Description A WASHING MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising an ozone generator.

[0002] One of the alternative washing methods implemented in washing machines is ozonated washing. The ozone gas has a significant whitening and soil removal effect besides the disinfectant effect. The laundry washed is whiter and disinfected by means of the ozone gas mixed in with the main water supply in the washing machines. Additionally, since ozone has a soil removal effect, the use of detergents and other washing agents is reduced and savings in energy consumption is realized since the washing process is carried out in lower temperature levels. With the reduction in detergent usage, washing process can be realized by using a lesser amount of water. In these implementations, ozone gas is mixed with the wash water during the washing process for the purpose of soil removal.

[0003] In the state of the art German Patent Application no. DE3232057, the explanation is given wherein the disinfection and/or sterilization effect of ozone is used during the washing process in washers such as washing machines and dishwashers. Furthermore, ozone gas is also used during the rinsing process in this application.

[0004] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application no. JP7051500, ozone gas is blown into an inner rotating drum before the cleaning process.

[0005] Particularly in washing machines, various types of bacteria are formed and grow inside the drum since laundry is disposed inside the drum and kept there. Bacteria may grow on the surfaces of the drum, tub or the detergent dispenser as a result of high level humidity surroundings such as the bathroom wherein particularly the washing machines are empkced. Laundry hygiene can be maintained in the main washing cycle by means of the detergent used in washing at high temperatures. However, in the rinsing and spin-drying cycles employed after the main washing cycle, the bacteria present in the washing machine can be transmitted onto the laundry by water and air movement in the rinsing and spin-drying cycles. Consequently, an entirely hygienic washing process cannot be maintained in the washing machines at the end of the implemented washing program,

[0006] The object of the present invention is to design a washer wherein a hygienic washing process is implemented.

[0007] The washing machine designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises an ozone

generator that is energized after the washing process is completed, providing to deliver ozone gas directly into the drum without mixing with the wash water, while the laundry is in the drum.

[0008] Consequently, ozone gas is delivered after the completion of the washing process in the washing machine, providing to eliminate the bacteria remaining on the laundry, in the drum or the tub during the processes following the main washing.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, after the washing process is completed, the drum is rotated to the right and left and the ozone generator is energized during this stage. Accordingly, the ozone gas is enabled to penetrate the laundry more effectively for a longer time period.

[0010] By means of the present invention, the bacteria are prevented from remaining on the laundry, inside the drum or the tub after the washing or spin-drying process is completed. Furthermore, the washing machine will be ready for the next washing or spin-drying process in a most hygienic manner.

[0011] The washing machine designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0012] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.

[0013] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Tub

3. Drum

4. Ozone generator

5. Control knob

[0014] The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a tub (2), a drum (3) disposed within the tub (2) and wherein the laundry to be washed is emplaced, and an ozone generator (4) that is energized when the washing process is completed, providing to deliver the ozone gas into the drum (3) without mixing with the wash water (Figure 1).

[0015] A washing program is implemented in the washing machine (1) comprised of preferably a pre-wash cycle, a main wash cycle wherein a washing process by using detergent is carried out that is followed by the rinsing and spin-drying cycles.

[0016] Since detergent and preferably hot water is used in the main washing cycle, the washed laundry is hygienic at the end of this cycle. However, detergent and hot water is not used in the rinsing and spin-drying cycles to exterminate the bacteria Therefore, the bacteria that have settled previously into the tub (2), the drum (3) or the detergent

dispenser can readily be transmitted to the drum (3) and thus onto the laundry contained in the drum (3) by the flow of water and air during the employment of these cycles. The ozone generator (4) is energized when the washing program comes to an end while the laundry is in the drum (3) and delivers the ozone gas into the drum (3). The ozone gas delivered into the drum (3) exterminates the bacteria remaining on the drum (3), tub (2) and the laundry empkced in the drum (3) after the washing program Since the drum (3) has a perforated configuration, the ozone gas transferred into the drum (3) can also diffuse into the tub (2).

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, after the washing process is completed, the drum (3) is rotated to the right and left and simultaneously the ozone generator (4) is energized during this time. Consequently, the ozone gas is enabled to penetrate the laundry more effectively and for a longer time period.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ozone generator (4) is energized after the laundry is taken out of the washing machine (1) and the door is closed at the completion of the washing program Consequently, the washing machine (1) is hy- gienically ready for the next washing program

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a control knob (5) enabling the user to energize the ozone generator (4) when desired. The control knob (5) is triggered by the user thus energizing the ozone generator (4) and ozone gas is delivered into the tub (2) and the drum (3) maintaining the hygienic state of the washing machine (1).

[0020] By means of the present invention, the bacteria previously remaining inside the tub (2), drum (3) or the detergent dispenser at the end of the washing program as a result of air and water motion are exterminated and thus the washed laundry is hygienic and also the washing machine (1) is ready to start the next washing program in a more hygienic manner.