Dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, and washing machine

• US 8,359,888 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miele & CIE KG (The Miele Group)
• Original Assignee: Miele & CIE KG (The Miele Group)
• Inventors: Deppermann, Thomas, Finke, Michael, Witte, Olaf
• Primary Examiner(s): Kornakov, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US12/243,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20090090139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,581 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 222/144, 222/325, 222/348, 222/367, 222/368, 222/238, 222/404
• US Class Current: 68/17.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/026 the powder or tablets being added directly, e.g. without the need of a flushing liquid

Abstract

A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine includes a supply container for the treating agent, a delivery device configured to deliver the treating agent to the washing machine through a connecting hose, and a dosing device for dispensing the treating agent from the supply container to the delivery device. The supply container has an agitator with a first vertical rotatable shaft and rotatable blades. The dosing device includes a cylindrical chamber, with a compartmented wheel having spokes disposed therein. The compartmented wheel is disposed below a bottom of the supply container and is coupled to a second vertical rotatable shaft. The cylindrical chamber has an inlet opening disposed in the bottom of the supply container and an underside of the cylindrical chamber has an outlet opening to the delivery device. The compartmented wheel is also coupled to the vertical shaft of the agitator.

Claims

1. A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, the dispensing system comprising:

at least one supply container for the treating agent, the at least one supply container having an agitator with a first vertical rotatable shaft and blades configured to be rotated by the first vertical rotatable shaft, the agitator being drivable by an electric drive;

a delivery device configured to deliver the treating agent to the washing machine through a connecting hose; and

a dosing device for dispensing the treating agent from the at least one supply container to the delivery device, the dosing device including a cylindrical chamber and a compartmented wheel disposed therein, the compartmented wheel having a plurality of compartments separated by spokes, the compartmented wheel being disposed below a bottom of the supply container and being coupled to a second vertical rotatable shaft that is spaced from the first vertical rotatable shaft, the cylindrical chamber having an inlet opening disposed in the bottom of the at least one supply container and configured to fill the compartments therethrough and an underside of the cylindrical chamber having an outlet opening to the delivery device, the inlet opening and outlet opening having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of a compartment of the plurality of compartments, the inlet opening being disposed near the first vertical rotatable shaft and the outlet opening being disposed remote from the first vertical rotatable shaft,

wherein the compartmented wheel is coupled to the first vertical rotatable shaft of the agitator, the first vertical rotatable shaft including at least one dog movable through the cylindrical chamber so as to contact the spokes of the compartmented wheel and rotate the compartmented wheel through a partial revolution.

2. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the partial revolution is configured to advance the compartmented wheel by a position of at least one compartment.

3. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the partial revolution is configured to advance the compartmented wheel by a position of nearly one compartment.

4. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one dog includes at least two dogs disposed opposite each other.

5. The dispensing system as recited in claim 4 further comprising a cap in a central region of the at least one supply container, the cap covering the opening and having a conical or bell shape.

6. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the opening is disposed at a top of the chamber.

7. The dispensing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one supply container includes a fill opening including a protection grill disposed therein.

8. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a base unit, the at least one supply container and dosing device being removably disposable and securable thereon,

wherein the electrical drive and delivery device are disposed in the base unit, the delivery device including a mixing chamber and detergent solution pump.

9. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the electrical drive includes an electric motor and a gear mechanism attached thereto so as to form a gear motor, wherein a gear output of the gear motor includes a coupling configured for detachable connection to the agitator.

10. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one supply container includes a first and a second supply container,

wherein the agitator, dosing device and electrical drive are associated with the first supply container and further comprising a second agitator, second dosing device and second electrical drive associated with the second supply container,

wherein the first and second agitators and dosing devices are individually controllable.

11. The dispensing device as recited in claim 10 wherein the first and second supply containers each include a fill opening with a protection grill disposed therein.

12. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the base unit and the at least one supply container include respective portions of a bayonet connection configured to insert and secure the at least one supply container on the base unit.

13. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the base unit and the at least one supply container include respective portions of a threaded connection configured to insert and secure the at least one supply container on the base unit.

14. A washing machine system comprising:

a washing machine including a suds container configured to receive wash liquid;

a dispensing system disposed remotely from the washing machine and connected to the washing machine by first and second hose lines, the dispensing system comprising;

at least one supply container for a treating agent, the supply container having an agitator with a first vertical rotatable shaft and blades configured to be rotated by the first vertical rotatable shaft, the agitator being drivable by an electric drive,

a delivery device configured to deliver the treating agent to the washing machine through at least one of the first and second hose lines, and

a dosing device for dispensing treating agent from the at least one supply container to the deliver device, the dosing device including a cylindrical chamber and a compartmented wheel disposed therein, the compartmented wheel having a plurality of compartments separated by spokes, the compartmented wheel being disposed below a bottom of the at least one supply container and being coupled to a second vertical rotatable shaft that is spaced from the first vertical rotatable shaft, the compartmented wheel being coupled to the first vertical rotatable shaft with the first vertical rotatable shaft including at least one dog movable through the cylindrical chamber so as to contact the spokes of the compartmented wheel and rotate the compartmented wheel through a partial revolution, the cylindrical chamber having an inlet opening disposed in the bottom of the supply container and configured to fill the compartments therethrough and an underside of the cylindrical chamber having an outlet opening to the delivery device, the inlet opening and outlet opening having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of a compartment of the plurality of compartments, and the inlet opening being disposed near the first vertical rotatable shaft and the outlet opening being disposed remote from the first vertical rotatable shaft; and

a controller, the dispensing system being in operative connection with the controller.

15. The washing machine system as recited in claim 14 further comprising:

a first connection controllable by at least one of an inlet valve and a water distributor and connected to the dispensing system, the connection being configured to deliver water to the dispensing system; and

a second connection configured to deliver a solution of the treating agent from the dispensing system.

16. The washing machine system as recited in claim 15 wherein the second connection is connected to the suds container by a flexible conduit.

17. The washing machine system as recited in claim 16 further comprising a detergent dispensing drawer disposed in an upper portion of the washing machine, the detergent dispensing drawer being in communication with a water feed line operable to flush detergents or additives out of the detergent dispensing drawer,

wherein an outlet of the detergent dispensing drawer is connected to the suds container with a flexible connecting tube, and

wherein the flexible conduit opens into the flexible connecting tube.

18. The washing machine system as recited in claim 14 further comprising a housing with a rear wall, the rear wall including a first connection for a water supply to at least one of a solenoid valve and a water distributor, a second connection for water to the dispensing system and a third connection for a solution of the treating agent deliverable from the dispensing system.