LAUNDRY TREATING MACHINE WITH DRAWER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a laundry treating machine (1) having a drawer assembly (1) comprising a drawer (2), a supporting structure (3) on which the drawer (2) can slide along a sliding axis (S), the drawer (2) comprising a first side wall (6) and a second side wall (8). The drawer assembly (1) comprises a retaining device (60) associated to the first side wall (6) such that said retaining device delimits a movement of said drawer (2) with respect to said supporting structure (3) in a withdrawal direction (W) of the drawer (2) in order to provide a maximum extracted retained position of the drawer (2) in the supporting structure (3). The drawer assembly (1) further comprises an anti-wobble device (50) comprising a pushing element (52) associated to the supporting structure (3) adapted to push against a catching surface (54) arranged to the second side wall (8) when the drawer (2) is at the maximum extracted retained position.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns the field of laundry treating techniques.

[0002] In particular, the present invention refers to a laundry treating machine having a drawer for receiving a laundry treating agent or other products, a supporting structure on which said drawer can slide and a retaining device adapted to delimit a movement of the drawer with respect to the supporting structure.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Nowadays the use of laundry treating machines, for example "simple" laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry treating machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) or laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry treating machines which can also dry laundry) or laundry drying machines (i.e. laundry treating machines which can only dry laundry), is widespread.

[0004] In the present description the term "laundry washing machine" will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines.

[0005] Conventionally, laundry washing machines include a drawer for receiving a detergent agent or other agents for treating the laundry, such as softener or bleach, to be used during the washing cycles.

[0006] Drawer may also be suitable for receiving other products, for example salt to be used in a water softening device of the laundry washing machine.

[0007] Also laundry drying machines conventionally include a drawer for receiving a moisture tank.

[0008] In this case, the drawer is suitable for receiving the condensation water formed during the drying cycle, so that it can be easily and periodically emptied by a user.

[0009] Drawer of known type is received in a housing on which the drawer can slide from a normal closed position and opening positions on a substantially horizontal plane.

[0010] Advantageously, the user may fill the compartments of the drawer with the product/s needed for treatment of the laundry, for example detergent or softener.

[0011] Drawers of known type are typically provided with a retaining device which safely delimits the movement of the drawer in the withdrawal direction and provides a maximum extracted retained position of the drawer in the housing, i.e. a maximum extracted position of the drawer while it is still supported in the housing.

[0012] The retaining device also preferably prevents accidental removal of the drawer from the housing.

[0013] Retaining devices of known type are also further configured so that the drawer can be disengaged from its maximum retaining position and pulled out of the housing by the user.

[0014] A drawer assembly of this type is disclosed, for example, in DE 195 05 292 C2. The drawer is received in a housing and is provided with a locking device to prevent accidental removal of the drawer from the housing. A retaining element is located at a cover plate of the drawer, which is movable in height and which can be reached by a hand or fingers of an user. A corresponding stopping element is located at a lower side of the top cover of the housing. By pushing the cover plate of the drawer downwards, the retaining element is disengaged from the stopping element and the drawer can be pulled out of the housing.

[0015] Another drawer assembly is known from GB 758,944 which comprises a spring-biased safety catch arm, pivotally mounted on the front of a supporting structure of the drawer assembly and adapted, when the drawer is pulled out from its housing nearly to the full extent, to engage the slot in the flange under the action of the biasing spring so as to obstruct complete withdrawal of the drawer.

[0016] The safety catch is provided with a forwardly extending operating arm which is accessible when the drawer is partially withdrawn so that the safety catch may be held manually in the disengaged position to permit complete withdrawal of the drawer.

[0017] The drawer assemblies of the known art pose some drawbacks.

[0018] A drawback posed by known drawer assemblies is that, when the drawer is positioned at the maximum extracted retained position, the drawer is not stably maintained therein.

[0019] The drawer in its maximum extracted position is cantilever supported by the housing and due to clearance between components of the drawer and/or of the housing an undesired wobbling effect is caused.

