hose can be quickly disassembled from the outer casing during repair / maintenance of the appliance or during dismantling of the appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing comprises a supporting basement and the slot is disposed at a lower edge thereof.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the slot is integrally made with the outer casing, more preferably integrally made with the basement.

[0030] Preferably, the holding area is integrally made with said slot.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the first gripping surface is integrally made with with the slot, preferably integrally made with the holding area of the slot.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining device is integrally made with the slot, preferably integrally made with the passage area of the slot.

[0033] Preferably, the second gripping surface is integrally made with the snap-in member.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the snap-in member comprises at least one flexible element having at least one abutting surface and the retaining device comprises at least one retaining surface wherein said at least one abutting surface of said at least one flexible element abuts said at least one retaining surface of the retaining device.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the snap-in member comprises two flexible elements each having a respective abutting surface and the retaining device comprises two retaining surfaces wherein the abutting surfaces of the two flexible elements abut the retaining surfaces of said retaining device.

[0036] According to another preferred embodiment, the snap-in member comprises; - one flexible element having at least one abutting surface and the retaining device comprises one retaining surface wherein said at least one abutting surface of said one flexible element abuts said at least one retaining surface of the retaining device;

[0037] - an arcuate portion and the retaining device comprises a pivot member wherein the arcuate portion abuts the pivot member of the retaining device.

[0038] Preferably, the retaining surface of the retaining device is integrally made with the slot, more preferably integrally made with the passage area of the slot.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an anti-rotation device to prevent rotation of the portion of said hose retained in said holding area around its main axis and / or it comprises an anti-sliding device to prevent sliding movement of the portion of said hose retained in said holding area along its main axis.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the anti-rotation device comprises:

[0041] - at least one rib provided with at least one step protruding from an outer surface of the hose and a corresponding receiving groove defined in the snap-in member and / or in the holding area of the slot; and / or

[0042] - at least one rib provided with at least one step protruding from the second gripping surface of the snap-in member and / or from the holding area of the slot and a corresponding receiving groove defined in the outer surface of the hose. Preferably, the rib and / or the receiving groove is arc- shaped.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the anti- sliding device comprises:

[0044] - at least one rib protruding from an outer surface of the hose and a corresponding receiving groove defined in the second gripping surface of the snap-in member and / or in the holding area of the slot; and / or

[0045] - at least one rib protruding from the second gripping surface of the snap-in member and / or from the holding area of the slot and a corresponding receiving groove defined in the outer surface of the hose.

[0046] Preferably, the appliance is a dishwasher comprising a sump arranged at the bottom of the washing chamber, one or more spray devices, one or more hydraulic pumps and one or more racks arranged in the washing chamber to accommodate the items to be washed.

[0047] In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method for assembling a hose in a washing household appliance according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

[0048] - arranging said hose into said holding area of said slot by inserting it through said passage area of said slot or positioning said hose on said at least second gripping surface of said snap-in member;

[0049] - inserting said snap-in member into said passage area of said slot up to said snap-in member cooperates with said retaining device to retain said hose in place in said holding area of said slot with said hose sandwiched between said first gripping surface of said slot and said second gripping surface of said snap-in member. Preferably, the snap-in member is inserted into the passage area of the slot along a direction which goes from the external opening to the holding area of the slot or the snap-in member is inserted into the passage area of the slot through rotation of the snap-in member about a pivot member.

[0050] In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method for assembling a hose in a washing household appliance comprising an outer casing, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

[0051] - providing an elongated open slot at a peripheral edge of said outer casing of said appliance, said elongated open slot comprising:

[0052] - an external opening;

[0053] - a holding area for said hose provided with a first gripping surface configured to contact the outer surface of said hose;

[0054] - a passage area extending from said external opening to said holding area;

[0055] - providing a snap-in member comprising a second gripping surface configured to contact the outer surface of said hose and inserting snap-in member into said passage area of said slot up to said snap-in member cooperates with a retaining device associated to said slot to retain said hose in place in said holding area of said slot with said hose sandwiched between said first gripping surface of said slot and said second gripping surface of said snap-in member.

