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 supplies 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.

Related document <CIT> discloses a detergent feeder constituting a laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus according to the prior art document includes a tub installed inside a main body, a drum installed inside the tub, and a detergent feeder that supplies laundry detergent to the tub, and is installed so as to be retracted into and extended from a front surface of the main body. In addition, the detergent feeder includes a housing forming an appearance of the detergent feeder, a storage container that is extended in a front and rear direction of the main body, stores the laundry detergent, and is mounted in the housing, and a laundry detergent pump that is installed on one side of the storage container, sucks the laundry detergent stored in the storage container, and discharges the laundry detergent downward of the housing.

<CIT> relates to a washing machine comprising a detergent box wherein the washing agents are placed.

<CIT> relates to a tumble dryer with a condensate container.

<CIT> relates to a washing machine having a detergent feeding device to feed detergent.

<CIT> relates to a storage container having a structure capable of easily opening a storage container and a clothes treating machine including the same.

<CIT> relates to a detergent supply apparatus and a washing machine having the same wherein residual water is not present in a liquid detergent containing unit.

<CIT> relates to a liquid type detergent automatic pouring device.

<CIT> relates to a guide rail for a drawer and particularly a movable rail being enforced to pull out from a stationary rail and a ball device being caught at the outer end of the stationary rail so as to facilitate the movable rail joined to the stationary rail during being inserted into the stationary rail.

<CIT> relates to a drawer slide and guide assembly.

In the detergent feeder disclosed in the prior are document, the storage container in which the detergent is stored, and the housing that accommodates the storage container therein and is retracted into and extended from the main body are separate components that may be separated from each other.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve convenience of a user by securing a detergent storage capacity of a storage.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve usability based on retraction and extension of a storage.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may provide convenience to a user in processes of retraction and extension of a storage.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may allow a user to easily recognize whether a storage is coupled in processes of retraction and extension of the storage.

To solve the above-described problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a detergent storage space for storing detergent directly in a storage frame that forms an appearance of a storage without storing the detergent using a separate detergent reservoir in the storage in a detergent feeder. A capacity of the stored detergent may be increased by removing the detergent reservoir.

In addition, a fastening protrusion is disposed on a frame partition wall that divides a detergent storage space, and a fastening elastic portion constructed to press a fastening protrusion is disposed in a fixing assembly facing a storage to secure a detergent storage space to the maximum, and at the same time, to easily recognize by an elastic support force of the fastening elastic portion whether the storage is coupled while a user is retracting or extending the storage.

According to an aspect of the present invention, provided is a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet having a detergent opening defined a front surface thereof, a tub located inside the cabinet and storing wash water therein, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub and storing laundry therein, a storage including a storage frame having a detergent storage space defined therein for storing detergent to be supplied to the tub therein, wherein the storage is retracted into or extended out of the cabinet through the detergent opening, and a fixing assembly disposed inside the cabinet to face the storage, wherein the fixing assembly includes a fastening elastic portion protruding toward the storage, wherein the storage frame includes a frame outer wall for forming an outer wall of the storage frame and surrounding the detergent storage space, and a frame partition wall disposed in the storage frame to partition the detergent storage space, wherein the frame partition wall includes a fastening protrusion protruding toward the fixing assembly, wherein the fastening elastic portion is pressurized and elastically deformed by the fastening protrusion during the retraction and the extension of the storage.

According to the invention, the frame outer wall includes a front outer wall positioned on a front surface of the storage frame, and a rear outer wall positioned on a rear surface of the storage frame, and the frame partition connects the front outer wall and the rear outer wall to each other. The detergent storage space may be partitioned in a front and rear direction by the frame partition wall, so that various types of detergent may be stored in the partitioned spaces.

In one implementation, the frame partition wall may include an auxiliary storage partition wall spaced apart from the frame outer wall and surrounding a portion of the detergent storage space, a front partition wall for connecting the front outer wall and the auxiliary storage partition wall to each other, and a rear partition wall for connecting the rear outer wall and the auxiliary storage partition wall to each other, and the fastening protrusion may be disposed on the rear partition wall. As the fastening protrusion is formed on the rear partition wall, it is possible to prevent excessive interference of the fastening elastic portion during the retraction and extension of the storage.

According to the invention, the fastening protrusion is constructed such that a rear end thereof is connected to the rear outer wall, and may be connected to and formed integrally with the rear outer wall to improve durability of the fastening protrusion.

In one implementation, the fastening protrusion may include a front contact portion disposed at a front portion of the fastening protrusion and having a rear end protruding to be higher than a front end to form an inclined surface, a rear contact portion disposed at a rear portion of the fastening protrusion and protruding so as to be in contact with the fastening elastic portion, and a maximally protruding portion for connecting the front contact portion and the rear contact portion to each other, wherein the maximally protruding portion includes a maximally protruding point of the fastening protrusion protruding toward the fixing assembly.

In one implementation, a maximally protruding point of the fastening elastic portion protruding toward the storage may be located forwardly of the maximally protruding portion to support the fastening protrusion while the storage is fully retracted into the cabinet. A coupling strength may be improved by using the elastic force, and a feeling of retracting the storage of the user may be improved.

In one implementation, the rear contact portion may include a horizontal extension section where a height protruding from the rear partition wall is uniform along a longitudinal direction. By the horizontal extension section, the elastic force of the fastening elastic portion may be rapidly changed during the retraction and extension of the storage, and the user may more easily detect whether the storage is retracted or extended.

In one implementation, a rear surface of the rear contact portion may extend from a rear surface of the rear outer wall. Because the fastening protrusion is formed integrally with the rear outer wall, durability of the fastening protrusion may be increased.

In one implementation, the frame outer wall may further include a first side outer wall and a second side outer wall for connecting the front outer wall and the rear outer wall to each other, and the detergent storage space may include a first storage space defined between the first side outer wall and the frame partition wall, a second storage space defined between the second side outer wall and the frame partition wall, and a third storage space surrounded by the auxiliary storage partition wall. User convenience may be improved by separately storing various detergents in the separate divided detergent storage spaces.

In one implementation, the laundry treating apparatus may further include a first cover for covering an open top surface of the first storage space, a second cover for covering an open top surface of the second storage space, a first seat portion extending along a perimeter of the first storage space, and coupled to the first cover, and a second seat portion extending along a perimeter of the second storage space, and coupled to the second cover. The open top surfaces of the first storage space and the second storage space may be covered to prevent the stored detergent from leaking.

In one implementation, the first seat portion and the second seat portion may extend to be spaced apart from each other along the rear partition wall, and the fastening protrusion may be located between the first seat portion and the second seat portion. The first seat portion and the second seat portion are formed separately to improve a coupling force of the first cover and the second cover, and the fastening protrusion may be formed in a space between the first seat portion and the second seat portion to improve space utilization and increase detergent storage capacity.

In one implementation, the first seat portion and the second seat portion may extend to be spaced apart from each other along the front partition wall and the rear partition wall, and a spacing distance between the first seat portion and the second seat portion may be greater on the rear partition wall than on the front partition wall. The detergent storage capacity may be improved by making the first seat portion and the second seat portion to be adjacent to each other on the front partition wall on which the fastening protrusion is not formed.

In one implementation, a maximally protruding point of the fastening elastic portion may be located between the first cover and the second cover while the storage is fully retracted into the cabinet. The detergent storage capacity may be increased by making the fixing assembly and the storage as close to each other in a vertical direction as possible.

