Claims:We claim:
1. A household appliance (10) comprising :
- a housing (11) ;
- a drum (12) positioned in said housing (11), said drum (12) has an opening (14) to receive laundry;
- a detergent dispenser (16) located on said housing (11), said detergent dispenser (16) connected to an water inlet (18);
characterized in that:
- a scrubber (20) positioned in fluid communication with said detergent dispenser (16), said scrubber (20) comprises multiple beads (22) formed in a predefined pattern, said multiple beads (22) adapted to remove dirt from said laundry when scrubbed manually.

2. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said multiple beads (22) comprises a hole (24) to facilitate a flow of a detergent water through said scrubber (20).

3. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scrubber (20) is fitted into a cut-section (26) made in proximity to said detergent dispenser (16) using at least one fitting technique comprising a snap fit, a fastener.

4. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a passage (28) is made in said cut-section (26), such that, said detergent water flows into said drum (12) via said scrubber (20), from said detergent dispenser (16).

5. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a porous material (30) placed in said cut-section (26), behind said scrubber (20).

6. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said scrubber (20) and said porous material (30) are detachable from said cut-section (26) based on a requirement.

7. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scrubber (20) is fitted on a surface of said detergent dispenser (16).

8. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an activation means (32) on a control panel (34) of said household appliance (10), said activation means (32) operable to dispense a predefined amount of said detergent water from said detergent dispenser (16) via said detachable scrubber (20).

9. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one said multiple beads (22) has any one of the shape comprising a spherical, a semi-circular, a hemisphere, a ball-shaped.

10. The household appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multiple beads (22) are fitted in any one of said predefined pattern comprising a matrix pattern, a trapezoidal pattern, a parallelogram pattern, a zigzag pattern .
, Description:The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention
[0001]This disclosure relates to a household appliance with an integrated scrubber. More particularly, it relates to the household appliance having the scrubber with multiple beads to remove dirt.
Background of the invention:
[0002]In the current washing machines, the user applies the detergent and scrub the stained area on the laundry manually outside before starting the normal wash cycle. Hand wash is very effective in stain removal at the same time being delicate on the clothes leading to less wear and tear on the clothes. Many products are available in the market, to reduce this manual intervention in the washing process, one such example is that, using a motorized brush to remove the difficult stains formed on the areas like the cuff, the collar.

[0003]A china patent CN201003114 discloses a washing machine with running brush. The utility model discloses a washer that contains a revolving brush, a washing barrel, a panel and control knobs. The utility model is characterized in that: the panel of the washing barrel is provided with a revolving brush whose rolling shaft, the center of the brush is connected with a transmission motor that is controlled by a knob through a speed changer. The utility model can wash the clothes first with a washing barrel and brush the parts that still have stains. The utility model save the trouble of manual rubbing and improves cleanness and washing effect of clothes.

Brief description of the invention:
[0004]It is an object of the invention to provide a household appliance with an integrated scrubber having multiple beads fitted in the household appliance.
[0005]The objects are solved by the household appliance having the features according to claim 1.

[0006]The invention relates to a household appliance comprising a housing and a drum positioned in the housing. The drum has an opening to receive laundry. The appliance further comprises a detergent dispenser located on the housing. The detergent dispenser is connected to a water inlet. The appliance further comprises a scrubber positioned in fluid communication with the detergent dispenser. The scrubber comprises multiple beads formed in a predefined pattern. The multiple beads adapted to remove dirt from the laundry when scrubbed manually.

