Patent Publication Number: US-10316455-B2

Title: Laundry washing machine equipped with a treating agents dispenser having water supplying apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to European Application No. 15202284.4 filed Dec. 23, 2015, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention concerns the field of laundry washing techniques. 
     In particular, the present invention relates to a treating agents dispenser in a laundry washing machine. 
     Nowadays the use of laundry washing machines, both “simple” laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), is widespread. 
     In the present description the term “laundry washing machine” will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines. 
     Laundry washing machines generally comprise an external casing, or cabinet, provided with a washing tub which contains a rotatable perforated drum where the laundry is placed. A loading/unloading door ensures access to the drum. 
     Laundry washing machines typically comprise a water supply unit and a products supply unit, or dispenser, for the introduction of water and treating agents (i.e. detergent, softener, rinse conditioner, etc.) into the tub. The treating agents dispenser is advantageously connected to a water source (water main). 
     Known treating agents dispensers comprise one or more compartments having bottom and side walls adapted to be filled with at least one treating agent and one or more respective water conveying lines for conveying water to the compartments. 
     Water conveying lines are typically realized in a water distributor placed above the compartments. The water distributor is opportunely shaped to define ducts provided with apertures allowing water coming from the water main to fall down in the underlying compartments. 
     A drawback posed by the treating agents dispensers of the known art and/or the laundry washing machines having such dispenser lies in that residues of treating agent, especially powder treating agent, often stick to compartment walls, more often at the side walls of the compartment. Residues of treating agent may accumulate and may form a sticky, gelatinous mass, which will ultimately adhere to the walls of the compartment. 
     Another drawback posed by the treating agents dispensers of the known art is that the accumulation of treating agent may favour the proliferation of bacteria, which may then worsen the hygienic conditions and may cause bad smells. 
     The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks posed by the known technique. 
     It is a first object of the invention to provide a laundry washing machine that makes it possible to reduce or prevent residues of treating agent from adhering on the walls of compartments of the treating agents dispensers. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a laundry washing machine that makes it possible to reduce proliferation of bacteria therefore improving hygienic conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF SELECTED INVENTIVE ASPECTS 
     The applicant has found that by providing a laundry washing machine equipped with a treating agents dispenser having at least one compartment receiving the treating agent wherein a water conveying line conveys water to the compartment and by providing the water conveying line with outlets which direct the water tangentially to the side wall of the compartment, it is possible to overcome drawbacks of known techniques. 
     In an aspect, the present invention relates, therefore, to a laundry washing machine comprising:
     a) a cabinet supporting a washing drum adapted to receive laundry and a washing tub external to said washing drum;   b) a treating agents dispenser comprising:
       at least one compartment adapted to be filled with at least one treating agent, said compartment comprising a bottom part and a side wall rising from said bottom part, said side wall superiorly defining a top boundary line;   at least one water conveying line for conveying water to said at least one compartment;   
       c) a supply line, fluidly connecting said treating agents dispenser and said washing tub;   d) a control unit for controlling functioning of said laundry washing machine;
       wherein said at least one water conveying line comprises outlets facing said at least one compartment, said outlets being aligned along a path which is at least partially adjacent to said top boundary line.   
       

     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlets are aligned along the path so that the water falling into the compartment touches the side wall and then flows towards its bottom part. 
     Preferably, the outlets are aligned along the path so that the water falls into the compartment along a water direction which tangentially follows the side wall of the compartment. 
     Preferably, the water direction has a horizontal component which tangentially follows the side wall. 
     Preferably, the water direction has a horizontal component which is parallel to the side wall. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water direction has a substantially vertical component which tangentially follows the side wall. 
     Preferably, the vertical component of the water direction is substantially parallel to the side wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water direction of the water exiting one of the outlets has a horizontal component which is parallel to the horizontal direction of the top boundary line at the point of the top boundary line closest to said one outlet. 
     Preferably, the outlets are realized along a portion of a duct which defines said at least one water conveying line. 
     Preferably, the portion of duct extends along the path which is at least partially adjacent to the top boundary line. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the outlets comprises an inclined upstream portion. 
     The term “upstream” is referred to the water flowing direction inside the water conveying line during the functioning of the water dispenser. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of said outlets comprises an inclined upstream portion. 
