Patent Description:
The laundry treating apparatus receives laundry including clothes, bedding, etc. inside a drum and removes contaminations from the laundry. The laundry treating apparatus may perform processes such as washing, rinsing, spinning and drying. The laundry treating apparatus may be classified into a top loading scheme apparatus and a front loading front scheme apparatus based on a scheme in which laundry is injected into the drum.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet defining an appearance, a tub accommodated inside the cabinet, a drum that is rotatably mounted inside the tub, and into which laundry is injected, and a detergent supply that supplies detergent into the drum.

When the drum rotates by a motor while washing-water is supplied to the laundry contained in the drum, dirt on the laundry may be removed via friction between, the laundry, the drum and the washing-water.

The detergent supply has a detergent supply function to improve the washing effect. In this connection, detergent refers to substances that enhance the washing effect, such as fabric detergent, fabric softener and fabric bleach. Detergent may be used in a powder form and a liquid form. In one example, <CIT> discloses a detergent supply included in a laundry treating apparatus. In the laundry treating apparatus, a user may retract or extend a detergent storage unit of the detergent supply into or from the cabinet.

The detergent storage unit may enter or drawn out through a detergent opening of the cabinet. In this process, when the detergent accidentally leaks from the detergent storage unit into a portion of the cabinet around the detergent opening, corrosion of the portion of the cabinet may occur, resulting in reduced durability. Damage such as scratches may occur on a surface of the detergent storage unit due to edges of the cabinet around the detergent opening. Documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose a laundry treating apparatus comprising a protective casing covering a detergent storage opening.

Therefore, it is an important challenge to effectively prevent the deterioration of the durability of the cabinet, or the damage to the detergent storage unit, as caused when the detergent storage unit retracts or extends into or from the cabinet.

Implementations of the present disclosure are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively suppress corrosion or deformation of the cabinet and improve durability thereof.

Further, implementations of the present disclosure are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that has excellent structural stability, improved coupling stability, and efficient arrangement between components.

Further, implementations of the present disclosure are intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve utility of the detergent storage unit.

Purposes of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure as not mentioned above may be understood from following descriptions and more clearly understood from embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, it will be readily appreciated that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by features and combinations thereof as disclosed in the claims.

The laundry treating apparatus according to one implementation of the present disclosure may include a protective casing to prevent corrosion or durability degradation otherwise caused when detergent or washing water is discharged onto a portion of the cabinet around the detergent opening defined in a front panel when a drawer type detergent storage unit extends or retracts from or into the cabinet through the detergent opening.

A coating on an exposed portion of the front panel around the detergent opening may be peeled off due to corrosion resulting from leakage of the detergent from the detergent storage unit. Thus, in one implementation of the present disclosure, a coupling structure wrapping the exposed portion of the front panel using an injection molded component may prevent detergent from contacting the portion of the front panel.

The cabinet may include a stainless steel (STS) material. The detergent opening may be defined in the cabinet by partially opening the cabinet. Thus, an inner face of the opening may be exposed to an outside and thus may be vulnerable to the corrosion.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing coupled to an opening extension portion of the front panel may be a plastic injection-molded component. The protective casing may have a structure that covers the exposed inner face of the opening defined in the cabinet. The protective casing may be coupled to a rear face of the front panel of the cabinet in a hooked manner.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet including a front panel having a detergent opening defined therein; a tub disposed inside the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub; and a detergent storage unit retracting into the cabinet through the detergent opening, wherein detergent to be supplied to the drum is stored in the detergent storage unit, wherein the front panel has an opening extension portion extending from a periphery of the detergent opening toward an inside of the cabinet, wherein the apparatus further comprises a protective casing disposed inside the cabinet and coupled to the opening extension portion, wherein the protective casing surrounds at least a portion of the detergent storage unit retracting into the cabinet through the detergent opening, wherein the protective casing includes an opening protection wall constructed to cover an inner face of the opening extension portion facing toward the detergent opening to protect the opening extension portion.

In one implementation, the opening protection wall surrounds the detergent opening, and is located between the opening extension portion and the detergent storage unit to screen at least a portion of the inner face of the opening extension portion.

In one implementation, the protective casing further includes an opening coupler disposed on an outer face of the opening protection wall facing toward the opening extension portion, wherein the opening extension portion is inserted into and coupled to the opening coupler in a front to rear direction.

In one implementation, the opening coupler includes: an outward extension portion extending outwards from the outer face of the opening protection wall; and a frontward extension portion extending forwards from the outward extension portion and spaced apart from the opening protection wall, wherein the opening extension portion is inserted into a space between the opening protection wall and the frontward extension portion.

In one implementation, a front end of the opening protection wall is located in front of a front end of the frontward extension portion.

In one implementation, the opening protection wall extends so that a rear end thereof is located in rear of the opening extension portion and supports at least a portion of the detergent storage unit retracting into the cabinet.

In one implementation, the opening protection wall includes an opening coupling protrusion protruding outwards from the outer face, wherein the opening extension portion includes a protrusion receiving portion into which the opening coupling protrusion is inserted.

In one implementation, the opening coupling protrusion is located in front of a front end of the frontward extension portion.

In one implementation, the opening extension portion includes: a first extension portion extending rearward from the front panel by a first length; and a second extension portion extending rearward from the front panel by a second length larger than the first length, wherein the protrusion receiving portion is defined in the second extension portion.

In one implementation, the opening coupler includes: a first coupler portion into which the first extension portion is inserted; and a second coupler portion disposed in rear of the first extension portion, wherein the second extension portion is inserted into the second coupler portion.

In one implementation, the outward extension portion of the second coupler portion has a separation opening defined therein, wherein the separation opening is disposed in rear of the opening coupling protrusion and exposes the second extension portion in a rear direction.

In one implementation, a height of the outward extension portion of the second coupler portion in which the separation opening is defined is greater than a height of the outward extension portion of the first coupler portion.

In one implementation, the opening protection wall further includes an assembly guide protrusion protruding outwards from the outer face, wherein the opening extension portion further include an assembly guide groove open in a rear direction, wherein the assembly guide protrusion is inserted into the assembly guide groove in a rear to front direction.

In one implementation, the assembly guide protrusion extends forward from the outward extension portion, wherein a front end of the assembly guide protrusion protrudes frontwards of the frontward extension portion.

In one implementation, the detergent storage unit has a handle on a front end thereof, wherein the opening protection wall extends so that a rear end thereof is located in rear of the opening extension portion and surrounds and supports the handle.

In one implementation, the protective casing further includes a rear wall located in rear of the opening extension portion and connected to the opening protection wall, wherein the rear wall has a through-opening defined therein through which the detergent storage unit passes, wherein the handle of the detergent storage unit is supported forwards by the rear wall, while a rest portion of the detergent storage unit except for the handle retracts into the cabinet through the through-opening.

In one implementation, a front face of the handle is coplanar with a front face of the front panel while the handle is in contact with the rear wall.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises a supply casing disposed inside the cabinet, and in rear of the protective casing, wherein a front end of the supply casing is coupled to the rear wall of the protective casing, wherein the supply casing accommodates therein the detergent storage unit retracting into the cabinet.

In one implementation, the rear wall includes an opening stopper protruding from an inner circumferential face of the through-opening toward the detergent storage unit, wherein the detergent storage unit further includes a stopper protrusion overlapping with the opening stopper in a front and rear direction, wherein during a drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit from the cabinet, the stopper protrusion contacts the opening stopper such that an extending distance of the detergent storage unit is limited.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises an inner stopper disposed inside the cabinet, and protruding toward the detergent storage unit retracting into the cabinet, wherein the inner stopper is located in rear of the opening stopper, and is located in front of the stopper protrusion of the detergent storage unit retracting into the cabinet.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises a dispenser disposed inside the cabinet, and located above the detergent storage unit, wherein the dispenser supplies washing-water to the detergent storage unit, and includes the inner stopper.

In one implementation, the stopper protrusion is constructed to bypass the inner stopper in the front and rear direction and to contact the opening stopper during the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit.

In one implementation, the front panel and the opening extension portion are made of metal, and are integral with each other, wherein the opening protection wall is made of plastic.

One implementation of the present disclosure may improve the utility of the detergent storage unit simply and effectively using the inner stopper and the opening stopper.

One implementation of the present disclosure may effectively protect the opening extension portion using the protective casing including the opening protection wall made of plastic material and thus may effectively prevent damage to the detergent storage unit.

The implementations of the present disclosure may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may effectively suppress corrosion or deformation of the cabinet and improve durability.

Further, the implementations of the present disclosure may provide the laundry treating apparatus having excellent structural stability, improved coupling stability, and efficient arrangement between the components.

Further, the implementations of the present disclosure may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve the utility of the detergent storage unit.

In addition to the effects as described above, specific effects of the present disclosure will be described together with the detailed description for carrying out the disclosure.

