Patent Description:
Generally, a laundry treating apparatus refers to an apparatus that carries out a series of processes (e.g., washing, drying, deodorization, wrinkle removal, etc.) in relation to laundry. The term "laundry treating apparatus" may comprise a washing machine for washing laundry, a dryer for drying wet laundry, and a refresher for removing odors or wrinkles out of laundry.

Meanwhile, the development trend of laundry treating apparatuses is toward a single apparatus designed to carry out all of washing, drying, deodorization, and wrinkle removal for laundry. However, the existing laundry treating apparatuses are limited in deodorizing laundry or removing wrinkles from laundry because of the use of a drum for accommodating laundry and a driver for rotating the drum.

To address the problem, referring to "laundry treating apparatus" shown in <FIG> and disclosed in the <CIT>), the laundry treating apparatus comprises an inner case <NUM> having an accommodating space for hanging laundry, a hot-air supply unit (not shown) supplying hot air or moisture from a lower portion of the inner case, and a cabinet <NUM> provided outside the inner case and the hot-air supply unit to form an external appearance.

The laundry treating apparatus of the related art may supply the hot-air to the hot-air supply unit (not shown) arranged below the cabinet or deodorize laundry and at the same time remove wrinkles of the laundry by pressurizing the laundry in a state that the laundry is hung in the accommodating space provided in the inner case <NUM>. In this way, in a state that the laundry is unfolded inside the cabinet by self-load, the hot-air or moisture may be supplied to the laundry to deodorize the laundry and remove wrinkles of the laundry without a separate unit.

In the laundry treating apparatus of the related art, a frame <NUM> is additionally provided to fix shapes of the inner case <NUM>, the hot-air supply unit and the cabinet <NUM> and make sure of durability. The frame <NUM> includes a plurality of vertical frames <NUM> provided in a height direction, and a plurality of horizontal frames <NUM> connecting the vertical frames with one another in a width direction, whereby the inner case <NUM> may stably be accommodated therein and vibration generated from the hot-air supply unit (not shown) and the like may be supported effectively.

However, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art has inconvenience during a manufacturing process in that the horizontal frames <NUM> are assembled with the vertical frames <NUM>, the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit are fixed to the assembled frame <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> should be coupled to the frame <NUM> again. Particularly, if the cabinet <NUM> is provided with a side <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM> and an upper surface <NUM>, inconvenience occurs in that each element should be coupled to the frame <NUM>.

Also, a drawback occurs in that assembly of coupling members such as <NUM> bolts or nuts or more is required when the inner case and the cabinet are coupled with each other as well as when the frame <NUM> is assembled.

Therefore, a long time is required for manufacture of the laundry treating apparatus, and a defect rate is increased like that durability of the laundry treating apparatus cannot be ensured if a specific coupling member is omitted or not completely fastened.

Also, even though the frame is considered to be replaced with a foaming agent, a shape is changed or a sufficient inner space is not ensured when the foaming agent is hardened, or it is difficult to maintain rigidity. For this reason, a problem occurs in that it is difficult to apply the foaming agent to an actual product.

Also, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art has a problem in that the cabinet is provided to be relatively higher than the other home appliances and easily bent by an external force.

<CIT> relates to a method of forming panels which are readily assembled into domestic appliances and to panels formed by said method. This document discloses a laundry treating apparatus comprising a cabinet formed by panels and having an opening in a front direction, a door rotatably provided in front of the opening to open or close the opening, an inner case provided in the cabinet to form an accommodation space in which laundry is accommodated, and a hot-air supply unit provided at a lower portion of the inner case to supply hot air to the accommodation space, wherein the inner case is formed of a styrene resin that maintains adhesion to a foaming agent injected into the panels.

<CIT> relates to a laundry treating apparatus which can make clothes drying, deodoring, crumple removal and sterilization easily, thereby preventing the clothes from damaging and having improved thermal insulation.

<CIT> relates to refrigerator doors having a dispensing mechanism such as ice and water dispensers mounted in the door for access from the exterior of the refrigerator without the need for opening the door itself.

<CIT> relates to a refrigerator and a method of manufacturing the same, and for example, to a refrigerator including a door with improved insulation performance.

<CIT> relates to a process and apparatus for use in the manufacture of refrigerating cabinets of the type including an inner housing of thermoformed plastic material, outer walls spaced from the housing, and foamed insulation material filling the space between the housing and the outer walls.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may omit an assembly process by fixing inner elements through a foaming agent or a foaming insulator (hereinafter, referred to as foaming agent).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may be prevented from being deformed even though a frame is replaced with a foaming agent, and may maintain rigidity.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may make sure of a sufficient inner space even though a frame is replaced with a foaming agent.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may make sure of durability by allowing a foaming agent to be uniformly filled in a gap between inner elements.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may prevent interference with an inner element from occurring even though a frame is replaced with a foaming agent.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may be prevented from being deformed by an external force even though a cabinet is provided to be greater than the other home appliances.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may maintain a shape of a cabinet when a foaming agent is injected into or filled in the cabinet.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may maintain a shape of a cabinet even though a foaming agent is expanded when it is hardened in the cabinet.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may reduce a defect rate by replacing a frame with a foaming agent.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may make sure of durability by allowing a foaming agent to be uniformly filled.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may enhance cohesion between an inner element and a foaming agent.

Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may maintain rigidity and chemical stability in a high temperature and humidity environment.

To achieve the above objects, a laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a cabinet having an opening in a front direction, a door rotatably provided in front of the opening to open or close the opening, an inner case provided in the cabinet to form an accommodation space in which laundry is accommodated, and a hot-air supply unit provided at a lower portion of the inner case to supply at least one of hot air and moisture to the accommodation space,.

wherein the inner case is formed of a styrene resin that maintains adhesion to the foaming agent injected into the cabinet.

The foaming agent may be injected between the inner case and the hot-air supply unit as well as between the cabinet and the inner case to maintain strength and shape when the foaming agent is hardened.

The cabinet may include injection holes into which the foaming agent is injected, and a plurality of bent holes discharging the air between the cabinet and the inner case and the air between the inner case and the hot-air supply unit.

The laundry treating apparatus may further compri se a hollow portion provided between an upper surface of the cabinet and an upper surface of the inner case as an empty space where the foaming agent does not enter.

The laundry treating apparatus may further comprise a hanging unit coupled to the upper surface of the inner case to hang or excite the laundry, wherein the hanging unit is provided to be arranged inside the hollow portion.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a grasp portion provided to be protruded or recessed from the inner case toward the cabinet and coupled with a foaming agent filling a space between the cabinet and the inner case.

The grasp portion may include a grasp case protruded from the inner case toward the cabinet, providing a space therein to accommodate the foaming agent, and a grasp opening provided on one surface of the grasp case to allow the foaming agent to enter the space.

The grasp portion may include a grasp beam protruded from the inner case toward the cabinet and coupled with the foaming agent.

The grasp portion may include a grasp ring protruded from the inner case toward the cabinet and coupled with the foaming agent by allowing the foaming agent to pass through there.

The grasp portion may include a grasp protrusion protruded to one surface of the inner case and accommodated in the foaming agent.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a hinge unit rotatably coupling the door to the cabinet, and a base provided at a lower portion of the hot-air supply unit to support the inner case and the hot-air supply unit. At least any one of the hinge unit and the base may be fixed to the cabinet together with the inner case and the hot-air supply unit when the inner case and the hot-air supply unit are fixed by the foaming agent.

The base may include a base body provided at a lower portion of the hot-supply unit to form a bottom surface of the cabinet, a body coupling unit provided in the base body to allow the hot-air supply unit to be seated thereon, and a leakage prevention unit extended from the body coupling unit to both sides of the cabinet to prevent the foaming agent from leaking out. The foaming agent may simultaneously fix the hot-air supply unit and the leakage prevention unit if it is injected into the cabinet.

The hinge unit may include a lower hinge coupled to the base body to allow the door to be rotatably coupled thereto.

The lower hinge may include a lower body coupled to the base body, a hinge body coupled to the lower body to allow the door to be rotatably coupled thereto, and a lower hinge shaft extended from the hinge body to an upper portion to form a rotary shaft of the door.

The hinge unit may include an upper hinge provided to allow the door to be rotatably coupled thereto.

The upper hinge may be inserted into a space between the inner case and the cabinet by passing through the space and fixed by the foaming agent.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may omit an assembly process by fixing an inner element through a foaming agent or a foaming insulator (hereinafter, referred to as foaming agent).

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may be prevented from being deformed even though a frame is replaced with a foaming agent, and may maintain rigidity.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may make sure of a sufficient inner space even though a frame is replaced with a foaming agent.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may make sure of durability by allowing a foaming agent to be uniformly filled in a gap between inner elements.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may prevent interference with an inner element from occurring even though a frame is replaced with a foaming agent.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may be prevented from being deformed by an external force even though a cabinet is provided to be greater than the other home appliances.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may maintain a shape of a cabinet when a foaming agent is injected into or filled in the cabinet.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may maintain a shape of a cabinet even though a foaming agent is expanded when it is hardened in the cabinet.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may reduce a defect rate by replacing a frame with a foaming agent.

The present invention manufactures an inner case that may enhance cohesion and adhesion with a foaming agent.

The present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that may maintain durability and chemical stability in a high temperature and humidity environment even though an inner case is coupled with a foaming agent.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts and their description will be replaced with the first description. The term of a singular expression in this specification should be understood to include a multiple expression as well as the singular expression if there is no specific definition in the context. Also, in description of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, if detailed description of elements or functions known in respect of the present disclosure is determined to make the subject matter of the present disclosure unnecessarily obscure, the detailed description will be omitted. Also, it is to be understood that the accompanying drawings are intended to easily understand the embodiment disclosed in this specification disclosed in this specification should not be restricted by the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention includes a cabinet <NUM> having an opening <NUM> in a front direction, a door <NUM> rotatably provided at the front of the opening to open or close the opening, an inner case <NUM> provided in the cabinet, forming an accommodating space in which laundry is accommodated, and a hot-air supply unit <NUM> provided at one side of the inner case, supplying one or more of the hot-air and moisture to the accommodating space.

The door <NUM> may be provided to seal the opening <NUM> and guide the hot-air or moisture supplied to the accommodating space to be fully exposed to laundry without leaking out.

A hanging unit <NUM> for hanging laundry or uniformly exposing the laundry to the hot-air or moisture by exciting the laundry may be provided at an upper portion of the inner case <NUM>.

