WASHING MACHINE WITH A FLEXIBLE WASHING COMPARTMENT HAVING ONE OR MORE STAIN REMOVAL ZONE(S)

Abstract

Washing machine (1) for the washing of laundry such as clothes and textiles, which washing machine comprises a housing, open frame (1a), wherein the housing (1a) comprises: an inlet (4), for supplying washing water, an outlet (5), for disposal of washing water, a pump (6), for pumping the washing water and air, that the housing (1a) comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of washing drawers (2), each washing drawer (2) having a pair of conduits (4a, 5a) for fluid tight connection of a respective flexible washing compartment(10) for washing laundry (L) and arranged in the washing drawer (2), wherein each drawer (2) of the housing (1a) is arranged to lead water from the inlet (4) of the housing (1a) via conduit (4a) to the respective washing compartment(10) arranged therein and, by means of the pump (6) and conduit (5a), to pump air and water out from the respective flexible washing compartment(10) in order to create a pressure difference inside the washing compartment (10) with respect to the surrounding pressure and by that emptying the flexible washing compartment(10) of washing water and air, wherein the one or more flexible washing compartment (10) each also comprises one or more stain-removal zone(s) (Z), in which at least one stain-removal zone (Z), a flow of water is arranged to be increased compared to other zones of the one or more flexible washing compartment (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a washing machine and in particular to a washing machine in which the laundry is washed inside an especially adapted flexible washing device that is arranged in a fluid tight manner on the washing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stain removal of laundry is often a trouble-some task, and some stains cannot easily be removed in a conventional washing machine of today. Therefore, typically, some kind of pre-treatment for stain-removal of the laundry before washing of the same in the washing machine is often required.

As an example, a pre-treatment of the laundry's fabric with a so-called “stain remover” is required. As another example, pre-treatment with soaking the laundry in water is required alone or in addition to using the stain-remover.

Some stain removers may typically bleach the fabric. A typical example is chlorine bleach, which is not safe for the fabric and hazardous to the environment.

Thus, stain-removal in addition to being time-consuming, is often not safe for the fabric or hazardous to the environment

Today, there are known sensor controlled washing machines for stain removal. Complicated and expensive sensor technology controls the washing machine such that more (stain removal) or dirty laundry or less intense (no stain removal) washing is provided. Typically, the rotating drum's movement is controlled. Typically, the whole laundry is washed, not just a stained part thereof. This may cause unnecessary wear to the laundry not requiring stain removal.

Based on the above knowledge and related problems, it is a need to find a solution to the problems with stain-removal.

PRIOR ART

A conventional washing machine washes laundry, such as clothes, by wetting them, de-moisturizing them, wetting them again etc. until the laundry is clean. In order to accomplish this laundering conventional washing machines typically comprise a cylindrical drum in which the laundry may be alternately soaked and dried without having to be transferred between different chambers.

A less conventional washing machine without a conventional cylindrical drum is described in EP-B1-2 633 113.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a washing machine without a conventional cylindrical drum that washes also stained laundry in a satisfying manner without the use of pre-treatment for stain-removal.

The invention relates to a washing machine that comprises housing, or an open frame, and having an inlet and outlet for water, and at least one pump. In contrast to conventional washing machines, the laundry is washed in at least one, or a plurality of flexible washing compartments arranged stacked onto each other, or side-to-side to each other, inside the housing, or the frame, of the washing machine. The flexible washing compartment(s) typically comprises one flexible and a hard plate, or alternatively two flexible membranes together making up a washing compartment, or is provided as a washing compartment. The plurality of flexible washing compartments is provided adjacent to each other in a plurality of drawers. The flexible washing compartments are each provided in the drawers by means of a respective suitable fluid tight connection for inlet and outlet of water and air. One or more of the flexible washing compartments also comprises one or more stain-removal zone(s), in which at least one stain-removal zone, a flow of water is arranged to be increased compared to other zones of the washing compartment. The increased flow of water in the one or more stain removal zone(s) has the effect that stains are removed in the washing compartment by the washing machine alone.

A washing detergent may be provided directly to the washing compartment or via a separate compartment in the washing machine to be distributed into the washing compartment together with the water. After that the water has been added to the washing compartment the pump is activated.

Firstly the pump is used to suck air from the washing compartment to reduce the volume of the washing compartment, whereby the laundry is compressed and soaked in water. Gradually the water is sucked out, and the same water may be returned for instance via a filter to a reservoir provided in the washing machine to the washing compartment a couple of times before the water is exchanged and the cycle is repeated once again.

