The invention relates to a laundry washing apparatus and a method for washing and refreshing laundry.

CH 695 383 A5 discloses a washing apparatus with a steam generator. After a washing and spinning operation fresh water is supplied to a tub of the washing machine to a level where the laundry in the drum is not wetted by the water. The water in the tub is heated with a heater to generate steam which is supplied into the drum to de-wrinkle the laundry.

EP 2 604 738 A1 discloses a washing machine including: a tub within an outer body, a drum, rotatably supported inside the tub, at least one heater aimed at generating steam to be provided to the tub, wherein the heater is integrated into the back of the tub, between a rear portion of the drum and an outer rear wall of the tub.

WO 2008/016262 A2 suggests a laundry machine using steam. The laundry machine includes a tub with a drum arranged inside the tub for holding laundry, a steam generator for generating steam, wherein the steam generator is arranged external above the tub, a water supply unit for supplying water to the steam generator, an additive supply unit for supplying additive to the steam generator, and a supply line for supplying the steam and the additive to the tub and drum.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved washing machine and method for operating a washing machine.

The invention is defined in claims 1 and 10, respectively.

Particular embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

According to claim 1, a laundry washing apparatus is provided. The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to laundry washing machines as well as laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines having drying function). The term 'laundry washing apparatus' refers to both, laundry washing machines and laundry washing machines having a drying function (washer-dryer).

According to the invention, the washing apparatus comprises a tub, a rotatable drum arranged in the tub which is adapted to receive laundry to be treated therein. A liquid reservoir forms part of a lower portion of the tub and is adapted to receive liquids like water and laundry treatment agent(s), for example washing agent, softener and refreshing agent. A heating device is provided which is adapted to heat liquid in the liquid reservoir. A heating device may comprise a heating element like a heating coil which is located in the liquid reservoir, such that the heating element is immersed in the liquid which is to be heated.

According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises a water supply device which is adapted to supply water into the liquid reservoir and a draining device which is adapted to drain liquids from the liquid reservoir to the outside of the washing apparatus. A washing agent supply device is adapted to supply washing agent into the liquid reservoir and/or to the laundry.

According to the invention, a refreshing agent supply device comprises a refreshing agent storing compartment and is adapted to supply refreshing agent into the liquid reservoir. The refreshing agent supply device is arranged and designed such as to supply the refreshing agent into the tub without the refreshing agent passing through the drum. I.e. the supplied refreshing agent does not contact the laundry arranged inside the drum while it is supplied to the liquid reservoir or tub. For example a refreshing agent may be one or more of a fragrance or perfume, an odor removal additive, a wrinkle removal additive or a combination of these agents.

The washing machine according to the invention further comprises a control unit for controlling the operation of the washing machine. A washing cycle select part is provided such that a user may select at least one washing cycle. Further, a refreshing course select part is provided such that a user may select at least one refreshing cycle for refreshing the laundry. The selection of a refreshing cycle may depend on the amount of laundry and/or type of laundry, e.g. cotton, synthetic or wool. A refreshing cycle may be selected depending on the respective purpose (or refreshment agent), e.g. to perfume, to remove odor, to remove wrinkles. Additionally or alternatively a refreshing cycle may be selected depending on its duration, e.g. a fast refreshing cycle or a (normal) refreshing cycle with a longer cycle time, such that a user may select a refreshing cycle depending on his or her available time. For example a user may select the duration of the refreshing cycle by means of the refreshing course select part.

When a refreshing cycle has been selected via the refreshing cycle select part, the control unit is adapted to:

1. (i) control the refreshing agent supply device to supply refreshing agent stored in the storing compartment into the liquid reservoir,
2. (ii) control the water supply device and additionally or alternatively the draining device to supply water into the liquid reservoir such that the maximum level of liquids in the liquid reservoir is below a lower drum surface during the refreshing cycle, i.e. such that the drum and the laundry received in the drum are not wetted by the liquid, and
3. (iii) control the heating device to heat the liquid in the liquid reservoir for generating vapor from the liquid, the control unit is further adapted to control the draining device to drain the liquid reservoir after generated vapor is supplied to the laundry, control the washing agent supply device to supply water to the liquid reservoir, and control the draining device to drain the liquid reservoir.

The activity of the draining device during the supply of water into the liquid reservoir may be restricted to a passive action by not draining liquid from liquid reservoir. Alternatively the draining device can have an active role in achieving the targeted liquid level during the supply of liquid(s) into the liquid reservoir such as to avoid that the liquid does not contact the drum (even or for example in case of liquid expansion during heating by a continued level monitoring and liquid draining, of required, after the initial filling of the liquid to the liquid reservoir). For example, if it is determined that during the supply of liquid(s) a targeted or predetermined liquid level is exceeded, liquid can be drained out of the liquid reservoir by activating the draining device. Also after the liquid supply to the liquid reservoir has been finished and the liquid expands and thereby exceeds the targeted or predetermined liquid level or a second tolerance level above the targeted or predetermined liquid level, liquid may be drained out of the liquid reservoir by activating the draining device at least until the predetermined level is achieved again or slightly undershot.

