WO2011148345A1

WO2011148345A1 - Laundry-drying machine

Info

Publication number: WO2011148345A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/052319
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Hamblin; Claudio Portinari
Original assignee: Indesit Company S.P.A.
Priority date: 2010-05-28
Filing date: 2011-05-27
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Also published as: EP2576890A1; ITTO20100453A1; EP2576890B1

Abstract

A laundry-drying machine has a system for delivery of an additive, comprising a container for the additive (11), a delivery nozzle (13), and an actuator (14), which is operatively set between the container (11) and the nozzle (13) and can be controlled for causing delivery of an amount of additive to the inside of a drum of the machine. The container basically consists of a drawer body (11), slidably mounted through a through opening (10) of a front face (4, 6) of the cabinet (2) of the machine. The drawer body (11) is connected to the actuator (14) by means of a hose (15) of a length such as to enable displacement of the drawer body (11) between the closed and open positions. The drawer body (11) has, in an intermediate position between the front and the back, stop means (22, 23) for preventing removal of the drawer body (11) from the cabinet (2) through the through opening (10).

Description

"LAUNDRY-DRYING MACHINE"

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a laundry-drying machine. More particularly, the invention regards a machine of the above sort having a system for delivery, in the course of a drying program, of an additive, in particular a perfuming substance.

State of the art

Machines for drying laundry are typically provided with a cabinet, rotatably housed within which is a drum, designed to contain the laundry to be dried.

In some solutions, the drum has a perforated cylindrical wall and is rotatably mounted within a tank: this is typically the case of the so-called washer-drier machines, i.e., machines that enable washing and subsequent drying a load of laundry.

Drier machines in a strict sense, instead, are not normally provided with a tank. In some solutions, the drum is constituted by a perforated cylindrical wall, associated to which is a front flange and a rear flange, which are provided with openings for the passage of a flow of drying air. In other solutions, the drum basically consists of just the cylindrical wall, rotatably constrained to the open end of which are respective front and rear containment elements, with interposition of suitable sliding seal means.

Some machines of a known type are provided with a system for introducing within the drum an additive, typically represented by a perfuming substance. Generally, these systems comprise a reservoir for the additive, unremovably mounted on the cabinet or on the structure of the machine, a nozzle that faces the inside of the drum or of the tank, and an actuator, such as a pump or a solenoid valve, which is operatively set between the reservoir for the additive and the delivery nozzle. The aforesaid actuator is governed by a control system of the machine for causing delivery of an amount or dose of additive, at the appropriate moment of the drying program.

In the known solutions, the reservoir for the additive is typically configured as an unremovable container, i.e., one not removable from the structure of the machine. In these solutions, the reservoir is mounted in such a way that its loading mouth is accessible from the panel defining the upper face of the machine, i.e., the so-called "top", which must be provided for the purpose with a hatch, designed to hide the aforesaid mouth, at the same time enabling accessibility thereof. Solutions of this type are known, for example, from the documents US-A-4,236,320 and US-A-4,207,683.

This type of positioning of the reservoir is basically dictated by the type of construction of the machine, which only in the region close to the top affords a space available for positioning of the reservoir for the additive.

These known solutions complicate, however, the construction of the machine as a whole, requiring the prearrangement of purposely provided tops, which must be provided with through windows and hatches for closing the compartment for access to the reservoir, as well as a lid for the reservoir itself, which the user must open and close each time, when it becomes necessary to top up with the additive.

Summary of the invention

The aim of the present invention is basically to provide a laundry-drying machine of an improved and simplified construction as compared to the prior art referred to above, in particular with a view to solving the drawbacks mentioned.

Said aim is achieved, according to the present invention, by a laundry-drying machine having the characteristics specified in the annexed claims. The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided herein in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further aims, characteristics, and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing detailed description, with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of explanatory and non- limiting example and in which:

- Figure 1 is a partial and schematic front elevation of a laundry-drying machine according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 , but with a drawer member and a drawer container not represented;

- Figure 3 is a schematic view, from the inside of the machine towards the outside, of an internal portion of the machine of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 4 is a schematic view of the components of a system for delivery an additive, forming part of a machine according to the invention;

- Figure 5 is a side view of the system of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a container for additives of the aforesaid delivery system in a closed condition;

- Figure 7 is a plan view of the container of Figure 6;

- Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, but with the container in the open position;

- Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, but with the container in the open position;

- Figures 10 and 11 are opposite schematic longitudinal sections of the container of Figures 6-8;

