Technical Field

The present invention relates to a door with a filtering function and a washing device comprising said door.

Background of the Invention

Washing devices, e.g. washing machines, are used for cleaning textile products such as laundry, with washing liquids like water or detergent water. Said washing devices comprise at least one outer body, at least one tub in the outer body, at least one drum provided in the tub and capable of rotating relative to the tub, and at least one door controlling access to said drum. Here, the textile products to be washed are placed in the drum and cleaned using the washing liquid.

According to washing devices provided in conventional applications, after the washing liquid is sent into the drum, the washing liquid is penetrated into the washed items by simply rotating the drum. However, such applications lead to an inefficient washing process. For this reason, washing devices containing a circulation system have been developed in the prior art, which receives the washing liquid from a lower part of the drum and send it to an upper part of the drum. In these applications, since the washing liquid in the drum is received from the lower part of the drum and sent to the upper part of the drum, the washing process is carried out more effectively by providing better penetration of the washing liquid into the washed items.

Especially, while washing textile products, lint in the textile products are separated from the washed product, dissolving into the washing liquid. Similarly, solid foreign substances on the washed products are also dissolved into the washing liquid during the washing process. These substances dissolved into the washing liquid may cause blockages in said circulation system and/or a discharge system of the washing device, as well as blockages in the drain through which the washing liquid is delivered. Due to such situations, the washing device may disfunction over time, or the washing efficiency may decrease due to the dirty washing liquid. In addition, especially if the lint is sent to the drain with washing water, said lint can reach and pollute water resources. In particular, lint of synthetic yarns has a microplastic structure, which can cause great damage to water resources.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention discloses a door with a filtering function suitable for use in washing devices, and a washing device using said door. The door comprises at least one outer body; at least one inner body in connection with the outer body, which has at least one portion with liquid filtering function; at least one inlet opening located on an upper portion of the inner body; at least one barrier; at least one chamber located between the inner body and the barrier.

Since a portion with liquid filtering function is used in the inner body of the door according to the present invention, the washing liquid received through the inlet opening can be filtered effectively. Thus, lint in the washing liquid and solid foreign substances adhering to the laundry are prevented from clogging the components of the washing device, thus ensuring a longer service life for the washing device. In addition, washing efficiency is enhanced by filtering the foreign substances in the washing liquid. Furthermore, as the foreign substances containing microplastics are filtered, these substances are prevented from reaching water sources, thus protecting the environment.

Object of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a door with a filtering function for washing devices, and a washing device comprising said door.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a practical and reliable door and a washing device comprising said door.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a door for protecting water resources, and a washing device comprising said door. Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the door according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear view of the door according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the door according to the invention.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

Outer body (1)

Inner body (2)

Inlet opening (3)

Barrier (4)

Chamber (5)

Description of the Invention

In washing devices, e.g. washing machines, lint and solid foreign substances adhering to the laundry can mix with the washing water while washing textile products. These substances mixed with washing water can cause blockages in various components of the washing device, as well as reduce the washing efficiency. In addition, if the micro-plastics contained in the lint are sent out of the washing device together with the washing liquid, said micro-plastics may reach and damage the water resources. In order to solve these problems, the present invention provides a door with a filtering function for filtering a washing liquid in a washing device, and a washing device comprising said door.

The door according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1-2, comprises at least one outer body (1); at least one inner body (2) in connection with the outer body (1), which is preferably basin-shaped and has at least one portion with liquid filtering function; at least one inlet opening (3) located on an upper portion of the inner body (2); at least one barrier (4), preferably far from the portion of the inner body (2) with the liquid filtering function; at least one chamber (5) located between the inner body (2) and the barrier (4).

