Washing machine with an improved washing/rinsing-liquid inlet circuit

A washing machine (1) has a washing tub (5) containing a rotary perforated drum (6), and a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser (8), fluidly connectable to a water source. The liquid dispenser includes a housing (9) and a drawer (10), removably associated to the housing (9), provided with one or more compartments (11a, 11b) adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products. A water line (13) fluidly connects the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser (8) and the tub (5). The water line (13) has one or more single-piece elements (13, 13a. 13b) including a first conduit (25), fluidly connecting the one or more compartments (11a, 11b) and the tub (5), and a second conduit (27), fluidly separated from the first conduit (25), fluidly connectable, upstream, with the water source, and fluidly connected, downstream, with the tub (5)). The first and second conduits (25, 27) are provided in a single-piece construction.

The present invention relates to a washing machine with an improved washing/rinsing-liquid inlet circuit.

Nowadays washing machines, both “simple” washing machines (i.e. washing machines which can only wash and rinse the laundry), and washing-drying machines (i.e. washing machines which can also dry the laundry), usually comprise an external casing provided with a loading/unloading door which allows the access to a washing tub containing a rotary perforated drum in which the laundry to be washed can be loaded.

Water and washing or rinsing products (i.e. detergents, softeners, bleaching, etc.) are admitted in the tub, and therefore in the rotating drum contained in the latter, by a water supply circuit connected to the water delivery mains present outside the machine; after the washing or rinsing phases, water is discharged from the tub by a discharge circuit.

The water supply circuit comprises a first conduit, fluidly connected, downstream, with the tub, and, upstream, with the bottom of a housing, associated to the casing, containing a removable drawer provided with various compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products.

The water supply circuit also comprises a water dispenser placed above the drawer and fluidly connected, upstream, typically via apposite electromagnetic inlet valves, with one or more conduits fluidly connectable to the water delivery mains.

The water dispenser is arranged in such a way that, by acting on the electromagnetic valves, it is possible to convey clean (or fresh) water, coming from the water delivery mains, to one or more compartments of the drawer, so as to flush out the products contained therein, which are in this way adducted to the bottom of the housing, and from there, via the first conduit, to the tub.

Usually the water dispenser comprises a so called “air-gap” or “air break”, that is a gap, or opening, obtained in the water path present inside the water dispenser, in such a way to ensure that only a stream of water, opportunely directed, can flow through this gap towards the tub, while water can't flow, through this gap, from the tub to the water delivery mains (as could instead happen, for example in case of fault of the draining circuit, if no air-gap is provided).

A washing machine of this kind is illustrated, for example, in the European Patent n. EP 0 597 274, which disclosed a clothes washing machine, in particular of the household type, comprising a washing tub, a drum for holding the washload, a water inlet conduit from the water supply mains, an electromagnetic valve provided in the inlet conduit, a first offshoot conduit, placed downstream the electromagnetic valve, which conveys the water from the water supply mains into a laundering product dispenser through an air break; the dispenser is placed above a plurality of compartments adapted for holding washing and rinsing agents and communicating with a siphon, placed between the compartments and the washing tub, via a conduit that conveys towards the siphon the water mixed with the washing or rinsing agents which flows out of the compartments.

This washing machine also comprises a second water offshoot conduit, provided with a respective air break and situated between the electromagnetic valve and the air gap, which flows into the conduit connecting the compartments and the siphon. The air break is constituted by an interruption obtained by means of an injector located in a vertical descending section of the second offshoot conduit; the water issuing from the injector flows into the conduit.

This washing machine has however the drawback that it doesn't guarantee the possibility to obtain the wetting of the laundry with clean water before the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents into the tub. In fact, since the second offshoot conduit flows into the conduit connecting the compartments and the siphon, even if the second offshoot conduit would be fed with clean water, there is the possibility that this clean water, before entering the tub, would mix with washing and/or rinsing products which remain in the conduit or in the siphon.

