FILTER GROUP

The present invention relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a filter group.

The laundry washing and/or drying machines comprise a drum for washing and/or drying the laundry therein. The laundry is washed by using a fluid which is a mixture of water and detergent in the drum in the washing machines and is dried by using a gaseous fluid which is preferably air in the drying machines. In order to realize a more efficient laundry washing and/or drying process the laundry is tumbled together with the drum in the drum. Fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry during these operations mix into the fluid and transferred to the next washing and/or drying step together with the fluid or discharged out of the machine together with the fluid.

In the state of the art laundry washing and/or drying machines filters are used to filter the fibers-lint mixing into the fluid. However, said filters carry out a one- step filtration operation. This causes the performance of the filtration operation to decrease in time due to the accumulation of fibers-lint on the filter. Moreover, carrying out the filtration operation in one step with one filter results in decreasing the lifetime of the filter and in the replacement of the filter at certain intervals. This causes a disadvantage for the users in terms of costs.

In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US5531891, a washing machine is disclosed, comprising a filter for filtering the fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a filter group which can be used for a long time and which provides the efficient filtration of the fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry during the laundry washing and/or drying process. The laundry washing and/or drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims 2 to 11 thereof and the laundry washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in Claim 12 comprises a filter group having a filter body which is in communication with the fluid duct wherein the fluid is guided, at least one inlet port which is used in the laundry washing and/or drying process and through which the fluid such as water or air mixed with fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry in the drum during said process enters the filter body, a plurality of filters which provide the filtration of the fibers-lint in the fluid with the fluid passing therethrough respectively and which are a first filter positioned in the filter body and having holes with a certain size allowing the passage of the fluid and a second filter having holes smaller than the holes of the first filter, and at least one outlet port which provides that the fluid with the fibers- lint therein being at least partly filtered by the filters leaves the filter body and is transferred to the fluid line. The fluid which flows through the fluid line and which contains fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry enters the filter body through the inlet port. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the filter body is in the form of a hollow box. The fluid entering the filter body and continuing to flow passes first through the first filter and is cleansed of fibers-lint therein larger than the size of the holes of the first filter. The fluid then passes through the second filter and is cleansed of fibers-lint therein larger than the size of the holes of the second filter. The fluid with no fibers-lint or containing only fibers-lint smaller than the size of the holes of the second filter after leaving the second filter then leaves the filter body through the outlet port and enters the fluid line. In an embodiment of the present invention the filters in the filter body are produced from materials resistant against temperature, humidity and acidity such as polyether ether ketone, Teflon, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide. In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group comprises a first filter which has holes with a certain size and through which the fluid coming from the fluid line, entering the filter body and containing fibers-lint passes first, a second filter which has holes smaller than the holes of the first filter and through which the fluid passing through the first filter passes, and a third filter which has holes smaller than the holes of the second filter and through which the fluid passing through the second filter passes. In different embodiments of the present invention the filter group may comprise a higher number of filters. In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group comprises a first filter having holes with a size varying between 150 to 60 microns, and a second filter having holes with a size varying between 60 to 25 microns. By retaining the fibers-lint in the fluid with a plurality of filters having holes with different sizes, the amount of fibers-lint accumulating on the filters in time is shared among the filters and thus the filters are enabled to be used for a long time without getting clogged and without losing their performance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group comprises at least one bypass duct which is disposed in the filter body, which is connected to the fluid line from one end and wherein the fluid enters in case of the clogging of at least one filter and the fluid flows towards the fluid line. Thus, the pressure to be generated by the fluid which would accumulate in the filter body in case of the clogging of at least one filter is prevented from damaging the filter group and hence the laundry washing and/or drying machine.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group comprises at least one valve which is disposed on the bypass duct and which allows the fluid to flow from the filter body into the bypass duct if the pressure of the fluid in the filter body exceeds a predetermined value. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve is a one-way valve which allows only the fluid in the filter body to flow towards the bypass duct. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, said fluid pressure value is equal to a value which is possible to reach in the body as a result of the clogging of at least one of the filters. Thus, the fluid which flows through the filter body and which contains fibers-lint is prevented from entering the bypass duct when there is no clogging at the filters and from flowing through said duct and reaching the fluid line without being filtered.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group comprises at least one sterilization device which provides the killing of the microorganisms which may form in the filter body and on the filters. In an embodiment of the present invention said sterilization device is a heater, especially an infrared heater. In an embodiment of the present invention said sterilization device is a fan. In an embodiment of the present invention said sterilization device is an ultraviolet light source. By eliminating microorganisms which may form due to factors such as humidity, temperature, air and dirt in the laundry washing and/or drying machine by means of said sterilization device, the laundry washing and/or drying machine is enabled to carry out washing and/or drying operations in a more hygienic manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group comprises at least one holder which surrounds the filter. By means of the holder, the filters are placed into the filter body so as to be easily attached into/detached from the filter body. Thus, said filters can be removed from the filter body and cleaned and then mounted back into the filter body at certain intervals. Thereby, it is enabled to use the filters for a long time without replacing with new filters, providing an economic advantage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first filter and the second filter are in the form of hollow cylinders with different diameters and are concentrically placed one within the other in the filter body. In this embodiment, the filter body is preferably cylindrical. In this embodiment, the holder is also preferably cylindrical. The structure formed by the filter body and the filters is composed of three hollow cylinders concentrically placed one within the other with gaps therebetween. By means of the cylindrical form of the filters, the filters are enabled to extend along almost the entire length of the filter body, thus allowing the filtration operation to be carried out at a wider surface area. This in turn increase the filtration performance.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the diameter of the second filter is larger than the diameter of the first filter. In this embodiment, the inlet port is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap in the first filter and the outlet port is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap between the second filter and the filter body. Thus, the fluid entering the filter body passes first through the first filter and then through the second filter having holes smaller than those of the first filter to be supplied to the fluid line through the outlet port.