Above mentioned steps (i) and (ii) may be carried out one after the other or alternatively may be carried out simultaneously or basically simultaneously. A refreshing agent may be supplied into the reservoir together with the water supplied in step (ii). For example the storing compartment containing the refreshing agent may be flushed with water supplied by the water supply device into the liquid reservoir.

Preferably the vapor generated in step (iii) is supplied from the tub or liquid reservoir via perforations of the drum to the laundry inside the drum, such that no additional steam pipe or guiding means is necessary to supply generated vapor into the drum.

Most users believe freshness delivered by perfumes to laundry is very important, as users interpret fresh-smelling clothes as the sign of a laundry job well done. A longer lasting freshness after washing clothes, after drying and in-wear is desired. In particular, when clothes don't smell fresh, users feel the need to re-wash. As outlined above, vapor is generated from water and the refreshing agent. Thus, laundry may be conveniently refreshed (e.g. with fragrance or de-wrinkling additive) in a washing machine. In particular, as the laundry is not immersed in water during the refreshing treatment, also dry laundry may be refreshed, e.g. after one-time wearing. A further advantage is that the refreshing agent is evaporated with water, whereby a synergetic effect of the vaporized refreshing agent and the generated steam is achieved. The effect of the vaporized refreshing agent is enhanced due to the simultaneously generated steam. In particular, as the water and refreshing agent is supplied into the same liquid reservoir before being vaporized, the refreshing agent is homogeneously distributed in the liquid reservoir. Thus a homogeneous delivery of the refreshing agent to the laundry is provided. Further, as the refreshing agent is vaporized a generation of droplets which may cause stains on the laundry is prevented - when comparing above vapor supply to a supply of a refreshing agent as a spray.

Preferably the refreshing agent storing compartment is arranged in a detergent drawer of the apparatus. The detergent drawer is a drawer which may have several separate compartments for receiving different treatment agent(s) for treating laundry, like pre-wash agent, main-wash detergent and laundry softener. The detergent drawer may have a refreshing agent storing compartment which is provided additionally to the above mentioned 'standard' compartments. Alternatively, one of the above mentioned (standard) compartments of the detergent drawer may be used for receiving a refreshing agent. For example a compartment for a softening agent.

According to a preferred embodiment the storing compartment is adapted to be manually filled by a user. This provides an easy to use and low-cost solution for providing a dosed amount of a refreshing agent for a refreshing cycle.

The refreshing agent supply device may comprise an auto dosing system which is adapted to supply a dosed amount of refreshing agent to the liquid reservoir under the control of the control unit. This embodiment prevents an under-dosing or over-dosing of a refreshing agent. For example the control unit may control the auto dosing system to provide a particular amount of refreshing agent e.g. depending on the type of laundry or on the amount of laundry in the drum. The type or weight of laundry may be determined by a user selection. Alternatively the weight of the laundry may be determined by means of respective weight sensors of the washing machine.

Preferably the heating device is arranged inside the lower portion of the tub or is arranged within the liquid reservoir, wherein the heating device may be additionally used to heat washing water during a washing operation of the washing machine.

According to a preferred embodiment, the water supply device is designed such that water supplied into the tub does not flow through the drum. In particular, a flow channel of the water supply device is arranged such that fresh water flows in the gap between the inner surface of the tub and the outer surface of the drum, in particular along an inner surface of the tub, without wetting the laundry in drum. Alternatively water is directly supplied into the liquid reservoir, i.e. a water outlet of the water supply device opens into the liquid reservoir. Thereby it is prevented that (dry) laundry to be refreshed, is (unnecessarily or unintentionally) wetted prior to the refreshing operation or vapor generation.

According to claim 10, a method of refreshing laundry in a washing apparatus is provided, in particular a washing apparatus as described above. The washing apparatus comprises: a tub, a rotatable drum arranged in the tub and adapted to receive laundry to be treated therein, a liquid reservoir forming part of a lower portion of the tub for receiving liquids like water and washing agent, a heating device adapted to heat liquid in the liquid reservoir, a water supply device to supply water into the liquid reservoir, a draining device adapted to drain liquids from the liquid reservoir to the outside of the washing apparatus, a washing agent supply device adapted to supply washing agent, and a refreshing agent supply device comprising a refreshing agent storing compartment and being adapted to supply refreshing agent into the liquid reservoir, wherein the refreshing agent supply device is arranged and designed such as to supply the refreshing agent into the tub without passing through the drum.