The wetting of the laundry with clean water before the adduction of the washing agents would be however desirable, because the effect of the washing agents on the laundry wetted by clean water is faster and more effective. Moreover the presence of the second offshoot circuit increases the complexity of the washing machine, and causes also encumbrance problems (e.g. less space for other components inside the external casing of the washing machine, difficulty to fulfil external dimensions restrictions, etc.).

European patent n. EP 1 568 814 discloses a detergent dispenser for a washing machine comprising a box shaped recess and a washing agent drawer slidably mounted in the recess; the drawer is provided with a plurality of separate compartments for containing wash and/or rinse products to be flushed by an incoming water flow into the tub of the washing machine. Once the water has passed through the compartments, the mixture of water and washing agent passes through openings placed in the rear portion of the drawer, and is carried to the rear portion of the recess, and then to an opening for discharge into the tub of the machine.

In order to avoid the build-up of detergent residuals on the front and bottom portion of the recess, the latter is provided, on its bottom surface, on a side thereof, with a channel presenting a feeding end portion, fed by the water distributor device, and a second end curved portion which directs the water flow towards the front and bottom portion of the recess; the fresh water fed to the end portion of the channel is therefore guided to the front and bottom portion of the recess, cleaning this portion from detergent residuals.

Also in this case there is however the drawback that there isn't the guarantee to be able to obtain the wetting of the laundry with clean water before the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents into the tub; in fact the channel for the fresh water flows into the front and bottom portion of the recess, where there could be detergent residuals which could mix with the fresh water.

European patent n. EP 0 719 884 discloses a washing machine provided with a washing-agent flushing-in mechanism comprising at least one fresh water inlet, a downstream free air path, a water-conducting channel for feeding fresh water into a washing agent chamber and a fresh water branch duct connected to the channel downstream of the free air path with respect to the flow direction through the inlet air path and channel. The branch duct is connected to the water-conducting channel for a preliminary washing agent chamber, which is in turn fluidly connected to the washing tub. The machine has a frontal loading door with a window and the branch duct is connected to a nozzle directed from above onto an inward surface of the window.

Also this washing machine has however a drawback; in fact the branch duct is fluidly connected to the preliminary washing agent chamber, and the adduction of fresh water to the branch duct involves always the adduction of fresh water also to the preliminary washing agent chamber, in which there could be detergent residuals which could be flowed into the tub by the fresh water. It isn't therefore possible to supply only fresh water to the branch duct, and therefore also in this case there isn't the guarantee to be able to wet the laundry only with fresh water before the adduction of the water mixed with washing agents into the tub.

Furthermore, the presence of the branch duct increases the complexity of the washing machine, and causes also encumbrance problems.

An aim of the present invention is therefore to obtain a washing machine which allows introducing selectively in the tub clean or fresh water without the risk that the latter would come into contact with washing or rinsing agent before entering the tub, and reducing at the same time, with respect to the prior art, the complexity and the encumbrance of the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub.

Within this aim, another object of the present invention is to reduce the costs for assembly of the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the above-noted problems, thereby doing away with the drawbacks of the cited prior art.

The Applicant has found that by the use of a water line comprising one or more single-piece elements comprising a first conduit, fluidly connecting the compartments of a drawer of a washing machine adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, and comprising also a second conduit, fluidly separated from the first conduit, fluidly connectable, upstream, with a water source, and fluidly connected, downstream, with the tub, the first and second conduits being obtained in single-piece construction, it is possible to selectively introduce in the tub clean or fresh water without the risk that the latter would come into contact with a washing or rinsing agent before entering the tub, reducing as well the complexity and the encumbrance of the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub with respect to the prior art.

In particular, the above-mentioned aim and objects, as well as others that will become better apparent hereinafter, may be achieved by a washing machine comprising:a washing tub containing a rotary perforated drum;a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser, fluidly connectable to a water source, comprising a housing and a drawer, removably associated to the housing, provided with one or more compartments adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products;a water line fluidly connecting the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser and the tub.