In one implementation, the fixing assembly may further include a stopper spaced apart from the fastening elastic portion and protruding toward the storage frame, and the storage may further include an extension limiting portion positioned on the frame partition wall and in contact with the stopper to limit an extension distance of the storage during the extension of the storage. It is possible to prevent the stored detergent from leaking as the storage is unintentionally removed.

In one implementation, the extension limiting portion may be located forwardly of the fastening protrusion. Because the storage is mainly retracted and extended only within a limited extension distance, it is possible to prevent the fastening elastic portion from being excessively interfered with during the retraction and extension of the storage, and to prevent a decrease in durability.

In one implementation, the extension limiting portion may be positioned so as not to overlap with the fastening protrusion when viewed from the front. Thus, it is possible to prevent collision and damage of the fastening protrusion and the stopper during the extension of the storage.

In one implementation, the fixing assembly may include a sliding coupling portion, wherein one end of the fastening elastic portion is slidably coupled to the sliding coupling portion, and a sliding limiting portion constructed to limit a sliding distance of said one end.

In one implementation, the sliding limiting portion may be positioned to face said one end of the fastening elastic portion, and come into contact with said one end of the sliding fastening elastic portion to limit the sliding distance of said one end.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve the convenience of the user by securing the detergent storage capacity of the storage.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve the usability based on the retraction and the extension of the storage.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide laundry treating apparatus that may provide the convenience to the user in the processes of the retraction and the extension of the storage.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide a laundry treating apparatus that may allow the user to easily recognize whether the storage is coupled in the processes of the retraction and the extension of the storage.

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 invention 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> installed inside the detergent opening <NUM>.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may include a washing machine in which a cloth is inserted into a washing tub to be subjected to washing, rinsing, dehydration, and the like, 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 invention 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, and a manipulation unit that receives various control commands from a user and has a display (not shown) for displaying information on an operating state. The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may include a door <NUM> pivotably installed on a front surface of the cabinet <NUM> to allow the laundry to be put into and pulled out of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

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 door <NUM> may be installed inside the cabinet <NUM>.

Specifically, 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 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 invention, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> has the detergent opening <NUM> on the front surface thereof, and a detergent feeder <NUM> may be positioned at the interior of the cabinet <NUM> reachable through the detergent opening <NUM>.

A location of the detergent opening <NUM> may vary. <FIG> shows that the detergent opening <NUM> is defined parallel to the manipulation unit in a lateral direction Y.

The detergent feeder <NUM> may be installed through the detergent opening <NUM> that may be defined on one side of an upper portion of the cabinet <NUM>. The detergent feeder <NUM> may include a storage <NUM> that may store the detergent therein.

<FIG> is a top view of the detergent feeder <NUM>. A fixing assembly disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and disposed to face one surface extending in the front and rear direction X of the storage <NUM> retracted into the detergent opening <NUM> is included. The fixing assembly may serve as a guide for guiding a movement of the storage <NUM> while the storage <NUM> is retracted into or extended out of the cabinet <NUM>.

The dispenser assembly <NUM> may serve as the fixing assembly. In this case, the fixing assembly may be understood to mean the dispenser assembly <NUM>.

The detergent feeder <NUM> serves to automatically supply the detergent stored in the storage <NUM> into the drum <NUM> in a washing operation. The detergent means a substance that may enhance a washing effect of the laundry, and may include liquid fiber detergent and liquid fabric softener.

<FIG> shows the detergent feeder <NUM> being disassembled. The detergent feeder <NUM> may include the dispenser assembly <NUM>, the storage <NUM>, and a supply casing <NUM> from above as shown in <FIG>.

The storage <NUM> is where the detergent is stored, is able to be retracted into the detergent opening <NUM> along the front and rear direction X, and is able to include a front handle <NUM> and a storage frame <NUM> for storing the detergent therein.

In the present disclosure, definition of forward and rearward directions may be achieved based on the detergent opening <NUM>. For example, a direction from the detergent opening <NUM> to an exterior of the cabinet <NUM> may be understood as the forward direction, and a direction from the detergent opening <NUM> to the interior of the cabinet <NUM> may be understood as the rearward direction. That is, even when the door <NUM> and the detergent opening <NUM> are disposed on and defined in different surfaces in the cabinet <NUM>, the forward and rearward directions may be defined based on the detergent opening <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows the storage <NUM> extended from the detergent opening <NUM>, viewed from the exterior of the cabinet <NUM>.

When the user grips and pulls the handle <NUM> disposed on the front surface of the storage <NUM>, the storage <NUM> in the state of being retracted into the detergent opening <NUM> slides forward from a state of being stacked with the dispenser assembly <NUM> and the supply casing <NUM> to be extended to be exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> or to the outside of the detergent opening <NUM>. Similarly, when the user pushes the handle <NUM> rearward, the storage <NUM> may be inserted into the detergent opening <NUM> while being slid.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a storage of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> shows a storage in a state in which a cover is removed therefrom. <FIG> shows a storage in a state in which a cover is coupled thereto.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the cabinet <NUM> having the detergent opening <NUM> defined in the front surface thereof, the tub <NUM> disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and storing the wash water therein, the drum <NUM> rotatably disposed inside the tub <NUM>, and storing the laundry therein, and the storage <NUM> that stores the detergent supplied to the tub <NUM> therein, and is retracted into or extended from the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>. The storage <NUM> has the storage frame <NUM> that has a detergent storage space S in which the detergent is stored defined therein, and has an open top surface such that the detergent storage space S is opened, a cover seat portion <NUM> disposed on the storage frame <NUM>, and disposed on a perimeter of the detergent storage space S, and a cover <NUM> that is detachably coupled to the cover seat portion <NUM> to cover at least a portion of the open top surface of the detergent storage space S.

The detergent opening <NUM> may be defined to communicate the interior and the exterior of the cabinet with each other. In the present specification, the detergent opening <NUM> is described as meaning a portion penetrating one side of the cabinet <NUM>. However, the detergent opening <NUM> may mean an entire space occupied by the storage <NUM> when the storage <NUM> is extended.

The storage <NUM> may be retracted into the cabinet <NUM> or may be extended from the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>. When the storage <NUM> is extended out of the cabinet <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the storage <NUM> from being extended by a distance greater than a preset distance using an extension limiting portion <NUM>. The storage <NUM> may be completely removed from the cabinet <NUM> by manipulating the extension limiting portion <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be disposed at the front surface of the storage <NUM> so as to be gripped by the user when extending the storage <NUM> out of the cabinet <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may have a handle groove that is recessed so as to be gripped by a finger. The user may extend the storage <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> by supporting his or her finger in the handle groove.

The user may easily extend the storage <NUM> using the handle <NUM> and put the detergent into the extended storage <NUM>. In addition, the user may easily clean or repair the storage <NUM> by removing the storage <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM>.

The storage <NUM> includes the storage frame <NUM> that stores the detergent needed for the laundry washing therein. The detergent storage space S may be defined by the storage frame <NUM>, and the detergent may be stored inside the detergent storage space S. A separate storage container may not be seated in the detergent storage space S, and the detergent may be in direct contact with the detergent storage space S. That is, the detergent may be stored while being in direct contact with one surface of the storage frame <NUM>.