[0007]A feature of this invention is that each of the multiple beads comprises a hole to facilitate a flow of a detergent water through the scrubber.
[0008]Another feature of this invention is that, the scrubber is fitted into a cut-section made in proximity to the detergent dispenser using at least one fitting technique comprising a snap fit, a fastener.
[0009]Another feature of this invention is that, a passage is made in the cut-section, such that, the detergent water flows into the drum via the scrubber, from the detergent dispenser.
[0010]Another feature of this invention is that, comprises a porous material placed in the cut-section, behind the scrubber.
[0011] Another feature of this invention is that, the scrubber and the porous material are detachable from the cut-section based on a requirement.
[0012]Another feature of this invention is that, the scrubber is fitted on a surface of the detergent dispenser.
[0013]Another feature of this invention is that, an activation means made on a control panel of the household appliance. The activation means is operable to dispense a predefined amount of the detergent water from the detergent dispenser via the detachable scrubber.
[0014]Another feature of this invention is that, at least one of the multiple beads has any one of the shape comprising a spherical, a semi-circular, and a hemisphere.
[0015]Another feature of this invention is that, the multiple beads are fitted in any one of the predefined pattern comprising a matrix pattern, a trapezoidal pattern, a parallelogram pattern, a zigzag pattern and the like.
[0016]With the above-disclosed household appliance, the removal of dirt from the laundry is made easier without much hassle. The manual intervention of the user in removing the difficult stains on the laundry is reduced as the scrubber is integrated in the housing of the appliance. The multiple beads made on the scrubber are made smooth such that, the scrubbing effect is less on the laundry. With a minimum number of components, the scrubbing of the laundry is made easier when compared to the conventional method of scrubbing of the stains outside the appliance, thus making the above-disclosed scrubber in the household appliance a low-cost effective solution.
[0017] The usage of the detergent water that is used to remove the stains during the scrubbing process is made to flow into the drum of the household appliance, which can be used for the regular washing process. Since, the scrubber and the porous material are detachable from the appliance, they can be replaced with ease, when found damaged or worn-out.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0018]An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings;
[0019]Figure 1 illustrates a household appliance, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
[0020]Figure 2 illustrates the exploded view of the scrubber in the household appliance, in accordance with the embodiment of this invention; and
[0021]Figure 3 illustrates multiple beads on the scrubber in a household appliance, in accordance with the embodiment of this invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0022]Figure 1 illustrates a household appliance, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The household appliance 10 comprises a housing 11 and a drum 12 positioned in the housing 11. The drum 12 has an opening 14 to receive laundry. The appliance 10 further comprises a detergent dispenser 16 located on the housing 11. The detergent dispenser 16 is connected to a water inlet 18. The appliance 10 further comprises a scrubber 20 positioned in fluid communication with the detergent dispenser 16. The scrubber 20 comprises multiple beads 22 formed in a predefined pattern. The multiple beads 22 adapted to remove dirt from the laundry when scrubbed manually.
[0023]Further, the construction of the household appliance 10 and the components of the household appliance 10 are explained as follows. According to one embodiment of the invention, the household appliance 10 is a washing machine. The washing machine is chosen from any one of the type of the washing machines like a top-load washing machine and a front-load washing machine. The household appliance 10 further comprises an impeller (not shown) positioned inside the housing 11 in fluid communication with the drum 12. A pumping tower (not shown) comprising a filter is integrated into the drum 12 at a suitable position. The pumping tower carries the water and allows to flow into the drum 12 via the filter during at least one operating event of the appliance 10.
[0024]A person skilled in the art knows the working of appliance 10 when the laundry is loaded into the appliance 10. The household appliance 10 undergoes multiple operating events, when switched on for washing the loaded laundry. At least one operating event of the appliance 10 is chosen from a group of operating events comprising a washing event, a rinsing event, a spinning event and a drying event. The event is also called as cycle in the following paragraphs of the disclosed document.

[0025]According to an embodiment of the invention, the detergent dispenser 16 is made in proximity to a cut-section 26 on the housing 11 of the appliance 10. The detergent dispenser 16 is a polymer part snap fitted in the housing 11 for allowing the flow of the detergent water into the drum 12. The detergent dispenser 16 comprises a first opening (not shown) for receiving the detergent powder, a second opening is the inlet 18 for water flowing from an external source into the dispenser 16 and a third opening (not shown) is an outlet for the detergent water to flow out of the detergent dispenser 16. According to one embodiment of the invention, the dispenser 16 has an inclined water inlet 18 to provide a swirl effect inside the dispenser 16 for better mixing of the detergent with the water. A pipe/hose 36 is connected between the detergent dispenser 16 and the cut-section 26 for the detergent water to flow from the detergent dispenser 16 into the drum 12 via the scrubber 20.