Specifically, the invention relates to a washing machine for the washing of laundry such as fabric, clothes and textiles. The washing machine has means, in particular zones, for stain-removal. An advantage of the at least one stain-removal zone having increased flow of water is that no time-consuming and/or hazardous pre-treatment will be required before washing in the washing machine. Washing is hence increased locally in each stain removal zone.

An advantage compared to conventional washing machines is that the whole content of the laundry must be washed even if only part of the content of the laundry is stained. This is because one does not know where in relation to the rotating drum the stains are located. In the inventive washing machine, the laundry is always on the same location but only the water is flowing (moving). This implies that the satins are located in particular local areas and by preparing these local areas having a higher flow of water, higher degree of detergent or other extra treatment, it is possible to optimize the washing such that only parts of the laundry is subject to extra treatment, whereas the other parts of the content of the laundry is subject to a gentle treatment. This implies less wear, less micro-fiber, less use chemicals, and less energy required.

According to one embodiment the increased flow of water is arranged to be continuously through-flowing through the at least one stain removal zone.

According to another embodiment the increased flow of water is oscillating.

Typically the stain removal zones are arranged in a set of stain removal zones. A particular set is then typically adapted for a particular washing compartment.

An advantage is that a several different type of laundry can be washed at the same time in the different washing compartments; also having a plurality of different sets of stain-removal zones in case of a plurality of drawers. In this way,

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and the dependent claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows, in a perspective view, an embodiment of a washing machine comprising a housing with a plurality of washing drawers each drawer comprising a flexible washing compartment embodied having a set of stain removal zones, FIG. 1b shows yet an alternative embodiment of a washing machine having a plurality of drawers arranged side-by-side, and FIG. 1c shows an alternative embodiment of a washing machine comprising one drawer combined with a conventional washing machine having a perforated metal washing drum.

FIG. 2a shows 2b shows, in a view from above, a washing compartment embodied as a flexible bag having a set of stain removal zones.

FIG. 2b shows, in a perspective view from above, a flexible washing compartment embodied as a flexible bag having a set of stain removal zones. The flexible washing compartment can be arranged in a drawer as illustrated in FIG. 3 (to which is later referred).

FIG. 2b shows, in a perspective view from the side, a flat flexible washing compartment filled with a particular type of laundry, herein a pair of trousers,

FIG. 2c shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b, a set of stain removal zones having increased flow of water, wherein water is oscillating,

FIG. 2d shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b, a set of stain removal zones having increased flow of water, wherein the water is continuously through-flowing through the at least one stain removal zone; and

FIG. 3 shows, in a perspective view, a washing drawer, having a washing compartment of membrane type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the washing machine according the invention is shown in FIG. 1a. In this figure, the components of the washing machine are only schematically shown, but will be shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-3. The washing machine 1 is suitable for the washing of several types of laundry such as clothes and textiles at the same time or in any desired manner. In such an embodiment it is suitable that the user has several sets of stain removal zones, e.g. one first set for one type of laundry such as a pair of trousers having one type of stain removal zones Z for instance at knees and pockets etc., one second set for shirts having another type of stain removal zones Z, such as at arm-ends, neck etc.

FIG. 1a shows, in a perspective view, an embodiment of a washing machine comprising a housing with a plurality of washing drawers, FIG. 1b shows yet an alternative embodiment of a washing machine having a plurality of drawers arranged side-by-side, and FIG. 1c shows an alternative embodiment of a washing machine comprising one drawer combined with a conventional washing machine having a perforated metal washing drum, The housing may alternatively be embodied as an frame in all embodiments without departing from the invention.

Now is referred to FIG. 1a.

The washing machine shown in FIG. 1a comprises a housing 1a. The housing 1a comprises a plurality of drawers 2 provided as a set of washing drawers 2 stacked onto each other in the housing 1a, each drawer 2 comprising a respective flexible washing compartment 10 having one or more stain removal zone(s) Z (schematically shown in the most upper drawer), such as an essentially flat washing compartment 10 having a zipper, or other water and air-tight closable seal, or comprising a pair of flexible membranes (not shown in FIG. 1a), for washing laundry and arranged in the washing drawer 2 such that the one or more stain-removal zones) is/are located properly and adapted to locally treat stained areas of the laundry.