The detergent stored in the storage frame <NUM> may be supplied to the tub <NUM> through a detergent valve <NUM> that is coupled through one side of the storage frame <NUM>. A pump may be coupled to the detergent valve <NUM> to discharge the detergent as much as a preset capacity. An amount of detergent discharged may be set to change based on various conditions such as a weight of the laundry being stored, an amount of wash water, the washing course, and the like. Pumps of various uses and types may be applied to the pump.

The detergent stored in the detergent storage space S may be supplied to tub <NUM> by a certain amount in a plurality of laundry washing processes. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and all of the detergent stored in the detergent storage space S may be supplied toward the tub <NUM> in one laundry washing process. This may also be changed based on the various conditions as described above.

The detergent storage space S defined by the storage frame <NUM> may have the open top surface. The cover <NUM> may be detachably coupled to cover the open top surface of the detergent storage space S. The cover <NUM> may be coupled to an upper end of the storage frame <NUM>.

The storage frame <NUM> has the cover seat portion <NUM> along the perimeter of the detergent storage space S. The formation of the cover seat portion <NUM> along the perimeter of the detergent storage space S includes extension along a perimeter of the upper end of the storage frame <NUM>. The cover seat portion <NUM> may be constructed to protrude upward, but may not be limited thereto, and may be manufactured in various shapes to which the cover <NUM> may be coupled.

The storage frame <NUM> may be integrally formed without including the separate detergent storage container as described above, so that the different detergents may be stored separately.

The storage frame <NUM> may include a frame bottom surface <NUM> that forms a bottom surface, and includes according to the present invention a frame outer wall <NUM> that extends upward from edges of the frame bottom surface to define the detergent storage space S, and a frame partition wall <NUM> that extends upward from the frame bottom surface <NUM> to divide the detergent storage space.

That is, the detergent storage space S may be defined by the frame outer wall <NUM> and the frame partition wall <NUM> extending upward from the frame bottom surface <NUM>, and the detergent storage space S may be divided to store the different detergents. The frame partition wall <NUM> may connect outer walls of the frame outer wall <NUM> while crossing the detergent storage space S.

In addition, the frame bottom surface <NUM> may be formed to trap all of the detergent stored thereon without having a through-hole defined therein. However, the through-hole may be defined on one side of the frame bottom surface <NUM>. The frame partition wall <NUM> may be formed to surround a perimeter of the through-hole. The detergent may not be stored in the portion in which the through-hole is defined, and may be stored in the tub <NUM> immediately after being input.

The cover seat portion <NUM> may be disposed on top of the frame outer wall <NUM> and the frame partition wall <NUM>. The cover seat portion <NUM> may extend upward while being disposed on top of the frame outer wall <NUM> and the frame partition wall <NUM>, and may extend along the perimeter of the detergent storage space S. Accordingly, the cover <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the cover seat portion <NUM> to cover an open top surface of at least a portion of the detergent storage space S.

The frame outer wall <NUM> includes a front outer wall <NUM> positioned on a front surface of the storage frame. The front outer wall <NUM> may be formed as a component separate from the handle <NUM> formed on the front surface of the storage <NUM> and coupled to the handle <NUM>. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and the handle <NUM> may form a front surface of the frame outer wall <NUM>. That is, the handle <NUM> and the front outer wall <NUM> may be integrally formed.

The frame outer wall <NUM> further includes a rear outer wall <NUM> positioned at a rear surface of the storage frame. The rear outer wall <NUM> may face away from and may be formed parallel to the front outer wall <NUM>. The rear outer wall <NUM> may extend upward from the frame bottom surface <NUM>.

The frame outer wall <NUM> may include a first side outer wall <NUM> and a second side outer wall <NUM> connecting the front outer wall <NUM> and the rear outer wall <NUM> to each other. The first side outer wall <NUM> and the second side outer wall <NUM> may extend upward from the frame bottom surface <NUM> in parallel with each other.

The front outer wall <NUM>, the rear outer wall <NUM>, the first side outer wall <NUM>, and the second side outer wall <NUM> may be integrally formed with the frame bottom surface <NUM> to define the detergent storage space S having the open top surface. That is, the detergent storage space S may be defined by the frame bottom surface <NUM> and the frame outer wall <NUM>.

The frame partition wall <NUM> may include an auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> spaced apart from the frame outer wall <NUM>, and surrounding a portion of the detergent storage space. The space surrounded by the secondary storage partition wall <NUM> may be defined as a third storage space S3. The through-hole may be defined in a portion of the frame bottom surface <NUM> forming a bottom surface of the third storage space as described above.

The frame partition wall <NUM> may include a front partition wall <NUM> that connects the front outer wall <NUM> and the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> with each other, and a rear partition wall <NUM> that connects the rear outer wall <NUM> and the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> with each other. The front partition wall <NUM>, the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM>, and the rear partition wall <NUM> are extended in the front and rear direction to divide the detergent storage space S.

The detergent storage space S may be divided into three spaces by the front partition wall <NUM>, the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM>, and the rear partition wall <NUM>. The detergent storage space S may be divided into a first storage space S1 defined between the first side outer wall <NUM> and the frame partition wall <NUM>, a second storage space S2 defined between the second side outer wall <NUM> and the frame partition wall <NUM>, and the third storage space S3 surrounded by the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM>.

Detergents stored in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 may not be supplied to the tub <NUM> immediately after being input, but may remain in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 and then be supplied to the tub <NUM> by the preset capacity in the plurality of laundry washing processes through the detergent valve <NUM> penetrating the rear outer wall <NUM>.

The different detergents may be stored in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2. A liquid detergent may be stored in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2. The liquid detergent may include a laundry detergent or a fabric softener used in a general laundry process. The detergents stored in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 may be introduced into the tub <NUM> through the detergent valve <NUM> as needed, so that the detergents may preferably be liquid detergents.

As an example of the use of the present invention, the laundry detergent may be stored in the first storage space S1 and the fabric softener may be stored in the second storage space S2, and the laundry detergent may be supplied to the tub <NUM> from the first storage space S1 in a washing process and the fabric softener may be supplied from the second storage space S2 to the tub <NUM> in a final rinsing process.

Because the detergents necessary for the washing and rinsing processes may be stored in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2, the hassle of having to put the detergent every time the user uses the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may be eliminated. That is, there is an effect of increasing convenience of the user in using the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

In addition, because the detergent storage container disposed separately from the storage frame <NUM> may not be used, there is an effect of storing more detergent in the space used to be occupied by the detergent storage container. That is, a detergent injection cycle of the user becomes longer, so that the convenience of the user may be increased.

In one example, the cover <NUM> may include a first cover <NUM> and a second cover <NUM> that cover open top surfaces of the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2, respectively. When the first storage space S1 or the second storage space S2 is used while the top surface thereof is opened, the stored detergent may leak to the outside by vibration of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> or during the process of retraction and extension of the storage <NUM>.

The first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> may cover the open top surfaces of the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 to define the closed first storage space S1 and second storage space S2, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detergent from leaking to the outside in an operation process of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> or in the process of injecting the detergent into the first storage space S1 or the second storage space S2 and retracting and extending the storage <NUM> into and out of the cabinet <NUM>.

The first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> may prevent the storage <NUM> and the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> from being contaminated by the detergent leaking to the outside as described above, and may save the user's trouble of cleaning the contaminated portion. That is, there is an effect of increasing usability and convenience of the user.

The auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> may define the third storage space S3 to be separated from the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2. A top surface of the third storage space S3 may not be covered by the cover <NUM>. That is, the top surface of the third storage space S3 may always be opened.