     The inclined upstream portion preferably diverges from the axis of the duct. 
     Opportunely, the distance of the inclined upstream portion from the axis of the duct increases while moving in the water flowing direction. 
     Preferably, the side wall of the compartment is vertical or substantially vertical, with the dispenser in its operating position in the laundry washing machine. 
     Also preferably, the compartment comprises at least one curved portion. 
     With the term “curved” it is meant that by sectioning the side wall portion with a plane parallel to the horizontal plane the resulting section is a curve. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlets of the at least one water conveying line are arranged along so that at least a quantity of water exiting the outlets is directed towards the curved portion. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water conveying line is connectable to a water source through a controllable valve. 
     Preferably, the water conveying line comprises an air-break. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a laundry washing machine equipped with a treating agents dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows the laundry washing machine of  FIG. 1  with the drawer in its opened loading position; 
         FIG. 3  shows the laundry washing machine of  FIG. 1  with the front side wall and the upper side wall removed; 
         FIG. 4  shows a lateral plan view of the laundry washing machine of  FIG. 1  with the left side wall removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the treating agents dispenser, isolated from the rest, of the laundry washing machine represented in  FIG. 2  with the drawer in its opened loading position; 
         FIG. 6  shows the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 5  with an element removed therefrom; 
         FIG. 7  shows the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 6  with a further element removed therefrom; 
         FIG. 8  shows the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 7  from a slightly different point of view; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 6  with the drawer in its closed position; 
         FIGS. 9A to 9D  schematically illustrate different working conditions of the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 5  with the drawer in its closed position in which the underlying not visible components have been represented in dotted lines; 
         FIG. 11  shows a plan view, from below, of the upper part of the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11A  shows an enlarged view of a particular of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a plan view of the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 10  sectioned along line XII°-XII°; 
         FIG. 13  shows an isometric enlarged view of a particular of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  shows a plan view of the treating agents dispenser of  FIG. 10  sectioned along line XIV°-XIV°. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Aspects of the present invention have proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to laundry washing machines, as described below. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to laundry washing machines. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry). 
     In the present description, therefore, the term “laundry washing machine” will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines. 
     A laundry washing machine  1  equipped with a treating agents dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 14 . 
     The laundry washing machine  1  comprises an external casing or cabinet  2 , in which a washing tub  3  is provided that contains a perforated washing drum  4  where the laundry to be treated can be loaded. The external casing  2  comprises vertical side walls  2   a - 2   d  and an upper side wall  2   e.    
     The tub  3  and the drum  4  both preferably have a substantially cylindrical shape. Between the tub  3  and the drum  4  a gap is defined. 
     The cabinet  2  is provided with a loading/unloading door  8  which allows access to the drum  4 . 
     The tub  3  is preferably suspended in a floating manner inside the cabinet  2 , advantageously by means of a number of coil springs and shock-absorbers  17 . 
     The drum  4  is advantageously rotated by an electric motor  9  which preferably transmits the rotating motion to the shaft of the drum  4 , advantageously by means of a belt/pulley system  9   a . In a different embodiment of the invention, the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum  4 . 
     The drum  4  is advantageously provided with holes which allow the liquid flowing therethrough. Said holes are typically and preferably homogeneously distributed on the cylindrical side wall of the drum  4 . 
     The tub  3  is preferably connected to the cabinet  2  by means of an elastic bellows  7 , or gasket. The bellows  7  is preferably S-shaped. 
     Laundry washing machine  1  advantageously comprises a control unit  11 , for example illustrated in  FIG. 3 , connected to the various parts of the laundry washing machine  1  in order to ensure its operation. Laundry washing machine  1  preferably comprises an interface unit  16 , connected to the control unit  11 , accessible to the user and by means of which the user may select and set the washing parameters, like for example a desired washing program. Usually, other parameters can optionally be inserted by the user, for example the washing temperature, the spinning speed, etc. The interface unit  16  preferably comprises a display  16   a  which displays machine working conditions. 
     The unit interface  16  then preferably comprises one or more selector devices which allow to select the appropriate washing program and/or to set other parameters. 
     For example, the selector devices may comprise a selector  16   b  (a rotary knob) which advantageously allows to select the appropriate washing program. The selector devices may then preferably comprise push buttons. 
