Patent Description:
A laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus that puts clothes, bedding, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as laundry) into a drum to remove contamination from the laundry. The laundry treating apparatus may perform processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, drying, and the like. The laundry treating apparatuses may be classified into a top loading type laundry treating apparatus and a front loading type laundry treating apparatus based on a scheme of putting the laundry into the drum.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet forming an appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, a tub accommodated in the cabinet, a drum that is rotatably mounted inside the tub and into which the laundry is put, and a detergent feeder that feeds detergent into the drum.

When the drum is rotated by a motor while wash water is supplied to the laundry accommodated in the drum, dirt on the laundry may be removed by friction with the drum and the wash water.

The detergent feeder has a detergent supply function to enhance a washing effect. In this connection, the detergent refers to a substance that enhances the washing effect, such as fabric detergent, fabric softener, fabric bleach, and the like. Detergent in a powder form and detergent in a liquid form may be used.

Korean Patent Publication Application <CIT> discloses a detergent feeder included in a laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus may be used as a storage of the detergent feeder is inserted or withdrawn by a user.

The storage may include a storage space where the detergent is stored therein. After storing the detergent in the storage, the user may use the laundry treating apparatus by inserting the storage into the cabinet of the laundry treating apparatus.

Inside the laundry treating apparatus, various components in addition to the detergent feeder may be disposed. Therefore, it is an important task in the art to develop a detergent feeder that may minimize an increase in volume by not complicating a structure while securing sufficient capacity of a storage space within a limited space and may efficiently supply detergent.

<CIT> relates to a drawer suitable for use in washing devices wherein operations such as washing/rinsing/drying of items are performed.

<CIT> relates to a liquid type detergent automatic pouring device comprising a water injection box, a drawer box arranged in the water injection box, a detergent temporary storage box connected with the water injection box, a pump connected with the detergent temporary storage box, and a liquid type detergent conveying pipeline.

<CIT> relates to a laundry treating apparatus having a detergent supply apparatus.

<CIT> relates to a machine in form of a washing machine or a dishwashing machine with a dispenser of detergents.

<CIT> relates to a laundry treating apparatus equipped with a detergent supplier.

<CIT> relates to a washer comprising a cleaning agent dispenser.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus having a structure that may efficiently supply detergent with excellent space utilization through optimal arrangement between components.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively secure a storage space of detergent while minimizing an increase in volume through a design considering spatiality.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which a sufficient amount of detergent of various types may be used, which is convenient to use and is able to effectively improve structural stability.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively increase space utilization by minimizing an increase in volume by a detergent hose in a detergent feeder including the detergent hose.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a tub and a drum, and includes a detergent feeder that may supply detergent to the tub or the drum. The detergent feeder may include a storage in which detergent is stored and a water supply assembly that supplies water to the storage.

The water supply assembly is connected to a detergent hose along which detergent is delivered from the storage. The water supply assembly may have a hose assembling portion to which the detergent hose is fastened.

The detergent hose is be extended along an outer surface of the water supply assembly and is connected to the water supply assembly. A hose accommodating groove into which the detergent hose may be inserted or accommodated is defined in the water supply assembly.

As the hose accommodating groove is defined in the outer surface of the water supply assembly, according to the present invention, even when the detergent hose is disposed on the outer surface of the water supply assembly, an increase in volume of the detergent feeder may be minimized. Accordingly, a storage space of the storage may be secured in the same space, so that a capacity of detergent stored in the storage may be effectively increased.

In addition, the hose assembling portion, that is, a hose connector may extend in parallel with the detergent hose to minimize an assembly space. Accordingly, it may be possible to minimize a level at which the detergent hose connected to the hose connector protrudes from the detergent feeder, and it may be advantageous to secure the storage space of the storage in the same space.

According to the present invention, provided is a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, a tub, a drum, and a detergent feeder.

The tub is disposed inside the cabinet, and accommodates water therein. the drum is disposed rotatably inside the tub, and accommodates laundry therein. The detergent feeder is disposed inside the cabinet, and supplies detergent into the tub.

The detergent feeder includes a storage, a detergent hose, and a water supply assembly. The storage includes therein a storage space for storing detergent therein. The detergent hose flows detergent delivered from the storage therethrough. The water supply assembly is connected to the detergent hose to supply delivered detergent to the storage together with water.

At least a portion of the detergent hose extends along an outer surface of the water supply assembly, and a hose accommodating groove extending along a longitudinal direction of the detergent hose to accommodate the detergent hose therein is defined in the outer surface of the water supply assembly.

In one implementation, the storage space may include a first space for storing first detergent therein and in communication with the detergent hose, and a second space for storing second detergent therein, the water supply assembly may be constructed to receive the first detergent through the detergent hose and supply the first detergent to the second space, and the storage may include a detergent discharge portion for discharging detergent of the second space to the outside.

In one implementation, the water supply assembly may include a water supply connector connected to a water supply hose for flowing water therethrough, a water supply flow channel extending from the water supply connector, wherein water flows through the water supply flow channel, a water supply connected to the water supply flow channel to discharge water to the second space, and a detergent connector in communication with the water supply.

The detergent hose extends along the hose accommodating groove and is connected to the detergent connector to deliver the first detergent to the water supply.

In one implementation, the water supply may face the second space, and the detergent connector may be located on a side opposite to the second space with respect to the water supply.

In one implementation, the water supply assembly may include a departure suppressing portion located on open one surface of the hose accommodating groove to suppress departure of the detergent hose.

According to the invention, the water supply assembly includes a detergent connector in communication with the water supply, and the detergent connector may include an extending coupling portion extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose accommodated in the hose accommodating groove, wherein the detergent hose is coupled to the extending coupling portion.

In one implementation, a backflow preventing portion for preventing backflow of detergent flowing along the detergent hose may be disposed inside the detergent connector or the detergent hose.

According to the invention, a connector accommodating portion recessed inwardly of the water supply assembly and connected to the hose accommodating groove is defined in the outer surface of the water supply assembly, and the detergent connector is disposed in the connector accommodating portion, and the extending coupling portion may be disposed parallel to the connector accommodating portion while facing the detergent hose.

In one implementation, the connector accommodating portion may have a greater width than the hose accommodating groove.

In one implementation, a mixing inhibiting rib may be disposed inside the water supply, wherein the mixing inhibiting rib is in communication with the detergent connector and is constructed to surround a detergent space where detergent flows to inhibit mixing of detergent and water in the water supply.

In one implementation, the water supply assembly may include a water supply base constructed such that one surface of each of the water supply and the water supply flow channel is opened, and a water supply cover coupled to the water supply base to close said one open surface of each of the water supply and the water supply flow channel.

The mixing inhibiting rib may include a first inhibiting rib protruding from the water supply base and a second inhibiting rib protruding from the water supply cover.

In one implementation, one of the first inhibiting rib and the second inhibiting rib may be disposed to surround the other.

In one implementation, the water supply may have a water discharge hole and a detergent discharge hole defined in one surface facing the storage thereof, wherein the water discharge hole discharges water therethrough, and the detergent discharge hole is in communication with the detergent space to discharge detergent therethrough.

In one implementation, detergent may flow through the detergent discharge hole as a shielding portion for blocking flow of detergent is disposed in a portion of the detergent discharge hole, and the remaining portion of the detergent discharge hole is opened.

In one implementation, the detergent feeder may further include a supply casing for accommodating the storage therein, and including a drain portion for discharging detergent discharged toward the tub through the detergent discharge portion.

In one implementation, the supply casing may include a detergent pump connected to the first space of the storage to flow the first detergent, and the detergent hose may be connected to the detergent pump to flow the first detergent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, provided is a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, a tub disposed inside the cabinet, and accommodating water therein, a drum disposed rotatably inside the tub, and accommodating laundry therein, and a detergent feeder disposed inside the cabinet, and supplying detergent into the tub.

