AT9580U1 - CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

A salt-replenishing container for a dishwasher, comprising a body (1) having a spout adapted to engage the inner circumference of a mouth of a dishwasher salt tank. The spout has a barrier (2) operable by the user to allow for salt flow.

Description

2 AT 009 580 U1

container

The present invention relates to a container containing a regenerating salt for dishwashers.

Most dishwashers are equipped with a regeneration salt tank. The filling of the salt tank is usually done regularly but rarely and is difficult for a user of the dishwasher.

The filling of the salt tank is generally carried out with the aid of a funnel. Such a device is described in DE-A-42 14 147. While this device overcomes some of the problems associated with filling the salt tank, its use is not straightforward.

When this device is used, the user must fill the funnel with salt and then place the device on the mouth of the dishwasher's salt tank. A barrier is then actuated to release the salt. Not only is it difficult to fill the hopper without spilling salt, but it is also difficult to prevent salt from spilling when the apparatus is placed on the mouth of the salt tank. In addition, the user must measure how much salt is added to the funnel: if the amount is not correctly sized, then the funnel must be removed when it is partially full of salt, resulting in more spillage, or the entire process must be in case an insufficient filling, which means even more spillage.

In fact, users are advised to cycle the machine in the empty state to disperse the spilled salt.

EP 0 947 157 A1 describes a similar device. This device has two chambers; a first chamber engages the outer periphery of the mouth of the salt tank and is connected to a second chamber (containing the salt) via a movable barrier.

This device also has detrimental properties and, due to its design, suffers mainly from a significant amount of residual salt remaining in the first chamber of the device. This residue is spilled when the device is pulled away from the mouth of the salt tank.

In addition, the device suffers from poor flow of the salt. It is believed that when filling the salt tank of the dishwasher with salt, the residual water contained in the tank enters the tank. This water moistens the salt prior to its entry into the tank so that it adheres to the wall of the first chamber of the device and disturbs the flow. In severe cases, the presence of this water can actually completely block the flow of salt, forcing the user to shake the device, resulting in an even greater risk of salt spillage.

An apparatus described in FR-A-2 807 641 attempts to solve some of the problems of the above apparatus. However, it still has a two-chamber arrangement and suffers from the deposition of residues. In addition, it suffers from the problem that water enters and exerts an effect on the salt flow.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems discussed above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container containing regenerating salt for a dishwasher, the container having a body with a spout adapted to be formed on an inner circumference of the mouth of a dishwasher

Saline tanks attacks, the spout has a barrier that is actuated by the user to allow the salt flow.

In general, the spout engages the mouth such that the leading edge of the spout projects into the channel. Preferably, the spout is self-supporting, i. the spout is capable of supporting the entire body as it engages the opening of the brine tank, without the need for external support.

The barrier may be actuated by the user before the container is placed in engagement with the mouth of the salt tank. Alternatively, the barrier may be actuated after placing the container in engagement with the mouth of the salt tank (in which case further reduction of spillage may be achieved).

The container according to the invention has excellent properties and allows an unprecedented increased convenience for the consumer.

The container allows the salt tank to be quickly and conveniently filled without spilling, with none of the problems of the prior art devices.

Preferably, the container receives a sufficient amount of salt to replenish a typical dishwasher salt tank. In fact, in this regard, it is preferred that the container be a "disposable" item so that the consumer uses the container of the present invention to fully reload the brine tank, if necessary (eg, if warranted by a warning light and / or an acoustic indication of the machine or by the level of a float in the salt tank is displayed), and once the container has been used, it can be thrown away.

The barrier is preferably in the form of a plate / cap which blocks the spout of the container to prevent salt leakage during storage / transportation. In general, the lock is associated with a handle that can be operated by the user. Preferably, the handle has a flap, and the barrier is actuated by a pulling movement, the pulling movement tearing the barrier away from the spout so that the salt can flow into the salt tank. Optionally, the barrier, when in the form of a plate, can be torn off / penetrated when the container is placed in engagement with the mouth of the salt tank. The penetrating means may comprise a cap disposed about the end of the spout, the cap being pushed back into the barrier upon engagement with the mouth of the salt tank. Normally, the cap has removable blocking means to prevent inadvertent movement prior to engagement with the mouth.

Alternatively, the barrier may be a valve operated by the user. A preferred form of the valve is a multi-component device in which the valve has a part which engages the mouth of the salt tank and a part which is attached to the spout of the container. The parts of the valve preferably each have a discharge opening, which allows their escape into the outlet of the salt. Alignment may be achieved by rotation or other movement, e.g. a translational movement of the container can be achieved.