In the third storage space S3, a detergent different from those in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2 may be stored. The through-hole may be defined in the frame bottom surface <NUM> forming the bottom surface of the third storage space S3. The detergent stored in the third storage space S3 may be supplied to the tub <NUM> through the through-hole, unlike those in the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2.

In the third storage space S3, detergent in a form that is not frequently used may be input. For example, when it is necessary to use detergent, which is less frequently used than the general laundry detergent or the fabric softener, such as bleach, neutral detergent, or the like, the user may directly extend the storage <NUM> out of the cabinet <NUM> and put the detergent by a required capacity into the third storage space S3. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. The detergent input to the third storage space S3 may be the same as the detergent stored in the first storage space S1 or the second storage space S2, and may correspond to the detergent in the powder form. That is, not only the liquid detergent, but also various types of detergent may be put into the third storage space S3 and used in the washing process.

A water supply valve may be disposed above the third storage space S3 such that the detergent injected into the third storage space S3 may receive water from above. The water supply may be performed by the dispenser assembly <NUM>. The detergent accommodated in the third storage space S3 together with the wash water discharged from the water supply valve may be discharged toward the tub <NUM>.

As described above, as the third storage space S3 is defined, the various detergents, separately from the detergent stored in the first storage space S1 or the second storage space S2, may be used for the laundry washing based on needs of the user, so that the convenience of the user is increased. In addition, because the top surface of the third storage space S3 is opened, the user may easily inject the detergent without the process of removing the cover independently.

The cover seat portion <NUM> may include a first seat portion <NUM> to which the first cover is coupled and a second seat portion <NUM> to which the second cover is coupled. The first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> may be separated from each other to individually cover the open top surfaces of the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2, respectively.

The first seat portion <NUM> may extend along a perimeter of the first storage space S1. The extension along the perimeter of the first storage space S1 may mean extension along perimeters of upper ends of the first side outer wall <NUM>, the front outer wall <NUM>, the rear outer wall <NUM>, and the frame partition wall <NUM> defining the first storage space S1.

The first seat portion <NUM> may protrude upward from a portion of the storage frame <NUM>. A closed cross-section may be formed when the first seat portion <NUM> is viewed from the top. The formation of the closed cross-section may mean that a starting point and an end point of the extension of the first seat portion <NUM> along the perimeter of the first storage space S1 are the same.

For example, when the first seat portion <NUM> extends starting from a connection point between the first side outer wall <NUM> and the front outer wall <NUM>, the first seat portion may extend along the front outer wall <NUM> from the starting point, then extend along the frame partition wall <NUM> from a connection point of the front outer wall <NUM> and the frame partition wall <NUM>, then extend again along the rear outer wall <NUM> from a connection portion between the frame partition wall <NUM> and the rear outer wall <NUM>, and then finally extend along the first side outer wall <NUM> to return to the starting point.

The first cover may be coupled to the first seat portion <NUM> extended as described above, so that the open top surface of the first storage space S1 may be covered. That is, the detergent stored in the first storage space S1 may be safely stored.

With the same scheme as described above for the first seat portion <NUM>, a second seat portion <NUM> extending along the perimeter of the second storage space and to which the second cover <NUM> is coupled may be formed. The second seat portion may extend along the second side outer wall <NUM>, the rear outer wall <NUM>, the frame partition wall <NUM>, and the front outer wall <NUM> to form a closed cross-section in the same manner as the first seat portion <NUM>.

The first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> should be respectively formed on the front partition wall <NUM> and the rear partition wall <NUM> so as to be coupled to the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> to cover the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2, respectively. In order for the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> to be respectively coupled to the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM>, the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> should be spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, the first seat portion and the second seat portion may be respectively formed on the front partition wall <NUM> and the rear partition wall <NUM>.

As an embodiment, the cover seat portion <NUM> having two portions protruding to be spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the storage <NUM> may be disposed on the front partition wall <NUM>, and one of the portions may constitute the first seat portion <NUM> and the other may constitute the second seat portion <NUM>. When the portion constituting the first seat portion <NUM> is present on a left side when the storage <NUM> is viewed from the front, The first seat portion <NUM> may extend to the rear partition wall <NUM> along a portion on a left side of the point connected to the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM>.

As described above for the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> formed on the front partition wall <NUM>, the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> may be formed on the rear partition wall <NUM> in the same scheme.

<FIG> shows a fixing assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present specification, the dispenser assembly may be understood to be the same component as the fixing assembly.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of the present invention includes the cabinet (see <FIG>) that has the detergent opening (see <FIG>) defined in the front surface thereof, the tub (see <FIG>) that is disposed inside the cabinet and stores the wash water therein, the drum (see <FIG>) that is rotatably disposed inside the tub and stores the laundry therein, the storage <NUM> that includes the storage frame <NUM> in which the detergent storage space for storing the detergent supplied to the tub therein is defined, and is retracted into or extended from the cabinet through the detergent opening, and the fixing assembly that is disposed inside the cabinet to face the storage <NUM> and includes the fastening elastic portion <NUM> protruding toward the storage <NUM>. The storage frame <NUM> includes the frame outer wall <NUM> that forms the outer wall of the storage frame <NUM> and surrounds the detergent storage space S, and the frame partition wall <NUM> that is disposed in the storage frame <NUM>, partitions the detergent storage space S, and includes a fastening protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the fixing assembly. The fastening elastic portion <NUM> is pressed and elastically deformed by the fastening protrusion <NUM> in the process of retraction and extension of the storage <NUM>.

As the fastening protrusion <NUM> is not disposed on the frame outer wall <NUM>, but on the frame partition wall <NUM>, a space used for the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be saved. Accordingly, there is an effect of expanding a space in which the detergent may be stored, and there is an effect of increasing the user convenience as a detergent replenishment cycle of the user may be increased by storing more detergent in the storage <NUM>.

The frame outer wall <NUM> includes the front outer wall <NUM> positioned on the front surface of the storage frame <NUM>, and the rear outer wall <NUM> positioned on the rear surface of the storage frame <NUM>, and the frame partition wall <NUM> connects the front outer wall <NUM> and the rear outer wall <NUM> to each other.

When the frame partition wall <NUM> connects the front outer wall <NUM> and the rear outer wall <NUM> to each other, the detergent storage space S may be divided into a plurality of spaces along the frame partition wall <NUM> extending in the front and rear direction, and the detergent may be stored in each space.

In addition, when the frame partition wall <NUM> extends in the front and rear direction, the fastening protrusion <NUM> disposed on the frame partition wall <NUM> may be in contact with the fastening elastic portion <NUM> with a large area. Accordingly, an elastic resistance of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may increase, and the user may easily sense whether the storage <NUM> is coupled, thereby improving the usability of the laundry treating apparatus.

The frame partition wall <NUM> may include the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> that is spaced apart from the frame outer wall <NUM> and surrounds the portion of the detergent storage space S, the front partition wall <NUM> that connects the front outer wall <NUM> and the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> to each other, and the rear partition wall <NUM> that connects the rear outer wall <NUM> and the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> to each other. The fastening protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the rear partition wall <NUM>.