According to the invention, the refreshing method comprises:

1. (i) loading the drum of the washing apparatus with dry or substantially dry laundry, or after having dried laundry in the drum after a preceding drying cycle, e.g. when providing a washer-dryer or a washing machine having a drying function,
2. (ii) supplying water and refreshing agent into the the liquid reservoir up to a maximum liquid level below a lower outer surface of the drum, such that drum and therefore the laundry is not immersed or wetted by the liquid supplied to the reservoir,
3. (iii) heating liquid in the liquid reservoir, in particular to a temperature between 40°C to 90°C, to generate vapor from the liquid, and
4. (iv) supplying the generated vapor to the laundry, in particular via perforations in the laundry drum.

During the above described refreshing operation the drum is not immersed in the liquid or in direct contact with the liquid. With the described method the above mentioned advantages are achieved for refreshing laundry. In particular by only moderately heating the liquid in the liquid reservoir to a temperature between 40°C to 90°C a degradation of the refreshing agent is prevented.

Preferably the treatment apparatus comprises a mixing device to mix liquid in the liquid reservoir, in particular after the supply of water and refreshing agent into the liquid reservoir prior to vapor generation. Thereby it is provided that the refreshing agent is homogeneously distributed in the liquid reservoir, such that the generated vapor comprises a homogeneous composition for a uniform treatment of the laundry. Further, the above mixing device provides that prior to vapor generation a refreshing agent which may be supplied in solid form, e.g. a powder, is completely dissolved in the water supplied to the liquid reservoir.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mixing device comprises a recirculation pump which is adapted to recirculate liquid from/to the liquid reservoir or is adapted to swirl the liquid within the liquid reservoir (lower portion of the tub). Preferably the mixing device additionally comprises a recirculation circuit or piping through which the liquid is sucked or extracted from the liquid reservoir to the pump and/or the liquid is conveyed back to the liquid reservoir.

Preferably the liquid in the liquid reservoir is heated to a temperature between 60°C to 70°C. The low temperature (below 100°C or below boiling point of the liquid/water) provides that refreshing agent does not degrade and additionally reduces the power consumption of the washing apparatus during a refreshing cycle.

The liquid reservoir is rinsed after a refreshing cycle to remove any residual refreshing agent inside the liquid reservoir after a refreshing cycle or refreshing operation. The liquid reservoir is drained after a refreshing cycle and subsequently filled with fresh water. Optionally the mixing device mixes or circulates the fresh water in the liquid reservoir to thoroughly rinse or flush the reservoir. Afterwards the water is drained from the liquid reservoir.

Additionally or alternatively the liquid reservoir may be rinsed and/or spun before a refreshing cycle to remove possible residual treatment or washing agent like washing detergent and laundry softener inside the liquid reservoir. In particular, before water and refreshing agent is supplied to the reservoir, (fresh/clean) water is supplied to the liquid reservoir which is subsequently drained from the liquid reservoir. As described above, the mixing device may be activated after supplying fresh water into the reservoir to assist cleaning of the reservoir and of the mixing circuit.

Preferably the refreshing agent storing compartment is arranged in a detergent drawer of the treatment apparatus, whereby a refreshing agent may be manually supplied to the detergent drawer. For example a refreshing agent may be (manually) dosed by a user, e.g. in form of a powder or a liquid. Alternatively the refreshing agent may be provided as a pre-packed unit with a solvable capsule or as a tablet. E.g. the pre-packed unit or tablet is supplied into the liquid reservoir and is dissolved in the water supplied to the reservoir.

Additionally or alternatively the refreshing agent supply device may comprise a refreshing agent dosing means, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the refreshing agent supply device to supply a dosed amount of the refreshing agent to the liquid reservoir.

To provide that the liquid level in the liquid reservoir does not fall below a minimum liquid level, in particular during vapor generation, water and/or treatment agent is supplied to the reservoir when a liquid level in the reservoir reaches the minimum liquid level. Thereby a running dry of the liquid reservoir is prevented which could damage the heating device, laundry, drum and/or tub.

Preferably the drum is rotated during vapor supply, i.e. the laundry is tumbled, to provide a uniform or homogeneous distribution of the generated vapor to the laundry.

The washing apparatus may comprise a water softening device for reducing hardness degree of water supplied to the liquid reservoir, wherein water is supplied to the liquid reservoir via the water softening device. For example the water softening device may comprise an ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium ions from the water. Thereby a (gradual) deposit of limestone is prevented in the washing apparatus and in particular at the heating device and liquid reservoir.

The features of the washing apparatus and the method for refreshing laundry as described above may be arbitrarily combined and/or exchanged.