The detergent feeder includes a storage including therein a storage space for storing detergent therein, a detergent hose for flowing detergent flowing out from the storage therethrough, and a water supply assembly connected to the detergent hose to supply delivered detergent to the storage together with water.

At least a portion of the detergent hose extends along an outer surface of the water supply assembly, a detergent connector coupled to the detergent hose is disposed on the outer surface of the water supply assembly, and the detergent connector includes an extending coupling portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the detergent hose, wherein the detergent hose is coupled to the extending coupling portion along the longitudinal direction.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide the laundry treating apparatus having the structure that may efficiently supply the detergent with the excellent space utilization through the optimal arrangement between the components.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may effectively secure the storage space of the detergent while minimizing the increase in the volume through the design considering spatiality.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention may provide the laundry treating apparatus in which the sufficient amount of detergent of the various types may be used, which is convenient to use and is able to effectively improve the structural stability.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may effectively increase the space utilization by minimizing the increase in the volume by the detergent hose in the detergent feeder including the detergent hose.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs may easily implement the embodiment.

However, the present invention is able to be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiment described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present invention, components irrelevant to the description are omitted in the drawings. Further, similar reference numerals are assigned to similar components throughout the specification.

Duplicate descriptions of the same components are omitted herein.

In addition, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being 'connected to' or 'coupled to' another component herein, it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other component, or one or more intervening components may be present. On the other hand, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being 'directly connected to' or 'directly coupled to' another component herein, there are no other intervening components.

The terminology used in the detailed description is for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present invention only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

As used herein, the singular forms 'a' and 'an' are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should be understood that the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', and 'including' when used herein, specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or combinations thereof.

In addition, in this specification, the term 'and/or' includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or any of the plurality of listed items. In the present specification, `A or B' may include 'A', 'B', or `both A and B'.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a view of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> viewed from above. <FIG> is a top view showing a detergent feeder <NUM> of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet <NUM> having a detergent opening <NUM> defined in a front surface thereof, a tub <NUM> installed inside the cabinet <NUM>, a drum <NUM> rotatably installed inside the tub <NUM>, and the detergent feeder <NUM>.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may include a washing machine in which a cloth is inserted into the drum <NUM> to be subjected to washing, rinsing, and dehydration, a dryer in which a wet cloth is inserted to be subjected to drying, or the like.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may be divided into a top load-type apparatus and a front load-type apparatus. <FIG> shows the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the front load-type, which is only for convenience of description, and is also applicable to the top load-type washing machines because the present disclosure does not apply only to the front load-type washing machines.

As shown in <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> includes the cabinet <NUM> that forms an appearance thereof. The cabinet <NUM> may include a manipulation unit that receives various control commands from a user and displays information on an operating state. The manipulation unit may include a display for displaying the operating state.

The cabinet <NUM> may have a laundry opening and a laundry door <NUM> respectively defined in and formed on a front surface <NUM> thereof. The user may put laundry, such as clothing, into the drum <NUM> through the laundry opening of the cabinet <NUM>. The laundry door <NUM> may be pivotably formed on the cabinet <NUM> using a hinge or the like, and may be constructed to open and close the laundry opening.

The cabinet <NUM>, which forms the appearance of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, may have a space defined therein in which various components constituting the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may be accommodated. The drum <NUM> for accommodating therein the laundry input through the laundry opening may be installed inside the cabinet <NUM>.

Inside the cabinet <NUM>, the tub <NUM> for containing wash water therein, and the drum <NUM> rotatably disposed in the tub <NUM> and accommodating the laundry therein may be disposed. A balancer for compensating for eccentricity occurred by rotation may be installed on one side of the drum <NUM>.

The above-described manipulation unit may include various keys for operating the operating state of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and the display for displaying the operating state of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. The laundry door <NUM> may contain a transparent member such as tempered glass such that an interior of the cabinet <NUM> or the drum <NUM> may be visually identified.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may have the detergent opening <NUM> on the front surface <NUM> thereof, and a detergent feeder <NUM> may be positioned inside the cabinet <NUM> at the rear of the detergent opening <NUM>.

A location and a shape of the detergent opening <NUM> may vary. <FIG> shows the detergent opening <NUM> defined in the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> and including an open hole. The detergent opening <NUM> may be located in a corner region on the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>, for example, on one side of an upper end of the front surface <NUM>, parallel to the manipulation unit in a lateral direction.

The front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> may be formed in a form of a panel. For example, the cabinet <NUM> may include a front panel, a rear panel, side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel. The definition of the direction in the present disclosure may be centered around the cabinet <NUM>.

For example, in the cabinet <NUM>, one surface in which the detergent opening <NUM> is defined may correspond to a front surface of the present disclosure. In addition, a front and rear direction may correspond to a insertion and withdrawal direction of a storage unit <NUM>, which will be described later.

The storage unit <NUM> may be moved rearwardly into the cabinet <NUM> to be inserted into the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>, and may be moved forward at the interior of the cabinet <NUM> to be withdrawn out of the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>.

In one example, the detergent feeder <NUM> located at the rear of the detergent opening <NUM> may be located inside the cabinet <NUM> on one side of an upper portion of the cabinet <NUM>. <FIG> shows the detergent feeder <NUM> positioned on one sides of the upper portion of the cabinet <NUM> as an embodiment of the present disclosure, but the location of the detergent feeder <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto.

The detergent feeder <NUM> may include the storage unit <NUM> that may store detergent therein, a supply casing <NUM> that accommodates the storage unit <NUM> inserted into the cabinet <NUM> therein, and a water supply unit <NUM> that supplies water to the storage unit <NUM>. <FIG> is the top view of the detergent feeder <NUM>.

The detergent feeder <NUM> may supply the detergent stored in the storage unit <NUM> into the drum <NUM> or the tub <NUM> in a washing process or the like. The detergent means a substance that may enhance a washing effect of the laundry or a care effect of the laundry.

For example, the detergent may include a powdered or liquid fiber detergent and a liquid fabric softener.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a water supply valve <NUM> inside the cabinet <NUM>. The water supply valve <NUM> may be connected to an external water supply source located outside the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, and may be constructed to regulate flow of water supplied from the external water supply source.

For example, the water supply valve <NUM> may be in an open state to allow the flow of the water supplied from the external water supply source, or may be in a closed state to block the flow of the water. The water introduced through the water supply valve <NUM> may flow through a water supply hose <NUM> and be supplied to the detergent feeder <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a pair of water supply valves <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. One of the pair of water supply valves <NUM> may be connected to an external water supply source for cold water, and the other may be connected to an external water supply source for hot water.

The water supply hose <NUM> may also include a pair of water supply hoses, and one of the pair of water supply hoses may be coupled to the water supply valve <NUM> that is connected to the external water supply source for the cold water, and the other may be coupled to the water supply valve <NUM> that is connected to the external water supply source for the hot water.

The detergent feeder <NUM> may include a water supply connector <NUM> to which the water supply hose <NUM> is coupled. The water supply connector <NUM> may be disposed on the water supply unit <NUM>, and the water supply unit <NUM> may include a water supply flow channel <NUM> through which water supplied through the water supply connector <NUM> flows, and may include a water supply portion <NUM> for supplying water supplied through the water supply flow channel <NUM> to the storage unit <NUM>.

The water supply unit <NUM> may include a shower flow channel <NUM> extending from the water supply portion <NUM>, and may include a shower portion <NUM> that receives water through the shower flow channel <NUM> and supplies the water to the supply casing <NUM>. Because the shower portion <NUM> is supplied with water from the water supply portion <NUM>, and the water supply portion <NUM> is supplied with water from the water supply hose <NUM> in which the flow of the water is regulated by the water supply valve <NUM>, whether to operate the water supply portion <NUM> and the shower portion <NUM> may be determined only by controlling the single water supply valve <NUM>.

