Automatic dosing device comprising a container and the use of such an automatic dosing device

• US 20050121471A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Menrik, Linda, Miefalk, Hakan
• Granted Patent: US 7,287,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/236
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/402 Liquid dosing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/404 Powder dosing devices
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/026 the powder or tablets being added directly, e.g. without the need of a flushing liquid

Abstract

The present invention refers to a refill container unit for an automatic dosing device. The purpose of the automatic dosing device is to control the dosing of stored material kept inside the container unit. The object of the container unit according to the invention is to achieve an agitating and transporting, cleanable and switchable storing arrangement for the automatic dosing unit. The refill container unit therefore comprises an agitating part (14) enclosed by a receptacle (1). The agitating part (14) agitates and feeds the material. Shaped as a pot containing the material, the agitating part (14) can also be lifted out of the receptacle (1) and cleaned or replaced by another pot. As an alternative the whole refill container unit can be replaced.

Claims

1. An automatic dosing device for a machine comprising a container unit (22) for dosing material and a dosing screw (9) that feeds material out from the container (1), characterized in that the container unit (22) comprises an essentially cylindrical receptacle (1) and a cover (2) which together encloses an agitating part (14) that by a force transmitted to the part (14) rotates and thereby agitates and transports the material toward the screw (9).

2. An automatic dosing device according to claim 1 characterized in that the force is transmitted to the part from the thread of the screw (9).

3. An automatic dosing device according to claim 1 characterized in that the container unit (22) and thereby the receptacle (1) during feeding is placed essentially in a horizontal position and during refilling and cleaning when being arranged on the device is placed essentially in a vertical position with its top above the bottom.

4. An automatic dosing device according to at claim 1 characterized in that the receptacle (1) has an essentially conical shape with a receptacle bottom (4) that has a smaller diameter than its top closer to the cover (2).

5. An automatic dosing device according to of claim 1 characterized in that the agitating part (14) is rotatably attached to at least the receptacle bottom (4) or the cover (2).

6. An automatic dosing device according to claim 1 characterized in that a rotary motion created by an electric motor is transferred to the screw (9), whereby the rotating screw (9) co-operates with teeth (21) on the agitating part (14) and thereby forces the part (14) to rotate.

7. An automatic dosing device according to claim 4 characterized in that the agitating part (14), which could be removably attached to the receptacle bottom (4) and the cover (2), is rotatably attached to the receptacle bottom (4) and the cover (2), whereby the shape of the part (14) being essentially similar to the receptacles (1).

8. An automatic dosing device according to claim 7 characterized in that the agitating part (14) on its outside wall has at least has one outer ridge (19) shaped as to feed the material toward the screw (9) at least when the part (14) rotates in a first direction.

9. An automatic dosing device according to claim 7 characterized by that the agitating part (14) on its inside wall has at least has one inner flange (18) to agitate and transport the material towards the screw at least when the pot rotates in a first direction.

10. An automatic dosing device according to claims 4 characterized by that the agitating part (14) comprises a stirring unit (30), which could be removably attached, has an essentially cylindrical frame (31) which is rotatably attached to the cover (2) and from the frame extending arms rotatably attached to the receptacle bottom (4).

11. An automatic dosing device according to claim 1 characterized by that the agitating part (14) comprises a stirring unit (40), which could be removably attached, has an essentially cylindrical frame (31) with extending arms and is rotatably attached to the cover (2).

12. Use of an automatic dosing device according to claim 1 in a washing machine, a coffee machine or any other type of machine that may require automatic dosing.