The water line comprises one or more single-piece elements comprising a first conduit, fluidly connecting the one or more compartments and the tub, and a second conduit, fluidly separated from the first conduit, fluidly connectable, upstream, with the water source, and fluidly connected, downstream, with the tub, the first and second conduits being provided in a single-piece construction.

Advantageously the water line comprises two or more single-piece elements, connected in series in such a way that their first conduits are fluidly connected one another, and that their second conduits are fluidly connected to one another.

In a further embodiment, two contiguous single-piece elements are watertightly fixed to one another.

Preferably, two contiguous single-piece elements are watertight fixed to one another by welding, and/or by gluing, and/or by joint. Opportunely between two contiguous single-piece elements there is a sealing element.

Opportunely between two contiguous single-piece elements there is a sealing element.

In a further embodiment, at least one single-piece element is obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing.

In a further embodiment, at least one single-piece element is fixed to the housing by welding and/or gluing, and/or joint.

In a further embodiment, at least one single-piece element is fixed to the housing by welding and/or gluing, and/or joint.

Opportunely, the second conduit of at least one single-piece element is provided with an outlet arranged in such a way that a jet of clean or fresh water exiting from this outlet is oriented towards an upper central region of the rotary perforated drum. Advantageously one single-piece element is connected, downstream, to a flexible bellows, connecting the tub and an access opening of the washing machine, in such a way that the outlet of the second conduit of this single-piece element is positioned substantially in the top portion of the flexible bellows.

Preferably the first conduit and the second conduit of each one of the single-piece elements are parallel one another.

Opportunely, a recirculation circuit is provided, adapted to drain the washing/rinsing-liquid from the bottom of the tub and to re-admit this re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid into an upper region of the tub; the recirculation circuit is fluidly connected to the second conduit of one of the one or more single-piece elements, in such a way that the re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid is admitted into the tub via the second conduit.

Advantageously the second conduit of at least one of the one or more single-piece elements is fluidly connected, upstream, to a by-pass line, obtained in the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser and fluidly connectable, upstream, to the water source, in such a way that a flow of fresh or clean water can flow from the by-pass line to the second conduit.

It is seen therefore how embodiments of the invention may achieves the proposed aim and objects, there being provided a washing machine1comprising an external casing2in which an access opening3is obtained, provided with a loading/unloading door4, which allows the access to a washing tub5, contained in the external casing2, and containing, in turn, a rotary, perforated, drum6in which the laundry to be washed, not illustrated, can be loaded.

In the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures, the washing machine1is a “simple” washing machine (i.e. a washing machine which can only wash and rinse the laundry), of the front loading type; in a further embodiment, not illustrated, of the invention, the washing machine can however be a “simple” washing machine of the top-loading type, or also a washing-drying machine (i.e. a washing machines which can also dry the laundry), both of the front-loading type and of the top-loading type.

With reference to the enclosed Figures, the tub5of the washing machine1is connected to the external casing2via a flexible bellows7, interposed between the frontal, opened, surface of the tub5facing the access opening3, and the border of the latter.

Advantageously, the washing machine1comprises a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8(i.e. a device adapted to dispense water and/or water mixed with washing or rinsing products) which comprises a box-shaped housing9, connected to the external casing2, internally to the latter, preferably by suitable fixing means, comprising, for example, screws or rivets, not illustrated, or also glue, or welding.

In the enclosed Figures, the housing9is advantageously substantially parallelepiped, and it is connected to the frontal surface2aof the external casing2, opportunely in an upper region of the latter, positioned above the tub5.

The housing9contains a removable drawer10which can be extracted from the housing9, such as to protrude from the external casing2in a loading position, illustrated for example inFIG. 2, or can be fully inserted into the housing9in an operative position, illustrated for example inFIGS. 1 and 3.