[0026]The scrubber 20 is an over molded part with the beads profile to scrub the dirt from the laundry. The scrubber 20 is fitted into the cut-section 26 made in proximity to the detergent dispenser 16 using at least one fitting technique comprising a snap fit, a fastener. The cut-section 26 is made on the housing 11 of the appliance 10. The cut-section 26 can be made in any one of the polygonal shapes as known in the state-of the art comprising a rectangular, a square, a circular shape and the like. The shape of the scrubber 20 is made corresponding to the shape of the cut-section 26. The cut-section 26 comprises a passage 28 for the detergent water to flow into the drum 12 via the scrubber 20, from the detergent dispenser 16.

[0027]The appliance 10 comprises a porous material placed in the cut-section 26, behind the scrubber 20. The porous material 30 is chosen from a group of porous materials comprising a sponge material, a ceramic material and the like. The porous material 30 is used to hold the detergent water flowing through the passage of the cut-section 26, for longer durations. The dimensions of the porous material 30 is made corresponding to the dimensions of the cut-section 26, such that, the porous material 30 is fitted into the cut-section 26 without any usage of an extra fitting component. The combination of the porous material 30 and the scrubber 20 together makes the scrubber 20 the over molded component in the appliance 10. The porous material 30 and the scrubber 20 both are made detachable in nature, such that, they can be replaced upon detecting a worn-out or a damage.

[0028]The number of beads 22 made on the scrubber of the appliance depends on the size and capacity of the appliance 10. The beads 22 are arranged in the predefined pattern on the scrubber 20 of the appliance 10. One of the predefined pattern is arranging the beads 22 in multiple rows and columns such that, the complete surface area of the scrubber 20 is covered. For instance, the scrubber20 comprises 32 beads. The beads 22 are arranged in 4 rows and 8 columns to cover the complete surface area of the scrubber. The given example is given for understanding purpose and should not be considered as a limitation. However, the predefined pattern is not restricted to the multiple rows and columns, but can be chosen from any one of the following patterns comprising a trapezoidal pattern, a parallelogram pattern, a zigzag pattern, a circular pattern, a random pattern and the like as known to a person skilled in the art. The position of the beads 22 in the predefined pattern enhances the scrubbing of the laundry.

[0029]The shape of the beads 22 can vary based on the requirement. However, to have a complete contact of the item of the laundry during at least one operational event, the shape of the bead 22 is chosen from a group of shapes like a spherical, a semi-circular, a hemi-spherical, a ball shaped and the like. However, the shape of the bead 22 is not restricted to the above-disclosed shapes, but can be made in any form, that improves the contact surface with at least one item of the laundry during the scrubbing process. According another embodiment of the invention, the shape of the bead 22 is made in anyone of the forms comprising an oval, a polygonal, a multi-faceted, a bamboo shaped, a barrel shaped and the like. The beads 22 are made of materials comprising a polypropylene (PP), a silicone rubber or an EPDM rubber. The beads 22 that are made of a material that has properties, which are constant at soft water and hard water. According to one embodiment of the invention, the beads 22 are made as integral components on the surface of the detergent dispenser 16. The function and working of the integrated beads 22 are same as the above-disclosed beads 22 that are fitted to the scrubber in the appliance.

[0030]Each bead 22 comprises a hole to facilitate a flow of the detergent water through the scrubber 20. According to one embodiment of the invention, the hole 24 on each bead 22 is made at a bottom portion, such that, the detergent water when passed through the holes 24 produces a showering effect in the drum 11. The showering effect of the detergent water enhances the contact of the detergent water with the laundry for the washing cycle. However, the position of the hole 24 made at the bottom portion of the each bead 22 is not restricted to the above-disclosed position, but can be anywhere on the each bead 22, to produce the showering effect.

[0031]The detergent water flowing from the dispenser 16 is either channeled to flow directly into the drum 11 or it is made to pass through the holes 24 of the beads 22. A force is developed in the flow of the detergent water passing through the holes 24 of the beads 22 due to the position of the pipe 36 connecting the dispenser 16 and the cut-section 26. To have a regulated flow, the porous material 30 is placed behind the scrubber 20 and is made wet before drenching the scrubber 20. The excess water coming out of the porous material 30 flows into the drum 12 via the holes 24 of the scrubber 20, thus creating a laminar flow.