     In further embodiments, the selector devices may comprise other of type device, such as capacitive switch, touch screen, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the touch screen may coincide with the display  16   a.    
     The laundry washing machine  1  advantageously comprises a treating agents dispenser  20  to supply treating agents into the tub  3  during a washing cycle. Treating agents may comprise, for example, detergents, rinse additives, fabric softeners or fabric conditioners, waterproofing agents, fabric enhancers, rinse sanitization additives, chlorine-based additives, etc. 
     Advantageously, the treating agents dispenser  20  comprises a box-shaped housing  21 , connected to the external casing  2 , 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 housing  21  is advantageously substantially parallelepiped, and it is connected to the frontal side wall  2   a  of the external casing  2 , opportunely in an upper region of the latter, positioned above the tub  3 . 
     The housing  21  contains a removable drawer  22  which can be extracted from the housing  21 , such as to protrude from the external casing  2  in a opened loading position, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , or can be fully inserted into the housing  21  in an operative position, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . 
     The drawer  22  is preferably provided with one or more compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  adapted to be filled with treating agents. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, there are four compartments,  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d.    
     In different embodiments, not illustrated, the number of compartments may be different, according to the desired type and number of treating agents which are used in the particular model of laundry washing machine. 
     The first compartment  23   a  is preferably adapted for receiving a powder detergent; the second compartment  23   b  is preferably adapted for receiving a quantity of liquid detergent; the third compartment  23   c  is preferably adapted for receiving a softener; the fourth compartment  23   d  is preferably adapted for receiving other treating agents, such as fabric conditioners, waterproofing agents, fabric enhancers, rinse sanitization additives, chlorine-based additives, etc. 
     The compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d  are fluidly connected to the bottom  21   a  of the housing  21 , particularly to the rear portion  21   b  of this bottom  21   a , in which an outlet port  24  is obtained. The outlet port  24  is adapted to allow the flowing of a liquid into a supply pipe  18  fluidly connecting the treating agents dispenser  20  and the tub  3 , as visible in  FIGS. 4 and 8 . 
     It is underlined that in the present application 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; on the contrary, saying that a first component is “fluidly separated” from a second component means that a fluid can&#39;t flow from the first component to the second component or vice versa. 
     The supply pipe  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is preferably arranged laterally with respect to the tub  3  and preferably terminates at an upper region  3   a  of the tub  3 . More preferably, the supply pipe  18  terminates at a rear side of the tub  3 . 
     The bottom  21   a  of the housing  21  preferably has a sloped bottom wall so that a fluid may flow towards the outlet port  24 . The outlet port  24  is preferably located at the rear of the sloped bottom wall  21   a.    
     The first compartment  23   a  of the drawer  22  is fluidly connected to the bottom  21   a  of the housing  21  through an aperture  26  defined at the rear of the first compartment  23   a.    
     The first compartment  23   a  preferably comprises a sloped bottom part  62   a  so that a fluid may flow towards the aperture  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The aperture  26  is located at the rear of the sloped bottom part  62   a . The first compartment  23   a  then preferably comprises a substantially vertical side wall  63   a  rising from the bottom part  62   a.    
     The term “vertical” refers to the normal operating position of the dispenser with the laundry washing machine  1  installed on the floor. 
     Superiorly, the vertical side wall  63   a  defines a top boundary line  263   a.    
     According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the side wall  63   a  of the first compartment  23   a  preferably comprises at least a portion  163   a  which is curved. With the term “curved” it is meant that by sectioning the side wall portion  163   a  with a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, for example the horizontal plane defined by the sheet of  FIG. 8 , the resulting section is a curve. 
     In the preferred embodiment here illustrated, the curved portion  163   a  is substantially circular. The other portions of the substantially vertical side wall  63   a  comprises linear or substantially linear portions which extend up to the rear aperture  26 . 
     The curved portion  163   a , as better described below, gives an advantageous effect to the functioning of the treating agents dispenser  20 . 
     The other compartments  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d  of the drawer  22  are preferably fluidly connected to the bottom  21   a  of the housing  21  through respective siphons  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d.    
     Analogously to the first compartment  23   a , the other compartments  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d  preferably comprise respective bottom parts  62   b ,  62   c  and  62   d  and substantially vertical side walls  63   b ,  63   c  and  63   d  rising from the respective bottom parts  62   b ,  62   c  and  62   d . In particular, side walls  63   b ,  63   c  and  63   d  surround the respective bottom parts  62   b ,  62   c  and  62   d.    