- Figures 12 and 13 are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of an element for closing the container of Figures 6-8; and

- Figures 14-17 are partial and schematic views of a plastic component of the machine according to the invention, which illustrate a sequence of steps for assembly of an actuator forming part of the aforesaid delivery system.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Reference to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" in the framework of the present description is meant to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment. Hence, phrases such as "in an embodiment" or "in one embodiment" and the like, that may be present in various points of the present description do not necessarily all refer to one and the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular configurations, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any adequate way in one or more embodiment. The references appearing in what follows are provided only for convenience and do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

With particular reference to Figure 1 , designated as a whole by 1 is a laundry- drying machine according to the present invention. In the case illustrated, the machine 1 is of the type designed to carry out only functions of drying.

As per the known art, rotatably mounted within the cabinet of the machine, designated as a whole by 2, is a drum, represented only schematically and designated by 3, designed for containing the laundry to be dried.

The machine 1 comprises all the elements normally known and necessary for its operation, amongst which a control system, a system for driving the drum, a system for generating and forcing a flow of hot air through the drum 3 in order to dry the laundry.

The cabinet has a front face, which includes a front cabinet wall 4, having an opening, mounted in front of which is a door 5 to enable access to the drum 3. In the front face of the cabinet 2, in particular in its upper region, there is then mounted a plastic panel, designated as a whole by 6, which defines an area 7 for positioning of the components of a user interface of the machine. Some of these means, such as a display, some control keys, an ON/OFF switch, and a push-button sector, are designated by 7a.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system for generating and forcing a flow of hot air through the drum 3 comprises a condenser device, of a conception in itself known, which includes a drawer for collecting the condensation water produced by the moist air leaving the drum. In another embodiment of the invention, the machine is of the ventilation type and hence envisages the expulsion of the moist air outside the cabinet.

In the embodiment exemplified, the condenser is positioned in an upper and front area of the cabinet 2, with the aforesaid drawer that is designated as a whole by 8 in Figure 1. This drawer 8 comprises a front part 8a, defined in which is a grip 8b, in accordance with known technique. The drawer 8 is operatively inserted, in a slidable way, in a corresponding through seat or wall formed at least in part in the plastic panel 6. Said seat is designated as a whole by 9 in Figure 2, where the drawer 8 is removed. From the comparison between Figures 1 and 2 it may be noted how the front wall 8a of the drawer 8 hides, when closed, a corresponding region of the panel 6, which is at least in part generally receding with respect to the front of the panel itself. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, provided in said recessed region is a further through opening, designated by 10, at which is a container for a liquid additive, which forms part of the present invention.

The aforesaid container, which in Figure 2 is not represented for reasons of greater clarity, is visible for example in Figure 3, which illustrates a partial view from the inside of the machine towards the outside, in the absence of the drawer 8. Visible in Figure 3 is the seat 9, as well as the aforesaid container for the additive, designated as a whole by 11 , which is mounted at the opening 10 of Figure 2 and extends in length towards the inside of the cabinet 2 of the machine. It may be noted that, for requirements of greater clarity, other internal components of the machine 1 are not represented in the various figures in so far as they are of a type in itself known and are not of immediate interest for the purposes of an understanding of the invention. The container 11 is preferably made of synthetic material. In a preferred embodiment, at least the body of the container 11 is made of a styrene- acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer. Said type of material ensures a good balancing between physical properties, optical properties (transparency), thermal resistance, and mechanical resistance, associated to excellent characteristics of chemical resistance, such as resistance to aliphatic hydrocarbons and vegetable oils that may be present in the additive.

Once again visible in Figure 3 is part of a plastic component, designated by 12. The component 12, which has an as a whole circular shape, is mounted in a fixed position within the cabinet 2, fastened to its fixed structure, circumscribing the area of the wall 4, defined in which is the corresponding opening for loading. The body 12 extends substantially between the front wall 4 and a front opening of the drum 3, not visible in the figures, according to a technique in itself known. Here it will suffice to point out that the arrangement of the parts is such that at least one annular region of the body 12, in the assembled condition of the machine, projects within the aforesaid front opening of the drum 13.

In one embodiment, such as the one exemplified, provided at the aforesaid annular region of the body 12, in particular in an upper area thereof, is a through hole, mounted through which is a delivery nozzle, designated as a whole by 13 in Figure 3. The nozzle 13 is mounted on the body 12 in such a way that the corresponding delivery opening 13a faces the inside of the drum 3.