[0032]According to one embodiment of the invention, the scrubber 20 along with the beads 22 is fitted on a surface of the detergent dispenser 16. The detergent dispenser 16 comprises a passage 28 to allow the detergent water to flow into the drum 12. The user of the appliance 10 can scrub the dirt from the difficult strain by scrubbing at least one item of the laundry against the scrubber 20 provided on the detergent dispenser 16. The above-disclosed arrangement reduces the additional connections and the components (e.g. pipe) used to connect the dispenser 16 and the scrubber 20. The scrubber 20 is fitted on the surface of the dispenser 16 using at least one fitting technique comprising a snap fit, a screw fit and the like. The scrubber 20 is fitted on the dispenser 16 using the water-resistant glue according to an embodiment.

[0033]The appliance 10 comprises an activation means 32 made on a control panel 34 of the household appliance 10. The activation means 32 is a radio button or a switch or a knob made on the control panel 34 to activate dispensing of the detergent water for a predefined amount of time from the detergent dispenser 16. According to one embodiment of the invention, the operation of the activation means 32 is made as at least one operational event of the appliance 10, wherein at least one operational event of the appliance 10 comprises a wash cycle, a rinse cycle, a spin cycle, a dry cycle.

[0034]A method of working of the appliance 10 is explained as follows. The laundry that requires washing is loaded into the drum 12 of the appliance 10. When the appliance 10 is switched ON, then the laundry undergoes five stages of washing process as disclosed above i.e., a scrub cycle, a wash cycle, a rinse cycle, a spin cycle and a dry cycle. In the scrub cycle, the water from the external source flows into the detergent dispenser 16 via the water inlet 18 (i.e., the second opening) and mixes with the detergent present in the dispenser 16. Upon operation of the activation means 32 in the control panel 34, the detergent water from the dispenser 16 flows out through the scrubber 20 via the porous material 30. At least one item of the laundry that has difficult stains which requires a manual scrubbing is made in contact with the detergent water coming out of the scrubber 20. The beads 22 on the scrubber 20 provides an efficient way of removing the dirt off the laundry when scrubbed the laundry manually against the scrubber 20.

[0035]Based on the requirement (like more number of difficult stains on the laundry that requires manual scrubbing), the user can adjust/regulate the predefined amount of time of the active state of the activation means 32. If there are no necessity of the manual scrubbing of the laundry, the user can directly operate the main wash cycle button provided on the control panel 34.

[0036]In the wash cycle, the laundry becomes heavy when soaked in water and gets settles down at the bottom side of the drum 12. During the rinse and the spin cycles, the laundry rotates in a high speed (along with the drum 12) in the housing 11. The items of the laundry are rotated along the height of the drum 12 during the working mode for efficient removal of the dirt from the laundry as known to the person skilled in the art.

[0037]With the above-disclosed household appliance 10, the removal of dirt from the laundry is made easier without much hassle. The manual intervention of the user in removing the difficult stains on the laundry is reduced as the scrubber 20 is integrated in the housing 11 of the appliance 10. The multiple beads 22 made on the scrubber 20 are made smooth such that, the scrubbing effect is less on the laundry. With a minimum number of components, the scrubbing of the laundry is made easier when compared to the conventional method of scrubbing of the stains outside the appliance 10, thus making the above-disclosed scrubber 20 in the household appliance 10 a low-cost effective solution.

[0038]The usage of the detergent water that is used to remove the stains during the scrubbing process is made to flow into the drum of the household appliance 10, which can be used for the regular washing process. Since, the scrubber 20 and the porous material 30 are detachable from the appliance 10, they can be replaced with ease, when found damaged or worn-out.

[0039]It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
List of Reference Signs
10 household appliance
11 housing
12 drum
14 opening
16 detergent dispenser
18 water inlet
20 scrubber
22 multiple beads
24 hole
26 cut-section
28 passage
30 porous material
32 activation means
34 control unit
36 pipe