Hereinafter, a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the FIGS. are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different FIGS. denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Moreover, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present "on" a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly on the second element or may be disposed indirectly on the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and "including" when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof.

Expression such as "at least one of" when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure may include a cabinet <NUM> including a front panel <NUM> having a detergent opening <NUM> defined therein, a tub <NUM> disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and a drum <NUM> rotatably disposed inside the tub <NUM>.

Specifically, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may include a washing machine in which laundry is inserted into a washing tub to perform washing, rinsing and dehydration of the laundry, or a dryer in which wet laundry is inserted to perform drying thereof.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may be classified into a top load scheme apparatus and a front load scheme apparatus.

<FIG> shows the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> as the front load scheme apparatus. This is only for convenience of description. The present disclosure may be applied not only to the washing machine as the front load scheme apparatus, but also to the washing machine as the top load scheme apparatus.

As shown in <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> includes the cabinet <NUM> that defines the appearance thereof. The cabinet <NUM> may have the front panel <NUM>. A detergent opening <NUM> may be defined in the front panel <NUM>. A detergent storage unit <NUM> which will be described later may retract or extend into or from the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>.

In one example, the cabinet <NUM> may have a manipulator having a display that displays information on an operating state while receiving various control commands from the user. The manipulator may be disposed on the front panel <NUM> or a separate control panel.

Further, the cabinet <NUM> may have a door installed on the front panel <NUM>. The door is pivotally disposed on the cabinet <NUM> to control entry and exit of the laundry into and from the drum <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> defines the appearance of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> may have an inner space defined therein in which various components constituting the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may be accommodated. Inside the cabinet <NUM>, the drum <NUM> may be installed to accommodate therein the laundry input through an laundry inlet.

Specifically, the cabinet <NUM> may receive the tub <NUM> containing washing-water, and the drum <NUM> that is rotatably disposed inside the tub <NUM> to accommodate laundry therein. A balancer to compensate for eccentricity caused by rotation may be installed at one side of the drum <NUM>.

The manipulator may include various keys for controlling the operation state of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and the display for displaying the operation state of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. The door may include a transparent member such as a tempered glass so that the interior of the cabinet <NUM> or the drum <NUM> may be visually identified.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, the detergent opening <NUM> may be defined in the front panel <NUM>. The detergent storage unit <NUM> may retract into the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>. Detergent to be supplied to the drum <NUM> may be stored inside the detergent storage unit <NUM>. A detergent supply may be disposed in rear of the opening and in the cabinet <NUM>. The detergent storage unit <NUM> may define a portion of the detergent supply inside the cabinet <NUM>.

A location and a shape of the detergent opening <NUM> may vary. <FIG> shows an example in which the detergent opening <NUM> is opened frontwards in the front panel <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The detergent opening <NUM> may be located in a corner area at a front face of the cabinet <NUM>, for example, on one side of a top portion of the front panel <NUM>.

The detergent supply may be located inside the cabinet <NUM> and in rear of the detergent opening <NUM>. The detergent supply may include the detergent storage unit <NUM> that may store detergent therein, a dispenser <NUM> that is located above the detergent storage unit <NUM> and supplies water to the detergent storage unit <NUM>, and a supply casing <NUM> that accommodates therein the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting into the cabinet.

The detergent supply serves to automatically supply the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit <NUM> into the drum <NUM> during the washing step. Detergent refers to a substance that may enhance the laundry effect of the laundry, and may include powder based or liquid based fabric detergent and fabric softener.

In one example, <FIG> shows a stack-type laundry treating apparatus including lower and upper laundry treating apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure. The upper laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure may be stacked on the lower laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the laundry treating apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> may be stacked vertically and be coupled to each other. A control panel may be disposed between front panels <NUM> of the laundry treating apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM>.

The control panel may communicate a signal with the upper laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and/or the lower laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, and may include a display that provides information on each of the laundry treating apparatuses10 and <NUM> and a manipulator for controlling each of the laundry treating apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when a plurality of laundry treating apparatus <NUM> and <NUM> are stacked vertically, a single control panel may be used to control or display operating states of the plurality of laundry treating apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> together.

In one example, <FIG> shows the front panel <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> and a protective casing <NUM> coupled to the front panel <NUM> in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure. A side cross-section view of the protective casing <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the protective casing <NUM> in <FIG> is spaced from the front panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure may further include an opening extension portion <NUM> in the front panel <NUM>. The protective casing <NUM> has an opening protection wall <NUM>.

Specifically, the front panel <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> may have the opening extension portion <NUM> defined therein that surrounds at least a portion of the detergent opening <NUM> and extends inwardly of the cabinet <NUM>.

The protective casing <NUM> is coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM> and is disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>. The protective casing <NUM> may be constructed such that the detergent storage unit <NUM> passes through the protective casing <NUM>.

The protective casing <NUM> may include the opening protection wall <NUM> that has at least a portion covering an inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM> facing toward the detergent opening <NUM> to protect the opening extension portion <NUM>.

The opening extension portion <NUM> may extend rearward from the cabinet <NUM>, and may be constructed to surround at least a portion of the detergent opening <NUM>. The opening extension portion <NUM> may have a ring-shaped closed section extending along a perimeter of the detergent opening <NUM>.

For example, when the detergent opening <NUM> has a circular cross section, the opening extension portion <NUM> may also have a circular ring shape surrounding the detergent opening <NUM>. When the detergent opening <NUM> has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, the opening extension portion <NUM> may also have a polygonal ring shape corresponding to the detergent opening <NUM>.

The opening extension portion <NUM> may be manufactured separately from the front panel <NUM> and then coupled to a rear face of the front panel <NUM> or may be integral with the front panel <NUM>. When the opening extension portion <NUM> is integral with the front panel <NUM>, the opening extension portion <NUM> may have a bent shape extending rearwards from the periphery of the detergent opening <NUM> of the front panel <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the opening extension portion <NUM> that extends rearwards from the periphery of the detergent opening <NUM> and defines a portion of the front panel <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

In one example, the protective casing <NUM> may be coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM> and may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>. The protective casing <NUM> may be disposed on a rear face of the front panel <NUM> and coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM>, and may have a ring-shaped cross section corresponding to a shape of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

Therefore, when the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracts into the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>, the detergent storage unit <NUM> passes through the opening extension portion <NUM> and the protective casing <NUM> and may retract into the cabinet <NUM>. In other words, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be constructed such that when the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracts into the cabinet <NUM>, at least a portion thereof passes through a center of the protective casing <NUM> and is surrounded by the protective casing <NUM>.

In <FIG>, according to one implementation of the present disclosure, the detergent opening <NUM> has an approximately rectangular cross section. The opening extension portion <NUM> may be embodied as a ring having an approximately rectangular cross section corresponding to that of the detergent opening <NUM>. The protective casing <NUM> has an approximately rectangular ring cross section corresponding to that of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

In one example, the protective casing <NUM> may include the opening protection wall <NUM>. The opening protection wall <NUM> may be constructed such that at least a portion of an outer face thereof away from the detergent opening <NUM> covers an inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM> facing toward the detergent opening <NUM>.

The opening protection wall <NUM> may be constructed to cover the opening extension portion <NUM> while being in direct contact with or spaced apart from an inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM> to prevent the opening extension portion <NUM> from being exposed to the outside.

The opening protection wall <NUM> may have a ring shape extending in a front and rear direction X of the cabinet <NUM>. For example, the opening protection wall <NUM> may have a ring-shaped cross section having a diameter smaller than that of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

The protective casing <NUM> is constructed to be coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM>, and to have the opening protection wall <NUM> covering the inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM>, thus preventing the opening extension portion <NUM> from being exposed to the outside and protecting the opening extension portion <NUM>.

Specifically, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure may be a washing machine in which detergent and washing-water are used. The detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting or extending through the detergent opening <NUM> may contain detergent or water therein.

The opening extension portion <NUM> surrounding the detergent opening <NUM> in which the detergent storage unit <NUM> is located may act as a frame that supports the detergent storage unit <NUM> or which is coupled to the detergent supply inside the cabinet <NUM> to secure rigidity to support the detergent supply.

However, the opening extension portion <NUM> may be formed as a portion of the cabinet <NUM> during a forming process of the cabinet <NUM>, and may be made of a metal material as in the cabinet <NUM>. Accordingly, when water or detergent present in the detergent storage unit <NUM> comes into contact with the opening extension portion <NUM>, corrosion of the opening extension portion <NUM> may occur.

Further, an outer face and an inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM> may be coated with a polymer, etc. as in the cabinet <NUM> such that a coating having corrosion resistance is formed thereon. Even when such a coating is formed, the coating may not protect a rear end of the opening extension portion <NUM> from corrosion due to a thickness and a manufacturing process of the front panel <NUM>.