In addition, the water supply unit <NUM> may have a fastening elastic protrusion <NUM> that provides sensory information on the insertion and withdrawal of the storage unit <NUM> to the user and improves usability by providing an elastic force to the storage unit <NUM> while being elastically deformed and restored by the storage unit <NUM> in the process of insertion and withdrawal of the storage unit <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> may include a handle <NUM>, and at least some of the detergent inside the storage unit <NUM> may flow out through a detergent pump <NUM> and be supplied to the water supply unit <NUM> through a detergent hose <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> may have a detergent connector <NUM> to which the detergent hose <NUM> is coupled. A detailed description of the detergent flow between the storage unit <NUM> and the water supply unit <NUM> will be described later.

<FIG> shows a decomposed state of the detergent feeder <NUM>. In the detergent feeder <NUM>, the storage unit <NUM> may be located underneath the water supply unit <NUM>, and the supply casing <NUM> may be located underneath the storage unit <NUM> based on <FIG>.

The water supply unit <NUM> may receive water from the outside, and supply the received water back into the storage unit <NUM> or the supply casing <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> may receive water from the external water supply source through the water supply hose <NUM> and the water supply valve <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> may include a storage space <NUM> defined therein in which the detergent and the like are stored. The storage space <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of spaces. For example, the storage space <NUM> may include a first space <NUM> in which first detergent is stored and a second space <NUM> in which second detergent is stored.

The storage unit <NUM> may include a storage frame in which the storage space <NUM> is defined, the handle <NUM> disposed on a front surface of the storage frame, and a detergent cover <NUM> that is coupled to the storage frame and closes at least a portion of the storage space <NUM>.

The supply casing <NUM> may include a bottom surface <NUM> positioned underneath the storage unit <NUM>, and side walls <NUM> respectively positioned on both sides of the bottom surface <NUM> and the storage unit <NUM> in the lateral direction. The side walls <NUM> may be connected to the both sides of the bottom surface <NUM> in the lateral direction.

A space in which the storage unit <NUM> is accommodated may be defined in the supply casing <NUM>. That is, the supply casing <NUM> may be constructed to accommodate the storage unit <NUM> inserted into the cabinet <NUM>. As will be described later, the supply casing <NUM> may have a drain portion <NUM> on the bottom surface <NUM>. The detergent and the water discharged from the storage unit <NUM> or the water supply unit <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the supply casing <NUM> through the drain portion <NUM>, and the water and the detergent discharged to the outside of the supply casing <NUM> may be provided into the tub <NUM> or the drum <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit <NUM> may be inserted into or withdrawn out of the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM> defined in the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. That is, the storage unit <NUM> may be inserted or withdrawn along the front and rear direction.

In the present disclosure, even when the laundry door <NUM> and the detergent opening <NUM> are formed on different surfaces in the cabinet <NUM>, front and rear sides may be defined based on the detergent opening <NUM> and the insertion and withdrawal direction of the storage unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the detergent opening <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> viewed from the outside. A shape of the detergent opening <NUM> may vary. For example, an opening shape of the detergent opening <NUM> may correspond to a cross-sectional shape of the storage unit <NUM>.

The detergent opening <NUM> may be defined in a portion of the front panel of the cabinet <NUM>. The detergent opening <NUM> may be located on one side of an upper end of the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The detergent opening <NUM> may be located above the laundry door <NUM>.

The detergent opening <NUM> may be depressed rearwardly than the remaining portion of the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> excluding the detergent opening <NUM>. As the detergent opening <NUM> is defined to be depressed, the handle <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may be positioned in front of the detergent opening <NUM> to form a portion of the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows the storage unit <NUM> extended from the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM> in one embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be a state in which the handle <NUM> is exposed to the outside while the storage unit <NUM> is inserted into the cabinet <NUM>.

When the storage unit <NUM> is withdrawn out of the cabinet <NUM>, the user may pull the storage unit <NUM> out of the cabinet <NUM> by gripping the handle <NUM> and pulling the storage unit <NUM> out. The storage unit <NUM> may be extended by a set distance determined by design by an withdrawal limiting portion disposed in the storage unit <NUM>.

In the state in which the storage unit <NUM> is withdrawn by the set distance, at least a portion of the first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM> may be exposed to the outside. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit <NUM> may include the detergent cover <NUM> that closes the first space <NUM>, and may further include a detergent cap that is detachably coupled to the detergent cover <NUM>.

In the state in which the storage unit <NUM> is withdrawn by the set distance, the detergent cap may be exposed to the outside, and the user may separate the detergent cap from the storage unit <NUM> and put the detergent into the first space <NUM>.

In the state in which the storage unit <NUM> is withdrawn by the set distance, at least a portion of the second space <NUM> may be exposed to the outside. The storage unit <NUM> may be constructed such that one surface of the second space <NUM> is opened. For example, a top surface of the storage unit <NUM> may be opened as shown in <FIG>. The user may put the detergent into the second space <NUM> through one open surface of the second space <NUM> exposed to the outside.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous in usability because the user may use the storage space <NUM> without completely separating the storage unit <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM> as the storage unit <NUM> is constructed to be withdrawn by the set distance.

The withdrawal limiting portion may be constructed such that at least a portion thereof is exposed in the state in which the storage unit <NUM> is withdrawn by the set distance, and the user may release the withdrawal distance limitation by the withdrawal limiting portion by manipulating the withdrawal limiting portion exposed to the outside. That is, the user may also manipulate the withdrawal limiting portion as needed to extend the storage unit <NUM> such that the cabinet is completely separated from the cabinet <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> is a perspective view of the storage unit <NUM> from which the detergent cover <NUM> is separated. Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit <NUM> may include the storage frame and the handle <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be formed on the front surface of the storage frame. The handle <NUM> and the storage frame may be integrally molded or manufactured separately and coupled to each other. The handle <NUM> may form a portion of the front surface <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> in the state in which the storage unit <NUM> is inserted into the cabinet <NUM>.

The storage frame may have the storage space <NUM> defined therein in which the detergent is stored. The storage space <NUM> may be defined such that one surface thereof is opened to allow the detergent to be injected. The storage frame may include a partition wall for partitioning the storage space <NUM> therein.

The storage space <NUM> may be divided into the plurality of spaces by the partition wall. The storage space <NUM> partitioned by the partition wall may include the first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM>. The first detergent may be stored in the first space <NUM>, and the second detergent may be stored in the second space <NUM>.

The first detergent and the second detergent may only be distinguished based on to the stored spaces, and characteristics thereof may not necessarily be different. However, the present disclosure allows the user to use various detergents by having the plurality of regions where the detergent may be stored.

Referring to <FIG>, the storage space <NUM> of the storage frame may include a plurality of first spaces <NUM> extending along a longitudinal direction of the storage frame, for example, the front and rear direction of the cabinet <NUM>. In one example, the second space <NUM> partitioned by the partition wall portion may be defined between the first spaces <NUM>.

The second space <NUM> may have a shape surrounded by the first spaces <NUM>. The storage frame may include a detergent connecting portion <NUM> for discharging the first detergent in the first space <NUM> to the outside. The detergent connecting portion <NUM> may be formed in a shape of a pipe in which flow of the detergent may be regulated.

The detergent connecting portion <NUM> may be constructed to penetrate a rear wall of the storage frame, and may be connected to a detergent pump <NUM> to be described later. For example, when the storage unit <NUM> is inserted into the cabinet <NUM>, as the detergent pump <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM> and the detergent connecting portion <NUM> are connected to each other, and the detergent connecting portion <NUM> is constructed to allow the detergent flow as the detergent pump <NUM> is connected thereto, the first detergent in the first space <NUM> may be leaked to the outside of the storage unit <NUM> by the detergent pump <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> may include a detergent discharge portion <NUM> in communication with the second space <NUM>. The detergent discharge portion <NUM> may be located in the second space <NUM> in the storage frame. The detergent discharge portion <NUM> may be constructed as a passage through which the detergent and water present in the second space <NUM> are discharged to the outside.

