Washing agents dispenser device for a domestic washing machine, namely a dishwasher

• US 20020153029A1
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Cerruti, Daniele, Belfiore, Stefano
• Granted Patent: US 6,923,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/29
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4409 by tipping containers or opening their lids, e.g. with the help of a programmer

Abstract

Dispensing device of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, said dispenser having at least a tank for a liquid washing agent and an arrangement for dispensing a dose of said liquid washing agent, wherein this arrangement comprises: a passage, being adapted to put the inside of the tank in hydraulic communication with a discharge outlet for said liquid washing agent; first plugging means, act on said passage and capable of taking a first position due to which the washing agent cannot reach said discharge outlet, and a second position due to which the washing agent is able to reach said discharge outlet; actuating means producing actuation of said first plugging means. According to the invention, controllable safety means act along said passage are provided, which normally operate for preventing washing agent downflow from said tank to said passage, independently from the position or state of the first plugging means.

Claims

1. (amended). A dispensing device of washing agents for a household washing machine, said dispenser having at least a tank for containing a liquid washing agent and an arrangement for dispensing a dose of said liquid washing agent, said arrangement comprising:

a passage adapted to put the inside of the said tank in communication with a discharge outlet for said liquid washing agent;

first plugging means acting on said passage and capable of taking a first position, in which the washing agent cannot reach said discharge outlet, and a second position, in which the washing agent is able to reach said discharge outlet;

actuating means producing actuation of said first plugging means, and comprising safety or control means operative along said passage to prevent washing agent downflow from said tank to said passage, independently from the position or state of said first plugging means.

2. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said safety means are adapted to prevent downflow of liquid washing agent from said tank to said passage when said first plugging means permit downflow of the washing agent to said discharge outlet, said downflow only being permitted when said first plugging means reach said second position or due to a malfunction of said first plugging means.

3. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said safety means comprise at least second plugging means.

4. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said safety means or second plugging means are provided along said passage upstream of said first plugging means.

5. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said passage comprises a dosing chamber of said liquid washing agent, in hydraulic communication with said tank, said safety means or second plugging means operating between said tank and said dosing chamber.

6. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said passage comprises a dispensing chamber of said liquid washing agent, in hydraulic communication with said dosing chamber, said first plugging means operating between said dosing chamber and said dispensing chamber, said dispensing chamber being in hydraulic communication with said discharge outlet.

7. (amended). A device according to claim 6, wherein:

in said first position, said first plugging means prevent downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing chamber to said dispensing chamber and permit downflow of liquid washing agent eventually contained in said dispensing chamber to said discharge outlet;

in said second position, said first plugging means enable downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing chamber to said dispensing chamber and prevent downflow of liquid washing agent eventually contained in said dispensing chamber to said discharge outlet;

8. (amended). A device according to claim 5, wherein said safety means or second plugging means are capable of first and second operating conditions, where:

in the first operating condition, reached when said first plugging means are in said second position, said safety means prevent downflow of liquid washing agent from said tank to said dosing chamber;

in the second operating condition, reached when said first plugging means are in said first position, said safety means permit downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing chamber to said dispensing chamber.

9. (amended). A device according to claim 1, further comprising venting means for communication with the environment outside said tank and/or said dosing chamber and/or said dispensing chamber.

10. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said safety means or second plugging means are capable of being completely immersed in the liquid washing agent, contained in said dosing chamber, whose relevant actuating means are arranged outside said tank or outside said dosing chamber.

11. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said first and/or second plugging means comprise an element made from ferromagnetic material, with which sealing means are associated.

12. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise a first actuator for operating said safety means or second plugging means, and a second actuator for operating said first plugging means.

13. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise a sole actuator, and that it provides a sole mechanism being adapted to produce actuation of said first and second plugging means at different times.

14. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise a slow operating actuator.

15. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise a solenoid.

16. (amended). A device according to claim 15, wherein said first plugging means comprise the rotor or movable core of said solenoid.

17. (amended). A device according to claim 11, further comprising a magnetic element associated with a component of a mechanism operated by said actuating means.

18. (amended). A device according to claim 13, wherein said magnetic element is associated with a component of said sole mechanism.

19. (amended). A device according to claim 17, wherein said component is angularly movable.

20. (amended). A device according to claim 19, wherein during the movement of said component the attraction force exerted by said magnetic element is capable of producing the switching of said safety means or second plugging means from said first to said second operating condition, or vice-versa.