     Superiorly, the vertical side walls  63   b ,  63   c  and  63   d  defines respective top boundary lines  263   b ,  263   c  e  263   d.    
     According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the substantially vertical side walls  63   b ,  63   c  and  63   d  of the compartments  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d  preferably have at least a portion  163   b ,  163   c  and  163   d  which is curved, with the term “curved” defined as above. 
     In the preferred embodiment here illustrated, all the curved portions  163   b ,  163   c  and  163   d  are substantially circular. The other portions of the substantially vertical side wall  163   b ,  163   c  and  163   d  are mixtilinear, namely a combination of linear and curved wall portions which surround the bottom parts  62   b ,  62   c  and  62   d  and the siphons  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d.    
     The curved portions  163   b ,  163   c  and  163   d , as better described below, give an advantageous effect to the functioning of the treating agents dispenser  20 . 
     Preferably, the treating agents dispenser  20  comprises a water distributor  35 , associated to the housing  21  and placed above the drawer  22  in such a way to allow the flowing of water to one or more of said compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d.    
     The treating agents dispenser  20  comprises one or more water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c ,  120   d  adapted for conveying water to one or more of said compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d.    
     The water distributor  35  preferably comprises a lower part  35   a  and an upper closing part  35   b  structured for being reciprocally coupled to form the water distributor  35 . The two parts  35   a ,  35   b  are preferably coupled by welding and/or glueing and/or joint. 
     Advantageously, the water distributor  35  comprises a first and a second inlet connector  36   a ,  36   b  connectable to a water source E which could comprise, for example, the plumbing of the building in which the laundry washing machine  1  is installed, as better visible in  FIG. 9 . 
     Advantageously the first and second connectors  36   a ,  36   b  can be connected to the water source E via first and second controllable valves  40   a ,  40   b , preferably of the electromagnetic type, opportunely controlled by the control unit  11 . In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed Figures, the two inlet connectors  36   a ,  36   b  can be connected via the dedicated controllable valves  40   a ,  40   b , to the water source E for the adduction of cold water. 
     Inlets of the two controllable valves  40   a ,  40   b  are connectable to the water source E and outlets of the two controllable valves  40   a ,  40   b  are connected, through respective pipes  34   a ,  34   b , to the two inlet connectors  36   a ,  36   b  of the water distributor  35 . 
     Preferably, the controllable valves  40   a ,  40   b  above described, and all the valves described hereinafter, comprise a regulator system that automatically cuts off the flow of water flowing therethrough at a certain maximum pressure. Preferably, the maximum pressure is set at a value comprises between 1, 7 and 2, 4 bar. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed Figures there is also provided a third inlet connector  36   c  connectable, via a third controllable valve  40   c , to a warm or hot water source E′ (as visible in  FIG. 9 ); the further inlet connector  36   c  can 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. 
     Inlet of the third controllable valve  40   c  is connectable to the water source E′ and outlet of the third controllable valve  40   c  is connected, through a respective pipe  34   c , to the third inlet connector  36   c  of the water distributor  35 . 
     Three ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  are fluidly connected to the inlet connectors  36   a ,  36   b.    
     Preferably, the inlet connectors  36   a ,  36   b  and the three ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  are connected through a so called “air-break”  37 , that is a safety system comprising an opening obtained in the water path in such a way to ensure that a stream of water can flow from the inlet connectors  36   a ,  36   b  to the three ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  due to the water source pressure, while water can&#39;t flow from the ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  to the inlet connectors  36   a ,  36   b . In the embodiment illustrated, the “air-break”  37  advantageously comprises a lower opening  37   a , better visible in  FIG. 11 . 
     Each one of said three ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  are opportunely shaped so as to define said water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c ,  120   d , as better described below, which fluidly communicate with a different region  25   a ,  25   b ,  25   c ,  25   d  of the water distributor  35  and, finally, adapted for conveying water to one or more of said compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d.    
     Each region  25   a ,  25   b ,  25   c ,  25   d  is opportunely displaced in such a way to be placed above a respective compartment  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  of the drawer  22  when the latter is placed in its closed operative position. 
