Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02722641 2010-10-26
WO 2009/132970
PCT/EP2009/054604
1
Description
A WASHER
[0001] The present invention relates to a washer comprising electrical and
water
connectors.
[0002] In washers, water and electric are generally connected by means of a
supply line, a hose, cable etc. to an inlet port, a water intake valve, mains
box etc. on the washer.
[0003] However, as a result of both the regular practice of usage in different
countries, the variations in standards and the physical circumstances, we
see the situation of the inlet port and the mains wherefrom water and
electricity is supplied to remain at different sides of the machine. In that
case, the supply line that connects the mains and the inlet port has to go
through, under or around the washer in order to traverse the distance
therebetween.
[0004] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No JP10099255, a
dishwasher is explained wherein an outer water supply hose delivers
water from the water supply line at the rear of the machine to the water
inlet valve at the front of the machine by traveling through an additional
volume formed under the machine to reach the water inlet valve.
[0005] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No JP8252207, a
dishwasher is explained wherein an expandable, contractible hose
delivering water from the water supply line to the water inlet valve is
connected to the water intake valve by passing through the machine.
[0006] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No JP7229182, in
built-in washers, the hose and cables are integrated into a case
juxtaposed with the built-in equipment in order to prevent narrowing of
internal space due to water hose and electric cables.
[0007] In washers, in embodiments wherein the supply line passes through or
under the washer, the problem of the loss of space arises in these areas.
Whereas in embodiments where the supply line passes around the
washer, particularly in built-in washers, leaving a space between the
washer and the cupboards at the sides is required. Moreover, the supply
line passing from the outside can be exposed to external influences and
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be damaged. Furthermore, the free supply line can slip and not be properly
aligned with the inlet port.
[0008] An aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer wherein
the
electricity and water supply lines are safely secured.
[0009] The washer realized in order to attain this aim is described in the
present
patent specification.
[0009a] More particularly, and according to one aspect of the present
invention, there
is provided a washer comprising:
a body having two side walls including a rear wall and a front wall,
at least one inlet port disposed on the front wall,
at least one supply line, delivering electricity or water, with one end
connected
to a main supplying electricity or water and the other end removably
connected to the inlet port and characterized by
at least one groove disposed horizontally on at least one of the side walls,
along an entire horizontal length of the at least one side wall such that the
groove is exposed along the entire horizontal length from an outside of the at
least one side wall and within which the supply line is at least partially
emplaced.
[0009b] Other aims, aspects, embodiments, variants and/or resulting advantages
of
the present invention, all being preferred and/or optional, are briefly
summarized hereinbelow.
[0010] For example, the washer may furthermore comprise at least one groove,
disposed on at least one side wall, wherein the supply line is emplaced while
proceeding from the mains to the inlet port, safeguarding the supply line
properly and partially sheltered from the external influences without causing
loss of space.
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[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer comprises at
least one
groove each on both side walls, preferably at the portions near the floor.
Accordingly, the water supply line proceeds from a side wall and the electric
supply line from the other side wall safely to the inlet port.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer furthermore
comprises at least a second groove on the rear wall that is a continuation of
the groove on the side wall.
[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer comprises at
least
a second groove on the front side that is a continuation of the groove on the
side wall.
[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross section
of the
groove is configured semicircularly such that the supply line is grasped.
Consequently, the supply line is prevented from slipping after being emplaced
in the groove.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer furthermore
comprises
at least one lug on the sides of the groove, allowing the supply line to be
emplaced in the groove but preventing from dislodging easily after being
emplaced therein.
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[0016] In the different embodiments of the present invention, the groove is
configured as cambering inwards or outwards for allowing the supply line
to be passed from inside or outside of the washer.
[0017] By means of the present invention, the supply line proceeds from one
side
of the washer to the other side safely and without unnecessary loss of
space.
[0018] The model embodiments relating to the washer realized in order to
attain
the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures,
where:
[0019] Figure 1 ¨ is the perspective view of a washer.
[0020] Figure 2 ¨ is the perspective view of the washer when the supply line
is
disposed inside the groove in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 3 ¨ is the front view of the washer in an embodiment of the
present
invention.
[0022] Figure 4 ¨ is the detailed view of the groove in an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] Figure 5 ¨ is the sideways view of the washer when the supply line is
disposed inside the groove in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
1. Washer
2. Body
3. Side wall
4. Rear wall
5. Front wall
6. Supply line
7. Inlet port
8. 108. Groove
9. Lug
10. Cutout
[0025] The washer (1) of the present invention comprises
- a body (2) having two side walls (3), one rear wall (4) and one front wall
(5),
- at least one inlet port (7) disposed on the front wall (5),
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- at least one supply line (6), delivering electricity or water, with one end
connected to the mains (K) supplying electricity or water and the other
end removably to the inlet port (7) and
- at least one groove (8) disposed on at least one side wall (3), within
which the supply line (6) at least partially emplaced (Figure 1).
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) comprises at
least one groove (8) each on both side walls (3). By means of the grooves
(8) disposed on both side walls (3) the supply line (6) delivering water from
a side wall (3) and the supply line (6) delivering electricity from the other
side wall (3) can reach the inlet port (7) safely.
[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1)
furthermore comprises a second groove (108) disposed on the front wall
(5) or on the rear wall (4) that is a continuation of the groove (8) on the
side wall (3).
[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1)
furthermore comprises at least one cutout (10) disposed on the front wall
(5) or on the rear wall (4), aligned with the groove (8) on the side wall (3)
and allowing the entry of the supply line (6) into the groove (8) or exit from
the groove (8).
[0029] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross section
of
the groove (8) is semicircular such that the groove (8) partially grasps the
supply line (6).
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) furthermore
comprises at least one lug (9) on the sides of the groove (8). The lug (9) is
configured to allow the supply line (6) to be emplaced easily in the groove
(8) but prevents thereof from dislodging easily after being emplaced
therein.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the groove (8) is configured
as
a recess towards inside the body (2) such that the supply line (6) can be
emplaced in the groove (8) by passing from outside the washer (1).
[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the groove (8) is
configured as a camber outwards from the body (2) such that the supply
line (6) can be emplaced in the groove (8) via passing from inside the
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washer (1).
[0033] In the different embodiments of the present invention, the washer (1)
is a
built-in or a normal dishwasher or a washing machine.
[0034] By means of the present invention, the supply line (6) is passed from
one
side of the washer (1) to the other side properly and safely.
[0035] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed above and an expert in the technique can easily
introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the
scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.