Reference is made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures, which show:

Fig. 1a

a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 1b

a flow chart illustrating a method, not falling within the present invention, for refreshing laundry with manual refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 1a,

Fig. 2a

a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a second embodiment comprising (additionally) an auto-dosing device,

Fig. 2b

a flow chart illustrating a method, not falling within the present invention, for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 3a,

Fig. 3a

a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with manual refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 1a with additional cleaning steps as indicated in dashed lines,

Fig. 3b

a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 3a with additional cleaning steps as indicated in dashed lines,

Fig. 4a

a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a third embodiment comprising an auto-dosing device and a mixing pump,

Fig. 4b

a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 4a,

Fig. 5a

a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment, the washing machine having a drying function and comprising an air-fan,

Fig. 5b

a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in a washing machine as shown in Fig. 5a,

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a laundry washing machine comprising a mixing pump,

Fig. 7

a partial view of the laundry washing machine as shown in Fig. 6 with the external casing partially removed,

Fig. 8

a sectional plan view of the laundry washing machine of Fig. 6 with some components isolated from the rest,

Fig. 9

a vertical sectional view of the laundry washing machine of Fig. 6,

Fig. 10

an enlarged detail of Fig. 9, and

Fig. 11

a further sectional plan view of the laundry washing machine of Fig. 6 with some components isolated from the rest.

Functional elements, physical features and methods of operation disclosed for the different detailed embodiments can be combined with any of the other embodiments in view of the methods of operation and functional elements and physical features.

Fig. 1a shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine 1a according to a first embodiment.

The laundry washing machine 1a comprises an external casing or housing 2 (Fig. 6), in which a washing tub 3 is provided that contains a rotatable perforated drum 4, where the laundry to be treated can be loaded. Preferably both the tub 3 and the drum 4 have a substantially cylindrical shape. The housing 2 is provided with a loading/unloading door 8 (Fig. 6) which allows access to the washing drum 4. The tub 3 is preferably suspended in a floating manner inside the housing 2, advantageously by means of a number of coil springs and shock-absorbers. The drum 4 is preferably rotated by an electric motor which transmits the rotating motion to the shaft of the drum 4, preferably by means of a belt/pulley system. Alternatively, the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum 4.

A lower portion 3a (Fig. 9) of the tub 3 comprises a liquid reservoir 15 suitable for receiving a heating device 10. Preferably the liquid reservoir 15 is made in a single piece with the tub 3, for example by injection molding.

The heating device 10 may comprise an electrical resistor of serpentine type (e.g. heating coil). The heating device 10 or its heating coil is advantageously horizontally placed in the liquid reservoir 15 and it extends preferably substantially from a rear part 15a (Fig. 9) up to a front part 15b (Fig. 9) of the liquid reservoir 15.

A water supply circuit 5 (Fig. 9) is arranged in the upper part of the laundry washing machine 1a and is suited to supply water into the tub 3. The laundry washing machine 1a comprises a removable drawer 6 (Fig. 6) provided with various compartments a, b, c suited to be filled for example with washing detergent, softener and/or refreshing agent. For example compartment a may receive a treatment agent for pre-washing, compartment b may receive a washing detergent for main washing and compartment c may receive a fabric softener. In below described embodiments compartment c is also used to receive a refreshment agent for refreshing laundry, e.g. a fragrance, an odor removal agent or a wrinkle removal agent. Alternatively the drawer 6 may comprise an additional compartment (and a respective electro-valve) which is exclusively used for receiving a refreshment agent.

The water may be supplied into the tub 3 from the water supply circuit 5 by making it flow through the drawer 6. For each compartment a, b, c electro-valves 40, 41, 42 are provided which are controlled by the control unit to selectively supply water to the compartments a, b, c. Consequently, the water which reaches the tub 3 may selectively contain one of the products contained or dosed in the compartments a, b, c of the drawer 6.

Water (without any additive or agent) may be supplied into the tub 3 via an empty compartment, i.e. via one of the compartments a, b, c which does not contain a treatment agent.

The laundry washing machine 1a comprises a water outlet circuit suitable for withdrawing liquid from the lower portion of the tub 3. The water outlet circuit comprises a filtering device 12 adapted to retain all undesirable bodies (for example buttons that have come off the laundry or coins erroneously introduced into the laundry washing machine). The filtering device 12 may be removable to be cleaned through a gate 9 (Fig. 6) placed on the front wall of the housing 2 of the laundry washing machine 1a.

A first pipe 17 connects the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 to the filtering device 12. The filtering device 12 is connected via an outlet pipe 51 to a drain pump 43. A drain pipe 49 is connected to the drain pump 43 and ends outside the housing 2. Activation of the drain pump 43 drains the liquid, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the tub 3 to the outside.