The detergent discharge portion <NUM> may be disposed on a portion forming a bottom of the second space <NUM> in the storage frame. The detergent discharge portion <NUM> may include an opening for the detergent to be discharged, and the detergent or the like discharged through the detergent discharge portion <NUM> may be delivered to the bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the supply casing <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from above. The supply casing <NUM> may include the bottom surface <NUM> and the side walls <NUM>, and the storage unit <NUM> may be accommodated in a space defined by the bottom surface <NUM> and the side walls <NUM>.

The supply casing <NUM> has the open front surface, so that storage unit <NUM>, which is inserted into the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>, may move into the supply casing <NUM>. The supply casing <NUM> has an open top surface, and a water supply unit <NUM> may be disposed on top of the supply casing <NUM>.

As will be described later, the water supply unit <NUM> may be constructed to discharge the water to the outside. The water discharged from the water supply unit <NUM> may be supplied into the storage unit <NUM> and the supply casing <NUM> through the open top surface of the supply casing <NUM>.

The water supply unit <NUM> may be positioned above the supply casing <NUM> to shield the top surface of the supply casing <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> may be coupled to the supply casing <NUM> to define a space in which the storage unit <NUM> is accommodated.

The storage unit <NUM> is inserted into the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>, and the supply casing <NUM> may have the detergent pump <NUM> connected to the storage unit <NUM> on the rear wall. The detergent pump <NUM> may be of various types.

<FIG> shows the detergent pump <NUM> including a plurality of detergent pumps to correspond to the number of first spaces <NUM> defined in the storage unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The detergent pump <NUM> is disposed on the rear wall of the supply casing <NUM>, so that the detergent pump <NUM> may be connected to the storage unit <NUM> fully inserted into the cabinet <NUM>.

The detergent pump <NUM> may be located at the rear of the rear wall of the supply casing <NUM> and may have a connector penetrating the rear wall of the supply casing <NUM>. The connector may be connected to the detergent connecting portion <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> that is introduced into the cabinet <NUM>.

The bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM> may be formed in a shape favorable to the flow of the detergent and the water. The supply casing <NUM> may have the drain portion <NUM> for discharging the detergent and the water on the bottom surface <NUM>.

The drain portion <NUM> may be constructed to discharge the detergent and the water to the outside through the opening. The detergent and the water discharged through the drain portion <NUM> may be supplied to the drum <NUM> or the tub <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM> may be inclined or grooved such that the detergent and the water flow toward the drain portion <NUM>.

A shower water flow groove <NUM> may be defined in the side wall <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>. The shower water flow groove <NUM> may extend from the side wall <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM> toward the bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>, and may have a shape recessed in a direction away from the storage unit <NUM>.

The shower water flow groove <NUM> may have an open top surface facing the water supply unit <NUM>. The water discharged from the water supply unit <NUM> may be delivered into the shower water flow groove <NUM> and flow through the open top surface of the shower water flow groove <NUM>.

As will be described later, the water supply unit <NUM> may include the shower portion <NUM> for supplying water to the supply casing <NUM> by avoiding the storage unit <NUM>, and the shower water flow groove <NUM> may be positioned below the shower portion <NUM>.

That is, water falling through the shower portion <NUM> of the water supply unit <NUM> may avoid the storage unit <NUM> and flow into the shower water flow groove <NUM>. The shower water flow groove <NUM> may become means for guiding the water introduced through the shower portion <NUM> to flow through the entire bottom surface <NUM> including a front portion of the bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>.

In one example, as described above, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the cabinet <NUM>, the tub <NUM>, the drum <NUM>, and the detergent feeder <NUM>, and the tub <NUM> may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and accommodate the water therein.

The drum <NUM> may be rotatably disposed inside the tub <NUM>, and accommodate the laundry therein, and the detergent feeder <NUM> may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and supply the detergent into the drum <NUM>.

The detergent feeder <NUM> may include the storage unit <NUM>, the detergent hose <NUM>, and the water supply unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may include therein the storage space <NUM> in which the detergent is stored, and the detergent flowing out from the storage unit <NUM> may flow through the detergent hose <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> may be constructed to supply the detergent delivered thereto as the water supply unit <NUM> is connected to the detergent hose <NUM> together with the water to the storage unit <NUM>.

At least a portion of the detergent hose <NUM> extends along the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and a hose accommodating groove <NUM> extending along a longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> and accommodating the detergent hose <NUM> therein is defined in the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the detergent feeder <NUM> having the detergent hose <NUM> and the hose accommodating groove <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the detergent flowing out from the storage unit <NUM> may flow through the detergent hose <NUM>. In addition, the water supply unit <NUM> is connected to the detergent hose <NUM> to supply the detergent delivered from the storage unit <NUM> to the storage unit <NUM> together with the water.

One embodiment of the present disclosure may deliver at least some of the detergent of the storage unit <NUM> to the water supply unit <NUM>, and the water supply unit <NUM> may supply the detergent delivered from the storage unit <NUM> back to the storage unit <NUM> together with the water.

Accordingly, the storage unit <NUM> may discharge the detergent provided with the water at once through the detergent discharge portion <NUM> or the like. Therefore, the detergent and the water may be supplied to the tub <NUM> in a structurally simple and efficient manner by omitting a separate component or structure for discharging the detergent and implementing a structure that may discharge the detergent together with the water.

Furthermore, because the separate structure for discharging the detergent is omitted, it is easy for the storage unit <NUM> to secure a space in the detergent feeder <NUM>. Accordingly, as a capacity of the storage unit <NUM> is increased, it is possible to increase an amount of detergent stored in the storage space <NUM>, which may be advantageous for treatment of mass laundry and may be advantageous for improving usability as a one-time filling amount increases.

According to the invention, at least a portion of the detergent hose <NUM> extends along the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>. <FIG> shows the detergent hose <NUM> extending along a top surface of the water supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The detergent hose <NUM> may be directly connected to the storage unit <NUM> or connected to the detergent pump <NUM> described above, so that at least some of the detergent stored in the storage space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may flow inside the detergent hose <NUM>.

The detergent hose <NUM> extends along the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM> and be connected to the water supply unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the water supply unit <NUM> may receive the detergent through the detergent hose <NUM> without defining a separate flow channel for the flow of the detergent therein, which may be advantageous for design and handling of the water supply unit <NUM>.

For example, when the flow channel along which the detergent flows is separately formed inside the water supply unit <NUM>, the detergent remaining in the flow channel along which the detergent flows is difficult to be washed, which may deteriorate hygiene and handling properties.

Therefore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, as the detergent hose <NUM> is extended and directly coupled to the detergent connector <NUM> on the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, the separate flow channel for the detergent flow may not be defined inside the water supply unit <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the hose accommodating groove <NUM> is defined in the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>. The hose accommodating groove <NUM> extends along the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> in the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and accommodates the detergent hose <NUM> therein.

<FIG> shows a state in which the detergent hose <NUM> extends along the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and the hose accommodating groove <NUM> extending in parallel with the detergent hose <NUM> is defined in the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The hose accommodating groove <NUM> may have a shape recessed in a direction away from the detergent hose <NUM>. <FIG> shows a state in which the detergent hose <NUM> is located on the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and the hose accommodating groove has the shape of being recessed downward from the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent pump <NUM> and the detergent hose <NUM> may be disposed at a rear portion of the detergent feeder <NUM> to minimize a lateral volume expansion of the detergent feeder <NUM>. That is, the detergent hose <NUM> may extend forward from a rear end on the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may extend forward from a rear end of the water supply unit <NUM>. As will be described later, the water supply flow channel <NUM> or the like for the flow of water may be disposed inside the water supply unit <NUM>, and the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may extend forward while being bent or inflected several times in terms of design considering the water supply flow channel <NUM> or the like.