The hanging unit <NUM> may include a hanging bar <NUM> coupled to an upper surface of the inner case <NUM> to hang laundry, and an excitation unit <NUM> vibrating the hanging bar <NUM>.

The excitation unit <NUM> may include a motor vibrating the hanging bar <NUM>, and a transfer unit coupled to the hanging bar <NUM> to transfer a power of the motor to the hanging bar <NUM>, and may be provided in any shape that may vibrate the hanging bar <NUM>.

Since the hot-air supply unit <NUM> generates the hot-air having density which is relatively low, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> is provided at a lower portion of the inner case <NUM> to allow the hot-air to be easily supplied to the laundry.

Also, one or more communication holes <NUM> communicated with the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may be provided on a lower surface of the inner case <NUM> In detail, the communication holes <NUM> may be provided in a plural number, wherein any one communication hole 212a may be provided to discharge the hot-air, and the other one communication hole 212b may be provided to allow the hot-air to be discharged to the hot-air supply unit <NUM> after performing refresh such as drying, wrinkle removal and deodorization of the laundry.

Referring to <FIG>, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> includes a heat pump <NUM> supplying the hot-air and possibly moisture to the accommodating space, and an accommodating body <NUM> provided at a lower portion of the accommodating space to accommodate the heat pump <NUM>. The accommodating body includes a communication inlet <NUM> (see <FIG>) communicated with the communication hole <NUM> to supply the air to the heat pump <NUM> or discharge the hot-air supplied from the heat pump <NUM> to the accommodating space.

The accommodating body <NUM> may include a through portion <NUM> provided to allow the heat pump <NUM> to be exposed to any one of a front direction or a rear direction. In this case, a user may easily approach the heat pump <NUM> and the like by only opening the door <NUM>.

Also, for convenience of arrangement and maintenance of the heat pump <NUM>, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may further include a withdrawal unit <NUM> withdrawing the heat pump <NUM> to the outside of the through portion <NUM> while supporting the heat pump <NUM>, and a guide <NUM> provided on an inner side of the accommodating body <NUM> to guide withdrawal or insertion of the withdrawal unit <NUM>.

Therefore, the user may withdraw the heat pump <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM> to easily maintain and repair the heat pump <NUM>, and the heat pump <NUM> may be manufactured separately and then the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may be provided in a module manner.

The withdrawal unit <NUM> may be provided in a plate shape, or may be provided in a shape of 'L' to shield a withdrawal hole <NUM> provided on a rear surface of the cabinet.

The guide <NUM> may be provided as a roller or rail that may support and guide the withdrawal unit <NUM>.

The heat pump <NUM> may include an evaporator cooling the air from the accommodating space to condense moisture contained in the air, a compressor compressing and heating a refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator, a condenser generating the hot-air by heating the cooled air by using the refrigerant discharged to the compressor, and a valve reducing a temperature by expanding the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser.

Also, the heat pump <NUM> may further include a steam generator generating steam or mist in a portion where the air moves, and may further include a ventilating fan providing a power for circulating the hot-air.

Although not shown, the heat pump <NUM> may include a moving duct that may allow the air accommodated in the inner case <NUM> to be supplied to the inner case <NUM> by passing through the evaporator and the condenser without leaking out, wherein the moving duct may be provided to be communicated with the communication inlet <NUM>, and the ventilating fan may be provided in the moving duct.

<FIG> illustrates a structure that a laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may be manufactured through a foaming agent by omitting a frame.

Referring to <FIG>, the cabinet <NUM> may be provided in a shape of box, and the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may be connected with each other and fixed by being inserted into the opening <NUM>.

Afterwards, the foaming agent may be inserted through the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> and thus may be filled in the cabinet <NUM> and an outer space of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>.

The foaming agent may be made of a liquefied foamed insulation material. The foaming agent may be inserted into the cabinet <NUM> and filled in the space formed by the inner case <NUM>, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM>, and then may be cooled and hardened with the passage of time.

Therefore, the foaming agent may fix positions of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> while being in contact with outer surfaces of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and an inner surface of the cabinet <NUM>. Also, the foaming agent may maintain the shape of the cabinet <NUM> while being filled in the space inside the cabinet <NUM>, and may absorb an external impact or vibration at a certain amount to make sure of durability even though the external impact or vibration occurs.

As a result, since the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention may fix the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> even though the frame <NUM> is omitted, an assembly process of coupling members such as bolts and nuts may be omitted, whereby a whole weight of the laundry treating apparatus may be reduced.

Moreover, as the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> are insulated, leakage of energy may be avoided to maximize efficiency. Even though the user is located near the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> while the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> is operating, the user may not feel displeasure due to heat and a negligent accident such as burn may be prevented.

Meanwhile, even though the foaming agent may be inserted into the cabinet <NUM> and then filled in the inner space of the cabinet <NUM>, the foaming agent needs to be prevented from leaking out until the foaming agent is hardened.

To this end, the inner case <NUM> may include an inner body <NUM> provided at the front of the accommodating space, having an inlet <NUM> through which laundry is inserted, and a shielding rib <NUM> extended from an outer circumferential surface of the inlet to the opening <NUM> to prevent the foaming agent from leaking out.

Unlike the shown drawing, a coupling rib extended from the inlet <NUM> toward the inlet <NUM> of the inner body may be provided in the cabinet <NUM>.

That is, if the inner body <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> may be prevented from being exposed in a front direction, the inner body <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> may be provided in any shape and structure.

Also, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may further include a prevention rib <NUM> extended from an outer circumferential surface of the through portion <NUM> to the opening <NUM> to prevent the foaming agent from leaking out.

The shielding rib <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM> may prevent the foaming agent entering the cabinet <NUM> from leaking out through the opening <NUM> by shielding the opening <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the shielding rib <NUM> provided at a lower end of the inlet <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM> provided at an upper end of the through portion <NUM> may be provided to be tightly attached to each other to shield the foaming agent between the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> from leaking out.

Also, the accommodating body <NUM> of the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may be provided to be more extended than the inner case <NUM> in a rear direction so that the foaming agent 's' may be shielded from entering the rear of the through portion <NUM>.

That is, although the rear surface of the inner case <NUM> is spaced apart from the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the accommodating body <NUM> may be provided to be extended until it may be in contact with or coupled to the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Therefore, a front and rear length of the accommodating body <NUM> may be longer than that of the inner case <NUM>.

As a result, the withdrawal unit <NUM> may be withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM> without colliding with the foaming agent.

Meanwhile, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention may comprise a base <NUM> provided at a lower portion of the hot-air supply unit to form a bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM> or accommodated in the cabinet <NUM> to support the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>.

The base <NUM> may be made of a material that absorbs vibration to prevent vibration from being transferred to the outside of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

The foaming agent S may be filled between bottom surfaces of the cabinet <NUM> to fix the base <NUM>. Alternatively, the base <NUM> may be provided to be withdrawn to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. In this case, the base <NUM> may serve as the withdrawal unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the inner case <NUM> may be made of a polypropylene (PP) resin which is generally used. This is because that the PP resin has excellent mobility and dimension stability to facilitate molding and has excellent strength.

However, since the inner case <NUM> is a high temperature and humidity environment due to the hot-air or moisture supplied from the hot-air supply unit <NUM>, it may be difficult to make sure of strength of the PP resin. Moreover, since the PP resin has a problem in that it has no excellent adhesion with the foaming agent, it may be difficult to form the inner case <NUM> of the PP resin. This is because that the inner case <NUM> may move inside the cabinet <NUM> or may be detached from the cabinet <NUM> if the foaming agent is not sure of adhesion.

Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention needs to apply a material, which may maintain cohesion and adhesion with the foaming agent even in a high temperature and humidity environment, to the inner case <NUM>.

To this end, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention, the inner case <NUM> is made of a styrene resin that may maintain adhesion with the foaming agent S.

The styrene resin is an aromatic hydrocarbon having a structure that one hydrogen from a benzene ring is substituted by a vinyl group, and is a kind of oil chemistry based thermoplastic resin, and means a resin made of polystyrene which is a polymer of a liquid styrene unit body generated by reacting ethylene with benzene. The styrene resin is known that adhesion with the foaming agent is excellent, and may maintain its original property even in a high temperature and humidity environment as its boiling point is <NUM> or more.

Therefore, the inner case <NUM> is made of the styrene resin and thus may maintain durability at a certain level even in a high temperature and humidity environment and also maintain adhesion with the foaming agent, and may stably be fixed to the cabinet <NUM>.

In detail, the inner case <NUM> may be made of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS) resin that may maintain adhesion with the foaming agent and has excellent impact resistance to make sure of strength.

The ABS resin is a styrene resin made of three components of styrene, acrylonitrile and butadiene, and has impact resistance greater than that of a general styrene resin which is easy to be processed and has heat resistance more excellent that that of the general styrene resin.

In detail, the ABS resin has heat resistance more excellent than the PP resin as much as <NUM>%, and has impact resistance more excellent than the PP resin as much as <NUM> times or more. Therefore, the ABS resin may maintain its original property even in a high temperature and humidity environment such as the inner case <NUM>, and has an excellent adhesion even with the foaming agent to maintain strength and rigidity in the middle of being tightly adhered with the foaming agent and even in a state that it is tightly adhered with the foaming agent.

Therefore, the inner case <NUM> may be made of an ABS material and adhered with the foaming agent regardless of a liquid state and a solid state of the foaming agent, whereby the inner case <NUM> may fully be fixed to the cabinet <NUM>.

Moreover, since the ABS resin is excellent in rigidity, heat deflection temperature, and the like, the ABS resin may be prevented from being physically deformed and degenerated even though it is continuously exposed to the high temperature and humidity environment.

Meanwhile, the inner case <NUM> is likely to be exposed to various secretions such as sweat and spit discharged from laundry and external particles.

Therefore, if the secretions and the particles are adsorbed into the inner case <NUM>, a problem may occur in that cleanliness of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> cannot be ensured.

Moreover, if the inner case <NUM> chemically reacts with the secretions and particles detached from the laundry, a problem may occur in that a color of the inner case <NUM> is or sanitation and stability of the inner case cannot be ensured.

Therefore, the inner case <NUM> may be required to be made of a resin having color maintenance and strength, which are more excellent than those of APS resin, and having excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance and thermal stability.