[0056] Preferably, the said snap-in member is inserted into the passage area of the slot along a direction which goes from the external opening to the holding area of the slot or the snap-in member is inserted into the passage area of the slot through rotation of the snap-in member about a pivot member.

[0057] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and / or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:

[0059] - Figure 1 shows an isometric view from behind of a dishwasher according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0060] - Figure 2 shows the lower part of the dishwasher of Figure 1 isolated from the rest;

[0061] - Figure 3 shows a detail of the part of Figure 2 from another point of view;

[0062] - Figure 4 shows a plan view from below of Figure 2;

[0063] - Figure 5 shows an exploded view of Figure 2;

[0064] - Figure 6 shows a detail of Figure 2 sectioned according to a first vertical plane; - Figure 7 shows a detail of Figure 2 sectioned according to a second vertical plane; - Figure 8 shows an element of Figure 5 isolated from the rest;

[0065] - Figure 9 shows the element of Figure 8 from a slightly different point of view; - Figures 10 and 11 show further elements of Figure 5 isolated from the rest; - Figure 12 shows the detail of Figure 6 according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0066] - Figure 13 shows an isometric view of an element of Figure 12 isolated from the rest.

[0067] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0068] Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and / or clarity.

[0069] As described below, the present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to a dishwasher.

[0070] It is underlined that the present invention is not limited to a dishwasher. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to laundry washing machines, both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines.

[0071] Furthermore, reference to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or “preferred embodiment / s” within the framework of the present description is intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment. Hence, phrases such as “in an embodiment” or “in one embodiment” and the like, that may be present in different points of the present description, do not necessarily all refer to one and the same embodiment. Furthermore, the details, configurations, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any adequate way in one or more embodiments, even different from the ones exemplified.

[0072] With reference to Figure 1 a preferred embodiment of a dishwasher 1 according to the invention is described. The dishwasher 1 here represented is a free-standing dishwasher 1, hereinafter also simply indicated as dishwasher 1. In different embodiments the dishwasher may be of a bult-in type, i.e. preferably embodied to be positioned within a furniture recess.

[0073] The dishwasher 1, depicted in Figure 1 from behind, comprises an outer casing 2 and a washing chamber, not shown, configured to accommodate items to be washed, such as dishware, cutlery, and the like. A number of side walls form the outer casing 2. One or more racks, not shown, are arranged in the washing chamber to accommodate said items.

[0074] The dishwasher 1 further comprises a sump 12 arranged at the bottom of the washing chamber, one or more spray devices, such as one or more spray arms, and a hydraulic circulation pump 13. The circulation pump 13 is configured to pump liquid from the sump 12 to the spray devices during a wash cycle of the dishwasher 1. A diverter device 11 preferably provides wash fluid to selected combinations of the spray devices.

[0075] In the preferred embodiment illustrated and described hereinafter, the casing 2 preferably comprises a supporting basement 10 arranged at a bottom of the dishwasher 1 with the aim of supporting the washing chamber, the side walls and of receiving functional components therein, such as the hydraulic circulation pump 13 or other pumps, the lower part of the washing chamber, the sump 12, the diverter device 11, etc.

[0076] The basement 10 is preferably substantially parallelepiped- shaped and preferably made of plastic, more preferably through an injection-moulded process. Advantageously, manufacturing the part is cost-effective.

[0077] As known, the dishwasher 1 comprises a drain hose 20 for discharging wastewater during and / or after the washing process. The dishwasher 1 also preferably comprises a hose for supplying water for the washing process. In the Figures, only the drain hose 20 is shown, which is configured to drain the wastewater from the sump 12 by means of a drain pump 13.

[0078] The drain hose 20, hereinafter also simply indicated as hose 20, is embodied as a tubular element. The hose 20 is preferably a flexible hose 20, for example a corrugated plastic hose 20.

[0079] The hose 20 according to the invention is installed to pass through a side wall 16 of the basement 10, here the rear side wall 16 of the basement 10. The rear wall 16 is preferably defined between an inner side wall 16a and an outer side wall 16b Therefore, in the assembled configuration, the hose 20 has an inner portion 22 which stands inside the basement 10 with a connection end 22a for the connection to the drain pump 13, an outer portion 24 which stands outside the basement 10 with a connection end 24a for connection to an external drainage point (not shown) and an intermediate portion 23 laying between the inner side wall 16a and the outer side wall 16b of the rear wall 16.