The hose accommodating groove <NUM> may be opened rearward, so that an entirety of the detergent hose <NUM> may be inserted into the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. The detergent hose <NUM> may be accommodated in the hose accommodating groove <NUM>, so that the detergent hose <NUM> may not protrude or partially protrude from the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to suppress the increase in the volume of the detergent feeder <NUM> and implement an efficient structure, the detergent of the storage unit <NUM> is directly supplied into the water supply unit <NUM> through the detergent hose <NUM>, and the water supply unit <NUM> has the hose accommodating groove <NUM> that accommodates the detergent hose <NUM> therein defined in the outer surface thereof, so that the unnecessary increase in volume may be effectively suppressed by minimizing a level of protrusion of the detergent hose <NUM> from the water supply unit <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, the water supply connector <NUM> connected to the water supply hose <NUM> may be disposed, and the water supply connector <NUM> may be disposed at the rear end of the water supply unit <NUM>. The water supply flow channel <NUM> connected to the water supply connector <NUM> and through which the water flows may be disposed in the water supply unit <NUM>.

The water supply portion <NUM> connected to the water supply flow channel <NUM> may be disposed inside the water supply unit <NUM>. The water supply portion <NUM> may be disposed to discharge the water received through the water supply flow channel <NUM> toward the storage unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the water supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from below. <FIG> shows one surface of the water supply portion <NUM> from which the water is discharged from the water supply unit <NUM> toward the storage unit <NUM>. The water supply portion <NUM> may have a plurality of water discharge holes <NUM> defined therein through which the water is discharged, and may have a residence space defined therein in which the water is retained.

In one example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may include the shower flow channel <NUM> extending from the water supply portion <NUM> and the shower portion <NUM> connected to the shower flow channel <NUM>.

The shower flow channel <NUM> may extend from the water supply portion <NUM>, so that at least a portion of the water supplied to the water supply portion <NUM> is delivered to the shower flow channel <NUM> and flows through the shower flow channel <NUM>. In addition, the shower portion <NUM> may be constructed to discharge the water delivered through the shower flow channel <NUM>.

The shower portion <NUM> may be constructed such that the water is supplied to the bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM> by avoiding the storage unit <NUM>. The shower portion <NUM> may be disposed at each of both ends of the water supply unit <NUM> in a lateral direction to avoid the storage unit <NUM>, and the water discharged from the shower portion <NUM> may fall from the water supply unit <NUM> and be delivered to the shower water flow groove <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>.

The water supplied through the shower portion avoids the storage unit <NUM> and is supplied to the bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>, so that the water may be used for cleaning an interior of the supply casing <NUM>.

That is, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> includes the shower portion <NUM> for supplying the water to an inner surface of the supply casing <NUM> in addition to the water supply portion <NUM> for supplying the water to the storage unit <NUM>, so that the interior of the supply casing <NUM> where the detergent and the water may flow or remain may be washed, which may improve the hygiene.

In addition, the shower portion <NUM> may be disposed at a front portion of the water supply unit <NUM>. For example, at least a portion of the shower portion <NUM> may be located forwardly of the water supply portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the water supplied from the shower portion <NUM> may be utilized for washing a front portion of the supply casing <NUM>. The supply casing <NUM> may increase a flow region of the water supplied from the shower portion <NUM> through the shower water flow groove <NUM>, and a guide rib for guiding the flow of water may be disposed on the bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>, so that the front portion of the supply casing <NUM> may be washed.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, because the detergent and the water are discharged out of the storage unit <NUM>, and the storage unit <NUM> moves along the front and rear direction to be inserted into or extended from the cabinet <NUM>, the detergent or the like may unintentionally leak from the storage unit <NUM> in the process of movement of the storage unit <NUM>, and the detergent leaking from the storage unit <NUM> may generally be present forwardly of the detergent discharge portion <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shower portion <NUM> supplies the water to the supply casing <NUM> while at least a portion thereof is located forwardly of the water supply portion <NUM>, so that the inner surface of the supply casing <NUM>, including the front portion of the supply casing <NUM> may be washed, which may improve the hygiene.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may include the first space <NUM> in which the first detergent is stored and in communication with the detergent hose <NUM>, and the second space <NUM> in which the second detergent is stored.

The water supply unit <NUM> may be constructed to receive the first detergent through the detergent hose <NUM> and supply the first detergent to the second space <NUM>, and the storage unit <NUM> may include the detergent discharge portion <NUM> from which the detergent of the second space <NUM> is discharged to the outside.

Referring to <FIG>, the storage unit <NUM> may include the first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM>, and the first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM> may respectively include a plurality of first spaces and a plurality of second spaces. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first space <NUM> may have a shape extending to a rear end of the storage unit <NUM>.

The first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM> may store different detergents. For example, the first detergent may be stored in the first space <NUM> and the second detergent may be stored in the second space <NUM>. As described above, the first detergent and the second detergent are only distinguished based on the difference in the storage space, and may be detergents of the same nature.

The first space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may be connected to the detergent hose <NUM> through the detergent connecting portion <NUM>, the detergent pump <NUM>, and the like. That is, the first detergent stored in the first space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may flow out of the storage unit <NUM> through the detergent hose <NUM>. The first detergent may be a liquid detergent with fluidity.

The water supply unit <NUM> may be constructed to receive the first detergent through the detergent hose <NUM>, and to supply the first detergent back to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> may supply the first detergent together with the water to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> through the water supply portion <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may have an open top surface, and the water supply portion <NUM> may be positioned above the second space <NUM> to drop the water and the first detergent. That is, the water and the detergent discharged from the water supply portion <NUM> may be supplied to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> may include the detergent discharge portion <NUM> in communication with the second space <NUM>, and the water and the detergent present in the second space <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the storage unit <NUM> through the detergent discharge portion <NUM>. The detergent and the water discharged through the detergent discharge portion <NUM> may flow on the bottom surface <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM> and be discharged to the outside of the detergent feeder <NUM> through the drain portion <NUM> of the supply casing <NUM>, and may be supplied to the drum <NUM> or the tub <NUM>.

The process of in which the detergent is delivered from the detergent feeder <NUM> including the storage unit <NUM> having the first space <NUM> connected to the detergent hose <NUM> and the second space <NUM> including the detergent discharge portion <NUM> will be described as follows.

First, the first detergent may be stored in the first space <NUM> and the second detergent may be stored in the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>. The first detergent stored in the first space <NUM> may be delivered to the water supply unit <NUM> through the detergent hose <NUM>.

The water supply unit <NUM> may receive the first detergent through the detergent hose <NUM> and receive the water through the water supply hose <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> may supply the first detergent and the water together through the water supply portion <NUM> to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>.

In the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>, the first detergent and the water supplied through the water supply portion <NUM> are present along with the second detergent. The detergent and the water of the second space <NUM> may be discharged to the outside through the detergent discharge portion <NUM> and may be ultimately supplied to the tub <NUM> or the drum <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit <NUM> may include the storage space <NUM> that is partitioned into a plurality of spaces to store different types of detergent therein, and the detergent discharge portion <NUM> is disposed in one space, for example, the second space <NUM>, without implementing a detergent discharge structure of each of the plurality of spaces, so that the detergents respectively in the first space <NUM> and the second space <NUM> partitioned from each other may be discharged together to the outside of the storage unit <NUM> through one detergent discharge portion <NUM>, which is advantageous because the plurality of detergents may be usefully used while simplifying the structure.

In one example, <FIG> shows the detergent feeder <NUM> in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the rear. As described above, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent feeder <NUM> may include the supply casing <NUM>, and the supply casing <NUM> may accommodate the storage unit <NUM> therein, and include the drain portion <NUM> for discharging the detergent discharged through the detergent discharge portion <NUM> toward the tub <NUM>.

In addition, the supply casing <NUM> may include the detergent pump <NUM> that is connected to the first space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> to flow the first detergent, and the detergent hose <NUM> may be connected to the detergent pump <NUM> to flow the first detergent.