Visible in Figures 4 and 5 are the essential components of a delivery system for the additive, which comprises the container 11 and the nozzle 13.

Designated by 11 in Figures 4 and 5 is the aforesaid container for the liquid additive, which is in particular a perfuming substance. Designated by 13 - only in Figure 4 - is the above-mentioned nozzle, whereas designated as a whole by 14 is an actuator, which is operatively set between the container 11 and the nozzle 13, said actuator being controllable for causing delivery of an amount of additive from the container 11 into the drum 3 by way of the nozzle 13. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator 14 consists of a vibration pump, in particular a constant-flowrate one, substantially of the type currently used in machines for the preparation of coffee and similar hot beverages.

As may be noted (compare also Figure 3), the pump 14 is preferably mounted on the plastic body 12, in particular in an upper area thereof, in its part opposite to that in which the delivery opening 13a of the nozzle 13 opens, and hence in a position external to the drum 3.

Once again in Figures 4 and 5, designated by 15 is a flexible hose, preferably made of elastomer, which connects an outlet of the container 11 to an inlet of the pump 14. Designated by 16 only in Figure 4 is a second pipe, which is also preferably but not necessarily flexible, which connects an outlet of the pump 14 to the nozzle 13.

Visible in different views in Figures 6-9 is the container 11.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the container 11 is substantially configured as a drawer, which extends axially between a respective front and a respective back. This drawer container 11 is slidably mounted through the through opening 10 of Figure 2 so as to be displaceable in a direction of sliding between a closed, or retracted, position and an open, or extracted, position. In Figures 6 and 7, the drawer container 11 is illustrated in the aforesaid closed or retracted position, whereas in Figures 8 and 9 the drawer container 11 is illustrated in the open or extracted position.

As may be noted in the figures, the hose 15 is connected directly between the pump

14 and the container 11, and has a length such as to enable displacement of the container itself between its closed position and the position of maximum extraction. The drawer container 11 is hence without a hopper, as typically occurs in all drawers for dispensing substances normally provided in machines for washing and/or drying laundry for domestic use. In this way, thanks to the presence of the hose 15, the drawer container 11 can be freely displaced between the open and closed positions, and the absence of a hopper determines overall contained dimensions of the arrangement.

According to a further characteristic of the invention, the drawer container 1 1 has, in a position generally intermediate between its front and its back, means suitable for enabling only a partial extraction of the container itself from the machine, through the through opening 10. The drawer container 11 is hence not removable from the machine 1, it being possible for it to be brought only into its open or extracted position in order to enable loading thereof with an amount of liquid additive sufficient for executing one or more drying processes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, such as the one represented in the figures, constrained in a position corresponding to the through opening 10 of Figure 2 is a frame, designated as a whole by 17 in Figures 6-9, where the drawer container 11 is slidably inserted. As may be noted, the frame 17 is basically tubular, or shaped as a quadrangular collar, with a development in length that is very limited, in the region of 0.5-1.5 cm. As may be seen, in particular in Figures 7 and 9, the frame 17 is constrained, in particular by snap action, in the opening 10 that is defined in the plastic panel 6.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame 17 defines at least one first guide element, designated by 17a for example in Figures 8, 10 and 11, which extends in length towards the inside of the cabinet 2. On the other side, the drawer container 11 has at least one second guide element, designated by 18 for example in Figure 3, which is slidably engaged on the first guide element 17a. The guide element 17 has a front abutment wall 17b, upon which the second guide element 18 can abut, in the condition of maximum extraction of the drawer container 11.

In a preferred embodiment, the first guide element 17a is formed integral with the frame 17 and extends underneath a part of the bottom of the drawer body 11 , with the second guide element 18 that is formed integral with the body of the container 11, in a lower part thereof. Preferably, the first guide element 17a extends in cantilever fashion from the frame 17 towards the inside of the cabinet 2. The second guide element 18 comprises, instead, a generally curved, or substantially hook-like, formation as may be clearly seen for example in Figure 3, so as to surround at least partially the first guide element 17a.

Thanks to the presence of the guide means 17a, 18, notwithstanding the very small thickness of the frame 17, the displacements of the drawer container 11 between the respective open and closed positions occur in a precise way.

As may be noted in Figures 6-9, the drawer container 1 1 has a front portion, designated as a whole by 20, and a rear portion, designated as a whole by 21, both of which extend in length in the direction of sliding of the container 11. The stop means referred to above, which prevent extraction of the container 11 from the through opening 10 of Figure 2, are configured in such a way that the rear portion 21 remains always inside the cabinet, also in the position of maximum extraction of the container 11 allowed.

