Textile product treating apparatus having an ultrasonic cleaning device

• US 20060156763A1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation NV (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation NV (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Reid, Nicola, Vecchi, Alexandre
• Granted Patent: US 7,814,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/3.SS
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 19/00 Washing machines using vibrations for washing purposes
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/00 Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/58 related to condensation, e.g. condensate water level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/00 Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/08 Draining of washing liquids
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/14 Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/007 Arrangements of water softeners
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/083 Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/24 Condensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/184 adapted for attachment of washing machines or heating or cooling devices washing machines for attachment D06F7/00

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile product treating apparatus, in particular washing machine (1), drying apparatus or refreshing apparatus, comprising a main body (2) of the apparatus including a washing, drying and/or refreshment device; and a handheld ultrasonic cleaning device (10) comprising an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic wave emitting surface, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device is connected by a flexible hose (11) to the main body (2). According to the invention a treatment area (6) is provided covering at least a portion of the top unit (3) of the main body (2) and adapted to place a textile product (15) to be treated thereon.

Claims

1. Textile product treating apparatus, in particular washing machine (1, 20), drying apparatus or refreshing apparatus, comprising:

a main body (2, 60) of the apparatus including a washing, drying and/or refreshment device; and

a handheld ultrasonic cleaning device (10, 31) comprising an ultrasonic transducer (34) and an ultrasonic wave emitting surface (36), wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device is connected by a flexible hose (11) to the main body (2, 60);

characterized by

a treatment area (6) covering at least a portion of the top unit (3) of the main body (2, 60) and adapted to place a textile product (15) to be treated thereon.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a sink unit (5) arranged at the top unit (3) of the main body (2, 60), wherein the sink unit comprises a drain (7) for discharging a liquid from the sink unit, in particular the sink including the treatment area (6).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sink unit (5) comprises a basin (12) including the drain (7).

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device (10, 31) and/or the apparatus (1, 20) comprise(s) a liquid supply device (67) and a nozzle connected to the liquid supply device for spraying a liquid onto a textile product.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device (10, 31) or the apparatus (1, 20) comprises a heater element (50) adapted to heat the liquid supplied to the nozzle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising

a sensor device (44) adapted to detect said ultrasonic wave emission surface (36) being in contact or in close proximity to an object and to provide a detection signal, and

a control device (44, 61) connected to the sensor device and adapted to stop the operation of said ultrasonic transducer (34), when the detection signal is not provided.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sensor device (44) is

a switch arranged within a body (32) of said ultrasonic cleaning device (10, 31) and said control device comprises a switchable contact of the switch,

a position detector adapted to detect the variable position of the ultrasonic wave emitting surface (36) being close to or at the opening (37), or

a proximity switch adapted to detect a distance between the ultrasonic wave emitting surface (36) and an object.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, said body (32, 33) comprising at least two parts, wherein a tip body part (33) comprising said opening is movably arranged at a main body part (32), and wherein said sensor device (44) is adapted to detect at least one position of the tip body part relative to the main body part.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sensor device (44) is an orientation sensor, in particular a gravity sensor, adapted to output the detection signal when the tip of the ultrasonic cleaning device (10, 31) is pointing in a space direction of a predetermined range, in particular in downward or nearly downward direction.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sensor device is an ultrasonic sensor (76) adapted to detect reflected or transmitted ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic wave emitting surface (36).

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ultrasonic sensor (76), including in particular a piezoelectric foil, is arranged at the treatment area (6).

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said treatment area (6) comprises an illumination device.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the sensor device (44) of claim 5 is a photo detecting device.

14. Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a liquid container (68) connected to the drain (7) of the sink (5).

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus (2, 60) is a condenser dryer and the liquid container (68) is adapted to collect condensed water.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a liquid level sensor (70) is assigned to the container (68).

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a draining pump (64) is connected to the container (68) or to the drain (7), activated in particular upon receipt of a signal from the liquid level sensor (70) of claim 16.

18. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid supply device (67) is connected to a fresh water supply line (63) and/or comprises a supply pump (89).

19. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid supply device (67) comprises a detergent mixing member (84).

20. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid supply device (67) comprises a detergent compartment (86, 88).

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the detergent compartment (86, 88) is arranged in a drawer (14), in particular a drawer for storing the ultrasonic cleaning device and/or detergents for the textile treating apparatus (1, 20).

22. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid supply device (67) comprises a softener member (82) adapted to decalcify fresh water.

23. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the liquid supply device (67) comprises an activation member (61) adapted to activate supply of liquid to the nozzle of the ultrasonic cleaning device (10, 31).

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the activation member comprises a detector adapted to detect the operation of the ultrasonic transducer (34).

25. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a lid (21) adapted to cover the treatment area (6) and/or the sink (5).

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the lid (21) is foldable.

27. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a compartment (8, 94) arranged within the main body (2, 60) and adapted to store the ultrasonic cleaning device (10, 31).

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a lid is assigned to the compartment (8, 94) adapted to cover an opening of the compartment, in particular the lid being the lid (8, 94) according to claim 25 or 26.

29. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein compartment (8) is adapted to store the flexible hose (11).

30. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein a hose reel adapted to automatically wind up the hose (11) is assigned to the compartment (8).