To this end, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention may be manufactured such that the inner case <NUM> is made of ASA resin of a styrene resin.

The ASA resin is an Acrylate-Styrene-Acrylonitrile (ASA) resin, and is known that weather resistance, chemical resistance, and heat resistance are very excellent as it does not include an unstable double bond in a polymer like ABS.

That is, even though the ASA resin is exposed to each or all of an organic material containing secretions, an inorganic material containing particles, the hot-air and moisture, its physical and chemical properties may not be varied.

Therefore, if the inner case <NUM> is made of the ASA resin, even though the inner case <NUM> is exposed to the hot-air or moisture, the inner case <NUM> may be prevented from being chemically reacted with a fluid inside the accommodating space. As a result, it is possible to make sure of strength of the inner case <NUM> and fundamentally prevent smell from being adsorbed into the inner case <NUM>.

Meanwhile, since the hanging unit <NUM> is provided at the upper portion of the inner case <NUM>, it is required to prevent the foaming agent from entering there.

To this end, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure may further include a hollow portion <NUM> forming an empty space by preventing the foaming agent from entering there such that the hanging unit <NUM> may be provided between an upper surface <NUM> of the cabinet and the inner case <NUM>.

The hollow portion <NUM> may be formed by forming a molding article fitted into the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM> and the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> in a jig for fixing the cabinet <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> during a foaming process.

Also, the hollow portion <NUM> may be generated by injecting the foaming agent into a separate case inserted between the cabinet <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> and then removing the case after a certain time.

Moreover, the hollow portion <NUM> may be formed by being separately provided with a rib or case extended from the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM> to the inner case <NUM> or extended from the inner case <NUM> to the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

The hollow portion <NUM> may prevent the hanging unit <NUM> from interfering with the foaming agent even though the foaming agent is inserted into the cabinet <NUM>, and may make sure of convenience in arrangement or repair of the hanging unit <NUM>.

The hollow portion <NUM> may be provided in a shape of a hexahedron as shown, but may be provided to correspond to an outer shape of the hanging unit <NUM> or in another shape in which the hanging unit <NUM> may be accommodated.

The hollow portion <NUM> may be provided in any shape and volume if the hanging unit may be provided without filling the foaming agent therein.

For example, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure, the hollow portion <NUM> may be generated to include a shielding case <NUM> coupled to the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> to shield the foaming agent from entering the inner case.

The shielding case <NUM> may be provided at an interval from the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> to the upper surface <NUM> of the cabinet and thus fitted into the inner case <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the cabinet.

Moreover, the shielding case <NUM> may be provided in a single body with the inner case <NUM>.

The shielding case <NUM> may be provided in a shape of a hexahedron as shown, but may be provided to correspond to the outer shape of the hanging unit <NUM> or in another shape that may make sure of the hollow portion <NUM>.

The shielding case <NUM> may be provided in any shape and volume if the hanging unit may be provided without filling the foaming agent therein.

Meanwhile, while a foaming agent is being filled between the inner case <NUM>, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM>, the air corresponding to a volume of the filled foaming agent should be discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. This is because that a space where the foaming agent is not filled occurs inside the cabinet <NUM> if the air is not quickly discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> during the foaming process.

To this end, a plurality of bent holes <NUM> through which the air inside the cabinet <NUM> may be discharged may be provided in the cabinet <NUM>, the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>.

The bent holes <NUM> may be provided with a diameter through which the air is only discharged, without discharging the liquid foaming agent to the outside even though the foaming agent is in contact with the bent holes. That is, since the liquid foaming agent has viscosity which is relatively strong, if the bent hole <NUM> has a small diameter, the foaming agent may not be discharged to the outside of the bent hole <NUM> even though the foaming agent enters the bent holes <NUM> or is in contact with the bent hole <NUM>. For example, the diameter of the bent hole <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM>. Therefore, the air may only be discharged to the bent hole <NUM>, and the foaming agent may be prevented from being discharged.

Meanwhile, if the air is discharged to the bent hole <NUM>, a relative sound pressure is generated, whereby the foaming agent may be guided to approach the bent hole <NUM>. Therefore, the bent hole <NUM> may serve to guide the foaming agent to approach there to fill the foaming agent therein.

Meanwhile, if the foaming agent is filled through the cabinet <NUM> such as the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the bent hole <NUM> may be provided in at least any one of the shielding rib <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM> to uniformly fill the foaming agent in the front of the inner case and the front of the hot-air supply unit <NUM>. The bent hole <NUM> may be provided in a plural number along a length direction of the shielding rib <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM>. Therefore, if the foaming agent is filled into the cabinet <NUM>, the air inside the cabinet <NUM> is discharged to the bent hole <NUM> provided in the prevention rib <NUM> and the shielding rib <NUM> and the foaming agent may be supplied by reaching rear surfaces of the prevention rib <NUM> and the shielding rib <NUM>.

In other words, since the shielding rib <NUM> is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the inlet <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM> is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the through portion <NUM>, the foaming agent may be filled along the outer circumferential surface of the inner body <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the accommodating body <NUM> due to the bent hole <NUM> and may reach the prevention rib <NUM> and the shielding rib <NUM>. As a result, the inside of the cabinet <NUM> and the outside of the inner body <NUM> and the accommodating body <NUM> may fully be filled with the foaming agent.

Meanwhile, the communication inlet <NUM> provided on an upper surface <NUM> of the accommodating body <NUM> and the communication hole <NUM> on the lower surface of the inner body <NUM> need to be communicated with a communication duct <NUM>. The communication duct <NUM> is provided to be coupled to the inner body <NUM> and the accommodating body <NUM> before the foaming agent is injected. Also, the communication duct <NUM> serves may serve to prevent the foaming agent from entering the communication inlet <NUM> and the communication hole <NUM>.

In detail, the communication duct <NUM> may include a duct body <NUM> communicating the inner case <NUM> with the hot-air supply unit <NUM>, a duct seating portion <NUM> provided to be extended from one end of the duct body <NUM> and seated on the lower surface of the inner case <NUM>, and a duct insertion portion <NUM> extended from the other body of the duct body and inserted into the hot-air supply unit <NUM>.

The duct body <NUM> may be provided in a shape corresponding to any one of the heat pump <NUM>, the communication hole <NUM> and the communication inlet <NUM>, and may make sure of a space where the air moves by forming a hollow therein. The duct insertion portion <NUM> may be provided in the same diameter as that of the duct body <NUM> or a diameter a little greater than that of the duct body <NUM> and thus forcibly fitted into or inserted into at least one of the communication hole <NUM> and the communication inlet <NUM>. The duct seating portion <NUM> may be provided to be greater than the diameter of the duct body <NUM> and then seated on the lower end of the inner body <NUM> or the upper end of the communication hole <NUM> to determine the position of the duct body <NUM>.

Therefore, the duct insertion portion <NUM> may simultaneously pass through and inserted into the communication hole <NUM> and the communication inlet <NUM> until the duct seating portion <NUM> is seated on the communication hole <NUM>, whereby the duct insertion portion <NUM> may be communicated with the heat pump <NUM>. That is, the communication duct <NUM> may fix the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> by communicating the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> with each other before the foaming agent is injected into the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>. The communication duct <NUM> may be provided in a plural number to correspond to the number of the communication holes <NUM> and the communication inlets <NUM>.

Also, the duct insertion portion <NUM> and the duct seating portion <NUM> may be made of a material having a soft material or elasticity, whereby the duct insertion portion <NUM> may easily be provided in the communication inlet <NUM> and the communication hole <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a structure for injection of a foaming agent into the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the cabinet <NUM> may include an injection hole <NUM> on the rear surface to allow the foaming agent to be inject thereinto. At least one or more injection holes <NUM> may be provided on the rear surface of the cabinet to spray the foaming agent toward the front of the cabinet.

The injection hole <NUM> may be provided in at least one of a side, an upper surface and a lower surface (if present) of the cabinet <NUM>. However, since the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> faces the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>, the injection hole <NUM> is preferably provided on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. This is to allow the foaming agent to be uniformly filled in the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> without being concentrated on any one region of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, if a plurality of the injection holes <NUM> are provided to be deployed on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the foaming agent may uniformly be filled in an entire region of the cabinet <NUM>. However, if the plurality of injection holes <NUM> are provided to be deployed, the esthetic sense may be deteriorated, and inconvenience may occur in that a plurality of separate members for shielding the injection holes <NUM> are required.

Therefore, the injection holes <NUM> may be provided to adjoin one another at a center portion of the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. Therefore, the foaming agent s may uniformly be supplied to the upper and lower portions of the cabinet <NUM>, and finishing may simply be performed.

Meanwhile, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention may further comprise an interval retainer <NUM> for retaining an interval between the inner case <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM>. The interval retainer <NUM> may be provided as a rib provided along the side of the cabinet, or may be provided in a shape of a rod which is fully in contact with the rear surface of the cabinet and the rear surface of the inner case. The interval retainer <NUM> may be provided in a single body with the cabinet <NUM>, or may separately be provided by being inserted between the cabinet <NUM> and the inner case <NUM>.

If the interval retainer <NUM> is provided, the injection holes <NUM> may be provided by interposing the interval retainer <NUM>. For example, the injection holes <NUM> may symmetrically be provided with respect to the interval retainer <NUM>. If the position and the interval of the inner case <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> may be fixed by a jig and the like, the interval retainer <NUM> may be omitted.

Meanwhile, the foaming agent S needs to be uniformly supplied between the sides of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-supply unit <NUM> and the side of the cabinet <NUM> and between the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> as well as a space between the rear surface <NUM> and the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>, the lower surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the region between the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>, the sides of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit and the side of the cabinet <NUM> are provided to be further away from the injection hole <NUM> than the space between the rear surface of the inner case <NUM> and the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Therefore, if the foaming agent S is injected from the foaming agent <NUM>, it may be more difficult to fill the foaming agent S in the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the lower surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the region between the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>, the sides of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit and the side of the cabinet <NUM> than the space between the rear surface of the inner case <NUM> and the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention may comprise a plurality of bent holes <NUM> guiding movement of the foaming agent as the air inside the cabinet is discharged to the side of the cabinet <NUM> so that the foaming agent S may uniformly be filled in the entire region. In this way, the plurality of bent holes <NUM> may guide the foaming agent S to enter more deeply to be far away from the injection hole <NUM> while discharging the air inside the cabinet <NUM> to the outside.