[0080] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an elongated open slot 30 disposed at a peripheral edge 18 of the basement 10, more preferably disposed at a lower peripheral edge 18 of the rear wall 16 of the basement 10.

[0081] The slot 30 is preferably obtained in the thickness of the rear wall 16 which extends between the inner side wall 16a and the outer side wall 16b.

[0082] Preferably, therefore, the slot 30 is made in a single-piece construction, or integrally made, with the basement 10.

[0083] As better visible in Figures 8 and 9, the slot 30 comprises:

[0084] - an external opening 32, shown with a dashed line;

[0085] - a holding area 34 for the hose 20 provided with at least a first gripping surface 36a, 36b configured to contact the outer surface 26 of the hose 20;

[0086] - a passage area 38 extending from the external opening 32 to the holding area 34. Preferably, the holding area 34 is integrally made with the slot 30.

[0087] The slot 30 therefore preferably extends along a slot direction D defined between the external opening 32 and its holding area 34.

[0088] In the assembled configuration, the hose 20 is retained in the holding area 34. In particular, in the assembled configuration, the intermediate portion 23 of hose 20 is retained in the holding area 34 and longitudinally extends along a main axis X.

[0089] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, there are preferably provided arcuate first gripping surfaces 36a, 36b, or flaps, configured to contact the circular outer surface 26 of the hose 20.

[0090] Preferably, the first gripping surfaces 36a, 36b are integrally made with the holding area 34 and hence, preferably, are integrally made with the slot 30.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the external opening 32 opens downwardly, considering the dishwasher 1 in its working position.

[0092] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hose attachment assembly 100 for releasably connecting the hose 20 into the holding area 34 of the slot 30.

[0093] The hose attachment assembly 100 preferably comprises a retaining device 110 associated to the slot 30 and a snap-in member 120 to retain the hose 20 in place in the holding area 34 of the slot 30.

[0094] The retaining device 110 is preferably associated to the passage area 38 of the slot 30.

[0095] The snap-in member 120 is arranged in the passage area 38 of the slot 30 and cooperates with the retaining device 110 to retain the hose 20 in place.

[0096] The snap-in member 120 preferably comprises at least a second gripping surface 122a, 122b configured to contact the outer surface 26 of the hose 20: the hose 20 is thus sandwiched between the first gripping surfaces 36a, 36b of the slot 30 and the second gripping surfaces 122a, 122b of the snap-in member 120.

[0097] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, there are preferably provided arcuate second gripping surfaces 122a, 122b configured to contact the circular outer surface 26 of the hose 20.

[0098] Preferably, the second gripping surfaces 122a, 122b are integrally made with the snap-in member 120.

[0099] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, there is a single hose attachment assembly 100 to attach and retain the drain hose 20 in place in the holding area 34 of the slot 30. It is clear that a similar hose attachment assembly may be used to attach a water supplying hose to the outer casing of the appliance, preferably to the basement of the appliance. Generally, a hose attachment assembly may be used to attach any kind of hose transporting fluid inside the appliance or outside the appliance.

[0100] The snap-in member 120 according to the invention preferably comprises at least one flexible element 122 having at least one abutting surface 124 (Figures 6 and 11) and the retaining device 110 comprises at least one retaining surface 112 (Figure 6) wherein in the assembled configuration, with the snap-in member 120 inserted in the slot 30, the at least one abutting surface 124 abuts the at least one retaining surface 112 of the retaining device 110. The abutting surface 124 is preferably arranged in the passage area 38 of the slot 30.

[0101] In the preferred embodiment illustrated and described with reference to Figures 1 to 11, the snap-in member 120 preferably comprises two flexible elements 122 each having a respective abutting surface 124 and the retaining device 110 comprises two retaining surfaces 112 wherein in the assembled configuration, with the snap-in member 120 inserted in the slot 30, the abutting surfaces 124 of the two flexible elements 122 abut the retaining surfaces 112 of the retaining device 110.

