DRUM

Abstract

A sliding drawer washing machine in which the drum can be moved between a retracted position within the outer dimension of the washing machine and a withdrawn position wherein access may be gained to the inside of the drum in a substantially vertical direction comprising a drum for a washing machine comprising a substantially lateral wall (2), and first and second end walls (3, 16), characterised in that the lateral wall (2) is comprised of adjacent circumferential zones, the first zone (4) having a plurality of apertures therein and the second zone (6) being substantially aperture free.

Description

The present invention relates to laundry apparatus including a drum

Traditionally, laundry apparatus or washing machines include a drum which is comprised of a cylinder having an opening at one end to receive laundry and a cylindrical lateral wall having regularly spaced apertures therein for release of waste water during the drain and spinning cycles of the machine.

The present invention relates to laundry apparatus including a drum, particularly for the type of laundry apparatus wherein the drum may be slideably retracted from the machine. In such a machine, instead of the door pivotally opening from the front of the machine to allow access to the interior of the drum, the entire drum can be moved between a retracted position within the outer dimension of the washing machine and a withdrawn position wherein access may be gained to the inside of the drum in a substantially vertical direction. Such a machine may be termed a sliding drawer washing machine. Sliding drawer washing machines can be positioned under, for example, kitchen counters or units. This arrangement contrasts with other types of vertically loaded washing machines are top loaded and have an opening in the upper surface, thereby precluding the possibility for fitting under kitchen units for example.

According to the present invention there is provided a sliding drawer laundry apparatus comprising a drum for a washing machine comprising a substantially lateral wall, the lateral wall comprising adjacent circumferential zones, the first zone having a plurality of apertures therein and the second zone being substantially aperture free. The term circumferential in this context indicates that a zone has a dimension that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis about which the drum rotates when in use.

The lateral wall of the drum is preferably substantially cylindrical.

The drum preferably further comprises a first end portion positioned at one end of the lateral wall of the drum, this first end portion is preferably fixedly engaged with the lateral wall. A second end portion is preferably fixedly located at a second end of the lateral wall of the drum. In use, the second end of the lateral wall of the drum is the end which is located at the front of the machine and as such may include a front part of the machine which is aesthetically configured to fit with the casing of the machine. The second end portion is preferably fixedly connected to the lateral wall of the drum. The drum therefore preferably comprises a cylinder having first and second end portions.

The first end portion is preferably arranged to be fixedly connected to the lateral wall of the drum. The drum is preferably arranged to seat in an outer drum and is rotatably mounted therein, wherein water purged or drained from the laundry passes through the apertures in the drum and into the area or space defined between the outer surface of the lateral wall of the drum and the inner surface of the outer drum. This water is then evacuated from the outer drum via an aperture portion by known methods.

The second zone of the drum is preferably generally concave. The second zone preferably extends substantially between one third and one half of the perimeter of the drum. The second zone extends as such in order that when the drum is retracted from the machine following a washing cycle and the second zone is the lowest part of the drum, any remaining water within the drum will not drop onto the floor but is prevented from doing so by the lack of apertures in the second zone.

The drum preferably further comprises laundry agitating means comprising one or more protrusions extending from the lateral wall into the drum. Such protrusions aid in the agitation of the laundry during the washing cycle.

An aperture is preferably provided in the first zone. A closure means (a door) is arranged to cover the aperture. The closure means is preferably slidable between a first configuration enabling access to the aperture and a second configuration wherein the aperture is covered. The aperture enables laundry to be loaded into and removed from the drum.

The first end portion is preferably substantially circular and preferably comprises a segment having a plurality of apertures therein. The purpose of such apertures is primarily that liquid can pass therethrough following the wash of the laundry and prior to the spin cycle commencing. The second zone, being substantially aperture free prevents liquid passing there through and accordingly prevents liquid from falling onto the floor as the drum is retracted from the machine when the second zone is the lowest part of the drum. A portion of the drum remains within the casing of the machine when retracted and as such any remaining liquid can pass through the portion that remains within the confines of the machine without falling onto the surrounding floor.

The plurality of apertures of the first end portion are preferably located such that the points at which the cord defining the segment contact the circumference of the first end portion are substantially at the same circumferential point as the extremities of the circumferential length of the first circumferential zone, or alternatively put, the boundaries between the first and second zones.