The laundry washing machine 1a comprises a first recirculation circuit 20 (Fig. 6) adapted to drain liquid from the the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 and to re-admit such a liquid into an upper region of the tub 3. The first recirculation circuit 20 comprises a first recirculation pump 21, a first pipe 22 connecting the filtering device 12 to the first recirculation pump 21 and a recirculation pipe 23, preferably provided with a terminal nozzle 23a (Fig. 7). The liquid from the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 is conveyed towards the upper region of the tub 3 by activation of the first recirculation pump 21.

The water level within the tub 3 is detected using a level sensor, which in the embodiment is a pressure sensor 50 that is connected via a pressure line 52 to the bottom or lower portion 3a of the tub. The level sensor is adapted to detect the liquid level within the tub, for example: a level of washing liquid filled into the tub during a washing cycle, a draining level during draining (e.g. spinning cycle), and/or the high and low level HL/LL as described below.

Fig. 1b shows a flow chart illustrating a method, not falling within the present invention, for refreshing laundry with a washing machine 1a as shown in Fig. 1a.

After a user has loaded dry or substantially dry laundry into the drum 4, the user selects a refresh program or cycle via a control panel 11 (Fig. 6) of the machine 1a. Then the user doses a refreshment agent in compartment c of the drawer 6. The particular order of the above steps laundry loading / selecting refresh cycle / dosing refreshment agent may be arbitrarily interchanged.

When a user has pressed a start button the selected refresh cycle starts. First any residual water or liquid in the tub 3 or liquid reservoir 15 is drained by means of the drain pump 43. Subsequently, electro-valve 42 is opened, such that fresh water and the refreshment agent from compartment c is loaded into the tub 3 via coupling pipe 44. As indicated by arrows in Fig. 1a, the coupling pipe 44 is designed such that liquid supplied into the tub 3 or liquid reservoir 15 flows along the space or gap between the tub 3 and the drum 4, such that the supplied liquid does not enter the drum 4. I.e. the laundry in the drum 4 is not wetted during the liquid supply step. Liquid is supplied until the liquid level in the reservoir 15 reaches an upper (high) level HL which is below a lower surface of the drum 4, such that the laundry inside the drum 4 does not become wet. For example about 1.5 liter of liquid (water and refreshment agent) may be supplied into the liquid reservoir 15 to reach the upper level HL.

The drum 4 is rotated at low rotation speed to loosen up or tumble the laundry and to provide an even distribution of the vapor generated in the following step. To treat the laundry with the refreshment agent, the liquid in the reservoir 15 is heated with the heating device 10, preferably up to a temperature below the boiling point of water. For example below 90°C, preferable to a temperature in the range between 40 to 70°C or 60 to 70°C. Thereby it is prevented that the refreshment agent deteriorates due to high temperature. During the supply of vapor, the drum 4 is continuously rotated at low rotation speed, i.e. the laundry is tumbled.

During vapor generation the liquid level in the reservoir 15 is continuously reduced. Below a low level LL the part of the heating device 10 (heating coil) located in the reservoir 15 may not be sufficiently covered with liquid, such that the heating device 10, drum 4, tub 3 or laundry may be damaged due to overheating. To prevent this, the liquid level in the reservoir 15 is continuously controlled during vapor generation or during the heating of the liquid for example by using the level sensor 50. When the low level LL is reached, a small amount of water (e.g. 100-200 ml) is supplied to the reservoir 15, e.g. via any of the drawer compartments a, b, c, for example via compartment c which previously has been used to supply the additive to the reservoir 15 or a separate supply line connected via a valve to the water mains (not shown). At least one water level sensor (not depicted) may be provided to detect the low water level LL in the reservoir 15. In this case, the control unit may control the electro-valve 42 such that during the initial filling of the reservoir 15 only a specific amount of liquid is supplied into the tub 3, which guarantees that the upper level HL is not exceeded. Alternatively an additional water level sensor (not depicted) may be provided to detect the (reaching of the) upper water level HL and to stop the liquid supply when the upper level HL is reached.

After a predetermined period the selected refresh cycle is terminated, e.g. after 20 to 30 min. For example, the duration of a refresh cycle may be selected by a user, depending on his or her available time. Alternatively the duration of a refresh cycle depends on the type and/or amount of laundry to be refreshed.

Finally the refreshed laundry may be unloaded from the drum 4. The refreshed laundry is dry or substantially dry, e.g. ready to be worn or to be ironed.

The above described method provides an easy-to-use and low-cost way of refreshing laundry in a washing machine.

Fig. 2a shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine 1b according to a second embodiment and Fig. 2b a flow chart illustrating a method for refreshing laundry with the washing machine 1b of Fig. 2a. Unless otherwise mentioned, the components of the washing machine 1a and the method described for Figs. 1a-b correspond to the machine 1b and method of Figs. 2a-b.