     The water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c ,  120   d  are provided with outlets  29   a ,  29   b ,  29   c ,  29   d  facing the underlying compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  that allow the passage of the water from the water distributor  35  to the underlying compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d , as better described below. 
     More particularly, said outlets  29   a ,  29   b ,  29   c ,  29   d  are realized along a portion of said ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c.    
     With reference to ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c , they are advantageously defined between the lower part  35   a  and the upper closing part  35   b  of the water distributor  35 . 
     In particular, as will be better explained in the following, by acting on the controllable valves  40   a ,  40   b  and  40   c , it is possible to selectively feed one of the ducts  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c  and hence one or more water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c ,  120   d  with water coming from the water source E or E′. 
     More in particular, the first duct  38   a  supplies the first and second water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b  and therefore the two regions  25   a ,  25   b  of the water distributor  35  which are positioned above the first and second compartments  23   a ,  23   b , as indicated in  FIG. 9A . 
     Water is conveyed to the two compartments  23   a ,  23   b  of the drawer  22  by activating the first valve  40   a  and making the water flowing through the first duct  38   a  and the first and second water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b  up to the regions  25   a ,  25   b , as schematically indicated in  FIG. 9A  with grey path. In  FIG. 9A , also the direction WFa, WFb of the water flowing in the first and second water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b  are depicted. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed Figures also the further connector  36   c , which can be fed with warm or hot water, is fluidly connected to the two regions  25   a ,  25   b  of the water distributor  35 , in such a way to adduct also warm or hot water in the underlying first and second compartments  23   a ,  23   b  through the first and second water conveying lines  120   a ,  120   b , as schematically indicated in  FIG. 9B . 
     In a further preferred embodiment, not illustrated, the water distributor may comprise a dedicated duct and valve for each compartment, i.e. a duct communicating with the first region (first water conveying line) and another duct communicating with the second region (second water conveying line). 
     The second duct  38   b  supplies the third water conveying lines  120   c  and therefore the third region  25   c  of the water distributor  35  which is positioned above the third compartment  23   c.    
     Water is conveyed to the third compartment  23   c  of the drawer  22  by activating simultaneously the first and second valves  40   a ,  40   b  and making the water flowing through the second duct  38   b  and the third water conveying line  120   c  up to the third region  25   c , as schematically indicated in  FIG. 9C . In  FIG. 9C , also the direction WFc of the water flowing in the third water conveying line  120   c  is depicted. 
     The third duct  38   c  supplies the fourth water conveying line  120   d  and therefore the fourth region  25   d  of the water distributor  35  which is positioned above the fourth compartment  23   d.    
     Water is conveyed to the fourth compartment  23   d  of the drawer  22  by activating the second valve  40   b  and making the water flowing through the third duct  38   c  and the fourth water conveying line  120   d  up to the fourth region  25   d , as schematically indicated in  FIG. 9D . In  FIG. 9D , also the direction WFd of the water flowing in the fourth water conveying line  120   d  is depicted. 
     In another embodiment, not illustrated, in the drawer there can be more than four compartments, and in the water distributor there can be more than three ducts, each one fluidly communicating with a different region of the water distributor which is positioned in such a way to be placed above a different compartment of the drawer when the latter is placed in its closed 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 the water source. 
     In further embodiments, not illustrated, in the drawer there can be less than four compartments, even just one, and in the water distributor there can be less than three ducts, each one fluidly communicating with a different region of the water distributor which is positioned in such a way to be placed above a different compartment of the drawer when the latter is placed in its closed 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 the water source. 
     According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, outlets  29   a ,  29   b ,  29   c ,  29   d  of the water conveying line  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c ,  120   d  are aligned along a path  273   a ,  273   b ,  273   c ,  273   d  which is at least partially adjacent to the top boundary line  263   a ,  263   b    263   c ,  263   d  of the underlying compartment  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d , as visible in  FIGS. 11 and 11A . 
     Advantageously, also the portion of the ducts  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  where the outlets  29   a ,  29   b ,  29   c ,  29   d  are realized follows a path which is at least partially adjacent to the top boundary line  263   a ,  263   b    263   c ,  263   d  of the underlying compartment  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d.    