[0020] In particular the drawer may swing about the retaining device.

[0021] Wobbling comprises, in particular, slight movements of the drawer on the horizontal plane.

[0022] Wobbling negatively affects the quality of the laundry treating machine.

[0023] Furthermore, the wobbling negatively affects the strength and stiffness of the retaining device and therefore reliability of the same drawer assembly. To maintain high quality standards, reinforced retaining device, designed in relation to the load, must be constructed. This requires additional material for the construction of the drawer and/or of the housing.

[0024] This negatively affects size and/or weight and/or manufacturing costs of the laundry treating machine and also reliability of the same.

[0025] Said drawbacks are particularly evident when the weight of the drawer with laundry treating agents and/or other products is relevant. For example, said drawbacks are particularly evident in case of a laundry drying machine wherein the moisture tank can have a high weight, for example some kilograms.

[0026] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks posed by the known technique.

[0027] It is an object of the invention to provide a laundry treating machine having a drawer assembly with reduced wobbling effect compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

[0028] It is another object of the invention to provide a laundry treating machine having a drawer assembly with reduced complexity and/or size and/or weight compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

[0029] It is a further object of the invention to provide a laundry treating machine with a drawer assembly having higher reliability compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0030] The applicant has found that by providing a laundry treating machine having a drawer assembly comprising a retaining device which provides a maximum extracted retained position of the drawer with respect to a supporting structure and by providing a pushing element associated to the supporting structure or a side wall of the drawer, it is possible to reduced wobbling of the drawer compared to known systems.

[0031] The present invention relates, therefore, to a laundry treating machine having a drawer assembly comprising:

• a drawer comprising at least one compartment for receiving an agent for treating laundry and/or for receiving other products/liquids;
• a supporting structure on which said drawer can slide along a sliding axis, said drawer comprising a first side wall and a second side wall, said side walls extending along said sliding axis; and
• a retaining device associated to said first side wall such that said retaining device delimits a movement of said drawer with respect to said supporting structure in a withdrawal direction of said drawer from said supporting structure along said sliding axis in order to provide a maximum extracted retained position of said drawer in said supporting structure;

wherein said drawer assembly comprises an anti-wobble device comprising a pushing element associated to said supporting structure and/or to said second side wall adapted to push against a catching surface arranged to said second side wall and/or to said supporting structure, respectively, when said drawer is at said maximum extracted retained position.

[0032] The retaining device and the anti-wobble device are two distinct devices, preferably associated to different side walls of the drawer, more preferably associated to said first and said second side walls respectively.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pushing element is elastically deformable.

[0034] Preferably, the pushing element is adapt to exert a pushing force towards the catching surface. More preferably, the pushing force acts in a direction perpendicular to the sliding axis. The pushing force preferably acts in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction.

[0035] Preferably, the pushing element is adapted to elastically deflect and/or move in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction so as to retract and disengage the catching surface when the drawer is moved from the maximum extracted retained position towards a closed position.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawer assembly comprises a first laterally projecting sliding surface at the first side wall and a respective first guide member at the supporting structure and/or a second laterally projecting sliding surface at the second side wall and a respective second guide member at the supporting structure, the first laterally projecting sliding surface being adapted to slide onto the first guide member and/or the second laterally projecting sliding surface being adapted to slide onto the second guide member.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide member and/or the second guide member is a separate member from the supporting structure. Preferably, the first guide member and/or the second guide member is removable associated to the supporting structure.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pushing element is formed integrally with the second guide member.

[0039] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pushing element is formed integrally with the supporting structure.

[0040] Preferably, the catching surface is defined in the second laterally projecting sliding surface.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side walls are arranged in a vertical plane or substantially vertical plane, when the drawer assembly is mounted in an operational position.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the catching surface comprises a surface portion adapted to cooperate with a surface portion of the pushing element when the drawer is moved in a push direction of the drawer inside the supporting structure from the maximum extracted retained position, wherein the surface portion of the catching surface and/or the surface portion of the pushing element is/are inclined with respect to the sliding axis.