In comparison to the washing machine 1a of Fig. 1a, the washing machine 1b of Fig. 2a additionally comprises an auto-dosing system 45 for a refreshment agent. The auto-dosing system 45 comprises refreshment agent tank 46 and a dosing pump 47 to supply a predetermined amount of refreshment agent into the coupling pipe 44 or alternatively directly into the tub 3 or liquid reservoir 15. The refreshment agent tank 46 may be filled by a user, wherein in contrast to the method of Fig. 1b the user does not have to dose a particular amount of refreshment agent into the tank, as the dosing system 45 itself doses a required amount of the agent, e.g. depending on laundry type or amount. According to an embodiment, a cartridge containing a refreshment agent may form tank 46, wherein the cartridge may be inserted and removed (when empty) by a user.

As shown in Fig. 2b, a method, not falling within the present invention, for refreshing comprises loading laundry into the drum 4, a user selecting a refresh cycle and the user pressing a start button. After any residual liquid (e.g. from a previous washing/rinsing operation) has been drained from the tub 3, the auto-dosing system 45 doses a predetermined amount of refreshment agent into the tub 3. Simultaneously or subsequently to the supply of the refreshment agent, water is supplied into the tub 3 via any of the compartments a, b, c of the drawer 6 as described above. As describe above, during the supply of water and agent the drum 4 and the laundry is not wetted by the supplied liquid. The following method steps of Fig. 2b correspond to above described steps of Fig. 1b.

In comparison to the method for refreshing with manual dosing (Figs. 1a-b) the method for refreshing laundry with an auto-dosing system is more convenient for a user, as the user does not have dose the refreshment agent, in particular the user does not have to determine how much refreshment agent is required for a particular refresh cycle.

Fig. 3a shows a flow chart illustrating a method, according to the invention, for refreshing laundry with manual refreshment agent dosing as described with respect to machine 1a and method of Figs. 1a-b with additional steps for cleaning the liquid reservoir 15. Unless otherwise mentioned the method steps of Fig. 3a correspond to the method steps of Fig. 1b.

In comparison to the method of Fig. 1b, the method shown in Fig. 3a comprises additional cleaning steps which are indicated in dashed lines. A first cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 is provided before vapor generation and a respective refreshing treatment of the laundry. Additionally or alternatively a second cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 is provided after the end of a refresh cycle or after a vapor supply step.

As shown in Fig. 3a, the first cleaning of the reservoir 15 comprises after (an initial) draining of any residual liquid from the liquid reservoir 15, loading the liquid reservoir 15 with clean water from any of the compartments a, b, c which is not loaded with a refreshment agent, e.g. in this example from compartment a or b. Water is only supplied up to upper level HL, such that the drum 4 and laundry is not wetted. Subsequently the tub 3 is drained. With this step the tub 3 or reservoir 15 is flushed and cleaned from any residual washing or rising products which may have settled inside the reservoir 15 during a previous washing operation. For example washing powder which has not been completely dissolved during a washing operation. Due to the cleaning steps or additional filling and draining of the reservoir 15, it is provided that the laundry is treated only with the refreshment agent (and clean water) and no undesired residual treatment agents like detergent or softener are unintentionally supplied to the laundry in the drum during vapor generation.

As shown in Fig. 3a, the additional or alternative second cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 comprises after the end of the refresh cycle or the end of vapor supply (heating device switched-off) draining any residual liquid from the liquid reservoir 15. Then clean or fresh water is supplied into the reservoir 15 up to the upper level HL as described above. Subsequently the reservoir 15 is drained, such that any residual refreshment agent is removed from the liquid reservoir 15.

Fig. 3b shows a flow chart illustrating a method, according to the invention, for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in the washing machine 1b as shown in Fig. 3a with additional steps for cleaning the liquid reservoir 15. Unless otherwise mentioned the method steps of Fig. 3b correspond to the method steps of Fig. 3a.

As described above with respect to Fig. 3a, a first cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 before vapor supply and additionally or alternatively a second cleaning of the liquid reservoir 15 after vapor supply is provided as indicated in dashed lines. The cleaning steps correspond to the above described steps, wherein the first cleaning is provided after (the initial) draining of residual liquid from the tub 3, and the additional or alternative second cleaning is provided after the end of vapor supply or generation (heating device 10 de-activated).

Fig. 4a shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine 1c according to a third embodiment comprising an auto-dosing device 45 and a mixing pump 31, and Fig. 4b shows a flow chart illustrating a method, according to the invention, for refreshing laundry with automatic refreshment agent dosing in the washing machine 1c of Fig. 4a. Unless otherwise mentioned, the components of the washing machine 1b and the method described for Figs. 2a-b and Fig. 3b correspond to the machine 1c and method of Figs. 4a-b.

