Washing appliance

Abstract

A washing appliance ( 2 ) is provided which is comprised of a dedicated reservoir ( 6 ) for the washing appliance ( 2 ), the reservoir ( 16 ) having an inlet ( 12 ) to allow inflow of water and an outlet ( 17 ) to enable outflow of water, and at least one heat exchange means ( 10 ) characterised in that at least one heat exchange means ( 10 ) is adapted and configured to transfer ambient energy outside the reservoir ( 6 ) into the reservoir ( 6 ).

1 . A washing appliance comprising a dedicated reservoir for the washing appliance, the reservoir having an inlet to allow inflow of water and an outlet to enable outflow of water, and at least one heat exchanger to transfer ambient energy outside the reservoir into the reservoir. 
     
     
         2 . An appliance according to  claim 1  in which at least one heat exchanger comprises an energy converter. 
     
     
         3 . An appliance according to  claim 2  in which the converter means comprises a photo voltaic cell. 
     
     
         4 . An appliance according to  claim 1  in which at least one heat exchanger comprises an inlet arranged to receive a flow of energy-conveying medium from an energy-emitting apparatus remote from the appliance, and an outlet arranged to release the flow of energy-conveying medium once heat energy has transferred into the reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . An appliance according to  claim 1  in which at least one heat exchanger is arranged to transfer heat energy from a source internal of the washing appliance to the water in the reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . An appliance according to  claim 5  which further comprises a motor and in which at least one heat exchanger is arranged and configured to transfer heat energy generated by operation of the motor into the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . An appliance according to  claim 1  in which the reservoir is arranged and configured to act as a ballast to the washing appliance. 
     
     
         8 . An appliance according to  claim 1  in which the appliance further comprises an outer casing with a base, at least one side wall, and a top, within which are located a receptacle for items to be laundered, and an agitator of said items; in which the receptacle is a drum with a curved side wall and first and second end walls, a side wall is provided with a port through which an end portion of the drum may reversibly travel between a first withdrawn position and a second extended position, the distance of travel of the drum out of the side wall to the extended position being sufficient to allow access to at least one aperture in the curved side wall of the drum that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the drum, said aperture is configured and dimensioned to allow insertion and removal of the items to be laundered, and the direction of travel of the drum is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum. 
     
     
         9 . An appliance according to  claim 1  in which the laundry apparatus further comprises a retainer means at least partially surrounding a receptacle for items to be laundered and the liquid receptacle is provided with a port through which an end portion of a drum may reversibly travel between a first withdrawn position and a second extended position, that port being aligned with the corresponding port in a side wall. 
     
     
         10 . A water supply system for a washing appliance comprising:
 a reservoir having an inlet to receive water and an outlet to enable flow of water therefrom for use in the appliance;   a heat exchanger configured to enable heat transfer of ambient energy outside the reservoir to water in the reservoir.   
     
     
         11 . A method of pre-heating water for a washing appliance comprising the steps of:
 providing a reservoir having an inlet to received water therefrom for use in the appliance;   providing a heat exchanger to enable heat transfer of ambient energy outside the reservoir to water in the reservoir;   substantially filling the reservoir with water at the same time as or shortly after water has been transferred to the washing appliance for use in the washing cycle.