[0043] Preferably, the surface portion of the catching surface and/or the surface portion of the pushing element is/are inclined with respect to the sliding axis at an angle between 5° to 20°, preferably between 10° to 15°.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining device comprises a removable retaining element connectable to the supporting structure.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the removable retaining element comprises an attachment portion and the supporting structure comprises a receiving portion into which the attachment portion is engageable in order to connect the removable retaining element to the supporting structure.

[0046] Preferably, the drawer comprises a stopping element and the removable retaining element comprises a catch portion adapted to engage with the stopping element in order to delimit the movement of the drawer with respect to the supporting structure, said catch portion being rotatably connected to the attachment portion.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the catch portion is formed as single body with the attachment portion.

[0048] Preferably, the catch portion rotates with respect to the attachment portion about an axis parallel to the attachment portion. More preferably, the rotation axis is perpendicular to the sliding axis.

[0049] In a further aspect thereof the present invention relates to a method for removing the drawer from the supporting structure in a laundry treating machine of the type above described, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• moving said drawer with respect to said supporting structure in said withdrawal direction up to said maximum extracted retained position of said drawer in said supporting structure;
• disengaging said drawer from said retaining device associated to said first side wall;
• rotating said drawer with respect said supporting structure around a pivot point at said second side wall;
• further moving said drawer with respect to said supporting structure in said withdrawal direction up to its removal from said supporting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In such drawings:

• Figure 1 is a partial front perspective view of a laundry washing machine of the present invention with a drawer assembly in which a drawer is in a maximum extracted retained position with respect to a respective supporting structure;
• Figure 2 shows a detail of the drawer assembly of Figure 1 isolated from the rest;
• Figure 3 shows the drawer assembly of Figure 2 from another point of view;
• Figure 4 shows a top view of Figure 2 with a top cover removed therefrom;
• Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 4;
• Figures 6-9: details of partial cross-sectional top views of Figure 4 before, during and after removal of the drawer from the supporting structure;
• Figure 10 shows the laundry washing machine of Figure 1 in which the drawer is removed from the supporting structure;
• Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the supporting structure of the drawer assembly of Figure 2;
• Figure 12 shows an element of Figure 11 isolated from the rest;
• Figure 13 shows an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 12;
• Figure 14 shows another perspective view of the supporting structure of the drawer assembly of Figure 2;
• Figure 15 shows an element of Figure 14 isolated from the rest;
• Figure 16 shows a plan top view of the drawer assembly of Figure 2 with the drawer in its closed position;
• Figure 17 shows a plan view of Figure 16 sectioned along line XVII°-XVII°;
• Figure 18 shows an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 17;
• Figure 19 shows another enlarged view of a detail of Figure 17;
• Figure 20 shows a partial perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of Figure 2;
• Figure 21 shows an enlarged top view of detail of Figure 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to laundry washing machines, as described below. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to laundry washing machines. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to laundry treating machines in general, for example "simple" laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry treating machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) or laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry treating machines which can also dry laundry) or laundry drying machines (i.e. laundry treating machines which can only dry laundry).

[0052] In the present description, furthermore, the term "laundry washing machine" will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines.

[0053] Figure 1 depicts a detail of a laundry washing machine 100 comprising a drawer assembly 1.

[0054] The drawer assembly 1 comprises a drawer 2 which is slidably associated to a supporting structure 3, preferably formed by a receptacle in which the drawer 2 can be housed.

[0055] As it will be better shown in the following, according to a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure 3 defines a housing 20, as better shown for example in Figure 10, capable of receiving therein the drawer 2.

[0056] The drawer 2 preferably comprises two side walls 6, 8, a back wall 9, a front wall 12 and a front panel 15.

[0057] Preferably, the front panel 15, or more in general the drawer 2, comprises a handle 16, by means of which the drawer 2 can be moved from a closed position (shown only in Figure 16) and an extracted retained position in which the drawer 2 is still supported by the supporting structure 3 and, vice-versa, can be moved from an extracted retained position to a closed position.

