| JPH0621593 | [Name of device] Tie washboard |
| JPS58190496 | NET FOR WASHING BLANKET |
| JPH1028795 | FULLY AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE |
BISARO FRANCESCA (IT)
| WO2012028483A1 | 2012-03-08 | |||
| WO2017157768A1 | 2017-09-21 |
| EP3428336A1 | 2019-01-16 |
| CLAIMS 1) Method for treating laundry (100) in a laundry washing machine (1) comprising a control unit (10) for controlling the operations of said laundry washing machine (1), characterized by comprising the following steps: - loading laundry (100) containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber (3) of said laundry washing machine (1); - providing in said laundry treating chamber (3) a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of said cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100); - treating said laundry (100) by wetting it with said mixture at a treating temperature comprised between 5-60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes; - spinning said laundry (100) loaded within said laundry treating chamber (3) for extracting said mixture from said laundry (100), and draining said mixture outside said laundry treating chamber (3) via a draining system (4) of said laundry washing machine (1); - performing one or more rinsing phases, each of which comprising loading a rinsing liquid within said laundry treating chamber (3), wetting said laundry (100) with said rinsing liquid, spinning said laundry (100) loaded within said laundry treating chamber (3) for extracting said rinsing liquid from said laundry (100), and draining said rinsing liquid outside said laundry treating chamber (3) via said draining system (4). 2) Method, as in claim 1, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 50-80 minutes and said treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C. 3) Method, as in claim 2, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 50-75 minutes and said treating temperature is kept between 25-45°C. 4) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.002 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) and less than or equal to 0.005 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 40-50 minutes if said treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C. 5) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.002 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) and less than or equal to 0.005 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 51-80 minutes if said treating temperature is less than 20°C. 6) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.005 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) and less than or equal to 0,01 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 30-40 minutes if said treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C. 7) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.005 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) and less than or equal to 0.01 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 41-80 minutes if said treating temperature is less than 20°C. 8) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.01 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) and less than or equal to 0.03 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 20-30 minutes if said treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C. 9) Method, as one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.01 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) and less than or equal to 0.03 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 31-70 minutes if said treating temperature is less than 20°C. 10) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.03 kg and less or equal to 0.05 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), then said treating time is kept between 5-20 minutes if said treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C. 11) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein, in said step of treating said laundry (100) with said mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) is greater than 0.03 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) and less or equal to 0.05 kg, then said treating time is kept between 21-40 minutes if said treating temperature is less than 20°C. 12) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said amount of cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3), said treating time and said treating temperature are regulated in such a way that a piece of laundry containing cellulose treated with said method is subjected to a tear force reduction lower or equal to 30% compared to the same piece of laundry untreated with said method, said tear force being measured according to EN ISO 13937-1:2000. 13) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said step of loading laundry (100) containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber (3) of said laundry washing machine (1) comprises loading a prefixed amount of said laundry (100), to which correspond: - a prefixed amount of said treating agent and a prefixed amount of water in said mixture, - a prefixed value of said treating temperature, - a prefixed value of said treating time. 14) Method, as in claim 13, wherein said prefixed amount of said laundry (100) is 1 kg. 15) Method, as in claim 13 or 14, comprising, if the amount of said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded in said laundry treating chamber (3) exceeds said prefixed amount of said laundry (100), the step of: - increasing the amount of said treatment agent in said mixture with respect to said prefixed amount of said treating agent, and using said prefixed amount of water, said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and said prefixed value of said treating time, or - using said prefixed amount of said treatment agent, said prefixed amount of water, said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and increasing said treating time with respect to said prefixed value of said treating time, or - increasing the amount of said treatment agent in said mixture with respect to said prefixed amount of said treating agent, using said prefixed amount of water, said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and increasing said treating time with respect to said prefixed value of said treating time or - increasing the amount of said treatment agent in said mixture with respect to said prefixed amount of said treating agent, increasing the amount of water in said mixture with respect to said prefixed amount of water, using said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and increasing said treating time with respect to said prefixed value of said treating time. 16) Method, as in claim 13 or 14 or 15, comprising, if the amount of said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded in said laundry treating chamber (3) is lower than said prefixed amount of said laundry (100), the step of: - using said prefixed amount of said treating agent, increasing the amount of said water with respect to said prefixed amount of water, using said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and said prefixed value of said treating time, or - using said prefixed amount of said treatment agent, said prefixed amount of water, said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and reducing said treating time with respect to said prefixed value of said treating time, or - using said prefixed amount of said treating agent, increasing the amount of said water with respect to said prefixed amount of water, using said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and reducing said treating time with respect to said prefixed value of said treating time or - decreasing the amount of said treating agent with respect to said prefixed amount of said treating agent, and using said prefixed amount of water, said prefixed value of said treating temperature, and said prefixed value of said treating time. 17) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said mixture comprises from 7 to 13 litres of water per kilogram of said laundry (100). 18) Method, as in claim 17, wherein said mixture comprises 10 litres of water per kilogram of said laundry (100). 19) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said cellulase enzyme contains a percentage of ENDO- cellulase, and a lower percentage of ESO-Cellulase. 20) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein the pH of said mixture is comprised between 3 and 6.5. 21) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said one or more rinsing phases comprise two rinsing phases. 22) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said laundry (100) contains one or more vegetal fibres, alone or in combination with other fibres. 23) Method, as in claim 22, wherein said one or more vegetal fibres comprise one or more of the following fibres: cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus. 24) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said step of providing in said laundry treating chamber (3) a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of said cellulase enzyme within said laundry treating chamber (3) ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100) comprises the following steps: - providing an amount of said treating agent within a chamber (5) of a treating agent dispensing device (6) of said laundry washing machine (1) which is fluidly connected to said laundry treating chamber (3) via a treating agent supply conduit (7); - mixing at least a part of said amount of said treating agent with water for obtaining said mixture. 25) Method, as in claim 24, wherein said step of mixing at least a part of said amount of said treating agent with water is performed within said chamber (5) and/or within said treating agent supply conduit (7) and/or within said laundry treating chamber (3). 26) Method, as in claim 24 or 25, wherein said step of providing an amount of said treating agent within a chamber (5) of a treating agent dispensing device (6) comprises loading within said chamber (5) a package of said treating agent pre dosed for a specific amount of said laundry (100), or a water- soluble container that contains an amount of said treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of said laundry (100). 27) Method, as in claim 24 or 25, wherein said treating agent dispensing device (6) is an automatic dosing device, and said chamber (5) is dimensioned to store an amount of said treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said step of providing an amount of said treating agent within a chamber (5) of a treating agent dispensing device (6) comprises loading within said chamber (5) an amount of said treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to one or more of the previous claims. 