The drum preferably comprises a third circumferential zone extending around substantially the entire circumference of the lateral wall having a plurality of apertures therein. This is again for release of waste water from the wash and may also act to release any remaining liquid into the outer drum during the spin cycle. As described above, the drum is retracted from the machine to allow emptying of the laundry, however a portion of the drum remains located within the confines of the machine and as such this portion preferably comprises a plurality of the apertures therein to allow liquid to pass therethrough without the risk of liquid falling onto the surrounding floor. The third circumferential zone preferably has a longitudinal thickness along the lateral wall of less than one quarter of the longitudinal length of the lateral wall of the drum. The benefit of such measurements is that the drum is able to be sufficiently retracted from the confines of the machine that insertion and removal of laundry from the drum is simple but the drum is safely retained by the machine. The third zone is preferably located adjacent to the first end portion.

The relative area of the lateral wall of the drum having apertures therein preferably comprises approximately four fifths of the total area of the lateral wall. Even more preferably, the area of lateral wall having apertures therein comprises approximately 0.78 m² and the area being substantially aperture free comprises approximately 0.22 m².

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the cylindrical lateral wall of a drum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a back plate of the drum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3a is a schematic perspective view of the drum seated in the outer drum portion; and FIG. 3b is a schematic representation of the drum and outer drum portion of FIG. 3a with a section of the outer drum portion removed for clarity purposes.

Conventional front loading washing machines have a hinged door located on a substantially vertical front face of the apparatus thereby having the benefit that the apparatus may be placed under a solid surface such as a worktop in a kitchen or the like. The problem with front loading washing machines is that use of such a machine requires the user to bend down when loading and unloading the apparatus. The laundry is then either pushed into or pulled out of the machine. This combination of bending and pushing/pulling can be painful and difficult for people with back problems, the infirm or the elderly. Accordingly sliding drawer washing machines have been proposed which comprise a casing having a base, side walls, a top and back and a drum for receiving the laundry. As described herein, the drum comprises a curved lateral (side) wall and optionally a first end (back) portion and optionally a second end (front) portion. The drum may travel between a first retracted position located within the outer dimensions of the washing machine case and a withdrawn position wherein the drum is sufficiently withdrawn to allow access to at least one aperture in the curved lateral wall of the drum. The aperture is configured and dimensioned to allow insertion and removal of laundry items. The direction of movement of the drum from a retracted to the withdrawn position is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum.

The drum as described herein is cylindrical, however, it will be appreciated that alternative dimensions can be provided such as a frustro-conical shape.

The advantage of such a configuration of washing machine is that when the drum is in a position to allow insertion and removal of items to be laundered, the insertion and removal can be done in a substantially vertical direction therefore providing reduced amount of bending and twisting for the user than alternative front loading machines.

Referring to FIG. 1, the lateral wall of the drum is schematically represented having been flattened for clarity purposes. The cylindrical lateral wall 2 comprises a first zone 4 having plurality of apertures therein. The apertures are arranged in order that waste water can pass therethrough during the spin cycle of the machine, however the apertures are sufficiently small that laundry is retained within the drum. A second zone 6 is provided circumferentially in the lateral wall of the drum adjacent to the zone 4 having apertures therein. The zone 6 is free of apertures being configured in such a manner in order that when the drum is at rest having completed a spin cycle or other washing event and the second zone 6 is the lowest part of the drum, water cannot pass through the portion of the lateral wall of the drum defined by zone 6. In the withdrawn-configuration, when the drum is withdrawn from the machine in order to enable loading and unloading of laundry, water is thereby prevented from dripping from the drum onto the surrounding ground. This is clearly beneficial as it is undesirable and potentially dangerous to have water on the floor in the area surrounding the drum during unloading in particular.

The drum comprises a forward edge 8 which defines the perimeter of the cylindrical lateral wall and a rearward perimeter edge 10 which defines the rearward perimeter edge of the drum. In use, the rearward edge is prevented from being withdrawn from the outer drum portion of the machine which retains the drum therein when the machine is closed. In its furthest withdrawn configuration, the drum is located such that most of the cylindrical lateral wall is withdrawn from the outer drum portion of the machine. A portion 12 of the drum, however, is prevented from being withdrawn from the machine by a buffer (not shown) and as such a circumferential zone of the cylindrical lateral wall which extends around substantially the entire circumference of the drum may have a plurality of apertures therein. This is particularly beneficial because when the drum is in the withdrawn configuration any water still present in the drum can flow through the apertures without falling onto the surrounding ground and instead is retained within the outer drum portion of the machine. The portion of the drum 12 having apertures extending around the entire circumference is relatively thin, and may be approximately 5 cm. This may, however, be varied depending on the specific size and configuration of the drum.