Alternatively, a hard openable frame having a water- and/or air-tight seal can be provided instead of the zipper.

The washing machine 1 comprises an inlet 4, for supplying clean washing water and an outlet 5, for disposal of used washing water. The washing machine 1 further comprises one or more pump(s) 6, in order to pump the used washing water out of the washing compartment. In order to supply clean water via the inlet 4 no pump is normally needed because the water will be provided from a pressurized and closed water system such as a public water supply system. Each washing compartment 10 in each drawer 2 is connected to a pair of conduits 4a, 5a arranged to lead water from the inlet 4 of via a conduit 4a to the respective washing compartment 10 arranged in each drawer 2 and to lead air and water away from the washing compartment 10 via a conduit 5a, by means of the pump 6. The pair of conduits 4a, 5a from each washing compartment 10 in each drawer 2 can be combined into one inlet 4 and outlet 5 for all washing compartments 10. The conduit 5a may also be connected to a reservoir 7 (schematically shown) inside the washing machine 1 for receiving used washing water and re-circulating the washing water one or more times back to the washing compartment 10.

The pump 6 is utilized to create a pressure difference between the washing compartment 10 and its surroundings (in the drawer 2), typically a negative pressure, normally referred to as vacuum in the washing compartment 10 and atmospheric pressure in the drawer 2.

According to another embodiment, it is alternatively possible to arrange the washing compartments 10 side-by-side as shown in FIG. 1b.

Alternatively, to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, which comprises a plurality of drawers, it is possible to just have one drawer 2, potentially in combination with a conventional washing machine as shown in FIG. 1c, but not limited thereto. Alternative embodiments, combinations of one or more drawer(s) 2 with a conventional washing machine having a perforated metal washing drum at any side of the conventional washing machine are also possible without departing from the invention. A side-by-side combination may be an advantage for instance for washing shirts hanging.

Now is referred to FIG. 2a, which in a view from above shows a flexible washing compartment 10 embodied as a flexible bag having a openable and closable seal 13, or is alternatively arranged in an openable/closable air and water-tight frame (not shown), for opening and closing the washing compartment 10. The flexible washing compartment 10 may be made of any fluid-tight suitable material such as plastics and may be transparent such that a user easily can see if the washing compartment is empty or not. In FIG. 2a, the washing compartment 10 is a flat transparent bag, shown filled with laundry 11, herein exemplified as a pair of trousers arranged in a flat manner in the flexible washing compartment 10.

According to aspect, but not limited thereto, the laundry 11 is wetted in a longitudinal direction (schematically shown) when the pump is turned on.

It is an advantage that the laundry 11 can be arranged flat in that ironing can be avoided and some sensitive laundry may benefit from being washed flatly and without the laundry moving inside the washing compartment 10, thereby avoiding wearing of the laundry 11 against the walls of the washing compartment 10 as is typically the case in a conventional washing machine having a rotation perforated metal drum inside which the laundry wears against the drum. Stain removal in such a conventional washing machine implies that the whole laundry 11 is always washed, even no-stained parts. This provides unnecessary wear also to non-stained parts (not in stain removal zones Z not requiring increased flow of water.

The washing compartment 10 is connected to a pair of conduits 4a, 5a, which are schematically shown only. Typically, the washing compartment 10 is permanently fixed into the drawer 2 and permanently connected to the conduits 4a, 5a.

Now is also in addition to FIG. 2a referred to FIG. 2b.

FIG. 2b shows in a perspective view from the side, a flat flexible washing compartment 10 filled with a particular type of laundry 11, herein a pair of trousers,

A means 12 for providing a set of stain removal zones Z is provided on the laundry 11. The means 12 can be a solid flat screen member for instance made of plastics having through going holes providing the stain removal zones Z through which an increased flow of water can flow when the pump 6 is turned on. The screen member 12 may vary/look different providing a particular set of stain removal zones for particular laundry 11. The open stain removal zones Z provides increased flow of water through the laundry 11 and thereby removes stains locally and efficiently in particular areas of the 11 without negatively also washing other parts of the laundry not requiring stain-removal. This is schematically marked as in this FIG. 2a. This embodiment is suitable for removing stains from particular areas of the laundry 11 such as on the knees on a pair of trousers (or other parts of the laundry 11 known to be more stained than other parts known to be less stained. An advantage with the inventive solution is that it is simple and easy compared to today's known complicated and expensive sensor solutions.