In contrast to the washing machine 1b depicted in Fig. 2a, the washing machine 1c of Fig. 4a additionally comprises a mixing pump 31 or recirculation pump adapted to mix or circulate liquid in the liquid reservoir 15. A specific embodiment of the mixing pump 31 and its connection to the liquid reservoir 15 is described in more detail below with respect to Figs. 6 to 11.

As shown in Fig. 4b, the mixing pump 31 is activated prior to vapor generation, such that by mixing or agitating the liquid in the liquid reservoir 15 a refreshment agent which may be provided as a powder is reliably dissolved within the reservoir 15. Thereby a uniform supply of the refreshment agent at constant concentration is provided during vapor generation.

A mixing pump 31 as shown in Fig. 4a and described in more detail with respect to Figs. 6 to 11, may be included in all above described embodiments to provide a thorough mixing of the water and refreshment agent in the reservoir 15 prior to vapor generation. Additionally the mixing pump 31 may be activated during any of the above mentioned cleaning steps (Figs. 3a-b) of the liquid reservoir 15, such that the generated flow assists a flushing or cleaning of the reservoir 15 and - if available - the mixing circuit that connects inlet and/or outlet of the mixing pump 31 to the reservoir 15.

Fig. 5a shows a schematic diagram of components of a washing machine 1d according to a fourth embodiment. The washing machine 1c has a drying function (washer-dryer) and comprises an auto-dosing system 45 and an air-fan 48. Fig. 5b shows a flow chart illustrating a method, according to the invention, for refreshing laundry with the washing machine 1d of Fig. 5a. Unless otherwise mentioned, the components of the above described washing machines 1b-c and the corresponding methods correspond to the machine 1d and method of Figs. 5a-b.

As described with respect to Figs. 2a-b, Fig. 3b and Figs. 4a-b, the washing machine 1d and method shown in Figs. 5a-b use an auto-dosing system for supplying a refreshment agent into the tub 3. As shown in Fig. 5b, after start of vapor generation (heating liquid up to 60°C), the fan 48 is activated such that air is circulated from a lower portion of the drum 4 to an upper portion of the drum 4 or tub 3. Most of the generated vapor is introduced into the drum from below, as the reservoir 15 is arranged below the drum 4. By above described air circulation moist air, i.e. vapor, is recirculated from the lower portion to the upper portion of the drum 4, such that the vapor and therefore the refreshment agent is more evenly distributed in the drum 4 and (tumbled) laundry.

The above described air-circulation or air-fan 48 may be included in any of the above described embodiments.

Figs. 6 to 11 depict an embodiment of a washing machine 1e according to a fifth embodiment comprising a re-circulation or mixing pump 31. Unless otherwise mentioned, the above described components of the washing machines 1a-d and methods described in Figs. 1 to 5 may be included in and executed with the machine 1e of Figs. 6 to 11.

The tub 3 is preferably connected to the casing 2 by means of an elastic bellows 7, or gasket, as illustrated in Figure 9. The tub 3 comprises two complementary hemi-shells 13 and 14 having their peripheral edges 13a and 14a structured for being reciprocally coupled to form the tub 3. The heating device 10 is placed horizontally in the liquid reservoir 15 and extends from the rear part 15a up to the front part 15b of the liquid reservoir 15.

Between a lower side 10a of the heater 10 (i.e. the side facing the bottom of the liquid reservoir 15) and the upper surface 15c of the liquid reservoir 15 (i.e. the surface of its bottom facing the internal of the tub 3) a gap 16 is defined, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

The water supply circuit 5 is arranged in the upper part of the laundry washing machine 1e to supply water into the tub 3. The laundry washing machine 1e comprises a removable drawer 6 provided with various compartments a, b, c as described above which may be filled with washing detergent, softener and/or refreshing agent.

Water may be supplied into the tub 3 from the water supply circuit 5 by making it flow through the drawer 6. In this case, the water which reaches the tub 3 may selectively contain one of the products contained in the compartments of the drawer 6. Alternatively water is not supplied via the drawer 6 but via a further separate water supply pipe (not shown), which supplies exclusively clean water into the tub 3 and which may comprise a valve connecting to the main water supply (tap connection).

The laundry washing machine 1e comprises a water outlet circuit 25 for withdrawing liquid from the lower portion 3a of the tub 3. As described above, the water outlet circuit 25 comprises a filtering device 12. A first pipe 17 connects the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 to the filtering device 12. A first input end 17a of the first pipe 17 is positioned at a lower point of the tub 3, in particular at a lower point of the liquid reservoir 15. A main output 18 of the filtering device 12 connects the filtering device 12 to the drain pump 43. An outlet pipe 49 is connected to the drain pump 43 and ends outside the housing 2. Activation of the drain pump 43 drains the liquid, i.e. dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the tub 3 to the outside.

