Patent Description:
In general, the term "clothing processing apparatus" refers to an apparatus capable of performing washing and drying or either washing or drying of clothes and the like. Here, the clothing processing apparatus may perform only the washing or drying function, or both the washing function and the drying function. Recently, washing machines provided with a steam supply device to perform a refresh function, such as removing wrinkles, odors, static electricity, and the like from clothes have been spreading.

Conventional clothing processing apparatuses are divided into a front loading type and a top loading type according to a clothing retrieval direction. Also, clothing processing apparatuses are divided into a vertical type apparatus in which a pulsator or a washing tub is rotated, and a horizontal type in which a drum is rotated, by the manner of washing.

A typical example of the horizontal type is a drum washing machine or a drum dryer.

The size of such clothing processing apparatuses is gradually increasing in recent years to meet user demand. That is, the size of the washing machines for domestic use is gradually increasing.

Generally, each household is equipped with one high-capacity clothing processing apparatus. Accordingly, when the laundry is to be washed by classifying the clothes according to the types of the clothes, the clothing processing apparatus is used many times. For example, when where laundry such as adult clothes and laundry such as underwear or baby clothes need to be separately washed, the clothing processing apparatus will be used for washing of the latter laundry after washing of the former laundry is completed.

As a result, a long time and large energy consumption are required to perform the washing operation.

Further, it is not preferable in terms of energy saving to use a conventional large-size clothing processing apparatus in washing a small amount of clothing. The washing phase provided in most large-size clothing processing apparatuses presumes a large amount of laundry, and thus consumes a large amount of water. In addition, as a large-size drum or inner tub needs to be rotated, large power consumption takes place.

In addition, since the washing phase presumes a large amount of laundry, the washing time is relatively long.

In addition, since the large-size clothing processing apparatus is provided with the washing phase considering typical clothes, it may not be suitable for washing of delicate fabrics such as underwear or baby clothes.

Further, the large-size clothing processing apparatus is not suitable for a case where a small amount of laundry needs to be frequently washed. Consumers collect laundry for a few days or a longer period to wash the laundry at a time.

It is not good in terms of cleanliness to leave underwear and baby clothes unwashed for a long time. When the laundry is left for a long time, stains are stuck to the fabrics and thus the laundry is not thoroughly washed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a small clothing processing apparatus which has a much smaller capacity than the conventional large clothing processing apparatus.

However, even when small-size clothing processing apparatuses are used, it is not preferable in terms of space utilization and aesthetics to install two clothing processing apparatuses side by side in the same house.

In recent years, a drawer-type clothing processing apparatus has been introduced to address the above-described issues.

The conventional drawer-type clothing processing apparatus is provided with a drawer to be drawn in and out of a cabinet having an opening at the front thereof.

The drawer-type clothing processing apparatus may be used alone or in combination with another clothing processing apparatus arranged at the top or bottom thereof to wash a small amount of laundry and enhance space utilization.

The drawer-type clothing processing apparatus generally includes a tub configured to accommodate wash water in a drawer, and a drum rotatably arranged in the tub.

Since the drawer is arranged to be drawn out of the cabinet, a water supply unit configured to supply water to the tub and a drainage unit configured to drain water from the tub are generally provided at the rear of the drawer. Here, the term "rear" refers to a side to which the drawer is inserted into the cabinet.

Here, the drawer may be provided with a detergent box. In general, the detergent box of the conventional drawer-type clothing processing apparatus should be connected to a detergent watering pipe for supplying water, and also a detergent discharge pipe for discharging the detergent from the detergent box to the tub is separately provided.

In the case where the detergent box provided to the drawer is arranged on the rear side of the drawer, the user can reach the detergent box and introduce a detergent and a fabric softener into the detergent box only when the drawer is drawn out until a portion provided with the detergent box is exposed, which causes a great inconvenience to the user.

In the case where the detergent box is provided in front of the drawer, it is easy for the user to reach the detergent box. However, the detergent watering pipe and the detergent discharge pipe connected to the detergent box needs to be elongated. Thereby, the space where the detergent watering pipe and the detergent discharge pipe can be installed may be narrowed, or the introduction port of the drum and the tub may be partially blocked due to the detergent watering pipe and the detergent discharge pipe.

Further, in the case where a separate detergent watering pipe or detergent discharge pipe is provided to the detergent box, a separate valve for controlling the flow rates in the detergent watering pipe and the detergent discharge pipe, or a separate control means for opening and closing the valve needs to be provided, which causes inconvenience.

<CIT> relates to a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser (<NUM>) and control method thereof. The rinse agent dispenser (<NUM>) is directly connected with a water tub (<NUM>) to automatically dispense a rinse agent into the water tub (<NUM>) via an adjustment of a level of wash water contained in the water tub (<NUM>) without requiring a separate water supply device. The washing machine includes the water tub (<NUM>), the rinse agent dispenser (<NUM>) connected with the water tub (<NUM>) to dispense the rinse agent into the water tub (<NUM>) via an adjustment of the level of the wash water contained in the water tub (<NUM>), water supply means to supply the wash water into the water tub (<NUM>), drainage means to drain the wash water from the water tub (<NUM>), and a controller to control the supply and drainage of the wash water by the water supply means and drainage means, thereby adjusting the level of the wash water in the water tub (<NUM>).

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a laundry treating apparatus having a detergent box which is capable of incorporating a water supply pipe for supplying water to the detergent box and a drain pipe into one pipe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus having a detergent box which is capable of supplying water from a tub to the detergent box.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clothing processing device which uses rotation of a drum in supplying water to a detergent box and discharging a detergent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a clothing processing device capable of automatically introducing a detergent or a fabric softener to a tub by controlling revolutions per minute of a drum.

The objects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a detergent box including a body portion providing a space for storing a detergent and having an opening at a top thereof, a housing allowing the body portion to be detachably accommodated therein, a housing through hole formed through a lower portion of the housing to allow water to be introduced or water and the detergent to be discharged together, a discharge pipe protruding from a lower portion of the body portion toward the opening and having a hollow for discharging the detergent, and a discharge pipe cover configured to guide the water and the detergent into the hollow when a reference amount or a larger amount of water flows into the body, a part of the discharge pipe being inserted into the discharge pipe cover, the detergent box further including a block unit communicating with the discharge pipe and having a predetermined space between a lower portion of the body portion and a bottom surface of the housing to prevent water introduced into the housing from contacting the discharge pipe.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the block unit includes a block body accommodated in the housing, at least a part of the body portion being accommodated in the block body, and a block through hole formed in a bottom surface of the block body such that the detergent discharged from the discharge pipe is discharged into the housing.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the block unit further includes a block check valve arranged outside the bottom surface of the block body to shield the block through hole.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the block check valve may be a buoyancy type check valve having a specific gravity less than a specific gravity of water.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the block check valve may be made of a rubber material.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the block unit may include a block barrel extending from a lower end of the body portion having the discharge pipe, wherein the block barrel may include a communication hole provided at one end to communicate with the discharge pipe and a block through hole provided at an opposite end to communicate with the housing.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, when the body portion is accommodated in the housing, an outer circumferential surface of the body portion and a side surface of the housing is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the side surface of the housing is arranged at a higher position than the opening such that water introduced into the housing flows into the body portion through the opening along the outer circumferential surface of the body.