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the door is used in a washing device such as a washing machine. Here, the washing liquid to be filtered passes through the inlet opening (3) and reaches the chamber (5) formed between the inner body (2) and the barrier (4). The washing liquid inside the chamber (5) is filtered by the portion of the inner body (2) with the liquid filtering function. The filtered washing liquid is sent into the washing device. Thus, it is ensured that the washing liquid in the washing device is filtered practically and reliably and purified from foreign substances.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion of the inner body (2) with the liquid filtering function is a surface of the inner body (2) away from the outer body (1) (for example, the surface forming the base of the basin-shape). Here, thanks to the filtering function of said large surface, the washing liquid can be filtered effectively. Here, preferably the entire inner body (2) is capable of filtering liquid. Thus, the washing liquid entering the chamber (5) can be filtered quickly and effectively.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion of the inner body (2) with the liquid filtering function comprises a plurality of holes. In this embodiment, said holes preferably have a width of micrometers. Thus, filtering can be carried out by preventing the passage of lint and solid foreign substances adhering to the laundry through the holes, while allowing the passage of the washing liquid therethrough. In an alternative embodiment, said holes have a width of millimeters. In this embodiment, in order to carry out the filtering process, the inner body (2) comprises at least one filter layer connected on the portion with the liquid filtering function. The filter layer is attached to the inner body (2), preferably by means of a fastener such as an adhesive or a hook and loop. Here, said filter layer is preferably located on a side of the inner body (2) facing the barrier (4). Thus, the washing liquid passing through the filter layer is prevented from separating the filter layer from the inner body (2). Here, said filter layer may be a knitted fabric or non-woven fabric, or it may be in the form of a grid (such as a plastic wire mesh). In line with the user's needs, the inner body (2) may also comprise a plurality of filter layers containing pores of different sizes. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner body (2) comprises a plastic material. In an alternative embodiment, the inner body (2) comprises a glass material.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the barrier (4) is removably connected to the outer body (1) or the inner body (2). Said connection may be provided by a tight fit, or said door may comprise at least one connecting element for removably connecting the barrier (4) to the outer body (1) or the inner body (2). Here, the door may comprise at least one sealing element (e.g. a gasket) in order to provide sealing between the barrier (4) and outer body (1) or inner body (2). In this embodiment, when necessary, the user can access the side of the inner body (2) facing the chamber (5) by removing said barrier (4) from the door. Thus, for example, foreign substances accumulated on the side of the inner body (2) facing the chamber (5) can be easily cleaned, and if there is a filter layer there, the filter layer can be changed or cleaned when necessary.

Yet in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner body (2) is monolithic with the outer body (1). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inner body (2) is removably connected to the outer body (1). In order to provide this connection, the door comprises at least one other connecting element for removably connecting the inner body (2) to the outer body (1). Thus, the inner body (2) can be separated from the outer body (1) and cleaned when necessary.

The present invention also provides a washing device comprising said door. The washing device (not illustrated in the figures) comprises at least one casing; at least one tub located in the casing; at least one drum located in the tub and capable of rotating with respect to the tub. The washing device further comprises at least one water inlet line for receiving washing liquid (e.g. water) from a source (e.g. mains or a tank). Said water inlet line preferably communicates into said inlet opening (3). Thus, washing liquid received from said source is passed through the portion of the inner body (2) with the liquid filtering function so as to be filtered, before being sent to the drum.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device comprises at least one circulation system for sending the washing liquid contained in a lower part of the drum to an upper part of the drum. In this embodiment, a part of the circulation system that sends the washing liquid to an upper part of the drum preferably communicates into the inlet opening (3). Thus, it is ensured that the washing liquid sent to an upper part of the drum passes through the inlet opening (3) to reach the portion of the inner body (2) with the liquid filtering function, where it is filtered and sent to the drum after being purified from said lint and solid foreign substances adhering to the laundry.

Since a portion with liquid filtering function is used in the inner body (2) of the door according to the present invention, the washing liquid received through the inlet opening (3) can be filtered effectively. Thus, lint in the washing liquid and solid foreign substances adhering to the laundry are prevented from clogging the components of the washing device, thus ensuring a longer service life for the washing device. In addition, washing efficiency is enhanced by filtering the foreign substances in the washing liquid. Furthermore, as the foreign substances containing microplastics are filtered, these substances are prevented from reaching water sources, thus protecting the environment.