[0102] Preferably, the retaining surface 112 of the retaining device 110 is integrally made with the slot 30, more preferably integrally made with the passage area 38 of the slot 30.

[0103] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a further preferred embodiment wherein the snap-in member 220 comprises only one flexible element 122 having a respective abutting surface 124 and the retaining device 210 comprises only one retaining surface 112 wherein in the assembled configuration, with the snap-in member 220 inserted in the slot 230, the abutting surface 124 of the flexible element 122 abuts the retaining surface 112 of the retaining device 210, as better described later.

[0104] The snap-fit member 120 is preferably made of plastic, more preferably through an injection-moulded process. Advantageously, manufacturing the part is cost-effective.

[0105] According to an aspect of the invention, the snap-in member 120 is configured to be arranged in the passage area 38 of the slot 30 by inserting it into the slot 30 from outside the basement 10 during the assembling process.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the assembling process first requires arranging the hose 20 into the holding area 34 of the slot 30 by inserting it through the external opening 32 and the passage area 38 of the slot 30.

[0107] The snap-in member 120 is then inserted into the external opening 32 and the passage area 38 of the slot 30 up to the snap-in member 120 cooperates with the retaining device 110, in particular up to the abutting surfaces 124 of the flexible elements 122 abut the retaining surfaces 112 of the retaining device 110. The hose 20 is eventually retained in place in the holding area 34 of the slot 30 with the hose 20 sandwiched between the first gripping surfaces 36a, 36b of the slot 30 and the second gripping surfaces 122a, 122b of the snap-in member 120.

[0108] In a further preferred embodiment of the assembling process, the hose 20 is first positioned on the second gripping surfaces 122a, 122b of the snap-in member 120 and then the snap-in member 120 together with the hose 20 are inserted into the slot 30 up to the hose 20 is finally retained in place in the holding area 34 The snap-in member 120 is preferably inserted into the slot 30 by moving it along an insertion direction D: the insertion direction D preferably coincides with, or is parallel to, the slot direction D, i.e. the direction D which goes from the external opening 32 to the holding area 34 of the slot 30.

[0109] The insertion direction D is also preferably a direction transversal to the main axis X of intermediate portion 23 of the hose 20 when arranged in the holding area 34. Advantageously, during manufacturing of the dishwasher 1 the hose 20 is easily attached to the basement 10. This simplifies and / or reduces the time of the assembly operations.

[0110] Disconnection of the hose 20 from the basement 10 is easily obtained by removing the snap-in member 120: the flexible elements 122 are moved in order to disengage the abutting surfaces 124 from the retaining surfaces 112 of the retaining device 110 and then the snap-in member 120 may be extracted from the slot 30 by pulling it in a direction opposite the insertion direction D.

[0111] Advantageously, the hose 20 can be quickly disassembled from the basement 10 without special tools. The hose 20 can therefore be easily disassembled during repair / maintenance of the dishwasher or during dismantling of the dishwasher 1. According to an aspect of the invention, there is further preferably provided an anti-rotation device 150 to prevent rotation of the intermediate portion 23 of hose 20 retained in the holding area 34 around its main axis X.

[0112] The anti-rotation device 150 preferably comprises a rib 152 provided with at least one step 154a, 154b protruding from the outer surface 26 of the hose 20 and a corresponding receiving groove 160 defined in the snap-in member 120, preferably a receiving groove 160 delimited by the second gripping surfaces 122a, 122b. In the preferred embodiment illustrated and described with reference to Figures 1 to 10, the rib 152 is preferably arc-shaped and provided with two steps 154a, 154b. The receiving groove 160 is also preferably arc-shaped.

[0113] In the assembled configuration, the rib 152 of the hose 20 is arranged in the receiving groove 160 of the of the snap-in member 120 so as to prevent the hose 20, in particular its intermediate portion 23, from rotating around its main axis X or allowing only slight rotations movements due to tolerances.

[0114] In the anti-rotation device 150 illustrated and described above, the rib 152 is associated to the hose 20 and the groove 160 is defined in the snap-in member 120. In different embodiments, the groove may be defined in the holding area of the slot and / or the hose may comprise a plurality of ribs and respective grooves may be defined in the snap-in member and / or in the holding area of the slot.