As may be seen in Figures 7 and 9, the front portion 20 has a cross-sectional dimension, in particular the width, which is smaller than the homologous transverse dimension, i.e., the width, of the rear portion 21. In this way, the through opening 10 can have relatively contained dimensions.

The aforesaid stop means are defined in a region of transition between the two portions 20 and 21 of the drawer container 1 1. In particular, as may be seen for example in Figures 7 and 9, in the area of joining between the two portions 20 and 21 there is in practice defined a step or a contrast surface 22, determined by the different width of the portions themselves, so that the container 11 can never be extracted completely through the frame 17. Also by forcing the container 11 outwards, the contrast surface 22 inevitably interferes with the frame 17, preventing removal of the drawer container. Preferably, but not necessarily, provided in the area of transition between the portions 20 and 21 is a further stop element, designated by 23, formed integrally in the body of the container 11 , on the side opposite to the contrast surface 22.

From Figures 10 and 11, which illustrate schematic sections viewed from opposite sides of the drawer container 11 with the corresponding frame 17, it may be noted how the front portion 20 has a bottom 20a that lies at a height lower than the bottom 21a of the rear portion 21. In practice, the front portion 20 is hence narrower but deeper than the rear portion 21. From Figure 3 it may also be noted how the bottoms 20a and 21a are generally inclined or curved, and how in the area of transition between the two portions a region of maximum depth of the drawer container 11 is defined. Said region of maximum depth is designated by 24 and in a lateral position corresponding thereto a connector 25 is defined integrally in the body of the container 11 for connection of the hose 15.

Once again from Figures 6-9 it may be noted how the front of the drawer container 11 defines a projecting tab 26, aimed at facilitating gripping and movement of the container itself. From Figures 6-9, it may moreover be noted how, in a preferred embodiment, the front portion 20 of the drawer body 11 defines, on its opposite side walls, axially extending reliefs, on which pairs of recesses 27 are provided (Figures 7 and 9), designed to co-operate with elastic teeth 17c made on the frame 17 in order to provide position references for the drawer body 11. In practice, the engagement of the aforesaid teeth 17c with the pairs of recesses 27 enables the drawer body 11 to be kept in the open and closed positions.

In one embodiment, associated to the body of the drawer container 11 is a covering element, designated as a whole by 28, which, in its assembled condition, closes at least the rear portion 21 at the top, as may be clearly seen, for example, in Figures 6-9. As may be seen in Figures 12 and 13, the closing element 28 has a top wall 28a, branching off orthogonally downwards from a front region of which is a frame portion 28b, designed to be inserted in the front portion 20 of the container 11, in the proximity of the region of interface with the rear portion 21. Advantageously, the frame portion 28b, in combination with the wall 28a, is exploited for keeping in position a filter element set vertically (not represented in the figures), which extends vertically and substantially separates the portions 20 and 21 from one another. The covering element 28 is fixed to the body of the container 1 1 via teeth that are made on the top edge of the side walls of the rear portion 21; some of these teeth are designated by 29 in Figures 6-9.

Visible in Figures 14-17 are some of the steps of assembly of the pump 14 on the plastic component 12, in its outer part with respect to the drum 3. As may be seen, in a preferred embodiment, integrally formed in the upper area of the body of the component 12 are pins 30 for assembly of supporting brackets 31 of the pump 14. The brackets 31, which are substantially L-shaped, have in their foot a through hole, inserted in which is a corresponding pin. Blocking between the parts is then completed via elastic rings for blocking by interference 32, of a type in itself known. It may be noted that Figure 15 shows, for greater clarity, only the brackets 31. Overall assembly of the pump 14 between the brackets 31 may be seen in Figure 16, the tubes 15 and 16 being also visible in Figure 17. Assembly of the pump 14 on the component 12, in particular in an area relatively close to the position of the nozzle 13, enables minimization of the length of the tube 16, so as to minimize the pressure drop before the nozzle itself. For said purpose, the length of the tube 16 can be indicatively contained between approximately 5 cm and approximately 10 cm, in particular approximately 7.5 cm.