As described above, the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a first recirculation circuit 20 adapted to drain liquid from the the lower portion 3a of the tub 3 and to re-admit the liquid into the upper region of the tub 3.

The laundry washing machine 1e further comprises a second recirculation circuit 30 adapted to extract liquid from the the liquid reservoir 15 and to re-admit the liquid (recirculated liquid) into the liquid reservoir as described above with respect to Figs. 4a-b.

The second recirculation circuit 30 comprises the second recirculation pump or mixing pump 31, a second pipe 32 connecting the filtering device 12 to the mixing pump 31 and a recirculation pipe 33 provided with a terminal portion 34 having a liquid output 37 (Fig. 7). Thereby the second recirculation circuit has an inlet from the reservoir 15 (lower portion 3a of the tub) and an outlet to the reservoir.

As described above with respect to Figs. 4a-b, the second recirculation circuit 30 is activated when mixing and/or dissolution of the refreshing agent within the liquid reservoir 15 is required.

Additionally the second recirculation circuit 30 may be activated during cleaning of the liquid reservoir (prior or after vapor generation) as described with respect to Figs. 3a-b to assist removal of washing products, rinsing products or refreshment agent. For example, washing or rinsing products which are introduced into the washing tub 3, move towards the lower part 3a of the tub 3 due to their density higher than the density of water. These products tend to accumulate in the gap 16 below the heating device 10. To achieve the dissolution of the products which accumulate in the gap 16, the terminal portion 34 of the recirculation pipe 33 is advantageously arranged in such a way to emit a jet of liquid having a main flowing direction L substantially parallel or pointed to the bottom 3a of the washing tub 3, so as to remove washing/rinsing products collected therein. Therefore the jet of liquid moves in a main flowing direction L below the heating device 10, and is advantageously adjacent to the upper surface 15c of the liquid reservoir 15. The liquid forced in the main flowing direction L from the liquid output 37 collides with (residual) products accumulated in the gap 16 and enhances its mixing and/or dissolution in the liquid in which it is immersed.

The terminal portion 34 of the recirculation pipe 33 comprises a first tubular portion 35, preferably a cylindrical portion. The tubular portion 35 extends along an axis X which is preferably parallel to or substantially parallel to the main flowing direction L. Such a shape for the tubular portion 35 guarantees that the jet of liquid is forced along the main flowing direction L, i.e. a direction which is substantially parallel or pointed to the bottom 3a of the washing tub 3.

The terminal portion 34 then comprises an end portion 36 which terminates with the liquid output 37. Preferably the internal cross section of the end portion 36 has an area which decreases in a direction towards the liquid output 37. Therefore, the speed of the liquid inside the end portion 36, at a given pressure, increases and reaches a maximum speed at the liquid output 37, where the section has the minimum value. Therefore the jet of liquid emitted from the liquid output 37 has a relatively high speed, which is efficient for washing or flushing the bottom 3a of the washing tub 3, so as to remove washing/rinsing products collected therein. The end portion 36 preferably comprises a conical-shaped or pyramidal-shaped duct 38, as shown in Fig. 10. Therefore the liquid output 37 has a substantially circular shape

The recirculation pipe 33 and its terminal portion 34 are preferably airtight. In this way, external air is prevented to be introduced inside the recirculation pipe 33 thus maintaining the speed and pressure expected for the recirculated liquid inside the recirculation pipe 33.

1a-e

laundry washing machine

2

housing

3

tub

3a

lower tub portion

4

drum

5

water supply circuit

6

removable drawer

7

elastic bellows/gasket

8

loading/unloading door

9

gate

10

heating device

10a

lower side of heater

11

control panel

12

filter device

13

hemi-shell

13a

peripheral edge

14

hemi-shell

14a

peripheral edge

15

liquid reservoir

15a

rear part of liquid reservoir

15b

front part of liquid reservoir

15c

upper surface of liquid reservoir

16

gap

17

main pipe

17a

inlet end

20

first recirculation circuit

21

first recirculation pump

22

first pipe

23

first recirculation pipe

23a

terminal nozzle

25

water outlet circuit

30

second recirculation circuit

31

mixing pump / second recirculation pump

32

second pipe

33

second recirculation pipe

34

terminal portion

35

tubular portion

36

end portion

37

liquid output

40

electro-valve prewash compartment

41

electro-valve main wash compartment

42

electro-valve fabric softener

43

drain pump

44

coupling pipe

45

refreshing agent auto-dosing system

46

refreshing agent tank

47

dosing pump

48

fan

49

drain pipe

50

liquid level sensor (pressure sensor)

51

filter outlet pipe

52

pressure line

HL

high level limit (under the drum outer surface)

LL

lower level limit (heater covered)

a

pre-wash compartment

b

main wash compartment

c

softener compartment

X

axis tubular portion

L

main flow direction