In another derivative of this embodiment, the diameter of the first filter is larger than the diameter of the second filter. In this embodiment, the inlet port is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap between the first filter and the filter body and the outlet port is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap in the second filter. Thus, the fluid entering the filter body passes first through the first filter with larger holes and then through the second filter having holes smaller than those of the first filter to be supplied to the fluid line through the outlet port.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first filter and the second filter have planar forms and are placed into the filter body one behind the other. In this embodiment of the present invention, the filters are preferably in the form of a square, rectangle, etc. while the holders are in the form of a square, rectangle, etc. matching the form of the filters. In this embodiment of the present invention, the filters can be flat, but may be in the form of a bag. By means of the planar form of the filters, said filters can be easily attached into/detached from the filter body.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the elements are placed into the filter body in this order: the inlet port, the first filter behind the inlet port, the second filter behind the first filter and the outlet port behind the second filter. Thus, the fluid entering the filter body passes first through the first filter with larger holes and then through the second filter having holes smaller than those of the first filter to be supplied to the fluid line through the outlet port.

In a derivative of this embodiment, at least one of the filters is placed into the filter body such that a predetermined angle except for 90 degrees is between said filter and the base of the filter body. Thus, by changing the angle of contact between the filter and the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid in the filter body can be increased or decreased.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group is integrated with a detergent dispenser of the laundry washing machine, which at least receives the detergent used for the washing process. When the user moves the detergent dispenser to put detergent into the detergent dispenser, the filter group moves together with the detergent dispenser to a position visible and easily accessible by the user. Thus, the user can observe if any one of the filters is clogged and in case of the clogging of a filter the user can easily detach the relevant filter from the filter group and then clean or replace the same.

By means of the present invention, by ensuring that the fluid used in the laundry washing and/or drying process performed in the drum and mixed with fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry during said process is passed through the filters having holes with different sizes in the filter group to be subjected to a filtration operation with a plurality of steps, the fibers-lint in the fluid are prevented from accumulating on a single filter. The amount of fibers-lint accumulating on the filters in time is shared among the filters depending on the size of the holes thereof. Thus, the filters are enabled to be used for a long time without getting clogged and without requiring replacement.

The laundry washing and/or drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention. Figure 2 - is the perspective view of an embodiment of the filter group in the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention.

Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a derivative of an embodiment of the filter group in the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention. Figure 4 - is the schematic view of another derivative of an embodiment of the filter group in the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the filter group in the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention.

Figure 6 - is the partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the filter group in the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention.

