Detergent supply apparatus of washing machine

• US 20050241347A1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kang, Jung Hoon, Kim, Jong Min, No, Yang Hwan, Cho, Han Ki, Kang, Dong Hoon, Jang, Ho Sung
• Granted Patent: US 7,481,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/243
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/028 Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a detergent supply apparatus of a washing machine, which installs a liquid detergent container in a powdered detergent chamber of a detergent container. The liquid detergent container makes it possible to mix and supply liquid detergent and water, which allows liquid detergent to be conveniently placed in, moreover, decoloration and discoloration of laundry to be prevented.

Claims

1. A detergent supply apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:

a detergent container having a powdered detergent chamber which stores powdered detergent; and

a liquid detergent container or a plurality of liquid detergent containers storing liquid detergent, said liquid detergent container detachably set in the powdered detergent chamber.

2. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein a detergent chamber is partitioned into a plurality of powdered detergent sections, and the liquid detergent container is detachably set in each of the powdered detergent sections.

3. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the powdered detergent chamber is partitioned into a main detergent storing section for main washing and a preliminary detergent storing section for preliminary washing.

4. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid detergent containers include a main liquid detergent container detachably set in a main detergent storing section and a subsidiary liquid container detachably set in a preliminary detergent storing section.

5. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detergent container includes:

a fabric softner storing section where fabric softner is contained and a siphon is protruded; and

a fabric softner cover which covers the fabric softner storing section and provides a water drain passage with the siphon.

6. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detergent container includes:

a bleach storing section where bleach is contained and a siphon is protruded; and

a bleach cover which covers the bleach storing section and provides a water drain passage with the siphon.

7. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid detergent container has at least one protrusion which parts a bottom of the liquid detergent container from a bottom of the powdered detergent chamber by predetermined distance.

8. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid detergent container has a plurality of protrusions which part a side of liquid detergent container from a side of the powdered detergent chamber by predetermined distance.

9. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein height of the liquid detergent container is lower than height of the powdered detergent chamber.

10. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid detergent container has a siphon upwardly protruded and a liquid detergent siphon cover which covers the siphon and provides a water drain passage with the siphon.

11. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein a bottom of the liquid detergent container has a downward sloping surface toward the siphon.

12. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the liquid detergent siphon cover has a straight portion which is suspended on a wall of the liquid detergent container so as to restrict rotation of the liquid detergent siphon cover.

13. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the liquid detergent siphon cover has an indication portion in a stepwise manner, which shows the maximum quantity of liquid detergent.

14. A detergent supply apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:

a housing installed in the washing machine;

a detergent container inserted in the housing; and

at least one liquid detergent container detachably set in the detergent container.

15. A detergent supply apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:

a housing installed in the washing machine, said housing opening at a front and top portion;

a detergent container having a detergent chamber which stores powdered detergent, said detergent container inserted into the housing through a front of the housing;

a dispenser having a plurality of water supply passages to inject water into the detergent chamber, said dispenser covering a top surface of the housing; and

a liquid detergent container or a plurality of liquid detergent containers detachably set in the detergent chamber so as to mix and supply liquid detergent and water.

16. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein the detergent container is partitioned into a plurality of detergent sections.

17. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein the detergent chamber includes a main detergent storing section, a preliminary detergent storing section, a bleach storing section, and a fabric softner storing section.

18. The detergent supply apparatus of the washing machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein the liquid detergent container has a siphon upwardly protruded and a liquid detergent siphon cover which covers the siphon and provides with a water drain passage and the siphon.

19. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet;

a tub installed in the cabinet;

a drum rotatably set in the tub;

a housing installed in the cabinet;

a detergent container having a powdered detergent chamber in order to mix and supply powdered detergent and water, said detergent container inserted into the housing;

a dispenser having a water supply passage to inject water into the powdered detergent chamber, said dispenser covering a top surface of the housing; and

a liquid detergent container or a plurality of liquid detergent containers detachably set in the powdered detergent chamber in order to mix and supply liquid detergent and water.