Furthermore, the rear end of the opening extension portion <NUM> may have an edge toward the detergent opening <NUM>. This edge may damage the outer surface of the detergent storage unit <NUM> during the retracting or drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, one implementation of the present disclosure includes the protective casing <NUM> coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM>, wherein the protective casing <NUM> has the opening protection wall <NUM> covering the inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

The opening protection wall <NUM> covers the inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM> so that the opening extension portion <NUM> or the rear end of the opening extension portion <NUM> is not exposed. Thus, water or detergent that may be transferred from the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be effectively prevented from being in direct contact with the opening extension portion <NUM>, which otherwise causes corrosion. Further, the damage to the outer surface of the detergent storage unit <NUM> by the opening extension portion <NUM> be effectively prevented.

Further, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening protection wall <NUM> surrounds the detergent opening <NUM> and is located between the opening extension portion <NUM> and the detergent storage unit <NUM>, and screens at least a portion of the inner face of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, one implementation of the present disclosure may have a structure in which the opening protection wall <NUM> and the opening extension portion <NUM> are sequentially stacked in a direction from a center of the detergent opening <NUM> to an outside as shown in <FIG>. The opening protection wall <NUM> may be constructed to screen an entirety of the opening extension portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG> or to screen at least a rear end of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

In one example, as described above, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the front panel <NUM> may be made of a metal material, and the protective casing <NUM> may include a plastic material.

Alternatively, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening extension portion <NUM> may be made of a metal material, and the opening protection wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> may be made of a plastic material.

The opening extension portion <NUM> may be formed integrally with the front panel <NUM>, and may be made of a metal material to secure the rigidity of the detergent supply or the supporting force of the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The opening protection wall <NUM> may be made of a plastic material that has corrosion resistance so that the wall <NUM> is not corroded by water or detergent.

Accordingly, even when the opening extension portion <NUM> is made of the metal material to secure the rigidity to support the detergent storage unit <NUM> or the detergent supply, the protective casing <NUM> or the opening protection wall <NUM> is made of a plastic material that may have corrosion resistance to prevent corrosion of the opening extension portion <NUM> which otherwise may occur due to water or detergent that may leak from the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> and <FIG> show an opening coupler <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> to which the opening extension portion <NUM> is coupled. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing <NUM> may further include the opening coupler <NUM>.

The opening coupler <NUM> is disposed on the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM>. The opening extension portion <NUM> is inserted in a front to rear direction and is coupled to the opening coupler <NUM>. Specifically, the opening coupler <NUM> may protrude from an outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM> facing toward an opposite side of the detergent opening <NUM> in a direction away from the detergent opening <NUM>.

The opening coupler <NUM> may have a ring shape extending in the circumferential direction of the detergent opening <NUM> along the circumference of the opening protection wall <NUM> and surrounding the detergent opening <NUM>. The rear end of the opening extension portion <NUM> may be inserted into the opening coupler <NUM> in a front to rear direction. The opening protection wall <NUM> may move in a rear to front direction of the front panel <NUM> and may be inserted into the opening extension portion <NUM>.

The opening coupler <NUM> extending outwards from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM> and extending in the circumferential direction of the detergent opening <NUM> may be coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM>, such that the protective casing <NUM> may be fixed to a rear side of the detergent opening <NUM> defined in the front panel <NUM>. <FIG> shows the opening coupler <NUM> which the opening extension portion <NUM> inserted into and coupled to.

In one example, <FIG> shows a top view of the protective casing <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a front view of the protective casing <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening coupler <NUM> may include an outward extension portion <NUM> and a frontward extension portion <NUM>.

The outward extension portion <NUM> may extend outwards from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM>. The frontward extension portion <NUM> may extend forwards from the outward extension portion <NUM> and may be spaced from the opening protection wall <NUM>. The opening extension portion <NUM> may be inserted into between the opening protection wall <NUM> and the frontward extension portion <NUM>.

Specifically, the outward extension portion <NUM> may protrude outwards from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM> and extend along the circumferential direction of the detergent opening <NUM>. A height by which the outward extension portion <NUM> protrudes from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM> may vary as necessary.

The frontward extension portion <NUM> may extend forwards from the outward extension portion <NUM>. The frontward extension portion <NUM> may have a closed cross-section extending along the circumferential direction of the detergent opening <NUM>. That is, the frontward extension portion <NUM> may have a sleeve shape spaced outwards from the opening protection wall <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side cross-sectional view of the outward extension portion <NUM> and frontward extension portion <NUM>. <FIG> shows that the frontward extension portion <NUM> is spaced from the opening protection wall <NUM> in a direction away from the detergent opening <NUM>. <FIG> shows the outward extension portion <NUM> which protrudes outwards from the opening protection wall <NUM> and extends along the circumferential direction of the detergent opening <NUM>.

The frontward extension portion <NUM> may extend forwards from an end of the outward extension portion <NUM>. That is, the frontward extension portion <NUM> may extend forwardly while being spaced apart from the opening protection wall <NUM> by the height by which the outward extension portion <NUM> protrudes.

The opening extension portion <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> may be inserted into a space between the frontward extension portion <NUM> and the opening protection wall <NUM>. The protrusion height of the outward extension portion <NUM> may be equal to or greater than a thickness of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

The frontward extension portion <NUM> may extend forwards while being spaced from the opening protection wall <NUM> via the outward extension portion <NUM>, such that a space into which the opening extension portion <NUM> may be inserted in a front to rear direction may be defined between the frontward extension portion <NUM> and the opening protection wall <NUM>. Thus, the opening extension portion <NUM> is inserted into the space by a length of the frontward extension portion <NUM> and is coupled to the opening coupler <NUM>, thereby improving a coupling force therebetween.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening protection wall <NUM> may extend so that a front end thereof is positioned in front of a front end of the frontward extension portion <NUM>.

The front end of the opening protection wall <NUM> may be located in front of the opening coupler <NUM> to increase an screening area of the opening extension portion <NUM>, and may be positioned in front of a front end of the frontward extension portion <NUM> of the opening coupler <NUM>.

For example, the front end of the opening protection wall <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to a front face of the front panel <NUM> or may be positioned in a parallel manner to the front face thereof. On the contrary, the frontward extension portion <NUM> extends forward from the outward extension portion <NUM>. The front end of the frontward extension portion <NUM> may be located in rear of a rear face of the front panel <NUM>.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing <NUM> may include an opening coupling protrusion <NUM>. The opening extension portion <NUM> may include a protrusion receiving portion <NUM> into which the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted.

The opening coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude outwards from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM>. A shape of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> may vary. A height by which the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> protrudes from the opening protection wall <NUM> may vary, and preferably, may be smaller than a height by which the outward extension portion <NUM> protrudes.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> protruding from the opening protection wall <NUM> and having a length extending along a perimeter of the protective casing <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

In one example, the opening extension portion <NUM> may have a protrusion receiving portion <NUM> into which the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted. The protrusion receiving portion <NUM> may be embodied as a groove into which the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted, or may be embodied as a hole through which the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> passes. <FIG> shows that the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> is embodied as a hole defined in the opening extension portion <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

The opening coupling protrusion <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> may be inserted into the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> of the opening extension portion <NUM> while the opening extension portion <NUM> is inserted into the opening coupler <NUM>. As the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to the protrusion receiving portion <NUM>, the protective casing <NUM> may be prevented from moving in the front and rear direction X while the opening extension portion <NUM> is inserted into the opening coupler <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> may be located in front of the front end of the frontward extension portion <NUM>. The opening extension portion <NUM> may be pressed outwardly of the opening protection wall <NUM> by the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> until the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the protrusion receiving portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is located between the frontward extension portion <NUM> and the opening protection wall <NUM>, that is, in rear of the front end of the frontward extension portion <NUM>, the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> may not be easily inserted into or separated from the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> due to interference with the frontward extension portion <NUM>, and the opening extension portion <NUM> may not be easily inserted into between the frontward extension portion <NUM> and the opening protection wall <NUM>.

Accordingly, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is positioned in front of the front end of the frontward extension portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The opening extension portion <NUM> may be easily inserted into between the frontward extension portion <NUM> and the opening protection wall <NUM> and, at the same time, the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> may be easily inserted or separated into or from the protrusion receiving portion <NUM>.

In one example, referring to <FIG>, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening extension portion <NUM> may include a first extension portion <NUM> and a second extension portion <NUM>. The first extension portion <NUM> may extend rearward from the front panel <NUM> by a first length. The second extension portion <NUM> may extend rearward from the front panel <NUM> by a second length longer than the first length. The protrusion receiving portion <NUM> may be defined in the second extension portion <NUM>.

Specifically, the first extension portion <NUM> and the second extension portion <NUM> may be constructed to be connected to each other and to extend along the circumferential direction of the detergent opening <NUM> and to surround the detergent opening <NUM>. That is, the a portion of the opening extension portion <NUM> may define the first extension portion <NUM>, and the other portion except for the first extension portion <NUM> may define the second extension portion <NUM> that extends by a larger length than that of the first extension portion <NUM>.