The objects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a clothing processing device including a tub providing a space for storing water, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to provide a space for storing clothes, a detergent box arranged outside the tub to provide a space for storing a detergent and configured to be supplied with water only from the tub, a tub through hole formed through an inner circumferential surface of the tub, and a connection portion communicating with the tub through hole on one side thereof and with the detergent box on an opposite side thereof, such that at least a part of the water moving along an inner circumferential surface of the tub due to centrifugal force generated when the drum rotates is introduced into the detergent box, mixed with the detergent, and then discharged back to the inner circumferential surface of the tub.

The detergent box includes a body portion providing a space for storing a detergent and having an opening at a top thereof, a housing allowing the body portion to be detachably accommodated therein, a housing through hole formed through a lower portion of the housing to communicate with the connection portion, and a discharge pipe cover configured to guide the water and the detergent into the hollow when a reference amount of water or a larger amount of water flows into the body, a part of the discharge pipe being inserted into the discharge pipe cover, the detergent box further including a block unit communicating with the discharge pipe and having a predetermined space between a lower portion of the body and a bottom surface of the housing to prevent water introduced into the housing from contacting the discharge pipe.

The block unit includes a block body accommodated in the housing, at least a part of the body portion being accommodated in the block body, and a block through hole formed in a bottom surface of the block body such that the detergent discharged from the discharge pipe is discharged into the housing.

The block unit further includes a block check valve arranged outside the bottom surface of the block body to shield the block through hole.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, when the body portion is accommodated in the housing, an outer circumferential surface of the body portion and a side surface of the housing may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the side surface of the housing may be arranged at a higher position than the opening such that water introduced into the housing flows into the body portion through the opening along the outer circumferential surface of the body.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the detergent box may be arranged at a position higher than a maximum water level of water that can be accommodated in the tub when the drum is stopped.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, when an amount of water introduced into the detergent box through the connection portion is greater than or equal to a reference amount, the detergent box may discharge the detergent and water from the detergent box back to the connection pipe using a siphon effect.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the water in the tub may be discharged to the connection portion and introduced into the detergent box by the centrifugal force only when the drum rotates at a speed higher than or equal to a first revolutions per minute (RPM).

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the tub through hole may be provided at a water level reached by the water in the tub when the drum rotates at the first RPM.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the inner circumferential surface of the tub may be provided with first resistive ribs protruding from both sides of a surface having the through hole to generate resistance against water rotating on the inner circumferential surface of the tub such that the water flows into the through hole only when the drum rotates at a speed higher than or equal to a reference revolutions per minute (RPM).

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the inner surface of the tub may be provided with a second resistive rib arranged under the through hole to protrude toward a bottom surface of the tub.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the block unit may further include a block check valve arranged outside a bottom surface of the block body to shield the block through hole.

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the drawer may further include a drawer body for accommodating the tub and the drum, and a drawer panel arranged on the drawer body to open and close the opening, wherein the detergent box may be provided to the drawer panel.

In a clothing processing device having a detergent box according to the present invention, a water supply pipe for supplying water to the detergent box and a drain pipe may be integrated into one pipe, thereby improving space utilization.

In the clothing processing device having a detergent box according to the present invention, water in the tub is supplied to the detergent box, and thus a detergent watering pipe connected to a water supply unit to supply water to the detergent box may be omitted.

In the clothing processing device having a detergent box according to the present invention, a detergent contained in the detergent box may be discharged to a single pipe through which water is supplied from a tub.

In the clothing processing device according to the present invention, only rotation of the drum may be used to supply water to the detergent box and discharge the detergent, and thus a separate control means or a flow rate control means may be omitted.

The configuration and control method of a device described below are only for explaining embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or like parts.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the clothing processing device <NUM> of the present invention may include a cabinet <NUM>, a drawer <NUM> arranged to be withdrawable from the cabinet, a tub <NUM> arranged in the drawer to store water, and a drum <NUM> rotatably arranged in the tub to store clothes.

The clothing processing device of the present invention shown in the figures is merely intended to illustrate the structure of the drawer-type washing machine and is not limited to the above-described configuration.

The clothing processing device of the present invention may be provided in any structure as long as the drawer <NUM> can be drawn out of the cabinet <NUM>, and may have any internal structure.

The cabinet <NUM> may be provided as a means for defining an outer appearance of the clothing processing device, or may be provided simply as a space for accommodating the drawer <NUM>. In any case, the front of the cabinet <NUM> may be provided with an opening <NUM> into which the drawer <NUM> is inserted.

The drawer <NUM> may include a drawer body <NUM> inserted into the cabinet <NUM> through the opening <NUM>, a drawer panel <NUM> fixed to the front surface of the drawer body <NUM> to open and close the drawer body <NUM>, and a drawer cover <NUM> for defining a top surface of the drawer body <NUM>.

Since the drawer panel <NUM> is fixed to the front surface of the drawer body <NUM>, the drawer panel <NUM> may also serve as a handle for drawing the drawer body <NUM> out of the cabinet <NUM>.

The drawer panel <NUM> may be provided with a display unit <NUM> for inputting control commands related to operation of the clothing processing device <NUM> and displaying a message related to the operation and status of the clothing processing device for the user. The display unit <NUM> may include a display panel for displaying a view, and may further include a speaker (not shown) configured to generate warning sound, notification sound, and the like. The display unit <NUM> may also serve as a control panel that may be touched by the user to execute the clothing processing operation.

The drawer body <NUM> may be inserted into the cabinet <NUM> through the opening <NUM> and have any shape as long as it can provide a space for accommodating the tub <NUM>. <FIG> shows an example of the drawer body <NUM> which has a hexahedron shape with a hollow interior.

As shown in <FIG>, the tub <NUM> includes a tub body <NUM> positioned in the drawer body <NUM> to store water, and a tub cover <NUM> for defining the top surface of the tub body <NUM>. The tub body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape with an open top. A heater <NUM> for heating water may be provided in the tub body <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may not only heat water but also generate steam to supply steam into the tub body <NUM>.

The tub cover <NUM> may include an introduction port <NUM> allowing the inside of the tub body <NUM> to communicate with the outside of the tub body therethrough and a supply port <NUM> for introducing water into the tub body <NUM>.

The drawer cover <NUM> may include a first through hole <NUM> and a second through hole <NUM> allowing the inside of the drawer body <NUM> to communicate with the outside. The first through hole <NUM> is provided for introduction and retrieval of clothes, and the second through hole <NUM> may be provided to supply water necessary for washing clothes.

The introduction port <NUM> may be provided below the first through hole <NUM> provided in the drawer cover, and the supply port <NUM> may be provided below the second through hole <NUM> of the drawer cover.

The introduction port <NUM> is a means for supplying clothes into the tub body <NUM> or withdrawing clothes from the tub body <NUM> to the outside of the tub body. The introduction port <NUM> may be opened or closed by a door <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> having the above-described structure may be coupled to the drawer body <NUM> via a tub support portion <NUM>. The tub support portion <NUM> may include a first support portion <NUM> provided to the drawer body <NUM>, a second support portion <NUM> provided to the tub body <NUM>, and a connection portion <NUM> for connecting the first support portion and the second support portion.