To this end, the plurality of bent holes <NUM> may be provided at a denser interval toward the front (opening) of the cabinet <NUM>, or may be more provided at the front than the rear to guide the foaming agent S to reach the side and the front of the cabinet <NUM>.

At this time, more foaming agent S should enter between the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM> and the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> and between the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and needs to be filled more certainly. Therefore, the plurality of bent holes <NUM> are preferably provided in any one of the portion corresponding to the interval between the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the portion corresponding between the inner case <NUM> and the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Meanwhile, even though the foaming agent S is injected from the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the foaming agent S may be injected into the cabinet <NUM> in a state that the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> is toward the upper portion (see <FIG>). Therefore, even though the foaming agent S is injected from the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> and filled in the front of the cabinet <NUM> or the opening <NUM>, it may be difficult to easily attach the foaming agent S to the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention may further comprise a plurality of bent holes <NUM> to allow the foaming agent S to be easily attached to the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. Therefore, if the foaming agent S is filled in the cabinet <NUM> and then heated or swollen by being hardened, the air on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> may be discharged tot eh bent holes <NUM>, whereby the foaming agent S may be filled in the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

At this time, the bent hole <NUM> may be provided between the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM> and the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> and in the position corresponding to the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>. Therefore, the bent holes <NUM> may guide the foaming agent S to reach the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> while the foaming agent entering the above region is being filled up.

Moreover, the bent holes <NUM> may be provided at both ends of the rear surface of the cabinet. Therefore, the foaming agent S may be filled in a region where the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> and the side of the cabinet <NUM> adjoin each other.

Meanwhile, the foaming agent S may not easily enter an edge of a region where the injection holes <NUM> face each other, on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. Therefore, the bent holes <NUM> may further be provided such that the foaming agent S may enter the above region.

Meanwhile, a withdrawal hole <NUM> for withdrawing the withdrawal unit <NUM> may further be provided on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. Since the accommodating body <NUM> is provided such that its rear is to be in contact with the withdrawal hole <NUM>, the foaming agent S may be prevented from entering the withdrawal hole <NUM>.

Also, as described above, the foaming agent S may be shielded from being filled in the hollow portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a process of filling the foaming agent S in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention.

<FIG>) illustrate sectional views of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure, and <FIG>) illustrate the rear surface of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the inner case <NUM>, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the base <NUM> may be fixed by being inserted into the cabinet <NUM> in a state that they are coupled to one another. The inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may be fixed and coupled to each other through a separate jig.

Afterwards, the foaming agent S may enter the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> through the injection holes <NUM>. The foaming agent S may partially move to the lower portion along the side of the inner case <NUM> while moving along the rear surface of the inner case <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, as the foaming agent S enters through injection holes <NUM>, the air of a volume corresponding to a volume of the foaming agent S gets out through the bent holes <NUM>. Therefore, the foaming agent S may be inserted into an empty space formed by the cabinet <NUM>, the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> more actively.

As shown, if the bent holes <NUM> are provided in the shielding rib <NUM> provided in the inner case or the prevention rib <NUM> provided in the hot-air supply unit, the foaming agent S may enter toward the shielding rib <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM> more actively.

Even though the bent holes <NUM> are not provided in the shielding rib <NUM> or the prevention rib <NUM>, the foaming agent S may enter toward the shielding rib <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM> by self-load.

Referring to <FIG>, if the foaming agent S reaches the shielding rib <NUM> and the prevention rib <NUM>, the foaming agent S may fill the other region while being filled up toward the side or the upper portion (the rear surface of the cabinet) without moving to the lower portion any longer.

If the bent holes <NUM> are provided on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the air may be discharged to the bent holes <NUM> and the foaming agent S may move toward the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

At this time, the foaming agent S may additionally be supplied to be filled up while pushing the air to the bent holes <NUM> toward the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, or may be filled up toward the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> while being swollen by being heated or naturally cooled in a state that it is stopped from being additionally supplied.

That is, as the air is intensively discharged to the bent holes <NUM> provided on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the foaming agent S is filled up to reach the region where filling is not completed, whereby the empty space may be filled with the foaming agent.

Simultaneously, the foaming agent S may enter the side of the accommodating body <NUM> and the base <NUM>, whereby the foaming agent S may enter the empty space formed by the accommodating body <NUM> or the base <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, if the foaming agent S is heated or swollen by being hardened, or if the foaming agent S is additionally supplied, the foaming agent S may enter a region where filling is not completed on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Conventionally, since the foaming agent S may slowly be supplied to a region where corners of the cabinet <NUM> meet each other or a region where the injection holes <NUM> face each other, the foaming agent S may finally be filled in the region.

At this time, if the bent holes <NUM> are provided in the region where corners of the cabinet <NUM> meet each other or the region where the injection holes <NUM> face each other, the air inside the cabinet <NUM> is finally discharged to the bent holes <NUM>, whereby the foaming agent S may completely be filled in the cabinet <NUM>.

Therefore, the foaming agent S may fully be filled in the space formed by the inside of the cabinet <NUM>, the outside of the inner case <NUM> and the outside of the hot-air supply unit <NUM>. Also, if the foaming agent S is hardened, the inner case <NUM>, the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the base <NUM> may stably be fixed to the cabinet <NUM>.

However, as described above, since the rear surface of the accommodating body <NUM> is in contact with or coupled to the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>, inflow and filling of the foaming agent S may be excluded from the region corresponding to the through portion <NUM>. Therefore, the withdrawal unit <NUM> may be withdrawn to the withdrawal hole <NUM> provided on the rear surface of the cabinet.

Meanwhile, the foaming agent S may be prevented from being filled in a certain region between the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM> and the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>, whereby the hollow portion <NUM> is formed.

The hollow portion <NUM> may be formed to be provided with a shielding case <NUM> extended from the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM> to the inner case <NUM> or extended from the inner case <NUM> to the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Unlike this case, the hollow portion <NUM> may be generated by a fixture of a jig (not shown) for fixing the cabinet <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> during the foaming process, which partially passes through the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM>.

Also, the hollow portion <NUM> may be formed as a jig is provided with a molding article that may be fitted into the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM> and the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>.

Also, the hollow portion <NUM> may be generated as a separate housing is inserted between the cabinet <NUM> and the inner case <NUM>, a foaming agent is injected into the housing, the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM> is opened after a certain time and then the housing is removed.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may simplify the assembly process by omitting the frame by the foaming agent S and make sure of durability and insulation property.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of a laundry treating apparatus in which the process of <FIG> is completed.

Referring to <FIG>, the inside of the cabinet <NUM> and the space between the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may be filled with the foaming agent S.

As the foaming agent S is filled in the space where the frame is provided, the frame may be omitted, whereby the assembly process of the frame and the coupling process of the frame, the cabinet and the inner case may be omitted.

Meanwhile, unlike a refrigerator, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure does not need perfect insulation, and does not need a thick thickness L to make sure of a maximum volume of an inner accommodating space.

Also, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may have a height H longer than that of the refrigerator to accommodate laundry in the accommodating space without folding.

In this case, if the inside of the cabinet <NUM> is only filled with the foaming agent S, the foaming agent S is relatively thin and long, whereby durability may be deteriorated. Also, the foaming agent S thinly filled with a long length may have a variable shape due to a force bent when the foaming agent is hardened.

In order to enhance or maintain durability and rigidity of the foaming agent S, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may integrally fill the foaming agent S in a horizontal space between the inner case and the hot-air supply unit as well as a vertical space among the side of the cabinet and the side of the inner case and the hot-air supply unit.

In this way, since the foaming agent S is integrally filled in a width direction inside the laundry treating apparatus as well as a height direction of the laundry treating apparatus, stability of the foaming agent S may be ensured structurally. Therefore, rigidity and strength of the laundry treating apparatus as well as the foaming agent S may be enhanced.

Therefore, even though external impact is transferred to the cabinet <NUM> or strong vibration is generated inside the cabinet <NUM>, since the foaming agent S is tightly fixed in a shape of 'H', the foaming agent S may be prevented from being damaged or deformed.

Meanwhile, since the foaming agent S serves to fix the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and maintain a shape and rigidity of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, the foaming agent S may sufficiently be filled in only the sides (including the rear surface) of the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM>.

Moreover, since the excitation unit <NUM> may be provided on the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>, the hollow portion <NUM> needs to be provided on the inner case <NUM> as described above.

Also, the base <NUM> or the withdrawal unit <NUM> may be withdrawn to the outside if necessary, and if the foaming agent S is filled in the lower portion of the cabinet <NUM>, leveling of the cabinet <NUM> may not be maintained depending on a hardened shape of the foaming agent. Therefore, it may be more efficient that the foaming agent S is omitted in the lower portion of the cabinet <NUM>.

Also, if the foaming agent S is condensed during its hardening process, a bent force F occurs at both ends of the foaming agent, whereby a problem may occur in that a shape of the inner case <NUM> or the base <NUM> is varied.

Therefore, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure, the foaming agent S may not enter a certain region of the upper portion of the inner case <NUM> and the lower portion of the base <NUM>.

As a result, the foaming agent S may be provided in a structure of H in which a certain region of the upper portion and the lower portion inside the laundry treating apparatus is opened, whereby arrangement of the excitation unit <NUM> or withdrawal of the heat pump <NUM> may easily be performed.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention, wherein the foaming agent S is prevented from entering the upper portion of the inner case <NUM> and the lower portion of the base <NUM>.

In the same manner as the previous embodiment, the inner case <NUM> may include a hollow portion <NUM> that makes sure of a space where the hanging unit <NUM> is provided on the upper surface and prevents the foaming agent S from being in contact with the hanging unit <NUM>.

However, the hollow portion <NUM> of the laundry treating apparatus shown in <FIG> may be generated as a shielding rib <NUM> provided between an upper corner of the inner case <NUM> and the upper surface of the cabinet.

That is, the shielding rib <NUM> may be provided to be in contact with the upper corner of the inner case <NUM> and the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM> provided at an upper portion of the upper corner. Also, the shielding rib <NUM> may be provided to be extended from the upper corner of the inner case <NUM> to be in contact with the upper surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Therefore, the foaming agent S entering from the injection holes <NUM> may be fundamentally prevented from entering the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> due to the shielding rib <NUM>.