[0058] The movement of the drawer 2 takes place along a sliding axis S and the drawer 2 can move along a withdrawal direction W when the drawer 2 is being opened and along a push direction P when the drawer 2 is being closed. The withdrawal direction W and the push direction P are parallel to the sliding axis S.

[0059] The movement of the drawer 2 preferably takes place on a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, plane, i.e. the sliding axis S lies on a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, plane

[0060] The two side walls 6, 8 are preferably arranged in a vertical plane or substantially vertical plane, when the drawer assembly is mounted in an operational position. The two side walls 6, 8 are preferably aligned along the sliding axis S.

[0061] The drawer 2 then preferably comprises compartments 10a, 10b and 10c, adapted for receiving detergent and other agents, for example bleach, softener, salt for a softening device, etc.

[0062] Figures 1 to 4 depict the drawer 2 in a maximum extracted retained position. In this position, the detergent and the other agents can be poured inside the compartments 10a, 10b and 10c.

[0063] The maximum extracted retained position corresponds to the extracted position of the drawer 2, preferably the maximum extracted position, in the withdrawal direction W while it is still supported by the supporting structure 3 in the housing 20.

[0064] The housing 20 comprises an upper wall element 30, which is a water dispenser and comprises water inlets 31a, 31b and 31c, which are connectable to a water supply of the laundry washing machine 100 by means of respective valves 32a, 32b, 32c to supply cold and/or hot/warm water into the compartments 10a and/or 10b and/or 10c. The housing 20 further comprises a duct 33 to guide water or water mixed with detergent or other agents from the drawer assembly 1 into a washing tub, not illustrated, of the laundry washing machine 100.

[0065] Preferably, in order to allow sliding of the drawer 2 on the supporting structure 3, the drawer 2 comprises a first laterally projecting sliding surface 11 at the first side wall 6, the left side wall in the Figures. The drawer 2 preferably comprises a second laterally projecting sliding surface 13 at the second side wall 8, the right side wall in the Figures.

[0066] The first and second laterally projecting sliding surfaces 11, 13 are adapted to preferably slide on respective guide members 21, 22 of the supporting structure 3.

[0067] The guide members 21, 22 are better described later with reference to Figures 11 to 15.

[0068] In different embodiments, sliding of the drawer on the supporting structure along the sliding axis may be obtained with different means, for example with rolling elements (wheels) associated to the drawer which roll over guide members of the supporting structure.

[0069] According to an aspect of the present invention, the movement of the drawer 2 along the withdrawal direction W is limited by a retaining device 60, better described later. The retaining device 60 preferably comprises a stopping element 43, preferably connected to the first side wall 6 of the drawer 2, which can engage with a catch portion 41 formed in a removable retaining element 40, as shown in Figure 6 and better described later.

[0070] The retaining device 60 is preferably associated to the first side wall 6 of the drawer 2 but, in different embodiments, it can be associated to the second side wall 8 of the drawer 2.

[0071] The retaining device 60 delimits the movement of the drawer 2 with respect to the supporting structure 3, such that full removal of the drawer 2 is prevented, as will be better explained in the following.

[0072] The retaining device 60 delimits the movement of the drawer 2 to the maximum extracted retained position.

[0073] In this position, the drawer 2 is still associated to the supporting structure 3, such that the drawer 2 does not fall due to the gravity.

[0074] In the preferred embodiment herewith illustrated and described, the drawer 2 can be pulled further in order to remove it from the housing 20 defined by the supporting structure 3. Constructional details will be better described later.

[0075] Nevertheless, the present invention may be advantageously applied to drawer assemblies wherein the retaining device define a maximum extracted retained position for the drawer but the drawer cannot be removed from the housing.

[0076] Furthermore, the retaining device of the preferred embodiment herewith illustrated is preferably of removable type, as better described later.

