WO2022010480A1

WO2022010480A1 - Device for emulsification and dissolution of detergent for laundry washing machines

Info

Publication number: WO2022010480A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/041335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sridhar Kota
Original assignee: Flexsys Inc.
Priority date: 2020-07-09
Filing date: 2020-07-09
Publication date: 2022-01-13

Abstract

A device for dissolving powdered laundry detergent prior to introduction into a water tub of a washing machine, includes a housing enclosing a cavity; a water inlet in fluid communication with the cavity; a mixing chamber in the cavity downstream of the water inlet port; an outlet chamber in the cavity underneath and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber; a strainer insert arranged in the cavity between the mixing chamber and the outlet chamber; a baffle in the mixing chamber between the water inlet port and the strainer insert; and an outlet port extending from and in fluid communication with the outlet chamber. The baffle forms a wall impeding a horizontal flow within the mixing chamber in at least one horizontal direction.

Description

DEVICE FOR EMULSIFICATION AND DISSOLUTION OF DETERGENT FOR LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a detergent mixing device 10 for a laundry washing machine and more particularly relates to a device for completely emulsifying, dissolving and liquefying the introduced detergent prior to the discharge into a washing tank. This is of particular interest when powdered detergent is used.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a drum washing machine is a device that includes a stationary water tub and a drum that is rotatably provided in the water tub. The drum washing machine washes laundry using drops of water generated by a rotation of the rotary drum.

[0003] A conventional drum washing machine executes a washing process by supplying a detergent and a set amount of water together into the water tub, dissolving the detergent in the water only through an opposite directional rotation of the rotary drum, and allowing the dissolved detergent to soak through laundry. The washing process is performed thus regardless of a type of detergent used, examples of which being powdered detergent and liquid detergent.

[0004] However, in a conventional drum washing machine, the detergent supplied into the water tub sinks to the bottom of the water tub and dissolves in water while the rotary drum is rotated in opposite directions. Therefore, while a liquid detergent may sufficiently dissolve only through the opposite directional rotation of the rotary drum, a powdered detergent takes a relatively long time to dissolve, thus increasing a washing time in proportion to the time required for the sufficient dissoiution of the powdered detergent. Further, it is difficult to sufficiently dissolve the powdered detergent only through the opposite directional rotation of the rotary drum even with a longer washing time. Therefore, some detergent deposits remain, which decreases washing performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure enhances the dissoiution and emulsification of the powder detergent prior to the introduction into the water tub of the washing machine.

