Water expenses are a significant cost factor in the use of household washing machines, both with regard to the cost of wash water consumption as well as the cost of the energy needed to heat water for washing the laundry. Moreover, conserving water is of increasing importance for environmental reasons. On the other hand, to achieve an adequate washing of laundry requires soaking in which the water penetrates all of the laundry as uniformly and deeply as possible. To combine the conservation of wash water with the proper soaking of the laundry, systems have been devised for forced soaking by means of water droplets projected from the window toward the wash basket, that is, from the loading door window, or from injection nozzles arranged in the annular assembly area that joins the loading hatch to the wash tub. A washing machine of this type wherein the injection nozzle is arranged in the annular assembly area of the loading hatch for spraying water toward the internal side wall and toward the internal rear wall of the drum is described in the document WO 201 1/053091 A2. Specifically, the injection nozzle is mounted in the area of the ring that joins the annular assembly to the front opening of the tub so as to project vertically toward the internal passage of the annular assembly.

Although the injection nozzle soaking system of document WO 201 1/053091 A2 provides effective injection of water into the wash drum, it has the disadvantage of being a component that protrudes into the annular assembly wherein the laundry can become entangled while being loaded or unloaded through the loading hatch to the basket, or while being washed. The aim of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art described above by means of a novel annular portal assembly for a front-loading washing machine with a system for soaking laundry, and a front-loading washing machine comprising the assembly.

Accordingly the present invention provides an annular portal assembly and a front-loading washing machine comprising such assembly in accordance with the respective independent claim attached. Preferred embodiments of the annular portal assembly and the washing machine are subjects of the subsequent description, the attached drawing and the depend- ent claims attached. Insofar as technically feasible, preferred embodiments of the annular portal assembly correspond to preferred embodiments of the washing machine and vice versa even if not outlined in detail herein.

The annular portal assembly relating to the present invention comprises an annular body with a first annular rib mountable on a frame of a loading hatch of the washing machine, and a second annular rib mountable on an internal circumferential edge of a front opening of a wash tub of the washing machine wherein rotates a wash drum basket comprising a front access opening that faces the front opening of the wash tub, comprising:

a water duct connectable to a water supply system and integrated into a complemen- tary part of the second rib of the annular body that, in the mounted position of the annular portal assembly, will be arranged in at least one upper portion of the internal circumferential edge of said front opening;

a plurality of sprayer nozzles communicating with the water duct and arranged in the complementary part in radial positions that, in a mounted state of the annular portal assem- bly, will be located in a front portion of the complementary component to eject water provided from the water duct into the wash basket through said front access opening.

The water duct can comprise at least one connector connectable to the washing machine water supply system. Moreover, it can comprise a first end connectable to the connector and a second closed end. On the other hand, sprayer nozzles can be arranged in radial positions spaced apart from one another along the entire length of the complementary part or, altema tively, along only one segment of the complementary part. In turn, the complementary part can be integrated into an area of said second rib that, in the mounted position of the annular portal assembly, will be arranged in the upper portion of the internal circumferential edge of said front opening, or can extend along the entire length of the rib.

The second rib preferably comprises a first lip comprising the complementary part and that is mountable in the intemal circumferential edge of the front opening of the wash tub. The first lip can comprise a rear mounting segment mountable externally about the front opening of the wash tub, and a front mounting segment mountable intemally about the front opening of the wash tub and joined to the rear mounting segment by a joining segment.

According to a preferred embodiment of the annular portal assembly, the complementary part is formed by two axial extensions of the rear mounting segment and the front mounting segment that project into the interior of the front opening of the wash tub, and which com- prise ends joined by the joining segment, while the front portion of the complementary part is formed by the axial extension of the front mounting segment. The water duct is formed between said extensions of the rear mounting segment and the front mounting segment, the joining segment and the intemal circumferential edge of the front opening of the wash tub and the extension of the front mounting segment is penetrated by through-holes communi- eating with the water duct.

In this embodiment, at least one mounting segment preferably comprises a coupling recess elastically coupleable to at least one complementary projection provided in one side in the internal circumferential edge of the front opening of the wash tub. Alternatively, each one of the mounting segments can comprise a coupling recess elastically coupleable to at least one complementary projection provided in one side in the intemal circumferential edge of the front opening of the wash tub.

Likewise, in this embodiment the water duct preferably comprises a tube arranged in a cas- ing in said complementary part and communicating with the sprayer nozzles by means of respective sleeves. The tube is provided with a fastening means for fastening the tube to the intemal circumferential edge of the front opening of the wash tub, and the casing is formed between the intemal circumferential edge of the front opening of the wash tub, the joining segment, and the extensions of the rear mounting segment and the front mounting segment of the first lip. In this way, the joining segment and the extensions of the rear mounting segment and the front mounting segment engage the tube. The fastening means can comprise a plurality of pairs of flanges protruding from the exterior periphery of the tube and engaging the extensions of the rear mounting segment and the front mounting segment.