The second extension portion <NUM> may has the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> defined therein. A width of the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> in the front and rear direction X may be greater than a width of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM>, and the second extension portion <NUM> should have the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> defined therein having a width larger than that of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM>. Thus, the second extension portion <NUM> may extend by a larger length than that of the first extension portion <NUM> and may have a design margin to define the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> therein.

However, a difference between the extending lengths of the first extension portion <NUM> and the second extension portion <NUM> may not be necessarily equal to the width of the protrusion receiving portion <NUM>. For example, the second extension portion <NUM> may extend from the first extension portion <NUM> by a smaller or larger length than the width of the protrusion receiving portion <NUM>.

The extending length of each of the first extension portion <NUM> and the second extension portion <NUM> may vary as needed.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening coupler <NUM> may include a first coupler portion <NUM> and a second coupler portion <NUM>. The first extension portion <NUM> may be inserted into the first coupler portion <NUM>. The second coupler portion <NUM> may be positioned in rear of the first extension portion <NUM>. The second extension portion <NUM> may be inserted into the second coupler portion <NUM>.

As described above, the second extension portion <NUM> in which the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> is defined may extend by a larger length than that of the first extension portion <NUM>. Positions of the first coupler portion <NUM> and the second coupler portion <NUM> may be adjusted based on the difference between the extending lengths of the first extension portion <NUM> and the second extension portion <NUM>.

The first coupler portion <NUM> and the second coupler portion <NUM> may be connected to each other and extend along the circumference of the protective casing <NUM>. That is, a portion of the opening coupler <NUM> may define the first coupler portion <NUM>, and a portion or an entirety of a remaining portion except for the first coupler portion <NUM> may define the second coupler portion <NUM>.

The first extension portion <NUM> may be inserted into the first coupler portion <NUM> in the front to rear direction. The second extension portion <NUM> may be inserted into the second coupler portion <NUM> in the front to rear direction. The second coupler portion <NUM> may be positioned in rear of the first coupler portion <NUM>, such that the second extension portion <NUM> extending by a larger length than that of the first extension portion <NUM> may be inserted into the second coupler portion <NUM>.

The second coupler portion <NUM> may be connected to the first coupler portion <NUM> and may be located in rear of the first coupler portion <NUM>. The frontward extension portion <NUM> of the second coupler portion <NUM> and the frontward extension portion <NUM> of the first coupler portion <NUM> may have the substantially same length. The outward extension portion <NUM> of the second coupler portion <NUM> may be located in rear of the outward extension portion <NUM> of the first coupler portion <NUM>.

The first coupler portion <NUM> may be constructed to overlap with the first extension portion <NUM> in the front and rear direction X, while the second coupler portion <NUM> may be constructed to overlap with the second extension portion <NUM> in the front and rear direction X. That is, the first coupler portion <NUM> may be constructed to face the first extension portion <NUM>, while the second coupler portion <NUM> may be constructed to face the second extension portion <NUM>.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the second coupler portion <NUM> of the opening coupler <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> is located in rear of the first coupler portion <NUM> thereof such that the second extension portion <NUM> of the opening extension portion <NUM> having the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> defined therein is longer than the first extension portion <NUM> thereof. Thus, the opening coupler <NUM> having a shape corresponding to a shape of the opening extension portion <NUM> may be formed, thereby improving coupling stability between the protective casing <NUM> and the opening extension portion <NUM>.

In one example, referring to <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, a separation opening <NUM> may be defined in the outward extension portion <NUM> of the second coupler portion <NUM>. The separation opening <NUM> in rear of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> may expose at least a portion of the second extension portion <NUM> in a rearward direction.

Specifically, the separation opening <NUM> may be positioned in rear of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM>. A size of the separation opening <NUM> in a width direction of the protective casing <NUM> may be approximately equal to or greater than that of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM>.

The separation opening <NUM> may have a height from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM> equal to or greater than that of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM>. However, the width and the height of the separation opening <NUM> may vary as needed.

The separation opening <NUM> may be defined by opening at least a portion of the outward extension portion <NUM> of the second coupler portion <NUM>. The separation opening <NUM> may be opened in the front and rear direction X. The separation opening <NUM> may include a portion of the outward extension portion <NUM> of the second coupler portion <NUM> that overlaps with the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

The protective casing <NUM> needs to be separated from the opening extension portion <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> for replacement, repair or other reasons. In this case, the separation opening <NUM> may be used so that the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> is easily separated from the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

For example, in order to separate the protective casing <NUM> from the opening extension portion <NUM>, the user inserts a hand or tool into the separation opening <NUM> from a position in rear of the separation opening <NUM> and spaces the second extension portion <NUM> from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM>.

The second extension portion <NUM> which is spaced apart from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM> may be in a state in which the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> may be easily separated from the protrusion receiving portion <NUM>. In this state, the user may move the protective casing <NUM> rearwardly and separate the casing <NUM> from the front panel <NUM>.

As the separation opening <NUM> is defined in the outward extension portion <NUM> overlapping with the opening coupling protrusion <NUM> in the front and rear direction X, the user may use the separation opening <NUM> and then may easily separate a portion of the opening extension portion <NUM> where the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> is formed from the opening protection wall <NUM>.

Further, when a height of the separation opening <NUM> is larger than or equal to a height of the opening coupling protrusion <NUM>, the opening extension portion <NUM> may be easily pressed to a vertical level at which the protrusion receiving portion <NUM> deviates upwardly from the opening coupling protrusion <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, an extending height of the outward extension portion <NUM> having the separation opening <NUM> defined therein of the second coupler portion <NUM> may be greater than that of the outward extension portion <NUM> of the first coupler portion <NUM>.

That is, a portion of the outward extension portion <NUM> where the separation opening <NUM> is defined may protrude to a higher level than the other portion thereof may protrude. The outward extension portion <NUM> of the second coupler portion <NUM> having the larger height than that of the outward extension portion <NUM> of the first coupler portion <NUM> may be formed along an entirety of the second coupler portion <NUM> or may be formed only at a portion of the second coupler portion 236where the separation opening <NUM> is defined.

The portion of the outward extension portion <NUM> of the second coupler portion <NUM> where the separation opening <NUM> is formed should have a height than that of the outward extension portion <NUM> of the first coupler portion <NUM> to secure an area where the separation opening <NUM> may be formed.

Accordingly, the outward extension portion <NUM> in which the separation opening <NUM> is formed has a larger height than that of a portion of the first coupler portion <NUM> or the second coupler portion <NUM> where the separation opening <NUM> is not formed, thereby securing an area in which the separation opening <NUM> may be formed.

In one example, <FIG> show an assembly guide protrusion <NUM> formed on the opening coupler <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows that the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> is inserted into an assembly guide groove <NUM> formed in the opening extension portion <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening protection wall <NUM> further includes the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> protruding outwards from the outer face thereof. The opening extension portion <NUM> may further include the assembly guide groove <NUM> recessed in a rear end thereof in a front direction. The assembly guide protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the assembly guide groove <NUM> in a rear to front direction.

The assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may protrude outwards from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM>. That is, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may extend from the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM> as an opposite face of the detergent opening <NUM> in a direction away from the detergent opening <NUM>.

The assembly guide groove <NUM> may be defined in a rear end of the opening extension portion <NUM> and may be opened rearwards. That is, the assembly guide groove <NUM> may be opened in a vertical direction Z, and a rear end thereof may be opened rearwards, and may have a shape extending forwards from the rear end.

During a process of coupling the protective casing <NUM> to the opening extension portion <NUM>, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the assembly guide groove <NUM> of the opening extension portion <NUM>. In one implementation of the present disclosure, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> and the assembly guide groove <NUM> may allow the protective casing <NUM> to be in a normal state for assembly.

For example, when a cross section of each of the detergent opening <NUM>, the opening extension portion <NUM> and the protective casing <NUM> is formed in a circular or rectangular shape, and even when the protective casing <NUM> rotates by a certain angle in the outer circumferential direction, it may be difficult for the user to visually identify the rotated state.

Referring to the protective casing <NUM> in <FIG>, width directional lengths of top and bottom faces of the protective casing <NUM> are different from lengths of both side faces in a lateral direction Y. Thus, it is relatively easy for the user to identify an abnormal state in which the protective casing <NUM> rotates such that the top face of the protective casing <NUM> is oriented in the lateral direction Y.

However, it may be difficult for the user to easily distinguish an abnormal state that the protective casing <NUM> of <FIG> rotates so that the top face thereof is converted to the bottom face thereof. When the protective casing <NUM> is coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM> in the abnormal state as described above, the coupling may not be possible. Alternatively, even when the coupling is possible, it may not be possible or easy for the protective casing <NUM> to be coupled to a supply casing <NUM> which will be described later.