[0115] In further preferred embodiments, the at least one rib provided with a step may protrude from the snap-in member and / or from the holding area of the slot and a corresponding receiving groove may be defined in the outer surface of the hose. According to another aspect of the invention, there is further preferably provided an anti- sliding device 170 to prevent sliding movement of the intermediate portion 23 of hose 20 retained in the holding area 34 along its main axis X

[0116] In the preferred embodiment illustrated and described with reference to Figures 1 to 10, the anti-sliding function of the anti-sliding device 170 is preferably performed by the anti-rotation device 150.

[0117] The anti- sliding device 170, preferably comprises the rib 152 protruding from the outer surface 26 of the hose 20 and the corresponding receiving groove 160 defined in the snap-in member 120, as depicted in Figure 7.

[0118] In the assembled configuration, therefore, the rib 152 of the hose 20 is maintained in the receiving groove 160 of the snap-in member 120, thereby preventing the hose 20, in particular its intermediate portion 23, from sliding along its main axis X or allowing only slight movements along the main axis X due to tolerances. In the anti-sliding device 170 illustrated and described above, the rib 152 is associated to the hose 20 and the groove 160 is defined in the snap-in member 120. In different embodiments, the groove may be defined in the holding area of the slot and / or the hose may comprise a plurality of ribs and respective grooves may be defined in the snap-in member and / or in the holding area of the slot.

[0119] In further preferred embodiments, at least one rib may protrude from the snap-in member and / or from the holding area of the slot and a corresponding receiving groove may be defined in the outer surface of the hose.

[0120] Advantageously, the anti-rotation device 150 and / or the anti-sliding device 170 allows the hose 20 to be tightly attached to the rear wall 16 of the basement 10, thereby preventing the hose 20 from moving from the basement 10, or allowing only slight movements due to tolerances.

[0121] The hose attachment assembly 100 further preferably comprises a fixing device 180 for secure fastening, if necessary, of the snap-in member 120 to the basement 10.

[0122] The fixing device 180 preferably comprises fastening elements (not shown), for example two screws, that advantageously engage respective holes 182, 184 realized in the snap-in member 120 and the basement 10.

[0123] In a preferred embodiment, the screws are not used during manufacturing / assembling of the dishwasher 1 but they are successively used if necessary. For example, if one or both the flexible elements 122 of the snap-in member 120 for some reason break, for example during maintenance of the dishwasher 1, the screws may be screwed in the holes 182, 184 to fasten the snap-in member 120 to the basement 10.

[0124] With reference to Figures 12 and 13 a further preferred embodiment of the hose attachment assembly 200 of the invention is described. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and / or components of the first embodiment previously described are identified by the same reference numbers.

[0125] The hose attachment assembly 200 according to this embodiment differs from the preferred embodiment hose attachment assembly 100 previously described mainly in that the snap-in member 220 comprises only one flexible element 122 instead of two and the retaining device 210 comprises only one retaining surface 112 instead of two.

[0126] The hose attachment assembly 200 comprises a retaining device 210 associated to the slot 230 and a snap-in member 220 to retain the drain hose 20 in place in the holding area 34 of the slot 230.

[0127] The snap-in member 220 comprises one flexible element 122 having an abutting surface 124 and the retaining device 210 comprises one retaining surface 112 wherein in the assembled configuration, with the snap-in member 220 inserted in the slot 230, the abutting surface 124 of the flexible element 122 abuts the retaining surface 112 of the retaining device 210.

[0128] The snap-in member 220 then preferably comprises an arcuate portion 222 and the retaining device 210 comprises a pivot member 212.

[0129] The pivot member 212 is preferably integrally made with the basement 10.

[0130] The arcuate portion 222 defines an anchorage portion that allows the snap-in member 220 to rotate about the pivot member 212 when the snap-in member 220 is inserted into the slot 230 during assembly.

[0131] The assembling process first requires arranging the hose 20 into the holding area 34 of the slot 230 by inserting it through the external opening 32 and the passage area 38 of the slot 230.