The drawer10is provided with one or more compartments11a,11b, adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, not illustrated, such as detergent, or softener.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 4,5and6, there are two compartments,11aand11b, one adapted for receiving a detergent for washing the laundry, and the other adapted to receive a softener; in another embodiment, not illustrated, there could be for example another compartment, adapted, for example, to be filled with a pre-wash detergent.

The compartments11a,11bare fluidly connected to the bottom9aof the housing9, particularly to the frontal portion of this bottom9a, in which an outlet port12is obtained, adapted to allow the flowing of a liquid into a water line13, which will be described in the following, fluidly connecting the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8and the tub5.

It is underlined that in the present application saying that a first component is “fluidly separated” from a second component means that a fluid can't flow from the first component to the second component or vice versa; on the contrary, saying that a first component is “fluidly connected” to a second component means that a fluid can flow from the first component to the second component and vice versa.

Advantageously, the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8comprises a water distributor14, associated to the housing9and placed above the drawer10in such a way to allow the flowing of water to the one or more compartments11a,11b.

Advantageously, the water distributor14comprises two or more inlet connectors15a,15b, connectable, upstream, to a water source which could comprise, for example, the plumbing of the building in which the washing machine1is installed.

It is underlined that in the present application the terms “upstream” and “downstream” to the flowing direction of a liquid during the standard functioning of the washing machine; for example saying that a first component is fluidly connected, upstream, to a second component, means that in the standard functioning of the washing machine a fluid enters firstly the second component, and then the first component; saying that a first component is fluidly connected, downstream, to a second component, means that in the standard functioning of the washing machine a fluid enters firstly the first component, and then the second component.

Advantageously the inlet connectors15a15bcan be connected to the water source via controllable valves40, preferably of the electromagnetic type, opportunely controlled by an electronic control device, also not illustrated, adapted to control the operations of the washing machine1. In the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures, there are two inlet connectors15a,15b; each inlet connector15a,15bcan be connected, via a dedicated controllable valve40, to a water source for the adduction of cold water.

In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed Figures there is also a further inlet connector15cconnectable, upstream, via a dedicated controllable valve, to a water source; the further inlet connector15ccan be fed with warm or hot water, for example obtained by a solar thermal collector; in a further embodiment, not illustrated, there could be more than one further inlet connectors, connected to one or more water sources.

Advantageously, the inlet connectors15a,15bare fluidly connected, downstream, to an “air-gap” or “air break”16, from which at least two ducts17a,17bbranch off, fluidly connected to the inlet connectors15a,15b, and each one fluidly communicating with a different region18a,18bof the water distributor14which is positioned in such a way to be placed above a different compartment11a,11bof the drawer10when the latter is placed in the above mentioned operative position; the regions18aand18bof the water distributor14are provided with one or more apertures19, adapted to allow the passage of the water from the ducts17a,17b, to the underlying compartment11a,11b.

As will be better explained in the following, by acting on the controllable valves, it is possible to selectively feed one or the other duct17aor17bwith water coming from the water source.

In another embodiment, not illustrated, in the drawer10there are more than two compartments, and in the water distributor14there is an equal number of ducts, each one fluidly communicating with a different region of the water distributor14which is positioned in such a way to be placed above a different compartment of the drawer10when the latter is placed in the above mentioned operative position; also in this case, by acting on the controllable valves, it is possible to selectively feed a desired duct with water coming from a water source.

In the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures also the further connector15c, which can be fed with warm or hot water, for example obtained by a solar thermal collector, is fluidly connected to the region18aof the water distributor14, in such a way to adduct also warm or hot water in the underlying compartment11a.

Advantageously the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8also comprises a by-pass line20, fluidly connected, upstream, to at last one of the inlet connectors, opportunely extending (i.e. spreading, generating) substantially from the air-gap or air-break16, and fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b; the by-pass line is also adapted to allow the flow of clean (or fresh) water from the water distributor14to the tub5, through the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8.