[0077] Nevertheless, in different embodiments, the retaining device may be differently realized and configured to define said maximum extracted retained position for the drawer. For example, the retaining device may comprise a first element protruding from the drawer or from the supporting structure which abuts against a second element protruding, respectively, from the supporting structure or from the drawer.

[0078] According to another aspect of the present invention, the drawer assembly 1 comprises an anti-wobble device 50.

[0079] The anti-wobble device 50 is preferably associated to the second side wall 8 of the drawer 2, and hence arranged opposite to the retaining device 40.

[0080] The anti-wobble device 50 comprises a pushing element 52 associated to the supporting structure 3 and a catching surface 54 arranged to the second side wall 8 of the drawer 2.

[0081] The pushing element 52 is preferably formed integrally with the right guide member 22, as better visible in Figures 12 and 13.

[0082] In different embodiments, the pushing element may be preferably formed integrally with the supporting structure.

[0083] The pushing element 52 and the catching surface 54 are positioned in the supporting structure 3 and the second side wall 8, respectively, so that when the drawer 2 is at the maximum extracted retained position, the pushing element 52 pushes against the catching surface 54.

[0084] Engagement of the pushing element 52 with the catching surface 54 prevents accidental or unintentional movement of the drawer 2 with respect to the supporting structure 3.

[0085] More particularly, said engagement of the pushing element 52 with the catching surface 54 prevents accidental or unintentional movement of the drawer 2 on a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, plane.

[0086] The pushing element 52 is preferably elastically deformable in a direction basically perpendicular to the sliding axis S, i.e. the pushing element 52 is deformed and its elasticity generates a pushing force F towards the catching surface 54, to the left with reference to Figure 5.

[0087] Preferably, the pushing element 52 comprises two inclined surface portions 52a, 52b and an intermediate surface portion 52c comprised therebetween. The surface portions 52a, 52b are inclined at an angle A1, A2 with respect to the sliding axis S and the intermediate surface portion 52c is preferably parallel to the sliding axis S.

[0088] The catching surface 54 is preferably defined by a recess of the second sliding surface 13.

[0089] Analogously and preferably, the catching surface 54 comprises two inclined surface portions 54a, 54b and an intermediate surface portion 54c comprised therebetween.

[0090] The surface portions 54a, 54b are inclined at an angle A1, A2 with respect to the sliding axis S of the drawer 2 or side wall 13 and the intermediate surface portion 54c is preferably parallel to the sliding axis S.

[0091] The angle A1 of the inclined surfaces 52a, 54a of the pushing element 52 and of the catching surface 54 preferably correspond to each other and are preferably in the range of 5° to 20°, preferably the angles are about 15°.

[0092] The angle A2 of the inclined surfaces 52b, 54b of the pushing element 52 and the catching surface 54 preferably correspond to each other and are preferably in the range of 60° to 90°, preferably the angles are about 80°.

[0093] When the drawer 2 is moved from the maximum extracted retained position towards a closed position, the inclined surface 52a, 54a of the pushing element 52 and of the catching surface 54 cooperate. The angle A1 provides a shallow ramp for retracting the pushing element 52 during insertion of the drawer 2 into the housing 20.

[0094] Advantageously, the pushing element 52 is adapted to elastically deflect and/or move in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction so as to retract and disengage the catching surface 54.

[0095] Preferably, the pushing element 52 in its deflected position is at least partially received in a seat 57 defined in the supporting structure 3.

[0096] As better illustrated in Figure 13, elasticity of the pushing element 52 is preferably obtained by means of a slot 55 defined peripherally of the pushing element 52. The pushing element 52 may rotate around an elastic hinge portion 52i.

[0097] Shape of the pushing element 52 and catching surface 54 here illustrated and described are merely indicative and not limitative. In different embodiments, such a shape may be different, for example a circular shape may be utilized.

[0098] Advantageously, as said above, when the drawer 2 is at the maximum extracted retained position, the anti-wobble device 50 prevents accidental or unintentional movement of the drawer 2 with respect to the supporting structure 3, in particular on a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, plane.

