COLLECTOR RING OF WASHING SUPPLIES FOR VERTICAL AXIS WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

This invention relates to a collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine between a storage container of washing supplies and the assembly formed by water storage tank and the washing basket. The said collector ring (1) comprises at least one receiving cavity (2) of washing supplies (WS) from at least one washing supplies container of the vertical axis washing machine, wherein said cavity (2) provided with at least one means of fluid communication (21) directed to the space between the water storage tank and the washing basket of the vertical axis washing machine, and stands by the fact of further providing at least one deflector grid (3) disposed over at least one receiving cavity (2) of washing supplies.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a collector ring of washing supplies for washing machine vertical axis and, more particularly, to a collector of supplies that is disposed between a storage container of washing supplies and the assembly formed by water storage tank and the washing basket, which aims to direct washing supplies (from the storage container of washing supplies) to the existing space between said water storage tank and the washing basket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As commonly known by a person skilled in the art, vertical axis washing machines, which are also known as top load washing machines, comprise electromechanical rotating machines able to develop at least one washing cycle comprised of filling steps, washing steps, draining steps and centrifugation steps.

Embodiments of conventional vertical axis washing machines are integrated by dispensing systems of washing supplies, which aim to release washing chemicals (soap, bleach, fabric softener, among others) in the washing space. Normally, the release of washing supplies is automatically performed and in accordance with pre-programmed washing cycles.

It is also known by a person skilled in the art that the dispensing of washing supplies through different known means, is usually directed to the space (or ring-shaped interspace) existing between the water storage tank and the washing basket. This is because it is extremely reckless to dispense the washing supplies directly on the wash load (clothes and textile articles in general) disposed within the washing basket.

One means of directing the washing supplies to the space between the water storage tank and the washing basket comprises the usage of a component normally described as “collector ring”.

A conventional collector ring, as described in the technical material pertaining to the current state of the art, comprises an annular body that is usually arranged on the water storage tank of the washing machine. At the most, the said collector ring further comprises a recess aligned with the containers of washing supplies, and provided with fluid communication with the space defined between the water storage tank and the washing basket. Consequently, as the washing supplies are dispensed from the storage containers of washing supplies, they are directed (by gravity) to the collector ring recess and then directed to said space defined between the water storage tank and washing basket.

A typical example of collector ring of washing supplies for washing machine vertical axis is described in the patent document PI 1002805-6.

The use of collector rings as defined above, comprises a practical and functional way to standardize the flow of washing supplies.

However, the vast majority of collector rings available today presents a serious technical problem related to unwanted spreading of washing supplies. This effect of unwanted spreading of washing supplies is popularly termed as “splash” (technical language used by people skilled in the art).

The “splash” effect comprises, in general, the unwanted spreading of washing supplies to inadequate regions of the vertical axis washing machine, and is caused by the shock of washing supplies on the recess surface of the collector ring, wherein this shock tends to cause “splashes” in an unpredictable direction.

In a first hypothesis, the “splash” effect can cause “splashes” directed into the washing basket. The possible occurrence is extremely harmful, after all, it is known that certain washing supplies comprise chemicals that, once directly exposed to certain types of fabrics, tend to promote the degeneration thereof.

The aforementioned patent document PI 1002805-6 discloses an embodiment provided with means which, in theory, are able to reduce the occurrence of this first “splash” effect hypothesis.

In a second hypothesis, the “splash” effect can cause “splashes” directed to the inner face of the metal body of the vertical axis washing machine. This possible occurrence is also extremely harmful, after all, it is known that washing supplies (and even “pure water”) tend to cause an aggressive metal deterioration. In this context, it is noteworthy that, normally, the inner face of the metal body of the vertical axis washing machine does not usually receive anticorrosive treatment.

At the most, this second “splash” effect hypothesis also tends to cause damage to the place where the washing machine vertical axis is seated on, after all, it also appears that the washing supplies, once directed to the inner face of the metal body of the vertical axis washing machine, tends to flow out (by gravity) to the ground.

The present invention arises based on this context.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is one of the objectives of this invention to present a collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine able to mitigate the occurrence of the first “splash” effect hypothesis detailed above.

It is also one of the objectives of this invention that said collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine be able to mitigate the occurrence of the second “splash” effect hypothesis detailed above.

At the most, it is still one of the objectives of this invention that the suitable means of mitigating the “splash” effect be removable, and therefore of easy replacement and cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

All the above objectives are fully achieved through the collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine disclosed herein, which comprises at least one receiving cavity of washing supplies from at least one washing supplies container of the vertical axis washing machine. Said cavity is provided with at least a means of fluid communication directed to the space between the water storage tank and the washing basket of the vertical axis washing machine.