The fact that the by-pass line20is fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11bmeans that the by-pass line20is arranged in such a way that a flow of clean (or fresh) water, coming from one or more of the inlet connectors15a,15band trespassing the air-gap or air-break16, can enter the by-pass line20without entering one of the ducts17a,17b.

As will be better explained in the following, by acting on the controllable valves40associated to the inlet connectors15a,15b, it is possible to feed the by-pass line20with the water coming from the water source.

In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed Figures, by opening only the controllable valve40connected to the inlet connector15b, a flow of clean or fresh water enters the water distributor14, goes across the air-gap16, and enters the by-pass line20.

The by-pass line20provides therefore, through the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8, a passage for the clean or fresh water coming from the water delivery mains and directed to the tub5, ensuring that this water doesn't enter into contact with the detergent or with the softener which could be present in the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8.

Advantageously, as it will be better explained in the following, the bypass line20comprises a first conduit portion21, obtained in a region of the water distributor14not occupied by the ducts17aand17b, and fluidly connected, upstream, to one or more of the inlet connectors15a,15b; the first conduit portion21is opportunely fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b.

Advantageously, the first conduit portion21comprises also a tubular portion21aprotruding towards the underlying drawer9; clearly the tubular portion21acould also be not provided.

Opportunely the by-pass line20also comprises a second conduit portion22fluidly connected, upstream, to the overlaying first conduit portion21; the second conduit portion22is fluidly connected, downstream, to the tub5, and it is fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b.

In a first embodiment, illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 6, the first conduit portion21extends (i.e. spreads, emanates) substantially from the air-gap or air-break16and it extends substantially longitudinally along the water distributor14, almost up to the frontal end14aof the water distributor14. In this case the second conduit portion22is advantageously provided in/at a lateral wall9bof the housing9, opportunely near to the frontal end9cof the housing9opposite to the inlet connectors15a,15b.

Advantageously, the second conduit portion22illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 6is obtained along an axis, not illustrated, substantially perpendicular to the bottom9aof the housing9.

Advantageously, in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 6the second conduit portion22is obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing9, in such a way to be fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b.

In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the second conduit portion22can be comprised in a suitable external element (for example a pipe or tube), not illustrated, fixed to the lateral wall9bof the housing9, for example by gluing or welding or joint.

In a second embodiment, illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 9, the first conduit portion21is very short, and extends preferably towards the rear end14bof the water distributor14. Also in this case the first conduit portion21advantageously comprises also a tubular portion21aprotruding towards the underlying drawer9; clearly the tubular portion21acould also be not provided.

Opportunely, as indicated inFIG. 7, in this second embodiment the first conduit portion21is, in a plan view, substantially semicircular.

Advantageously, also in this second embodiment the second conduit portion22is provided in/at a lateral wall9bof the housing9; in this case the second conduit portion22extends longitudinally along the lateral wall9bof the housing9.

Advantageously, also in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 9the second conduit portion22is obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing9, in such a way to be fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b.

In a further embodiment, not illustrated, the second conduit portion22can be Comprised in a suitable external element (for example a pipe or tube), not illustrated, fixed to the lateral wall9bof the housing9, for example by gluing or welding or joint.

In a third embodiment, illustrated inFIGS. 10 to 15, the first conduit portion21is, in a plan view, substantially analogous to the one illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 9, and comprises also a tubular portion21aprotruding towards the underlying drawer9.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the tubular portion21acan be obtained in a single-piece construction with the water distributor14.

In this third embodiment the second conduit portion22is provided in/at the drawer10and is arranged in such a way to be fluidly connected, upstream, when the drawer10is in the operative position, illustrated for example inFIGS. 11 and 12, to the tubular portion21aof the first conduit portion21, and downstream to the tub5.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10 to 15, the second conduit portion22is obtained between the bottom10aof the drawer10and an external tray50, fixed to said bottom10a; in a further embodiment, not illustrated, the second conduit portion22is obtained in a single-piece construction with the drawer10, in such a way that this second conduit portion22is fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b.

