Technical Field
Present disclosure relates to washing machines. In particular, present disclosure relates to a lint filter assembly for washing machines.
Background
During the washing of material such as clothing in a washing machine, lint may be released from the material in the washing tub. Such lint may get deposited on the clothes being washed or may get deposited on other components of the washing machine and affect normal working of the washing machine. Accordingly, washing machines are generally provided with a lint filter to collect or filter lint from the washing liquid.
Generally, washing machine is provided with a lint filter bag that is suspended from an inner side-wall of the wash tub and arranged such that the washing liquid flowing in the tub gets strained through the lint filter bag. This way the lint filter bag traps the lint present in the washing liquid. Such lint filter bags generally work based on centrifugal action of washing liquid inside the wash tub. As the rotor in the wash tub rotates, it churns the washing liquid inside the wash tub. Due to centrifugal force, the washing liquid gets pushed against the inner walls of the wash while flowing in a circular motion in the wash tub. The rotor may be configured to rotate both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
As the lint gets accumulated in the bag over wash cycles it may reduce the overall size of the lint filter bag capable to filter the washing liquid. Therefore, the lint filter bags as known in the art require frequent cleaning depending on the size of the lint filter bag. Moreover, cleaning such lint filter bags is also cumbersome as it requires detaching the lint filter bags and flipping it inside out to remove lint from the lint filter bags. Also, the lint filter bags may get damaged over time and usage and render the overall filtering mechanism non-functional. Further, such

lint filter bags may have movable parts which may lead to undesirable noise and such movable parts may get damaged over time. Therefore, there is need for more durable and easy to clean filter mechanism.
Summary
Present disclosure discloses a filter for a lint filter assembly of a washing machine having two or more panels hinged to one another in a series, each panel having a mesh adapted to strain a washing liquid to catch lint in the mesh, wherein the panels are foldable over each other to place alternately placed hinge proximate to each other such that a cross-section of the panels form a wide end between alternately placed hinges to allow entry of washing liquid with lint in a space between a set of two adjacent panels of the filter and a narrow end formed towards a hinge of the set of two adjacent panels to trap lint.
In an aspect, the number of panels is three and the cross-section of the folded panel forms a Z-shape such that the filter has two wide ends and two trap ends to allow entering of washing fluid from both lateral sides of the filter.
In an aspect, a first panel of the two or more panels is configured for hinging to a cover of the lint filter assembly.
In an aspect, the filter has at least one panel flange positioned between the set of two adjacent panels to direct flow of washing fluid entering from the wide end towards the mesh in the panels.
In an aspect, the panel flange extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge.
In an aspect, the mesh is insert molded into the two or more panels.

In an aspect, the filter has a lug provided along a first peripheral edge of the two or more panels, and a hinge hole provided along a second peripheral edge opposite to the first peripheral edge of the two or more panels, wherein the lugs of one of the two or more panels are received in cavities of an adjacent panel to the one of the two or more panels to form a hinge.
Further, the present disclosure discloses a lint filter assembly for a washing tub of a washing machine having a casing configured for attachment a side-wall of the washing tub, a cover configured to attachment to the casing, and the filter placed in a cavity defined between the cover and the casing, the casing defining side slots corresponding to the wide end of the filter to allow entry of washing liquid in the space between the set of two adjacent panels through the wide end.
In an aspect, the lint filter assembly has an overflow filter configured for fitting on the casing from a back side of the casing to form a back wall of the casing.
In an aspect, the overflow filter divides the side slots in multiple smaller side slots.
In an aspect, the cover has a plurality of holes to allow exit of strained washing liquid from the lint filter assembly.
In an aspect, the casing defines a sump with a plurality of holes for collection of strained washing liquid from the filter and directing the strained washing liquid towards the wash tub.
In an aspect, the lint filter assembly has a scrubber positioned above the casing.
In an aspect, the cover is removably mountable on the casing.