FIG. 2d shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b, a set 12 of stain removal zones Z having increased flow of water, wherein water is oscillating (shown schematically by double-headed arrows), flowing through the stain removal zones Z.

FIG. 2c shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b, a set 12 of stain removal zones Z having increased flow of water, wherein the water is continuously through-flowing through the stain removal zones Z.

Now is referred to FIG. 3, which shows, in a perspective view, a washing drawer 2 having a pair of conduits 4a, 5a 4a,5a for fluid tight connection of a respective flexible washing compartment 10 for washing stained laundry and being arranged in the washing drawer 2. The washing compartment 10 having stain removal zones Z shown in this drawing comprise of two flexible membranes, herein an upper 10a, and a lower membrane (not shown), which washing compartment 10 can be opened or closed in a fluid-tight manner by moving the drawer 2 out from the housing 1a for opening, or into the housing 1a for closing the washing compartment 10. This can be achieved since, the membranes are mounted in a respective upper 10aa, and lower 10bb frame, of which the upper membrane 10a can be moved, opened or closed. According to various embodiments, the washing compartment 10 may alternatively comprise one or more membranes, such as one flexible membrane provided on a rigid plate. The upper frame having the upper membrane 10a is arranged to be automatically opened when the drawer 2 is pulled out. This can be provided by having the frames 10aa, 10bb provided at a rail, wherein a pressure roll is arranged to press the upper frame 10aa having the upper membrane 10a against the lower frame 10bb having the lower membrane against each other when the drawer is pushed in and releasing the frames 10aa, 10bb to each other when the drawer is pulled out. Other mechanisms such as parallelograms, excenters, tracs, manual doors etc. providing opening or closing the washing compartment are obvious for the skilled person and the invention is by no means limited to this particular embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows the washing compartment 10 made of membranes and containing laundry and comprising two membranes 10a, 10b.

An alternative embodiment of the flexible washing compartment 10 can be made up of two flexible membranes 10a, 10b is shown with laundry 11 inside. The two membranes 10a, 10b are arranged on a frame preventing the washing compartment 10 to restrict across and along the frame, but still providing flat compression due to the pressure difference between the pressure inside the flexible compartment 10 and its surroundings in the drawer 2, typically the pressure inside the flexible compartment is negative pressure and the pressure outside the flexible compartment is atmospheric pressure or positive pressure providing a pressure difference.

The washing machine may also include an additional drying unit in order to dry the laundry by the supply of dry hot air in the flexible washing compartment 10.

The washing machine 1 can operate as follows.

One or more of the flexible washing compartments 10 are opened and filled with laundry 11. Subsequently, water is provided via the inlet 4, and/or the conduit 4a to the flexible washing compartment(s) 10. The water is heated to a desired temp. The heating can be provided by means of a conventional heater (not shown) arranged inside or outside the washing machine 1. Then the air is sucked out of the flexible washing compartment, followed by the water being sucked out.

A washing detergent may be provided directly into the washing compartment or via a separate washing detergent compartment 2a provided centrally in the washing machine 1 or in the specific drawer 2 to be distributed into the washing compartment 10 together with the water. After that the water has been provided to the washing compartment, the pump 6 is activated. Firstly the pump 6 is used to suck air from the washing compartment, to minimize the volume that has to be wetted, whereby the laundry is compressed and soaked in water (See FIG. 2a, where the wetting of the pair of trousers inside a washing compartment 10 having a zipper 13 is indicated schematically by the marking “wetting”). Gradually the water is sucked out, and the same water may be returned for instance via the reservoir 7 and filter(s) provided in the washing machine to the washing compartment a couple of times before the water is exchanged and the cycle is repeated once again.

