U.S. patent application number 11/550172 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for liquid additive dispensing system for a household appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Miele & Cie. KG. Invention is credited to Beate Ehrlich, Michael Finke, Bernhard Graute, Rudolf Herden, Viktor Wiens.
Application Number | 20070084253 11/550172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37569064 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070084253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ehrlich; Beate ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
LIQUID ADDITIVE DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE
Abstract
A dispensing system for a household appliance includes a
reservoir for receiving a substantially liquid additive. A
connecting hose is provided for connecting the dispensing system to
the household appliance. A base is provided for receiving at least
a first portion of the reservoir, the base providing a connection
for passage of the additive between the reservoir and the
connecting hose. An antislip device is provided at a lower end of
the base for hindering lateral shifting of the base when the base
is placed on a surface.
Inventors: |
Ehrlich; Beate; (Bielefeld,
DE) ; Finke; Michael; (Hoevelhof, DE) ;
Graute; Bernhard; (Rietberg, DE) ; Herden;
Rudolf; (Herzebrock-Clarholz, DE) ; Wiens;
Viktor; (Bielefeld, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
Miele & Cie. KG
Guetersloh
DE
|
Family ID: |
37569064 |
Appl. No.: |
11/550172 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/022 20130101;
A47L 15/4418 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/017.00R |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 18, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 050 083.8 |
Claims
1. A dispensing system for a household appliance, comprising: a
reservoir configured to receive a substantially liquid additive; a
connecting hose configured to connect the dispensing system to the
household appliance; a base configured to receive at least a first
portion of the reservoir, the base providing a connection for
passage of the additive between the reservoir and the connecting
hose; and an antislip device disposed at a lower end of the base
and configured to hinder lateral shifting of the base when the base
is disposed on a surface.
2. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the
household appliance includes at least one of a washing machine, a
washer-dryer machine, and a dishwasher.
3. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein additive
includes at least one of a detergent, a washing additive, and a
rinse additive.
4. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first
portion of the reservoir includes a substantially cylindrical shape
having a reduced diameter relative to a diameter of an exposed
portion of the reservoir.
5. The dispensing system as recited in claim 4 wherein the base
includes a cylindrical shape with an outer shell having a
substantially same diameter as a diameter of the exposed portion of
the reservoir.
6. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the
reservoir includes a bottom having a downwardly directed outlet
neck, the outlet neck having an outlet opening.
7. The dispensing system as recited in claim 6 wherein the bottom
of the reservoir includes an outwardly directed rib having a length
equal or greater to a length of the outlet neck.
8. The dispensing system as recited in claim 6 wherein the outlet
neck includes a valve having the outlet opening, the valve
including a piston movably disposed in an interior of the outlet
neck and configured to be pressed against the outlet opening by a
spring.
9. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the base
includes a bottom having a receiving opening for the outlet neck,
the receiving opening merging into a sleeve including a sealing
device configured to provide a seal between the outlet neck and an
inner wall of the sleeve.
10. The dispensing system as recited in claim 9 wherein the bottom
of the base is spaced apart from the lower end of the base, the
sleeve being disposed between the bottom and the lower end of the
base.
11. The dispensing system as recited in claim 9 wherein the bottom
of the base includes a raised portion in a region of the receiving
opening above the sleeve.
12. The dispensing system as recited in claim 9 further comprising
a plunger disposed in the sleeve, the plunger projecting toward the
outlet opening in substantial alignment with the piston of the
valve.
13. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the plunger
is configured to, when the reservoir is inserted in the base, press
against the piston of the valve so as to move the piston away from
the outlet opening against the spring force of the spring.
14. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the piston
includes a guide bore, and wherein the reservoir includes a guide
pin attached to the bottom thereof and projecting into the guide
bore.
15. The dispensing system as recited in claim 9 wherein the sleeve
includes a nipple formed on a side thereof and configured for
attachment of the connecting hose.
16. The dispensing system as recited in claim 10 wherein the sleeve
includes a nipple formed on a side thereof and configured for
attachment of the connecting hose, and wherein the base includes a
shell region having a hole disposed below the bottom of the base,
the hole being in alignment with the nipple and having a diameter
larger than a diameter of the connecting hose.
17. The dispensing system as recited in claim 15 wherein the base
includes a shell region having a hole disposed below the bottom of
the base, the hole being in alignment with the nipple and having a
diameter larger than a diameter of the connecting hose.
18. The dispensing system as recited in claim 10 wherein the bottom
of the base includes a hole configured to enable screw-mounting of
the base.