The connection portion <NUM> may include a first connection portion <NUM> seated on the first support portion <NUM>, a second connection portion <NUM> for supporting the second support portion <NUM>, and a bar <NUM> for connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

The first connection portion <NUM> may be shaped to be seated in the first support portion <NUM> so as to be movable in the first support portion <NUM>, and the second connection portion <NUM> may be shaped to support the second support portion <NUM> so as to be movable in the second support portion <NUM>.

The bar <NUM> may be arranged to form a right angle with the bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM> (to be parallel to the height direction Z of the cabinet and to form a right angle with the bottom surface of the drawer).

In the present invention, at least three tub support portions <NUM> are provided to couple the tub body <NUM> with the drawer body <NUM>, and the bar <NUM> is arranged to form a right angle with the bottom surface of the cabinet. Accordingly, the spacing between the tub cover <NUM> and the drawer cover <NUM> may be widened, compared to a case where the bar <NUM> is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the Z axis.

The tub support portion <NUM> provided in the present invention may minimize the possibility that the tub cover <NUM> will collide with the drawer cover <NUM> even when the tub body <NUM> vibrates inside the drawer body <NUM>.

When the bar <NUM> is arranged to be perpendicular to the bottom surface of the drawer, at least one of the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> may be detachably attached to the drawer body <NUM>.

When the tub support portion <NUM> has at least three support portion and both the first support portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> are arranged so as not to be separated from the drawer body <NUM>, an operator who fixes the drawer body <NUM> to the drawer body <NUM> needs to insert the tub body <NUM> into the drawer body <NUM> such that the first support portion <NUM> does not interfere with the second support portion <NUM> and then rotate the tub body <NUM> to position the first connection portion <NUM> on the vertical line passing through the first support portion <NUM> to couple the first connection portion <NUM> to the first support portion <NUM>.

Arranging the bar <NUM> of the tub support portion at a right angle with respect to the bottom surface of the drawer may minimize the spacing S between the outer circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the drawer body <NUM>, thereby minimizing the volume of the clothing processing device <NUM>. However, such arrangement may deteriorate assemblability of the first connection portion <NUM> and the first support portion <NUM> which are connected through the above-described process. This disadvantage may be overcome by detachably providing the first support portion <NUM> to the drawer body <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> arranged in the tub <NUM> may be provided with a cylindrical drum body <NUM> having an opening <NUM> at the top thereof. Since the opening <NUM> is located below the introduction port <NUM>, clothes introduced through the introduction port <NUM> may be supplied to the drum body <NUM> through the opening <NUM>.

The bottom surface <NUM> and the circumferential surface <NUM> of the drum body <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of drum through holes <NUM> allowing the inside of the drum body <NUM> to communicate with the tub body <NUM> therethrough.

The drum body <NUM> is rotated in the tub body <NUM> by a drive unit M. The drive unit M may include a stator M1 disposed outside the tub body <NUM> and fixed to the bottom surface the tub body, a rotor M2 rotated by a rotating field provided by the stator, and a rotary shaft M3 arranged to penetrate the bottom surface of the tub body <NUM> to connect the bottom surface <NUM> of the drum and the rotor M3. In this case, the rotary shaft M3 may be arranged to form a right angle to the bottom surface of the tub body <NUM>.

The clothing processing device <NUM> having the above-described structure supplies water to the tub <NUM> through a water supply unit <NUM> and discharges water stored in the tub <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through a drainage unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the water supply unit <NUM> may include a first water supply pipe <NUM> connected to the supply port <NUM> provided in the tub cover, a second water supply pipe <NUM> connected to a water supply source located outside the cabinet, and a connection pipe <NUM> fixed to the tub cover <NUM> and connecting the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe.

The first water supply pipe <NUM> connects the supply port <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM> through the second through hole <NUM> provided in the drawer cover <NUM>, and may be formed as a corrugated tube to prevent the water supply pipe <NUM> from being separated from the connection pipe <NUM> when the tub <NUM> vibrates (see <FIG>).

The second water supply pipe <NUM> may also be formed as a corrugated tube to prevent the second water supply pipe <NUM> from being separated from the connection pipe <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is drawn out of the cabinet <NUM>. The second water supply pipe <NUM> is opened and closed by a water supply valve <NUM>, which is controlled by a controller (not shown).

Unlike the example shown in <FIG>, the water supply unit <NUM> may be provided with a single water supply pipe connecting the water supply source (not shown) arranged outside the cabinet and the supply port <NUM> provided in the tub cover. In this case, the water supply pipe may be formed as a corrugated tube.

The drainage unit <NUM> may include a drain pump <NUM> fixed to the drawer body <NUM>, a first drain pipe <NUM> for guiding water from the tub body <NUM> to the drain pump <NUM>, and a second water supply pipe <NUM> for guiding the water discharged from the drain pump <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. In this case, the second drain pipe <NUM> may be provided as a corrugated tube.

In the clothing processing device <NUM> having the above-described structure, clothes are introduced into the drum <NUM>, water and a detergent are supplied to the tub <NUM>, and then the drum <NUM> is rotated through the drive unit M to wash the clothes.

The clothing processing device <NUM> of the present invention having the above-described structure may further include a hot air supply unit <NUM> configured to supply hot air into the tub <NUM> or the drum <NUM>. That is, the hot air supply unit may be provided separately from the heater <NUM> to supply hot air to the tub <NUM> or the drum <NUM>. The hot air supply unit <NUM> may be supplied with water from the water supply unit <NUM> and heat the supplied water to supply the water to the tub <NUM> or the drum <NUM>. The hot air supply unit <NUM> may further include a hot air heater <NUM> configured to heat water in the hot air supply unit to generate steam, and a blowing fan <NUM> configured to supply hot air to the tub <NUM> or the drum <NUM>.

However, the hot air supply unit <NUM> may be configured in a circulation structure as long as it can supply hot air into the drum <NUM>.

In addition, a temperature sensor <NUM> configured to measure the temperature of water or air contained in the tub may be provided in the tub <NUM>. The temperature sensor <NUM> may be arranged near the heater <NUM> to check the temperature of the heater <NUM> immediately. The temperature sensor <NUM> may be a thermistor (NTC, PTC, CTR) thermal ferrite, or a metal thermometer.

The temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided at any position and with any configuration as long as it can measure the temperature of the inside of the tub <NUM> or the drum <NUM>.

The clothing processing device <NUM> of the present invention may further include a detergent box <NUM> arranged outside the tub <NUM> to provide a space for storing the detergent.

The detergent box <NUM> is arranged to receive water only from the tub <NUM>, not from the water supply unit <NUM>. Accordingly, elements such as a flow passage and a valve for directly connecting the detergent box <NUM> and the water supply unit <NUM> may be omitted.