[0008] A device for dissolving powdered laundry detergent prior to introduction into a water tub of a washing machine, includes a housing enclosing a cavity; a water inlet in fluid communication with the cavity; a mixing chamber in the cavity downstream of the water inlet port; an outlet chamber in the cavity underneath and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber; a strainer insert arranged in the cavity between the mixing chamber and the outiet chamber; a baffle in the mixing chamber between the water inlet port and the strainer insert; and an outlet port extending from and in fluid communication with the outlet chamber. The baffle forms a wall impeding a horizontal flow within the mixing chamber in at least one horizontal direction. [0007] The device may include a removable cap for permitting the allowance of powder detergent into the mixing chamber of the cavity. [0008] The cap may comprise an internal thread complementary to an external thread on the housing. [0009] According to one aspect, the inlet port enters the mixing chamber in a horizontal direction. This may be in a direction toward a central vertical axis of the strainer insert or in a generally tangential direction that does not intersect with a central vertical axis of the strainer insert, thereby determining a rotational direction for inflowing water within the cavity. [0010] The strainer insert holds a mesh screen, preferably with a mesh number between 20 and 400, the mesh number defining mesh openings smaller than dry granular particles of the powdered laundry detergent. [0011] The strainer insert is removably secured in the housing with a releasable locking mechanism. [0012] The vertical baffle may have various shapes and may be spiral-shaped with a baffle length, the baffle defining a water path for guiding water entering the mixing chamber from the water inlet port along the length of the baffle. [0013] The baffle may also be a rotatable agitator. The rotatable baffle may be connected to a rotary motor. The motor may be battery-powered. [0014] In another variation, the agitator has a plurality of blades extending from a central hub, each blade having a bottom edge with teeth and voids, wherein the teeth extend closer toward the strainer insert than the voids. [0015] For example, the plurality of blades may be an even number and the teeth and voids of adjacent blades are radially offset from one another so that the teeth of one of the adjacent blades define rotary paths identical to rotary paths of the voids of the other one of the adjacent blades. [0016] The mixing device may additionally have a shut-off valve at the water inlet port, with a first position allowing water to enter the mixing chamber and a second position blocking water from entering the mixing chamber. The shut-off valve may further include a locking mechanism preventing removal of a removable cap in the first position and allowing removal of the removable cap in the second position. [0017] The inlet and outlet of the mixing device may have different arrangements, which all have in common that the inlet is disposed higher than the outlet. For example, the water inlet port may be disposed vertically directly above the outlet port for internal installation in a washing machine. [0018] The water inlet port is disposed on an opposite lateral side from the outlet port, for example for external installation. [0019] In some examples, the outlet port may simply be downward chute for instantly discharging liquid from the outlet chamber. [0020] In some embodiments, the outlet port extends vertically from a bottom of the outlet chamber instead. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] Fig.1 shows a vertical cross-section of a first embodiment of the present invention with a fixed baffle 28. [0022] Fig.2 shows a horizontal cross-section of the first embodiment. [0023] Fig.3 shows a top view of a variation of the strainer arrangement of Fig.2. [0024] Fig.4 shows a horizontal cross-section of a variation of the horizontal cross-section of the first embodiment. [0025] Figs.5A, 5B, and 5C show cross-sectional variation of the inlet 12 in an arrangement with radial influx. [0026] Figs.6A, 6B, and 6C show cross-sectional variation of the inlet 12 in an arrangement with tangential influx. [0027] Fig.7 shows a vertical cross-section of a second embodiment of the present invention with a rotatable baffle [0028] Fig.8 shows a horizontal cross-section of the second embodiment. [0029] Fig.9 shows a detail view of the rotatable baffle. [0030] Fig. 10 shows a partially cross-sectional view of a closure cap of the second embodiment. [0031] Figs.11A and 11B show an installation example inside a top-loading washing machine. [0032] Figs. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D show an installation example of a detergent mixing device 10 between a water source and a water inlet of a washing machine. [0033] Figs.13A, 13B, and 13C show a further installation example inside a washing machine. [0034] Fig.14 shows a vertical cross-section of a motorized agitator installed on a cap of the detergent mixing device . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0035] Fig.1 shows a first embodiment of a detergent mixing device 10 for dissolving powder detergent prior to entering the water tub of a washing machine. The mixing device 10 comprises a water inlet 12 formed as a nozzle located near the top of the mixing device 10 and is shown opening from a circumferential surface of a housing 14 into a mixing chamber 22, allowing pressurized influx of water from a tap. In other arrangements, the inlet 12 may enter from a top surface. An outlet 16 formed as a nipple is located near a bottom surface of the mixing device 10 for complete draining of detergent solution from the mixing device 10. The outlet 16 may be formed centrally at the bottom, off-center, or on a lateral side as will be described below. Further, the outlet may not be shaped as a nipple, rather like a chute. [0036] A removable sealing cap 18 allows the addition of powder detergent into the mixing device 10. In the shown example, the cap is screwed