ADAPTER FOR COUPLING A DOSING SYSTEM TO A WATER SUPPLY LINE

• US 20110132411A1
• Filed: 01/07/2011
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Original Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Inventors: Eichholz, Dieter, Kessler, Arnd, Jans, Gerold, Fileccia, Salvatore
• Application Number:
  US12/986,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20110132411A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/93
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4454 with automatic identification means, e.g. barcodes, RFID tags or magnetic strips
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4463 Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/024 mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9029 With coupling

Abstract

Adapter for coupling a dosing system to a water supply line, comprising a water inlet and a water outlet, which may be coupled to a water supply line, such that water can flow through the adapter and means for fixing a dosing device on or in the adapter, wherein the dosing device comprises a controller, a sensor unit, at least one actuator, connected to a power source and the controller such that a control signal from the controller brings about a movement of the actuator whereupon a product release is carried out or stopped. The means for foxing the dosing device on or in the adapter and the dosing device are designed such that in the coupled state a fluid-tight connection is formed between the adapter and the dosing device which prevents inflow of water into the adapter and an outflow of flowing water from the adapter.

Claims

1. An adapter for coupling a dispensing system with a water-conveying line of a dishwashing machine, comprising:

A. a water inlet and a water outlet that are in each case couplable with a water-conveying line of the dishwashing machine, such that water may flow through the adapter, and

B. a means for fixing a dispenser on or in the adapter wherein the dispenser comprises;

1. a control unit,

2. a sensor unit,

3. at least one actuator that is connected with an energy source and the control unit in such a manner that a control signal from the control unit brings about movement of the actuator, whereby product release is brought about or shut off,

wherein, in the coupled state, said means provides a liquid-tight connection between the adapter and the dispenser.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured such that, in the uncoupled state with the dispenser, escape of water flowing through the adapter from the adapter into the surrounding environment is prevented.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises at least one interface that cooperates with a corresponding interface formed in or on the adapter in such a manner that electrical energy is transferred from the adapter to the dispenser.

4. The adapter according to claim 3, wherein an interface is constructed on the dispenser and adapter for transfer of electromagnetic signals that represent operating state, measurement and/or control information of the dispenser and/or the dishwashing machine.

5. The adapter according to claim 4, wherein the interface is constructed as an optical interface in the wavelength range of 600-800 nm.

6. The adapter according to claim 5, wherein the interface comprises an LED as the transmit unit and a photodiode as the receive unit.

7. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is detachably fixed in or on the adapter.

8. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is nondetachably fixed in or on the adapter.

9. The dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge is mobile.

10. A dispensing system, in particular for a user to position in the interior of a dishwashing machine, comprising:

A. at least one cartridge for flowable washing or cleaning agents with a plurality of chambers for spatially separate accommodation of in each case different preparations of a washing or cleaning agent; and

B. a dispenser couplable with the cartridge, comprising;

1. at least one energy source;

2. a control unit;

3. a sensor unit;

4. at least one actuator, that is connected with the energy source and the control unit in such a manner that a control signal from the control unit brings about movement of the actuator;

5. a closing element, that is coupled with the actuator such that movement of the actuator displaces the closing element into a closure or a release position;

6. at least one dispensing chamber that, when cartridge and dispenser are assembled, is connected in communicating manner with at least one of the cartridge chambers;

a. the dispensing chamber comprising an inlet for inflow of washing or cleaning agent from a cartridge chamber and an outlet for outflow of washing or cleaning agent from the dispensing chamber into the surrounding environment;

b. at least the outlet of the dispensing chamber being closable or openable by the closing element;

c. an adapter for coupling the dispenser with a water-conveying line of a dishwashing machine comprising;

a water inlet and a water outlet that are in each case couplable with a water-conveying line of the dishwashing machine, such that water may flow through the adapter wherein said adapter further comprises a means for fixing the dispenser on or in the adapter in the coupled state, said means provides a liquid-tight connection between the adapter and the dispenser.