In an aspect, the cover defines recesses corresponding to the wide end and the side slots for allowing entry of washing liquid in the space between the set of two adjacent panels.
In an aspect, the filter is hinged to the cover.
In an aspect, the cover has horizontal flanges to direct washing liquid towards the mesh.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a washing machine fitted with
the lint filter assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the lint filter assembly in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the lint filter assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the components of the lint filter in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the lint filter and the cover in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section view of the lint filter along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section view of the lint filter assembly along the line 6-6
of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Detailed Description
The present disclosure provides for a lint filter assembly 10 for a washing machine 12. FIG. 1 illustrates a semi-automatic washing machine 12 fitted with a lint filter assembly 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Though a semi-automatic washing machine is shown in the present

disclosure, the lint filter assembly 10 of the present disclosure may be configured and used for any other type of washing machines, such as fully automatic, front loading washing machines, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, among other components, the washing machine 12 has a wash tub 14 and a spin tub 16. The wash tub 14 is fitted with a rotor 18 to churn a washing liquid in the wash tub 14 as known. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the rotor 18 is configured to churn the washing liquid along a substantially vertical axis of rotation. Accordingly, the rotor 18 will make the washing liquid flow in a circular direction along side walls 20 of the wash tub 14 about a substantially vertical axis during operation of the rotor 18 in the wash tub 14. The rotor 18 may be configured to rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise, both directions. The lint filter assembly 10 is shown fitted on the side wall 20 of the washing machine 12 in FIG. 1. It may be understood the lint filter assembly 10 in accordance with the present disclosure may be fitted in any other location depending on the flow of washing liquid. In the arrangement as shown in FIG.l the lint filter assembly 10 is arranged such that the washing liquid along with the suspended lint may enter the lint filter assembly 10 from both the lateral directions, as shown by the arrows of FIG. 1, during clockwise and anti-clockwise movement (shown by curved arrows) of the washing liquid in the wash tub 14.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the lint filter assembly 10 has a casing 22, a cover 24, an add-on overflow filter 25 and a filter 26 (shown in FIG.s 4-7) fitted in the cover 24. The casing 22 may be configured for fitting on the side walls 20 of the wash tub 14. For fitment of the casing 22 on the side wall 20 of the wash tub 14, any suitable provision may be provided on the casing and/or the side walls of the washing tub. In the embodiment as shown, the casing 22 is provided with lugs 28 on a bottom end 30 and a top end 32 of the casing 22. The lugs on the casing are configured to be received in corresponding openings (not shown) in the side walls 20 of the wash tub 14. The casing 22 may be configured for fitting on the side wall 20 by hand, i.e. without need of any tool. As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 22 has side slots 34 on its side surfaces 36 (only one shown for simplicity)

for allowing entry of washing liquid in the lint filter assembly 10 from both sides. The overflow filter 25 may be snap fitted on the casing 22 from the back side. The overflow filter provides a back wall for the casing 22 and also divides the side slots 34 in multiple smaller side slots for restricting entry or blockage of any large objects in the side slots 34 during washing cycle while allowing entry of lint with the washing liquid in the filter 26. Further, the overflow filter 25 also may help in directing the flow of washing liquid towards the filter 26.
The casing 22 is configured to support the cover 24 on a front portion of the casing 22. The cover is configured correspondingly for fitment over the casing. The casing 22 and the cover 24 may be provided with any known suitable arrangement for fitting the cover 24 on the casing 22. In the embodiment as shown, the cover 24 is provided with a lug 28 at its lower end 38 and another lug 28 at the upper end 40. The lug on the lower end 38 of the cover 24 is configured to be received in a corresponding opening (not shown) in the casing 22, and the lug 28 at the upper end 40 is configured for a snap lock arrangement with a lug 28 provided on the corresponding middle portion of the casing 22. The cover 24 and the casing 22 may be configured for fitting together using hand, i.e. without need of any tool. Accordingly, in the embodiment as shown, the cover 24 is removably mounted on the casing 22. It may be understood that any other suitable arrangement may be used for fitting cover 24 on the casing 22. The cover 24 is provided with a plurality of holes 42 on its front portion to allow escape of strained water or washing liquid from the lint filter assembly 10 back to the wash tub 14.
The cover 24 and the casing 22, when fitted together define a cavity therebetween. The overflow filter may also partly define the casing by forming a back wall of the casing. The filer 26 is placed in the cavity defined by the cover 24 and the casing 24. Further, the cover 24 is configured for supporting the filter 26. Referring to FIG. 4, the filter 26 if formed by two or more panels 44, 46, 48 hinged to one another in a series as shown in FIG. 4. Each panel has a mesh 49