Also, the base <NUM> of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may further include a leakage prevention unit <NUM> further extended from the portion for supporting the accommodating body <NUM> to the side of the cabinet to prevent the foaming agent entering the cabinet from leaking out to the lower portion of the cabinet <NUM>.

In other words, the leakage prevention unit <NUM> may be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of a bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM> to prevent the foaming agent S from leaking out to the cabinet <NUM>. As a result, the foaming agent S may be fundamentally prevented from entering the lower surface of the base <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> may not include a bottom surface due to the base <NUM>.

Moreover, the base <NUM> may be extended to be in contact with the lower end of the cabinet <NUM> and provided to substitute for the bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM>. That is, the cabinet <NUM> may be provided to be seated on the leakage prevention unit <NUM> of the base <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a structure that the foaming agent S is filled in the laundry treating apparatus of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a side sectional view of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates a front view of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a rear view of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the foaming agent S may be provided to be filled in the other region except the upper portion of the inner case <NUM> and the lower portion of the base <NUM>. Therefore, the space where the excitation unit <NUM> may be provided may be ensured, and the upper portion of the inner case <NUM> or the lower portion of the base may be prevented from being inwardly bent when the foaming agent S is hardened.

Consequently, referring to <FIG>, the foaming agent of another embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be provided in a shape of `H' to be filled in the cabinet. Therefore, heat inside the inner case <NUM> may be prevented from leaking out to the side or the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> and may maintain basic rigidity, and at the same time may prevent shapes of the upper portion and the lower portion of the cabinet <NUM> from being deformed or prevent an unnecessary compressive force from occurring.

Also, referring to <FIG>, the foaming agent S may be excluded from the region where the withdrawal unit <NUM> is withdrawn, due to the base <NUM> and the through portion <NUM> of the accommodating body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

The hollow portion <NUM> may be generated as a shielding vane <NUM> extended from the upper corner of the inner case <NUM> to the side of the cabinet <NUM> to shield the foaming agent S from entering the upper surface of the inner case.

In detail, the shielding vane <NUM> may be provided to be extended from the corner except the shielding rib <NUM> of each corner of the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> to be far away from the inner case <NUM> and thus provided to be in contact with the inside of the cabinet <NUM>.

Therefore, the shielding vane <NUM> may fundamentally shield the foaming agent S entering from the injection holes <NUM> from being in contact with the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>, and may make sure of a wider space at the upper portion of the inner case <NUM> to facilitate arrangement of the hanging unit <NUM>.

Moreover, the shielding vane <NUM> may be provided to be upwardly convex unlike the shielding rib <NUM>, thereby accommodating a portion of the foaming agent S. A cohesion of the shielding vane <NUM> and the foaming agent S may be enhanced, whereby the foaming agent S may be guided to be rigidly coupled and attached with the inner case <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further comprise a plurality of bent holes <NUM> guiding the foaming agent to move to the shielding vane <NUM> and to be in contact with the shielding vane by passing through the shielding vane <NUM>.

That is, since the shielding vane <NUM> is extended from the upper surface of the inner case <NUM> toward the outside, the lower end of the shielding vane <NUM> is provided to be in contact with the foaming agent S. Therefore, the bent holes <NUM> may be provided on the shielding vane <NUM> to guide the foaming agent S to easily enter the shielding vane <NUM> by discharging the air inside the cabinet <NUM> to the shielding vane <NUM>.

The bent holes <NUM> may be provided in a plural number along a length direction of the shielding vane <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the foaming agent S is filled in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> comprising the shielding vane <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, it is noted that the foaming agent S enters the shielding vane <NUM> due to the bent holes <NUM> provided in the shielding vane <NUM>. Also, the empty space may be more enlarged on the upper surface of the inner case <NUM>, whereby the hanging unit <NUM> may easily be arranged and repaired.

Referring to <FIG>, the foaming agent S may be provided inside the cabinet in a shape of H due to the shielding vane <NUM> and the base <NUM>. Moreover, the shielding vane <NUM> may be more rigidly coupled with the foaming agent S by accommodating the upper end of the foaming agent S.

Also, even though a contractile force of the foaming agent S toward the inner case <NUM> is generated, the shielding vane <NUM> may support inner stress by dispersing the above force along an area. As a result, durability and arrangement stability of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may be more improved.

Meanwhile, in all embodiments of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, if the thickness of the foaming agent S is thick, it may be favorable to make sure of rigidity and maintain a shape, however, a problem may occur in that the inner space becomes narrow. Also, if the thickness of the foaming agent S is thin, the accommodating space of the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> may be widened, however, a problem may occur in that rigidity becomes weak.

Also, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure may be provided to be relatively higher than a home appliance such as a refrigerator due to the presence of the hot-air supply unit <NUM> provided at the lower portion, and it is required to determine a thickness range of the foaming agent S that may support the laundry treating apparatus.

As an experimental result, it is noted that a ratio of the height of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure and the thickness of the foaming agent S should be greater than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM> to make sure of minimum rigidity.

For example, if the height of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> is <NUM>, the thickness of the foaming agent S is preferably provided between <NUM> and <NUM>.

In detail, if the ratio of the height of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and the thickness of the foaming agent S is smaller than <NUM>, since it means that the foaming agent S is too thick, a minimum space where the heat pump <NUM> is provided is limited, whereby the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may not be manufactured.

Also, if the ratio of the height of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and the thickness of the foaming agent S is greater than <NUM>, since it means that the foaming agent S is too thin, minimum rigidity is not maintained, whereby the foaming agent S may be pulverized by self-load of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

Therefore, if the ratio of the height of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and the thickness of the foaming agent S is greater than <NUM> and smaller than <NUM>, it may mean a minimum essential range that allows the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure to be normally manufactured and operated.

At this time, the thickness of the foaming agent S may correspond to the interval between the side of the inner case <NUM> and the side of the cabinet <NUM> or the interval between the rear surface of the inner case <NUM> and the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

Also, the thickness of the foaming agent S may correspond to the interval between the side of the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the side of the cabinet <NUM>.

Therefore, the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may be provided to be spaced apart from the cabinet <NUM> as much as an interval corresponding to <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> of a total height of the cabinet <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the cabinet <NUM> of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention is bent by an external force.

In the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure, since the height of the accommodating space is high to accommodate laundry in the inner case <NUM> without folding the laundry and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> is also arranged at the lower portion of the inner case <NUM>, the height of the cabinet <NUM> is provided to be higher than those of the other home appliances. Therefore, the rear surface and the side of the cabinet <NUM> may have rigidity or strength which is relatively vulnerable, and may easily be bent by an external force.

Meanwhile, the foaming agent S is filled in the empty space of the cabinet <NUM> while its volume is being expanded in the middle of a heating process or a hardening process if the foaming agent is completely injected into the cabinet <NUM>. Therefore, even though the foaming agent S is not injected into the entire region inside the cabinet <NUM>, the foaming agent S may be filled in the entire region inside the cabinet <NUM> while being expanded in the middle of the hardening process.

However, if strength or rigidity of the cabinet <NUM> is not sufficient in the middle of filling the foaming agent S, which is expanded, in the cabinet <NUM>, the cabinet <NUM> may be deformed by an expansion force of the foaming agent S.

Referring to <FIG>, when the foaming agent S completely enters the inside of the cabinet <NUM> and is expanded during the hardening process and then filled in the empty space, the cabinet <NUM> may be swollen by the expansion force of the foaming agent S.

Particularly, since the rear surface or the side of the cabinet <NUM> is provided to be relatively longer than the upper surface, it may be more seriously swollen due to vulnerable rigidity.

If the cabinet <NUM> is swollen, problems occur in that an esthetic sense is deteriorated, the space occupied by the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> is unnecessarily enlarged, and the foaming agent S does not reach an intended region.

Therefore, strength or rigidity required for the cabinet <NUM> may become great in case of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure, in which the frame is replaced with the foaming agent S.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment that strength or rigidity of the cabinet <NUM> may be enhanced.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention may further comprise a deformation prevention unit <NUM> provided on or coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the cabinet <NUM> to fix the inner case <NUM> to the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and maintain the shape of the cabinet <NUM> even though the foaming agent filling the empty space is expanded.

The deformation prevention unit <NUM> may include a width coupling unit <NUM> coupled with both sides <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> in a width direction of the rear surface <NUM> to prevent bending of the cabinet <NUM> from occurring.

The width coupling unit <NUM> may be provided in a shape of '<IMG>' or 'C' and fully coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the cabinet <NUM> along a width direction. The width coupling unit <NUM> may be provided in a rectangular section to make sure of a maximum contact area with the cabinet <NUM> and maintain rigidity.

The width coupling unit <NUM> may include a first coupling unit <NUM> having one side <NUM> coupled with the cabinet, a second coupling unit <NUM> extended from one end of the first coupling unit <NUM> and coupled to the rear surface <NUM> of the cabinet, and a third coupling unit <NUM> coupled to the other side <NUM> of the cabinet at one end of the second coupling unit <NUM>.

The first coupling unit <NUM>, the second coupling unit <NUM> and the third coupling unit <NUM> may be provided in a rod shape at a length corresponding to each side of the cabinet <NUM>.

The first coupling unit <NUM>, the second coupling unit <NUM> and the third coupling unit <NUM> may be coupled to one another by being welded on the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM>, or may be coupled through a coupling member such as a separate bolt or nut, or may be coupled by forcible fitting and the foaming agent S.

Meanwhile, the first coupling unit <NUM>, the second coupling unit <NUM> and the third coupling unit <NUM> may be provided at a thickness which is not in contact with the inner case <NUM> to prevent the foaming agent S injected into the cabinet <NUM> from moving.

Also, the width coupling unit <NUM> may further include a plurality of guide holes <NUM> provided to move the foaming agent inside the cabinet <NUM> even though the foaming agent S is in contact with the inner case. That is, the guide holes <NUM> may be provided in a plural number along a length direction of the first coupling unit <NUM>, the second coupling unit <NUM> and the third coupling unit <NUM>, and may be provided in a diameter greater than that of the bent hole <NUM> such that the foaming agent S may enter there and move.

Since the guide holes <NUM> is provided so as not to restrict movement of the foaming agent S, the guide holes <NUM> are preferably provided to pass through the first coupling unit <NUM>, the second coupling unit <NUM> and the third coupling unit <NUM> in a height direction of the cabinet <NUM>.

