GB2511360A

GB2511360A - A laundry machine

Info

Publication number: GB2511360A
Application number: GB1303711.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-01
Filing date: 2013-03-01
Publication date: 2014-09-03
Also published as: GB201303711D0

Abstract

Automatic laundry, or washing and/or drying, machines utilise a great deal of electrical energy. Ensuring that such energy is not wasted can be key to a household finances and have environmental consequences. Accordingly the present invention provides a laundry machine with a drum for laundry having a window or glass portion allowing visibility into said drum; characterized in that in use at least a section of said portion comprises thermochromic properties. The glass may include thermochromic properties or a sticker or film, having thermochromic properties may be glued or applied via adhesive to the glass.

Description

A LAUNDRY MACHINE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a laundry machine, or more particularly but not exclusively a laundry machine with a modified drum window.

Background

Increasing importance is placed in many societies on consumption of resources, for example wherein it is typically judged as preferable to use minimal resources in daily life.

In particular use of energy is strictly controlled in many nations, both by ethical and financial control means, wherein costs of energy are increasing overtime.

An early factor in all societies in development is the advantage of automatic and mechanised laundry facilities.

In particular advent of automatic laundry or washing or drying machines on a small scale or domestic scale signifies progress. However such machines utilise a great deal of electrical energy.

Ensuring that such energy is not wasted can be key to a household finances.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: European patent application EP 2 379 790 (INAL) discloses a washing machine comprising a drum wherein laundry is disposed, a loading port which provides the laundry to be loaded into the drum and to be unloaded from the drum by the user and a lid which covers the loading port and provides access into the drum, and characterized by one or more tight dependent resistors, which detect the light intensity inside the drum and the value of which changes according to the light intensity inside the drum, and by a control unit which provides the colour of the laundry disposed in the drum to be detected according to the change in the light intensity and thus, which provides the washing process to be started by determining the washing parameters according to these data.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 262 541 (THIER) discloses an appliance operating with mains water and comprising functional means operable in a manner or sequence taking into consideration the degree or range of hardness of the mains water supplied to the appliance and indicating means for providing an iidication of the degree or range of such water hardness, the indicating means comprising a surface which is visible exteriorly of the appliance and provided with symbols each formed by a substance which is of substantially the same colour as the surface and which changes into a visually distinguishable other colour on being wetted by water of a respective degree or range of hardness In contrast the present invention provides a means of monitoring temperature within a laundry machine.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a laundry machine with a drum for laundry having a portion allowing visibility into said drum; characterised in that in use at least a section of said portion comprises thermochromic properties.

Typically said laundry machine is a washing machine, although embodiments may include combined washing and drying machines and tumble drying machines for laundry.

In preferred embodiments therefore said drum is typically provided with a window of transparent glass for monitoring progress of the laundry. Said monitoring can be used to tell if there has been for example incorrect addition, of a coloured article to a white wash or similar.

In this way the drum window or door at least in part may form the portion of which at least a section is provided with thermochromic properties. This means that the section is liable to change colour according to temperature of the section, or more particularly temperature of the drum.

Ideally said section with thermochromic properties. or said thermochromic section, comprises an overlay, sticker or aftermarket addition to a standard glass door, whereas in some other embodiments the glass in said door includes thermochromic properties.

Liquid crystals may be used in precision applications, as responses can be engineered to accurate temperature readings for the section, but their colour range tends towards limitation by their principle of operation.

Leuco dyes may be used in alternate embodiments to allow wider range of colours and effects to be used on the section, but their response to temperatures is more difficult to set with accuracy.

Said thermochromic properties allow the laundry machine to visibly display the environmental consequences of a laundry cycle.

In preferred embodiments however a transparent or translucent sticker, or addition, is available at retail, wherein a user may purchase an addition for their laundry machine to monitor internal temperature in use.

Said addition may comprise a simple thermometer strip or a larger, more expansive shape covering a greater proportion ol the portion.

In preferred embodiments therefore the addition is attachable to said door or portion with a strong, temperature stable, water insoluble and permanent adhesive, not prone to dislocation or displacement under repeated washings or dryings or general automatic laundry cycles.

Said addition ideally changes colour under temperature changes, wherein gradation in colour indicate gradations in temperature.

In further embodiments the changes in colour combine with or promote changes in image, wherein for example an image displayed on said section or addition changes according to colour changes, so as to aid in identification of temperatures, even for users with colour blindness or recognition problems.

For example colours changes may alter dynamics of the image, as colour redistribution provides increased focus in different areas or lines of the image.

In some embodiments the addition may be arranged in use on an exterior surface of the portion or drum, wherein the addition may require lower levels of adhesion and thermochromic alteration.

In this way the addition may be expected to be changed or displaced more frequently, and consequently variations of the image or colouring of the addition may be available.

In some embodiments therefore the addition may be limited use and/or disposable, wherein said addition may be supplied with or included in laundry products such as conditioner or washing powder.

In yet further embodiments the the.rmochromic properties may be embodied within the glass of the drum door, for example wherein the door may be formed at least in part of a material such as synthetic plastics, having a dye with thermochromic properties embedded therein.

In still further embodiments the addition may be arranged to be partly passed through the door, for example wherein the door is closed onto the drum with the addition partly within the drum and partly without.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a sketch view of a laundry machine with a section with thermochrOmic properties in two different states; * And Figure 2 shows an addition in two thermochromic states.

Claims

Claims 1. A laundry machine with a drum for laundry having a portion allowing visibility into said drum; characterised in that in use at least a section of said portion comprises thermochromic properties.
2. A laundry machine according to claim 1 wherein the drum comprises a window with thermochromic properties.
3. A laundry machine according to claim I wherein an addition to the drum comprises the section with thermochromic properties.
4. A laundry machine according to claim 3 wherein the addition is adhesive.
5. An addition to a laundry machine according to claim 3 or 4.
6. A drum for a laundry machine according to claim 2.