In this third embodiment the second conduit portion22is fluidly connected, downstream, to the water line13via a suitable aperture24obtained in the housing9and fluidly separated from the outlet port12.

The aperture24is arranged in such a way that it is dedicated for the flowing of clean or fresh water coming from the second conduit portion22; in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10 to 15, the aperture24is advantageously obtained in the housing9in a position higher than the outlet port12, in such a way that a liquid present in the bottom9aof the housing9can enter in the outlet port12, but not in the aperture24.

Obviously the first conduit portion21obtained in the water distributor14, can have substantially any configuration (provided that it is obtained in a region of the water distributor14not occupied by the ducts17aand17b, that it is fluidly connected, upstream, to one or more of the inlet connectors15a,15b, and that it is fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b).

Alike, the second conduit portion22can be obtained only in the housing9, partially in the housing9and partially in the drawer10, or totally in the drawer10, and it can have any shape (provided that it is fluidly connected, upstream, to the overlaying first conduit portion21, fluidly connected, downstream, to the tub5, and fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b).

In all the above mentioned embodiments, therefore, the by-pass line20obtained in the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser8is fluidly separated from the compartments11a,11b, and allows the flowing, towards it, of a flow of fresh or clean water coming from a controllable valve connectable to a water source.

Advantageously, at least one of the one or more single-piece elements can be obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing9; alternatively, at least one of the one or more single-piece elements can be fixed to the housing, preferably by welding and/or gluing, and/or joint.

For example, in the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures, the water line13comprises two single-piece elements13a,13b, connected in series in such a way that their first conduits25are fluidly connected to one another, and their second conduits27are fluidly connected to one another.

Opportunely, but not necessarily, the first and second conduits of a single-piece element are substantially parallel one another.

Advantageously, at least one of the one or more single-piece elements can be obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing9; alternatively, at least one of the one or more single-piece elements can be fixed to the housing, preferably by welding and/or gluing, and/or joint.

For example, in the embodiments illustrated in the enclosed Figures, the water line13comprises two single-piece elements13a,13b, connected in series in such a way that their first conduits25are fluidly connected one another, and their second conduits27are fluidly connected one another.

In these embodiments the single-piece element13ais opportunely obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing9, and it is fluidly connected, downstream, with a single-piece element13bwhich is in turn connected, downstream, to a suitable opening26obtained preferably in an upper region of the bellows7.

The second conduit27of the single-piece element13ais opportunely fluidly connected to the by-pass line20, downstream of the latter, in such a way that clean or fresh water can flow from the by-pass line20to the second conduit27.

Advantageously, the outlet27aof the second conduit27of the single-piece element13bis arranged in such a way that the flow of clean or fresh water exiting from it is oriented towards the upper central region of the rotary perforated drum6; this can be obtained by a proper shaping of the outlet27a, or by a suitable nozzle, not illustrated, fluidly connected to the outlet27a, or by a suitable design of the bellows7or of the opening26obtained in the latter.

In the example illustrated in the enclosed Figures, the outlet27aof the second conduit27of the single-piece element13bis positioned substantially in correspondence to the top portion of the bellows7; this positioning of the outlet27ais however only preferable, but not necessary.

Advantageously two contiguous single-piece elements (for example the single-piece elements13aand13billustrated in the enclosed Figures) are watertight fixed one another preferably by welding, and/or by gluing, and/or by joint.

Opportunely, between two contiguous single-piece elements (for example the single-piece elements13aand13billustrated in the enclosed Figures) there is a sealing element, not illustrated.

In another embodiment, not illustrated, there could be more than two single-piece elements connected in a series to one another.

In a further embodiment, also not illustrated, the water line13comprises only one single-piece element, coinciding in this case with the water line13, obtained in a single-piece construction with the housing9.

In a further embodiment thereof, also not illustrated, the water line13comprises only one single-piece element, coinciding also in this case with the water line13, which can be obtained, for example, by injection moulding of a plastic material, and which can be fixed to the housing9, for example, by welding and/or gluing, and/or by joint.