When the fastening protrusion <NUM> is disposed on the rear partition wall <NUM>, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> that comes into contact with the fastening protrusion <NUM> and presses the fastening protrusion <NUM> may also be disposed at a rear portion of the fixing assembly. In the process in which the storage <NUM> is retracted in and extended, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be interfered with by the storage <NUM>. However, when the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is disposed at the rear portion of the fixing assembly, it is possible to reduce a frequency of interference. Accordingly, there is an effect of improving the durability of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of the fastening protrusion according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-section of the fastening protrusion taken along a line B in <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the fastening elastic portion according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-section of the fastening protrusion taken along a line C in <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> show a positional relationship between the fastening protrusion and the fastening elastic portion in the retraction and extension process of the storage.

Referring to <FIG>, a rear end of the fastening protrusion <NUM> is constructed to be connected to the rear outer wall <NUM>. The rear end of the fastening protrusion <NUM> extends downward to form one surface with a rear portion of the rear outer wall <NUM>.

The fastening protrusion <NUM> may be continuously pressurized and impacted by the fastening elastic portion <NUM> in the retraction and extension process of the storage <NUM>, so that the durability of the fastening protrusion <NUM> should be secured.

When the fastening protrusion <NUM> is not connected to the rear outer wall <NUM> and is formed to protrude only on the rear partition wall <NUM>, there is a risk that the fastening protrusion <NUM> is damaged by the external continuous impact because of not being sufficiently supported. On the other hand, when the fastening protrusion <NUM> is manufactured in the form connected to the rear outer wall <NUM>, as according to the present invention, the durability thereof may be improved. In addition, when the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the rear outer wall <NUM> form one surface, because a mold may be designed simply, the manufacturing may become easy.

Referring to <FIG>, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may include a front contact portion <NUM> that is disposed at a front portion of the fastening protrusion <NUM> and has a rear end protruding to be higher than a front end to form an inclined surface <NUM>, a rear contact portion <NUM> that is disposed at a rear portion of the fastening protrusion <NUM> and protrudes so as to be in contact with the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, and a maximally protruding portion <NUM> that connects the front contact portion <NUM> and the rear contact portion <NUM> to each other and includes a maximally protruding point <NUM> of the fastening protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the fixing assembly.

The maximally protruding portion <NUM> allows the user to feel a sense of resistance in the process in which the storage <NUM> is retracted or extended. While the storage <NUM> moves in the front and rear direction with respect to the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, the maximally protruding portion <NUM> may deform the fastening elastic portion <NUM> to the maximum. At a point at which the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is deformed to the maximum, the user may feel the sense of resistance maximally through the handle <NUM>. The user may sense the degree of extension or retraction of the storage <NUM> based on a change in the sense of resistance. Accordingly, a feeling of use of the laundry treating apparatus may be improved.

The front contact portion <NUM> rearwardly increases in a vertical level protruding toward the fixing assembly from the rear partition wall <NUM> to form the inclined surface <NUM>. When the inclined surface <NUM> is formed, it is possible to prevent a sudden impact from being applied to the fastening elastic portion <NUM> during the extension process of the storage <NUM>. That is, the durability of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be increased.

In addition, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may decrease in the elastic force and sag with continuous use. When the inclined surface <NUM> is formed on the front contact portion <NUM>, even when the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is deformed, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be pressed. Therefore, even when the deformation occurs in the fastening elastic portion <NUM> with passage of time, coupling with the fastening protrusion <NUM> is maintained.

The rear contact portion <NUM> may be formed at a vertical level capable of contacting the fastening elastic portion <NUM>. The rear contact portion <NUM> may prevent an abrupt impact from being applied to the fastening elastic portion <NUM> in the retraction process of the storage <NUM>, and may improve the feeling of use by allowing the user to recognize the sense of resistance for the first time.

In the state in which the storage <NUM> is fully retracted into the cabinet <NUM>, a maximally protruding point <NUM> of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> protruding toward the storage <NUM> may be located forwardly of the maximally protruding portion <NUM> to support the fastening protrusion <NUM>.

The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be deformed by the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may press the fastening protrusion <NUM> in the process in which the storage <NUM> is retracted. Even when the storage <NUM> is fully retracted, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may maintain the deformed state and press the fastening protrusion <NUM>. When the maximally protruding portion <NUM> is positioned rearwardly of the maximally protruding point <NUM> of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be pressed rearward. As a result, the storage <NUM> may be securely mounted inside the cabinet <NUM>.

In addition, when applying a force greater than the elastic force of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> in the state in which the storage <NUM> is retracted, the storage <NUM> may be extended. Because of the above structure, the storage <NUM> may be easily retracted and extended, and the coupling strength may be improved.

In addition, the rear contact portion <NUM> may include a horizontal extension section <NUM> in which the height protruding from the rear partition wall <NUM> is uniform along the longitudinal direction. The horizontal extension section <NUM> may protrude to a vertical level capable of contacting the fastening elastic portion <NUM>. In the process in which the storage <NUM> is extended, the user may receive the same sense of resistance in a section in which the fastening elastic portion <NUM> comes into contact with the horizontal extension section <NUM>. However, a moment a rear end of the horizontal extension section <NUM> passes the maximally protruding point <NUM> of the fastening protrusion, the contact between the fastening elastic portion <NUM> and the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be released. A moment the contact is released, the sense of resistance felt by the user may disappear, and the user may recognize how much the storage <NUM> is extended. That is, there is an effect that the feeling of use of the user is improved.

A rear surface of the rear contact portion <NUM> may extend from a rear surface of the rear outer wall <NUM>. The fastening protrusion <NUM> may be continuously pressed and impacted by the fastening elastic portion <NUM> during the retraction and extension process of the storage <NUM>, so that the durability of the fastening protrusion <NUM> must be ensured.

When the rear contact portion <NUM> is not connected to the rear outer wall <NUM>, there is the risk that the fastening protrusion <NUM> is damaged by the external continuous impact because of not being sufficiently supported. On the other hand, when the rear surface of the rear contact portion <NUM> extends to form one surface with the rear surface of the rear outer wall <NUM>, because the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be supported on the rear partition wall <NUM> and the rear outer wall <NUM> at the same time, the durability of the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be improved. In addition, when the rear surface of the rear contact portion <NUM> extends to form one surface with the rear surface of the rear outer wall <NUM>, because the mold may be designed simply, the manufacturing may become easy.

The first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> extend to be spaced apart from each other along the rear partition wall <NUM>, and the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be formed between the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> on the rear partition wall <NUM>.

The fastening protrusion <NUM> may be disposed in the space between the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> to utilize the space that was not used before, thereby improving an efficiency of space utilization. In addition, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be partially supported by the first cover <NUM> or the second cover <NUM> coupled to the first seat portion <NUM> or the second seat portion <NUM>, so that it is possible to alleviate the impact caused by the fastening elastic portion <NUM>. That is, the durability of the fastening protrusion <NUM> is improved.

The first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> may extend to be spaced apart from each other along the front partition wall <NUM> and the rear partition wall <NUM>, and may be further spaced apart from each other on the rear partition wall <NUM> than on the front partition wall <NUM>. On the front partition wall <NUM> on which the fastening protrusion <NUM> is not formed, the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM> are closer to each other than on the rear partition wall <NUM>, so that a detergent storage capacity may be increased. As the detergent storage capacity increases, the detergent input cycle of the user increases, so that the convenience of use may be increased.

In addition, in the state in which the storage <NUM> is fully retracted into the cabinet <NUM>, the maximally protruding point <NUM> protruding toward the storage <NUM> of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be located between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>.

