Washing machine and deodorizing method thereof

Abstract

A washing machine, which removes offensive odor from laundry without a need to operate wash, rinse and/or dehydration modes, and a method of deodorizing laundry. The washing machine includes a deodorizing tub, into which objects to be deodorized are placed, a duct to communicate with the deodorizing tub and to serve as a passage through which air containing odor particles, which are separated from the objects in the deodorizing tub, passes, and a deodorizing agent spray device to spray a deodorizing agent to separate the odor particles from the air passing through the duct. The method of deodorizing includes the separating odor particles from objects to be deodorized, and removing the separated odor particles by dissolving the separated odor particles in water and then discharging the particles.

1 . A washing machine, comprising: 
 a deodorizing tub, into which objects to be deodorized are placed;    a duct to communicate with the deodorizing tub and to serve as a passage through which air containing odor particles, which are separated from the objects in the deodorizing tub, passes; and    a deodorizing agent sprayer to spray a deodorizing agent to separate the odor particles from the air passing through the duct.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the deodorizing agent sprayer includes a deodorizing agent nozzle to spray the deodorizing agent in mist form.  
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 an air blast fan to generate power so as to circulate the air in the deodorizing tub into the duct; and    a heater to heat the air circulated into the duct.    
   
   
       4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the duct comprises: 
 a deodorizing duct, in which the deodorizing nozzle is installed; and    a blowing duct, in which the air blast fan and the heater are installed.    
   
   
       5 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , further comprising a water feed nozzle to supply water in mist form to the objects contained in the deodorizing tub.  
   
   
       6 . A method of deodorizing objects in a washing machine comprising: 
 separating odor particles from the objects to be deodorized; and    removing the separated odor particles by dissolving the separated odor particles in water and then discharging the particles.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the separating comprises at least one of supplying a hot draft to the objects to be deodorized, applying mechanical impacts to the objects to be deodorized, or dissolving the odor particles in moisture that is supplied to the objects to be deodorized in a mist.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein in the removing, air containing the separated odor particles in a drum is circulated into a deodorizing duct, and a deodorizing agent nozzle is operated to spray a deodorizing agent into the deodorizing duct when the air contaminated by the odor particles is circulated into the deodorizing duct.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising circulating purified air, which is obtained by separating the odor particles therefrom, in the deodorizing duct and again back into the drum.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the deodorizing agent containing the separated odor particles is discharged to the outside of the washing machine through a drain pipe.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein water is used as the deodorizing agent.  
   
   
       12 . A washing machine, including a deodorizing tub having a fixed tub and a rotary tub into which objects to be deodorized are placed, comprising: 
 a duct to communicate with the fixed tub through which air containing odor particles, which are separated from the objects in the deodorizing tub, passes; and    a deodorizing agent sprayer to spray a deodorizing agent to separate the odor particles from the air passing through the duct.    
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the duct comprises a deodorizing duct having upper and lower ends, in which the deodorizing nozzle is installed, the deodorizing duct being installed on a rear surface of the fixed tub in a longitudinal direction so as to communicate at a lower end thereof with a lower part of the rear surface of the fixed tub.  
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the duct further comprises a blowing duct, in which the fan and the heater are installed, to communicate with an upper end of the deodorizing duct, to extend along an upper surface of the fixed tub, and to communicate with an interior of the deodorizing tub at an upper part of a front surface thereof.