Therefore, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be formed on one face of the protective casing <NUM> so that the normal state for the coupling of the protective casing <NUM> may be easily identified. The opening extension portion <NUM> may have the assembly guide groove <NUM> defined therein that is positioned in front of the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> and into which the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> is inserted.

The assembly guide groove <NUM> may be defined only in one of the top face, the bottom face and both side faces of the opening protection wall <NUM>. Alternatively, when a plurality of assembly guide grooves <NUM> are defined, the assembly guide protrusions <NUM> may be formed on the top face, the bottom face and only one of both opposing side faces of the protective casing <NUM>, so that the abnormal rotated state of the protective casing <NUM> may be identified.

For example, when the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> is disposed on the top face of the opening protection wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, absence of the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> on the bottom face of the opening protection wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> may be advantageous in distinguishing the top and bottom faces of the opening protection wall <NUM>.

Similarly, when the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> is disposed on one side face in the lateral direction Y of the opening protection wall <NUM>, it may be advantageous that the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> is not disposed on an opposing side face in the lateral direction Y of the opening protection wall <NUM>.

Alternatively, when the assembly guide protrusions <NUM> are formed on opposing faces of the opening protection wall <NUM>, respectively, the assembly guide protrusions <NUM> may be arranged asymmetrically. For example, one assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on a center of the top face of the opening protection wall <NUM> in the lateral direction Y, while the other assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the bottom face thereof at a location spaced by a certain distance from the center in the lateral direction Y. Thus, when the protective casing <NUM> rotates such that the top face is converted to the bottom face, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> and the assembly guide groove <NUM> may not face away each other, so that the abnormal state of the protective casing <NUM> may be distinguished.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be formed integrally with the opening coupler <NUM>.

That is, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be constructed to protrude or extend from the opening coupler <NUM>. The opening coupler <NUM> may act as a portion of the protective casing <NUM> that is coupled with the opening extension portion <NUM>. Accordingly, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> is formed on the opening coupler <NUM> so that positional alignment between the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> and the assembly guide groove <NUM> may be naturally identified during the process of combining the protective casing <NUM> to the opening extension portion.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may extend forward from the outward extension portion <NUM>, and a front end of the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be located in front of the frontward extension portion <NUM>.

The assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be constructed to protrude forward from the outward extension portion <NUM>. Alternatively, a portion of the outward extension portion <NUM> may have a curved shape protruding forwards from a rest portion thereof to form the assembly guide protrusion <NUM>.

The assembly guide protrusion <NUM> extending forward from the outward extension portion <NUM> may be connected to the outer face of the opening protection wall <NUM>, and may also be connected to the frontward extension portion <NUM>. That is, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> extending from the outward extension portion <NUM> may be constructed to protrude in a direction away from the opening protection wall <NUM>.

Further, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be disposed between the opening protection wall <NUM> and the frontward extension portion <NUM>, or may have a shape connected to the frontward extension portion <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a portion of the outward extension portion <NUM> may have a curved shape protruding forwards to form the assembly guide protrusion <NUM>. The assembly guide protrusion <NUM> and the frontward extension portion <NUM> may be connected to each other in a lateral direction Y, and the frontward extension portion <NUM> may be omitted on the top face of the assembly guide protrusion <NUM>.

Further, the front end of the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> may be located in front of the frontward extension portion <NUM>. That is, the assembly guide protrusion <NUM> is first inserted into the assembly guide groove <NUM> before the opening extension portion <NUM> is inserted into the opening coupler <NUM>. Accordingly, before the opening extension portion <NUM> is inserted into the opening coupler <NUM>, it may be checked whether the protective casing <NUM> is positioned in a normal state.

In one example, <FIG> schematically shows a side cross-section view of a state in which the protective casing <NUM> is coupled to the opening extension portion <NUM>, and the detergent storage unit <NUM> has retracted into the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening protection wall <NUM> extends so that the rear end thereof is located in rear of the opening extension portion <NUM>, and supports at least a portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting into the cabinet <NUM>.

Specifically, as described above, the front end of the opening protection wall <NUM> is located in front of the front end of the frontward extension portion <NUM> to increase a protected area of the opening extension portion <NUM>. Furthermore, the opening protection wall <NUM> extends so that the rear end thereof is located in rear of the opening extension portion <NUM> to secure the support space for the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

That is, the detergent storage unit <NUM> is supported while at least a portion thereof is surrounded with the protective casing <NUM>, that is, the opening protection wall <NUM>. The opening protection wall <NUM> extends such that the rear end of the opening protection wall <NUM> is located in rear of the opening extension portion <NUM>, thus increasing a space surrounding and supporting the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

That is, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing <NUM> may be constructed to surround the detergent opening <NUM>. The detergent storage unit <NUM> may pass through the protective casing <NUM> and at least a portion thereof may be accommodated in the protective casing <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows a top view of the detergent storage unit <NUM> that constitutes a portion of the detergent supply. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the detergent storage unit <NUM> has a handle <NUM> at a front end thereof. The opening protection wall <NUM> extends so that the rear end thereof is located in rear of the opening extension portion <NUM> so as to surround and support the handle <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> disposed at the front end of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be located on the protective casing <NUM> and the detergent opening <NUM> when the detergent storage unit <NUM> is housed inside the cabinet <NUM>, so that a front face of the handle <NUM> is exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>.

A gripping groove that may be held by the user may be formed in a front face of the handle <NUM>. Accordingly, the user may extend or retract the detergent storage unit <NUM> from or into the cabinet <NUM> while holding the handle <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

Further, the handle <NUM> may be disposed at the front end of the detergent storage unit <NUM>. Thus, the handle <NUM> may be located inside the protective casing <NUM> extending in the front and rear direction X and having the rear end located in rear of the opening extension portion <NUM>.

That is, the handle <NUM> may be surrounded with the opening protection wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> and supported by the opening protection wall <NUM>. A front view of a cross-sectional shape of the handle <NUM> may correspond to that of a cross-sectional shape of the opening protection wall <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows a rear wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a cross section of the rear wall <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing <NUM> may further include the rear wall <NUM>.

The rear wall <NUM> may be located in rear of the opening extension portion <NUM> and may be connected to the opening protection wall <NUM>, and may have a through-opening <NUM> defined therein which the detergent storage unit <NUM> passes through. A portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting inside the cabinet <NUM> may be located in rear of the rear wall <NUM>, and a rest thereof may be supported forwards by the rear wall <NUM>, such that a retracting distance thereof may be limited.

The rear wall <NUM> may extend in a parallel manner to the front panel <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The rear wall <NUM> may extend along a boundary between an interior of the protective casing <NUM> surrounded with the opening protection wall <NUM> and an interior of the cabinet <NUM>.

The protective casing <NUM> may be constructed such that the rear end of the opening protection wall <NUM> is located in rear of the opening extension portion <NUM>. The rear wall <NUM> may be connected to the rear end of the opening protection wall <NUM>. That is, the rear wall <NUM> may constitute a rear face of the protective casing <NUM>.

The through-opening <NUM> may be defined in the rear wall <NUM>. the detergent storage unit <NUM> passes through the through-opening <NUM>. The through-opening <NUM> may be constructed to have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, such that the detergent storage unit <NUM> may stably retract into the cabinet <NUM> through the through-opening <NUM>.

In one example, as described above, the handle <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be accommodated inside the protective casing <NUM>. A rest portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> except the handle <NUM> may retract into the cabinet <NUM> through the through-opening <NUM>.

The detergent storage unit <NUM> may have a detergent receiving space <NUM> in which detergent is stored and received. The space <NUM> may be formed in rear of the handle <NUM>. The storage <NUM> may include a detergent storage unit container in which detergent is stored and/or a detergent cup having an open top face and storing therein detergent. The storage <NUM> may include a storage frame in which the detergent receiving space <NUM>, the detergent storage unit container and/or detergent cup are arranged are disposed.

<FIG> shows the detergent storage unit <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure. In <FIG>, the storage <NUM> includes the storage frame that is coupled with the handle <NUM> and is disposed in rear of the handle <NUM>. The storage frame has the detergent receiving space <NUM> defined therein in which detergent is stored. The detergent cup or the detergent storage unit container may be inserted into inner spaces of the storage frame.

As shown in <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the handle <NUM> may have a front cross-sectional area different from that of the storage frame in rear of the handle <NUM>. For example, the handle <NUM> may be constructed to have a larger front cross-sectional area than that of the storage frame in rear of the handle <NUM>.

In one example, as described above, a portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> such as the handle <NUM> may be located inside the protective casing <NUM>, while a rest portion thereof such as the storage frame, etc. may be accommodated inside the cabinet <NUM>.

In other words, a portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracts into the cabinet <NUM> and a rest portion thereof is located inside the protective casing <NUM>. A retracting distance of this detergent storage unit <NUM> may be limited by the rear wall <NUM>.