for straining a washing liquid to catch lint in the mesh 49. The mesh size may be chosen accordingly as known in the art. The panels are foldable over each other to place alternately placed hinges at proximate to each other. The word proximate used herein indicates that the alternately placed hinges are not abutting each other but are at a slight distance to each other so as to form an opening (hereinafter referred as a wide end 66) for allowing entry of washing liquid through space between two alternate hinges placed proximate to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, hinges 50 and 54 are placed proximate to each other while the hinge 52 is comparatively away from the two hinges 50 and 54. The panels are folded such that a cross-section of the panels forms a wide end 66 between alternately placed hinges to allow entry of washing liquid with lint in a space between a set of two adjacent panels of the filter 26 and a narrow end or a trap end 64 formed towards a hinge of the set of two adjacent panels to trap lint. The side slots 34 defined in the casing are adapted to be positioned juxtaposed with the wide ends 66 of the filter to allow entry of washing liquid in the filter 26 through the wide ends 66.
In the embodiment as shown, the filter 26 has three panels, namely a first panel 44, a second panel 46 and a third panel 48. Each panel is provided with the mesh 49 for trapping lint from the washing liquid. The pore size and/or wire size of the mesh 49 may be designed based on the requirement. The mesh 49 may be insert moulded in the filter 26 and the mesh 49 may be made of any suitable material such as nylon or stainless steel.
The first panel 44 is configured to be hinged to the cover 24 at one end forming a first hinge 50. The first panel 44 is further hinged to the second panel 46 at an opposite end forming a second hinge 52. Similarly, the second panel 46 is hinged to the first panel 44 at one end on the second hinge 52, and to the third panel 48 at an opposite end forming a third hinge 54 as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Accordingly, the first panel 44, the second panel, 46 and the third panel 48 are hinged to each other in series. The three panels are foldable over each other such

that in folded condition, a cross-section of the three panels form a 'Z' shape as shown in FIG. 6. Suitable provisions may be provided for hinged connection of the cover 24, the first panel 44, the second panel 46 and the third panel 48. In the embodiment as shown the first panel 44, the second panel 46 and the third panel 48 are provided with hinge lugs 56 on a first peripheral edge of the panels, and corresponding hinge holes 58 are provided along a second peripheral edge at top portion and bottom portions of the adjacently fitting panels. The hinge holes 58 are configured to receive the hinge lugs 56 to form the second hinge 52 and the third hinge 54.
The first panel 44 is hinged to the back portion of the cover 24. The cover 24 is provided with hinge openings 60 on its back portion for receiving hinge lugs 56 of the first panel 44. As shown in FIG. 5, the first panel 44 may be fitted on the cover 24 by inserting the hinge lugs 56 of the first panel 44 in the hinge openings 60 provided on the cover and thus engaging the first panel 44 with the cover 24 with a snap fitting by hand. In an alternate embodiment, any other suitable provision may be provided for hinged connection of the first panel 44 on the back portion of the cover 24.
The first panel 44, the second panel 46 and the third panel 48 are hinged such that the three panels can be folded over each other to form a zig-zag profile of the filter 26 as shown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the cross section of the three panels form a 'Z' shape, forming two wide ends 66 and two trap ends 64. Further, each of the panels have a part-cylindrical shape with curve running along a lateral length of the panels. In a set of two adjacent panels hinged to each other in the folded position, i.e. in the zig-zag position, the concave surface of one panel 44 faces the convex surface of an adjacent panel to the one panel. In the embodiment as shown herein, the convex surface of the first panel 44 faces the cover 24, the concave surface of the first panel 44 faces the convex surface of the second panel 46 and the concave surface of the second panel 46 faces the convex surface of the third panel 48. For simplicity of assembly, the