When the maximally protruding point <NUM> of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is located between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>, a gap between the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the storage <NUM> may be minimized. That is, a gap between the storage <NUM> and the fixing assembly may be reduced. That is, a height of the storage <NUM> may be increased, which may lead to the increase in the detergent storage capacity. As the detergent storage capacity increases, the cycle for the user to input the detergent may increase, and the convenience of use of the user may be increased.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of an extension limiting portion disposed in a storage frame. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a stopper formed on a rear surface of a fixing assembly. <FIG> shows a state in which an extension limiting portion is coupled to a stopper in an extension process of a storage.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing assembly may further include a stopper <NUM> spaced apart from the fastening elastic portion <NUM> and protruding toward the storage frame <NUM>, and the storage <NUM> may further include an extension limiting portion <NUM> located on the frame partition wall <NUM>, and in contact with the stopper <NUM> during the extension of the storage <NUM> to limit the extension distance of the storage <NUM>.

In addition, the extension limiting portion <NUM> may be located forwardly of the fastening protrusion <NUM>. In a general use environment, the storage <NUM> may be mainly retracted and extended within a distance limited by the extension limiting portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the fastening protrusion <NUM> is located forwardly of the extension limiting portion <NUM>, there is a possibility that the fastening elastic portion <NUM> constructed to be in contact with the fastening protrusion <NUM> is pressed and deformed by the storage <NUM> even when the storage <NUM> is retracted and extended within the limited distance.

However, when the fastening protrusion <NUM> is disposed rearwardly of the extension limiting portion <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the number of times the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is pressed and deformed by the storage <NUM>. Therefore, when the extension limiting portion <NUM> is disposed forwardly of the fastening protrusion <NUM>, there is an effect of increasing the durability of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>.

In addition, the extension limiting portion <NUM> may be positioned so as not to overlap the fastening protrusion <NUM> when viewed from the front. The stopper <NUM> may be disposed at a position to face the extension limiting portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the extension limiting portion <NUM> and the fastening protrusion <NUM> overlap when viewed from the front, the stopper <NUM> may interfere with the fastening protrusion <NUM>, thereby impeding a movement of the stopper <NUM>. Therefore, when the extension limiting portion <NUM> and the fastening protrusion <NUM> are disposed so as not to overlap, because it is possible to prevent the stopper <NUM> and the fastening protrusion <NUM> from interfering, there is an effect of increasing the convenience of use.

An embodiment of the present invention may further include the extension limiting portion <NUM> in the storage <NUM>, and the extension limiting portion <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the detergent opening <NUM> in the state in which the storage <NUM> is extended by a set extension distance.

The stopper <NUM> may be disposed in the dispenser assembly <NUM> and protrude downward toward the storage <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may be disposed on the bottom surface of the dispenser assembly <NUM>, and may be disposed so as not to overlap with the fastening elastic portion <NUM> in the front and rear direction X. That is, the stopper <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the fastening elastic portion <NUM> in the lateral direction Y.

The extension limiting portion <NUM> may be disposed in the storage <NUM> and may protrude upward toward the dispenser assembly <NUM>. The extension limiting portion <NUM> may be disposed so as not to overlap the fastening protrusion <NUM> in the front and rear direction X. For example, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the rear partition wall <NUM> of the storage frame <NUM>, and the extension limiting portion <NUM> may be disposed on one side of the auxiliary storage partition wall <NUM> that does not overlap the rear partition wall <NUM>.

The stopper <NUM> may be disposed in parallel with the extension limiting portion <NUM> along the front and rear direction X to overlap each other. Accordingly, in the process of extension of the storage <NUM>, the stopper <NUM> overlaps the extension limiting portion <NUM>, so that the movement of the storage <NUM> may be restricted.

In addition, in the state in which the storage <NUM> is retracted into the detergent opening <NUM>, the stopper <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced forwardly apart from a fastening portion <NUM>, and a spacing distance between the stopper <NUM> and the fastening portion <NUM> may correspond to the preset extension distance.

Therefore, in the case in which the user extends the storage <NUM> by gripping the handle <NUM> of the storage <NUM> from the state in which the storage <NUM> is retracted into the detergent opening <NUM>, when the fastening portion <NUM> of the extension limiting portion <NUM> comes into contact with the stopper <NUM> of the dispenser assembly <NUM>, the extension of the storage <NUM> may be limited, and the user may store the detergent using the storage <NUM> extended by the set extension distance.

Specifically, the extension limiting portion <NUM> may have a rear end fixed to the storage <NUM> and a front end <NUM> that forms a free end. Accordingly, the extension limiting portion <NUM> may be elastically deformed, and the front end <NUM> thereof may be moved in the vertical direction Z around the rear end, which may be accomplished by the user pressing the front end <NUM> of the extension limiting portion <NUM>.

The fastening portion <NUM> may be formed to protrude upward between the front and rear ends of the extension limiting portion <NUM>. Therefore, when the fastening portion <NUM> is in contact with the stopper <NUM> and the extension of the storage <NUM> is limited, the front end <NUM> of the extension limiting portion <NUM> located forwardly of the fastening portion <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the detergent opening <NUM>, and it may become easy for the user to press the front end <NUM> of the extension limiting portion <NUM>.

The user may space the fastening portion <NUM> downwardly apart from the stopper <NUM> by pressing the front end <NUM> of the extension limiting portion <NUM> exposed forwardly of the detergent opening <NUM>, and may completely extend and separate the storage <NUM> from the detergent opening <NUM> while releasing the extension restriction based on the set extension distance.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover <NUM> may further include a detergent cap <NUM> disposed to cover the detergent hole <NUM> defined in the cover base <NUM>, and the detergent cap <NUM> may be located forwardly of the extension limiting portion <NUM>.

The user may inject the detergent through the detergent hole <NUM> without removing the cover <NUM> when supplying the detergent to the detergent storage space covered by the cover <NUM>. When the detergent hole <NUM> is kept open, the detergent may leak, so that the detergent hole <NUM> may be covered by the detergent cap <NUM>. In addition, in order to inject the detergent by extending the storage <NUM> by only a distance required for the detergent injection without completely extending the storage <NUM>, the detergent hole <NUM> and the detergent cap <NUM> may be located forwardly of the extension limiting portion <NUM>.

As an example of supplying the detergent to the storage <NUM>, the user may extend the storage <NUM> by the predetermined distance limited by the extension limiting portion <NUM>, then inject the detergent by opening the detergent cap <NUM> exposed to the user, and then recouple the detergent cap <NUM> and re-retract the storage <NUM>.

In the use with the same process as above, the user may significantly reduce a frequency of removing the cover <NUM> from the storage frame <NUM>. Accordingly, a frequency of the user's manipulation of the cover handle <NUM> is also reduced, so that the detergent may be easily injected into the detergent storage space S while the cover handle <NUM> is disposed rearwardly of the extension limiting portion <NUM> to prevent the detergent from leaking as the cover <NUM> is unintentionally removed.

Referring to <FIG>, a fastening elastic portion <NUM> disposed in the cabinet <NUM> and positioned above the storage frame <NUM>, and protruding toward the storage frame <NUM>, and a fastening protrusion <NUM> disposed in the storage frame <NUM> and protruding upward, and in contact with the fastening elastic portion <NUM> in the extension process of the storage <NUM> may be further included.

The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be formed in the dispenser assembly <NUM> disposed on top of the storage frame <NUM>. The dispenser assembly <NUM> may serve as the fixing assembly.