28) Method as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said laundry washing machine (1) comprises and/or is operatively connected to an acquiring system (11, 12, 12a 14) operatively connected to said control unit (10) and configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), wherein said method comprises the step of acquiring, by said acquiring system (11, 12, 12a, 14), load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), and performing one or more subsequent steps of said method depending on said acquired load amount information. 29) Method, as in claim 28, wherein said step of acquiring, by said acquiring system (11, 12, 12a, 14), load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), is performed before said step of providing in said laundry treating chamber (3) a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme in an amount raging between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of said laundry (100), and wherein the amount of said treating agent in said mixture is selected based on said acquired load amount information. 30) Method, as in claim 28 or 29, wherein said laundry washing machine (1) comprises a warning issuing device (13) operatively connected to said control unit (10), wherein said method comprises, after said step of acquiring, by said acquiring system (11, 12, 12a, 14), load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), a step of issuing, by said warning issuing device (13), a warning signal if said load amount information indicates that the amount of said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) exceeds a prefixed value. 31) Method, as in claim 28 or 29 or 30, wherein said load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) is or comprises the value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), wherein said step of acquiring, by said acquiring system (11, 12, 12a, 14), load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) is performed after said step of loading laundry (100) containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber (3) of said laundry washing machine (1) and comprises acquiring, by said acquiring system (11), said value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3). 32) Method, as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said laundry washing machine (1) comprises or is operatively connected to a user interface (12, 12a, 14) operatively connected to said control unit (10) and configured for allowing a user to input laundry information related to said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), wherein said method comprises the step of inputting, via said user interface (12, 12a, 14), laundry information related to said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), and performing one or more of the subsequent steps of said method depending on said input laundry information. 33) Method, as in claim 32, comprising storing said input laundry information related to said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), in a memory unit (101) comprised in, or operatively connected to, said control unit (10). 34) Method, as in claim 32 or 33, comprising issuing a message via said user interface (12, 12a, 14) depending on said laundry information related to said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), input via said user interface (12, 12a, 14). 35) Method, as in claim 32 or 33 or 34, wherein said laundry information related to said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) comprises one or more of the following pieces of information: - a piece of information indicative of the weight of said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3); - a piece of information indicative of the type of laundry loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3); - a piece of information indicative of the fact that said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) has already been treated or not by a method according to one or more of the previous claims; - a piece of information indicative of the fact that said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) has already been worn or not. 36) Method, as in one or more of claims 28 to 30, and in claim 35, wherein said acquiring system (11, 12, 12a, 14) comprises said user interface (12, 12a, 14), and wherein said laundry information related to said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) comprises said piece of information indicative of the weight of said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), wherein said load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3) acquired in said step of acquiring, by said acquiring system (11, 12, 12a, 14), load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), is or comprises said piece of information indicative of the weight of said laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), input via said user interface (12, 12a, 14). 37) Method, as in claim 32 or in a claim depending on claim 32, wherein said user interface (12, 12a, 14) comprises a static user interface (12a) attached to a casing (2) of said laundry washing machine (1) and operatively connected to said control unit (10), wherein said method is controlled and/or configured via said static user interface (12a). 38) Method, as in claim 32 or in a claim depending on claim 32, wherein said user interface (12, 12a, 14) comprises a remote user interface (14), operatively connected or connectable to said control unit (10) in such a way to allow remotely controlling and/or configuring said laundry washing machine (1), wherein said method is controlled and/or configured via said remote user interface (14). 39) Method, as in claim 38 wherein said remote user interface (14) is operatively connected to said control unit (10) of said laundry washing machine (1) directly, and/or via a remote server (15) to which said control unit (10) of said laundry washing machine (1) and said remote user interface (14) are operatively connected or connectable. 40) Laundry washing machine (1) comprising: - a control unit (10) for controlling its operations, - a laundry treating chamber (3), wherein laundry (100) and a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme can be loaded, - a draining system (4) for draining liquid outside said laundry treating chamber (3), - a treating agent dispensing device (6) provided with a chamber (5) wherein an amount of said treating agent can be loaded, characterized in that it comprises a program, stored in a memory unit (101) comprised or operatively connected to said control unit (10), which is loaded or loadable in said control unit (10), and according to which said control unit (10) controls said laundry washing machine (1) for performing a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 27. 41) Laundry washing machine (1), according to claim 40, wherein said treating agent dispensing device (6) is an automatic dosing device, and said chamber (5) is dimensioned to store an amount of said treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 39. 42) Laundry washing machine (1), according to claim 40 or 41, comprising or being operatively connected to an acquiring system (11, 12, 12a, 14) operatively connected or connectable to said control unit (20) and configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), wherein said program stored in said memory unit (101) provides that said control unit (10) controls said laundry washing machine (1) for performing a method according to one or more of claims from 28 to 31. 43) Laundry washing machine (1), according to one or more of claims 40 to 42, comprising or being operatively connected or connectable to a user interface (12, 12a, 14) operatively connected or connectable to said control unit (10) and configured for allowing a user to input information related to the laundry (100) loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber (3), wherein said program provides that said control unit (10) controls said laundry washing machine (1) for performing a method according to one or more of claims from 32 to 39. 44) Laundry washing machine (1), as in claim 43, wherein said user interface (12, 12a, 14) comprises a static user interface (12a) attached to a casing (2) of said laundry washing machine (1) and operatively connected to said control unit (10). 45) Laundry washing machine (1), as in claim 43 or 44, wherein said user interface (12, 12a, 14) comprises a remote user interface (14), operatively connected or connectable to said control unit (10) in such a way to allow remotely controlling and/or configuring said laundry washing machine (1). 46) Laundry washing machine (1), according to one or more of claims 40 to 45, wherein said control unit (10) is connected or connectable to a computer network (16), and wherein a program according to which said control unit (10) controls said laundry washing machine (1) for performing said method according to one or more of claims 1 to 39 is downloaded in said memory unit (101) from said computer network (16). 47) Laundry washing machine (1), according to claim 46 when depending on claim 43 or 44, or 45, wherein the download of said program from said computer network (16) is activated and/or controlled by said user interface (12). 48) Laundry washing machine (1), according to claim 47 when depending on claim 45, wherein the download of said program from said computer network (16) is activated and/or controlled by said remote user interface (14). 49) Laundry washing machine (1), according to one or more of claims 40 to 48, wherein a pre-stored program according to which said control unit (10) controls said laundry washing machine (1) for performing said method according to one or more of claims 1 to 39 is pre-stored in said memory unit (101). 50) Laundry washing machine (1), according to claim 49, wherein said pre-stored program is already available to a user when said laundry washing machine (1) leaves the factory. 51) Laundry washing machine (1), according to claim 49, wherein said pre-stored program is made available to a user only after receiving an unlocking instruction. |
DESCRIPTION
The present invention refers to a method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine, and to a laundry washing machine configured for implementing such a method.