For example, the rear wall <NUM> may restrict rearward movement of a protruding portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> comes into contact with the rear wall <NUM> and is supported forwards by the rear wall, such that the rearward movement thereof is prohibited.

Eventually, the portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be supported by the rear wall <NUM> and may be disposed inside the protective casing <NUM>. Thus, the retracting distance thereof to the inside of the cabinet <NUM> may be limited by the rear wall <NUM>.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the handle <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be supported forwards by the rear wall <NUM>, while a rest portion thereof may retract into the cabinet <NUM> through the through-opening <NUM>.

As described above, the handle <NUM> has a larger cross-sectional area than that of the storage frame in rear of the handle. Thus, in the entering process of the detergent storage unit <NUM> into the cabinet <NUM> through the protective casing <NUM>, the handle <NUM> may be supported forwards by the rear wall <NUM>.

In <FIG>, according to one implementation of the present disclosure, a portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, that is, the storage frame thereof passes through the through-opening <NUM> and has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>, and a rest portion thereof, that is, the handle <NUM> is supported forwards by rear wall <NUM>, such that the retracting distance of the storage <NUM> into the cabinet <NUM> is limited.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, due to the rear wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM>, as a portion of the detergent storage unit <NUM> is retracting into the cabinet <NUM>, the handle <NUM> may be stably supported by the rear wall <NUM>, thereby improving structural stability, and effectively fixing the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In one example, as described above, the detergent supply for supplying the detergent to the drum <NUM> may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>. The detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting into the cabinet <NUM> may define a portion of the detergent supply. The detergent supply may further include the supply casing <NUM> and the dispenser <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure may further include the supply casing <NUM>. The supply casing <NUM> may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and the front end of the casing <NUM> may be coupled to the protective casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> may accommodate therein the detergent storage unit <NUM> that has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>.

The supply casing <NUM> may be located in rear of the protective casing <NUM>, and may accommodate therein the detergent storage unit <NUM> that has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>. A front end of the supply casing <NUM> facing towards the protective casing <NUM> may be coupled to the protective casing <NUM>.

In other words, the front panel <NUM>, the protective casing <NUM> and the supply casing <NUM> may have coupling relationships therebetween. As a result, a stable structure may be realized, and the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting into the cabinet <NUM> may be effectively accommodated in the supply casing <NUM>.

In one example, the front end of the supply casing <NUM> may be coupled to the rear wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM>. Specifically, the rear wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> may be constructed to extend along a boundary between the interior of the protective casing <NUM> and the interior of the cabinet <NUM>. The front end of the supply casing <NUM> may face toward the rear wall <NUM>.

Accordingly, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the front end of the supply casing <NUM> may be coupled to the rear wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM>. A coupling scheme between the supply casing <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM> may vary.

For example, a through-member such as a screw or a rivet may pass through both of the rear wall <NUM> and the supply casing <NUM>. Alternatively, a fitting-type fastener such as a hook may be disposed on the rear wall <NUM> or the supply casing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows that a through coupler is disposed on each of both sides of the rear wall <NUM> in the lateral direction Y and the through member passes through the through coupler, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. The through member passing through the through coupler may be coupled to the supply casing <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure may further include the dispenser <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM> and may supply washing-water to the detergent storage unit <NUM> that has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may be placed above the supply casing <NUM>.

As described above, the dispenser <NUM> may define a portion of the detergent supply, and may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM> and may be constructed to supply the washing-water to the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

As for the detergent supply, the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting into the cabinet <NUM> is accommodated in the supply casing <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> supplies washing-water to the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The detergent stored inside the detergent storage unit <NUM> is discharged into the supply casing <NUM> together with the washing-water. The supply casing <NUM> may deliver the washing-water and the detergent discharged from the detergent storage unit <NUM> to the drum <NUM> inside cabinet <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> may be placed above the supply casing <NUM>, and may be coupled to supply casing <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may be manufactured separately from the supply casing <NUM> or the top face of the supply casing <NUM> may define the dispenser <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> may be placed above the supply casing <NUM> and may have organic coupling relationships with the supply casing <NUM>, the detergent storage unit <NUM> and the protective casing <NUM>. That is, the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracted through the protective casing <NUM> may be accommodated inside the supply casing <NUM> that is coupled to the protective casing <NUM> and is disposed in rear of the protective casing <NUM>. Washing-water from the dispenser <NUM> supported upwards by the supply casing <NUM> may be supplied to the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In one example, referring to <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the detergent storage unit <NUM> has the detergent receiving space <NUM> defined therein in which detergent is accommodated. A detergent outlet <NUM> may be defined in a rear face of the storage <NUM> and communicate with the detergent receiving space <NUM>. The detergent may be discharged through the detergent outlet <NUM> into the drum. A rear end of the bottom face <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> is located in rear of the rear face thereof to prevent detergent leakage.

As described above, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may have the detergent receiving space <NUM> defined in the storage frame that has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>. The detergent outlet <NUM> may be defined in the rear face of the detergent storage unit <NUM> to discharge the detergent contained in the detergent receiving space <NUM> into the drum.

That is, the detergent stored in the detergent receiving space <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the detergent storage unit <NUM> through the detergent outlet <NUM> which is defined in the rear face of the detergent storage unit <NUM> and communicates with the detergent receiving space <NUM>.

In one example, the bottom face <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may extend so that the rear end of the bottom face <NUM> is located in rear of the rear face. That is, the detergent discharged through the detergent outlet <NUM> defined in the rear face of the detergent storage unit <NUM> flows on the rear end of the bottom face <NUM> and may be discharged to the outside of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

A portion of the detergent stored in the detergent receiving space <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be unintentionally discharged through the detergent outlet <NUM>, or the detergent remaining in a flow path of the detergent may be discharged through the detergent outlet <NUM> during the transfer of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In this case, for example, when the detergent storage unit <NUM> extends from the cabinet <NUM>, the detergent or the washing-water may leak from the detergent outlet to the opening protection wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM>.

As described above, the detergent and the washing-water leaking from the detergent storage unit <NUM> may act adversely, for example, may induce corrosion of the opening extension portion <NUM> or deform the opening protection wall <NUM>.

Therefore, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the bottom face <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> extends such that the rear end thereof is located in rear of the rear face of the storage <NUM> in which the detergent outlet <NUM> is formed. Thus, even when the detergent or the washing-water accidentally leaks from the detergent outlet <NUM>, the leakage thereof into the opening extension portion <NUM> or the opening protection wall <NUM> may be prevented or suppressed because the detergent or the washing-water remains on the rear end of the bottom face <NUM>.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing <NUM> may include an opening stopper <NUM>. The detergent storage unit <NUM> may include a stopper protrusion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the opening stopper <NUM> disposed on the protective casing <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows a positional relationship between the opening stopper <NUM> and the stopper protrusion <NUM>. <FIG> shows a top view of the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

The opening stopper <NUM> may be disposed on the protective casing <NUM> and be constructed to protrude toward the detergent storage unit <NUM>. Further, the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be constructed to overlap at least a portion of the opening stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

That is, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be constructed to come into contact with the opening stopper <NUM> when the storage <NUM> is moving in the front and rear direction X. While the detergent storage unit <NUM> has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be spaced rearwardly away from the opening stopper <NUM>.

A shape or a location of the opening stopper <NUM> may vary. For example, the opening stopper <NUM> may protrude from the inner face of the opening protection wall <NUM> or may protrude from an inner face of the through-opening <NUM> defined in the rear wall <NUM> as described later.

Further, a shape and a location of the stopper protrusion <NUM> may vary. For example, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the storage frame of detergent storage unit <NUM>, and may protrude upward from detergent storage unit <NUM> as described below.

In one example, <FIG> shows a state in which the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracted into the cabinet <NUM> extends by a predefined extending distance to be described later, and the stopper protrusion <NUM> and the opening stopper are in contact with each other, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, in the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may contact the opening stopper <NUM> such that an extending distance of the storage <NUM> may be limited.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may eventually be received and utilized in the supply casing <NUM>. Accordingly, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may extend outside the cabinet <NUM> by a predetermined extending distance and may be used by the user.

That is, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the predefined extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be determined by adjusting a spacing between the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting into the cabinet <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM>.

As used herein, the term "the predefined extending distance" refers to an extending distance by which the detergent storage unit <NUM> retracting into the cabinet <NUM> may extend by a design. Referring to <FIG>, the predefined extending distance may correspond to the spacing between the stopper protrusion <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> or an inner stopper <NUM> which will be described later. While the detergent storage unit <NUM> has extended by the predefined extending distance, the detergent receiving space <NUM> may be exposed to the outside, so that a process in which the user stores the detergent in the detergent storage unit <NUM> is not inconvenient.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing <NUM> has the opening stopper <NUM> that contacts the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> and thus restricts the forward movement of the stopper protrusion <NUM>. Thus, a sufficient spacing between the stopper protrusion <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> may be secured. Further, the sufficient predefined extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be secured so that the detergent receiving space <NUM> may be exposed to the outside.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening stopper <NUM> may protrude from an inner circumferential face surrounding the through-opening <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM> toward the through-opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening stopper <NUM> may be disposed on the rear wall <NUM>, and may protrude from the inner face or the inner circumferential face surrounding the through-opening <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM> toward the through-opening <NUM>.