[0099] In particular, movement of the drawer 2 is prevented thanks to the pushing force F exerted by the pushing element 52 and thanks to the contact of the pushing element 52 against the catching surface 54, more in particular thanks to the contact of the surface portions 52a and 52c of the pushing element 52 against the surface portions 54a and 54c of the catching surface 54.

[0100] At the maximum extracted retained position, the drawer is therefore stably maintained therein.

[0101] This is a sign of quality of the laundry washing machine.

[0102] Furthermore, the stability of the drawer 2 increases the reliability of the drawer assembly 1 compared to the known system.

[0103] According to the preferred embodiment herewith described, the catching surface 54 is realized at the second laterally projecting sliding surface 13.

[0104] In different embodiments, nevertheless, the catching surface 54 can be realized at any suitable different zone of the second side wall 8 of the drawer 2.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment herewith described, the pushing element 52 is associated to the supporting structure 3 and the catching surface 54 is associated to a side wall 8 of the drawer 2.

[0106] In different embodiments, nevertheless, the pushing element may be associated to a side wall of the drawer and the catching surface may be associated to the supporting structure.

[0107] As previously explained, sliding of the sliding surface 11 on the guide member 21 along the sliding axis S is limited by the retaining device 60. The retaining device 60 preferably comprises the stopping element 43 which can engage with a catch portion 41 formed in the removable retaining element 40.

[0108] As it will be described in further detail in the following, the catch portion 41 can be displaced in order to be disengaged from the stopping element 43 of the drawer 2, thus allowing a complete withdrawal of the drawer 2, as shown in Figures 6 to 9.

[0109] Further details of the retaining system may be found in WO2015074954A1 which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application and which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0110] The removable retaining element 40 is connectable to the supporting structure 3, preferably to a side wall 23 thereof, in order to be fixed thereto. According to a preferred embodiment, the removable retaining element 40 comprises an attachment portion 42, shown in Figure 6, and the supporting structure 3 comprises a respective receiving portion into which the attachment portion 42 is received.

[0111] As shown in Figures 6 to 9, showing the removable retaining element 40 in detail, according to a preferred embodiment the catch portion 41 is connected to attachment portion 42 by means of a resilient connection 44. Preferably, the resilient connection 44 is located at an edge of the catch portion 41. Accordingly, the resilient connection 44 allows the catch portion 41 to rotate with respect to the attachment portion 42 about an axis X parallel to the attachment portion 42 and, preferably, perpendicular to the sliding axis S. The rotation of the catch portion 41 allows to displace it from the engaged position, in which movement of the drawer 2 is delimited, to the disengaged one, in which the drawer 2 can be fully extracted.

[0112] Preferably, the catch portion 41 is formed as single body with said attachment portion 42 and they are made of plastic e.g. by molding. It is will be appreciated that, particularly when the resilient element is formed as a single body, the movement of the catch portion 41 relative to the attachment portion 42 can differ from a perfect rotation about the axis X, and it can be e.g. formed by a translational movement composed of a rotation and a linear translation or a rotation about a non-fixed axis.

[0113] According to a preferred embodiment, in order to operate the catch portion 41, the retaining element 40 comprises an operative portion 40a, symmetric to the resilient connection 44. Therefore, when the operative portion 40a is pushed by the thumb or the finger of the user, the catch portion 41 is displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged one.

[0114] At the same time, the drawer 2 is initially rotated around a pivot point V on the right side wall 8 of the drawer 2, as illustrated in Figure 7, until the pushing element 52 is out of contact with the catching surface 54. The angle of rotation may have a low value, for example a value preferably comprised between 1° and 5°.

[0115] The drawer 2 is then moved in the withdrawal direction W up to its removal from the housing 20, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

[0116] With reference to Figures 11 to 19 a preferred embodiment of the guide members 21, 22 of the supporting structure 3 are described in detail hereinafter.

[0117] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the guide members 21, 22 are removably associated to the supporting structure 3. Preferably, the guide members 21, 22 are separately realized from the supporting structure 3 and then attached thereto by means of a fixing device 24, 25.