Nowadays it is known that laundry items containing cellulose, e.g. vegetal fibres like, for example, cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus, etcetera, tends over time to deteriorate due to wearing, washing, and drying.
In particular, it is known that the fibers of the external surface of laundry items containing cellulose, due to abrasion, washing, and drying, tends to break and tangle, forming small spherical bundles, called "pills", that make the colour less bright and the surface of the laundry less homogeneous. Such a surface defect is typically called "pilling", and it is generally considered undesirable.
In order to remove the pills from the laundry, it is known using the so called "fabric shavers" (also known as a lint shavers or fuzz removers), which are handheld electrical devices having rotating blades underneath a blade net; when the net is held against a piece of laundry to be treated, the pills go through the openings of the net, and they are sliced by the moving blades.
A drawback of these known solutions is that the removal of the pilling using a fabric shaver must be executed manually, and it commits the user for a lot of time, which increases with the number of laundry items to be treated. Furthermore, the cutting action of the fabric shaver may be effective only with pills of a certain dimension, in general a great dimension, that allows the shaver blades to engage them. Thinner pills are not engaged by said blades and therefore they may grow up to form visible pills thereby requiring another shaving operation by the user.
In addition, the blades of the fabric shavers, whose action depends also from the pressure exerted by a user on the laundry surface, can damage also the surface of the laundry creating a number of broken fibres that form a further source for future pilling formation. Also, since the pilling removal using a fabric shaver is a manual activity, there is the risk that the user can run the shaver more than once in the same region of a piece of laundry, or that he/she does not run the shaver in one or more regions, which compromises the uniformity of the pilling removal.
In known detergents used for washing laundry articles in a washing machine, a little amount of cellulase may be part of the chemical composition. The amount of cellulase is however so little not to produce any effective pilling removal after a single washing treatment, but rather to preserve the laundry article fibres that have to undergo many, and even frequent, washing treatments.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a way for removing pilling from laundry containing cellulose which requires few manual activity and, in particular, less manual activity with respect to a pilling removal using a fabric shaver.
A further aim of the present invention is to provide a solution for appreciably removing pills from a laundry article with just a single treatment.
Within these aims, a further object of the invention is to provide a way for removing pilling from laundry containing cellulose which reduces the risk of damaging the laundry during the removal of the pilling.
Another object of the invention is to provide a way for removing pilling from laundry containing cellulose which allows obtaining a substantially uniform pilling removal, or at least more uniform than the pilling removal obtained using a fabric shaver.
A further object of the invention is reducing the time required for removing the pilling from a plurality of laundry items with respect to the time required using a fabric shaver.
Applicant has found that, by treating laundry in a laundry washing machine with a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber of the laundry washing machine ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry, at a temperature comprised between 5-60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes, the cellulase enzyme effectively removes the pilling from the laundry, requiring only very few activity to the user.
It is known, in fact, that "cellulase enzyme", or simply "cellulase" is an enzyme that catalyses the cellulolysis process, i.e. the decomposition of cellulose and of some related polysaccharides; the name "cellulase" comprises several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans, and it is also used for any naturally occurring mixture or complex of various such enzymes that act serially or synergistically to decompose cellulosic material.
The specific ranges of cellulase concentration, temperature, and treating time, according to the invention, allow the laundry washing machine to effectively and uniformly remove the pilling from the laundry, reducing the risk that the laundry can be damaged during the removal, as it can happen using a fabric shaver.
In particular, above aim and objects are solved by a method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine comprising a control unit for controlling the operations of such a laundry washing machine, wherein the laundry washing machine comprises the following steps:
- loading laundry containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber of the laundry washing machine;
- providing in the laundry treating chamber a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry;
- treating the laundry by wetting it with the mixture at a treating temperature comprised between 5-60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes;
- spinning the laundry loaded within the laundry treating chamber for extracting the mixture from the laundry, and draining the mixture outside the laundry treating chamber via a draining system of the laundry washing machine;
- performing one or more rinsing phases, each of which comprising loading a rinsing liquid within the laundry treating chamber, wetting the laundry with the rinsing liquid, spinning the laundry loaded within the laundry treating chamber for extracting the rinsing liquid from the laundry, and draining the rinsing liquid outside the laundry treating chamber via the draining system.