In addition, the detergent box <NUM> may be provided to the drawer <NUM> or the cabinet <NUM>. That is, the detergent box <NUM> may be arranged outside the tub <NUM> and may be arranged anywhere as long as it can supply the detergent into the tub <NUM>. The detergent box <NUM> may be provided to the drawer <NUM> to allow the user to easily access the detergent box <NUM>, considering that the drawer <NUM> is drawn out of the cabinet <NUM>. When the detergent box <NUM> is provided to the drawer <NUM>, the detergent box <NUM> may be provided to the drawer panel <NUM>. This is because the drawer panel <NUM> is provided at the forefront of the clothing processing device <NUM>, and allows the user to most easily reach the detergent box <NUM>.

Since the detergent box <NUM> is supplied with water only from the tub <NUM>, the clothing processing device <NUM> of the present invention further includes a structure capable of supplying water from the tub <NUM> to the detergent box <NUM> and discharging the detergent from the detergent box <NUM> into the tub <NUM>.

To this end, the tub <NUM> may include a tub through hole <NUM> formed through an inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM> and may further include a connection portion <NUM> communicating with the tub through hole <NUM> on one side thereof and with the detergent box <NUM> on an opposite side thereof.

Accordingly, the detergent box <NUM> may be supplied with water through the connection portion <NUM>, mix the supplied water with the detergent, and then discharge the mixture to the tub <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of a manner in which water is supplied to the detergent box <NUM> and water and the detergent are discharged back to the tub <NUM> according to the above-described configuration, with reference to <FIG>.

The drum <NUM> rotates when the clothing processing device <NUM> performs at least one of a washing cycle for removing foreign substances from the clothes and a rinsing cycle for washing away the detergent and foreign substances from the clothes.

When the drum <NUM> rotates, the water in the tub <NUM> is moved along the inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM> by the centrifugal force, and the water level on the inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM> gradually increases.

When the drum <NUM> is rotated at a higher speed, the centrifugal force is further increased, and thus water in the tub <NUM> further moves along the inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM> and flows into the connection portion <NUM> to reach the detergent box <NUM>.

When rotation of the drum <NUM> is maintained, water supplied into the detergent box <NUM> is increased and mixed with the detergent. Thereafter, when the rotation speed of the drum <NUM> is reduced or the drum <NUM> is stopped, the water level on the inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM> is lowered. Then, the detergent and water in the detergent box <NUM> may be discharged into the tub <NUM> through the connection portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, since the detergent can be automatically supplied from the detergent box <NUM> to the tub <NUM>, a separate control means for supplying water to the detergent box <NUM> or adjusting the amount of the detergent to be discharged may be omitted.

The detergent stored in the detergent box <NUM> may correspond to at least one of a laundry detergent for removing foreign substances from the clothes and a fabric softener for increasing the degree of flexibility of the clothes. Accordingly, the detergent stored in the detergent box <NUM> should be appropriately introduced in the washing cycle, in which the clothing processing device <NUM> removes foreign substances from the clothes, or the rinsing cycle, in which foreign substances and the detergent are washed away from the clothes after the washing cycle is completed, according to the type of the detergent.

That is, water in the tub <NUM> should be supplied to the detergent box <NUM> at an appropriate time, and the water and detergent in the detergent box <NUM> should be supplied to the tub <NUM> at an appropriate time. In other words, even if there is water contained in the tub <NUM>, the water inside the tub <NUM> should not be indiscriminately supplied to the detergent box <NUM>, and the detergent in the detergent box <NUM> should not be indiscriminately supplied into the tub <NUM>.

To this end, the tub through hole <NUM> may be arranged at a position higher than the maximum level at which water can be accommodated in the tub <NUM>, and the detergent box <NUM> may be arranged at a position higher than the maximum level at which water can be accommodated in the tub <NUM> when the drum <NUM> is stopped.

If the tub through hole <NUM> is provided at the lower end of the tub <NUM> or the detergent box <NUM> is arranged at the position of the bottom surface of the tub <NUM>, water may be supplied to the detergent box <NUM> immediately after water is supplied to the tub <NUM> through the water supply unit <NUM>, and the detergent in the detergent box <NUM> may be constantly discharged to the tub <NUM>.

If the connection portion <NUM> is arranged to communicate with the upper end of the detergent box <NUM>, the water and the detergent in the detergent box <NUM> cannot be supplied to the tub <NUM> when rotation of the drum <NUM> is reduced after the water is supplied to the detergent box <NUM>. Accordingly, the connection portion <NUM> may be arranged to communicate with a lower portion of the detergent box <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the tub <NUM> and the detergent box <NUM> provided at the upper end of the drawer panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the connection portion <NUM> is arranged to allow the upper end of the tub body <NUM> to communicate with the lower end of the detergent box <NUM> therethrogh.

The detergent box <NUM> may be provided on one side of the upper end of the drawer panel <NUM> to avoid interference with the display unit <NUM> and may be arranged above the maximum water level of water accommodated in the tub body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the top of the detergent box <NUM> may include a lid <NUM> for opening and closing the detergent box <NUM>.

The inside of the detergent box <NUM> may be opened when the lid <NUM> is pulled up or rotated.

The connection portion <NUM> may include a first connection pipe <NUM> communicating with a lower portion of the detergent box <NUM>, a second connection pipe <NUM> communicating with an upper portion of the tub body <NUM>, and a communication hose <NUM> allowing the first connection pipe <NUM> and the second connection pipe <NUM> to communicate with each other. The second connection pipe <NUM> may be a pipe extending from the outer circumferential surface of the tub through hole <NUM> to the outside of the tub body <NUM>.

The communication hose <NUM> may be made of a rubber material and thus ensure the first connection pipe <NUM> and the second connection pipe <NUM> stably communicate with each other even when the drum <NUM> and the tub <NUM> vibrate.

Hereinafter, the structure of the detergent box <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. This embodiment is not part of the invention.

The detergent box <NUM> may be arranged at a position higher than the maximum level of water accommodated in the tub body <NUM> without any other device, and the connection portion <NUM> may be arranged at the lower end of the detergent box <NUM>. In this case, if the detergent stored in the detergent box <NUM> is a liquid detergent, the detergent may be introduced into the tub <NUM> through the connection portion <NUM> irrespective of whether the drum <NUM> is rotated.

Accordingly, in order to prevent such introduction, the detergent box <NUM> may have a structure which discharges water and the detergent from the detergent box <NUM> to the connection pipe <NUM> using the siphon effect when water more than a reference amount is introduced through the connection portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when a liquid detergent is provided in the detergent box <NUM>, the detergent may be prevented from being discharged by its own weight into the connection pipe <NUM> before the amount of water exceeds the reference amount.

Here, the reference amount may be defined as the minimum amount of water that may cause a siphon effect in the detergent box <NUM>.

The detergent box <NUM> may include a body portion <NUM> configured to provide a space for storing the detergent and having an opening <NUM> at the top thereof, a housing <NUM> in which the body portion is detachably accommodated, and a housing through hole <NUM> communicating with the connection portion <NUM> through a lower portion of the body portion <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> may include a discharge pipe <NUM> protruding from a lower portion of the body portion <NUM> toward the opening <NUM> and provided therein with a hollow allowing the housing <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> to communicate with each other, and a discharge pipe cover <NUM> into which a part of the discharge pipe <NUM> is inserted to guide the water and detergent into the hollow when the amount of water introduced into the body portion <NUM> is greater than or equal to a reference amount.