That is, the opening stopper <NUM> may be constructed to screen a portion of the through-opening <NUM> in the front and rear direction X. A specific protrusion direction or shape of the opening stopper <NUM> may be variously determined as needed in relation to the stopper protrusion <NUM>, and the like.

<FIG> shows a state in which the opening stopper <NUM> protruding from the rear wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> and the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> contact each other, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening stopper <NUM> may protrude from the rear wall <NUM> in which the through-opening <NUM> is formed. This may be advantageous for the opening stopper <NUM> to be positioned to contact the stopper protrusion <NUM> during the entering or drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening stopper <NUM> may be constructed to extend or protrude downward from the protective casing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be constructed to extend or protrude upward from the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

The opening stopper <NUM> disposed on the rear wall <NUM> of the protective casing <NUM> may be located above the through-opening <NUM>. The stopper protrusion <NUM> may protrude upward from the top face of the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The stopper protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the storage frame located in rear of the handle <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening stopper <NUM> is positioned above the detergent storage unit <NUM>, and the stopper protrusion <NUM> protrudes upwards from a top of the storage <NUM>. Thus, the predefined extending distance may be defined by the opening stopper <NUM> and the stopper protrusion <NUM> while unnecessary structural interference along the movement of the detergent storage unit <NUM> is minimized.

As shown in <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be located at the center of detergent storage unit <NUM> in the lateral direction Y. The opening stopper <NUM> may be located at a center of a top of the through-opening <NUM> defined therein the rear wall <NUM> in a positional corresponding manner with the stopper protrusion <NUM>.

A position of one end of the detergent storage unit <NUM> is fixed while the other end thereof has the stopper protrusion <NUM>. The other end further has a stopper bar <NUM> whose a position is variable along a protruding direction of the stopper protrusion <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may further include the stopper bar <NUM>. A position of one end of the stopper bar 380is fixed, and the other end thereof has the stopper protrusion <NUM>. A position of the other end thereof may vary along the protruding direction of the stopper protrusion <NUM>.

Specifically, one end of the stopper bar <NUM> may be fixed to the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The stopper bar <NUM> may be manufactured separately from the detergent storage unit <NUM> and nay be coupled to the detergent storage unit <NUM>, or may be integrally formed with the detergent storage unit <NUM>, for example, the storage frame.

In one example, one end of the stopper bar <NUM> may be fixed to the detergent storage unit <NUM>, and the other end thereof may define a free end whose a position is variable around one end. That is, one end of the stopper bar <NUM> may define a fixed end fixed to the detergent storage unit <NUM>, and the other end thereof may define a free end separated from the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

The stopper bar <NUM> may have the stopper protrusion <NUM> at the other end of the stopper bar <NUM>. That is, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the other end thereof and a position thereof may vary together with the other end thereof. The change in the position of the other end thereof may be achieved via deformation of the stopper bar <NUM> resulting from pressing one end.

Further, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may protrude upward from the other end of stopper bar <NUM>. The other end of the stopper bar <NUM> may move approximately along the vertical Z direction when one end thereof is pressed. That is, the other end of the stopper bar <NUM> defining the free end may vary in position along a direction parallel to the protruding direction of the stopper.

Accordingly, when one end of the stopper bar <NUM> is pressed downward, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may move downward together with the other end of the stopper bar <NUM>. When stopper protrusion <NUM> moves downward and reaches a level lower than a level of the opening stopper <NUM>, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may extend out of the cabinet <NUM> through the detergent opening <NUM> while the extending distance is not limited by the opening stopper <NUM>.

In other words, the user may selectively press one end of the stopper bar <NUM> disposed on the detergent storage unit <NUM> as needed and thus selectively and completely extend the detergent storage unit <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM>.

A direction of extension of the stopper bar <NUM> may be varied as required. For example, the stopper bar <NUM> may be disposed on a side face of the detergent storage unit <NUM> and extend in the vertical direction Z or the front and rear direction X, or may be disposed on the top face of the detergent storage unit <NUM> and extend in the front and rear direction X or the lateral direction Y.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the stopper bar <NUM> extends along the front and rear direction X of the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The front end thereof is fixed to the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The stopper protrusion <NUM> is disposed on the rear end thereof. While the stopper protrusion <NUM> is in contact with the opening stopper <NUM>, the front end thereof may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>.

As described above, the change in the position of the other end of the stopper bar <NUM> may be caused by pressing one end thereof. One end thereof may be selectively pressed by the user. In one implementation of the present disclosure, the stopper bar <NUM> extends along the front and rear direction X from the top face of the detergent storage unit <NUM> so that one end of the stopper bar <NUM> is easily pressed by the user. One end thereof may define a front end.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, the stopper bar <NUM> extends in the front and rear direction X, and the front end thereof is fixed to the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The stopper protrusion <NUM> is disposed on the rear end thereof. Thus, while the stopper protrusion <NUM> comes into contact with the opening stopper <NUM> and thus the detergent storage unit <NUM> extends by the predefined extending distance from the cabinet, the front end thereof may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> such that the user may easily press the front end.

In other words, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the front end of the stopper bar <NUM> may be fixed to the detergent storage unit <NUM>, and the front end of the stopper bar may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> while the stopper protrusion <NUM> is in contact with the opening stopper <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a state in which the front end of the stopper bar <NUM> is exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> while the forward movement of the stopper protrusion <NUM> is restricted by the opening stopper <NUM>, according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

The front end of the stopper bar <NUM> may be exposed to the outside even when the storage <NUM> is located inside the protective casing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. For example, a cross-sectional area of the protective casing <NUM> may correspond to that of the handle <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The storage frame disposed in rear of the handle <NUM> may have a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the handle <NUM>. Considering the cross-sectional area of the protective casing <NUM>, the front end of the stopper bar <NUM> disposed on the top face of the storage frame may be exposed to the outside even when the storage <NUM> is received in the protective casing <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> and <FIG> show the inner stopper <NUM> located inside the cabinet <NUM>. <FIG> shows a rear view of the inner stopper <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, one implementation of the present disclosure may further include an inner stopper <NUM>. The inner stopper <NUM> may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and may protrude toward the detergent storage unit <NUM> that has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>.

The inner stopper <NUM> may be constructed to overlap the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> along the front and rear direction X, as in the opening stopper <NUM>. That is, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be in contact with the inner stopper <NUM> and/or the opening stopper <NUM> during the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, so that the extension of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be limited.

The inner stopper <NUM>, the opening stopper <NUM> and the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be arranged in the front and rear direction X. That is, the opening stopper <NUM>, the inner stopper <NUM>, and the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be arranged approximately in a line along the front and rear direction X.

Like the opening stopper <NUM>, the inner stopper <NUM> may limit the extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> while contacting the stopper protrusion <NUM>. Accordingly, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure, the extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be adjusted in a stepwise manner.

In one example, the inner stopper <NUM> may be located in rear of the opening stopper <NUM>, and may be located in front of the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> that has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the stopper protrusion <NUM> sequentially contacts the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> first contacts the inner stopper <NUM> such that the extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be first limited. Then, the stopper protrusion <NUM> passes by the inner stopper <NUM> when the user pressurizes the front end of the stopper bar <NUM>. Thus, the stopper protrusion <NUM> contacts the opening stopper <NUM> such that the extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be second limited.

Referring to <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, when the stopper protrusion <NUM> contacts the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> sequentially, a distance L1 between the inner stopper <NUM> and the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM> completely retracting into the cabinet <NUM> may correspond to a first predefined extending distance. A distance L2 between the stopper protrusion <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> may correspond to a second predefined extending distance.

The first predefined extending distance may be set to be larger than the second predefined extending distance. The L1 and L2 may be determined by controlling the positions of the opening stopper <NUM>, the inner stopper <NUM> and the stopper protrusion <NUM>.

In one example, the inner stopper <NUM> may be disposed on the dispenser <NUM> as described above. Specifically, dispenser <NUM> may be located above the supply casing <NUM> that accommodates the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The inner stopper <NUM> may protrude downward from a bottom face of the dispenser <NUM>.

That is, the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other, and may be located in front of the stopper protrusion <NUM>, and may protrude downwards. The stopper protrusion <NUM> may protrude upward and may be disposed in rear of the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM> and overlap with the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

As described above, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may protrude upward from the detergent storage unit <NUM> and contact at least one of the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM> during the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

For example, the stopper protrusion <NUM> bypasses the inner stopper <NUM> during the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM> and contacts opening stopper <NUM>. Alternatively, the stopper protrusion <NUM> contacts the inner stopper <NUM>, and then bypasses the opening stopper <NUM>, Alternatively, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may contact sequentially the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM>.