It is underlined that in the present application, when it is said that a certain physical entity is comprised between two end values, such end values are included in the range, or, in other words, the physical entity can take also one of the end values.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 50-80 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 50-75 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 25-45°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry and less than or equal to 0.005 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 40-50 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry and less than or equal to 0.005 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 51-80 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.005 kg per kilogram of laundry and less than or equal to 0,01 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 30-40 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.005 kg per kilogram of said laundry and less than or equal to 0.01 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 41-80 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.01 kg per kilogram of laundry and less than or equal to 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 20-30 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.01 kg per kilogram of said laundry and less than or equal to 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 31-70 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.03 kg and less or equal to 0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry, then the treating time is kept between 5-20 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, in the step of treating the laundry with the mixture, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber is greater than 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry and less or equal to 0.05 kg, then the treating time is kept between 21-40 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber, the treating time and the treating temperature are regulated in such a way that a piece of laundry containing cellulose treated with the method is subjected to a tear force reduction lower or equal to 30% compared to the same piece of laundry untreated with said method, said tear force being measured according to EN ISO 13937- 1:2000.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the step of loading laundry containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber of the laundry washing machine comprises loading a prefixed amount of laundry, to which correspond:
- a prefixed amount of treating agent and a prefixed amount of water in the mixture,
- a prefixed value of the treating temperature,
- a prefixed value of the treating time.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the amount of laundry is 1 kg.
In an advantageous embodiment, the method comprises, if the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded in the laundry treating chamber exceeds the prefixed amount of laundry, the step of:
- increasing the amount of treatment agent in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, and using the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and the prefixed value of the treating time, or
- using the prefixed amount of treatment agent, the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and increasing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time, or - increasing the amount of treatment agent in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, using the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and increasing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time or
- increasing the amount of treatment agent in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, increasing the amount of water in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of water, using the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and increasing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the method comprises, if the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded in the laundry treating chamber is lower than the prefixed amount of laundry (100), the step of:
- using the prefixed amount of treating agent, increasing the amount of water with respect to the prefixed amount of water, using the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and the prefixed value of the treating time, or
- using the prefixed amount of treatment agent, the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and reducing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time, or
- using the prefixed amount of the treating agent, increasing the amount of the water with respect to the prefixed amount of water, using the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and reducing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time or - decreasing the amount of the treating agent with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, and using the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and the prefixed value of said the time.
Preferably, the mixture comprises from 7 to 13 litres of water per kilogram of laundry.
More preferably, the mixture comprises 10 litres of water per kilogram of laundry.
Advantageously, the cellulase enzyme contains a percentage of ENDO-cellulase, and a lower percentage of ESO-Cellulase.
Advantageously, the pH of the mixture is comprised between 3 and 6.5.
Advantageously, the one or more rinsing phases comprise two rinsing phases.
Preferably, the laundry contains one or more vegetal fibres, alone or in combination with other fibres.
More preferably, the one or more vegetal fibres comprise one or more of the following fibres: cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry comprises the following steps:
- providing an amount of treating agent within a chamber of a treating agent dispensing device of the laundry washing machine which is fluidly connected to the laundry treating chamber via a treating agent supply conduit;
- mixing at least a part of the amount of treating agent with water for obtaining the mixture.
Advantageously, the step of mixing at least a part of the amount of treating agent with water is performed within the chamber and/or within the treating agent supply conduit and/or within the laundry treating chamber.
Advantageously, the step of providing an amount of treating agent within a chamber of a treating agent dispensing device comprises loading within the chamber a package of treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of laundry), or a water-soluble container that contains an amount of treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of laundry.
In an advantageous embodiment, the treating agent dispensing device is an automatic dosing device, and the chamber is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention, wherein the step of providing an amount of treating agent within a chamber of a treating agent dispensing device comprises loading within the chamber an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention.
In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry washing machine comprises and/or is operatively connected to an acquiring system operatively connected to the control unit and configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the method comprises the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, and performing one or more subsequent steps of the method depending on the acquired load amount information.
In an advantageous embodiment, the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, is performed before the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme in an amount raging between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry), and wherein the amount of treating agent in the mixture is selected based on the acquired load amount information.
In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry washing machine comprises a warning issuing device operatively connected to the control unit, wherein the method comprises, after the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, a step of issuing, by the warning issuing device, a warning signal if the load amount information indicates that the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber exceeds a prefixed value.
Advantageously, the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber is or comprises the value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber is performed after the step of loading laundry containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber of the laundry washing machine and comprises acquiring, by the acquiring system, the value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry loaded into the laundry treating chamber.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine comprises or is operatively connected to a user interface operatively connected to the control unit and configured for allowing a user to input laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the method comprises the step of inputting, via the user interface, laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, and performing one or more of the subsequent steps of the method depending on the input laundry information.
Advantageously, the method comprises storing the input laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, in a memory unit comprised in, or operatively connected to, the control unit.
Advantageously the method comprises issuing a message via the user interface depending on the laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, input via the user interface.
Advantageously, the laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber comprises one or more of the following pieces of information:
- a piece of information indicative of the weight of the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber;
- a piece of information indicative of the type of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber;
- a piece of information indicative of the fact that the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber has already been treated or not by a method according to one or more of the previous claims;
- a piece of information indicative of the fact that the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber has already been worn or not.
In an advantageous embodiment, the acquiring system comprises the user interface, and the laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber comprises the piece of information indicative of the weight of the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber acquired in the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, is or comprises the piece of information indicative of the weight of the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, input via the user interface.
In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface comprises a static user interface attached to a casing of the laundry washing machine and operatively connected to the control unit, wherein the method is controlled and/or configured via the static user interface.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the user interface comprises a remote user interface, operatively connected or connectable to the control unit in such a way to allow remotely controlling and/or configuring the laundry washing machine, wherein the method is controlled and/or configured via the remote user interface.
