DISPENSING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR DOMESTIC APPLIANCES

• US 20110247663A1
• Filed: 08/08/2008
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Moro, Marco, Gadini, Costanzo, Gaj, Renato, Housmekerides, Chris Efstathios
• Granted Patent: US 8,651,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/115.R
• 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: A47L 15/4472 Blister packaging or refill cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/026 the powder or tablets being added directly, e.g. without the need of a flushing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements

Abstract

A long-life substance dispensing device for a washing machine, particularly a dishwasher, comprises: —a body (20′, 30′) designed to be sealingly fixed to a structure of the washing machine, —a support means (40) adapted to contain a total amount of a substance sufficient for performing a plurality of washing cycles, —an actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) which is electrically controllable for causing delivery of at least one dose of the substance contained in the support means (40). The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) comprises at least one drive element and one driven element (47′) capable of cooperating to obtain the delivery. The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) is arranged for being able to take on an operative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is operatively coupled with the driven element (47), and an inoperative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is decoupled from the driven element (47′).

Claims

1. A long-life substance dispensing device a domestic electrical appliance, particularly a washing machine, comprising:

a main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230), arranged for being fixed in a stationary position relative to a structure (2, 3) of the appliance (1;

LB) and having a positioning region (31) for a support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) of a plurality of doses of a substance (46;

46b, 46c;

246), such as a washing agent, sufficient for carrying out a plurality of deliveries or operating cycles of the appliance, such as washing cycles,

an actuation system (50, 60) which is electrically controllable for causing a relative movement between the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) and at least one part of the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230), for the purpose of selectively delivering at least one dose (46;

46b, 46c;

246) of the substance contained in the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

),

wherein the actuation system (50, 60) comprises at least one drive element (61;

61′

;

61″

) and one driven element (40, 40′

;

40″

;

132;

240), the driven element being capable of cooperating with the drive element to allow said delivery, characterised in that the actuation system (40, 50, 60) is arranged such that it can take on an operative condition, in which the drive element (61;

61′

;

61″

) is operatively coupled to the driven element (40;

40′

;

40″

;

132;

240), and an inoperative condition, in which the drive element (61;

61′

;

61″

) is decoupled from the driven element (40;

40′

;

40″

;

132;

240).

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection device, particularly a codifier or encoder (70, A;

110, A′

;

270, A″

;

70′

, C′

;

70″

, C″

), for controlling the operative position or the movement of at least one of the driven element (40;

40′

;

40″

;

132;

240) and the drive element (61;

61′

;

61″

), the detection device having a detection unit (70;

110;

70′

;

70″

) excitable through excitation means (A;

A′

;

A″

;

C′

;

C″

), wherein the detection unit (70;

110;

70′

;

70″

) is associated to the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) and the excitation means (A;

A′

;

C′

;

C″

) are operatively associated to, or integrated in, at least one of the drive element (61;

61′

;

61″

) and the driven element (40;

40′

;

40″

;

132;

240).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) has a positioning region (31) for the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) and the actuation system (40, 50, 60) is arranged for allowing, when in the respective inoperative condition, removal of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) from said region (31).

5. The device according claim 1, wherein the actuation system (40, 50, 60) is operative for selectively bringing portions or receptacles (45;

45b, 45c;

45′

;

45″

;

245;

345) of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) into a substantially predefined position, in order to expose a corresponding amount or dose of substance (46;

46b, 46c;

246) to a fluid flow, such as a jet of liquid (7).

