Detergent Dosing Device

• US 20100186781A1
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Finish B.V. (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V. (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Housmekerides, Chris Efstathios, Gibis, Karl Ludwig
• Granted Patent: US 8,815,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/115.R
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/44 Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4445 Detachable devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4463 Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives

Abstract

The invention concerns detergent dosing devices and particularly a device for metering detergent doses within a dishwashing machine. A detergent dosing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprises: a water/wash liquor collection area (12), a controlled inlet valve (14) for receiving water/wash liquor from the water/wash liquor collection area (12) and selectively allowing the collected water/wash liquor to pass through it, a housing part 10 for receiving water/wash liquor passed to it by the controlled inlet valve (14), a detergent supply (16) for mixing with said water/wash liquor, a first sensor (18) for sensing the cleanliness level of water/wash liquor, a second sensor (20) for sensing detergent, a controller (22) for receiving signals from said first and second sensors (18, 20) and for selectively controlling said inlet valve (14) on the basis of the outputs from the first and second sensors and an outlet (28) for dispensing mixed water/wash liquor and detergent.

Claims

1. A detergent dosing device comprising:

a water/wash liquor collection area;

a housing part for receiving water/wash liquor passed to it;

a detergent supply for mixing with said water/wash liquor in said housing;

means for controlling inflow of water/wash liquor to the device in response to sensed conditions; and

an outlet for dispensing mixed water/wash liquor and detergent.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein inflow is controlled in response to a sensed cleanliness level of water/wash liquor.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein inflow is controlled in response to a sensed concentration level of detergent.

4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a controlled inlet valve for receiving water/wash liquor from the water/wash liquor collection area and selectively allowing the collected water/wash liquor to pass through it in response to at least one sensed condition; and

a controller for receiving signals regarding said at least one sensed condition and selectively controlling said inlet valve.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said means for controlling inflow of water/wash liquor to the device comprises a first sensor for sensing the cleanliness level of water/wash liquor and a second sensor for sensing detergent and said controller receives signals from said first and second sensors and selectively controls said inlet valve on the basis of the outputs from said first and second sensors.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said first sensor is a turbidity sensor.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein said second sensor is a conductivity sensor.

8. A device according to claim 4, wherein the controller is arranged to vary the amount of water/wash liquor admitted into the housing based upon signals from the first and second sensors.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the controller controls the inlet valve by referring to a look up table detailing valve settings for different values of signals received from said first and second sensors.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein said controlled inlet valve is controlled so as to be openable by predetermined amounts and times according to conditions sensed by the first and second sensors.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a battery power source.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detergent supply comprises a solid block of detergent.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detergent supply comprises a supply of liquid detergent.

14. A ware washing machine comprising a detergent dosing device according to claim 1.

15. A ware washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the ware washing machine is an automatic dishwashing machine