The storage unit <NUM> is a component having the space where the detergent is stored defined therein, and moved by the user. Therefore, when the detergent pump <NUM> is disposed directly on the storage unit <NUM>, it may be disadvantageous to the user to move the storage unit <NUM> and to secure the storage space <NUM> of the detergent. Furthermore, it may be disadvantageous for handling of the storage unit <NUM>, such as separation of the storage unit <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM>.

Therefore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent pump <NUM> is disposed on the supply casing <NUM> that accommodates therein the storage unit <NUM> that is inserted into the cabinet <NUM>, and the detergent pump <NUM> is constructed to be in communication with the first space <NUM> by being connected to the storage unit <NUM> accommodated in the supply casing <NUM>, so that the detergent may flow effectively from the storage unit <NUM> that is inserted into the cabinet <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>. in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may include the water supply connector <NUM>, the water supply flow channel <NUM>, the water supply portion <NUM>, and the detergent connector <NUM>.

The water supply hose <NUM> through which the water flows may be connected to the water supply connector <NUM>, the water supply flow channel <NUM> may extend from the water supply connector <NUM> such that the water flows therethrough, the water supply portion <NUM> may be connected to the water supply flow channel <NUM> such that water is discharged into the second space <NUM>, and the detergent connector <NUM> may be in communication with the water supply portion <NUM>.

The detergent hose <NUM> extends along the hose accommodating groove <NUM> and is connected to the detergent connector <NUM>, so that the first detergent may be delivered to the water supply portion <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may be constructed to supply the water to the storage unit <NUM> through the water supply portion <NUM>, and the water supply portion <NUM> may be constructed to supply the water to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows the detergent connector <NUM> disposed on the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the water supply connector <NUM> is spaced apart from the water supply portion <NUM> and connected to the water supply portion <NUM> through the water supply flow channel <NUM>, so that the water flows inside the water supply unit <NUM>. However, because the detergent connector <NUM> is located directly on the water supply portion <NUM>, and the detergent introduced through the detergent hose <NUM> is directly supplied into the water supply portion <NUM> through the detergent connector <NUM>, a separate detergent flow channel may be omitted.

The water supply unit <NUM> may discharge the detergent supplied through the detergent hose <NUM> and the water supplied through the water supply hose <NUM> to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> together through the water supply portion <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows a cross-section of the water supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the side, and <FIG> shows an interior of the detergent connector <NUM> cut along a line A-A in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply portion <NUM> may be positioned to face the second space <NUM>, and the detergent connector <NUM> may be positioned on a side opposite to the second space <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may be located above the storage unit <NUM>, and a portion of a bottom surface of the water supply unit <NUM> may correspond to a bottom surface of the water supply portion <NUM>. The water supply portion <NUM> is located above the storage unit <NUM>, so that the water discharged through the bottom surface of the water supply portion <NUM> may be supplied to the storage unit <NUM>.

The water supply portion <NUM> may be located above the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Therefore, the water and the detergent discharged through the water supply portion <NUM> may be supplied to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>.

In one example, the detergent connector <NUM> may be located on a side opposite to the second space <NUM> with respect to the water supply portion <NUM>. For example, when the second space <NUM> is located below the water supply portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the detergent connector <NUM> may be located above the water supply portion <NUM>. That is, the detergent connector <NUM> may be disposed on a top surface of the water supply portion <NUM>.

The detergent connector <NUM> may be in communication with an internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the detergent hose <NUM> is connected to the detergent connector <NUM> to supply the detergent directly into the water supply portion <NUM>.

In one example, when referring back to <FIG>, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may include a departure suppressing portion <NUM> located on one open surface of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> and suppressing departure of the detergent hose <NUM>.

The hose accommodating groove <NUM> may include an inner surface recessed from the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>. The detergent hose <NUM> is accommodated in the hose accommodating groove <NUM> and come into contact with the inner surface of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. The hose accommodating groove <NUM> may include the departure suppressing portion <NUM> extending from the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM> in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> and positioned on said one open surface of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>.

In <FIG>, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may be defined in the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may have a shape recessed downward from the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM> and may have an open top surface, and the departure suppressing portion <NUM> may extend from the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM> and be positioned on the open top surface of the departure suppressing portion <NUM>.

In other words, the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may include the departure suppressing portion <NUM> protruding from the inner surface thereof, and a width of the open top surface of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may be smaller than a width of the detergent hose <NUM> by the departure suppressing portion <NUM>.

In other words, the departure suppressing portion <NUM> may be constructed to protrude from the inner surface of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> or from said one surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and at least a portion of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may have a width smaller than that of the detergent hose <NUM> by the departure suppressing portion <NUM>.

The departure suppressing portion <NUM> may be constructed to extend from said one surface of the water supply unit <NUM> toward the hose accommodating groove <NUM> to cover a portion of said one open surface of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>.

The departure suppressing portion <NUM> may extend along the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> together with the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. The departure suppressing portion <NUM> may be formed over an entirety or a portion of a length of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>.

When defining the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> as a width direction, a width W1 of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> along the width direction may be equal to or greater than a width of the detergent hose <NUM>, and the departure of the detergent hose <NUM> inserted into the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may be suppressed as there is a section in which the width of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> is reduced by the departure suppressing portion <NUM>.

The departure suppressing portions <NUM> may be disposed on both sides in the width direction of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>, respectively. In this case, a width between the departure suppressing portions <NUM> is smaller than the width of the detergent hose <NUM>, so that the departure of the detergent hose <NUM> may be suppressed.

The departure suppressing portion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the water supply unit <NUM> or the hose accommodating groove <NUM> or manufactured separately from and coupled to the water supply unit <NUM> or the hose accommodating groove <NUM>.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent connector <NUM> may include an extending coupling portion <NUM> in communication with the water supply portion <NUM> and extending in parallel with the hose accommodating groove <NUM> to be coupled to the detergent hose <NUM>. <FIG> show the detergent connector <NUM> including the extending coupling portion <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An end of the detergent hose <NUM> may be coupled to the extending coupling portion <NUM>. For example, the extending coupling portion <NUM> may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> or the longitudinal direction of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>, and the end of the detergent hose <NUM> may be inserted into the extending coupling portion <NUM> or coupled with the extending coupling portion <NUM> to surround the extending coupling portion <NUM>.

The extending coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed inside the hose accommodating groove <NUM> or may be positioned to be spaced apart from the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show a state in which the detergent connector <NUM> includes a protruding extension that protrudes away from the water supply unit <NUM>, and the extending coupling portion <NUM> extends from the protruding extension, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The extending coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed to face an end of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. That is, the detergent hose <NUM> may be coupled to the extending coupling portion <NUM> with the same extending direction along the hose accommodating groove <NUM>.

That is, a direction of coupling between the detergent hose <NUM> and the extending coupling portion <NUM> may be the same as the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> or the longitudinal direction of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. When the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> and the hose accommodating groove <NUM> changes differently along a length thereof, the extending direction and the coupling direction of the extending coupling portion <NUM> may be the same as a longitudinal direction of an end of the detergent hose <NUM> or the hose accommodating groove <NUM> facing the extending coupling portion <NUM>.

When the extending coupling portion <NUM> of the detergent connector <NUM> has a longitudinal direction different from that of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>, for example, when the detergent connector <NUM> is disposed on the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and the extending coupling portion <NUM> protrudes upward from the top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, at least a portion of the detergent hose <NUM> may be spaced apart from the water supply unit <NUM> in order to be coupled with the extending coupling portion <NUM>, so that the end of the detergent hose <NUM> and the end of the extending coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed such that the longitudinal directions thereof are parallel to each other.

In the above case, for the coupling between the detergent hose <NUM> and the detergent connector <NUM>, the space used unnecessarily may increase, for example, the detergent hose <NUM> may be spaced apart from the water supply unit <NUM>, which may be disadvantageous to the space utilization or to secure the storage space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>.