According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the annular portal assembly, the joining segment contacts the internal circumferential edge of the front opening of the wash tub, and the complementary part is integrated into a protruding part of said joining segment that projects toward the interior of the front opening of the wash tub such that the front portion of the complementary part forms part of said protruding part, or the front mounting segment is integrated such that the front portion of the complementary part forms part of the front mounting segment.

According to this alternative embodiment, the complementary part preferably is a solid body such that it extends the water duct. Alternatively, in the case wherein the complementary part (6) is integrated into a protruding part of said joining segment, the complementary part preferably comprises an elastic flap with a first straight segment having a first lip that protrudes from one side of the joining segment, a second straight segment having an open end, and a connecting segment that connects the first straight segment with the second straight seg- ment. The joining segment and the second straight segment are provided with means for complementary coupling with one another, to couple the second straight segment with the joining segment in such a manner as to form the water duct when the second straight segment is coupled with the joining segment, between said straight segments, said connecting segment of the elastic flap, and said joining segment. The coupling means can comprise at least one coupling flange coupleable to a coupling recess, for example, as a coupling flange provided in said second straight segment of the elastic flap, and a coupling recess provided in the joining segment of the first lip. Preferably, the connecting segment is elastic and, in the non-coupled position of the second straight segment to the joining segment, the first straight segment and the second straight segment define an angle of less than 90 between one another. Likewise preferably, the second straight segment constitutes the front portion of the complementary component. in the aforementioned alternative embodiment of the annular portal assembly, the front portion of the complementary part preferably comprises an insertion slot defined between coaxial edges with the water duct, and the water duct comprises a tube inserted into a casing in said complementary part through an insertion slot. The sprayer nozzles form part of the tube, and for example can be openings in the respective open ends of the two sleeves provided in the tube. In this case, the tube preferably is encased in the casing pressing strongly against the coaxial edges of the insertion slot to separate them leaving a free gap that extends coaxially with the tube and that, in the mounted position of the portal assembly, will be oriented to face the front access opening of the basket. The sprayer nozzles that form part of the tube are arranged to correspond to the free gap, and preferably are also holes in the tube. Alternatively, the front portion of the complementary part comprises through-holes communicating with the casing that, in the mounted position of the portal assembly, will be oriented toward the front access opening of the basket, and the sleeves extend through said through-holes.

The front-loading washing machine according to the present invention comprises a loading hatch in a front wall of a housing, a wash tub having a front opening and mounted inside the housing wherein rotates a wash drum basket comprising a front access opening with a perimeter not smaller than the diameter of the front opening of the wash tub, an annular portal assembly comprising an annular body with a first annular rib mounted in a frame (of the loading hatch of the washing machine and a second annular rib mounted in the front opening) of the wash tub, and a laundry forced soaking system comprising a sprayer system connected to a water supply system to direct water to the basket through said front access opening. Additionally the annular portal system has the characteristics previously described with reference to the present invention, and in comprising a water supply system connected to a water duct.

Aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures of the drawing attached, wherein

Figure 1 is a partial side elevation cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a washing machine; Figure 2 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an annular portal assembly;

Figure 3 is an elevated posterior view of the annular portal assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial side cross-sectionai view of a second embodiment of an annular portal assembly; Figure 5 is an elevated posterior view of the annular portal assembly shown in Figure

4;

Figure 6 is a partial frontal perspective partially cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an annular portal assembly;

Figure 7 is a partial rear perspective partially cross-sectionai view of the annular portal assembly shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a partial frontal perspective partially cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an annular portal assembly;

Figure 9 is a partial lateral perspective partially cross-sectional view of the complementary part of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an elevated posterior view of an embodiment of the mountable tube in the embodiment of the annular portal assembly from Figure 8;

Figure 1 1 is a partial lateral perspective view of an embodiment of a tube that serves as a water duct in the annular portal assembly;

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an annular portal assembly that incorporates the tube shown in Figure 11 ; Figure 13 is a cross-sectionai view that shows the annuiar portal assembly of Figure 12 mounted on a washing machine;

Figure 14 is an antero-lateral perspective partially cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of an annuiar portal assembly;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of an annular portal assembly; and Figure 16 is an antero-lateral perspective partially cross-sectional view of the annular portal assembly of Figure 15 mounted on a washing machine.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , washing machine 13 comprises housing 17 having front wall 17a wherein loading hatch 14 is located. Loading hatch 14 comprises frame 14a wherein loading door 14b provided with transparent window 14c is mounted in the conventional manner. Loading hatch 14 is aligned with front opening 15a of wash tub 15 mounted inside housing 17, having front access opening 16a of wash drum basket 16 that is driven by a motor (not shown in the figures) to rotate inside wash tub 15. Washing machine 13 additionally comprises water supply duct 13a connected to detergent compartment 13b, which in turn is connected to inlet duct 13c that flows into the upper portion of wash tub 15. The lower portion of wash tub 15 is provided with outlet duct 13d such that water present in wash tub 15 can be emptied by the action of a pump (not shown in the figures).