[0118] The fixing device 24, 25 preferably comprises an opening 24a, 25a defined in the guide member 21, 22 and a hook 24b associated to the supporting structure 3 which form a snap-fit connection.

[0119] In different embodiments, the fixing device may differently realized.

[0120] In a preferred embodiment, the guide members 21, 22 are preferably realized with polypropylene (PP), preferably polypropylene charged with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) or talc, which enhances the wear resistance and/or the slidability. The supporting structure 3 is preferably realized with Polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0121] The left guide member 21 preferably has an U section and preferably comprises a lower rib 21a and an upper rib 21b substantially extending along the sliding axis S.

[0122] The lower and upper ribs 21a, 21b advantageously receive the first projecting sliding surface 11 of the first side wall 6 of the drawer 2, as illustrated in Figure 18.

[0123] This particular shape of the left guide member 21 enhances the stability of the drawer 2 during its movement in the housing 20.

[0124] Analogously, the right guide member 22 preferably has an U section and preferably comprises a lower rib 22a and an upper rib 22b substantially extending along the sliding axis S.

[0125] The lower and upper ribs 22a, 22b advantageously receive the second projecting sliding surface 13 of the second side wall 8 of the drawer 2, as illustrated in Figure 19.

[0126] This particular shape of the right guide member 23 enhances the stability of the drawer 2 during its movement in the housing 20.

[0127] In a different embodiments, the upper rib of the guide member may be omitted.

[0128] The guide members 21, 22 then preferably comprises a recessed zone 21c, 22c which extends along the sliding axis S. The recessed zone 21c, 22c is preferably realized at the opposite side of the ribs 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b and preferably at half height.

[0129] The recessed zone 21c, 22c increases rigidity of the guide members 21, 22. The recessed zone 21c, 22c, then, guaranties the parallelism between ribs 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b, in particular during the moulding process of the guide members 21, 22.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment, lower and upper ribs 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b of the guide members 21, 22 are preferably slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in the sliding direction S so that to provide a ramp sloping down towards the rear side of the housing 20.

[0131] Advantageously, the drawer 2 with its weight is always subjected to a force along the push direction P.

[0132] Advantageously, the combined effect of the sloping and of the drawer weight allows the drawer 2 to substantially maintains a horizontal position when positioned in the maximum extracted retained position.

[0133] With reference to Figures 20 and 21 a drawer assembly 101 according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention is described. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components of the first embodiment previously described are identified by the same reference numbers.

[0134] This drawer assembly 101 differs from the drawer assembly 1 previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 19 for the different shape of the catching surface 154 of the anti-wobble device 150.

[0135] The catching surface 154 is still preferably defined by a recess of the second sliding surface 113.

[0136] The catching surface 154 comprises an inclined surface portions 154b and a linear surface portion 154c.

[0137] The surface portion 154b is inclined at an angle A2, as previously described, with respect to the sliding axis S of the drawer 102.

[0138] Here, advantageously, when the drawer 102 is at the maximum extracted retained position, the anti-wobble device 150 prevents accidental or unintentional movement of the drawer 102 with respect to the supporting structure 3.

[0139] In particular, movement of the drawer 102 is prevented thanks to the pushing force F exerted by the pushing element 52 and thanks to the contact of the pushing element 52 against the catching surface 154, more in particular thanks to the contact of the surface portion 52c of the pushing element 52 against the surface portion 154c of the catching surface 154.

[0140] It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, it makes it possible to provide a laundry treating machine having a drawer assembly with reduced wobbling effect compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

[0141] It is underlined that the laundry washing machine illustrated in the enclosed figures is of the front-loading type; however it is clear that the system according to the invention can be applied as well to a top-loading laundry washing machine, substantially without any modification. It is also clear that the system according to the invention can be applied as well to laundry drying machine, substantially without any modification.