first panel 44, the second panel 46 and the third panel 48 may be first assembled together and the filter 26 then may be fitted on the cover 24 by pushing the hinge lugs 56 of the first panel 44 into the corresponding hinge openings 60 in the cover
24.
Further, the filter 26 in assembled and folded state as shown in FIGS. 5-7, i.e. when the first panel 44 is hinged to the second panel 46, and the second panel 46 is hinged to the third panel 48, provides for space with a gradually increasing distance between the hinged adjacent surfaces of the panels that form an acute angle. Further, a panel flange 62 is provided between the set of two adjacent panels to direct flow of washing liquid entering from the wide end 66 towards the mesh in the panels. In the embodiment as shown, two panel flanges 62 extending orthogonally from the convex surfaces of each of the second panel 46 and the third panel 48 to abut the concave surfaces of the first panel 44 and the second panel 46, respectively. The panel flanges 62 may extend along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge joining the two adjacent panels, and have dimensions adapted to facilitate formation of the space with gradually increasing distance between the adjacently hinged surfaces of the panel, as shown, when the filter 26 is folded in the zig-zag profile, i.e. the panel flanges 62 may have increasing width from one lateral end to other opposite lateral end of the panel flange 62. Further, the two panel flanges 62 are positioned such that one panel flange 62 is located vertically above the mesh 49 on the panel and the other panel flange 62 is located below the mesh 49 on the panel. This arrangement ensures that any washing liquid entering the space in the filter 26 through the wide ends 66 is directed toward the mesh 49 and does not escape unstrained through the top or bottom portion of the filter 26. The panel flanges 62 also prevent the two adjacent panels from completely abutting each other, except by the flanges. In an embodiment, the panels of the filter may be made identical for ease of production. In the embodiment as shown, the second panel and the third panel are made identical for simplicity and ease of production or manufacturing. It may be understood that any other provision may be provided to ensure the adjacent

panels do not completely abut each other. For example, the panel flanges 62 may be provided on the concave surfaces of the first panel 44 and the second panel 46 to achieve a similar objective.
For assembly of the lint filter assembly, first the add-on overflow filter 25 may be snap fitted on the casing 22 on the back portion of the casing 22. Then the casing 22 along with the overflow filter 25 may be fitted on the side wall 20 of the wash tub 14. Once the casing is secure on the side wall 20, the cover 24 fitted with the filter 26 may be fitted on the casing 22.
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section view of the filter 26 in the zig-zag position along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the space between the convex surface of the first panel 44 and the concave surface of the second panel 46 is almost negligible near the second hinge 52 forming the trap end 64 near the second hinge 52. The space gradually increases as the distance from the second hinge 52 increases forming the wide end 66 away from the second hinge 52. Similarly, the space between the convex surface of the second panel 46 and the concave surface of the third panel 48 is almost negligible near the third hinge 54, and the space gradually increase as the distance from the third hinge 54 increases forming the trap end 64 near the third hinge 54 and a wide end 66 away from the third hinge 54.
The cover 24 may be provided with two horizontal flanges 68, one towards the upper end 40 and another towards the lower end 38 on the back portion of the cover 24. The horizontal flanges 68 protrude from the back surface of the cover 24, and are configured such that when the filter 26 is fitted on the back portion of the cover 24, the panels of the filter 26 are received in the space between the two horizontal flanges 68. In assembled state the top portion and bottom portion of the filter 26 may be positioned in close proximity with the horizontal flanges 68 near the upper end 40 and lower end 38 of the cover 24, respectively.

The hinge openings 60 for receiving the hinge lugs 56 of the first panel 44 for hinged connection of the first panel 44 to the cover 24 may also be provided on horizontal flanges 68 as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the cover 24 may be provided with recesses 70 on its side surfaces that correspond to the side slots 34 on the casing 22 and the wide ends 66 of the filter 26 in assembled condition. The filter 26, the cover 24 and the casing 22 are arranged such that the side slots 34 and the recesses 70 align with the wide ends 66 of the filter.
The components of this lint filter assembly may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, fiber etc. The mesh 49 may be made of any suitable material such as nylon, plastic, metal etc.
FIG. 7 illustrates working of the lint filter assembly 10 of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, when the washing machine 12 is operated the washing liquid enters the lint filter assembly 10 through the side slots 34 and passes through recesses 70 to enter the filter 26. The directional arrows 74 illustrate the flow of the water in the lint filter assembly. After entering the filter 26, as the washing liquid flows from the wide end 66 towards the trap end 64. The lint carried along with the washing liquid is trapped in the mesh provided on the panels and get deposited towards the trap end 64. The washing liquid strained from the filter 26 may flow either through the holes 42 provided on the front portion of the cover 24, or the strained washing liquid may trickle down the mesh 49 and fall in a sump 51 formed between the side wall 20 of the wash tub 14 and the bottom end 30 of the casing 20. The casing 22 is provided with holes 42 at the bottom end 30 to allow the strained washing liquid to escape from the sump 51 and mix with the washing liquid in the wash tub 14.
For cleaning the lint filter assembly 10, the cover 20 may be pulled out from the casing and the filter 26 may be unfolded to expose the lint trapped in the filter 26. The filter 26 may be rinsed with water to clean the mesh 49. For reassembly, the