Advantageously, the remote user interface is operatively connected to the control unit of the laundry washing machine directly, and/or via a remote server to which the control unit of the laundry washing machine and the remote user interface are operatively connected or connectable.
A further aspect of the invention relates a laundry washing machine comprising:
- a control unit for controlling its operations,
- a laundry treating chamber, wherein laundry and a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme can be loaded,
- a draining system for draining liquid outside the laundry treating chamber,
- a treating agent dispensing device provided with a chamber wherein an amount of treating agent can be loaded, wherein the laundry washing machine comprises a program, stored in a memory unit comprised or operatively connected to the control unit, which is loaded or loadable in the control unit, and according to which the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing a method according to the invention.
Advantageously, the treating agent dispensing device is an automatic dosing device, and the chamber is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine comprises or is operatively connected to an acquiring system operatively connected or connectable to the control unit and configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the program stored in the memory unit provides that the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing a method according to the invention.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine comprises or is operatively connected or connectable to a user interface operatively connected or connectable to the control unit and configured for allowing a user to input information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the program provides that the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing a method according to the invention.
In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface comprises a static user interface attached to a casing of the laundry washing machine and operatively connected to the control unit).
In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface comprises a remote user interface, operatively connected or connectable to the control unit in such a way to allow remotely controlling and/or configuring the laundry washing machine.
In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit is connected or connectable to a computer network, wherein a program according to which the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing the method according to the invention is downloaded in the memory unit from the computer network.
Preferably, the download of the program from the computer network is activated and/or controlled by the user interface.
More preferably, the download of the program from the computer network is activated and/or controlled by the remote user interface.
In a further advantageous embodiment, a pre-stored program according to which the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing the method according to the invention is pre-stored in the memory unit.
In an advantageous embodiment, the pre-stored program is already available to a user when the laundry washing machine leaves the factory.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the pre-stored program is made available to a user only after receiving an unlocking instruction.
It is underlined that in the present application, stating that a program is "available to the user" means that the user can access such a program for launching and optionally setting it; on the contrary, stating that a program is "not available to the user", means that the user can't launch the program, for example because it is not included among a list of possible programs listed in the user interface, or because it is included in the list, but not selectable, etcetera.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will be clear from the following detailed description, provided only as a not limitative example, in which:
Figure 1 is schematic lateral cross section of a laundry washing machine according to the invention while performing the method according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic frontal view of the laundry washing machine of figure 1, operatively connected to a remote user interface and to a remote server.
In the figures, same parts are indicated with the same reference numbers.
In attached figures, an example of laundry washing machine according to the invention in which a method according to the invention can be implemented is identified by number 1.
The laundry washing machine 1 comprises a casing, or cabinet, 2, preferably parallelepiped, advantageously configured to be positioned on a horizontal surface 20, for example the floor of a building, preferably by suitable feet 21, one or more of which can have, advantageously, an adjustable height, so as to adapt to a possible not perfect planarity of the horizontal surface 20.
The laundry washing machine 1 comprises a laundry treating chamber 3, mounted within the casing 2, wherein laundry 100 to be treated can be loaded, advantageously via an access opening, not illustrated, obtained in the casing 2 and selectively closable by a loading/unloading door 22, preferably hinged to the casing 2.
Advantageously, the laundry treating chamber 3 comprises a washing tub 30, preferably suspended to the casing 2 through springs 31 and dampers 32, in which a drum 33, preferably substantially cylindrical, is rotatably contained; the drum 33 rotates around a rotation axis 333.
Advantageously, like in the example of attached figures, the laundry washing machine 1 can be of the "horizontal axis type", i.e. the rotation axis 333 is horizontal or substantially horizontal; it is however clear that the invention can be applied, without any substantial modification, also to laundry washing machines of the "vertical axis" type, in which the rotation axis 333 is substantially vertical, and also to washer- driers (i.e. a washing machines provided also with a drying circuit adapted to blow hot air within the laundry treating chamber 3, so as to dry the laundry contained therein), both of the "horizontal axis" and of the "vertical axis" type.
The drum 33 is preferably provided with a rotating shaft 35, advantageously protruding from its rear wall 36, and preferably supported by one or more bearings, not illustrated, provided preferably in the rear wall 37 of the washing tub 30; the shaft 35, and therefore the drum 33, is preferably rotated by an electric motor 38, preferably, but not necessarily, fixed directly to the rear wall 37 of the washing tub 30, or connected to the shaft 35 by a belt-pulley assembly, not illustrated.
Advantageously, the drum 33 comprises one or more lifters 34, protruding from its inner lateral surface.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a water inlet circuit 50 adapted to feed water into the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. into the washing tub 30); the water inlet circuit 50 can advantageously comprise a water pipe 8, fluidly connected or connectable to the water mains of a building (not illustrated), and fluidly connected, directly, or, more preferably, via one or more further components, like for example in the advantageous embodiment illustrated in attached figures, to the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. to the internal of the washing tub 30).
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a treating agent dispensing device 6 having a chamber 5 wherein a treating agent (e.g. a detergent, a softener, or another substance or mixture of substances for treating the laundry) can be loaded; the chamber 5 is fluidly connected to the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. to the internal of the washing tub 30) via a treating agent supply conduit 7.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the treating agent dispensing device 6 is part of the water inlet circuit 50, and it is fluidly connected to the water pipe 8 in such a way that water coming from the water pipe 8 enters the chamber 5, removes and mixes with the treating agent contained therein, and goes to the laundry treating chamber 3 via the treating agent supply conduit 7.
In an advantageous embodiment, the treating agent dispensing device 6 comprises a system, not illustrated, for piercing, or anyway opening, a package of treating agent pre dosed for a specific amount of laundry (for example a so called "detergent pod") loaded into the chamber 5, so as to allow the pre-dosed agent to come out from the package; suck a system can comprise, for example, a needle, a water jet, etcetera, not illustrated.
