Patent Application
20050056059
The vast majority of building apartments have no space and no provision for stationary washers or washer/dryer combo. So the laundry in such apartments is a problem. Portable washer is a kind of solution, but it is always on your way when used and it always takes your valuable storage space when unused.
Washer/dryer combo, with condensation device similar to Automatic washing machine fitted for drying and described in a patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,313 do not requires ventilation, but is too heavy and bulky to be a convenient portable appliance. Well known are also built-in appliances like Compact top loading dishwasher suitable for fitting inside furniture units described in a patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,781. This design requires separate kitchen cabinet.
It would be nice to have “Zero-space” stationary washer or washer/dryer combination, which could be located in a bathroom and does not require any additional provision for installation.
The invention relates to the field of automatic top-loading washing machines and washer/dryer combo.
The Top-load Sink/Laundry Combo consists of an automatic washing machine with or without drying capacity and the sink, which is mounted on the top of the cabinet. All this is assembled in one integrated unit (concealed laundry).
This combination utilizing the space under the sink for laundry machine by re-shaping both P-trap and the sink and provide the user with “Zero-space” stationary washer or washer/dryer combo. It is connected to water supply by standard flexible hoses and to waste line via modified flexible P-trap.
It resembles a vanity with built-in laundry machine under the sink. It could replace any existing standard sink giving customer convenience of laundry capability.
An additional advantage of this invention is in increased speed of the drying by condensation device because a part of hot and humid air from a dryer is directed to the waste water line behind the P-trap utilizing waste line's ventilation pipes.
The check valve prevents bad waste line smell from returning back to dryer.
The top-load sink/laundry combo (see
The unit is connected to water supply by flexible hoses (hook-ups) like typical sink and to waste line 7 by drainpipe 14 via modified flexible P-trap 5. P-trap 5 is located under the sink 2 flush to the wall 6.
Top-load units with horizontal rotation axle of the drum (required for tumbling) could be equipped with a heater, blower and vent and operate like washer-dryer combo.
In a process of drying all hot and humid air could be directed outside via regular or retractable ventilation hose.
When outside ventilation is not available a condensation device could be used. In order to increase the speed of the drying process with condensation device at least part of the hot and humid air is directed via ventilation hose 9 and coupling 10 to the waste line's ventilation pipe 8 bypassing the P-trap 5.
The check valve 11 prevents bad waste line smell from returning back to dryer. In preferred embodiment (see
In order to minimize the force required for relocation of the drum while assuring the safety of operations a motion-absorbing device 17 is connected between the drum 1 and a front door 12. A position-securing device (bar) 15, which is connected to the front door, allows locking the door in any position and prevents the drum from rotation when the door is open. When door is closed the bar 15 is pushed down.
Flexible P-trap 5 is positioned flush to the wall 6, which assures reliable connection during vibration and gives more space for a drum 1.
In order to decrease vibration of the cabinet the lower part of a P-trap made with tank-like expansion 13, which accumulates a few gallons of running wastewater. This expansion 13 is attached to the cabinet and increases its weight and stability. In addition the cabinet is connected to the wall with vibration-absorbing anchors.
In different embodiment (see