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) has at least one inlet aperture (233a) and at least one outlet aperture (33a;

33a′

;

233b) for a fluid flow, particularly a liquid, and

the actuation system (40, 50, 60) is controllable for causing a relative movement between the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) and said inlet and outlet apertures (233a, 233b), in particular for positioning at said apertures (233a, 233b), or between said apertures (233a, 233b), a dose of the substance (46;

46b, 46c;

246) for the purpose of delivering it by means of a flow of a fluid, where preferably said fluid passes through said dose.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuation system (40, 50, 60) comprises electrically supplied actuating means (50;

50′

;

50″

) and a transmission arrangement (60) operatively interposed between the actuating means (50;

50′

;

50″

) and the driven element (40;

40′

;

40″

;

132), in said operative and inoperative conditions of the actuation system (40, 50, 60) the arrangement being coupled or decoupled with respect to the driven element (40;

40′

;

40″

;

132), respectively.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising detection or control means (70a, 70b, 70c;

70, A;

110, A′

;

38, 49, 49a, 49b;

38″

;

270, A″

;

70′

, C′

;

70″

, C″

) of at least one status or operational condition of the device.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the detection or control means (70a, 70b, 70c;

70, A;

110, A′

;

38, 49, 49a, 49b;

38″

;

270, A″

;

70′

, C′

;

70″

, C″

) comprise sensing means (70a, 70b, 70c;

70;

110,;

270;

70′

;

70″

).

16. The device according to claim 8, wherein the sensing means (70a, 70b, 70c;

70;

110;

270;

70′

;

70″

) are arranged for detecting one or more of the following operational or status conditions;

a condition of presence/absence of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) in the device;

a condition of incorrect positioning of a movable part (30;

30′

;

30″

) of the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) relative to a fixed part (30;

30′

;

30″

) of the main body;

a condition of absence of doses of substance (46;

46b, 46c) in the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

);

a residual quantity of doses of substance (46;

46b, 46c) in the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

);

a movement of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

);

a direction of movement of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

);

a determined operative position of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

);

a speed of movement of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

).

21. The device according to claim 2, wherein the excitation means (A;

A′

;

A″

) comprise a series or a succession of excitation elements (B;

N, S), where in particular the series or succession of excitation elements (B;

N, S) is substantially rectilinear or is arranged according to a circumference or an arc of circumference.

25. The device according to claim 2, wherein the excitation means (A;

A′

;

C′

;

C″

) are operatively associated to, or integrated in, at least one of a movable member (61″

) of the actuation system (40, 50, 60) and the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

).

46. The device according to claim 3, wherein

the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) comprises a first static part (20;

20′

;

20″

) and a second part (30;

30′

;

30″

) displaceable relative to the first part (20), where in particular

the second body part (30;

30″

) is mounted slidably with respect to the first body part (20;

20″

) or is constrained to the first body part (20′

;

20″

) to carry out movements with respect to it, preferably angular or linear movements, and/or

in one of said body parts (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) at least one aperture is formed, in particular a delivery aperture (33a;

33a′

) of the substance, and/or

the first body part (20;

20′

;

20″

) is arranged for fixing at a respective passage formed in a wall (3a, 4a) of a treatment chamber (3) of the appliance (1) and has a first portion designed to project, through said passage, to the outside of said chamber (3), and a second portion designed to be exposed or housed inside said chamber (3), and/or

at least one of said first and second body parts (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) has a wall (21a) equipped with at least one window (21b, 21c;

38;

38″

), consisting of a respective through aperture (21b) and a closure element (21c) made of transparent material, and/or

at least one of said first and second body parts (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) has one wall (21 b) formed at least in part of a transparent material and/or

at least one of said first and second body parts (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) has associated thereto at least one sealing means (34;

34′

) cooperating with the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

), and/or

the second body part (30″

) is adapted for sliding with respect to the first body part (20″

) according to a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of movement of the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

), and/or

the second body part (30;

30′

;

30″

) is configured substantially as a drawer, or is hinged to the first body part (20).

63. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least part of a control circuit or system, arranged for controlling, preferably autonomously, an actuating means (50″

) for the purpose of positioning the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) in a predefined position within a respective housing (31), where in particular the control system or circuit is arranged for controlling the actuation system (40;

50;

60;

250) for the purposes of;

delivering an individual dose of substance (46) in a single phase of a cycle of operation of the appliance, and/or

performing separate deliveries starting from a single dose of substance (46) in several phases of a cycle of operation of the appliance, and/or

delivering several doses of substance (46) in the course of a same phase of operation of the appliance or a same cycle of operation of the appliance, and/or

delivering at least one dose of a first substance (46b) and at least one dose of a second substance (46c) in the course of a same phase of operation of the appliance or a same cycle of operation of the appliance, and/or

delivering at least one dose of substance (46) in conjunction with execution of a specific operative phase of the appliance (1).

