# US 2009/0260406 A1 · Washing Machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260406 A1 - Document ID: US20090260406A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/309,823 - Filed: 2007-08-01 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-08-02 - Assignees: LG Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Sang Hun Bae; Dong Yoon Kim; Chul Jin Choi; Dong Hyun Kim; Young Bok Son - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260406A1 ## CPC - D06F 39/40: Steam generating arrangements - D06F 39/02: Devices for adding soap or other washing agents - D06F 39/088: {Liquid supply arrangements} - D06F 58/203: {Laundry conditioning arrangements} - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES ## Abstract The present invention relates to a laundry machine using steam. The laundry machine includes a drum for holding laundry, a steam generator for generating steam, a water supply unit for supplying water to the steam generator, an additive supply unit for supplying additive to the steam generator, and a supply line for supplying the steam and the additive to the drum. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A laundry machine comprising: a drum for holding laundry; a steam generator for generating steam; a water supply unit for supplying water to the steam generator; an additive supply unit for supplying additive to the steam generator; and a supply line for supplying the steam and the additive to the drum. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive supply unit supplies liquidus additive. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the additive supply unit supplies functional additives for acceleration of activity of detergent, sterilization, or bleaching. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the additive supply unit supplies additives having no surfactant. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive is mixed with steam before being supplied to the drum. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water supply unit includes a water supply valve for selective supply of water to the steam generator, and the water supply valve also supplies the water to the additive supply unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a valve between the water supply valve and the additive supply unit for selective supply of the water to the additive supply unit through the water supply valve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive supply unit includes; an additive introduction unit for holding the additive, and a pump for supplying the additive to the steam generator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling operation of the laundry machine including operation of the water supply unit, and the additive supply unit; and a control panel for interface with the user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control panel is provided with a selection unit for user's selection of various washing courses, or drying courses. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the various washing courses, or drying courses include a steam course having a steam course for supplying the steam to the drum upon user's selection. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein, upon user's selection of the steam course at the selection unit, the controller controls operation of the steam generator and the additive supply unit so that the steam and the additive are mixed, and supplied to the drum. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the selection unit further includes an additive selection unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein, only when the user selects the additive selection unit, the controller controls operation of the steam generator and the additive supply unit so that the steam and the additive are mixed, and supplied to the drum. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water supply unit includes; a detachable water container for supplying water to the steam generator, and a water supply flow passage connected between the steam generator and the water container, for flow of water, and the additive supply unit includes a supplementary tray for introduction of the additive to the steam generator together with the water from the water container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the supplementary tray and the water container are connected to each other such that, when the water is supplied from the water container to the steam generator, the additive is supplied from the supplementary tray to the steam generator, together with the water. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the supplementary tray is detachable from the water container. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the supplementary tray is mounted in the water container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the supplementary tray is mounted to an outside of the water container. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the water container includes; a container for holding water, and a cover for covering the container. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the supplementary tray is detachable from the cover. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the supplementary tray is detachable from the container. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the water supply unit further includes a pump on the water supply flow passage for pimping the water and the additive to the steam generator. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the laundry machine is a dryer.