In the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure, a correlation between the opening stopper <NUM>, the inner stopper <NUM> and the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be described as follows.

The inner stopper <NUM> may be disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, and may protrude toward the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The opening stopper <NUM> may be located in front of the inner stopper <NUM> and may protrude toward the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

The stopper protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The stopper protrusion <NUM> may be located in rear of the inner stopper <NUM> while the detergent storage unit <NUM> has retracted into the cabinet <NUM>. During the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may contact at least one of the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> to limit the extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

Further, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the protective casing <NUM> is coupled to the inner face of the front panel <NUM>. The detergent storage unit <NUM> passes through the protective casing <NUM>. The protective casing <NUM> includes the opening stopper <NUM>.

Further, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the dispenser <NUM> may be located in rear of the protective casing <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may supply washing-water to the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may include the inner stopper <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows a rear view of the stopper protrusion <NUM> having a bypass region <NUM> defined therein to bypass the inner stopper <NUM> in the lateral direction Y. <FIG> shows a rear view of the stopper protrusion <NUM> which is constructed to overlap at least partially the inner stopper <NUM>, and the opening stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

Referring to <FIG>, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the stopper protrusion <NUM> is constructed to overlap with the opening stopper <NUM> but not to overlap with the inner stopper <NUM> along the front and rear direction X. Thus, in the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may bypass the inner stopper <NUM> and may come into contact with the opening stopper <NUM>.

That is, in one implementation of the present disclosure, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be constructed not to contact the inner stopper <NUM>, and may be constructed to contact the opening stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

The bypass region <NUM> may be embodied as an empty space. The bypass region <NUM> may be located in rear of the inner stopper <NUM>, and may be located on a side of the stopper protrusion <NUM>. The bypass region <NUM> may have a cross-sectional area greater than that of the inner stopper <NUM> in a front view.

That is, in the drawn-out process the detergent storage unit <NUM>, the inner stopper <NUM> may bypass the stopper protrusion <NUM> through the bypass region <NUM>. Accordingly, the movement of the stopper protrusion <NUM> may not be restricted by the inner stopper <NUM> during the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In this case, the stopper protrusion <NUM> bypasses the inner stopper <NUM> and comes into contact with the opening stopper <NUM> such that movement thereof is limited. Therefore, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may extend from the cabinet by a predefined extending distance set by the position of the opening stopper <NUM>.

A length of the detergent storage unit <NUM> or the location of the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be determined in various ways by design, and may vary according to a type of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

When the detergent storage unit <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure is intended to extend by only the predefined extending distance defined by the opening stopper <NUM>, the bypass region <NUM> may be defined on a side of the stopper protrusion <NUM> of the detergent storage unit <NUM>. The bypass region <NUM> may be located in rear of the inner stopper <NUM>. The inner stopper <NUM> may pass through the bypass region <NUM> and may bypass the stopper protrusion <NUM> in the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

In one example, when detergent storage unit <NUM> intends to use only the inner stopper <NUM>, the bypass region <NUM> formed on the side of the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be located in rear of the opening stopper <NUM>, and the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be constructed to overlap with the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

Accordingly, in the process of drawn-out the detergent storage unit <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> comes into contact with the inner stopper <NUM> and thus movement thereof is restricted. When the stopper protrusion <NUM> bypasses the inner stopper <NUM> via the pressing of the stopper bar <NUM>, the opening stopper <NUM> passes through the bypass region <NUM> and bypasses the stopper protrusion <NUM>, and the stopper protrusion <NUM> may bypass the opening stopper <NUM>.

In one example, when the detergent storage unit <NUM> is constructed so that the extending distance thereof is sequentially limited by the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> free of the bypass region <NUM> may be constructed to overlap the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

Thus, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure has both of the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM>. Thus, depending on the type of the detergent storage unit <NUM> or the location of the stopper protrusion <NUM>, the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM> may be selectively used, and the extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be effectively limited.

<FIG> shows the detergent storage unit <NUM> in which the bypass region <NUM> overlapping with the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X is located on a side of the stopper protrusion <NUM> in the lateral direction Y according to one implementation of the present disclosure.

In one example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, one side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM> in the lateral direction Y overlaps the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X, and the other side <NUM> thereof does not overlap the inner stopper <NUM>. The stopper protrusion <NUM> may be constructed to overlap the other side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X.

Referring to <FIG>, in the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to one implementation of the present disclosure, the opening stopper <NUM> may be constructed so that one side <NUM> thereof faces the inner stopper <NUM>, while the other side <NUM> thereof does not face the inner stopper <NUM>. That is, the inner stopper <NUM> may be constructed to overlap only with one side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM>.

In one example, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be constructed not to overlap with the inner stopper <NUM>, and may be constructed to overlap with the other side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM>. That is, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be constructed to be spaced from the inner stopper <NUM> in the lateral direction Y and overlap with a portion of the opening stopper <NUM> in the rear view as shown in <FIG>.

Accordingly, in the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> may bypass the inner stopper <NUM> and contact the opening stopper <NUM> such that movement thereof is limited.

In other words, the detergent storage unit <NUM> has the bypass region <NUM> open along the front and rear direction X of the detergent storage unit <NUM> on the side of the stopper protrusion <NUM>. The inner stopper <NUM> is constructed to face the bypass region <NUM> along the front and rear direction X. In the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, the inner stopper <NUM> may pass through the bypass region <NUM>, and the stopper protrusion <NUM> may be in contact with the opening stopper <NUM> such that the extending distance thereof may be limited.

However, when the user intends to use both the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> or when the detergent storage unit <NUM> is designed to use both the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM>, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may be constructed such that the stopper protrusion <NUM> overlaps the inner stopper <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, one side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM> may overlap the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X. The stopper protrusion <NUM> is constructed to overlap with one side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM> and the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X. In this connection, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may not have the bypass region <NUM> on the side of the stopper protrusion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The inner stopper <NUM> overlaps one side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X. Thus, the stopper protrusion <NUM> overlapping the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X may be brought into contact with the opening stopper <NUM> during the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

That is, the opening stopper <NUM> is constructed such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the inner stopper <NUM> along the front and rear direction X. The stopper protrusion <NUM> contacts the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> in a sequential manner during the drawn-out process of the detergent storage unit <NUM>, thereby limiting the extending distance of the detergent storage unit <NUM> in a stepwise manner.

For example, the detergent storage unit <NUM> may extend from the cabinet <NUM> by the first predefined extending distance when the stopper protrusion <NUM> contacts inner stopper <NUM>. When the stopper protrusion <NUM> bypasses the inner stopper <NUM> using the stopper bar <NUM>, the stopper protrusion <NUM> comes into contact with the opening stopper <NUM> again, such that the three storages may extend from the cabinet <NUM> by the second predefined extending distance.

However, the stopper protrusion <NUM> should bypass the inner stopper <NUM> according to the user's intention. Therefore, the stopper bar <NUM> may be constructed such that the front end thereof is exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> while the stopper protrusion <NUM> is in contact with the inner stopper <NUM>.

In one implementation of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG>, one side <NUM> of the opening stopper <NUM> is positioned side by side with the inner stopper <NUM> in the front and rear direction X, while the other side <NUM> thereof is constructed not to overlap with the inner stopper <NUM>. This is advantageous because the use of the inner stopper <NUM> and the opening stopper <NUM> may be efficiently selected based on the position of the stopper protrusion <NUM> according to the replacement or design of the detergent storage unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) including a front panel (<NUM>) having a detergent opening (<NUM>) defined therein;
a tub (<NUM>) disposed inside the cabinet (<NUM>);
a drum (<NUM>) rotatably disposed inside the tub (<NUM>); and
a detergent storage unit (<NUM>) retracting into the cabinet (<NUM>) through the detergent opening (<NUM>), wherein detergent to be supplied to the drum (<NUM>) is stored in the detergent storage unit (<NUM>),
wherein the front panel (<NUM>) has an opening extension portion (<NUM>) extending from a periphery of the detergent opening (<NUM>) toward an inside of the cabinet (<NUM>),
wherein the apparatus (<NUM>) further comprises a protective casing (<NUM>) disposed inside the cabinet (<NUM>) and coupled to the opening extension portion (<NUM>), wherein the protective casing (<NUM>) surrounds at least a portion of the detergent storage unit (<NUM>) retracting into the cabinet (<NUM>) through the detergent opening (<NUM>),
wherein the protective casing (<NUM>) includes an opening protection wall (<NUM>) configured to cover an inner face of the opening extension portion (<NUM>) facing toward the detergent opening (<NUM>) to protect the opening extension portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the opening protection wall (<NUM>) covers the inner face of the opening extension portion (<NUM>) so that the protective casing (<NUM>) surrounds the end of the opening extension portion (<NUM>).