Description
[0001] Priority is claimed to German patent application DE 10 2005
050 083.8, filed Oct. 18, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
[0002] The present invention relates to a dispensing system for a
household appliance, such as a washing machine, a washer-dryer
machine, or a dishwasher, including a reservoir for receiving a
substantially liquid additive, such as detergent or washing or
rinse additives, and a connecting hose allowing connection of the
dispensing system to the household appliance, the dispensing system
further including a base into which the reservoir can be inserted,
at least partially, and which provides the connection for the
passage of the additive between the reservoir and the connecting
hose.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A dispensing system for liquid additives is known from DE 32
04 521 A1. There, a reservoir for liquid detergents and a metering
pump are disposed inside the washing machine. The metering pump
delivers the liquid detergent through a hose line to the upper
region of the suds container, or alternatively into a compartment
of the detergent flush-in drawer.
[0004] The dispensing systems of the type mentioned above have the
disadvantage that the reservoir volume is limited by the space
available inside the household appliance. In the case of household
appliances having little space available inside, only very small
reservoirs can be mounted. Another disadvantage is that the
reservoir is difficult to access for filling or cleaning.
[0005] In DE 33 02 893 C2, a dispensing system for a washing
machine is described which is disposed separately from the washing
machine. The dispensing system includes a separate housing which
accommodates the reservoirs for the additives, a control device,
and the metering pump. Water from the suds container is conveyed
through hose connections to the dispensing system, where the
additive is added to this water. The water/additive mixture is
pumped into the washing machine through a second conduit in the
region of the flush-in channel for fresh water supply. The
dispensing system described therein is designed as a separate
add-on unit, for which an additional, predetermined fixed place
must be provided laterally adjacent to the washing machine. Also
required is a complex connection of the dispensing system to the
washing machine via two hoses or pipes and a cable for power supply
to the pump and for signal and/or data transmission. Space
constraints make it difficult to access the reservoirs for filling
or cleaning.
[0006] Document EP 0 268 451 A2 describes a dispensing system which
has a receiving container for receiving another container or
canister containing liquid detergent. The receiving container also
provides the connection for the passage of the additive between the
reservoir and further connecting lines to the washing machine. The
canister has an outlet neck onto which can be screwed a closing cap
and into which a valve mechanism is inserted in place of the
closing cap. In the operational condition, the canister is inserted
into the receiving container with the outlet neck pointing
downward, the valve mechanism cooperating with a short tubular
member located on the bottom side, whereby a leak-free fluid
connection is established during the insertion operation. The
interior of the receiving container is sized to match the
dimensions of the canister to be received.
[0007] In document DE 198 08 608 A1, there is described a liquid
additive dispensing system which includes a reservoir and a base.
The base has attached thereto a pipeline which ends above the
pulled-out detergent flush-in drawer. The dispensing system must be
fixedly disposed in the region above the detergent drawer.
Moreover, the reservoir can only be filled in this position because
it does not have any closing means at the outlet port.
[0008] Document DE 690 19 666 T2, which is a translation of
European Patent EP 0 423 044 B1, describes a liquid additive
dispensing system which is disposed in the region of the detergent
flush-in drawer inside a washing machine. A valve and delivery
system is fixedly disposed in the washing machine, the reservoir
being removable and the shape thereof being precisely adapted to
the receiving space inside the washing machine.
[0009] In document DE 29 20 492 A1, a dispensing system for a
washing machine is described which includes separate reservoirs for
different detergents and/or additives for washing and/or rinsing.
The reservoirs are connectable to the washing machine via conduits,
a fixed location being provided for the reservoirs. For filling
purposes, the additive must be filled into the stationary
reservoir. Cleaning of the reservoir requires quite some effort in
terms of handling, because in order to remove the container, at
least the connecting hose must be removed.
SUMMARY
[0010] It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to
provide a dispensing system for substantially liquid additives
which is suitable for a household appliance and which is simple in
design, easy to use, and requires a small amount of space.
