WO2010115740A1

WO2010115740A1 - A washing sphere

Info

Publication number: WO2010115740A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/054067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Mordini
Original assignee: Vitaeco S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-04-06
Filing date: 2010-03-29
Publication date: 2010-10-14
Also published as: ITBO20090220A1

Abstract

The washing sphere (1) comprises a containing structure (2) identifying a plurality of internal chambers (3, 4) accessible through corresponding access openings (30, 40) and destined to contain granular substances destined to dissolve by action of washing water, and a closing cap (20) destined to couple stably on the external surface of the containing structure (2) for closing the access openings (30, 40) in order to prevent exit of the granular substances during the washing stage.

Description

A WASHING SPHERE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical sector of clothes, with particular reference to washing spheres designed to be inserted in washing compartments of washing machines.

BACKGROUND ART

Washing spheres are known which exhibit a holed spherical structure identifying an internal chamber accessible through a circular opening, specially provided with a closing cap through which granular detergent can be inserted.

The spherical structures is appropriately holed in order to enable an inflow and an outflow of the washing water through the internal chamber, which can thus come into contact with the granular detergent.

Some washing spheres are provided, at an external diameter thereof, with an elastomer strip which can afford protection against the impacts against the internal walls of the washing compartment, especially during the spinning stages thereof carried out at high speed.

The greatest problem encountered in washing spheres of known type is the impossibility of dosing any additive substances (softeners, perfumed essences, etc.) which might be desired between successive washes.

After being inserted in the spherical structure the additives mix with the granular detergent and are no longer distinguishable there-from nor controllable in terms of dose; the only alternative is to remove the contents of the washing sphere completely, with a consequent waste of materials and ensuing environmental harm.

A further problem of washing spheres, of not inconsiderable importance, is represented by the poor practicality of the closing cap which during the opening stage (for recharging operations) is difficult to remove, while during the closing stage (especially for operators whose manual dexterity may not be excellent) it can fall into the spherical structure if pressed too hard, with a practically nil chance of recuperation.

In the latter case, unless a spare cap is at hand the whole washing sphere becomes completely useless.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a washing sphere which provides, between successive washes, the possibility to control doses of additives (for example, softeners, perfumed essences, etc.) to the granular detergent

A further aim is to provide a washing sphere able to guarantee maximum practicality to the closing element for any user, even one with poor dexterity, thus preventing any damage to the washing sphere.

The above-indicated aims are obtained with the contents of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, in which: figures 1 , 2 schematically illustrate respectively an exploded perspective and an exploded frontal view of the washing sphere;

figures 3, 4 schematically illustrate a perspective and a frontal view of the washing sphere in assembled mode and in open configuration;

figures 5, 6 schematically represent a perspective and a front view of the washing sphere in assembled mode and in closed configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the above figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety the washing sphere of the invention, particularly suitable for inserting in a washing compartment of a washing machine, and comprising a containing structure 2 identifying at least two internal chambers 3, 4, each of which is accessible via corresponding openings 30, 40 afforded on the external surface of the containing structure 2.

The internal chambers 3, 4 are destined to contain granular substances, preferably having a detergent and/or softening and/or perfuming action, which are destined to dissolve following the action of the washing water, and which allow inflow and/or outflow of the washing water into and out of the sphere through the access openings 30, 40 and/or perforated portions afforded at least on the external surface of the containing structure 2.

The washing sphere 1 further comprises a special closing cap 20 which couples stably on the external surface of the containing structure 2 in order to close the access openings 30, 40 to the internal chambers 3, 4 such as to prevent exit of the granular substances during the washing stage.

In a preferred embodiment the containing structure 2 is made of at least a pair of shells 5,6 stably coupled to one another, at least one of which is externally provided with a peripheral border 50 for abutting the closing cap 20 during the stage of coupling thereof with the containing structure.

The peripheral border 50 is preferably realised in proximity of the coupling section of the shells 5, 6.

With special reference to the embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings, the washing sphere 1 comprises a lower internal chamber 3, delimited by a plane 7 dividing the structure 2, into which a supply channel 9 opens, which supply channel 9 is centrally positioned and terminates on the upper external surface of the structure 2, being accessible via an upper opening 40.

The washing sphere 1 further comprises four lateral internal chambers 4 (of which two are clearly visible in the figures) surrounding the supply channel 9 and being delimited by a pair of planes 8 which are perpendicular to one another and are incident to the dividing plane 7, and are accessible through corresponding lateral openings 40 afforded on the lateral external surface of the structure 2.

In this way the upper openings 30 and the lateral openings 40 can enable insertion and/or extraction of granular substances from the respective internal chambers, the lower chamber 3 and the lateral chamber 40 (four).

In particular, the containing structure 2 is made up of a lower shell 6, which delimits a part of the lower internal chamber 3, which stably couples with an upper shell 5 supporting the supply channel 9, the dividing plane 7 and the pair of incident planes 8, such as to define the four internal lateral chambers 4.

The lower internal chamber 3 in the coupled configuration of the shells (5, 6) is delimited not only by the lower shell 6 but also by the dividing plane 7 associated to the upper shell 5.

The lower shell 6 is advantageously provided with a central seating 10 provided for couplingly receiving the terminal portion of the channel 9 supported by the upper shell 5.

In the illustrated embodiment (figures 1 , 2) the seating 10 is a through- seating and is blocked to the lower shell 6 by means of an external sleeve 11 ; alternatively the seating 10 can be a non-through seating and can couple to the channel 9 for example by jointing, without the presence of the sleeve 11.

In any case the terminal portion of the channel 9 is advantageously provided with transit sections 90 which enable passage of the granular substances coming from the upper opening 30 to the inside of the lower chamber 3, and if necessary in the other direction.

In order to optimise the inflow and/or outflow of the washing water in the internal chambers 3, 4 through the access openings 5, 6, the closing cap 20 is advantageously provided with perforated portions.

The trajectory of the washing water in the lower chamber 3 is fundamentally guaranteed by the perforations of the external surface of the lower shell 6, and possibly also by the perforations of the cap 20 at the upper opening 30.

According to the predetermined specifications, the trajectory of the washing water in the lateral chambers 4 is enabled by the closing cap 20 and the lateral openings 40, and possibly also by the holing of the external surface of the upper shell 5 (not illustrated).

By way of example, the lower chamber 3 can be filled, through the upper opening 30 and the channel 9, with granular detergent substances, while the four lateral chambers can be used for insertion, if necessary, through the lateral openings 40 of softening and/or perfuming granular substances.

The granular detergent can be periodically added-to, if required, or can be actually replaced, simply by de-coupling the shells 5, 6 and emptying the lower shell 6.

The lateral chambers 4 can be used whole or in part, or indeed can be left unused in the case of special washing operations which require only the use of detergent.

They can be filled when so required with only softening substances, or only perfuming substances, or with softening and perfuming substances.

Different types of softening and/or perfuming substances can be placed in the various lateral chambers 4, depending on requirements.

If necessary the granular detergent of one or more types can also be housed in one or several lateral chambers 4.

Between successive washes, it is thus possible easily to control doses of softening and/or perfuming additives to the granular detergent, or only additive or only detergent can be used in certain washing cycles.

The closing cap 20 guarantees maximum practicality and ease of use for any operator, even those with poor dexterity, and thus prevents any damage to the washing sphere, as can indeed occur in the prior art where it can fall inside the internal closed chamber and is very hard to recuperate.

The cap 20 is advantageously provided with perforated portions which enable optimisation of the washing water trajectory into the internal chambers 3, 4 through the access openings 30, 40 and/or the perforated portions afforded on the external surface of the shells 5, 6 defining the containing structure 2.

The containing structure 2 can be provided which identifies a lower chamber 3a and a single lateral chamber 4 which surrounds the connecting chamber 9. In this case the washing sphere comprising a containing structure 2 identifying a pair of internal chambers (3, 4) including a lower internal chamber 3, delimited by a plane 7 intersecting the structure 2, into which lower internal chamber 3 a connecting channel 9 opens, which connecting channel 9 terminates on an upper external surface of the structure 2 and is accessible by means of an upper access opening 30; a lateral internal chamber 4 surrounding the connecting channel 9 and delimited by the intersecting plane 7 and accessible by a corresponding lateral access opening 40 afforded on the lateral external surface of the structure 2; the internal chambers (3, 4) being destined to contain granular substances destined to dissolve by action of washing water, and able to enable inflow and/or outflow of the washing water internally thereof through the access openings (30, 40) and/or holed portions afforded at least on an external surface of the containing structure 2; a closing cap 20 destined to couple stably on the external surface of the containing structure 2 for closing the access openings (30, 40) to the internal chambers (3, 4), in order to prevent exit of the granular substances during the washing stage.

The containing structure 2 can be comprise a lower shell 6 delimiting a part of the lower internal chamber 3, which lower shell 6 is destined to couple stably with an upper shell 5 supporting the connecting channel 9 and the intersecting plane 7 such as to define the lateral internal chamber 4.

Claims

1. A washing sphere, in particular for inserting in a washing compartment of a washing machine, comprising : a containing structure (2) identifying at least a pair of internal chambers (3, 4) each of which is accessible through corresponding access openings (30, 40) afforded on an external surface of the containing structure (2); the internal chambers (3, 4) being destined to contain granular substances destined to dissolve by action of washing water, and able to enable inflow and/or outflow of the washing water internally thereof through the access openings (30, 40) and/or holed portions afforded at least on an external surface of the containing structure (2); a closing cap (20) destined to couple stably on the external surface of the containing structure (2) for closing the access openings (30, 40) to the internal chambers (3, 4), in order to prevent exit of the granular substances during the washing stage; characterised in that it comprises a lower internal chamber (3), delimited by a plane (7) intersecting the structure (2), into which lower internal chamber (3) a connecting channel (9) opens, which connecting channel (9) terminates on an upper external surface of the structure (2) and is accessible by means of an upper access opening (30); and in that it comprises a plurality of lateral internal chambers (4) surrounding the connecting channel (9) and delimited by planes (8) incident to the intersecting plane (7) and accessible by means of corresponding lateral access openings (40) afforded on the lateral external surface of the structure (2); the access openings (30, 40) being able to allow insertion and/or extraction of granular substances from the respective internal chambers (3, 4).

2. The washing sphere of claim 1 , characterised in that the containing structure (2) comprises a lower shell (6) delimiting a part of the lower internal chamber (3), which lower shell (6) is destined to couple stably with an upper shell (5) supporting the connecting channel (9) and the intersecting and incident planes (7, 8) such as to define the lateral internal chambers (4).

3. The washing sphere of claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a seating (10), realised in the lower shell (6), which seating (10) is destined to couple with a terminal portion of the connecting channel (9) supported by the upper shell (5); the terminal portion of the channel (9) being provided with transit sections (90) of the granular substances.

4. The washing sphere of claims from 1 to 3, characterised in that the closing cap (20) is provided with holed portions able to allow inflow and/or outflow of the washing water into the internal chambers (3, 4).

5. The washing sphere of claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that the granular substances are of a detergent and/or softening and/or perfuming type.

6. A washing sphere, in particular for inserting in a washing compartment of a washing machine, comprising a containing structure (2) identifying a pair of internal chambers (3, 4) including a lower internal chamber (3), delimited by a plane (7) intersecting the structure (2), into which lower internal chamber (3) a connecting channel (9) opens, which connecting channel (9) terminates on an upper external surface of the structure (2) and is accessible by means of an upper access opening (30); a lateral internal chamber (4) surrounding the connecting channel (9) and delimited by the intersecting plane (7) and accessible by a corresponding lateral access opening (40) afforded on the lateral external surface of the structure (2); the internal chambers (3, 4) being destined to contain granular substances destined to dissolve by action of washing water, and able to enable inflow and/or outflow of the washing water internally thereof through the access openings (30, 40) and/or holed portions afforded at least on an external surface of the containing structure (2); a closing cap (20) destined to couple stably on the external surface of the containing structure (2) for closing the access openings (30, 40) to the internal chambers (3, 4), in order to prevent exit of the granular substances during the washing stage.

7. The washing sphere of claim 6, characterised in that the containing structure (2) comprises a lower shell (6) delimiting a part of the lower internal chamber (3), which lower shell (6) is destined to couple stably with an upper shell (5) supporting the connecting channel (9) and the intersecting plane (7) such as to define the lateral internal chamber (4).