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

• US 6,923,191 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Cerruti, Daniele, Belfiore, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/054,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20020153029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 68/121.8, 682/07, 68/13.R, 134/94.1, 134/93, 222/1, 222/21, 222/425, 222/444, 222/442, 222/447, 222/450
• US Class Current: 134/94.1
• 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. A dispensing device of washing agents for a household washing machine, said dispensing device comprising 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 said tank in communication with a discharge outlet for said liquid washing agent;

a dosing chamber for said liquid washing agent in hydraulic communication with said tank and said passage, said dosing chamber being adapted for at least partially dispensing said liquid washing agent contained therein in a washing cycle of said household washing machine;

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;

first actuating means producing actuation of said first plugging means, and further comprising second plugging means operative along said passage to prevent washing agent downflow from said tank to said dosing chamber,

second actuating means operatively connected to said second plugging means and adapted to produce actuation of said second plugging means independently of the position of said first plugging means, the first plugging means being provided for dispensing at least part of the liquid agent contained in said dosing chamber in a washing cycle of said household washing machine.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second plugging means are adapted to prevent downflow of liquid washing agent from said tank to said dosing chamber 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. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second plugging means are provided along said passage upstream of said first plugging means.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second plugging means are disposed between said tank and said dosing chamber.

5. 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.

6. A device according to claim 5, 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.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said 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.

8. 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.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second plugging means are capable of being completely immersed in the liquid washing agent, contained in said dosing chamber with said second actuating means being outside said tank and outside said dosing chamber.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second plugging means comprises an element made from ferromagnetic material and a sealing means.

11. A device according to claim 10, comprising a sole actuator including said first and second actuating means, said sole actuator being a sole mechanism adapted to produce actuation of said first and second plugging means at different times.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein an element made from ferromagnetic material is associated with a component of said sole mechanism.

13. A device according to claim 10, further comprising a magnetic element associated with a component of a mechanism operated by said actuating means.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said component is angularly movable.

15. A device according to claim 14, 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.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise a slow operating actuator.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second actuating means comprises a solenoid.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said first plugging means comprises an armature of said solenoid.

19. 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.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said actuating means actuate said second arrangement, through a mechanism.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein said 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.

22. A device according to claim 19, 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.

23. A device according to claim 19, 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.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein said dispenser body is capable of angular movement with respect to a second axis, substantially perpendicular with respect to said first axis.

25. A device according to claim 23, 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.

26. A device according to claim 25, 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.

27. A device according to claim 26, 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.

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

29. A device according to claim 28, 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.

30. A dispensing device of washing agents for a household washing machine, said dispensing device comprising a tank for containing a liquid washing agent and an arrangement for dispensing a dose of said washing agent, said arrangement comprising:

means forming a dosing space adapted to receive and contain at least a portion of the liquid washing agent contained in said tank, said portion of the liquid agent being at least partially dispensed in a washing cycle of said household washing machine;

a passage adapted to permit downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space to a discharge outlet of said liquid washing agent;

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

an actuator capable of actuating said first plugging means, and comprising safety 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 tank to said dosing space in order to define a washing liquid agent dose to be at least partially dispensed in a washing cycle of said household washing machine.

31. A device according to claim 30, 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.

32. 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 comprising:

admission of at least a portion of the liquid washing agent from said tank to a dosing space defining a liquid washing agent dose to be at least partially dispensed in a washing cycle of said household washing machine,

admission of a portion of the liquid washing agent from said dosing space to a dispensing space wherefrom dispensing said agent is permitted,

dispensing through a discharge outlet, at least a part of the liquid washing agent contained in said dosing space outside of said dispenser during a washing cycle of said household washing machine, by

moving first plugging means between a first position, at which the liquid washing agent cannot reach said discharge outlet from said dispensing apace, and a second position at which the liquid washing agent can reach said discharge outlet from said dispensing space,

downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space to said dispensing space being prevented when said first plugging means are in said second position, and downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space to said dispensing space being permitted when said first plugging means are in said first position.