When the body portion <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>, the opening <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> may be arranged below the upper end of the side surface of the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may be provided with a housing coupling portion <NUM> to be coupled to either the drawer <NUM> or the cabinet <NUM>.

The housing coupling portion <NUM> may be a plate extending from at least one of a side surface and a bottom surface of the housing <NUM>.

The housing coupling portion <NUM> may have a hollow therein so as to be coupled with a bolt or the like.

Accordingly, the body portion <NUM> may be stably accommodated in the housing <NUM>,.

Water rising along the side surface of the housing <NUM> may flow into the opening <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>.

Hereinafter, introduction of water from the tub <NUM> into the detergent box <NUM> and discharge of water and the detergent back to the tub <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

When the drum <NUM> rotates at a first revolutions per minute (rpm), the water accommodated in the tub <NUM> rises up to the position where the tub through hole <NUM> provided in the inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM> is arranged.

When the drum <NUM> rotates at a speed higher than or equal to the first rpm, water in the tub <NUM> is introduced into the housing through hole <NUM> through the connection portion <NUM> via the tub through hole <NUM>. Here, the first rpm may be defined as an rpm at which the water accommodated in the tub <NUM> rises up to the tub through hole <NUM> provided in the tub body <NUM>.

The tub through hole <NUM> may be provided at a position where water contacts the tub body <NUM> when the drum <NUM> rotates at the first rpm.

Thereafter, when the drum <NUM> rotates at a second rpm higher than the first rpm, the water in the tub <NUM> may further rise up the inner circumferential surface (the tub body) of the tub. Thus, the water may contact the lower end of the discharge pipe <NUM> provided at the lower portion of the body portion. That is, it may be construed that the discharge pipe <NUM> is provided at a height at which the pipe contacts water when the drum <NUM> rotates at the second rpm, and is spaced apart from the housing through hole <NUM> by a difference between the level of water introduced when the drum <NUM> rotates at the first rpm and the level to which the water rises when the drum <NUM> rotates at the second rpm.

The water level that water introduced into the housing <NUM> reaches when the drum <NUM> rotates at the second rpm, may be defined as a first (1st) level.

When the drum <NUM> rotates at a third rpm higher than the second rpm, the water inside the tub <NUM> is further moved to the inner circumferential surface (tub body) of the tub by stronger centrifugal force and thus a larger amount of water is introduced into the housing <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the drum <NUM> rotates at the third rpm, the water in the tub <NUM> flows into the housing <NUM> through the connection portion <NUM> and rises up to the free end of the discharge pipe <NUM>. That is, the water supplied to the housing <NUM> comes into contact with the discharge pipe cover <NUM>.

When the drum <NUM> rotates at the third rpm or a higher speed, the water supplied to the housing <NUM> flows into the body portion <NUM> through the discharge pipe <NUM> and the discharge pipe cover <NUM>.

In the body portion <NUM>, the detergent is stored at a second (2nd) level that is higher than the first level and lower than the free end of the discharge pipe <NUM> or the upper end portion of the discharge pipe cover <NUM>.

When the water is supplied to the body portion <NUM>, the water and the detergent are mixed, and the level of the water and detergent in the body portion <NUM> further rises up to a third (3rd) level corresponding to the free end of the discharge pipe <NUM> or the upper end portion of the discharge pipe cover.

Then, when the drum <NUM> is rotated at a speed lower than the third rpm or is stopped, the water accommodated in the body portion <NUM> begins to be discharged through the free end of the discharge pipe <NUM> via the inner circumferential surface of the discharge pipe cover <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the discharge pipe <NUM>. At this time, the siphon effect occurs, and thus the detergent and water accommodated in the body <NUM> are entirely discharged to the housing <NUM> through the discharge pipe <NUM>. The water and the detergent accommodated in the housing <NUM> are discharged to the tub <NUM> through the connection portion <NUM> via the housing through hole <NUM>.

Thus, the detergent box <NUM> may be automatically supplied with water from the tub <NUM> and discharge the supplied water to the tub <NUM> without any means for supplying water through the water supply pipe or a control means for controlling discharge of the detergent.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of the detergent box <NUM>.

Since the body portion <NUM> is detachably provided in the housing <NUM>, a predetermined space may be provided between the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM>. That is, the body portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the housing <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

When the body portion <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>, the side surface of the housing <NUM> may be arranged higher than the opening <NUM>.

If water supplied to the housing <NUM> is immediately introduced into the discharge pipe <NUM>, the water may not be properly mixed with the detergent accommodated in the body portion <NUM>. Accordingly, a buoyancy type body check valve <NUM> may be provided under the discharge pipe <NUM>.

The body check valve <NUM> may be made of a rubber material that may completely close the hollow of the discharge pipe <NUM> and may be rotatably hinged to the lower portion of the body portion <NUM>.

The body check valve <NUM> may be a buoyancy type check valve having a specific gravity less than that of water.

Thus, when the drum <NUM> rotates at the second rpm, the water supplied to the housing <NUM> reaches the first (1st) level, and buoyancy may be applied to the body check valve <NUM> to close the discharge pipe <NUM>. Thereafter, when the drum <NUM> starts to rotate at the third rpm or a higher speed, the water supplied to the housing <NUM> may begin to rise along the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM> and flow into the body portion <NUM> through the opening <NUM>.

The water introduced into the body portion <NUM> through the opening <NUM> may be entirely mixed with the detergent contained at the second (2nd) level in the body portion <NUM>. When the supplied water reaches the third (3rd) level, the siphon effect may occur.

Thereafter, when the drum <NUM> is slowed from the third rpm to the second rpm or a lower speed or is stopped, the water and the detergent accommodated in the body portion <NUM> flows into the free end of the discharge pipe <NUM> along the discharge pipe cover <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the discharge pipe <NUM> and comes into contact with the body check valve <NUM>.

The body check valve <NUM> opens the discharge pipe <NUM> due to the weight of the water and the detergent. The water and the detergent may all pass through the discharge pipe <NUM> and be discharged to the tub <NUM> through the housing through hole <NUM> along the connection pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> shows installation positions of the detergent box <NUM> and the tub <NUM>, and installation heights of the discharge pipe <NUM> and the discharge pipe cover <NUM> of the detergent box <NUM>.

The detergent box <NUM> is provided at a position higher than the maximum level that water in the tub body <NUM> reaches when the drum <NUM> is stopped, and the second connection pipe <NUM> communicating with the tub through hole <NUM> is arranged at an upper portion of the tub body <NUM>.

Here, as described above, the tub through hole <NUM> and the second connection pipe <NUM> may be arranged at a water level at which water in the tub <NUM> can contact the tub body <NUM> when the drum rotates at the first rpm. The first connection pipe <NUM> may be arranged at a lower portion of the detergent box <NUM>, and the lower portion of the discharge pipe <NUM> may be arranged at a height (1st level) which the water supplied to the housing <NUM> reaches when the drum <NUM> rotates at the second rpm. The free end of the discharge pipe <NUM> and the upper portion of the discharge pipe cover <NUM> are arranged at a height (3rd level) which water supplied to the housing <NUM> reaches when the drum <NUM> rotates at the third rpm.