In an advantageous embodiment, like for example in the one illustrated in attached figures, the agent dispensing device 6 can be mounted in a drawer 61, removably associated to the casing
2.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the treating agent dispensing device 6 is an automatic dosing device, and the chamber 5 is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a treating program or cycle (i.e. a sequence of steps for treating laundry).
The laundry washing machine 1 comprises also a a draining system 4 for draining liquid outside the laundry treating chamber 3.
The draining system 4 can comprise, advantageously, a draining conduit 41, fluidly connecting the internal of the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. the internal of the washing tub 30) to the external of the latter, which outlet can be connected, for example, to the draining system of a building, not illustrated; the draining system 4 can also comprise a draining pump 42, fluidly connected to the draining conduit 41 in such a way to drain a liquid from the internal of the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. from the internal of the washing tub 30) via the draining conduit 41.
The laundry washing machine 1 comprises a control unit 10, schematically illustrated in attached figures by a dotted rectangle, for controlling the operations of such a laundry washing machine 1; for example, the control unit 10 can be or comprise an electronic board, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etcetera.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a memory unit 101 comprised in, or operatively connected to the control unit 10, wherein information can be stored; for example, if the control unit 10 is an electronic board, the memory unit 101 can be integrated in the latter.
Advantageously, the memory unit 101 can store, or be configured to store, one or more treating programs, or simply programs, according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing one or more laundry treating steps (e.g. a washing cycle).
Advantageously, the memory unit 101 can store, or be configured to store, a program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine 1 comprises or is operatively connected to a user interface 12, operatively connected to the control unit 10 and configured for allowing a user to interact with the control unit 10; preferably, the user interface 12 is configured for allowing a user to control one or more functions of the laundry washing machine 1, for example to launch (and preferably also to set one or more parameters of) a treating program or cycle.
Preferably, the user interface 12 is configured for allowing a user to input laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3. Advantageously, the laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 can comprise one or more of the following pieces of information:
- a piece of information indicative of the weight of the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3;
- a piece of information indicative of the type of laundry (e.g. laundry made of cotton, delicate laundry, etcetera) loaded or to be loaded into the treating chamber 3;
- a piece of information indicative of the fact that the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 has already been treated or not by the method according to the invention;
- a piece of information indicative of the fact that the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 has already been worn or not.
In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface 12 is or comprises a stationary user interface 12a attached to the casing 2 of the laundry washing machine 1 and operatively connected to the control unit 10; the stationary user interface 12a can be, for example, a keyboard and/or knob and/or a display, preferably of the "touchscreen" type.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the user interface 12 is or comprises a remote user interface 14, operatively connected or connectable to the control unit 10 of the laundry washing machine 1 in such a way to allow controlling and/or configuring the laundry washing machine 1 via the remote user interface 14; in an advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention can be controlled and/or configured via the remote user interface 14.
Preferably, the remote user interface 14 is or comprises a smartphone, or a tablet, or a computer. In an advantageous embodiment, the remote user interface 14 is operatively connected to the laundry washing machine 1 directly, and/or via a remote server 15 to which the control unit 10 of the washing machine 1 and the remote user interface
14 are operatively connected or connectable; advantageously, the control unit 10 of the washing machine 1 and the remote user interface 14 can be operatively connected to the remote server
15 via a computer network 16, for example Internet.
In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface 12 is or comprises both a static user interface 12a and a remote user interface 14; in this case, preferably, the user can control the laundry washing machine 1 both via the traditional user interface 12a and via the remote user interface 14, or via only one of them.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the user interface 12 can comprise only the static user interface 12a, or only the remote user interface 14.
In an advantageous embodiment, a program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention can be downloaded in the memory unit 101 from a computer network 16, for example Internet.
In a preferred embodiment, the download of the program from the computer network 16 is activated and/or controlled by the user interface 12, more preferably by a remote user interface 14.
In a further advantageous embodiment, a pre-store program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention can be pre-stored (i.e. factory set) in the memory unit 101; in this case, the pre-stored program can be already available to the user (i.e. the user can launch it, from example by the user interface 12) when the laundry washing machine 1 leaves the factory, or it can be "hidden" (i.e. not available to the user), and made available to the user only after receiving a suitable unlocking instruction, for example a password, a PIN code, a specific sequence or combination of keys, etcetera, for example input by the user interface 12, more preferably by the remote user interface 14, if available.
In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry washing machine 1 comprises or is operatively connected to an acquiring system operatively connected to the control unit 10 and configured for acquiring load amount information (for example the weight of the laundry 100) indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
In an advantageous embodiment, the memory unit 101 is configured to store such load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
In an advantageous embodiment, the acquiring system is or comprises the user interface 12 (being it a static user interface 12a and/or a remote user interface 14), by which a user can input such load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3; preferably, in this case, the laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 comprises a piece of information indicative of the weight (e.g. the actual value of the weight, weighed for example by a balance external to the laundry washing machine 1) of the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 is or comprises the value of one or more physical entities (e.g. the weight, the maximum liquid absorption, the inertia) indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3. In this case, the acquiring system is configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3: in this case, the acquiring system can be, for example, a weight sensor 11, operatively connected to the control unit 10, provided preferably at one of the dampers 32 for sensing/detecting the weight of the laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the acquiring system can be or comprise a system, not illustrated, adapted to calculate the amount of loaded laundry from the detected amount of liquid absorbed by the latter during its treatment with a liquid, or from detected data related to the electric motor 38 (e.g. rotation speed, absorbed current, etcetera) rotating the drum 33 containing the laundry 100, etcetera.
In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit 10 is configured for performing one or more steps of the method according to the invention depending on the load amount information acquired by the acquiring system.
Advantageously, the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a warning issuing device 13, for example a buzzer and/or a warning light, operatively connected to the control unit 10, and the latter is configured for issuing a warning signal by the warning issuing device 13 if the load amount information indicates that the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 exceeds a prefixed value.