Between frame 14a of loading hatch 14 and front opening 15a of wash tub 15 is mounted annular portal assembly 1 comprising annular body 2 with first annular rib 3 mounted to frame 14a of loading hatch 14 of washing machine 13 and second annular rib 4 mounted to front opening 15a of wash tub 15.

Washing machine 13 additionally comprises a sprayer system connected to water supply system 12, which is connected by means of connector 1 1 to water duct 5 integrated into complementary part 6 of second rib 4 of annular body 2 as well as a plurality of sprayer noz zles 7 communicating with water duct 5 and arranged in complementary part 6 in radial positions located for spraying water provided by water duct 5 into wash basket 16 through front access opening 16a. In all of the embodiments of the annular portal assembly shown in Figures 2 through 16, second rib 4 comprises first lip 8 that comprises complementary part 6 and is mountable on internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15, as well as second lip 18 mountable on external circumferential edge 15d of wash tub 15. Lips 8, 18 define an annular cavity between one another. Additionally, in these embodiments, first lip 8 comprises rear mounting segment 8a externally mountable about front opening 15a of wash tub 15, front mounting segment 8c internally mountable about front opening 15a of wash tub 15, and joined to rear mounting segment 8a by joining segment 8b.

In the first embodiment of the annular portal assembly shown in Figures 2 and 3, joining segment 8b contacts internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15, while complementary part 6 is a solid body such that it extends water duct 5 integrating front mounting segment 8c. Front portion 6b of complementary part 6 forms part of front mounting segment 8c. As can be seen, internal duct 1 1a passes through connector 1 1 to permit water provided by water supply system 12 to enter water duct 5. Sprayer nozzles 7 are arranged in radial positions spaced apart from one another along the entire length of complementary part 6.

The second embodiment of the annular portal assembly shown in Figures 4 and 5 differs from the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 such that complementary part 6 is a solid body integrated into protruding part 8d of joining segment 8b, which projects toward the interior of front opening 15a of wash tub 15 such that front portion 6b of complementary part 6 forms part of protruding part 8d, and such that sprayer nozzles 7 are arranged in radial positions spaced apart from one another along the length of only one segment, specifically one segment of complementary part 6 that, in the mounted position of annular portal assem- bly 1 , will be arranged in an upper segment of internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15. in the third embodiment of the annular portal assembly shown in Figures 6 and 7, front portion 6b of complementary part 6 comprises insertion slot 6c defined between coaxial edges 6d with water duct 5 as well as through-holes 6f communicating with casing 6a that, in the mounted position of annular portal assembly 1 , will be oriented toward front opening 16a of basket 16. In turn, water duct 5 comprises tube 9 inserted into casing 6a in said complementary part 6 through insertion slot 6c. Sprayer nozzles 7 are open at the respective free ends of the two sleeves 7a provided in tube 9 that extend through said through-holes 6f.

In the fourth embodiment of the annular portal assembly shown in Figures 8 through 10, tube 9 is encased in casing 6a pressing strongly against coaxial edges 6d of insertion slot 6c to separate them leaving free gap 6e that extends coaxially with tube 9 and that, in the mounted position of portal assembly 1 , will be oriented to face front access opening 16a of basket 16. In these figures, sprayer nozzles 7 are open at the respective free ends of the two sleeves 7a that form part of tube 9 and are arranged to correspond with free gap 6e, while holes can also be in the same tube 9 and, in the mounted position of annular portal assembly 1 , will be oriented to face front access opening 16a of basket 16. As can be seen in Figure 10, tube 9 comprises first end 5a connected to connector 11 and second end 5b that is closed. Sprayer nozzles 7 are arranged in radial positions spaced apart from one another along the entire length of complementary part 6.

