Method of controlling a tumble laundry drier

Abstract

A laundry washing machine ( 1 ) having a wash tub ( 2 ), and an automatic device ( 3 ) for dispensing and metering at least one laundering product drawn from a respective container ( 11 ) containing a sufficient amount of product for numerous wash cycles; wherein the device ( 3 ) has at least one inlet ( 5 ) for the product, a water circuit ( 4 ) closed by the tub ( 2 ), and product metering means ( 6 ) interposed between the inlet ( 5 ) and the circuit ( 4 ) to inject a measured amount of product into the circuit ( 4 ) when water flows along the circuit ( 4 ).

1 ) A laundry washing machine comprising a wash tub ( 2 ), and an automatic dispensing and metering device ( 3 ) for dispensing and metering at least one laundering product drawn from a respective container ( 11 ) containing a sufficient amount of product for numerous wash cycles; the machine ( 1 ) being characterized in that said dispensing and metering device ( 3 ) comprises an inlet ( 5 ) for the product; a water circuit ( 4 ) closed by the tub ( 2 ); and product metering means ( 6 ) interposed between the inlet ( 5 ) and the circuit ( 4 ) to inject a measured amount of product into the circuit ( 4 ) when water flows along the circuit ( 4 ). 
   
   
       2 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet ( 5 ) is defined by a fast-fit connector to the container ( 11 ). 
   
   
       3 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the circuit ( 4 ) comprises a mixer ( 21 ) communicating with an outlet of the product metering means ( 6 ) via first valve means ( 20 ;  39 ); and a delivery branch ( 7 ) and a return branch ( 8 ), which are connected to each other at one end by the tub ( 2 ), and at the other end by the mixer ( 21 ). 
   
   
       4 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first valve means comprise a first one-way valve ( 20 ;  39 ) calibrated to allow the product into the mixer ( 21 ). 
   
   
       5 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 3  or  4 , wherein the delivery branch ( 7 ) and the return branch ( 8 ) communicate with the mixer ( 21 ) via second valve means ( 22 ,  23 ). 
   
   
       6 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the second valve means ( 22 ,  23 ) comprise a second one-way valve ( 22 ) calibrated to allow water flow to the mixer ( 21 ); and a third one-way valve ( 23 ) calibrated to allow outflow of a water and product mixture from the mixer ( 21 ). 
   
   
       7 ) A machine as claimed in one of  claims 3  to  6 , wherein the dispensing and metering device ( 3 ) comprises a first pump ( 9 ) along the delivery branch ( 7 ). 
   
   
       8 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the dispensing and metering device ( 3 ) comprises a two-position valve ( 10 ) located along the delivery branch ( 7 ), downstream from the first pump ( 9 ). 
   
   
       9 ) A machine as claimed in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the metering means ( 6 ) comprise a second pump ( 17 ) having an inlet communicating with the container ( 11 ), and an outlet communicating with the circuit ( 4 ). 
   
   
       10 ) A machine as claimed in  claims 3  and  9 , wherein the first valve means ( 20 ) are located between the mixer ( 21 ) and the outlet of the second pump ( 17 ) to allow the product into the mixer ( 21 ). 
   
   
       11 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the container ( 11 ) is a disposable container; and the metering means ( 6 ) comprise a product tank ( 14 ); the tank ( 14 ) having a mouth defining said inlet ( 5 ) and communicating, in use, with the relative container ( 11 ). 
   
   
       12 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a tap ( 15 ) is fitted to the inlet ( 5 ) to connect the container ( 11 ) in fluidtight manner to the tank ( 14 ). 
   
   
       13 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the tap ( 15 ) has a valve normally set to a closed position, and which can be set manually to an open position. 
   
   
       14 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 13 , and comprising a hand-operated lever ( 16 ) for moving the valve into the open position. 
   
   
       15 ) A machine as claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  14 , wherein the second pump ( 17 ) is time-controlled. 
   
   
       16 ) A machine as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the metering means ( 6 ) comprise a hydropneumatic metering device ( 31 ). 
   
   
       17 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hydropneumatic metering device ( 31 ) comprises a compressor ( 34 ); a cylinder ( 32 ); and a piston ( 33 ) sliding inside the cylinder ( 32 ) and comprising a first end portion, which is fitted in fluidtight manner to the cylinder ( 32 ) and divides the cylinder ( 32 ) internally into a first chamber communicating with an outlet of the compressor ( 34 ), and a second chamber housing a return spring ( 35 ) of the piston ( 33 ). 
   
   
       18 ) A machine as claimed in  claims 3  and  17 , wherein the piston ( 33 ) comprises a second end portion outside the cylinder ( 32 ) and defining a movable wall of a variable-volume chamber ( 36 ) interposed between the container ( 11 ) and the mixer ( 21 ). 
   
   
       19 ) chine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the variable-volume chamber ( 36 ) communicates with the container ( 11 ) via a calibrated fourth one-way valve ( 37 ), which allows intake of the product by suction into the variable-volume chamber ( 36 ), when the volume of the variable-volume chamber ( 36 ) is increased by displacement of the piston ( 33 ). 
   
   
       20 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the first valve means ( 39 ) are located between the mixer ( 21 ) and the variable-volume chamber ( 36 ) to allow into the mixer ( 21 ) the product expelled from the variable-volume chamber ( 36 ) when the volume of the variable-volume chamber ( 36 ) is reduced by return displacement of the piston ( 33 ). 
   
   
       21 ) A machine as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, and comprising at least two inlets ( 5 ) connected to respective metering means ( 6 ). 
   
   
       22 ) A machine as claimed in  claims 3  and  21 , wherein said at least two metering means ( 6 ) are connected in parallel to the mixer ( 21 ). 
   
   
       23 ) A machine as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, and comprising a pull-out drawer ( 12 ) housing the container ( 11 ). 
   
   
       24 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the drawer ( 12 ) also houses at least part of said metering means ( 6 ).