Meanwhile, if the foaming agent S enters the inside of the guide holes <NUM>, a cohesion between the foaming agent S and the cabinet <NUM> may be more improved to prevent the cabinet <NUM> from being randomly bent.

In this way, the width coupling unit <NUM> may fully be coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the cabinet <NUM> to support the cabinet <NUM>, whereby any one of the rear surface <NUM> and the side <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> may be prevented from being randomly expanded or bent.

Since a portion of the cabinet <NUM>, which corresponds to a center based on a height direction, is most vulnerable, the width coupling unit <NUM> may be provided to be coupled to the center portion based on the height direction of the cabinet <NUM>. However, the width coupling unit <NUM> may be provided in a plural number such that the coupling units <NUM> may be spaced apart from one another along the height direction of the cabinet <NUM> if necessary.

Meanwhile, the injection holes <NUM> may be provided to be spaced apart from the width coupling unit <NUM>. Therefore, the foaming agent S may be injected without disturbance due to the width coupling unit <NUM>. If the plurality of width coupling units <NUM> are provided, the injection holes <NUM> may be provided between the respective width coupling units <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of a deformation prevention unit that may enhance strength or rigidity of the cabinet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the deformation prevention unit of the present invention may include concave and convex portions <NUM> recessed or protruded along the height direction of the cabinet <NUM>.

The concave and convex portions <NUM> may be manufactured in such a way of forming a stereoscopic effect on the surface of the cabinet <NUM> by press molding the cabinet <NUM> after manufacturing the cabinet <NUM>.

If the concave and convex portions <NUM> are provided to be recessed from one surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the concave and convex portions <NUM> are preferably provided at a depth that may prevent the foaming agent S from being in contact with the inner case <NUM>, so as not to disturb movement of the foaming agent S. In detail, since the concave and convex portions <NUM> are provided to enhance rigidity of the cabinet <NUM>, the concave and convex portions <NUM> may be provide at a depth or height of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Also, the concave and convex portions <NUM> may prevent the cabinet <NUM> provided longitudinally in the height direction from being bent.

Since the height is provided to be longer than the width, at least one or more concave and convex portions <NUM> may be provided on the side <NUM> of the cabinet and the rear surface <NUM> of the cabinet. However, in order to enhance rigidity, the concave and convex portions <NUM> are preferably provided on the side <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the cabinet.

Meanwhile, the concave and convex portions <NUM> are protruded or recessed, whereby the foaming agent S may not be easily in contact with the inner case when the foaming agent S enters there. In order to avoid this, the concave and convex portions <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of bent holes <NUM> through which the air inside the cabinet <NUM> is discharged.

Also, the deformation prevention unit <NUM> may include a height coupling unit <NUM> coupled along the height direction of the cabinet <NUM> to prevent the cabinet from being bent.

The height coupling unit <NUM> may be coupled to the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM> in the height direction to enhance rigidity of the cabinet <NUM>, thereby preventing the cabinet <NUM> from being bent outwardly or inwardly.

One or more height coupling units <NUM> may be provided by being welded on the side <NUM> or the rear surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>, or may be coupled by a separate coupling member. Also, the height coupling units <NUM> may be provided to be spaced apart from each other on the side <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>, or may be provided to be coupled to the side <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the cabinet one by one.

That is, there is no limitation in the number of the height coupling units <NUM> and the position of the height coupling units <NUM> if the shape of the cabinet <NUM> may be maintained.

Meanwhile, as shown, the height coupling units <NUM> and the concave and convex portions <NUM> may be provided together. That is, the height coupling units <NUM> may be provided between the concave and convex portions <NUM> to certainly prevent the shape of the cabinet <NUM> from being deformed.

However, if one height coupling unit <NUM> and one concave and convex portion may be provided to sufficiently prevent the cabinet <NUM> from being bent, the cabinet <NUM> may be provided in any one of the height coupling unit <NUM> and the concave and convex portion <NUM>.

Meanwhile, although <FIG> illustrates that the height coupling units <NUM> provided in various shapes are coupled to the cabinet <NUM>, this is only for description, and the height coupling units <NUM> may be coupled in one unified shape.

The height coupling units <NUM> may include a contact rib <NUM> contacted along the height direction of the rear surface <NUM> or the side <NUM> of the cabinet, and an extension rib <NUM> enhancing rigidity of the contact rib <NUM>.

The extension rib <NUM> may be provided in a single body with the contact rib <NUM> to prevent the contact rib <NUM> from being bent, and may enhance a cohesion with the foaming agent S by enlarging a contact area with the foaming agent S.

As a result, the height coupling units <NUM> may prevent the cabinet <NUM> from being bent and maintain a cohesion with the foaming agent S.

The height coupling units <NUM> may include a contact duct <NUM> contacted along the height direction of the rear surface <NUM> or the side <NUM> of the cabinet, and a reinforcing hole <NUM> provided inside the contact duct <NUM>.

The contact duct <NUM> may be provided in a rectangular section to make sure of an area which is in contact with the cabinet <NUM>, and may maintain its rigidity to prevent the cabinet <NUM> from being bent. The reinforcing hole <NUM> may be provided inside the contact duct <NUM> to reduce a weight of the contact duct <NUM> and enhance durability of the contact duct.

Also, the height coupling units <NUM> may include a contact pipe <NUM> contacted along the height direction of the rear surface <NUM> or the side <NUM> of the cabinet, and a hollow hole <NUM> provided inside the contact pipe. The contact pipe <NUM> is grounded with the cabinet <NUM> by a line, and thus may minimize an area coupled with the cabinet <NUM>.

As a result, the even though a process of coupling the contact pipe <NUM> with the cabinet <NUM> through welding is simplified, the cabinet <NUM> may sufficiently be prevented from being bent.

Also, the height coupling units <NUM> may include a contact zone <NUM> contacted along the height direction of the rear surface <NUM> or the side <NUM> of the cabinet, and a guide rib <NUM> extended from both ends of the contact zone <NUM> toward the inner case and coupled with the foaming agent.

The contact zone <NUM> may sufficiently make sure of an area contacted with the cabinet <NUM> to prevent the cabinet <NUM> from being bent. Also, the guide rib <NUM> may include an accommodating groove <NUM> therein, which may be coupled with the foaming agent S, to enhance a contact force with the foaming agent S, and may prevent the contact zone <NUM> from being bent, thereby certainly preventing the cabinet <NUM> from being bent.

As a result, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure, even though the foaming agent S generates an expansion force in a state that it enters the inside of the cabinet <NUM>, the shape of the cabinet <NUM> may be maintained. Therefore, the foaming agent S may completely be filled in the empty space of the cabinet.

Meanwhile, although the aforementioned deformation prevention unit <NUM> is provided inside the cabinet <NUM> as shown, the deformation prevention unit <NUM> may be coupled to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> to fundamentally shield the cabinet <NUM> from being externally swollen.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment that a cohesion of the cabinet <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> is enhanced.

If the foaming agent S is expanded, the inner case <NUM> and the shielding rib <NUM> may be spaced apart from the cabinet <NUM>, whereby the foaming agent S may leak out to the outer circumferential surface of the shielding rib <NUM>.

Therefore, it is required to maintain coupling between the shielding rib <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> in any case.

To this end, the cabinet <NUM> may further include a coupling rib <NUM> on the inner circumferential surface to be extended toward or be in contact with the shielding rib <NUM>. The coupling rib <NUM> may be provided to be extended from the opening <NUM> to the inside.

The coupling rib <NUM> may be provided to be in contact with the shielding rib <NUM> at a certain portion and fixed to the shielding rib <NUM> if the foaming agent S enters there.

Also, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure may further comprise a coupling unit <NUM> hung in the coupling rib <NUM> to accommodate a free end of the shielding rib <NUM> and coupled with the shielding rib <NUM>.

The coupling unit <NUM> may include a coupling ring <NUM> having an insertion surface on one surface, in which the shielding rib <NUM> may be accommodated, and a pressurizing piece <NUM> that may pressurize the coupling ring <NUM>.

Therefore, if the coupling unit <NUM> is seated on the rear surface of the coupling rib <NUM> and the shielding rib <NUM> is accommodated in the coupling unit <NUM> and coupled thereto, the foaming agent S may enter the coupling unit <NUM> to pressurize the coupling ring <NUM> and the pressurizing piece <NUM>, thereby rigidly pressurizing the shielding rib <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the cabinet <NUM> may include a recessed groove on the side to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the coupling unit <NUM>.

Therefore, even though the shielding rib <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> are not coupled to each other by a separate coupling member, the shielding rib <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to each other by the foaming agent S through the coupling piece <NUM>. Even though the foaming agent S is expanded to generate a force for pushing the cabinet <NUM> to the outside, the shielding rib <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> may be prevented from being spaced apart from each other.

<FIG> illustrates a case that the inner case <NUM> and the foaming agent S may be spaced apart from each other without being adhered to each other.

Even though the foaming agent S is inserted into the inner case, <NUM>, adhesion between the foaming agent S and the inner case <NUM> may become weak. Therefore, when the foaming agent S is inserted, the foaming agent S may be adhered to the inner case <NUM> and then spaced apart from the inner case <NUM> when the foaming agent S is hardened and contracted. Therefore, a hollow hole may be formed between the inner case <NUM> and the foaming agent S, whereby durability of the inner case <NUM> may be reduced remarkably. Also, a problem may occur in that heat inside the inner case <NUM> may be discharged to the space spaced apart from the foaming agent S to reduce heat efficiency.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure that may continuously make sure of a cohesion between the inner case <NUM> and the foaming agent S.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure may comprise a grasp portion <NUM> provided to be protruded or recessed from the inner body <NUM> toward the cabinet and coupled with the foaming agent filled in the space between the cabinet and the inner body <NUM>.

The grasp portion <NUM> may be provided in a single body with the inner body <NUM> or may be provided to be coupled with the inner body <NUM>. The grasp portion <NUM> may include a separate space accommodating the foaming agent S or coupled with the foaming agent S to maintain coupling with the foaming agent S, whereby the foaming agent S and the inner body <NUM> may be prevented from being detached from each other.

The grasp portion <NUM> may be made of a material different from that of the inner body <NUM> and may be made of a material having excellent adhesion with the foaming agent S. Also, even though the grasp portion <NUM> is made of the same material as that of the inner body <NUM>, its shape may grasp the foaming agent S, thereby maintaining coupling with the foaming agent S.