In the fifth embodiment of the annular portal assembly shown in Figures 1 1 through 13, complementary part 6 is formed by two axial extensions 8f, 8g of rear mounting segment 8a and front mounting segment 8c that project into the interior of front opening 15a of wash tub 15, and which comprise ends joined by joining segment 8b, such that front portion 6b of com- plementary part 6 is formed by axial extension 8g of front mounting segment 8c. Water duct 5 is formed between said extensions 8f, 8g from rear mounting segment 8a and front mounting segment 8c, joining segment 8b, and internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15; Extension 8g of front mounting segment 8c is penetrated by through-holes 6f communicating with the water duct 5. On the other hand, water duct 5 com- prises tube 9 arranged in casing 6a in said complementary part 6 and communicating with sprayer nozzles 7 by means of respective sleeves 7a that form part of tube 9. Casing 6a is formed between internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15, joining segment 8b, extensions 8f, 8g of rear mounting segment 8a and front mounting segment 8c of first lip 8; In turn, tube 9 is provided with a fastening means to fasten tube 9 to internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15, such that joining segment 8b and extensions 8f, 8g of rear mounting segment 8a and front mounting segment 8c engage tube 9. Aforementioned fastening means comprises a piuraiity of pairs of flanges 10 protruding from the externa! periphery of tube 9 clipped onto thickened portion 15e of internal cir- cumferential edge 15b of portal 15a of wash tub 15. Flanges 10 are engaged by extensions 8f, 8g of rear mounting segment 8a and front mounting segment 8c. In this embodiment, sprayer nozzles 7 of tube 9 are arranged in an area of second rib 4 that, in the mounted position of annular portal assembly 1 , will be arranged in the upper portion of internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a. Tube 9 comprises supply duct 9a to receive water. Supply duct 9a is integrated into complementary part 6.

In the sixth embodiment of the annular portal assembly shown in Figure 14, complementary part 6 is also formed by two axial extensions 8f, 8g of rear mounting segment 8a and front mounting segment 8c that project into the interior of front opening 15a of wash tub 15, and which comprise ends joined by joining segment 8b, such that front portion 6b of complementary part 6 is formed by axial extension 8g of front mounting segment 8c. Front mounting segment 8c comprises coupling recess 8e elastically coupleable to at least one complementary projection 15c provided in one side in internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15. Water duct 5 is formed between said extensions 8f, 8g from rear mounting segment 8a and front mounting segment 8c, joining segment 8b, and internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening 15a of wash tub 15; Extension 8g of front mounting segment 8c is penetrated by through-holes 6f communicating with the water duct 5.

In the seventh embodiment of the annular portal assembly shown in Figures 15 and 16, complementary part 6 comprises elastic flap 19 having first straight segment 19a that protrudes from one side of joining segment 8b of first lip 8, second straight segment 19b that has free end 19c, and connecting segment 19d that connects first straight segment 19a with second straight segment 19b. Second straight segment 19b constitutes front portion 6b of complementary component 6. Joining segment 8b and second straight segment 19b are provided with means for complementary coupling 8e, 19d with one another, to couple second straight segment 19b with joining segment 8b in such a manner as to form water duct 5 when second straight segment 19b is coupled with joining segment 8b, between said straight segments 19a, 19b, said connecting segment 19d of elastic flap 19, and said joining segment 8b. The coupling means comprises annular coupling flange 19e protruding from the internal side of second straight segment 19b of elastic flap 19 and coupling recess 8e provided in joining segment 8b of first lip 8. Connecting segment 19d is elastic and, in the non-coupled position of second straight segment 19b to joining segment 8b, first straight segment 19a and second straight segment 19d define an angle of less than 90 between one another.

While complementary part 6 extends along the entire length of rib 4 in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 through 16, it is also possible that complementary part 6 is integrated only in one area of second rib 4 that, in the mounted position of annular portal assembly 1 , will be arranged in the upper portion of internal circumferential edge 15b of front opening

15a,

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Annular portal assembly

2 Annular body

3 First rib

4 Second rib

4a Annular cavity

5 Water duct

5a First end

5b Second end

6 Complementary part

6a Casing

6b Front portion

6c Insertion slot

6d Coaxial edges

6e Free gap

6f Through-holes

7 Sprayer nozzles

7a Sleeves

8 First lip

8a Rear mounting segment

8b Joining segment

8c Front mounting segment

8d Protruding part

8e Coupling recess

8f Rear mounting segment extension

8g Front mounting segment extension

9 Tube

9a Supply duct

10 Flanges

1 1 Connector 1 1 a Internal duct

12 Water supply system

13 Washing machine

13a Water supply duct

13b Detergent compartment 3c Inlet duct

13d Outlet duct

14 Loading hatch

14a Frame

14b Loading door

14c Window

15 Wash tub

15a Front opening

15b Internal circumferential edge

15c Complementary projection

15d External circumferential edge

15e Thickened part

16 Basket

16a Front access opening

17 Housing

17a Front wall

18 Second lip

19 Elastic flap

19a First straight segment

19b Second straight segment

19c Free end

19d Connecting segment

19e Coupling flange