Hereinafter, the structure of the tub <NUM> for accurately supplying water to the housing <NUM> according to the rpm of the drum <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

When the drum <NUM> rotates in the tub <NUM>, the drum <NUM> may momentarily severely vibrate due to, for example, maldistribution of clothes. The momentary sever vibration of the drum <NUM> may cause water accommodated in the tub <NUM> to momentarily gather in a space between the tub body <NUM> and the tub cover <NUM>. As a result, a large amount of water may be momentarily supplied to the housing <NUM>, causing an unexpected siphon effect in the body portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, it may be necessary to provide a configuration in which water is supplied to the detergent box <NUM> only by a constant rise of the water level in the tub <NUM> that is generated by rotation of the drum <NUM>, not by vibration of the drum <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an insertion portion <NUM> which may be provided in the tub cover <NUM> to cause water to be supplied to the detergent box <NUM> only by a constant water level rise in the tub <NUM> generated by rotation of the drum <NUM>.

The tub cover <NUM> may include a cover body <NUM> positioned at the top of the tub body <NUM> to form a top surface of the tub body <NUM>, and an insertion portion <NUM> protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the cover body <NUM> and contacting the inner circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM>.

The tub body <NUM> includes a first protrusion <NUM> formed on an upper portion of the outer circumferential surface thereof and a second protrusion <NUM> spaced apart from the first protrusion <NUM>. The tub cover <NUM> includes a first fastening portion <NUM> inserted into and fastened to a gap between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and a second fastening portion <NUM> spaced apart from the first fastening portion and seated on the outer circumferential surface of the second protrusion <NUM>. Thus, the tub body <NUM> and the tub cover <NUM> are coupled to each other.

The insertion portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the first fastening portion <NUM> so as to face the center of the tub <NUM> and protrude toward the bottom surface of the tub <NUM>.

Specifically, when the tub body <NUM> and the tub cover <NUM> are coupled to each other, the insertion portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the tub body <NUM> by a predetermined distance so as to face the position where the drum <NUM> is arranged in the tub body <NUM> and may protrude to a distance long enough to shield the tub through hole <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when vibration occurs in the drum <NUM> to cause the water in the tub <NUM> to rise toward the tub through hole <NUM> to generate a swell, the insertion portion <NUM> may block the swell, thereby preventing water from being discharged from the tub through hole <NUM>.

That is, only when the drum <NUM> rotates and the water accommodated in the tub <NUM> rises to the tub body <NUM> such that the water level is maintained, the water accommodated in the tub may flow into the gap between the tub body <NUM> and the insertion portion <NUM> and be discharged through the second connection pipe <NUM>.

This may prevent the water accommodated in the tub <NUM> from being unintentionally introduced into the detergent box <NUM>, thereby preventing the siphon effect from occurring in the detergent box <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a resistive rib that may be provided to the tub body <NUM> to cause water to be supplied to the detergent box <NUM> only by a constant water level rise in the tub <NUM> generated by rotation of the drum <NUM>.

The inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM> may be provided with first resistive ribs <NUM> protruding from both sides of the surface having the tub through hole <NUM> to generate resistance against water rotating along the inner circumferential surface of the tub such that water can flow into the tub through hole <NUM> only when the drum rotates at the first rpm or a higher speed.

That is, when the drum <NUM> rotates at a speed lower than the first rpm, and the water accommodated in the tub <NUM> temporarily contacts the inner circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM> due to momentary vibration of the drum <NUM>, the first resistive ribs <NUM> may reduce the kinetic energy of the water.

Accordingly, the first resistive ribs <NUM> may prevent the water accommodated in the tub <NUM> from unintentionally flowing into the tub through hole <NUM> and moving to the detergent box <NUM>.

In addition, when the drum <NUM> temporarily rotates at the first rpm or a higher speed, the first resistive ribs <NUM> may resist against the water moving along the inner circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM>, thereby preventing the water from being discharged to the tub through hole <NUM>.

The inner circumferential surface of the tub may further include a second resistive rib <NUM> arranged under the tub through hole <NUM> and protruding toward the bottom surface of the tub. Here, the second resistive rib <NUM> may be arranged in parallel with the first resistive ribs <NUM>.

The first resistive ribs <NUM> and the second resistive rib <NUM> may collide with water moving in contact with the tub body <NUM> to reduce the kinetic energy of the water, and may also serve to hold a part of the water so as not to rotate, using the surface tension.

Thereby, even when the drum <NUM> temporarily rotates at a speed higher than or equal to the first rpm or a speed lower than the first rpm, and excessive vibration occurs in the drum <NUM> to cause the water in the tub <NUM> to gather in the tub body <NUM> and rise up, the first resistive ribs <NUM> and the second resistive rib <NUM> may effectively prevent the water from being discharged into the tub through hole <NUM>.

In addition, the first resistive ribs <NUM> and the second resistive rib <NUM> may allow the water to be supplied to the detergent box <NUM> only when the drum <NUM> persistently rotates at the first rpm or a higher speed. Accordingly, the rpm of the drum <NUM> may be precisely controlled to allow water to flow into the detergent box <NUM> at an appropriate time to supply the detergent to the tub <NUM>.

Since the body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are detachably provided to the detergent box <NUM> shown in <FIG>, there may be a certain gap between the body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the case of <FIG>, when a large amount of water is supplied to the housing <NUM>, a part of the water may flow into the discharge pipe <NUM>, but the remaining water may flow into a space between the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM>. Then, the water introduced into the space between the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM> may rise to a position at or above the first (1st) level. When more water is supplied to the housing <NUM>, the water may be introduced into the body portion <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. Thereafter, when rotation of the drum <NUM> is stopped or slowed to the second rpm or a lower speed, the siphon effect occurs in the body portion <NUM> and the detergent and water are discharged through the discharge pipe <NUM>. At the same time, the water introduced into the space between the housing <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> begins to descend.

Here, when all the water introduced into the space between the housing <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> descends and the water level is lowered to or below the first (1st) level, the detergent and water discharged from the discharge pipe <NUM> due to the siphon effect temporarily undergoes interruption of the siphon effect.

That is, when the water introduced into the space between the housing <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> descends due to decrease of the rpm of the drum <NUM> to the second rpm or a lower speed, the siphon effect is persistently maintained in the discharge pipe <NUM> and the detergent and the water are discharged together to the discharge pipe <NUM> until the water comes into contact with the outlet portion of the discharge pipe <NUM>, which is immediately before the first (1st) level. However, when all the water introduced into the space between the housing <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> descends to or below the first (1st) level and begins to be separated from the lower end (outlet) of the discharge pipe <NUM>, a pressure change temporarily occurs at the lower end (outlet) of the discharge pipe <NUM>, and the siphon effect is interrupted.

The interrupted siphon effect occurs again when the water level in the housing <NUM> falls to or below the first (1st) level and the pressure at the lower end of the discharge pipe <NUM> remains unchanged. However, the amount of fluid discharged by the siphon effect is smaller than before the siphon effect was interrupted, and accordingly a certain amount of detergent and water may be retained in the body <NUM>.