<FIG> illustrates various shapes and structures of the grasp portion <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates another shape and structure of the grasp portion <NUM>.

That is, the grasp portion <NUM> may be provided in any one of the structures shown in <FIG>, and one grasp portion <NUM> or a plurality of grasp portions <NUM> may be provided.

Referring to <FIG>, the grasp portion <NUM> may include a grasp case <NUM> protruded from the inner body <NUM> toward the cabinet to provide a space where the foaming agent S is accommodated.

The grasp case <NUM> may be provided in the inner body <NUM> so as not to be in contact with the cabinet <NUM>, thereby not disturbing movement of the foaming agent S.

The grasp case <NUM> may include a case body 251a coupled to or extended to the inner body <NUM>, having the above space, and a case opening 251b provided on one surface of the case body 251a to allow the foaming agent to enter the above space.

The case body 251a may be provided by shielding the other portions except the case opening 251b.

If the liquid foaming agent S enters the inside of the grasp case <NUM>, the liquid foaming agent may be hardened in a single body with the foaming agent provided outside the grasp case <NUM>.

Therefore, the other surfaces except the grasp opening 251b of the grasp case <NUM> may be in contact with the foaming agent S and coupled with the foaming agent S, and at the same time may grasp the foaming agent S.

In detail, the grasp opening 251b may be provided in parallel with one surface of the inner body <NUM>. Therefore, since the grasp case <NUM> is provided to be embedded in the foaming agent S, the foaming agent S cannot be detached from the grasp case <NUM>. As a result, coupling between the foaming agent S and the inner case <NUM> may be maintained.

Meanwhile, the grasp portion <NUM> may include a grasp beam <NUM> protruded from the inner body <NUM> toward the cabinet <NUM> and coupled with the foaming agent S.

The grasp beam <NUM> may include an extension rib 253a protruded from the inner body <NUM> toward the cabinet, a first grasp rib 253b extended to be inclined from the extension rib 253a, and a second grasp rib 253c provided to be extended from the extension rib 253a in a direction different from the first grasp rib.

The first grasp rib 253b and the second grasp rib 253c may be extended from a free end of the first grasp rib 253b in opposite directions to each other and provided in a shape of T. Also, the first grasp rib 253b and the second grasp rib 253b may be provided to be bent unlike the shown case, and may be extended to be inclined toward the inner body <NUM>.

In other words, the first grasp rib 253b and the second grasp rib 253c may be extended from a free end of the extension rib 253a in parallel with one surface of the inner body <NUM>, may be extended to be far away from the inner body <NUM>, or may be provided to be extended toward the inner body <NUM>.

At this time, the first grasp rib 253b and the second grasp rib 253c are preferably extended toward the inner body <NUM> to maximize a cohesion between the grasp rib <NUM> and the foaming agent, and may be provided to form a curve which is upwardly convex.

Meanwhile, the first grasp rib 253b and the second grasp rib 253c may be provided in a plural number to be far away from the free end of the extension rib 253a, and may symmetrically be provided in the extension rib 253a.

In this way, the foaming agent S may be hardened by surrounding the extension rib 253a, the first grasp rib 253b and the second grasp rib 253c. Therefore, the foaming agent S may be prevented from moving in parallel with one surface of the inner body <NUM> due to the extension rib 253a, and may be prevented from moving to be far away from the inner body <NUM> due to the first grasp rib 253b and the second grasp rib 253c.

As a result, a cohesion between the inner body <NUM> and the foaming agent S may be maintained.

The grasp portion <NUM> may include a grasp ring <NUM> protruded from the inner body <NUM> toward the cabinet and coupled to pass through the foaming agent S.

The grasp ring <NUM> may be provided to allow the foaming agent to pass through there and provided in a shape of a grip.

In detail, the grasp ring <NUM> may include a ring body 252a provided to be protruded from the inner body <NUM> in a shape of '<IMG>' or 'C' and a ring hole 252b provided inside the ring body 252a to allow the foaming agent S to enter there.

In this way, the foaming agent may enter the outside of the grasp ring <NUM> and then may be hardened in a state that it accommodates the grasp ring <NUM>, and the grasp ring <NUM> may be provided in a state that it is embedded in the foaming agent S. Therefore, the foaming agent S may maintain the state coupled with the grasp ring <NUM> to maintain the cohesion with the inner body <NUM> even though adhesion with the inner body <NUM> is released.

Since the grasp ring <NUM> has a small volume, the grasp ring <NUM> may not disturb movement of the foaming agent S.

Also, the grasp portion <NUM> may include an anchor <NUM> provided to be protruded from the inner body <NUM> toward the cabinet <NUM>. The anchor <NUM> may include a support 254b and an accommodating portion 254a extended from the above column to two parts.

Also, the support 254b may have an outer circumferential surface provided in a curve to guide the foaming agent S to actively move in contact with the outer circumferential surface. The anchor 254a may be provided to become narrow toward an end, and may be provided to spear the inside of the foaming agent S to fix the foaming agent if the foaming agent S is accommodated therein.

In this way, the foaming agent S and the inner body <NUM> may be fixed strongly.

The anchor <NUM> may be provided in a plural number in such a manner that the anchors may be spaced apart from each other along one surface of the inner body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the grasp portion <NUM> may include a plurality of extension bars <NUM> provided to be protruded from the inner body <NUM>. The extension bars <NUM> may be provided in a cylindrical section or an oval section to guide the foaming agent S to easily flow, or may be provided in a polygonal section to improve an adhesion with the foaming agent S if it is accommodated in the foaming agent S.

The extension bars <NUM> do not have a region for accommodating the foaming agent S but may easily be molded or coupled. If the extension bars <NUM> are provided in a plural number, a cohesion with the foaming agent S may be ensured.

Meanwhile, the grasp portion <NUM> may include a grasp vane <NUM> provided to be curved from the inner body <NUM> toward the cabinet <NUM>.

The grasp vane <NUM> may be provided to have one end coupled to the inner body <NUM> and the other end extended toward the inner body <NUM> or the space between the cabinet and the inner body.

In this way, if the grasp vane <NUM> is accommodated in the foaming agent S, the foaming agent S may be in contact with and coupled with the inner body <NUM> in various angles to improve a cohesion between the foaming agent and the inner body.

The grasp vane <NUM> may be provided in the inner body <NUM> in a plural number, and its width may be provided to correspond to or smaller than a width of the inner body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the grasp portion <NUM> may include a grasp hook <NUM> protruded from the inner body <NUM> and fixed by being accommodated in the foaming agent S.

The grasp hook <NUM> may be provided to become narrow while being extended from the inner body <NUM>, or may be provided to be inclined at a certain angle or provided to be curved. The grasp hook <NUM> may be provided in the inner body <NUM> in a plural number, and may symmetrically be provided based on the injection holes <NUM>.

Also, the grasp hook <NUM> may be extended to be protruded from the inner body <NUM> to both parts or more.

In this way, the grasp hook <NUM> may not disturb movement of the foaming agent S, and may fix the foaming agent by spearing the foaming agent S if it is accommodated in the foaming agent S, whereby the foaming agent S may be prevented from being detached from the inner body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of the grasp portion.

The grasp portion <NUM> may include a grasp protrusion <NUM> provided to be protruded on one surface of the inner case <NUM> and accommodated in the foaming agent.

The grasp protrusion <NUM> may include an extension column <NUM> protruded from one surface of the inner body <NUM>, and a head <NUM> provided at a free end of the extension column <NUM> and provided to be greater than a diameter of the extension column.

The grasp protrusion <NUM> may not disturb movement of the foaming agent S because volumes of the extension column <NUM> and the head <NUM> are not great.

Also, the head <NUM> may easily be in contact with and accommodated in the foaming agent S, whereby the foaming agent S may be prevented from being detached from the head <NUM> in parallel with the inner body <NUM> and to be away from the inner body <NUM>.

The grasp protrusion <NUM> may be provided on the side or the rear surface of the inner body <NUM> to be spaced apart from another grasp protrusion in a plural number, may be provided to be coupled with the inner body <NUM>, or may be provided to be molded in a single body with the inner body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the grasp portion <NUM> may include a grasp hole <NUM> recessed from the inner body <NUM> and fixed by inflow of the foaming agent.

The grasp hole <NUM> may include an inflow hole <NUM> recessed in the inner body <NUM> and an accommodating groove <NUM> provided to be greater than a diameter of the inflow hole at an end of the inflow hole <NUM> to provide a space where the foaming agent enters.

In this way, if the foaming agent enters the inside of the cabinet <NUM>, the liquid foaming agent may be permeated into the inflow hole <NUM> and may fill the accommodating groove <NUM>.

As a result, since the foaming agent S is partially accommodated in the inner body <NUM> and coupled with the inner body <NUM>, the foaming agent S may be prevented from being detached from the inner body <NUM>.

The grasp hole <NUM> may be provided on the side or the rear surface of the inner body <NUM> to be spaced apart from another grasp hole in a plural number, and a bent hole (not shown) may additionally be provided at an end of the accommodating groove <NUM> toward the surface of the inner body <NUM> to allow the foaming agent S to easily enter there.

In this way, the inner case <NUM> of the present disclosure may maintain a cohesion with the foaming agent S even though the inner case is made of a material that does not make sure of adhesion with the foaming agent S.

<FIG> illustrates a structure that a hinge unit <NUM> and a base <NUM> of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure are fixed to the cabinet <NUM> simultaneously with the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> by the foaming agent S.

Meanwhile, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure comprises a hinge unit <NUM> provided to couple the door <NUM> for opening or closing the opening with the cabinet. At this time, if the hinge unit <NUM> is coupled to the cabinet <NUM>, etc. after the foaming process is completed, there is inconvenience in that additional assembly process occurs.

Moreover, if the hinge unit <NUM> is coupled to the cabinet <NUM>, the inner case <NUM>, etc. through a bolt or a coupling member, a crack may occur in the foaming agent S provided inside the cabinet <NUM>.

Also, if the base <NUM> is separately assembled after the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> are fixed to the cabinet <NUM>, additional assembly process occurs.

Moreover, if the base <NUM> is coupled with the hot-air supply unit <NUM> or the hot-air supply unit <NUM> or the lower portion of the cabinet <NUM> by a coupling member such as a bolt, a crack may occur in the foaming agent S provided inside the cabinet <NUM> accommodated therein.