[0011] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a
dispensing system for a household appliance. The dispensing system
includes a reservoir configured to receive a substantially liquid
additive; a connecting hose configured to connect the dispensing
system to the household appliance; a base configured to receive at
least a first portion of the reservoir, the base providing a
connection for passage of the additive between the reservoir and
the connecting hose; and an antislip device disposed at a lower end
of the base and configured to hinder lateral shifting of the base
when the base is disposed on a surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in
the drawings and will be described in more detail below. In the
drawings,
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the dispensing system
connected to a washing machine;
[0014] FIGS. 2, 3 are cross-sectional views showing the base and
the lower portion of the reservoir; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base for the
reservoir.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In addition to the small space requirements and the optimal
adaptability to the installation conditions of the washing machine,
an advantage that can be achieved with the present invention is
that the reservoir is located separately outside the machine
housing, so that it is, at all times, readily visible and easily
accessible. To improve handling during filling or cleaning, the
dispensing system further includes a base into which the reservoir
can be inserted, at least partially, and from which it can be
removed. The base establishes the connection for the passage of the
additive between the reservoir and the connecting hose. Thus, the
reservoir can be extracted from the base for cleaning or filling
purposes, and the intended action can be performed at a different
location.
[0017] In an embodiment, the reservoir is substantially cylindrical
in shape, the portion that is insertable into the base having a
reduced diameter as compared to the diameter of the exposed
portion. This provides a good fit of the reservoir within the base.
In this connection, it is advantageous that the base has a
cylindrical shape, the outer shell having substantially the same
diameter as the exposed portion of the reservoir. Apart from a
nearly smooth transition, the bearing surface area of the base is
not increased with respect to the cross-sectional area of the
reservoir. A possible installation location would be the housing
cover of the household appliance, a nearby shelf or side table.
[0018] In an embodiment, the reservoir has a bottom provided with
an outlet neck which is directed downward or toward the bottom
outer side and has an outlet opening. This outlet neck is located
at the deepest point of the reservoir and provides efficient
channeling of the additive. It is also expedient to provide
outwardly directed ribs on the bottom of the reservoir, said ribs
being equal or greater in length than the outlet neck. The ribs
enable the reservoir to stand securely when it is removed from the
base and placed in upright position at a different location. Thus,
filling operations performed at a distance from the base are made
easier.
[0019] In an embodiment, the outlet neck is designed as a valve
having a downwardly directed outlet opening. In the closed
condition, a piston movably located in the interior of the outlet
neck is pressed against the outlet opening by a spring. This allows
the reservoir to be removed from the base without leakage, even if
there is some residual additive.
[0020] It is also expedient that the base has a bottom provided
with a receiving opening for the outlet neck of the reservoir. The
receiving opening takes the form of a sleeve into which extends the
outlet neck of the inserted reservoir. A seal located between the
outlet neck and the inner wall of the sleeve prevents unwanted
leakage of the additive.
[0021] In another embodiment, the bottom of the base is spaced
apart from the lower end of the base, the sleeve being entirely
located in the remaining space between the bottom and the lower end
of the base. Thus, the outwardly exposed shell surface can be made
very smooth, which facilitates the cleaning of the base on the
outside.
[0022] In an embodiment, the bottom has a raised portion in the
region of the receiving opening above the sleeve. The raised
portion serves to adapt the receiving region to the shape of the
bottom of the reservoir. The outlet neck extends into the receiving
opening located on the raised portion. The ribs on the bottom of
the reservoir rest on the lower portion external to the raised
portion, thereby providing a good fit of the reservoir within the
base.
[0023] In an embodiment, the sleeve has disposed therein a plunger
which is directed toward the outlet opening and is substantially in
alignment with the piston of the valve in the reservoir. When the
reservoir is inserted, the plunger presses against the piston of
the valve, thereby moving the piston away from the outlet opening
against the spring force of the spring. This means that the valve
is operated automatically by insertion of the reservoir into the
base, thus enabling the passage of the additives from the reservoir
to the base, i.e., to the sleeve. A nipple for attachment of the
connecting hose is formed on the side of the sleeve. For hose
routing purposes, the base is provided with a hole in the shell
region below the bottom. The hole is substantially in alignment
with the nipple and has a slightly larger diameter than the
connecting hose. The connecting hose is routed through the hole and
slipped onto the nipple, the cross-sectional area of the connecting
hose filling the hole nearly completely, or completely, while
avoiding gaps.
[0024] In order to improve the function and reliability of the
valve, it is expedient for the piston to have a guide bore into
which projects a guide pin attached to the bottom of the
reservoir.
[0025] In an embodiment, an antislip device is disposed at the
lower end of the base to provide secure standing. The antislip
device used is a resilient rubber ring which projects at least
partially from the lower end of the base and increases the
frictional resistance between the base and the surface on which it
is placed.
[0026] In yet another embodiment, further holes are provided in the
bottom of the base, said holes allowing for screw-mounting of the
base. The base may be screwed to a plate, for example, to a housing
cover, thereby further improving the support of the base or the
combination with the reservoir.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated washing machine 1
includes a suds container 31 having a drum 32 rotatably mounted
therein. Dispensing system 2 is completely incorporated within
washing machine 1, except for reservoir 3 for liquid or
substantially liquid (viscous) additives 6, and connecting hose 4.