onto the mixing device 10 to form a seal with the mixing device 10. A horizontal strainer insert 20 is placed inside the mixing device 10 at a height between the inlet 12 and the outlet 16, thus dividing the interior cavity of the mixing device 10 into a mixing chamber 22 and an outlet chamber 24. The strainer insert holds a mesh screen 26 with a mesh number of 20-400, corresponding to hole sizes between 0.03” and 0.0015” (i.e. between 0.84 mm and 0.037 mm). The mesh size is chosen to be smaller than the dry granular particles of the powder detergent. For granular powders in common use, a mesh number of 140, corresponding to 0.004” and 0.1 mm, respectively, will rarely be exceeded. But if in use with gel or liquid soap solutions, higher mesh numbers may be useful. During use, granular detergent is placed on the strainer insert 20 and mixed with water coming from the inlet 12. Only after the detergent is dissolved by the water, the detergent solution is flushed through the strainer insert 20 into the washing machine by pressurized water directed through the mesh screen 26 of the strainer insert 20. The strainer insert 20 may be fixed in the cavity of the mixing device 10 or may be removable for cleaning. [0037] For example a bayonet locking mechanism may be part of a positioning arrangement 30 to hold the strainer insert 20 in the desired location. In the shown example, a concentric spiral-shaped baffle 28 is secured to the strainer insert 20 and is of pre-set height fixedly arranged covering the entire top surface of the strainer insert 20. The baffle creates a water path for guiding the pressurized inlet water through the detergent powder and along the length of the baffle 28 for the prolonged and thorough combination of the inlet water with the detergent as the mixture travels along the length of the baffle 28. This results in a fine solution of the emulsified detergent solution exiting the mixing device 10 via the outlet 16 into the washing tub. The baffle 28 may be removably attached to the strainer insert 20 as shown in Figs.2 and 4 or be overmolded as shown in Fig.3. [0038] The inlet 12 is arranged at one surface wall to receive water and the outlet 16 of the present example is positioned at the central bottom region of the mixing device 10 to expel water. The inlet 12 is configured to be connected to a water delivery pipe not shown. The inlet 12 may include an approximately cylindrical or rectangular or elliptical protrusion that extends from the body to form a nipple as shown in Figs.5A through 5C and 6A through 6C. Preferably the protrusion has threads so that a threaded fitting of an inlet pipe and can be attached to the housing by a screw connection. Alternatively the inlet pipe may be attached to the housing by a friction fit, or clamp. [0039] The outlet 16 may also have an approximately cylindrical or rectangular or elliptical protrusion to engage with an outlet pipe not shown to be connected to the washing machine. Alternatively the outlet pipe may be attached to the outlet by a friction fit or clamp. [0040] The strainer insert 20 with mesh screen 26 is fitted within the mixing device 10 between the water inlet 14 and the detergent solution outlet 16 into the washing machine. Preferably the strainer insert 20 is held in place around its periphery by a channel. All water passing from the inlet to the outlet flows through the strainer insert 20 before exiting through the outlet 16. The strainer insert 20 comprises a mesh screen 26 and a concentric circular and spiral shaped baffle 28 of pre-set height fixedly arranged covering the entire top surface of the strainer insert 20 creating a water path for guiding the inlet pressurized water through the detergent powder and along the length of the baffle 28 for the prolonged and thorough combination of the inlet water with the detergent spread along the length of the baffle 28 resulting in a fine solution of the emulsified detergent solution to be inlet through the outlet 16 into the washing tub the shape of the baffle of this example is spiral-shaped, where the outermost portion may be adapted to the direction of the inlet 14. Where the inlet is arranged tangentially as in Figs. 1 and 2, the baffle may be a simple spiral as shown in Fig.3 because the direction of the water inflow is already tangential. Where the inlet enters the mixing chamber radially, the baffle may have a redirecting curvature as shown in Fig.4 to direct the water inflow sideways for attaining the desired circumferential flow. [0041] Preferably the mesh screen 26 is made of stainless steel because stainless steel is substantially corrosion resistant and possesses structural integrity. Alternatively the mesh screen 26 may be made of plastics or any other corrosion resistant material. [0042] The concentric, circular and spiral shaped baffle 28 is fixedly arranged on the strainer insert 20 is of re-determined height and covers the entire surface area of the strainer insert 20 for guiding the inlet water through the concentric circular or elliptical passages which are filled with the powder detergent manually added from the removal of the top cap 18. The pressurized flow of the inlet water from the nozzle 12 through the water passage created by the baffle 28 creates a turbulence force on the powder detergent spread across the mesh screen 26 and the strainer insert 20 creating an emulsified solution of the washing solution. [0043] In the preferred form, the upper portion of the housing 14 is substantially but not completely divided from the lower portion of the housing 14, with a constricted flow path between the upper and lower portions. The upper and lower portions of the housing 14 may be divided by one or more baffle 28s to create the constricted flow path between the upper and lower portion. The baffle 28s will be described later in more detail. [0044] The spiral shaped baffle 28 may further be designed as dual spiral shaped baffle 28 of preset height fixedly arranged covering the entire top surface of the strainer insert 20 creating a dual water path if separate baffles are attached on opposite sides of the strainer insert 20 (not shown) for creating a dual passage of the inlet pressurized water resulting in a prolonged time period of the water with the powder detergent on the mesh; at least two locking mechanisms 16 on either sides of the strainer insert 20 for fixedly positioning the dual baffle in position during the detergent powder dissolution process and at least one concentric shaped baffle 28 of preset height fixedly arranged covering the entire top surface of the strainer insert 20 attached along the entire surface of the strainer insert, whereby the inlet of the pressurized water is redirected in a tangential flow along the length of the baffle 28 by the angular attachment of the baffle 28 with the inlet 12. [0045] The mixing device 10 includes at least one baffle 28, but may have more than one baffle, for directing the inlet water by a plurality channels on either side of the strainer insert 20 and the corresponding powder detergents on the mesh regions. In the shown examples of Figs. 1-4, each baffle 28 forms an elliptical path on the surface of the mesh to create the constricted flow path as indicated in Fig.3, at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees relative to an intended horizontal orientation on the surface of the plate. A plurality of baffles 28 could be parallel to each other or angled toward the top of the mixing device 10. [0046] Powder particles larger than the holes of the mesh screen 26 become lodged within the mesh screen 26. Particles lodging in the mesh screen 26 could gradually clog the mesh reducing the effectiveness of the filter and restricting or stopping water from flowing out of the filter. The inlet 12 to the mixing chamber 22 is formed so that the water flowing into the mixing chamber 22 flows across the mesh screen 26 to create a cross flow. [0047] As mentioned above, Figs.5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate various embodiments of a radial water inlet 12 forming a flow pattern at the baffle 28, while Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C show embodiments of a tangential water inlet 12. The inlet 12 may form a nozzle in the shape of a converging circular form (Figs. 5A and 6A) for increasing the inlet water velocity and correspondingly enabling a greater turbulence inside the mixing device 10 and reducing the emulsification time of the powder detergent in one embodiment. The inlet may alternatively be shaped as a nozzle of different cross-section, like having straight sides (Figs.5B and 6B) of a vertical or horizontal orientation, or an elliptical shape (Figs. 5C and 6C) for increasing the inlet water velocity inside the mixing device 10 and reducing the emulsification time of the powder detergent at the minimum water quantity in the third embodiment. [0048] Figs. 7-10 illustrate an alternative baffle 28 with blades 38 and a central locking mechanism 32 arranged between the top cap 18 and the strainer insert 20. Fig.9 illustrates teeth 34 at the top and bottom of the blades 38 of the baffle 28. [0049] The mixing device 10 for enabling the complete dissolution of the washing detergent prior to subjecting into the washing turbine including the top cap 18 comprises a spindle 36 of pre-determined length extending from the central inner region of the cap 18 through a central bore of the baffle that has a central tubular hub 37 with four blades 38 that are arranged offset from each other by 90 degrees. The baffle 28 disposed closely above of the strainer insert 20 comprises at least two perpendicular blades 38 around a central hub . Each blade 38 has a bottom edge with teeth 34 and voids 35, wherein the teeth 34 extend closer toward the strainer insert than the voids 35 and are intended to scrape the powder detergent sitting on the mesh screen 26. While the number of blades may be differ in different examples, the number of blades 38 is preferably an even number, and the teeth 34 and voids 35 of adjacent blades 38 are radially offset from one another so that the teeth 34 of one of the adjacent blades 38 define rotary paths identical to rotary paths of the voids 35 of the other one of the adjacent blades 38. [0050] The blades 38 also carry horizontal spikes 40 on their vertical surfaces, configured to break up clumps. Accordingly, the teeth 34 and spikes 40 wipe out and crush the accumulated slogs and powder sediments not dissolved by the water flow through the baffle 28. The teeth 34 act as a pulverizer to the clogs accumulated on the strainer insert 20 preventing the filtration of the liquefied powder solution from entering the washing machine. [0051] The hub 37 is generally cylindrical and has four vertical T-slots 39 distributed around its circumference. Each blade has a respective matching T-profile 41 inserted into the T-slot 39 in a manner that the blades 38 are held in place on the hub 37, either by friction or by bonding. [0052] Figs.11-13 illustrate alternative arrangements of the outlet 16. In Fig.13, the outlet 16 from the mixing device 10 is placed vertically below the water inlet 12 on the same side of the mixing device 10 with the strainer insert 20 separating the inlet 12 and outlet 16 for fixing the mixing device 10 inside the washing machine in one embodiment while in Figs.11 and 12, the emulsified detergent solution outlet 16 from the mixing device 10 is placed vertically below the water inlet 12 but on the diametrically opposite side of the mixing device 10 with the strainer insert 20 separating the inlet 12 and outlet 16. [0053] Figs. 11A and 11B show a detergent mixing device 10 inside a top-loading washing machine, where the mixing device is accessible from inside the washing machine by opening the laundry lid of the washing machine. In this arrangement, the inlet 12 and outlet 16 are arranged on laterally opposite sides, and the outlet 16 is formed as a chute, allowing any water-detergent mixture passing through the strainer insert 20 to flow off into the drum of the washing machine. The detergent mixing device is positioned downstream of an electromagnetic inlet valve 52 that is controlled by the washing machine and controls the water supply to the detergent mixing