92. A domestic washing machine, in particular a dishwasher or a laundry washing machine, comprising a dispensing device for substances, made according to-claim 1.

105. A method for using a support means for a deliverable substance in a device according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) with respective transmission means (47;

47′

;

47″

;

47a, 47b);

positioning the support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) in a corresponding positioning region (31) of the dispensing device;

selectively coupling the actuation system (50, 60) of the dispenser to the transmission means (47;

47′

;

47″

;

47a, 47b) of the support means.

108. Method for managing a support of at least one dose of a deliverable substance operatively coupled to a dispenser, wherein the following steps are provided:

providing a said support for a dispenser according to claim 1;

recognising said excitation reference means (A;

A′

;

A″

;

C′

;

C″

).

114. The method for using a support of at least one dose of a deliverable substance which is operatively couplable to a dispenser, wherein the following steps are provided:

providing a said support for a dispenser according to claim 1;

inserting said support in the positioning region (31;

231) of the dispenser (10);

selectively coupling the actuation system (66, 67;

250) of the dispenser (10) to the transmission means (47;

47′

;

47a, 47b;

247) of the support.

117. Method for using at least one dose of deliverable substance, comprising the following steps:

providing one said support for a dispenser according to claim 1;

exposing at least one portion of said at least one dose through said delivery aperture of the dispenser to dissolving means, such that said dissolving means can flow in said support and dissolve said dose at least in part and subsequently flow out together with the dissolved part of the dose from said delivery aperture (33a;

33a′

;

233) of the dispenser.

4. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

59. The device according to claim 6, wherein the actuating means (50;

50′

;

50″

) comprise at least one of a thermoelectric actuator (50) and a motor (50′

, 50″

), preferably a reversible electric motor (50′

) or a unidirectional electric motor (50″

).

11-15. -15. (canceled)

17-20. -20. (canceled)

22-24. -24. (canceled)

26-45. -45. (canceled)

47-58. -58. (canceled)

60-62. -62. (canceled)

64-71. -71. (canceled)

72. A dispensing device for substances, particularly washing agents, for a domestic appliance, particularly a washing machine, comprising:

a main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230), arranged for being fixed in a stationary position with respect to a structure (2, 3) of the appliance (1;

LB),

a support means (40;

40′

;

40″

;

240;

240′

) of a substance which is to be delivered,

an actuation system (50, 60) which is electrically controllable for causing delivery of the substance (46;

46b, 46c;

246),

wherein the actuation system (50, 60) comprises at least one drive element (61;

61′

;

61″

) and one driven element (40;

40′

;

40″

;

132), the driven element being adapted to cooperate with the drive element to allow said delivery, characterised in that it further comprises a position or movement transducer (70, A;

110, A′

;

270, A″

;

70′

, C′

;

70″

, C″

) having a detection unit (70;

110;

70′

;

70″

) excitable by excitation means (A;

A′

;

A″

;

C′

;

C″

), wherein the detection unit is associated with, or carried by, the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230) and the excitation means are operatively associated to, or incorporated in, at least one of the drive element and the driven element, where in particular the transducer (70, A;

110, A′

;

270, A″

;

70′

, C′

;

70″

, C″

) is arranged for detecting a relative movement between the drive element or the driven element with respect to at least one part of the main body (20, 30;

20′

, 30′

;

20″

, 30″

;

220, 230).

73-91. -91. (canceled)

93-104. -104. (canceled)

106. (canceled)

107. (canceled)

109-113. -113. (canceled)

115. (canceled)

116. (canceled)

118-124. -124. (canceled)