Even in the case of <FIG>, when a large amount of water is supplied to the housing <NUM>, the water is blocked by the body check valve <NUM> from flowing into the discharge pipe <NUM>, and may be introduced into the space between the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM> and moved to the opening <NUM>.

Thereafter, when a large amount of water is introduced through the opening <NUM> and rises up to the third (3rd) level and the rpm of the drum <NUM> is reduced, the siphon effect occurs, and the detergent and water in the body portion <NUM> begins to be discharged into the discharge pipe <NUM>. At the same time, the level of the water introduced into the space between the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> is lowered because water is discharged from the housing <NUM>.

Here, when the level of the water introduced into the space between the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM> is lowered and the water level in the housing <NUM> is lowered to the first (1st) level or a lower level, contact between the lower end (outlet) of the discharge pipe <NUM> and the water stored in the housing <NUM> is broken and the siphon effect in the discharge pipe <NUM> is momentarily interrupted.

That is, at the moment when the water having risen in the housing <NUM> to or above the first (1st) level and flowed into the space between the outer circumferential surface of the body <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> is lowered to or below the first (1st) level, a pressure change occurs at the lower end (outlet) of the discharge pipe <NUM>. Thereby, the siphon effect in the discharge pipe <NUM> is interrupted and discharge of the water and the detergent is temporarily interrupted.

Thereafter, when the water level in the housing <NUM> is lowered and the pressure at the lower end (outlet) of the discharge pipe <NUM> is maintained, the siphon effect occurs again, and the detergent and the water in the body portion <NUM> are discharged into the discharge pipe <NUM> again.

However, the restarted siphon effect is weaker than the siphon effect before the interruption, and thus a certain amount of water and detergent remains in the body portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, to persistently keep the siphon effect in the discharge pipe <NUM> uninterrupted, the pressure at the lower end (outlet) of the discharge pipe <NUM> needs to be kept constant.

To this end, the lower end of the discharge pipe <NUM> needs to be maintained not to contact water because the pressure will not be changed by the change in water level in the housing <NUM> if the lower end the discharge pipe <NUM> does not contact the water from the beginning.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a block unit is additionally provided to prevent water supplied into the housing <NUM> from contacting the lower end of the discharge pipe <NUM>.

Like the detergent box <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the detergent <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> configured to provide a space for storing a detergent and having an opening at the top thereof, a housing <NUM> in which the body portion is detachably accommodated, a housing through hole <NUM> penetrating a lower portion of the housing such that water is introduced or the detergent and water are discharged together therethrough, a discharge pipe <NUM> protruding from a lower portion of the body toward the opening and provided therein with a hollow for discharging the detergent, and a discharge pipe cover <NUM> into which a part of the discharge pipe is inserted to guide water and the detergent into the hollow when the amount of water introduced into the body portion is greater than or equal to a reference amount. The detergent box further includes a block unit configured to communicate with the discharge pipe <NUM> and provide a certain space between the lower portion of the body portion <NUM> and the bottom surface of the housing <NUM> to prevent water introduced into the housing <NUM> from contacting the discharge pipe <NUM>.

The block unit <NUM> includes a block body <NUM> accommodated in the housing <NUM>, at least a part of the body portion <NUM> being accommodated in the block body, and a block through hole <NUM> formed in a bottom surface of the block body <NUM> such that the detergent discharged from the discharge pipe <NUM> is discharged into the housing <NUM>.

The block unit <NUM> further includes a block check valve <NUM> arranged outside the bottom surface of the block body <NUM> to shield the block through hole <NUM>.

The block check valve <NUM> may be a buoyancy type check valve. Thus, when the water in the housing <NUM> is introduced and brought into contact with the block check valve <NUM>, the block check valve <NUM> may close the block through hole <NUM>.

The block check valve <NUM> may be hinged to the lower surface of the block body <NUM> or may be fixedly arranged.

That is, the block check valve <NUM> may be coupled in any structure as along as it keeps the block through hole <NUM> open at normal times and is caused to close the block through hole <NUM> by buoyancy when water is introduced into the housing <NUM> and brought into contact with the block check valve. The block check valve <NUM> may be made of a rubber material.

In addition, for coupling between the body portion <NUM> and the block unit <NUM>, a body coupling portion <NUM> may be provided to the lower end of the body portion <NUM>, and a block coupling portion <NUM> capable of being coupled with the body coupling portion <NUM> may be provided on the bottom surface of the block unit <NUM>.

The block coupling portion <NUM> may be formed as a groove into which the body coupling portion <NUM> is press-fitted.

Thus, the block body <NUM> may accommodate the body portion <NUM> from the outside and provide a predetermined space between the bottom surface of the body portion <NUM> and the bottom surface of the block body <NUM>, such that water introduced into the housing <NUM> may be prevented from flowing into the predetermined space.

That is, the block body <NUM> may be configured such that only air can be contained in the space between the lower surface of the body portion <NUM> and the bottom surface of the block body, and the water supplied into the housing <NUM> cannot be introduced into the space.

Hereinafter, a structure in which the siphon effect may be kept uninterrupted in the discharge pipe <NUM> through the block unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the drum <NUM> is rotated at a speed higher than or equal to the first rpm and lower than or equal to the second rpm, and thus water starts to flow into the housing <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, water introduced into the housing <NUM> starts to further rise in the housing <NUM> and pushes up the block check valve <NUM> to close the lower end (outlet) of the discharge port <NUM>.

Thereafter, when the drum <NUM> is rotated at a speed higher than the second rpm, more water flows into the housing <NUM>, and thus the water rises in the space between the body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. Here, the water introduced into the housing <NUM> cannot flow into the block unit <NUM>, and accordingly the lower portion of the discharge pipe <NUM> does not contact the water.

Referring to <FIG>, the drum <NUM> is rotated at a speed higher than the third rpm, and thus water introduced into the housing <NUM> flows into the body <NUM> through the opening <NUM> and is supplied until the water reaches the third (3rd) level.

Referring to <FIG>, the siphon effect occurs in the discharge pipe <NUM>, and thus the detergent and water in the body portion <NUM> are discharged to the block unit <NUM>. The detergent and water discharged to the block unit <NUM> press the check valve <NUM> by their own weights. Then, when the water level in the housing <NUM> is lowered, the check valve <NUM> is opened, and both the water and the detergent in the block unit <NUM> are discharged to the tub <NUM> through the first connection pipe <NUM> via the housing through hole <NUM>.

In this process, when the siphon effect occurs in the discharge pipe <NUM>, the pressure at the lower end (outlet) of the discharge pipe <NUM> is kept unchanged by the block unit <NUM>, and accordingly the siphon effect may be continued without being interrupted.

Accordingly, the water and detergent may be entirely discharged to the tub <NUM> by the block unit <NUM> without any water or detergent remaining in the body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of the block unit <NUM>.

The block unit <NUM> of <FIG> does not fully accommodate the body portion <NUM>, unlike the block unit of <FIG>, but is configured to accommodate only a part of the body portion that is provided with the discharge pipe <NUM>.