The solution according to the invention affords important advantages as compared to the known art mentioned previously. Thanks to the solution according to the invention it is not necessary to provide a top of the cabinet of the machine purposely configured for installation of a container for the additive, as well as of the corresponding lids and access hatch. The unremovable drawer container 11 provided according to the invention is mounted in the front part of the machine, and this container is preferably normally hidden from view by the front wall 8a of a drawer 8, which is in any case provided on the machine. In the simplified embodiment of the figures, the drawer 8 forms part of a condenser device, but it will be appreciated that - in other solutions - said drawer could be, for example, a drawer belonging to a dispenser of detergents, in the case of implementation of the invention in a washer-drier machine. As has been seen, in the solution proposed, the drawer container 11, albeit mounted unremovable from the machine 1 , does not require any hopper and can consequently be connected directly to the pump 14 by way of the hose 15. As has already been said, this solution enables extremely reduced overall dimensions for the container 11, to the advantage of its positioning on the front of the machine, which is the most advantageous position from the ergonomic standpoint, but is also the one in which the spaces available within the machine are extremely small. For this reason, there is also envisaged the particular shape of the container 11, with a larger width, but a smaller height in its innermost part, and with a smaller width and larger height in its extractable part. In this way, it is possible to exploit to the full the extremely small spaces available in the region of mounting of the panel 6.

The production of the system described is very simple and inexpensive. The main body of the container 11 can be obtained via moulding of plastic material, and the same applies to the frame 17 and to the closing element 28, as well as to the component 12 for assembly of the pump 14 and of the nozzle 13. The tubes 15 and 16 made of elastomer material, as likewise the nozzle 13, the pump 14 with the corresponding brackets 31, and the blocking rings 32 are commercially available components.

Also operation and use of the machine 1 , for what is of interest herein, is very simple. In normal conditions, with the drawer 8 closed, the container 11 is hidden from view. In the case where the container 11 has to be topped up with the additive, the user simply has to open the drawer 8 to gain access to the container 11. With a slight grip on the tab, the user can extract the container 11 partially through the frame 17 up to the position of maximum extraction: in said position, the front portion 20 of the body 11 is prevalently accessible, and the liquid additive can be easily poured therein, for example from a corresponding bottle or box. Once said operations are completed, the user simply has to re-close the container 11 and re-close the drawer 8, hiding it once again from view.

At the moment deemed appropriate of the process of drying, the control system of the machine 1 governs the pump 14 to obtain the desired delivery of the additive. In one embodiment, the drying process envisages a final step of cooling of the laundry, which has a duration indicatively comprised between five and fifteen minutes, in particular approximately ten minutes. At the start of this final cooling step, in the course of which non- heated air is made to circulate through the drum 13, the control system of the machine 1 governs activation of the pump 14, for a predefined time, indicatively between 40 and 100 seconds, in particular approximately 70 seconds, aimed at delivery via the nozzle 13 of a substantially predefined dose of the liquid additive, which can be indicatively comprised between 40 and 150 ml, in particular between 70 and 100 ml. As has been said, in this step, non- heated air is made to circulate within the drum 3, which is exploited for diffusing the perfume amongst the laundry.

As has been said, the pump 14 is substantially of the type currently used in the production of machines for the preparation of coffee and the like, and is thus distinguished by a low flow-rate. Pumps of this type are designed to operate also in the absence of liquid up to a maximum of approximately five minutes. This feature, together with the modality of activation for a predetermined time, prevents the need for sensor means purposely dedicated to detection of the presence of the liquid additive in the drawer container 11. In any case, for greater protection, there may be associated to the pump 14 a known thermal protector, for example a resistor of a PTC type, which in the presence of overheating of the pump beyond a predefined value, inhibits supply to the pump itself.

From the foregoing description, the characteristics of the present invention emerge clearly, as likewise its advantages. It is clear that numerous variations are possible for the person skilled in the art to the machine described by way of example herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the annexed claims.

As mentioned previously, the invention can be applied also to machines for washing and drying laundry. In such an embodiment, the nozzle 13 can be mounted in a position corresponding to a through opening formed in the tank of the machine, or in a front component of the oscillating assembly facing the inside of the tank and/or of the drum, such as for example the bellows-type gasket that extends typically between the opening of the tank and the loading opening of the cabinet.