device 10. [0054] Figs, 12 A, 12B, 12C, and 12D show a variation, in which the inlet 12 further comprises a 3/2 way inlet valve 42 operated by a manual lever 44 with at least two distinct positions. In the first position shown in Figs.12B and, in more detail, 12D, the inlet from the water source to the mixing chamber is open via a through-bore 46. In this situation, the lever extends across the cap, preventing a removal of the cap. In a second position shown in Fig.12C, the inlet 12 is shut off, while the inlet valve 42 connect the mixing chamber with a drain hole 48. In this position, the lever 44 does not interfere with the opening of the cap 18. As this device is intended for external installation at the water inlet of a washing machine, the outlet 16 is at the opposite lateral side as the inlet. Where the detergent mixing device 10 includes its own inlet valve, it is possible to position detergent mixing device 10 upstream of the electromagnetic inlet valve 52 that that is controlled by the washing machine and controls the water supply to the tub. [0055] Figs.13A, 13B, and 13C show the mixing device 10 installed in the detergent drawer at the front of a front-loading washing machine. Because both the inlet 12 and the outlet 16 need to face the interior of the washing machine, they are located above each other on the same lateral side. [0056] Fig.14 shows a further embodiment with a motorized agitator 60. The agitator 60 itself may form the baffle 28, or the agitator 60 may be an addition to a stationary baffle 28. In the shown example, the agitator 60 is formed by the rotatable baffle 28 shown in Figs.7-10 with blades 38. The agitator 60 is rotatably about a vertical shaft 62 driven by an electric motor 64. The blades 38 extend in a direction transverse to a horizontal plane, i.e. the blades 38 have at least some vertical component and are not entirely horizontal. In the example shown, the blades 38 are arranged vertically, but they may be arranged at an oblique acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The electric motor 64 may be driven by an external power source via a power cord (not shown). For ease of use, however, the motor 64 as shown is driven by batteries 68 held in a battery compartment 66 next to the motor 64. The motor 64 and the batteries 68 are expediently accommodated in the cap 70. For example, the motorized cap 70 of Fig.14 may be an upgraded replacement for a simple cap 18 as shown in Fig.1, for example, and be adapted to fit on the same housing 14 as the simple cap 18. [0057] A method for enabling the complete dissolution of the washing detergent prior to subjecting into the washing turbine comprises the steps of at least partially filling the mixing device with dry, granular detergent spread across the entire surface of the strainer insert including the concentric circular and spiral shaped baffle of preset height fixedly arranged covering the entire top surface of the strainer insert 20); capping the mixing device with a threaded cap having a flat top end through which dry, granular detergent can easily be passed into the mixing device, the top flat end surface of the threaded cap being removably attached to device through a predetermined thread from the inner surface forming a sealed atmosphere and causing water to enter the space being the inlet, the strainer insert, concentric circular and spiral shaped baffle of over molded frame and the mesh screen to thereby liquefy and emulsify the granular detergent filled in the mixing device and to deliver a liquefied solution out of the container through the at least one outlet onto the washing machine. [0058] The method for enabling the complete dissolution of the washing detergent prior to subjecting into the washing turbine of the present invention wherein the baffle plate guides the inlet water through the formed water passage on top of the mesh screen and strainer insert for completely emulsifying the powder detergent prior to exiting into the washing machine through the outlet and wherein the teethed vertical projections, molded on the strainer insert and activated through the manual operation of the top cap pulverizes the detergent sediments to cause an uniform liquefied detergent solution. [0059] It should be noted that this description does not set out specific details of the system, materials, design, or method of manufacture of the various components. Those skilled in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, designs, and materials known in the art should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details. For example any and all arrangements of inlet and outlet relative to each other may be combined with any baffles described herein. Further, stationary baffles may be combined with rotatable baffles described herein so that parts of any embodiment may be combined with parts of any other embodiment where feasible. [0060] The terminology used herein describes particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A device for dissolving laundry detergent prior to introduction into a water tub of a washing machine, comprising: a housing enclosing a cavity; a water inlet in fluid communication with the cavity; a mixing chamber in the cavity downstream of the water inlet port; an outlet chamber in the cavity underneath and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber; a strainer insert arranged in the cavity between the mixing chamber and the outlet chamber; a baffle in the mixing chamber between the water inlet port and the strainer insert; and an outlet port extending from and in fluid communication with the outlet chamber; wherein the baffle forms a wall impeding a horizontal flow within the mixing chamber in at least one horizontal direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strainer insert is removable from the housing.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a removable cap for permitting the allowance of powder detergent into the mixing chamber of the cavity.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the cap comprises an internal thread complementary to an external thread on the housing.