33. A method according to claim 32, 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 of 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.

34. A method according to claim 32, 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 apace and prevent downflow of liquid washing agent eventually contained in said dispensing space to said discharge outlet.

35. A household washing machine comprising a dispensing device of washing agents, said dispensing device comprising 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 said tank in communication with a discharge outlet for said liquid washing agent;

a dosing chamber for said liquid washing agent in hydraulic communication with said tank and said passage, said dosing chamber being adapted for at least partially dispensing said liquid washing agent contained therein in a washing cycle of said household washing machine;

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;

first actuating means producing actuation of said first plugging means, and further comprising second plugging means operative along said passage to prevent washing agent downflow from said tank to said dosing chamber;

second actuating means operatively connected to said second plugging means and adapted to produce actuation of said second plugging means independently of the position of said first plugging means, the first plugging means being provided for dispensing at least part of the liquid agent contained in said dosing chamber in a washing cycle of said household washing machine.

36. 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 said tank in communication with a discharge outlet for said liquid washing agent;

a dosing chamber of said liquid washing agent in hydraulic communication with said tank;

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;

second plugging means, operating along said passage and normally operative along said passage to prevent washing agent downflow from said tank to said dosing chamber;

a dispensing chamber of said liquid washing agent being in hydraulic communication with said dosing chamber, said first plugging means operating between said dosing chamber and said dispensing chamber, the dispensing chamber being in hydraulic communication with the discharge outlet.

37. A device according to claim 36, 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.

38. A device according to claim 36, further comprising venting means for communication with the environment outside said tank and/or said dosing chamber and/or said dispensing chamber.

39. A device according to claim 36, wherein said second plugging means is adapted to be completely immersed in the liquid washing agent contained in said dosing chamber while said actuating means are outside said dosing chamber.

40. A device according to claim 36, wherein at least one of said first and said second plugging means comprises an element made from ferromagnetic material with which sealing means are associated.

41. A device according to claim 36, wherein said actuating means comprise a first actuator for operating said second plugging means, and a second actuator for operating said first plugging means.

42. A device according to claim 36, wherein said actuating means comprise a sole actuator with a sole mechanism adapted to produce actuation of said first and second plugging means at different times.

43. A device according to claim 36, wherein said actuating means comprise a slow operating actuator.

44. A device according to claim 36, wherein said actuating means comprise a solenoid.

45. A device according to claim 44, wherein said first plugging means comprise an armature of said solenoid.

46. A device according to claim 36, further comprising a magnetic element associated with a component of a mechanism operated by said actuating means.

47. A device according to claim 46, wherein said magnetic element is associated with a component of said mechanism.

48. A device according to claim 46, wherein said component is angularly movable.

49. A device according to claim 46, wherein during the movement of said component the attraction force exerted by said magnetic element is capable of producing movement of said second plugging means from said first position to said second position, or from said second position to said first position.

50. A household washing machine comprising a dispensing device of washing agents, said dispensing device 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 said tank in communication with a discharge outlet for said liquid washing agent and comprising a dosing chamber of said liquid washing agent in hydraulic communication with said tank;

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;

second plugging means, operating along said passage and normally operative along said passage to prevent washing agent downflow from said tank to said dosing chamber;

said passage further comprising a dispensing chamber of said liquid washing agent being in hydraulic communication with said dosing chamber, said first plugging means operating between said dosing chamber and said dispensing chamber, the dispensing chamber being in hydraulic communication with the discharge outlet.

51. A household washing machine comprising a dispensing device of washing agents, said dispensing device comprising 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 adapted to receive and contain at least a portion of the liquid washing agent contained in said tank, said portion of the liquid agent being at least partially dispensed in a washing cycle of said household washing machine;

a passage adapted to permit downflow of liquid washing agent from said dosing space to a discharge outlet of said liquid washing agent;

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

an actuator capable of actuating said first plugging means, and comprising safety 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 tank to said dosing space in order to define a washing liquid agent dose to be at least partially dispensed in a washing cycle of said household washing machine.