The method according to the invention can be implemented, for example, but not necessarily, in the laundry washing machine 1 previously described, which memory unit 101 comprises a program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention. Advantageously, such a program can be downloaded in the memory unit 101 from a computer network 16, for example Internet, preferably via the user interface 12, or the program can be pre stored in the memory unit 101, and it can be configured in such a way to be already available to the user when the laundry washing machine 1 leaves the factory, or in such a way to be made available to the user only after receiving a suitable unlocking instruction (for example a password, a PIN code, a specific sequence or combination of keys, etcetera), for example input by the user interface 12, more preferably by the remote user interface 14, if available.
Advantageously, once a user launches the program, for example via the user interface 12, the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing one or more steps of the method according to the invention.
The method according to the invention comprises a step of loading laundry 100 containing cellulose into the laundry treating chamber 3 of the laundry washing machine 1; advantageously, the laundry 100 is loaded, preferably manually, via the access opening, not illustrated, which is then closed, preferably manually, by the loading/unloading door 22.
The laundry 100 can comprise, for example a piece of laundry 100 (for example a jumper, a t-shirt, etcetera) containing cellulose, for example made of, or containing, cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus, etcetera, alone or in combination one another and/or with other fibres, optionally not containing cellulose.
Preferably, in the advantageous embodiment in which the laundry washing machine 1 comprises or is operatively connected to an acquiring system operatively connected to the control unit 10 and configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3, the method according to the invention can advantageously comprises the step of acquiring such information, for example the weight of the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3, before or after loading the laundry 100 into the laundry treating chamber 3, and performing one or more subsequent steps of the method depending on the acquired load amount information.
For example, in the advantageous embodiment in which the acquiring system comprises a user interface 12 (e.g. a static user interface 12a and/or a remote user interface 14), the step of acquiring such information can be performed by a user, before or after loading the laundry 100, for example by inputting the weight of such laundry 100 via the user interface 12; advantageously, the method can comprise the step of issuing a message via the user interface 12 depending on the input information (for example an alert if the input weight exceed a prefixed threshold).
In a further advantageous embodiment, in which the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 is or comprises the value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3, the step of acquiring such information has to be performed after loading the laundry 100 into the laundry treating chamber 3; for example, after loading the laundry 100 in the drum 33, the control unit 10 can calculate the laundry amount from the current absorbed by the motor 38 for obtaining a prefixed speed variation.
In the advantageous embodiment in which the laundry washing machine 1 comprises the warning issuing device 13, the method comprises, after the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3, a step of issuing a warning signal by the warning issuing device 13 if the load amount information indicates that the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 exceeds a prefixed value.
Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises the step of storing the laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 in the memory unit 101.
Advantageously, the method according to the invention comprises, after the step of loading the laundry 100 containing cellulose into the laundry treating chamber 3, the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber 3 a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry 100.
The method according to the invention comprises treating the laundry 100 by wetting it with such a mixture at a treating temperature comprised between 5-60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes.
It has been seen that by wetting laundry 100 containing cellulose with a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, at a treating temperature comprised between 5-60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes, the cellulase enzyme effectively decomposes the pilling, removing it from the laundry 100, without substantially eating away the fabric composing such laundry 100.
In particular, it has been seen that by keeping the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3, the treating temperature, and the treating time, within above ranges, it is possible to effectively remove the pilling from the laundry while keeping a good tensile strength of the laundry; in particular keeping above values within above ranges allows a piece of laundry 100 containing cellulose, after being treated with the method according to the invention, to be subjected to a tear force reduction lower or equal to 30% compared to the same piece of laundry untreated with said method, said tear force being measured according to EN ISO 13937-1:2000..
Without undue burden, the skilled person, by a series attempts, can define, within above ranges, the optimal combination of the three values (amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3, treating temperature, and treating time) effectively removing the pilling, and at the same time maximising the tensile strength of the treated laundry 100.
It has been seen that the more the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 grows towards the higher value of its range, the more the treating temperature and the treating time should decrease towards the lowest value of their respective ranges in order to effectively remove the pilling and at the same time to allow the treated piece of laundry to be subjected to a tear force reduction lower or equal to 30% compared to the same piece of laundry untreated with said method, said tear force being measured according to EN ISO 13937- 1:2000.
Similarly, it has been seen that the more the treating temperature grows towards the higher value of its range, the more the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 and the treating time should decrease towards the lowest value of their respective ranges in order to effectively remove the pilling and at the same time to allow the treated piece of laundry to be subjected to a tear force reduction lower or equal to 30% compared to the same piece of laundry untreated with said method, said tear force being measured according to EN ISO 13937-1:2000.
Again, it has been seen that the more the treating time grows towards the higher value of its range, the more the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 and the treating temperature should decrease towards the lowest value of their respective ranges in order to effectively remove the pilling and at the same time to allow the treated piece of laundry to be subjected to a tear force reduction lower or equal to 30% compared to the same piece of laundry untreated with said method, said tear force being measured according to EN ISO 13937- 1:2000.
In a preferred embodiment, the amount of treating agent in the mixture is selected based on the load amount information acquired in the step (if advantageously performed) of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber 3.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 50-80 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 50-75 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 25-45°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less than or equal to 0.005 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 40-50 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less than or equal to 0.005 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, the treating time is kept between 51-80 minutes if said treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.005 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less than or equal to 0,01 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 30-40 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.005 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less than or equal to 0.01 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 41-80 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.01 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less than or equal to 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then said treating time is kept between 20-30 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.01 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less than or equal to 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 31-70 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.03 kg and less or equal to 0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 5-20 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20- 60°C. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less or equal to 0.05 kg, then the treating time is kept between 21- 40 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the step of loading laundry 100 containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber 3 comprises loading a prefixed amount of laundry 100 (preferably 1 kilogram), to which correspond:
- a prefixed amount of treating agent and a prefixed amount of water in their mixture,
- a prefixed value of the treating temperature,
- a prefixed value of the treating time.