In accordance with this invention, it is further provided at least one deflecting grid arranged on at least one receiving cavity of washing supplies.

Such deflector grid comprises, in general, a plurality of triangular profiles parallelly arranged among themselves.

At the most, and preferably, said deflecting grid is physically associated with the receiving cavity of washing supplies through at least one fixing element, which can be comprised, for example, of a flexible rod projected from the deflector grid itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the subject matter of this invention will be described in detail based on the figures listed below, which:

FIG. 1 illustrates, in isometric perspective, the preferred embodiment of the collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine;

FIG. 2 illustrates, in isometric perspective, the preferred embodiment of the deflector grid belonging to the collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine;

FIG. 3 illustrates, in cut view, the preferred embodiment supplies of the collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine, and

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the interaction between washing supplies and the preferred embodiment of the collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Based on the objectives of this invention, collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine was developed, which will henceforth be referred only as a collector ring 1.

In general, these objectives are met through the use of a deflector grid 3, which, once housed on the receiving cavity 2 of washing supplies, prevents the reverse flow (“splash” effect) of the washing supplies.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the preferred embodiment of this invention. According to FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the collector ring 1 comprises a collector ring fundamentally similar to the collector ring described in the BR patent document PI 1002805-6.

This means that said first collector ring is formed by a receiving cavity 2 of washing supplies WS from the washing supplies container (not shown) having a means of fluid communication 21 directed to the space between water storage tank and the washing basket of the vertical axis washing machine (both not shown).

In general, said means of fluid communication comprises an opening 21 defined in the receiving cavity 2 of washing supplies itself

Anyway, the great merit of this invention is the introduction of a deflector grid 3 on said receiving cavity 2 of washing supplies.

Said third deflector grid, this comprising a plurality of profiles 31 parallelly arranged to each other, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, in this context, it is especially able to mitigate the occurrence of the reverse flow (“splash” effect) of the washing supplies WS.

This is because the said profiles 31, having their “bases” facing the surface of the receiving cavity 2 of washing supplies, allow the conventional flow of washing supplies (top—down flow) and prevent most of the reverse flow (bottom—up flow), which tends to “rebound” in the mentioned bases of said profiles 31.

The preferred embodiment of the deflector grid 3 is shown in detail in FIG. 2.

According to FIG. 2, it appears that such deflector grid 3 has an essentially elliptical circumference, which is equivalent to the perimeter of the receiving cavity 2 of washing supplies of the collector ring 1.

The profiles 31 have a geometry specially dedicated to the objectives of this invention, however, the triangular configuration should not be interpreted as limiting, but rather, preferred and exemplary. The idea is that these profiles have a “base” greater than the upper walls (or tops, which in this case comprises a single point), thus facilitating the conventional flow of washing supplies and hindering the occurrence of most of the reverse flow of washing supplies.

In the case of the illustrated profiles 31, of triangular configuration, it appears that the angled “walls” further optimize the conventional flow of washing supplies.

At the most, it is also possible to verify that said deflecting grid 3 comprises a modular body, which is physically associated with the receiving cavity 2 of washing supplies through at least one fixing element 4.

In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it is noted that the existence of two fixing elements 4, which comprise flexible rods projected from the deflector grid itself 3 and, in particular , perpendicularly projected from the surrounding edge of the deflector grid 3.

Once described an example of the preferred embodiment of the collector ring 1, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention covers other possible variations, which are limited solely by the contents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine, comprising at least one receiving cavity (2) of washing supplies (WS) from at least one washing supplies container of the vertical axis washing machine, wherein said cavity (2) is provided with at least one means of fluid communication (21) directed to the space between the water storage tank and the washing basket of the vertical axis washing machine; said collector ring (1) is especially CHARACTERIZED by the fact of further comprising at least one deflecting grid (3) disposed over at least one receiving cavity (2) of washing supplies (WS).

2. Collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said deflecting grid (3) comprises a plurality of profiles (31) parallelly arranged to each other; the basis of at least one profile (31) has dimensions greater than those of its upper dimensions.

3. Collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that at least one profile (31) is triangular.

4. Collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said deflecting grid (3) is physically associated with the receiving cavity (2) of washing supplies through at least one fixing element (4).

5. Collector ring of washing supplies for vertical axis washing machine according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said fixing element (4) comprises a flexible rod projected from the deflector grid itself (3).