An example of the operation of the invention according to various embodiments will now be given. First, the laundry 11 is placed in a washing compartment 10 of any of the types described above and in a drawer 2 of the washing machine 1. In the shown embodiment, the laundry 11 is placed in the washing compartment 10 inside the drawer 2. Then the washing compartment 10 is closed. After these measures, first air is sucked out, creating vacuum or under pressure in the fibers and/or textiles of the laundry 11 then, clean washing water is supplied via inlet 4 to the washing compartment 10 replacing the under pressure, or vacuum and normalizing pressure and any air remaining in the washing compartment 10 is pumped out via the pump 6 such that the laundry 11 is soaked and compressed by the walls of the washing compartment 10. Once the laundry 11 is soaked it is possible to pump out the washing water from the washing compartment via the pump 6, wherein a certain negative pressure again is created in the washing compartment, and wherein the laundry 11 is further compressed by the atmospheric pressure (or alternatively positive over-pressure) outside the bag. The washing becomes efficient thanks to the combination of pressure towards the laundry and the movement of the washing water and air bubbles, which penetrate in between the fibers of the laundry and deeply remove impurities. Pressure differences acting on air bubbles influences the air bubbles to change in size, which implies that the air-bubbles on a micro-level “pump” the water back and forth inside the fibers. Air is elastic contrary to water, such that water is transferred when the air bubbles grow or shrink. If a micro-bubble is stuck inside a hollow fiber, the fiber will pump clean inside the fiber. At the lowest pressure, the air bubbles are as large as possible. Further, the laundry may be kneaded by the walls of the washing compartment which increases the washing efficiency. Once the washing water has been re-circulated via filter a number of times, the water sucked out to the desired degree, the rinsing water is supplied to the washing compartment. The purpose of the rinsing water is e.g. to perform a final cleaning of the laundry and to remove any remainders of the washing detergent. Further, rinsing fluid and/or fabric softener, which softens and/or gives the laundry a pleasant fragrance, may be supplied together with the rinsing water. The rinsing water is removed from the washing machine in the same manner as the washing water. Hence, any air that is left in the bag is pumped out such that the laundry is compressed and soaked, and subsequently the rinsing water is pumped out from the washing compartment, wherein a certain negative pressure is created in the washing compartment, and wherein the laundry is compressed by the atmospheric pressure outside of the washing compartment. Preferably, electronic equipment of the washing machine comprises a control with which it is possible to control the dryness of the laundry. The dryness may also be one of the parameters that are controlled by means of different washing programs, such that every washing program is connected to a certain dryness, which naturally also may be the same for several different washing programs. Before the washing compartment is opened air should be let in, in order to facilitate the opening of the bag.

Preferably, the washing machine 1 also comprises a heater unit with which the inlet water in inlet 4 may be heated to the desired temperature regardless of the inlet temperature.

The washing machine 1 could also include a small tank in which the heating unit may be arranged. The tank makes it possible to re-utilize the washing water. Due to environmental friendly reasons it is advantageous that the laundry is washed several times with the same water, because it saves both water and heating energy. Further, the washing efficiency is not drastically worsened because the same washing water can be used several times, since the washing water very rarely is saturated in impurities. Hence, a prewash with a first water change is only necessary when very dirty laundry is to be washed. A water exchange should however always be made for the rinsing of the laundry.

Parts of the inner walls of the washing compartment can be provided with fluid leading means such as concavities- and/or convexities in order for the walls not to get stuck towards each other without letting water and air pass when a negative pressure of a certain magnitude has been created inside the washing compartment.

By creating islands of fluid leading surfaces surrounded by areas preventing fluid motion, the maximum flow of water through the laundry can be achieved. The washing effect is on the contrary achieved when the fluid flows through the laundry, preferably at the same time as they are kneaded by the walls as they are being sucked towards each other.

Claims

1. Washing machine for the washing of laundry such as clothes and textiles, which washing machine comprises a housing, open frame, wherein the housing comprises: an inlet, for supplying washing water,an outlet, for disposal of washing water,a pump, for pumping the washing water and air, that the housing comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of washing drawers, each washing drawer having a pair of conduits for fluid tight connection of a respective flexible washing compartment for washing laundry and arranged in the washing drawer, wherein each drawer of the housing is arranged to lead water from the inlet of the housing via conduit to the respective washing compartment arranged therein and, by means of the pump and conduit, to pump air and water out from the respective flexible washing compartment in order to create a pressure difference inside the washing compartment with respect to the surrounding pressure and by that emptying the flexible washing compartment of washing water and air, wherein the one or more flexible washing compartment each also comprises one or more stain-removal zone(s), in which at least one stain-removal zone, a flow of water is arranged to be increased compared to other zones of the one or more flexible washing compartment.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the increased flow of water is arranged to be continuously through the at least one stain removal zone.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the increased flow of water is arranged to be oscillating flowing through the at least one stain removal zone.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the stain removal zones are arranged in a member for stain removal having a particular set of stain removal zones.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a particular set of stain removal zones is then typically adapted for a particular washing compartment.

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the member is an essentially flat plate.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the member is made of plastics.