Figure 7 - is the schematic view of an embodiment of the laundry washing machine of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Laundry washing and/or drying machine

2. Body

3. Drum

4. Fluid line

5. Filter group

6. Filter body

7. Inlet port

8. First filter

9. Second filter

10. Outlet port

11. Bypass duct D. Detergent dispenser

The laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprises a body (2); a drum (3) which is disposed into the body (2) and wherein the laundry to be washed and/or dried is placed; a fluid line (4) which is in fluid communication with the drum (3) and which enables the fluid used in the washing and/or drying process to be circulated for other steps of the washing and/or drying process or to be discharged after the washing and/or drying step, and at least one filter group (5) which is in fluid communication with the fluid line (4) and which provides the retaining of the fibers-lint mixing into the fluid during the washing and/drying process. In order to perform the washing and/or drying process, first the laundry to be washed and/or dried is placed into the drum (3) and the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) is operated. In the laundry washing machines (1), the fluid, that is a liquid which is a mixture of water and preferably detergent, is supplied into the drum (3) through the fluid line (4), or in the laundry drying machines (1) the fluid, which is air, is supplied into the drum (3) through the fluid line (4) and the washing and/or drying process is performed in at least one step. After the relevant washing and/or drying step is performed, the fluid which is used to perform this step in the drum (3) is circulated by means of the fluid line (4) into the drum (3) if there is any further washing and/or drying step next, or is discharged out of the machine (1) by means of the fluid line (4) if there is no washing and/or drying step next. The fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry due to the contact of laundry items with each other in the drum (3), with the drum (3) and with the fluid mix into the fluid. Said fibers-lint have generally a length varying between 50 pm and 15 mm and a thickness of 10 pm. During the circulation or discharge of the fluid by means of the fluid line (4), said fluid is passed through the filter group (5) in fluid communication with the fluid line (4) in the machine (1) and thus the fibers-lint mixed into the fluid are enabled to be retained by the filter group (5) (Figure 1). The laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprises the filter group (5) having a filter body (6) which is in communication with the fluid duct (4), at least one inlet port (7) which allows the fluid with fibers-lint to enter the filter body (6), a plurality of filters (8, 9) which enable the fibers-lint in the fluid to be retained and which are positioned in order as a first filter (8) positioned in the filter body (6) and having holes with a certain size allowing the passage of the fluid and a second filter (9) having holes smaller than the holes of the first filter (8), and at least one outlet port (10) which provides that the fluid with the fibers-lint therein being at least partly removed by the filters (8, 9) leaves the filter body (6). The fluid which flows through the fluid line (4) and which contains fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry at least enters the filter body (6) through the inlet port (7) connected to the fluid line (4) and continues to flow through the filter body (6). While flowing the filter body (6), the fluid first passes through the first filter (8) and thus the fibers-lint in the fluid which are larger than the size of the holes of the first filter (8) are retained by the first filter (8). The fluid having fibers-lint smaller than the size of the holes of the first filter (8) then passes through the second filter (9) and thus the fibers-lint in the fluid which are larger than the size of the holes of the second filter (9) are retained by the second filter (9). The fluid with no fibers-lint therein or containing only fibers-lint smaller than the size of the holes of the second filter (9) then leaves the filter body (6) through the outlet port (10) in fluid communication with the fluid line (4) and continues to flow through the fluid line (4). By filtering the fluid in a multi-step filtration process by means of the filters (8, 9) in the filter group (5) which have holes with different sizes, the fibers-lint in the fluid are prevented from being accumulated on a single filter (8, 9) and the amount of fibers-lint to be accumulated thereon is shared among the two filters (8, 9) depending on the size of the holes thereof. Thus, the filters (8, 9) are enabled to be used for a long time without getting clogged. In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group (5) comprises at least one bypass duct (11) which is disposed in the filter body (6), which is connected to the fluid line (4) from one end and wherein the fluid enters in case of the clogging of at least one filter (8, 9) and the fluid reaches the fluid line (4). Thus, in case of the clogging of one of the filters (8, 9) the fluid which may not pass through or may hardly pass, thus pass very slowly through said filter (8, 9) is prevented from being kept and accumulated in the filter body (6), instead is enabled to be delivered to the fluid line (4) by means of the bypass duct (11). Thus, the pressure to be generated by the fluid which would accumulate in the filter body (6) is prevented from damaging the filter group (5) and hence the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group (5) comprises at least one valve (not shown in figures) which is disposed on the surface of the bypass duct (11) facing the filter body (6) and which allows the fluid in the filter body (6) to flow from the filter body (6) into the bypass duct (11) if the pressure of the fluid in the filter body (6) exceeds a predetermined value. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the pressure value of the fluid required for the fluid in the filter body (6) to flow into the bypass duct (11) by opening the valve is preferably equal to a pressure value that may be reached in the filter body (6) in case of the clogging of at least one of the filters (8, 9). Thus, the fluid which flows through the filter body (6) and which contains fibers-lint is prevented from entering the bypass duct (11) when there is no clogging at one of the filters (8, 9) and from flowing through said duct (11) and reaching the fluid line (4) without being filtered.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group (5) comprises at least one sterilization device (not shown in figures) which provides the elimination of the microorganisms which may form in the filter body (6) and on the filters (8, 9). In an embodiment of the present invention said sterilization device is a heater, especially an infrared heater. In an embodiment of the present invention said sterilization device is a fan. In an embodiment of the present invention said sterilization device is an ultraviolet light source. By eliminating microorganisms which may form due to factors such as humidity, temperature, air and dirt in the filter body (6) by means of said sterilization device, microorganisms are prevented from mixing into the fluid flowing through the filter body (6) and the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) is enabled to carry out washing and/or drying operations in a more hygienic manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter group (5) comprises at least one holder (not shown in figures) which surrounds each filter (8, 9). By means of the holder, the filters (8, 9) are placed into the filter body (6) in an easily attachable/detachable manner. Thus, said filters (8, 9) can be removed from the filter body (6) and cleaned and then mounted back into the filter body (6) at certain intervals by the user. Thereby, the filters (8, 9) are enabled to be used for a long time, providing an economic advantage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first filter (8) and the second filter (9) are in the form of hollow cylinders with different diameters and are concentrically placed one into the other in the filter body (6). In this embodiment, the filter body (6) is preferably cylindrical. By means of the cylindrical form of the filters (8, 9), the filters (8, 9) are enabled to extend along almost the entire length of the filter body (6), thus allowing the filtration operation to be carried out at a wider surface area. This in turn increase the filtration performance (Figure 2).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the diameter of the second filter (9) is larger than the diameter of the first filter (8). In this embodiment, on the filter body (6), the inlet port (7) is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap in the first filter (8) and the outlet port (10) is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap between the second filter (9) and the filter body (6). Thus, the fluid entering the filter body (6) passes first through the first filter (8) with larger holes and then through the second filter (9) having holes smaller than those of the first filter (8) to leave the filter body (6) through the outlet port (10) (Figure 3). In another derivative of this embodiment, the diameter of the first filter (8) is larger than the diameter of the second filter (9). In this embodiment, on the filter body (6), the inlet port (7) is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap between the first filter (8) and the filter body (6) and the outlet port (10) is positioned so as to be aligned with the gap in the second filter (9). Thus, the fluid entering the filter body (6) passes first through the first filter (8) with larger holes and then through the second filter (9) having holes smaller than those of the first filter (8) to leave the filter body (6) through the outlet port (10) (Figure 4).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first filter (8) and the second filter (9) have planar forms and are placed into the filter body (6) one behind the other. Thus, the filters (8, 9) can be easily attached into/detached from the filter body (6) (Figure 5).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the first filter (8) and the second filter (9) are placed into the filter body (6) so as to be in the vicinity of the inlet port (7) and of the outlet port (10) respectively. Thus, the fluid entering the filter body (6) passes first through the first filter (8) with larger holes and then through the second filter (9) having holes smaller than those of the first filter (8) to leave the filter body (6) through the outlet port (10).