Specifically, the block unit <NUM> may include a block barrel <NUM> extending from a lower end of the body portion <NUM> having the discharge pipe <NUM>. The block barrel <NUM> may include a communication hole provided at one end to communicate with the discharge pipe <NUM> and a block through hole <NUM> provided at an opposite end to communicate with the housing <NUM>.

A block check valve <NUM> configured to open and close the block through hole <NUM> may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the block through hole <NUM>.

Similarly, the block unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> may prevent change in pressure at the outlet (lower end) of the discharge pipe <NUM> to prevent the discharge pipe <NUM> from making a direct contact with water introduced into the housing <NUM>.

Accordingly, the water introduced into the housing <NUM> may raise the block check valve <NUM> to close the block through hole <NUM> and may flow into the opening <NUM> to generate and persistently maintain the siphon effect in the discharge pipe <NUM>.

Accordingly, the block unit <NUM> may cause all the water and detergent in the body portion <NUM> to be discharged to the housing <NUM>.

On the basis of the above-described configuration, the clothing processing device of the present invention may include a water supply step S1 of supplying water to the tub <NUM>, a washing step S2 of rotating the drum <NUM> at an rpm lower than the first rpm, and a detergent box water supply step S3 of rotating the drum at an rpm higher than or equal to the first rpm to move a part of water stored in the tub corresponding to a reference amount or a larger amount to the detergent box <NUM>, the detergent box water supply step being initiated before or during the washing step.

Here, the first rpm is set to an rpm at which centrifugal force causing at least a part of the water stored in the tub <NUM> to rise up even in the detergent box through the connection portion <NUM> is provided to the water. Specifically, a third rpm, which is higher than the first rpm, may be set as an rpm at which the siphon effect occurs in the detergent box. The rpm higher than or equal to the first rpm may correspond to an rpm higher than or equal to the third rpm. Further, the reference amount may be set to the amount of water at which the siphon effect starts to occur in the detergent box.

The washing step may include a first washing step S2-<NUM> of rotating the drum <NUM> at an rpm lower than the first rpm to create a water stream in the tub, a drainage step S2-<NUM> of discharging the water stored in the tub <NUM> after completion of the first washing step, a second water supply step S2-<NUM> of supplying water to the tub <NUM> after completion of the drainage step, and a second washing step S2-<NUM> of rotating the drum at an rpm lower than the first rpm to create a water stream in the tub.

The detergent box water supply step S3 may include a step of determining a time at which the detergent can be introduced into the tub <NUM>, and then supplying the detergent to the tub <NUM> when the time is reached.

The time at which the detergent can be introduced into the tub <NUM> may be a time before the first washing step S2-<NUM> is initiated if a detergent for removing foreign substances from clothes is accommodated in the detergent box <NUM>, or correspond to the second washing step S2-<NUM> if a fabric softener for increasing the degree of flexibility of the clothes is accommodated in the detergent box <NUM>.

The water supply step S1 is a step of supplying water to the tub <NUM> such that a water level higher than the bottom surface of the drum <NUM> is maintained.

If a detergent for removing foreign substances from the clothes is accommodated in the detergent box <NUM>, the detergent box water supply step S3 may be performed before the first washing step S2-<NUM> is initiated after completion of the water supply step.

Since the detergent box water supply step S3 is performed before initiation of the first washing step when the detergent box <NUM> contains the detergent, the detergent may be supplied to the tub <NUM> before the first washing step S2-<NUM>. Accordingly, foreign substances may be removed from the clothes with the detergent and water in the first washing step S2-<NUM>.

That is, the first washing step S2-<NUM> may be understood as a step of separating foreign substances from the clothes using the detergent stored in the detergent box <NUM>.

The second water supply step S2-<NUM> is a step of supplying water to the tub again such that a water level higher than the bottom surface of the drum is maintained.

When a detergent for removing foreign substances from the clothe is accommodated in the detergent box <NUM>, the second water supply step S2-<NUM> may be understood as a step of supplying water for the rinsing cycle of washing away the detergent and foreign substances from the clothes.

When a fabric softener for increasing the degree of flexibility of the clothes is accommodated in the detergent box <NUM>, the detergent box water supply step S3 may be performed before the second washing step S2-<NUM> is initiated after completion of the second water supply step S2-<NUM>.

Accordingly, since the detergent box water supply step is performed before initiation of the second washing step S2-<NUM> when the fabric softener is contained in the detergent box <NUM>, the second washing step S2-<NUM> may be provided as a step of supplying the fabric softener stored in the detergent box to the tub to increase the degree of flexibility of the clothes.

Accordingly, the second washing step S2-<NUM> may be set as a step of increasing the degree of flexibility of the clothes by supplying the detergent stored in the detergent box to the tub.

The clothing processing device <NUM> of the present invention may omit the water supplying means which communicates with the water supply unit <NUM> to separately supply water to the detergent box <NUM>. That is, the detergent contained in the detergent box <NUM> may be automatically discharged to the tub <NUM> by controlling the rpm of the drum <NUM> alone in order to separate foreign substances from the clothes or to increase the degree of flexibility of the clothes.

Claim 1:
A detergent box (<NUM>) for a laundry treating apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a body portion (<NUM>) providing a space for storing a detergent and having an opening (<NUM>) at a top thereof;
a housing (<NUM>) allowing the body portion (<NUM>) to be detachably accommodated therein;
a housing through hole (<NUM>) formed through a lower portion of the housing (<NUM>) to allow water only from a tub (<NUM>) of the laundry treating apparatus (<NUM>) to be introduced therein or said water and the detergent to be discharged together;
a discharge pipe (<NUM>) protruding from a lower portion of the body portion (<NUM>) toward the opening (<NUM>) and having a hollow for discharging the detergent; and
a discharge pipe cover (<NUM>) configured to guide the water and the detergent into the hollow when a reference amount or a larger amount of water flows into the body portion (<NUM>), at least a part of the discharge pipe (<NUM>) being inserted into the discharge pipe cover (<NUM>),
the detergent box (<NUM>) further comprising a block unit (<NUM>) communicating with the discharge pipe (<NUM>) and having a predetermined space between a lower portion of the body portion (<NUM>) and a bottom surface of the housing (<NUM>) to prevent water introduced into the housing (<NUM>) from flowing into the discharge pipe (<NUM>), and
wherein, when the body portion (<NUM>) is accommodated in the housing (<NUM>), an outer circumferential surface of the body portion (<NUM>) and a side surface of the housing (<NUM>) are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the side surface of the housing (<NUM>) is arranged at a higher position than the opening (<NUM>) such that water introduced into the housing (<NUM>) flows into the body portion (<NUM>) through the opening (<NUM>) along the outer circumferential surface of the body portion (<NUM>),
wherein the block unit (<NUM>) comprises:
a block body (<NUM>) accommodated in the housing (<NUM>), at least a part of the body portion (<NUM>) being accommodated in the block body (<NUM>); and
a block through hole (<NUM>) formed in a bottom surface of the block body (<NUM>) such that the detergent discharged from the discharge pipe (<NUM>) is discharged into the housing (<NUM>) and preferably the block unit (<NUM>) further comprises:
a block check valve (<NUM>) arranged outside the bottom surface of the block body (<NUM>) to shield the block through hole (<NUM>).