Display for Indicating the Depletion of Cleaning Agents or Auxiliary Cleaning Agents

• US 20070283876A1
• Filed: 04/01/2005
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Original Assignee: Henkel KGaA (Henkel AG & Co KGaA)
• Inventors: Kessler, Arnd, Duffels, Arno, Canavoi, Jan
• Granted Patent: US 7,913,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/201
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for indicating the depletion of a cleaning agent or auxiliary cleaning agent introduced into a dishwasher machine for a plurality of washing programs. According to the invention, a display appliance is arranged on or in the dishwasher machine, indicating to the user the depletion of the cleaning agent or auxiliary cleaning agent.

Claims

1. A device for displaying the depletion of a cleaning agent or a cleaning auxiliary which has been introduced into a dishwasher for a plurality of wash cycles, characterized in that a display unit which displays, for the user, the depletion of the cleaning agent or cleaning auxiliary is arranged on or in the dishwasher.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit is an electrical or electronic display unit.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit is a mechanical and/or magnetic display unit.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit is arranged outside the operating area of the dishwasher.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or cleaning auxiliary as a function of time.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or cleaning auxiliary as a function of the number of times the door of the dishwasher is opened.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or cleaning auxiliary as a function of the number of movements of at least one dish rack.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or cleaning auxiliary as a function of the number of cleaning programs which have been carried out.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit is connected to a structure which is fitted to a movable part of the dishwasher, wherein movement of the movable part triggers a switching operation for the display unit.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the structure is integrated in the display unit.

11. The device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the structure has a reed switch, and in that a magnet is fastened to the movable part of the dishwasher.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the movable part to which the magnet is fitted is selected from the group consisting of a dish rack, a door, a program selector switch and an on/off switch.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit is a viewing pane having a plurality of display panels which are arranged next to one another.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display unit comprises a liquid-crystal display (LCD).

15. A method for displaying the depletion of a cleaning agent or a cleaning auxiliary which has been introduced into a dishwasher for a plurality of wash cycles, characterized in that a device is fitted on or in the dishwasher, wherein said device has a display unit which displays, for the user, the depletion of cleaning agent or cleaning auxiliary.

18. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the display unit is arranged outside the operating area of the dishwasher.

19. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or auxiliary as a function of time.

20. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or auxiliary as a function of the number of times a door of the dishwasher is opened.

21. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or auxiliary as a function of the number of movements of at least one dish rack.

22. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the display unit displays the depletion of the cleaning agent or auxiliary as a function of the number of dishwasher cleaning programs which have been carried out.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)