Claims

1. A laundry-drying machine, having a cabinet (2), within which a laundry drum (3) is rotatably housed, the machine comprising means (8) for forcing a flow of hot air through the drum (3) for drying the laundry, and a system for delivery of an additive to the inside of the drum (3), which comprises a container for the additive (11), a delivery nozzle (13), and an actuator (14), operatively set between the container (11) and the nozzle (13) and controllable for causing delivery of an amount of additive towards the inside of the drum (3), wherein the container for the additive (11) is irremovably mounted with respect to the cabinet (2), said laundry-drying machine being characterized in that:

- the container substantially consists of a drawer body (11) axially extending between a respective front and a respective back, the drawer body (11) being slidingly mounted through a through opening (10) of a front face (4, 6) of the cabinet (2), the drawer body (11) being displaceable in a sliding direction between a closed position and an open position;

- the drawer body (11) is connected to the actuator (14) by means of a hose (15) of a length such as to enable displacement of the body itself between the closed and open positions; and

- the drawer body (1 1) has, in an intermediate position between the front and the back, stop means (22, 23) for preventing removal of the drawer body (11) from the cabinet (2) through the through opening (10).

2. The machine according to Claim 1, wherein constrained at the through opening (10) is a frame (17) in which the drawer body (11) is slidingly inserted.

3. The machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the drawer body (1 1) has a front portion (20) and a rear portion (21) that axially extend in the sliding direction, the stop means (22, 23) being configured in such a way that the rear portion (21) remains within the cabinet (2) even in a position of maximum extraction of the drawer body (11) from the cabinet (2).

4. The machine according to Claim 3, wherein the front portion (20) has a cross- sectional dimension smaller than a homologous cross-sectional dimension of the rear portion (21), the stop means (22, 23) being defined in a region of transition between the two portions (21, 22), said cross-sectional dimension being in particular the width.

5. The machine according to Claim 4, wherein the drawer body (11) has a bottom that comprises a front bottom portion (20a) and a rear bottom portion (21a), the front bottom portion (20a) lying at a height lower than the rear bottom portion (21a).

6. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer body (1 1) is made at least in part of a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.

7. The machine according to Claim 2, wherein the frame (17) defines a first guide element (17a) axially extending towards the inside of the cabinet (2), and the drawer body (11) has a second guide element (18) slidingly engaged on the first guide element (17a).

8. The machine according to Claim 7, wherein the first guide element (17a) extends substantially in cantilever fashion from the frame (17), and the second guide element comprises a hooking member (18) that partially surrounds the first guide element (17a).

9. The machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the through opening (10) is defined in a plastic panel (6) mounted in an upper region of the front face (4, 6) of the cabinet (1).

10. The machine according to Claim 9, wherein the plastic panel (6) defines a second through opening (9) for a drawer member (8), in particular of a condenser device, the drawer member (8) having a front part (8a) that, when the drawer member (8) is closed, hides the front of the drawer body (11).

11. The machine according to Claim 3, wherein the drawer body (11) has an area of maximum depth (24) that is located in a region intermediate between the front portion (20) and the rear portion (21), a connector (25) for connection of the hose (15) branching off from one side of the area of maximum depth (24).

12. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein housed within the drawer body (11), substantially in the region of transition between the front portion (20) and the rear portion (21) or in the proximity of said region of transition, is a filter.

13. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stationary plastic component (12), set between a front opening of the cabinet (2) and a front opening of the drum (3), and wherein:

- the nozzle (13) is mounted in a through hole of the plastic component (12) so as to have a delivery outlet (13a) facing towards the inside of the drum itself; and/or - the actuator (14) is mounted on the plastic component (12), in particular at a face opposite to the drum (13);

the nozzle (13) and the actuator (14) being preferably mounted in one and the same area of the plastic component, in positions relatively close to one another.

14. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator is a vibration pump (14).

15. A method for drying laundry in a laundry-drying machine, in particular but not exclusively according to one or more of Claims 1 to 15, of the type in which a forced air flow is made to pass through a laundry drum (3), the method comprising:

- providing the machine with a system for delivery of a liquid additive towards the inside of the drum (3), comprising a container for the additive (11), a delivery nozzle (13) and a pump (14) operatively set between the container (11) and the nozzle (13);

- executing a drying step, in the course of which the drum (13) is driven in rotation and through it heated air is made to circulate in a forced way; and

- executing a cooling step, in the course of which the drum (13) is driven in rotation and through it non-heated air is made to circulate in a forced way;

and wherein in the course of the cooling step the pump (14) is activated for a predefined period of time, for delivering a substantially predefined dose of the liquid additive,

where in particular the cooling step has a duration comprised between approximately 5 minutes and approximately 15 minutes, preferably approximately 10 minutes, the predefined period of time is comprised between approximately 40 seconds and approximately 100 seconds, preferably approximately 70 seconds, the substantially predefined dose of the liquid additive is comprised between approximately 40 ml and approximately 150 ml, preferably between approximately 70 ml and approximately 100 ml.