The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be made of a deformable material or may be formed to be movable within a limited position range. The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be constructed to be in contact with the fastening protrusion <NUM> disposed in the storage frame <NUM> in the retraction and extension process of the storage <NUM>.

The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be deformed or moved a predetermined distance by being pressed by the fastening protrusion <NUM>. When the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is deformed by the fastening protrusion <NUM>, an elastic force may be generated, and the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be pressed in a specific direction by the elastic force.

In the process of retracting the storage <NUM> into the cabinet <NUM>, when the fastening protrusion <NUM> comes into contact with the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, and the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is deformed to generate the elastic force, the user gripping the handle <NUM> of the storage <NUM> may sense the corresponding elastic force. When the retraction of the storage <NUM> is completed and the storage <NUM> is retracted by a maximum retractable distance, the elastic force may disappear. In this case, the user may sense that the storage <NUM> is disposed at an appropriate location.

When the storage <NUM> is not sufficiently retracted, the detergent may not be smoothly supplied during the operation process of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. Because the user may sense whether the storage <NUM> is properly retracted by the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, it is easy to couple the storage <NUM> to a correct position.

A protruding shape of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be varied as needed. For example, the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may have a shape in which a center thereof protrudes so as to have a gentle inclination from a front portion and a rear portion thereof.

The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be made of a material that has elasticity and is able to be deformed and restored, and may have greater elasticity than the fastening protrusion <NUM>. In addition, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may have greater elasticity than a material of the fixing assembly.

The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be disposed such that at least a portion thereof, for example, a portion including an end protruding downward, overlaps the fastening protrusion <NUM> along the front and rear direction or the retraction direction of the storage <NUM>.

The storage <NUM> may be extended such that the fastening protrusion <NUM> is located forwardly of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, and the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be moved rearward toward the fastening elastic portion <NUM> during the retraction process. The fastening protrusion <NUM> may be moved rearward to overlap the fastening elastic portion <NUM> in a vertical direction.

In the retraction process of the storage <NUM>, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be moved rearward while passing the fastening elastic portion <NUM>. That is, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be positioned to overlap the fastening protrusion <NUM> in the vertical direction, and be pressed and deformed by the fastening protrusion <NUM>. The fastening elastic portion <NUM> pressed by the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be deformed to lower a protruding height thereof. Accordingly, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be moved rearward past the fastening elastic portion <NUM>.

When the storage <NUM> is fully retracted into the detergent opening <NUM>, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be located rearwardly of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>. The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be pressurized and deformed by the fastening protrusion <NUM> in the state in which the storage <NUM> is fully retracted, and may press the fastening protrusion <NUM> rearward with a reaction force. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and the contact thereof with the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be released when the storage <NUM> is fully retracted.

The user may extend the storage <NUM> from the detergent opening <NUM> using the handle <NUM>, and put the detergent into the storage <NUM>. The storage <NUM> in which the detergent is stored may slide and is retracted into the detergent opening <NUM> again. At this time, the user may be aware of the retraction situation of the storage <NUM> through the contact relationship between the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the fastening elastic portion <NUM>.

For example, in the process of gripping the handle <NUM> and retracting the storage <NUM> rearward, the user may recognize the contact between the fastening protrusion <NUM> and the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, and may receive a predetermined pressure. At the same time when a maximum protrusion point <NUM> of the fastening protrusion <NUM> passes a maximum protrusion point <NUM> of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, the pressure delivered to the user may be reduced, and the user may recognize a degree of retraction of the storage <NUM>.

In addition, the deformed fastening elastic portion <NUM> may press the fastening protrusion <NUM> rearward while being restored. As such, when the fastening protrusion <NUM> is pressed by the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, the storage <NUM> may naturally move rearward.

As described above, during the retraction process of the storage <NUM>, the user may feel that a reaction force in a direction opposite to the retraction direction increases, and may recognize that a force in the same direction as the retraction direction is applied after a certain moment. That is, because the storage <NUM> may be retracted by the fastening elastic portion <NUM> even when the user applies a small force after the specific moment, there is an effect of increasing the user convenience.

In one example, at least a portion of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the fixing assembly. Specifically, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be manufactured separately from the fixing assembly, and at least a portion thereof may be coupled to the fixing assembly. In this connection, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the fixing assembly.

The fastening elastic portion <NUM> may correspond to an elastic body that is deformed by being pressed by the fastening protrusion <NUM> and restored. It may be advantageous that the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is easier to be deformed than the material of the fixing assembly and has excellent elasticity. In one embodiment of the present invention, such fastening elastic portion <NUM> is manufactured separately from the fixing assembly, so that the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be manufactured using a material different from that of the fixing assembly with high rigidity.

In addition, the manufacturing of the fixing assembly may include a heat treatment process. In this case, the material constituting the fixing assembly may decrease in the elasticity and increase in the rigidity after the heat treatment. When molding the fastening elastic portion <NUM> together with the fixing assembly, the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may also have decrease in the elasticity by the heat treatment process.

That is, one embodiment of the present invention manufactures the fastening elastic portion <NUM> separately from the fixing assembly and detachably couple the fastening elastic portion <NUM> to the fixing assembly, which is advantageous because it is possible to avoid a change in properties of the material resulted from a series of molding processes included in the manufacturing of the fixing assembly.

The fastening protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the rear partition wall <NUM>. Specifically, the fastening protrusion <NUM> may be positioned between the first seat portion <NUM> and the second seat portion <NUM>. Because an additional structure is not required to form the fastening protrusion <NUM>, and the space of the storage frame <NUM> is able to be efficiently used, there is an effect of increasing the capacity of stored detergent.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> again, the cover <NUM> of the laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cover base <NUM> disposed in parallel with the frame bottom surface <NUM> to cover the open top surface of the detergent storage space, and a cover coupling portion <NUM> extending along a perimeter of the cover base <NUM> and including a coupling insertion portion into which the cover seat portion <NUM> is inserted.

Preferably, the cover base <NUM> covers the open top surfaces of the first storage space S1 and the second storage space S2. Preferably, the cover base has a larger area than a surface formed by the cover seat portion <NUM> in order to cover the open top surface.

A cover coupling portion <NUM> formed to be coupled to the cover seat portion <NUM> may be disposed along the perimeter of the cover base <NUM>. The cover coupling portion <NUM> may have the coupling insertion portion that is recessed upwardly. With a scheme in which the cover seat portion <NUM> is inserted into the coupling insertion portion, the cover <NUM> may cover the open top surface of the detergent storage space S.

The coupling insertion portion may be formed in a shape corresponding to the cover seat portion <NUM>. The coupling insertion portion <NUM> may be in contact with the cover seat portion <NUM> on several surfaces to increase a contact frictional force, and may increase a bonding strength of the cover <NUM> to prevent a situation in which the cover <NUM> is unintentionally removed and the detergent stored in the first storage space S1 or the second storage space S2 leaks.

The storage frame <NUM> may have the front outer wall <NUM> disposed on the front surface thereof, the rear outer wall <NUM> disposed on the rear surface thereof, and the first side outer wall <NUM> and the second side outer wall <NUM> respectively disposed on the both side surfaces thereof.

The cover coupling portion <NUM> may further include a cover handle <NUM> extending in a direction away from the frame partition wall <NUM> from a portion coupled to the first side outer wall <NUM> or the second side outer wall <NUM>.

