Device for dispensing an additive in an appliance
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An appliance, comprising:
- a wash tub forming a wash zone in which objects can be positioned to be washed;
a fluid supply for delivering washing fluid to the wash zone;
a dispensing device comprising a compartment configured to store an additive and comprising an inlet for receiving washing fluid from the fluid supply and an outlet for dispensing a mixture of additive and washing fluid to the wash zone;
a controller configured to control the dispensing device in a dispensing state wherein a regulated amount of the mixture is dispensed from the compartment into the wash zone, and a self-cleaning state wherein the compartment is flushed with washing fluid and the entire contents of the compartment are evacuated to remove any additive residue from the compartment; and
a flow regulator fluidly connecting the fluid supply to the input of the dispensing device and fluidly connecting the outlet of the dispensing device to the wash zone, wherein the controller is configured to control the flow regulator in a first state in which the washing fluid is dispensed into the compartment via the inlet to form the mixture and a second state in which the regulated amount of the mixture is evacuated from the compartment via the outlet during the dispensing state and the entire contents of the compartment are evacuated via the outlet during the self-cleaning state.
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Abstract
An appliance has a dispensing device that is configured for self-cleaning. In one embodiment, a flow regulator is fluidly connected to the dispensing device. The flow regulator has a first state in which a washing fluid is dispensed into the dispensing device and a second state in which the washing fluid is evacuated therefrom. To facilitate cleaning, the washing fluid flows through a spray device that is configured to direct the washing fluid onto a peripheral wall of a compartment in which an additive for the dispensing device can be disposed.
19 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An appliance, comprising:
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a wash tub forming a wash zone in which objects can be positioned to be washed; a fluid supply for delivering washing fluid to the wash zone; a dispensing device comprising a compartment configured to store an additive and comprising an inlet for receiving washing fluid from the fluid supply and an outlet for dispensing a mixture of additive and washing fluid to the wash zone; a controller configured to control the dispensing device in a dispensing state wherein a regulated amount of the mixture is dispensed from the compartment into the wash zone, and a self-cleaning state wherein the compartment is flushed with washing fluid and the entire contents of the compartment are evacuated to remove any additive residue from the compartment; and a flow regulator fluidly connecting the fluid supply to the input of the dispensing device and fluidly connecting the outlet of the dispensing device to the wash zone, wherein the controller is configured to control the flow regulator in a first state in which the washing fluid is dispensed into the compartment via the inlet to form the mixture and a second state in which the regulated amount of the mixture is evacuated from the compartment via the outlet during the dispensing state and the entire contents of the compartment are evacuated via the outlet during the self-cleaning state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification