Laundry washing and/or drying machine, in particular of the front loading type, with lower housing

• US 20040226320A1
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Merloni Elettrodomestici SpA (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Merloni Elettrodomestici SpA (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Bongini, Dino
• Application Number:
  US10/810,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20040226320A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/3R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/125 Supporting arrangements for the casing, e.g. rollers or legs

Abstract

A laundry washing machine (1) has a cabinet (2) inferiorly delimited by a respective bottom (F) in which a recess (17) is formed. The recess (17) is open towards the exterior of the cabinet (2) in two directions, substantially orthogonal to each other (X, Y). To the bottom can be fastened a lower base (20) defining a respective cavity (21), in such a way that the recess (17) of the bottom of the cabinet (2) and the cavity (21) of the base (20) directly communicate with each other, to form a seat for housing a container

Claims

1. Laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), in particular of the front loading type, comprising a cabinet (2) having a respective lower bottom (F), in the cabinet (2) a space (S) being defined within which a tub (3) is located housing a drum (4) capable of rotating around a respective axis (A), wherein in the bottom (F) a recess (17) is formed, open towards the exterior of the cabinet (2) in two directions substantially orthogonal to each other (X, Y) and able to house at least part of a container (16, 22).

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recess (17) extends between the bottom (F) and a front face of the cabinet.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recess (17) is delimited by surfaces of the bottom (F) that face towards the exterior of the cabinet (2).

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the recess (17) is laterally delimited by two respective opposite surfaces (17A) both belonging to the bottom (F).

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess (17) is further delimited by a respective upper surface (17B) and a respective rear surface (17C) belonging to the bottom (F).

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bottom comprises a component made of plastic material (F), in particular polypropylene, whereto one or more of said surfaces (17A, 17B, 17C) belong.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the portion of the bottom (F) in which the recess (17) is defined is part of a component made of plastic material (F), in particular polypropylene.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of said surfaces (17A, 17B, 17C) belongs to a wall element which also forms a lateral face of the cabinet (2).

9. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tub (3) is supported by means of damper elements (8, 8A) connected to the bottom (F) and in that the recess (17) extends between at least a pair of said damper elements (8, 8A).

10. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper counterweight (6), a lower counterweight (7) and a motor (5) are associated to the tub (3), where in particular the upper counterweight (6) is positioned in the rear area of the tub (3), the lower counterweight (7) is positioned in the front area of the tub (3) and the motor (5) is positioned inferiorly to the tub (3) in the rear area thereof.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a dispenser of washing agents (12), mounted in proximity to the lower edge of an opening present in a front wall of the cabinet (2), at said opening being operative a door (10) of the machine (12), the dispenser (12) projecting towards the interior of the cabinet (2) in a substantially annular space delimited by sealing means (11) associated between said front wall and the tub (3).

12. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein lower support feet (P) are associated to the bottom (F).

13. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet (2) is able to be fastened above a base (20) defining a respective cavity (21), in such a way that the recess (17) of the bottom (F) and the cavity (21) of the base (20) directly communicate with each other.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cavity (21) is open towards the exterior of the base (20) in at least two direction, substantially orthogonal to each other (X, Y), the base (20) having in particular an overall C shape.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cavity (21) is able to house at least part of a container (22).

16. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the container (22) comprises a first portion (22′

) provided to be housed in the recess (17) of the bottom (F) and a second portion (22″

) provided to be housed in the cavity (21) of the base (20).

17. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein on opposite surfaces (17A, 22A) of at least one between the recess (17) of the bottom (F) and the cavity (21) of the base (22) guiding means (18) are associated for the sliding of the container (16, 22), said container being substantially drawer shaped.

18. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container (16, 22) is movable on lower wheels.

19. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base (20) comprises a trolley system to facilitate the displacement of the assembly constituted by the base itself and by the machine (1), the system comprising wheels or the like, capable of assuming an inoperative position, in which the wheels are retracted, and an operative position, in which the wheels are lowered to raise the base (20) from the ground.

20. A base for a laundry washing and/or drying machine, having a body (20) defining a cavity (21) open towards the exterior of the base (20) in at least two directions substantially orthogonal to each other (X, Y), for use in combination with a machine (1) as claimed in claim 1.

21. An operative assembly formed by a lower base (20) whereon a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) is fastened in particular of the front loading type, the machine (1) having a cabinet (2) with a lower bottom (F) whereto the base (20) is fastened, in the cabinet (2) a space (S) being defined within which a tub (3) is located, housing a drum (4) capable of rotating around a respective (A), wherein the cabinet (2) and the base (20) define respective portions (17, 22) of a seat for housing a same container (22), the latter comprising a first portion (22′

), provided to be housed in the portion of seat (17) defined in the cabinet (2), and a second portion (22″

) provided to be housed in the portion of seat (2) of the base (20).