The user may easily remove the cover <NUM> by gripping the cover handle <NUM> when removing the cover <NUM> from the storage frame <NUM>. Because the cover handle <NUM> protrudes from the side surface of the storage frame <NUM> and is exposed to the outside, the user may grip the cover handle <NUM> without being disturbed by other structures.

Each of the first side outer wall <NUM> and the second side outer wall may include a coupling rib <NUM> protruding laterally to support the cover coupling portion <NUM>. In addition, the cover handle <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the coupling rib <NUM>.

The coupling rib <NUM> may extend from each of the first side outer wall <NUM> and the second side outer wall <NUM> in the direction away from the frame partition wall <NUM>. The coupling rib <NUM> may have a length smaller than a length in the front and rear direction of the first side outer wall <NUM> or the second side outer wall <NUM>.

The coupling rib <NUM> may extend laterally from one point of the first side outer wall <NUM> or the second side outer wall <NUM> where the cover seat portion <NUM> is formed so as to be in contact with the cover coupling portion <NUM>. When the cover seat portion <NUM> is inserted into the coupling insertion portion <NUM> of the cover coupling portion <NUM>, a bottom of the cover coupling portion <NUM> may be supported by being in contact with the coupling rib <NUM>.

When the cover coupling portion <NUM> is supported on the coupling rib <NUM>, it is possible to reduce deformation resulted from bending applied to the cover seat portion <NUM> in the process of detaching the cover <NUM>. In addition, because a contact area with the storage frame <NUM> is increased when the cover <NUM> is coupled, the cover <NUM> may be coupled more stably. That is, the situation in which the cover <NUM> is unintentionally removed from the storage frame <NUM> and the detergent leaks may be prevented.

When the coupling rib <NUM> is extended to be in contact with the cover handle <NUM>, a space for the user to grip the cover handle <NUM> may be reduced. Therefore, even when the coupling rib <NUM> extends along the first side outer wall <NUM> or the second side outer wall <NUM>, the coupling rib <NUM> may extend apart from the cover handle <NUM>.

In order for the coupling rib <NUM> and the cover handle <NUM> to be spaced apart from each other, the cover <NUM> may be manufactured such that the coupling rib <NUM> is not formed on a portion where the cover handle <NUM> is disposed when the cover <NUM> is coupled.

Preferably, the cover handle <NUM> may be formed to protrude from the cover coupling portion <NUM> so as to be located at a rear portion of the first side outer wall <NUM> or the second side outer wall <NUM>, and the coupling rib <NUM> may extend from a front portion of the first side outer wall <NUM> or the second side outer wall <NUM> to a point right ahead of a point at which the cover handle <NUM> is disposed.

When the cover handle <NUM> and the coupling rib <NUM> are formed to be spaced apart from each other as described above, a coupling force of the cover <NUM> may be strengthened by the coupling rib <NUM>, and stability of the storage frame <NUM> may be increased, and at the same time, the user may easily remove the cover <NUM> from the storage frame <NUM> by gripping the cover handle <NUM>.

The stopper <NUM> and the extension limiting portion <NUM> may prevent an accident in which the storage <NUM> is unintentionally detached and dropped while the user supplies the detergent or manipulates the storage <NUM>.

The cover handle <NUM> may be formed rearwardly of the extension limiting portion <NUM>. The cover handle <NUM> is formed on the cover coupling portion <NUM>. When the cover handle <NUM> is formed to be easily gripped in the state in which a portion of the storage <NUM> is extended, unlike an intention of the user, the cover may be removed from the storage frame <NUM> and the detergent may leak.

When being extended by the predetermined distance by the extension limiting portion <NUM>, the storage <NUM> may not be completely removed from the cabinet <NUM> without additional manipulation of the extension limiting portion <NUM>. That is, a portion of the storage <NUM> is accommodated inside the cabinet <NUM> in a general use environment.

When the cover handle <NUM> is formed rearwardly of the extension limiting portion <NUM>, it may be difficult for the user to access the cover handle <NUM> without manipulating the extension limiting portion <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the cover handle <NUM> is arbitrarily manipulated to remove the cover <NUM> and the detergent leaks.

Referring back to <FIG>, the fixing assembly may include a sliding coupling portion <NUM> to which one end of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is slidably coupled, and a sliding limiting portion <NUM> constructed to limit a sliding distance of said one end.

In addition, the sliding limiting portion <NUM> may be positioned to face said one end of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>, and come into contact with said one end of the sliding fastening elastic portion <NUM> to limit the sliding distance of said one end.

When one of both ends of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is constructed to be slidable, an amount of deformation of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be reduced in the process of retraction and extension of the storage <NUM>. As the amount of deformation of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> increases, the elastic force of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may decrease because of the repeated deformation. Therefore, when one end of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is slidably coupled to the sliding coupling portion <NUM>, the decrease in the elastic force of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> may be prevented. Therefore, there is an effect of increasing the durability of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>.

However, when one end of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> is excessively slid, the storage <NUM> may not sufficiently support the fastening protrusion <NUM> in the fully retracted state. Therefore, the sliding limiting portion <NUM> that limits the distance that said one end of the fastening elastic portion <NUM> moves for the fastening elastic portion <NUM> to support the fastening protrusion <NUM> when the storage <NUM> is fully retracted may be further included.

When the sliding coupling portion <NUM> and the sliding limiting portion <NUM> are constructed, the storage <NUM> may be more easily retracted and extended, and the storage <NUM> may be sufficiently supported while improving the durability of the fastening elastic portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having a detergent opening (<NUM>) defined a front surface thereof;
a tub (<NUM>) located inside the cabinet (<NUM>) and configured to store wash water therein;
a drum (<NUM>) rotatably disposed inside the tub (<NUM>) and configured to store laundry therein;
a storage (<NUM>) including a storage frame (<NUM>) having a detergent storage space (S) defined therein for storing detergent to be supplied to the tub (<NUM>), wherein the storage (<NUM>) is configured to be retracted into or extended out of the cabinet (<NUM>) through the detergent opening (<NUM>); and
a fixing assembly (<NUM>) disposed inside the cabinet (<NUM>) to face the storage (<NUM>), wherein the fixing assembly (<NUM>) includes a fastening elastic portion (<NUM>) protruding toward the storage (<NUM>),
wherein the storage frame (<NUM>) includes:
a frame outer wall (<NUM>) for forming an outer wall of the storage frame (<NUM>) and surrounding the detergent storage space (S), wherein the frame outer wall (<NUM>) includes a front outer wall (<NUM>) positioned on a front side of the storage frame (<NUM>) and a rear outer wall (<NUM>) positioned on a rear side of the storage frame (<NUM>); and
a frame partition wall (<NUM>) disposed in the storage frame (<NUM>) to partition the detergent storage space (S), wherein the frame partition wall (<NUM>) connects the front outer wall (<NUM>) and the rear outer wall (<NUM>) to each other, and wherein the frame partition wall (<NUM>) includes a fastening protrusion (<NUM>) protruding toward the fixing assembly (<NUM>),
wherein the fastening elastic portion (<NUM>) is pressurized and elastically deformed by the fastening protrusion (<NUM>) during the retraction and the extension of the storage (<NUM>),
characterised in that a rear end of the fastening protrusion (<NUM>) is connected to the rear outer wall (<NUM>) and extends downward to form one surface with a rear portion of the rear outer wall (<NUM>).