     For simplicity&#39;s sake, hereinafter we will refer only to outlets  29   a  of the first water conveying line  120   a . It has to be noted that the same analogously applies to outlets  29   b ,  29   c ,  29   d  of other water conveying lines  120   b ,  120   c  and  120   d.    
     The displacement of the outlets  29   a  along said path  273   a  allows the water falling into the underlying compartment  23   a  to firstly touch its side wall  63   a  and then to flow towards the bottom part  62   a  thereof. 
     Preferably, outlets  29   a  are opportunely shaped so that the water falls into the underlying compartment  23   a  along a water direction Da which tangentially follows the side wall  63   a  of the compartment  23   a.    
     Preferably, the water direction Da of the water exiting the outlet  19   a  has a first component Dxa, or horizontal component Dxa, which is parallel to the horizontal direction Bxa of the adjacent top boundary line  263   a  at the point of said top boundary line  263   a  closest to outlet  19   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 11A . The horizontal direction Bxa of the top boundary line  263   a  at any point is defined to be the same as the direction of the line tangent to the top boundary line  263   a  at that point. 
     The horizontal component Dxa of the water direction Da is therefore substantially parallel to the side wall  63   a  of the compartment  23   a , when viewed from above. 
     Preferably, the water direction Da has a second substantially vertical component Dya which tangentially follows the side wall  63   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The second component Dya of the water direction Da is substantially parallel to the side wall  63   a.    
     For the sake of simplicity, only outlets  29   a  of the first water conveying line  120   a  are described in detail hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 12 to 14 . It has to be noted that the same applies to outlets  29   b ,  29   c ,  29   d  of other water conveying lines  120   b ,  120   c  and  120   d.    
       FIG. 12  illustrates a section view of two of said outlets  29   a  of the first water conveying line  120   a.    
     As said above, outlets  29   a  are realized along a portion of the duct  38   a  which defines the first water conveying line  120   a . The duct  38   a  preferably extends along a main axis X. 
     Each outlet  29   a  preferably comprises an inclined upstream portion  129   a . It is underlined that the term “upstream” is referred to as the flowing direction WFa of the water inside the first water conveying line  120   a  during the functioning of the water dispenser  20 . 
     The inclined upstream portion  129   a  preferably diverges from the main axis X, i.e. the distance of the inclined upstream portion  129   a  from the main axis X increases while moving in said water flowing direction WFa. 
     The inclined upstream portion  129   a  advantageously contributes to convey the water along said water direction Da which tangentially follows the side wall  63   a  of the first compartment  23   a.    
     In particular, the first component Dxa of the water direction Da and the second component Dya of the water direction Da tangentially follow the side wall  63   a  of the first compartment  23   a.    
     Each outlet  29   a  then preferably comprises a straight downstream portion  130   a . It is underlined that the term “downstream” is also referred to as the flowing direction WFa of the water inside the first water conveying line  120   a  during the functioning of the water dispenser  20 . 
     Water falling down from the outlets  29   a  tangentially follows the side wall  63   a  of the first compartment  23   a  and falls down by gravity into the bottom  62   a  of the same. The water exiting the outlets  29   a  along said water direction Da generates controlled vortices inside the first compartment  23   a.    
     With the term “controlled” it is meant that vortices generated by water falling along said water direction Da does not create undue turbulences, as it happens if the water strikes the wall of the compartment with an angle of incidence, i.e. does not tangentially follow the wall. Undue turbulences reduce the efficiency of the treating agent due to creation of foam. 
     Advantageously, when the first compartment  23   a  is filled with a treating agent, for example powder detergent, the water gently drags the treating agent towards the bottom  62   a  of the first compartment  23   a  and from there towards the rear aperture  26 . Furthermore, once all the treating agent has been conveyed towards the rear aperture  26 , the water falling down from the outlets  29   a  and vortices generated therefrom advantageously clean the first compartment  23   a  and no products accumulate at the side wall  63   a  and/or bottom part  62   a  of the first compartment  23   a.    
     This guarantees good hygienic conditions inside the first compartment  23   a , in particular when the laundry washing machine  1  is not used for a long time between two successive washing cycles. 
     According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, outlets  29   a  are arranged along the first water conveying line  120   a  so that at least a quantity of water exiting the outlets  29   a  along the water direction Da is directed towards the curved portion  163   a  of the underlying first compartment  23   a.    
