Washing machine with a multi-function water reservoir

A washing machine comprising a washing tank capable of being supplied with water;

• a drain conduit connected to the washing tank;
• a pump connected in the drain conduit;
• a sequence control switch controlling operating cycles including at least one washing or rinsing phase and at least one water drain phase;
• at least one reservoir having a lower aperture communicating with the tank and adapted to store at least a part of the water from at least one of said operating phases for re-utilization thereof during a subsequent operating phase of the machine, characterized in that:
• said lower aperture (7) of the reservoir (6) is connected to a delivery side of the pump (3) through which the lower aperture communicates with the tank (1);
• the reservoir includes at least one upper aperture (9) adapted to communicate with outside ambient air through valve means (10);
• and
• said valve means (10) is controlled by the program sequence control switch (13) so as to open during at least a pre-determined drain phase to enable said reservoir (6) to be substantially filled with water being let out of the tank (1), to temporarily close to prevent the water stored in the reservoir (6) from escaping therefrom after said drain phase, and to open again so as to enable the water stored in the reservoir (6) to flow back into the washing tank (1) through said lower aperture (7) and said pump (3) for said subsequent operating phase to be carried out.