5. The device according to claim1, wherein the inlet port enters the mixing chamber in a horizontal direction.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet port enters the mixing chamber in a direction toward a central vertical axis of the strainer insert.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet port enters the mixing chamber in a direction that does not intersect with a central vertical axis of the strainer insert, thereby determining a rotational direction for inflowing water within the cavity.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the direction, in which the inlet port enters the mixing chamber is a horizontal direction.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strainer insert holds a mesh screen with a mesh number between 20 and 400, the mesh number defining mesh openings smaller than dry granular particles of the powdered laundry detergent.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the strainer insert is removably secured in the housing with a releasable locking mechanism.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical baffle is spiral-shaped and has a baffle length, the baffle defining a water path for guiding water entering the mixing chamber from the water inlet port along the length of the baffle.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the baffle is a rotatable agitator.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the rotatable agitator comprises at least two rotating blades.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein each of the at least two rotating blades extends in a direction transverse to a horizontal plane.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the baffle is connected to an electric motor.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the electric motor is battery-powered.

17. The device according to claim 12, wherein the agitator has a plurality of blades extending from a central hub.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein each blade has a bottom edge with teeth and voids, wherein the teeth extend closer toward the strainer insert than the voids.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of blades is an even number and the teeth and voids of adjacent blades are radially offset from one another so that the teeth of one of the adjacent blades define rotary paths identical to rotary paths of the voids of the other one of the adjacent blades.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of blades carries horizontal spikes on at least one vertical surface, the spikes configured to break up clumps.

21. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a shut-off valve at the water inlet port having a first position allowing water to enter the mixing chamber and a second position blocking water from entering the mixing chamber..

22. The device according to claim 20, further comprising a removable cap for introducing laundry detergent into the mixing chamber, wherein the shut-off valve comprises a locking mechanism preventing removal of the removable cap in the first position and allowing removal of the removable cap in the second position.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet port is disposed vertically above the outlet.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet port is disposed on an opposite lateral side from the outlet port.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet port is a downward chute for instantly discharging liquid from the outlet chamber.

26. A washing machine with a built-in device for dissolving laundry detergent according to claim 1.

27. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the washing machine is a front- loading washing machine and the device is accessible via a detergent front drawer.

28. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the washing machine is a top- loading washing machine with a top laundry lid and the device is accessible by opening the top laundry lid.

29. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the device is disposed upstream of an electromagnetic inlet valve of the washing machine.

30. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the device is disposed downstream stream of an electromagnetic inlet valve of the washing machine.