Anyway, in all the embodiment hitherto illustrated, independently from the number of single-piece elements connected in series, the second conduits27of the one or more single-piece elements13are fluidly connected, upstream, to the by-pass line20, and, downstream, to the tub5, in such a way that a flow of fresh or clean water can flow from the by-pass line20to the second conduit27.

However it is underlined that the second conduits27of the one or more single-piece elements13can also be fluidly connected, upstream, to the water source directly, that is without being connected to a by-pass line; in this case these second conduits27can be connected to a water source, for example, via a suitable tube or pipe.

In a further embodiment, illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17, the washing machine1comprises also a recirculation circuit adapted to drain the washing/rinsing-liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with washing or rinsing products) from the bottom of the tub5and to re-admit this re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid into an upper region of the tub5, in order to improve the wetting of the laundry contained in the tub5.

Advantageously, the recirculation circuit comprises a draining circuit, not illustrated, connected to the bottom of the tub5and provided with a pump, again not illustrated, adapted to take the washing/rinsing-liquid from the bottom of the tub5, and to re-admitting the re-circulated washing/rinsing-liquid in the rotary perforated drum6, typically from an upper region of the latter, via an inlet tube28.

In the washing machine1according to the invention, the inlet tube28advantageously flows into the second conduit27or the single-piece element13b; in this way the second conduit27of the single-piece element13bcan also be used to flow into the rotating drum6the re-circulated washing/rinsing liquid.

Obviously, if the water line13comprises more than one single-piece elements, the inlet tube28can flow in the second conduit of any of such single-piece elements comprised in the water line13.

The functioning of a washing machine according to the invention is as follows: with reference to the enclosed Figures, by opening the controllable valve40connected to the inlet connector15b, clean or fresh water, coming from the water source, enters the water distributor14, crosses the air-gap or air-break16, and enters the by-pass line20, from which it flows into the second conduits27of the water line13, and finally enters the tub5, and therefore the drum6, through the opening26obtained in the bellows7.

This clean or fresh water enters in the drum6from a frontal-upper region of the latter, wetting the laundry contained therein.

After this initial wetting phase, by operating the controllable valves40, water can be introduced also in the ducts17aand/or17b, from where it reaches one of or both the regions18a,18b, and then one of or both the compartments11a,11b.

For example, with reference toFIG. 4, by opening only the controllable valve associated to the inlet connector15a, clean water coming from the water source enters the water distributor14, crosses the air-gap16, and enters the duct17a.

By opening both the controllable valves associated to the inlet connectors15aand15b, two jets, not illustrated, of clean water coming from the water source, enter the water distributor14, and converge each other, substantially in correspondence to the air-gap16, such as to generate a single jet which enters the duct17b.

In the compartments11a,11b, water mixes with the washing and/or rinsing products therein contained, and then flows in the tub5through the first conduits25of the water line13.

As indicated above, if the washing machine1is provided with a recirculation circuit, during washing and rinsing phases the washing/rinsing-liquid can be re-circulated in order to ensure a better wetting of the laundry by such water; as disclosed above, the washing/rinsing-liquid can be drained from the bottom of the tub5, and re-admitted into the latter via the second conduit27of the single-piece element13b.

It is seen therefore how the invention can be used to achieves the proposed aim and objects, there being provided a washing machine, which could be both a “simple” washing machine or also a washing-drying machine, which, thanks to the particular structure of the water line, allows introducing selectively in the tub clean or fresh water without the risk that the latter would come into contact with washing or rinsing agent before entering the tub, contemporarily reducing the complexity and the encumbrance of the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub.

In this way the invention also reduces the costs for assembly the circuit for the adduction of water and/or detergents to the tub.

In addition, if the washing machine is provided with a recirculation circuit, the connection of the inlet tube with the second duct of one of the one or more single-piece elements, allows reducing the complexity and the encumbrance of the recirculation circuit.