filter 26 may be again folded in zig-zag profile in the cover 24 and the cover 24 along with the filter 26 may be snap-fitted back on the casing 22.
Additionally, the lint filter assembly 10 may have a scrubber 72 configured to be fitted vertically above the casing 22 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The scrubber 72 may be used for scrubbing clothes for loosening dirt on the clothes.
The lint filter assembly of the present disclosure provides for a robust alternative to the lint filter bags as known in the art. Since the lint filter assembly 10 of the present disclosure does not include any moving parts, the lint filter assembly 10 has comparatively longer life. Also, the lint filter assembly 10 of the present disclosure is easy to clean and maintain.

WE CLAIM:
1. A filter (26) for a lint filter assembly (10) of a washing machine (12) comprising two or more panels (44, 46, 48) hinged to one another in a series, each panel (44, 46, 48) having a mesh (49) adapted to strain a washing liquid to catch lint in the mesh (49), wherein the panels (44, 46, 48) are foldable over each other to place alternately placed hinges (50, 54) proximate to each other such that a cross-section of the panels (44, 46, 48) form a wide end (66) between alternately placed hinges to allow entry of washing liquid with lint in a space between a set of two adjacent panels (44, 46, 48) of the filter (26) and a narrow end (64) formed towards a hinge (52, 54) of the set of two adjacent panels (44, 46, 48) to trap lint.
2. The filter (26) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of panels (44, 46, 48) is three and the cross-section of the folded filter (26) forms a Z-shape such that the filter (26) has two wide ends (66) and two trap ends to allow entering of washing fluid from both lateral sides of the filter (26).
3. The filter (26) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first panel (44) of the two or more panels (44, 46, 48) is configured for hinging to a cover (24) of the lint filter assembly (10).
4. The filter (26) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
at least one panel flange (62) positioned between the set of two adjacent panels (44, 46, 48) to direct flow of washing fluid entering from the wide end (66) towards the mesh (49) in the panels (44, 46, 48).
5. The filter (26) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the panel flange (62)
extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge (52, 50, 54).

6. The filter (26) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mesh (49) is insert molded into the two or more panels (44, 46, 48).
7. The filter (26) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
at least one hinge lug (56) provided at a first peripheral edge of the two or more panels (44, 46, 48); and
at least one hinge hole (58) provided a second peripheral edge opposite to the first peripheral edge of the two or more panels (44, 46, 48);
wherein the at least one hinge lug (56) of one of the two or more panels (44, 46, 48) is received in the at least one hinge hole (58) of an adjacent panel to the one of the two or more panels (44, 46, 48) to form a hinge (52, 54).
8. A lint filter assembly (10) for a washing tub of a washing machine
comprising:
a casing (22) configured for attachment a side-wall (20) of the washing tub (14);
a cover (24) configured to attachment to the casing (22);
a filter (26) as claimed in claim 1, the filter (26) placed in a cavity defined between the cover (24) and the casing (22), the casing (22) defining side slots (34) corresponding to the wide end (66) of the filter (26) to allow entry of washing liquid in the space between the set of two adjacent panels (44, 46, 48) through the wide end (66).
9. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, comprising:
an overflow filter (25) configured for fitting on the casing (22) from a back side of the casing (22) to form a back wall of the casing (22).
10. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the overflow
filter (25) divides the side slots (34) in multiple smaller side slots.

11. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover (24) has a plurality of holes (42) to allow exit of strained washing liquid from the lint filter assembly (10).
12. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the casing (22) defines a sump (51) with a plurality of holes (42) for collection of strained washing liquid from the filter (26) and directing the strained washing liquid towards the wash tub (14).
13. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, comprising a scrubber (72) positioned on the casing (22).
14. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover (24) is removably mountable on the casing (22).
15. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover (24) defines recesses (70) corresponding to the wide end (66) and the side slots (34) for allowing entry of washing liquid in the space between the set of two adjacent panels (44, 46, 48).
16. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the filter (26) is hinged to the cover (24).
17. The lint filter assembly (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover (24) has horizontal flanges (68) to direct washing liquid towards the mesh (49).