Device for housing detergents and/or other washing agents which can be used in a washing machine, preferably in a machine for washing laundry

• US 6,227,012 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: T & P SPA
• Original Assignee: T & P SPA
• Inventors: Borroni, Giuseppe, Carli, Carlo
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/218,016
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 68/232, 68/133, 68/131, 68/134, 68/17 R, 68/207, 137/625.46, 222/636, 134/93
• US Class Current: 68/17.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86863 Rotary valve unit

Abstract

Device for housing washing agents which can be used in a washing machine, preferably in a machine for washing laundry, comprising a body of the device having one or more vessels for housing washing agents and one or more conduits for conveying respective flows of water to each of said vessels for housing the washing agents to remove the agent contained therein and the subsequent feeding of the same to the washing tub of the machine. The body of the device comprises at least one portion defining directly at least part of said conveying conduits or a portion for access to said conduits. Said portion being attached in a removable or openable manner to the remaining part of the body of the device.

Claims

1. A device for housing washing agents, comprising:

an outer body having water conduits for passing water into an interior cavity of said outer body via a conduit exit and an access opening located at one end of said outer body and sized to provide interior access to said interior cavity;

one or more washing agent mobile housing vessels adapted for removable insertion into said interior cavity and for containing the washing agents; and

one or more removable conduits operatively connected to the conduit exit and having holes adapted for conveying respective flows of water towards said one or more washing agent mobile housing vessels such that the flow of water removes the washing agents from said one or more washing agent housing vessels and out of said outer body, said one or more removable conduits being arranged to be passable through said interior access,

said outer body having an attachment device which engages and secures said one or more removable conduits to said outer body.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein in a position above said interior cavity, said outer body further comprises a seat for housing said one or more removable conduits, said seat for housing having at least one upper support wall for said one or more removable conduits and at least one end vertical wall wherein nozzles are provided for coupling with corresponding nozzles of said one or more removable conduits.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said attachment device comprises at least one flexible fin for restraining elastically said one or more removable conduits toward and against the upper wall of the seat for housing said one or more removable conduits, said flexible fin extending substantially horizontally in such a position as to engage said one or more removable conduits at the end of coupling between nozzles of the latter.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said attachment device comprises at least a second flexible fin for restraining elastically said one or more removable conduits toward and against a vertical end wall of the housing for said one or more removable conduits, said flexible fin extending substantially vertically in such a position as to engage said one or more removable conduits at the end of the latter which is opposite the end coupling the nozzles.

5. Device according to claim 2, wherein said attachment device comprises at least a first and a second lateral flexible fin acting on longitudinal edges of said one or more removable conduits to clamp and push them upwards towards the upper wall of the seat which houses said one or more removable conduits.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said first and second lateral fins extend downwards substantially vertically and have a curved portion for engaging the respective longitudinal edge of said one or more removable conduits.

7. Device accordingly to claim 1, wherein said attachment device comprises means for releasably engaging said one or more removable conduits with said outer body.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein said releasably engaging means comprise a hooking tooth for a corresponding protuberance of said outer body, said hooking tooth being held at one end of a flexible tab extending from said one or more removable conduits.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein said one or more removable conduits have a substantially flat base portion and a series of short walls extending upwards and further comprising sealing means between an upper edge of said one or more removable conduits and a corresponding part of said outer body.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein said one or more removable conduits are housed in a closed block conduits for conveying flows towards said holes for transfer provided in the lower wall of said block.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein said closed block comprises a block composed of a lower part and an upper part connected one to the other in an openable manner and means for keeping, during use, said parts clamped reciprocally one on the other.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein said lower part and said upper part are connected by hinging means.