21. (amended). A device according to claim 1, further comprising a second arrangement for dispensing at least one dose of a second washing agent, in solid form or powder.

22. (amended). A device according to claim 21, wherein said actuating means actuate said second arrangement, through a mechanism.

23. (amended). A device according to claim 22, whereinsaid mechanism comprises a straight toothed element or rack, capable of moving by the action of said actuating means, and at least a gear engaged to said rack.

24. (amended). A device according to claim 21, wherein said second arrangement comprises a recess containing said second washing agent, a cover for closing said recess and means for maintaining said cover in its closed position.

25. (amended). A device according to claim 21, wherein said second arrangement comprises a dispenser body delimiting at least a space for containing a dose of said second washing agent, said dispenser body being rotary around a first axis.

26. (amended). A device according to claim 25, wherein said dispenser body is capable of angular movement with respect to a second axis, substantially perpendicular with respect to said first axis.

27. (amended). A device according to claim 25, further comprising a seat housing said dispenser body, the latter being capable of taking a first position, in which said dispenser body is inserted in said seat, and a second position, in which said dispenser body is inclined to the outside of said seat, in order to permit intake of a dose of said second washing agent in said space.

28. (amended). A device according to claim 27, wherein an area of said seat is directly facing or open to the inside of the washing tub of the machine whereon the device is assembled.

29. (amended). A device according to claim 28, wherein said dispenser body is capable of rotating around said first axis, in order to bring the aperture of said space substantially in line with said area for permitting discharge of the dose of said second washing agent.

30. (amended). A device according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser body is sustained by a supporting element capable of angular movement.

31. (amended). A device according to claim 30, wherein said supporting element has at least a fork portion, said dispenser body being assembled movable and/or inclinable with respect to said supporting element.

37. (amended). A household washing machine comprising a dispensing device of washing agents according to claim 1.

32. (amended). A dispensing device of washing agents for a household washing machine, said dispenser having at least a tank for containing a liquid washing agent and an arrangement for dispensing a dose of said washing agent, said arrangement comprising:

a dosing space, being adapted to receive and contain at least a portion of the liquid washing agent contained in said tank;

a passage, being adapted to permit downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing chamber to a discharge or dispensing outlet of said liquid washing agent;

first plugging means acting on said passage and capable of taking a first position, due to which the washing agent cannot reach said discharge outlet, and a second position, due to which the washing agent is able to reach said discharge outlet;

at least an actuator, capable of actuating said first plugging means, and comprisingsafety or control means switching between first and second operating conditions, where;

in the first operating condition, reached when said first plugging means are in said second position, said safety means prevent downflow of liquid washing agent from said tank to said dosing space;

in the second operating condition, reached when said first plugging means are in said first position, said safety means permit downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space to said discharge outlet.

33. (amended). A device according to claim 32, wherein said first safety means are adapted to prevent downflow of liquid washing agent from said tank to said dosing space when said first plugging means permit downflow of washing agent to said discharge outlet, said downflow being permitted when said second position is reached by said first plugging means, or due to a malfunction of said first plugging means.

35. (amended). A device according to claim 34, wherein downflow of liquid washing agent from said tank to said dosing space is prevented when said first plugging means permit downflow of washing agent to said discharge outlet, independently whether said downflow is permitted due to said first plugging means having reached said second position or due to a malfunction of said first plugging means.

36. (amended). A method according to claim 34, wherein:

in said first position, said first plugging means prevent downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space to a said dispensing space and to permit downflow of liquid washing agent eventually contained in said dispensing space to said discharge outlet;

in said second position, said first plugging means permit downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space to said dispensing space and prevent downflow of liquid washing agent eventually contained in said dispensing space to said discharge outlet.

34. (amended). A method for dispensing a liquid washing agent in a household washing machine, by means of a dispenser having at least a tank for containing a liquid washing agent, the method providing:

admission of at least a portion of the liquid washing agent from said tank to a dosing space,

a subsequent dispensing through a discharge outlet of liquid washing agent contained in said dosing space outside of said dispenser,

where first plugging means can be controlled for assuming a first position, due to which the liquid washing agent cannot reach said discharge outlet, and a second position, due to which the liquid washing agent can reach said discharge outlet,

wherein when said first plugging means are in said second position, downflow of liquid washing agent from said tank to said dosing space is prevented, and when said first plugging means are in said first position, downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space is permitted to said discharge outlet.