Therefore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent hose <NUM> extends parallel to the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM> and is disposed on the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and at the same time, the coupling portion <NUM> of the detergent connector <NUM> also extends parallel to the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, so that it may be possible to effectively suppress the detergent hose <NUM> that is coupled to the detergent connector <NUM> from occupying unnecessary space.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a backflow preventing portion <NUM> that prevents backflow of the detergent may be disposed inside the detergent connector <NUM> or the detergent hose <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a view in which the backflow preventing portion <NUM> is disposed inside the detergent connector <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, <FIG> is an enlarged view of a region B in <FIG>, and shows the backflow preventing portion <NUM> inside the detergent connector <NUM>.

The backflow preventing portion <NUM> may be constructed to allow flow of detergent only in set one direction, and limit flow in a direction opposite to said one direction. For example, the backflow preventing portion <NUM> may be of a check valve type that allows only flow of detergent from the storage unit <NUM> toward the water supply unit <NUM>.

The water supply portion <NUM> eventually becomes in communication with the water supply hose <NUM>. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may be located above the storage unit <NUM>, so that, in the detergent hose <NUM> connected to the water supply portion <NUM>, the water may flow backward from the water supply portion <NUM> or the detergent may not flow into the water supply portion <NUM> because of a pressure of the water supply portion <NUM> or the like.

In order to prevent the above case, the backflow preventing portion <NUM> may be disposed inside the detergent connector <NUM> or the detergent hose <NUM> to allow the detergent flowing toward the water supply portion <NUM> by the detergent pump <NUM> or the like to flow into the water supply portion <NUM> without flowing backward.

According to the present invention, a connector accommodating portion <NUM> that is recessed inwardly of the water supply unit <NUM> and is connected to the hose accommodating groove <NUM> is defined in the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>.

In addition, the detergent connector <NUM> is disposed in the connector accommodating portion <NUM>, so that the extending coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show the connector accommodating portion <NUM> defined in the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The connector accommodating portion <NUM> may be formed in a shape of a groove recessed inwardly of the outer surface of the water supply unit <NUM>. The detergent connector <NUM> may be disposed inside the connector accommodating portion <NUM>. The connector accommodating portion <NUM> is connected to the hose accommodating groove <NUM>, so that the end of the detergent hose <NUM> extending along the hose accommodating groove <NUM> may be located inside the connector accommodating portion <NUM>.

A depth of the groove shape, that is, a recessed depth in the water supply unit <NUM> of the connector accommodating portion <NUM> may be equal to or greater than a depth of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. Accordingly, the detergent connector <NUM> disposed in the connector accommodating portion <NUM> may be positioned such that the extending coupling portion <NUM> faces the detergent hose <NUM>. For example, a height of the extending coupling portion <NUM> may be the same as that of the detergent hose <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the extending coupling portion <NUM> of the detergent connector <NUM> may be disposed in parallel with the detergent hose <NUM> and the hose accommodating groove <NUM> to suppress the detergent hose <NUM> coupled to the extending coupling portion <NUM> from being spaced apart from the water supply unit <NUM>. Furthermore, as the detergent connector <NUM> is disposed in the connector accommodating portion <NUM>, the extending coupling portion <NUM> of the detergent connector <NUM> has the same height as the detergent hose <NUM> extending along the hose accommodating groove <NUM>, so that it is possible to minimize the protrusion of the detergent hose <NUM> and the detergent connector <NUM> from the water supply unit <NUM>.

In one example, a width W2 of the connector accommodating portion <NUM> may be greater than the width W1 of the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. <FIG> shows the connector accommodating portion <NUM> having the width W2 greater than that of the hose accommodating groove <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The widths W1 and W2 may be defined based on the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the detergent hose <NUM> or the hose accommodating groove <NUM>. For example, the widths may be measured based on the width direction of the water supply unit <NUM>.

The end of the detergent hose <NUM> facing the detergent connector <NUM> is coupled to the detergent connector <NUM>, and the width of the connector accommodating portion <NUM> is large in one embodiment of the present disclosure, so that it is possible to secure a working space for the coupling between the detergent hose <NUM> and the detergent connector <NUM>, and it is possible to secure a free space to match the longitudinal direction of the end of the detergent hose <NUM> to the longitudinal direction of the extending coupling portion <NUM>.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a mixing inhibiting rib <NUM> that is constructed to surround the detergent space in which the detergent flows in communication with the detergent connector <NUM> to inhibit mixing of the detergent and the water may be disposed inside the water supply portion <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the mixing inhibiting rib <NUM> disposed in the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The internal space of the water supply portion <NUM> may be a space in which the water supplied through the water supply flow channel <NUM> stays before being discharged to the outside. The water supply portion <NUM> may include the plurality of water discharge holes <NUM> in communication with the internal space on the bottom surface thereof.

The detergent connector <NUM> is in communication with the water supply portion <NUM>, so that the detergent is supplied to the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>. The mixing inhibiting rib <NUM> may become means of separating the detergent space in communication with the detergent connector <NUM> from the remaining space in the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>.

The detergent space in the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM> may be the space in communication with the detergent connector <NUM> to allow the detergent to flow therein. The detergent space may correspond to a region directly facing the detergent connector <NUM>.

The mixing inhibiting rib <NUM> may be constructed to surround the detergent space. Therefore, the detergent flowing into the water supply portion <NUM> through the detergent connector <NUM> may not be able to flow into the remaining space excluding the detergent space in the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM> by the mixing inhibiting rib <NUM>, and the water supplied to the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM> may also be inhibited from flowing into the detergent space.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first detergent is directly supplied to the water supply portion <NUM>, so that the first detergent may be delivered to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> while minimizing a region in contact with the detergent inside the water supply unit <NUM>. Furthermore, the detergent and the water are separated from each other using the mixing inhibiting rib <NUM> in the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>, so that the region in contact with the detergent may be minimized even inside the water supply portion <NUM>, which may improve the hygiene based on the detergent.

<FIG> shows a state in which a pair of detergent hoses <NUM> are disposed, a pair of connector accommodating portions <NUM> are defined, and a delivery flow channel <NUM> is defined between the pair of connector accommodating portions <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The delivery flow channel <NUM> may be defined inside the water supply portion <NUM> and may become means for increasing an amount and a pressure of water provided through the water supply flow channel <NUM> to be delivered to the shower flow channel <NUM>. The delivery flow channel <NUM> may extend from the water supply flow channel <NUM> toward the shower flow channel <NUM>, and the water supplied through the water supply flow channel <NUM> may flow between the pair of flow channel sidewalls <NUM>.

The flow channel sidewalls <NUM> may be partially opened to communicate the interior and the exterior of the delivery flow channel <NUM>. In this connection, the exterior of the delivery flow channel <NUM> may correspond to the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the water supplied through the water supply flow channel <NUM> may flow along the delivery flow channel <NUM>, and flow to the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM> through a cut-out <NUM> defined in the flow channel sidewall <NUM> of the delivery flow channel <NUM>, and the remainder of the water may be delivered to the shower flow channel <NUM> along the delivery flow channel <NUM>.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may include a water supply base <NUM> and a water supply cover <NUM>. The water supply base <NUM> may be formed in a shape in which one surface of each of the water supply portion <NUM> and the water supply flow channel <NUM> is opened, and the water supply cover <NUM> may be constructed to be coupled to the water supply base <NUM> to shield said one open surface of each of the water supply portion <NUM> and the water supply flow channel <NUM>.

That is, the water supply portion <NUM>, the water supply flow channel <NUM>, and the like may be formed by the water supply base <NUM> and the water supply cover <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show a state in which the water supply cover <NUM> is coupled to a top portion of the water supply base <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The water supply base <NUM> may form a bottom surface of the water supply unit <NUM>, and the water supply cover <NUM> may form at least a portion of a top surface of the water supply unit <NUM>. The hose accommodating groove <NUM>, the detergent connector <NUM>, and the connector accommodating portion <NUM> may be defined in and formed on the water supply cover <NUM>.