The additives 6 used may be liquid detergents, washing additives or
rinse additives, such as softeners. Reservoir 3, which is separate
from the washing machine, may be placed and/or attached at
different locations, as desired. Depending on the installation
conditions for washing machine 1, reservoir 3 may be placed or
attached on top of the housing, at the side of it, or behind it.
Inside the housing of washing machine 1 is disposed pump 30, which
delivers additive 6 through another hose line 33 to the lower
region of suds container 31, and passes it into the suds container
via a lip valve 34 or a nozzle. The nature and arrangement of hose
line 33 are so flexible that the hose line is able to accommodate
the movements of suds container 31.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows the lower portion of reservoir 3, which is
inserted into a base 5. Reservoir 3 is designed such that it can be
removed without tools from base 5, for example for filling or
cleaning purposes. The diameter of cylindrical reservoir 3 is
smaller in lower portion 7 than in exposed region 8. The portion
having the smaller diameter forms the insertion portion 7 which is
inserted into base 5. The base is also cylindrical in shape, shell
17 having substantially the same diameter as exposed portion 8 of
the reservoir 3. In the center of bottom 9 of reservoir 3, there is
located an outlet neck 10 which is directed downward and has a
valve 14 and an outlet opening 11. Outlet neck 10 extends through
receiving opening 19 (FIG. 3) into the interior of sleeve 20.
Formed on the side of sleeve 20 is a nipple 26 onto which a
connecting hose 4 (FIG. 1) can be slipped. Nipple 26 connects into
the interior of sleeve 20, thereby providing the fluid connection
for additive 6 (FIG. 1) from reservoir 3 to connecting hose 4 (FIG.
1). Outlet neck 10 contains a valve 13 which is open when reservoir
3 is inserted in base 5. The valve function is substantially
provided by a piston 16 disposed in the interior 15 of outlet neck
10. Piston 16 is guided by a guide pin 16b projecting into a guide
bore 16a of piston 16. A spring 14 presses the piston toward the
outlet opening 11. In sleeve 20, an upwardly directed plunger is
disposed at lower end 23. If, as is shown in FIG. 2, reservoir 3 is
inserted in base 5, the plunger presses against piston 16, whereby
the piston is removed or lifted from outlet opening 11, thus
enabling the passage of additive 6 from reservoir 3 to connecting
hose 4. A seal 21 between inner wall 22 (FIG. 3) of sleeve 20 and
the outer surface of outlet neck 10 prevents leakage and provides
the necessary tightness between reservoir 3 and base 5. Seal 21 is
inserted in a groove in inner wall 22.
[0029] Lower end 23 of base 5 has attached thereto a resilient
antislip device 28, which takes the form of a circumferential
rubber ring in this embodiment. When placing base 5 on a plate,
such as the housing cover of a household appliance 1, lateral
shifting is prevented by the increased frictional resistance.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a view of the lower portion of reservoir 3,
showing reservoir 3 removed from base 5. Valve 13 is closed, piston
16 being pressed against outlet opening 11 by spring 14. A guide
pin 16b is attached to bottom 9 of reservoir 3 in the region of the
valve, said guide pin projecting into guide bore 16a of piston 16.
This prevents the possibility of piston 16 jamming in interior 15
of outlet neck 10. Ribs 12 are formed on the outer surface of
bottom 9 of reservoir 3, said ribs being directed downward. The
length of ribs 12 is greater than or equal to that of outlet neck
10. The ribs are arranged concentrically with respect to outlet
neck 10 and provide a wide seating area for reservoir 3. Receiving
opening 19 in base bottom 18 is located on a raised portion 24.
Raised portion 24 is designed such that the outlet neck can be
completely inserted into receiving opening 19, i.e., into sleeve
20, whereupon ribs 12 rest on the remaining portion of bottom 18,
which is not part of the raised portion 24.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing base 5 with the
reservoir removed. Raised portion 24 can be seen in the center of
bottom 18. Receiving opening 19 is positioned in the region of
raised portion 24. Plunger 25 is visible within the receiving
opening, said plunger ending below the plane of receiving opening
19 on raised portion 24. Bottom 18 has holes 29 provided therein
which serve for the mounting of base 5 by means of screws. The
holes are closed by resilient plugs 29a to prevent accumulations of
dirt. Shell 17 provides a smooth outer surface and covers all
internal components of base 5.
* * * * *