[0142] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laundry treating machine (1; 101) having a drawer assembly (1; 101) comprising:

- a drawer (2; 102) comprising at least one compartment (10a, 10b, 10c) for receiving an agent for treating laundry and/or for receiving other products/liquids;

- a supporting structure (3) on which said drawer (2; 102) can slide along a sliding axis (S), said drawer (2; 102) comprising a first side wall (6) and a second side wall (8), said side walls (6, 8) extending along said sliding axis (S); and

- a retaining device (60) associated to said first side wall (6) such that said retaining device delimits a movement of said drawer (2; 102) with respect to said supporting structure (3) in a withdrawal direction (W) of said drawer (2; 102) from said supporting structure (3) along said sliding axis (S) in order to provide a maximum extracted retained position of said drawer (2; 102) in said supporting structure (3);

wherein said drawer assembly (1; 101) comprises an anti-wobble device (50; 150) comprising a pushing element (52) associated to said supporting structure (3) and/or to said second side wall (8) adapted to push against a catching surface (54; 154) arranged to said second side wall (8) and/or to said supporting structure (3), respectively, when said drawer (2; 102) is at said maximum extracted retained position.

2. A machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein said pushing element (52) is elastically deformable.

3. A machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said pushing element (52) is adapt to exert a pushing force (F) towards said catching surface (54; 154).

4. A machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein said pushing force (F) acts in a direction perpendicular to said sliding axis (S).

5. A machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein said pushing force (F) acts in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction.

6. A machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pushing element (52) is adapted to elastically deflect and/or move in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction so as to retract and disengage said catching surface (54; 154) when said drawer (2; 102) is moved from said maximum extracted retained position towards a closed position.

7. A machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said drawer assembly (1; 101) comprises a first laterally projecting sliding surface (11) at said first side wall (6) and a respective first guide member (21) at said supporting structure (3) and/or a second laterally projecting sliding surface (13; 113) at said second side wall (8) and a respective second guide member (22) at said supporting structure (3), said first laterally projecting sliding surface (11) being adapted to slide onto said first guide member (21) and/or said second laterally projecting sliding surface (13; 113) being adapted to slide onto said second guide member (22).

8. A machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein said catching surface (54; 154) is defined in said second laterally projecting sliding surface (13; 113).

9. A machine (100) according to claim 7 or 8, said first guide member (21) and/or said second guide member (22) is a separate member from said supporting structure (3).

10. A machine (100) according to claim 9, said first guide member (21) and/or said second guide member (22) is removable associated to said supporting structure (3).

11. A machine (100) according to any claims 7 to 10, wherein said pushing element (52) is formed integrally with said second guide member (22).

12. A machine (100) according to any claims 1 to 10, wherein said pushing element (52) is formed integrally with said supporting structure (3).

13. A machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said catching surface (54) comprises a surface portion (54a) adapted to cooperate with a surface portion (52a) of said pushing element (52) when said drawer (2) is moved in a push direction (P) of said drawer (2) inside said supporting structure (3) from said maximum extracted retained position, wherein said surface portion (54a) of said catching surface (54) and/or said surface portion (52a) of said pushing element (52) is/are inclined with respect to the said sliding axis (S).

14. A machine (100) according to claim 13, wherein said surface portion (54a) of said catching surface (54) and/or said surface portion (52a) of said pushing element (52) is/are inclined with respect to said sliding axis (S) at an angle (A1) between 5° to 20°, preferably between 10° to 15°.

15. A method for removing the drawer (2; 102) from the supporting structure (3) in a laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

- moving said drawer (2; 102) with respect to said supporting structure (3) in said withdrawal direction (W) up to said maximum extracted retained position of said drawer (2; 102) in said supporting structure (3);

- disengaging said drawer (2; 102) from said retaining device (60) associated to said first side wall (6);

- rotating said drawer (2; 102) with respect said supporting structure (3) around a pivot point (V) at said second side wall (8);

- further moving said drawer (2; 102) with respect to said supporting structure (3) in said withdrawal direction (W) up to its removal from said supporting structure (3).

Drawing