     The combined effect of the water exiting the outlets  29   a  along said water direction Da and the curvature of the curved portion  163   a  enhances the generation of controlled vortices inside the first compartment  23   a.    
     Again, advantageously, vortices avoids accumulation of products at the side wall  63   a  and/or bottom part  62   a  of the first compartment  23   a.    
     The cleaning effect for the treating agent dispenser  20  is therefore increased. 
     Furthermore, vortices advantageously enhance the dissolution of the treating agent in the water. 
     Analogously, the same cleaning and/or dissolution effects for the other compartments  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  are obtained through outlets  29   b ,  29   c  and  29   d  and their displacement in the respective water conveying lines  120   b ,  120   c  and  120   d  with respect to the curved portions  163   b ,  163   c  and  163   d  of the compartments  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d.    
     In the preferred embodiment above described, each outlet of the plurality of outlets has the particular shape as described in detail above. 
     Nevertheless in further preferred embodiments, not all the outlets along said path may be shaped. Along said path a small number of different outlets may be present, for example a small number of standard cylindrical outlets. 
     Advantageously the treating agents dispenser  20  also preferably comprises a by-pass line  50 , better visible in  FIG. 11 . 
     The by-pass line  50  comprises a conduit portion  51 , obtained in a region of the water distributor  35  not interested by the ducts  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c . The conduit portion  51  is opportunely fluidly separated from the compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c  e  23   d  and terminates with an opening  53 , shown in  FIG. 11 , facing the underlying housing  21 . The opening  53  is placed above the drawer  22  in such a way to allow the flowing of water directly to the bottom  21   a  of the housing  21  and outside the compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  without entering the compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d.    
     The conduit portion  51  communicates with an inlet connector  36   e  of the water distributor  35 . The inlet connector  36   e  is fluidly connected, via a controllable valve  40   e , to the water source E. 
     Inlet of the controllable valve  40   e  is connectable to the water source E and outlet of the controllable valve  40   e  is connected, through a respective pipe  34   e , to the inlet connector  36   e.    
     The by-pass line  50  is adapted to allow the passage of clean (or fresh) water from the water source E directly to the washing tub  3  by-passing the compartments  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c ,  23   d  of the water distributor  35 . 
     In different embodiments the by-pass line may not be present. 
     Hereinafter, a possible functioning of the the treating agents dispenser  20  during a laundry washing cycle is described. 
     The first compartment  23   a  of the treating agents dispenser  20  is filled with powder detergent or the second compartment  23   b  is filled with liquid detergent. Then, advantageously, the third compartment  23   c  may be filled with a softener and/or the fourth compartment  23   d  may be filled with other treating agents, such as fabric conditioners, waterproofing agents, fabric enhancers, rinse sanitization additives, chlorine-based additives, etc. By operating on the interface unit  16  the user selects the desired washing program. The control unit  11  controls the laundry washing machine  1  so that it may start the washing program and dispensing, when required, the proper treating agent from the treating agents dispenser  20  to the washing tub  3 . 
     The treating agent is dispensed from the treating agents dispenser  20  to the washing tub  3  by making flow an amount of flushing water into the proper compartment so as to flush out the treating agent contained therein and convey it into the washing tub  3  through the outlet port  24  and the supply pipe  18 , for example as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A, 9C  o  9 D. 
     For example, the powder detergent is dispensed from the treating agents dispenser  20  to the washing tub  3  by making flow an amount of flushing water into the first compartment  23   a  so as to flush out the powder detergent contained therein and convey it into the washing tub  3  through the outlet port  24  and the supply pipe  18 . 
     Advantageously and according to what previously described, during said phase of the washing cycle the cleaning and/or the dissolution effect is advantageously obtained. 
     The washing cycle may then proceed with the following phases, such as water heating, drum rotation, draining phases, spinning cycles, etc., or further water loads. 
     It has thus been shown that embodiments of the present invention allow the set objects to be achieved. In particular, it is possible to realize a laundry washing machine that makes it possible to reduce or prevent residues of treating agent from adhering on the walls of compartments of the treating agents dispenser. 
     It is underlined that the laundry washing machines illustrated in the enclosed figures are of the front-loading type; however it is clear that the system according to the invention can be applied as well to a top-loading washing machine, substantially without any modification. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment shown in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.