Preferably, if the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded in the laundry treating chamber 3 exceeds the prefixed amount of laundry 100, the method comprises the step of:
- increasing the amount of treatment agent in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, and using the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and the prefixed value of the treating time, or
- using the prefixed amount of treatment agent, the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and increasing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time, or
- increasing the amount of treatment agent in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, using the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and increasing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time or - increasing the amount of treatment agent in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, increasing the amount of water in the mixture with respect to the prefixed amount of water, using the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and increasing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time.
Advantageously, the method according to the invention comprises, if the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded in the laundry treating chamber 3 is lower than the prefixed amount of laundry 100, the step of:
- using the prefixed amount of treating agent, increasing the amount of water with respect to the prefixed amount of water, using the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and the prefixed value of the treating time, or
- using the prefixed amount of treatment agent, the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and reducing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time, or
- using the prefixed amount of treating agent, increasing the amount of water with respect to the prefixed amount of water, using the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and reducing the treating time with respect to the prefixed value of the treating time or
- decreasing the amount of treating agent with respect to the prefixed amount of treating agent, and using the prefixed amount of water, the prefixed value of the treating temperature, and the prefixed value of the treating time.
In a preferred embodiment, the mixture comprises from 7 to 13 litres of water per kilogram of laundry 100; more preferably, the mixture comprises 10 litres of water per kilogram of laundry 100.
Preferably, the cellulase enzyme contains a percentage of ENDO-cellulase, and a lower percentage of ESO-Cellulase.
Preferably, the pH of the mixture is comprised between 3 and 6.5.
In an advantageous embodiment, the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber 3 a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 comprises the following steps:
- providing an amount of treating agent within a chamber 5 of the treating agent dispensing device 6 of the laundry washing machine 1;
- mixing at least a part of the amount of treating agent with water for obtaining the mixture.
Advantageously, the step of mixing at least a part of the amount of treating agent with water is performed within the chamber 5 and/or within the treating agent supply conduit 7 and/or within the laundry treating chamber 3.
For example, in an advantageous embodiment in which the treating agent dispensing device 6 is part of the water inlet circuit 50, and it is fluidly connected to the water pipe 8 in such a way that water coming from the water pipe 8 enters the chamber 5, removes and mixes with the treating agent contained therein, and goes to the laundry treating chamber 3, after providing an amount of treating agent containing cellulase enzyme in the chamber 5 of the treating agent dispensing device 6, fresh water can be loaded from the water mains of a building into the chamber 5 via the water pipe 8; water coming from the water pipe 8 removes the treating agent from the chamber 5, mixes with such a treating agent, and then the mix goes to the laundry treating chamber 3 via the treating agent supply conduit 7.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the step of providing an amount of treating agent within the chamber 5 of the treating agent dispensing device 6 comprises loading within the chamber 5 a package of treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of laundry 100, or a water- soluble container that contains an amount of said treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of said laundry 100; for example, the treating agent can be packed in a so called "pod", in which case, preferably, it have to be opened (e.g. by piercing, for example by a suitable piercing system, not illustrated, of the laundry washing machine 1), so as to allow the pre-dosed treating agent to come out from the package.
In a further advantageous embodiment, in which the treating agent dispensing device 6 is an automatic dosing device, and the chamber 5 is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention, the loading of the treating agent does not need to be done any time that method according to the invention is performed, but it can be done only when the chamber 5 of the agent dispensing device is empty, for example after having performed two or more times the method according to the invention.
After the step of treating the laundry 100 by wetting it with the mixture at a treating temperature comprised between 5- 60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes, the method according to the invention comprises the step of spinning the laundry 100 loaded within the laundry treating chamber 3 for extracting the mixture from the laundry 100, and draining the mixture outside the laundry treating chamber 3 via the draining system 4. Then, the method comprises performing one or more rinsing phases, each of which comprises loading a rinsing liquid, for example clean water, within the laundry treating chamber 3, wetting the laundry 100 with the rinsing liquid, spinning the laundry 100 loaded within the laundry treating chamber 3 for extracting the rinsing liquid from the laundry 100, and draining the rinsing liquid outside the laundry treating chamber 3 via the draining system 4.
Preferably, the one or more rinsing phases comprise two rinsing phases.
It is seen therefore how the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects; in fact, thanks to the method according to the invention, and to the laundry washing machine implementing such a method, it is possible to effectively remove the pilling from the laundry with only few manual operations on the laundry; in fact, in order to obtain the removal or the pilling from the laundry, the only manual activities required to the user are loading the laundry in the laundry treating chamber, optionally setting one or more parameters and/or providing information via the user interface, and launching the program.
The specific ranges of cellulase concentration, temperature, and treating time, according to the invention, allow the laundry washing machine to effectively and uniformly remove the pilling from the laundry, reducing the risk that the laundry can be damaged during the removal, as it can happen using a fabric shaver.
In addition, since cellulase acts on all the laundry substantially in the same way, the pilling removal is substantially uniform in all the laundry.
Again, with the method according to the invention it is possible removing the pilling from a plurality of pieces of laundry at the same time, which reduces the overall time required for removing the pilling from such a plurality of pieces of laundry with respect to a manual removal using a fabric shaver.
NUMBERS:
1 1 aundry washing machine
2 casing or cabinet
3 laundry treating chamber
4 draining system
5 chamber
6 dispensing device
7 treating agent supply conduit
8 water pipe
10 control unit
11 weight sensor
12 user interface
12a stationary user interface
14 remote user interface
15 remote server
16 computer network
20 horizontal surface
21 feet
22 loading/unloading door
30 washing tub
31 springs
32 dampers
33 drum
34 lifters
35 rotating shaft
36 rear wall of the drum
37 rear wall of the washing tub
38 electric motor 38 41 draining conduit
42 draining pump
50 water inlet circuit 61 drawer 100 laundry
101 memory unit 333 rotation axis
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