Therefore, the hinge unit <NUM> and the base <NUM> may preferably be coupled with or fixed to each other by the foaming agent S to simplify the assembly process, improve productivity and ensure durability of the foaming agent S.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure may further include a hinge unit <NUM> rotatably coupling the door <NUM> to the cabinet <NUM>. At this time, one or more of the hinge unit <NUM> and the base <NUM> may be provided to be fixed to the cabinet <NUM> together with the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> when the inner case <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> are fixed by the foaming agent S.

In this way, the process of separately assembling and coupling the hinge unit <NUM> with the base <NUM> may be omitted, and the coupling member such as a bolt may be inserted to the foaming agent S.

The base <NUM> may include a base body <NUM> provided at the lower portion of the hot-supply unit <NUM> to form the bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM>. The base body <NUM> may be provided in a shape of a plate and made of an elastic material or made of a resin or metal material.

The base body <NUM> may be provided with a body coupling unit <NUM> where the hot-air supply unit <NUM> is seated. The body coupling unit <NUM> is a region where the lower surface of the accommodating body <NUM> is seated, and may be provided to be in surface contact with the accommodating body <NUM>. The base body may be provided as a groove into which the lower surface of the accommodating body <NUM> is fully inserted and fixed. In this way, the base <NUM> and the hot-air supply unit <NUM> may stably be coupled with each other.

Meanwhile, the base body <NUM> may include a leakage prevention unit <NUM> further extended from the body coupling unit <NUM> to the side of the cabinet <NUM>. That is, the leakage prevention unit <NUM> may be a portion further extended from the region where the accommodating body <NUM> of the base body <NUM> is seated, to the side.

The leakage prevention unit <NUM> may be provided such that the foaming agent S may be seated thereon and coupled thereto, whereby the foaming agent S may be prevented from leaking to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. Moreover, the leakage prevention unit <NUM> may further include a foaming agent accommodating groove <NUM> into which the foaming agent S is inserted to be accommodated therein, to enhance a cohesion with the foaming agent S.

A plurality of bent holes <NUM> may be provided to guide the foaming agent S to enter the foaming agent accommodating groove <NUM> and guide the foaming agent to be accommodated in the foaming agent accommodating groove <NUM>.

In this way, the foaming agent S may enter the injection holes <NUM> and then reach the outside of the accommodating body <NUM> and the base <NUM> at the same time. Afterwards, the foaming agent S may further flow from the outside of the accommodating body <NUM> and may be filled to reach the leakage prevention unit <NUM>. As a result, the hot-supply unit <NUM> and the base <NUM> may simultaneously be coupled to the cabinet by the foaming agent, and the assembly process using a separate bolt may be omitted.

Meanwhile, the hinge unit <NUM> may include an upper hinge <NUM> coupled to the upper region of the cabinet to allow the door to be rotatably coupled thereto. The upper hinge <NUM> may be coupled to the inner case <NUM>, or may directly be coupled to the cabinet <NUM>.

However, the upper hinge <NUM> may be coupled by being inserted between the inner case <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> to enhance a cohesion.

The upper hinge <NUM> may be inserted into a space between the inner case <NUM> and the cabinet to pass through the space, and then may be fixed by the foaming agent S.

In detail, the shielding rib <NUM> may include an upper through hole <NUM> at an upper portion, wherein the upper hinge <NUM> may be inserted into the upper through hole <NUM> by passing through the upper through hole <NUM>. In this way, the upper hinge <NUM> may be inserted into the upper through hole <NUM> before the foaming agent S is in contact with the shielding rib <NUM>, whereby its position may be fixed.

The upper hinge <NUM> may include an upper body <NUM> inserted into the upper through hole <NUM> and an upper hinge shaft <NUM> extended to a lower portion of the upper body and provided to allow the door to be rotatably coupled therewith. In this way, if the upper body <NUM> is inserted into the upper through hole <NUM>, the foaming agent S may also fix the upper body <NUM> when fixing the inner case <NUM>. That is, the upper body <NUM> may be coupled with the foaming agent S by being fully accommodated in the foaming agent S.

Also, the upper body <NUM> may further include an upper recessed groove <NUM> accommodating the shielding rib <NUM> to seat the shielding rib <NUM> thereon, whereby its position may not be varied when the foaming agent S is expanded. The upper recessed groove <NUM> may be provided with a width corresponding to a thickness of the shielding rib <NUM> to partially accommodate the shielding rib <NUM> therein.

Also, the upper body <NUM> may further include a first coupling guide surface <NUM> having a concave and convex shape on an outer surface to more enhance a cohesion with the foaming agent S, thereby improving a frictional force.

The coupling guide surface <NUM> may be provided in the same shape as that of the upper recessed groove <NUM>, or may be provided with a width different from that of the upper recessed groove <NUM>. The coupling guide surface <NUM> may improve a contact area with the foaming agent S, and may improve a cohesion of the upper hinge <NUM> fixed to the foaming agent S by partially accommodating the foaming agent S.

Meanwhile, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present disclosure may include a lower hinge <NUM> coupled to the front of the hot-air supply unit <NUM> to allow the door <NUM> to be rotatably coupled thereto, wherein the lower hinge <NUM> may be provided to be coupled between the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM>.

In detail, the lower hinge <NUM> may be provided to be inserted between the hot-air supply unit <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> and fixed to the foaming agent S.

The hot-air supply unit <NUM> may include a lower through hole <NUM> at the lower portion of the prevention rib <NUM> to allow the lower hinge <NUM> to be inserted thereinto.

The lower through hole <NUM> may be provided to be connected with a upper surface of the base body <NUM>. In this way, if the lower hinge <NUM> is inserted into the lower through hole <NUM>, its lower surface may be seated on the base body <NUM> and supported.

The lower hinge <NUM> may include a lower body <NUM> inserted into the lower through hole <NUM> and a lower hinge shaft <NUM> extended to an upper portion of the lower body <NUM> to allow the door to be rotatably coupled thereto.

Meanwhile, the lower body <NUM> may further include a lower recessed groove <NUM> accommodating the prevention rib <NUM> to seat the prevention rib <NUM> thereon, whereby its position may not be varied when the foaming agent S is expanded. The lower recessed groove <NUM> may be provided with a width corresponding to a thickness of the prevention rib <NUM> to partially accommodate the prevention rib <NUM> therein.

Also, the upper body <NUM> may further include a second coupling guide surface <NUM> having a concave and convex shape on an outer surface to more enhance a cohesion with the foaming agent S, thereby improving a frictional force. The second coupling guide surface <NUM> may be provided in the same shape as that of the lower recessed groove <NUM>, or may be provided in a shape different from that of the lower recessed groove <NUM>.

In this way, if the lower hinge <NUM> is inserted into the lower through hole <NUM>, the lower hinge <NUM> may be fixed together with the accommodating body <NUM> and the base <NUM> when the foaming agent S fixes the accommodating body <NUM> and the base <NUM>. That is, the lower hinge <NUM> may be fixed in such a manner that the lower body <NUM> is accommodated in the foaming agent S.

In this way, the hinge unit <NUM> and the base <NUM> may be fixed by the foaming agent S, and a separate assembly process may be omitted.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> of the present invention.

The upper body <NUM> of the upper hinge <NUM> may include a second body <NUM> inserted into the upper through hole <NUM> to contact the shielding rib <NUM>, and a first body <NUM> bent from the second body to provide the upper hinge shaft <NUM> at a lower portion.

The first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> may be provided to be bent at <NUM>°. In this way, when the second body <NUM> is tightly adhered to the shielding rib <NUM> and coupled with the foaming agent S, the second body <NUM> may be tightly adhered to the shielding rib <NUM>, whereby a cohesion of the upper hinge <NUM> may be improved.

Also, the portion where the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are bent may be provided to be curved such that the upper body <NUM> may easily be inserted and rotated.

Meanwhile, the lower hinge <NUM> may be provided to be separately coupled to the base body <NUM>.

That is, the lower hinge <NUM> may include a first lower body 620a coupled to the base body, and a second lower body 620b coupled to the first lower body 620a and provided with the lower hinge shaft <NUM>.

The first lower body 620a may include a coupling zone <NUM> coupled to the base body, and an accommodating coupling unit <NUM> extended from the coupling zone <NUM> to the front to form a space into which the second lower body 620b is inserted.

The coupling zone <NUM> and the accommodating coupling unit <NUM> may be provided in a shape of '<IMG>' or 'C'.

Meanwhile, the second lower body 620b may include an insertion coupling unit <NUM> coupled by being inserted into the accommodating coupling unit <NUM>, and a shaft extension unit <NUM> extended to the insertion coupling unit <NUM> by being bent and provided with the lower hinge shaft <NUM>.

The shaft extension unit <NUM> and the insertion coupling unit <NUM> may be provided to be bent at <NUM>°.

The lower hinge <NUM> may be coupled to a separate coupling member <NUM> and provided to stably support load of the door <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) in a front direction;
a door (<NUM>) rotatably provided in front of the opening (<NUM>) to open or close the opening (<NUM>);
an inner case (<NUM>) provided in the cabinet (<NUM>) to form an accommodating space in which laundry is accommodated;
a hot-air supply unit (<NUM>) provided at a lower portion of the inner case (<NUM>) with a heat pump (<NUM>) to supply hot air to the accommodating space;
an accommodating body (<NUM>) provided at a lower portion of the inner case (<NUM>), and configured to accommodate the heat pump (<NUM>), wherein the accommodating body (<NUM>) includes a communication inlet (<NUM>) provided on an upper surface (<NUM>) communicated with a communication hole (<NUM>) provided on a lower surface of the inner case (<NUM>) to supply the air to the heat pump (<NUM>) or discharge the hot-air supplied from the heat pump (<NUM>) to the accommodating space;
a space formed by the inner case (<NUM>), the hot-air supply unit (<NUM>) and the cabinet (<NUM>);
a foaming agent (S) filled and hardened in the space for improving strength of the inner case (<NUM>) and the cabinet (<NUM>) and insulation of the space; and
a communication duct (<NUM>) provided in a portion of the space between the inner case (<NUM>) and the accommodating body (<NUM>), and configured to communicate with the inner case (<NUM>) and the accommodating body (<NUM>) and prevent the foaming agent (S) from leaking into an inside of the communication duct (<NUM>),
wherein the inner case (<NUM>) is formed of a styrene resin that maintains adhesion to the foaming agent (S) injected into the cabinet (<NUM>).