In a derivative of this embodiment, at least one of the filters (8, 9) is placed into the filter body (6) such that a predetermined angle except for 90 degrees is between said filter (8, 9) and the base of the filter body (6) (Figure 6). Thus, by changing the angle of contact between the filter (8, 9) and the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid in the filter body (6) can be increased or decreased.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in the laundry washing machine (1) the filter group (5) is positioned in a detergent dispenser (D) in fluid communication with the fluid line (4) (Figure 7). In this embodiment when the user moves the detergent dispenser to put at least the detergent to be used in the washing process into the detergent dispenser (D), the filter group (5) moves together with the detergent dispenser (D) to a position visible by the user. Thus, the user can easily observe if the filters (8, 9) in the filter group (5) are clogged and in case of the clogging of any one of the filters (8, 9) the user can easily detach the relevant filter (8, 9) from the filter group (5) and then clean or replace the same.

By means of the present invention, by ensuring that the fluid, which is water or air, used in the laundry washing and/or drying process in the drum (3) and mixed with fibers-lint breaking off from the laundry during said process is passed through the filters (8, 9) having holes with different sizes in the filter group (5) to be subjected to a filtration operation with a plurality of steps, the fibers-lint in the fluid are prevented from accumulating on a single filter (8, 9). The amount of fibers-lint accumulating on the filters (8, 9) in time is shared among the filters (8, 9) depending on the size of the holes thereof. Thus, the filters (8, 9) are enabled to be used for a long time without getting clogged.