[0132] The snap-in member 220 is inserted in the passage area 38 of the slot 230 by first positioning the arcuate portion 222 of the snap-in member 220 on the pivot member 212 of retaining device 210 and then rotating the snap-in member 220 about the pivot member 212 (clockwise in Figure 12) up to the flexible element 122 first flexes and then returns to an initial position in which the abutting surface 124 of the flexible element 122 abuts the retaining surface 112 of retaining device 210. In this configuration, the snap-in member 220 realizes the attachment of the hose 20 to the basement 10, with the abutting surface 124 of the flexible element 122 abutting the retaining surface 112 of the retaining device 210 and the arcuate portion 222 of the snap-in member 220 being anchored to the pivot member 212 of the retaining device 210.

[0133] Disconnection of the hose 20 from the basement 10 is easily obtained by removing the snap-in member 220: the flexible element 122 is moved in order to disengage its abutting surface 124 from the retaining surface 112 of the retaining device 210 and then the snap-in member 220 is rotated 220 about the pivot member 212 (counterclockwise in Figure 12) and finally extracted from the slot 230 by disengaging the arcuate portion 222 from the pivot member 212.

[0134] This preferred embodiment achieves all the advantages described for the first embodiment described above.

[0135] It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, the invention makes possible to provide a washing appliance that optimize assembling and / or disassembling operations compared to known systems.

[0136] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments shown in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A household washing appliance (1) for washing items comprising:- a washing chamber apt to receive said items to be washed;- an outer casing (2) for said washing chamber;- a hose (20) for transporting fluid inside said appliance (1) or outside said appliance (1), wherein said outer casing (2) comprises an elongated open slot (30; 230) disposed at a peripheral edge (18) thereof, said elongated open slot (30; 230) comprising:- an external opening (32);- a holding area (34) for said hose (20) provided with at least a first gripping surface (36a, 36b) configured to contact the outer surface (26) of said hose (20);- a passage area (38) extending from said external opening (32) to said holding area (34);- a hose attachment assembly (100; 200) for releasably connecting said hose (20) into said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230), said hose attachment assembly (100; 200) comprising:- a retaining device (110; 210) associated to said slot (30; 230);- a snap-in member (120; 220) arranged in said passage area (38) of said slot (30; 230), said snap-in member (120; 220) cooperating with said retaining device (110; 210) to retain said hose (20) in place in said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230), said snap-in member (120; 220) comprising at least a second gripping surface (122a, 122b) configured to contact the outer surface (26) of said hose (20), wherein said hose (20) is sandwiched between said first gripping surface (36a, 36b) of said slot (30; 230) and said second gripping surface (122a, 122b) of said snap-in member (120; 220).

2. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer casing (2) comprises a supporting basement (10) and said slot (30; 230) is disposed at a lower edge (18) thereof.

3. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slot (30; 230) is integrally made with said outer casing (2).

4. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said holding area (34) is integrally made with said slot (30; 230).

5. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in thatsaid first gripping surface (36a, 36b) is integrally made with with said slot (30; 230), preferably integrally made with said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230).

6. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retaining device (110; 210) is integrally made with said slot (30; 230), preferably integrally made with said passage area (38) of said slot (30; 230).

7. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second gripping surface (122a, 122b) is integrally made with said snap-in member (120; 220).

8. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said snap-in member (120; 220) comprises at least one flexible element (122) having at least one abutting surface (124) and said retaining device (110; 210) comprises at least one retaining surface (112) wherein said at least one abutting surface (124) of said at least one flexible element (122) abuts said at least one retaining surface (112) of said retaining device (110; 210).

9. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said snap-in member (120; 220) comprises two flexible elements (122) each having a respective abutting surface (124) and said retaining device (110; 210) comprises two retaining surfaces (112) wherein said abutting surfaces (124) of said two flexible elements (122) abut said retaining surfaces (112) of said retaining device (110; 210).

10. Appliance (1) according to any claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said snap-in member (220) comprises;- one flexible element (122) having at least one abutting surface (124) and said retaining device (210) comprises one retaining surface (112) wherein said at least one abutting surface (124) of said one flexible element (122) abuts said at least one retaining surface (112) of said retaining device (210);- an arcuate portion (222) and said retaining device (210) comprises a pivot member (212) wherein said arcuate portion (222) abuts said pivot member (212) of said retaining device (210).