In one example, the mixing inhibiting rib <NUM> may include a first inhibiting rib <NUM> and a second inhibiting rib <NUM>. The first restraining rib <NUM> may be disposed on the water supply base <NUM>, and the second restraining rib <NUM> may be disposed on the water supply cover <NUM>.

The first inhibiting rib <NUM> and the second inhibiting rib <NUM> may extend to surround the detergent space. That is, the detergent space may be sequestered from the outside by the first inhibiting rib <NUM> and the second inhibiting rib <NUM>.

The first inhibiting rib <NUM> may protrude from the water supply base <NUM> toward the water supply cover <NUM>, and the second inhibiting rib <NUM> may protrude from the water supply cover <NUM> toward the water supply base <NUM>. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as the first inhibiting rib <NUM> and the second inhibiting rib <NUM> surrounding the detergent space are disposed, the first inhibiting rib <NUM> and the second inhibiting rib <NUM> may overlap each other to partition the detergent space and the remaining space of the water supply portion <NUM> from each other, thereby effectively inhibit the mixing between the water and the detergent.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first inhibiting rib <NUM> and the second inhibiting rib <NUM> may be disposed such that one surrounds the other. <FIG> and <FIG> show a state in which the second inhibiting rib <NUM> surrounds the detergent space, and the first inhibiting rib <NUM> surrounds the detergent space and the second inhibiting rib <NUM> together, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. However, when necessary, the second inhibiting rib <NUM> may be constructed to surround the first inhibiting rib <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first inhibiting rib <NUM> and the second inhibiting rib <NUM> overlap each other to surround and close the detergent space, so that the effect of inhibiting the mixing between the water and the detergent may be improved.

In one example, <FIG> shows the water supply portion <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from below. The bottom surface of the water supply portion <NUM> may correspond to a portion of the bottom surface of the water supply unit <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply portion <NUM> may include the water discharge hole <NUM> through which the water is discharged, and a detergent discharge hole <NUM> that is in communication with the detergent space to discharge the detergent, which are defined in one surface of the water supply portion <NUM> facing the storage unit <NUM>.

The water supply portion <NUM> may have the water discharge hole <NUM> and the detergent discharge hole <NUM> defined in one surface thereof to discharge the water and the detergent. The discharged detergent and water may be supplied to the detergent space in the storage unit <NUM>. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply unit <NUM> may be located above the storage unit <NUM>, the water supply portion <NUM> may be located above the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>, and the water supply portion <NUM> discharges the water and the detergent through the bottom surface thereof, so that the water and the detergent falling from the water supply portion <NUM> by self loads thereof may be delivered into the second space <NUM> through the open top surface of the second space <NUM>.

As described above, the detergent space in which the detergent flows and the remaining space in which the water flows may be separated from each other in the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the detergent discharge hole <NUM> through which the detergent is discharged and the water discharge hole <NUM> through which the water is discharged may be separately defined in the water supply portion <NUM>.

Because the detergent discharge hole <NUM> corresponds to a hole through which the detergent present in the detergent space is discharged, the detergent discharge hole <NUM> may be defined just below the detergent space, and the water discharge hole <NUM> may be defined in the bottom surface of the water supply unit <NUM> corresponding to the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>. The number of water discharge holes <NUM> may be various.

In one example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent discharge hole <NUM> has a shielding portion <NUM> that blocks the flow of the detergent formed in a portion thereof, and the remaining portion of the detergent discharge hole <NUM> is opened, so that the detergent may flow.

That is, the detergent discharge hole <NUM> may discharge the detergent through a remaining open region <NUM> excluding the region shielded by the shielding portion <NUM>.

As described above, the water supply portion <NUM> may be located above the storage unit <NUM>, the detergent discharged from the detergent discharge hole <NUM> may be supplied to the second space <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM>, and the storage unit <NUM> may be used in a state in which the top surface of the first space <NUM> is shielded by the detergent cover <NUM> and the top surface of the second space <NUM> is opened.

The location of the water supply portion <NUM> or the location and the size of the detergent discharge hole <NUM> may be variously determined in terms of design such as the size and the shape of the storage unit <NUM> and the size and the shape of the water supply unit <NUM>.

However, when considering the above design aspects, there may be a case in which some of the detergent discharge holes <NUM> deviate from the second space <NUM> inevitably. In this case, the detergent discharged from the detergent discharge holes <NUM> may be delivered to regions other than the second space <NUM>, which may cause unnecessary detergent waste, and may deteriorate the cleanliness and the hygiene.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shielding portion <NUM> that shields the portion of the detergent discharge hole <NUM> is formed, so that the detergent may be discharged to a desired space by adjusting the open region <NUM> from which the detergent is discharged in terms of design from the detergent discharge hole <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a state in which, as the portion of the detergent discharge hole <NUM> is located above the detergent cover <NUM> that is located above the first space <NUM> out of the second space <NUM>, the shielding portion <NUM> is formed in a portion of the detergent discharge hole <NUM> corresponding to a region above the detergent cover <NUM> to prevent the detergent from falling to the detergent cover <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The shielding portion <NUM> may be formed in a shape inclined toward the open region <NUM> to prevent some of the detergent from remaining on the shielding portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the detergent discharge hole <NUM> including the shielding portion <NUM> formed therein viewed from below, and the shielding portion <NUM> is indicated by a dotted lined-region. The shielding portion <NUM> may have various shapes as needed, such as a partial shape of a circle such as a semicircle, or an arc shape. The open region <NUM> of the detergent discharge hole <NUM> may also have various shapes like the shielding portion <NUM>. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, it may be understood that the detergent discharge hole <NUM> in which the shielding portion <NUM> is formed has the partial shape of the circle when viewed from below.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent space and the detergent discharge hole <NUM> may be positioned to be partially deviated from the internal space of the water supply portion <NUM>, and the connector accommodating portion <NUM> may also be positioned such that a portion thereof is deviated from the water supply portion <NUM> along the width direction of the water supply unit <NUM>.

The delivery flow channel <NUM> having the pair of flow channel sidewalls <NUM> may be defined between the connector accommodating portions <NUM>, and the water supply flow channel <NUM> may be positioned between the pair of detergent hoses <NUM> and between the pair of hose accommodating grooves <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>);
a tub (<NUM>) disposed inside the cabinet (<NUM>), and configured for accommodating water therein;
a drum (<NUM>) disposed rotatably inside the tub (<NUM>), and configured for accommodating laundry therein; and
a detergent feeder (<NUM>) disposed inside the cabinet (<NUM>), and configured for supplying detergent into the tub (<NUM>),
wherein the detergent feeder (<NUM>) includes:
a storage unit (<NUM>) including therein a storage space (<NUM>) storing detergent therein;
a detergent hose (<NUM>) configured for flowing detergent delivered from the storage unit (<NUM>) therethrough; and
a water supply unit (<NUM>) connected to the detergent hose (<NUM>) to supply delivered detergent to the storage unit (<NUM>) together with water,
wherein at least a portion of the detergent hose (<NUM>) extends along an outer surface of the water supply unit (<NUM>),
wherein a hose accommodating groove (<NUM>) extending along a longitudinal direction of the detergent hose (<NUM>) to accommodate the detergent hose (<NUM>) therein is defined in the outer surface of the water supply unit (<NUM>), characterised in that
a connector accommodating portion (<NUM>) is recessed inwardly of the water supply unit (<NUM>), is defined in the outer surface of the water supply unit (<NUM>) and is connected to the hose accommodating groove (<NUM>), and
wherein a detergent connector (<NUM>) is disposed in the connector accommodating portion (<NUM>) and connected to the detergent hose (<NUM>).