A line A-A has been indicated on FIG. 1, which represents the balance point at which the drum is arranged to rest when the spin cycle has finished. This substantially bisects the zone 6 and at rest should be the lower most point of the drum relative to the ground and the casing of the machine. This ensures that there is a minimal chance of water escaping through the apertures in zone 4 adjacent to zone 6.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is a schematic perspective view of a rearward end portion 16 of the drum. The end portion 16 is substantially circular and is fixedly connected to the rearward edge 10 of the drum. A segment 18 of the end portion 16 is provided having a plurality of apertures therein which enables waste water to pass therethrough to a small degree during rotation of the drum as most of the waste water will be ejected through the circumferential apertures due to rotation. However, the primary purpose of such aperturesis that water can pass through these apertures during the initial drainage of the items being washed (see FIGS. 3a and 3b). The mid point of the outer perimeter of the edge portion 16 defined by the segment 18 should be located along the axis A-A in order to ensure maximum effectiveness as the drum is arranged to come to a rest configuration during use with the line A-A at the lowermost point. The orientation of the edge portion 16 in FIG. 2 is the preferred orientation when the drum is in the rest configuration when the laundry is entered into or removed from the drum.

A forward end portion (shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b) is also beneficially provided and may be fixedly connected to the forward edge 8. The forward end portion is beneficially fixed relative to the drum. This is different to standard washing machines wherein this portion is generally hingedly releasable from the drum in order to load and unload the laundry. The drive arrangement for the drum in a washing machine according to the present invention includes a drive means at the back of the drum and a bearing and front which support the rearward and forward ends of the drum respectively.

A closable aperture 20 is also provided in the cylindrical lateral wall 2 and is provided substantially opposite zone 6. This has the effect that in the rest configuration when the drum is withdrawn from the washing machine and the zone 6 is at the lower most position relative to the ground, access to the inside of the drum is provided through the uppermost portion of the drum. The aperture 20 is preferably closable via a door means, and a door means may be slideable between an open and a closed position. Sliding is preferably in a longitudinal direction with respect to the drum, however, it is envisaged that in other embodiments of the present invention the door could be slid circumferentially with respect to the drum. Alternatively, a hinged arrangement may be provided. The door may comprise a plurality of apertures therein as indicated in FIG. 1 for increased wastewater purging from the laundry. Detail of the door is not shown, however the door preferably extends substantially the longitudinal length of the drum. The door is preferably retained by the machine as the drum is withdrawn from the machine such that automatic opening of the door occurs on withdrawal of the drum. It is beneficial for the door to have a plurality of apertures therein in order to ensure maximum possible ejection of water from the washing during the spin cycle.

Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the drum including the cylindrical lateral wall 2, second end portion (front portion) 3 and first end portion (back portion) which is not visible in FIG. 3a or 3b provides the enclosure for receiving the laundry and seats within outer drum portion 30, which in its simplest form comprises a sleeve. A drive mechanism (not shown) is arranged to locate on the front and rear portions and an attachment mechanism 31 are fixed to the second end portion 3 and the first end portion (not shown). The inner drum comprising the lateral wall 2 and front and rear end portions rotate about the axis extending between the attachment arrangements 31. The outer drum portion 30 is arranged to receive the water expelled from the apertures in the lateral wall 2, drum door, and back portion of the drum. The water may then be expelled through outlet 34. The drum comprising the lateral wall and front and rear end portions is rotatably mounted within the outer drum portion 30, and a seal arrangement 32 is provided between the edge of the outer drum portion and the rotatably mounted drum defined by the lateral wall and front and rearend portions in order that water is prevented from leaving the outer drum portion other than through outlet 34. A further seal arrangement (not shown) is provided to prevent water from escaping between the back portion and the outer drum portion 30, and the drum compresses against this seal arrangement 32 to provide a seal.

The seal arrangement 32 may be provided fixedly connected to the outer drum portion 30, and the drum compresses against this seal arrangement 32 to promote a seal.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sliding drawer washing machine apparatus comprising a drum for a washing machine comprising a substantially lateral wall, and first and second end walls, characterized in that the lateral wall is comprised of adjacent circumferential zones, the first zone having a plurality of apertures therein and the second zone substantially aperture free.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the lateral wall of the drum is substantially cylindrical.

3. Apparatus according to any preceding claim 1 in which the second zone is generally concave.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second zone extends substantially between one third and one half of the perimeter of the drum.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the drum further comprises a third circumferential zone extending around substantially the entire circumference of the lateral wall.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the third zone has a longitudinal thickness along the lateral wall of less than one quarter of the longitudinal length of the lateral wall of the drum.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the drum is arranged to be rotatably mounted in a sleeve and the drum is moveable relative to the sleeve.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the drum further comprises an aperture in the first zone, and a closure means arranged to cover the aperture.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the closure means is slideable between a first configuration enabling access through the aperture and a second configuration wherein the aperture is covered.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first end portion is substantially cylindrical and comprises a segment having a plurality of apertures therein.