11. Appliance (1) according to any claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said retaining surface (112) of said retaining device (110; 210) is integrally made with said slot (30; 230), preferably integrally made with said passage area (38) of said slot (30; 230).

12. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an anti-rotation device (150) to prevent rotation of the portion (23) ofsaid hose (20) retained in said holding area (34) around its main axis (X) and / or it comprises an anti- sliding device (170) to prevent sliding movement of the portion (23) of said hose (20) retained in said holding area (34) along its main axis (X).

13. Appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said anti-rotation device (150) comprises:- at least one rib (152) provided with at least one step (154a, 154b) protruding from an outer surface (26) of said hose (20) and a corresponding receiving groove (160) defined in said snap-in member (120; 220) and / or in said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230); and / or- at least one rib provided with at least one step protruding from said second gripping surface (122a, 122b) of said snap-in member (120; 220) and / or from said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230) and a corresponding receiving groove defined in said outer surface (26) of said hose (20).

14. Appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said rib (152) and / or said receiving groove (160) is arc-shaped.

15. Appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said anti-sliding device (170) comprises:- at least one rib (152) protruding from an outer surface (26) of said hose (20) and a corresponding receiving groove (160) defined in said second gripping surface (122a, 122b) of said snap-in member (120; 220) and / or in said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230); and / or- at least one rib protruding from said second gripping surface (122a, 122b) of said snap-in member (120; 220) and / or from said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230) and a corresponding receiving groove defined in said outer surface (26) of said hose (20).

16. Appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said appliance is a dishwasher (1) comprising a sump (12) arranged at the bottom of said washing chamber, one or more spray devices, one or more hydraulic pumps and one or more racks arranged in said washing chamber to accommodate said items.

17. Method for assembling a hose (20) in a washing household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:- arranging said hose (20) into said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230) by inserting it through said passage area (38) of said slot (30; 230) or positioning said hose (20) on said at least second gripping surface (122a, 122b) of said snap-inmember (120; 220);- inserting said snap-in member (120; 220) into said passage area (38) of said slot (30; 230) up to said snap-in member (120; 220) cooperates with said retaining device (110; 210) to retain said hose (20) in place in said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230) with said hose (20) sandwiched between said first gripping surface (36a, 36b) of said slot (30; 230) and said second gripping surface (122a, 122b) of said snap-in member (120; 220).

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that said snap-in member (120) is inserted into said passage area (38) of said slot (30) along a direction (D) which goes from said external opening (32) to said holding area (34) of said slot (30) or said snap-in member (220) is inserted into said passage area (38) of said slot (230) through rotation of said snap-in member (220) about a pivot member (212).

19. Method for assembling a hose (20) in a washing household appliance (1) comprising an outer casing (2), characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - providing an elongated open slot (30; 230) at a peripheral edge of said outer casing (2) of said appliance (1), said elongated open slot (30; 230) comprising:- an external opening (32);- a holding area (34) for said hose (20) provided with a first gripping surface (36a, 36b) configured to contact the outer surface (26) of said hose (20); - a passage area (38) extending from said external opening (32) to said holding area (34);- providing a snap-in member (120; 220) comprising a second gripping surface (122a, 122b) configured to contact the outer surface (26) of said hose (20) and inserting snap-in member (120; 220) into said passage area (38) of said slot (30; 230) up to said snap-in member (120; 220) cooperates with a retaining device (110; 210) associated to said slot (30; 230) to retain said hose (20) in place in said holding area (34) of said slot (30; 230) with said hose (20) sandwiched between said first gripping surface (36a, 36b) of said slot (30; 230) and said second gripping surface (122a, 122b) of said snap-in member (120; 220).

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that said snap-in member (120) is inserted into said passage area (38) of said slot (30) along a direction (D) which goes from said external opening (32) to said holding area (34) of said slot (30) or said snap-in member (220) is inserted into said passage area (38) of said slot (230) through rotation of said snap-in member (220) about a pivot member(212).

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