In a further alternative embodiment, the barrier may comprise a plurality of separate components which are actuated / removed in various ways. As an example, the barrier may include a cap covering the spout and a plate / block of material below the cap. The cap preferably covers the end of the spout and the plate / block preferably blocks a portion of the spout. The plate / block is preferably water soluble (water dispersible). For this embodiment, the user removes the cap prior to placing the container in engagement with the mouth of the salt tank. The block is then dissolved / dissipated by contact with the residual water / moisture present in the brine tank. When dissolving / dissipating the plate / block, the salt 4 AT 009 580 U1 is released.

In another embodiment, the spout itself may have the barrier. In this embodiment, the salt is released from the container, which may be achieved by movement of the spout relative to the container to create a flow passage.

Preferably, the barrier is adapted to be actuated by a mechanical action of the user to expose the spout and allow for salt flow. The mechanical effect can be achieved, for example, by tearing or sliding or turning or pulling or pushing or tilting or pivoting.

The container according to the invention may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, such as paper, reinforced paper / paperboard / cardboard, aluminum, plastics (e.g., PVC, polyethylene or polypropylene). In general, paper, cardboard, plastics or a mixture thereof are preferred. It is understood that different parts of the container may comprise different materials, e.g. For example, the body of the container may include cardboard, and the spout may be made of plastic material.

The container preferably has a simple geometric shape, such as a cone, a pyramid or an elongated / cubic shape. Most preferably, the shape tapers in the part that terminates in the spout. Clearly, shapes such as a cone or pyramid include tapered sections. Other shapes, such as elongate shapes, preferably include an additional tapered portion.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for refilling the salt tank of a dishwasher, the method comprising the use of a salt-containing container according to the invention as defined above.

According to a third aspect, there is provided the use of a saline container for refilling the salt tank of a dishwasher.

The present invention will be further described with reference to the following non-limiting figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a container; Figures 2a and b show a second embodiment of a container. FIGS. 3a to d show a third embodiment of a container; Figures 4a to c show a fourth embodiment of a container. FIGS. 5a to c show a fifth embodiment of a container;

Fig. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of a container; FIGS. 7a to c show a seventh embodiment of a container; and Figs. 8a-c show an eighth embodiment of a container, all in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a container 1 in the form of a pyramid. The container 1 has a removable barrier 2 (removable by a tear / pull action). The removable barrier 2 acts as a seal during storage / transportation and is intended to be removed immediately prior to use, i. before the spout of the container (not shown) is exposed and engaged with the inner periphery of a mouth of a dishwasher salt tank.

2a and 2b show a container 1. In Fig. 2a, the container 1 has the shape of a frusto-conical prism, and in Fig. 2b, the container 1 has the shape of an irregular hexagon. In any event, the container has a spout 3. The spout 3 is typically sealed for storage / transportation (seal not shown), the seal being designed to be removed immediately prior to use. The spout can then with the

Claims (11)

5 AT 009 580 U1 inner circumference of a mouth of a dishwasher salt tank can be engaged. FIGS. 3a to 3d show a container 1 in the form of a frustoconical rectangle. The container 1 has a movable spout 3 (movable by a pulling action) mounted inside the wall of the frusto-conical part. The wall of the frusto-conical portion has an opening 4. The spout 3 can be moved so as to be brought into alignment with the opening 4 to allow discharge of the container contents. Alternatively, the spout 3 may be moved so that it is disengaged from the opening 4 so that it does not allow the dispensing of the container contents and acts as a seal on the container. FIGS. 4a to 4c show a container 1 in the form of a rectangle. The container 1 has a movable spout 3 (movable by a pulling action) mounted near a wall of the container. The wall of the container has an opening 4. The spout 3 can be moved so that it is brought into alignment with the opening 4 to allow the dispensing of the container contents. Alternatively, the spout 3 can be moved so that it is disengaged from the opening 4 so that it does not allow the dispensing of the container contents and acts as a seal on the container. FIGS. 5a to 5c show a container 1 in the form of a bottle. The bottle 1 has a spout 3. Near the spout 3 is provided a water-soluble film (not shown). When inserting the spout 3 of the container 1 into the mouth of a dishwasher salt tank, any water present causes rupture of the water-soluble film, thereby allowing discharge of the bottle contents 1. Fig. 6 shows a container 1 in the form of a bottle. The bottle 1 has a spout 3. The spout 3 is opened to allow leakage of the bottle contents by a rotational movement to align flow channels within different parts of the spout 3. FIGS. 7a to 7c show a container 1 in the form of a bottle. The bottle 1 has a spout 3. Near the spout 3, a film 5 is provided. The film is destroyed and allows the container contents 1 to escape. Destruction occurs by moving a penetrating element 6 coaxially disposed around the nozzle 3 to the bottom of the bottle. In storage / transport, the penetrating element 6 is spaced from the film 5 by a removable retaining element 7. FIGS. 8a to 8c show a container 1 in the form of a bottle. The bottle 1 has two parts 1a and 1b. The container 1 is weakened along the joint between the parts 1a and 1b to allow easy separation thereof. The part 1a is in the form of a funnel with a spout 3. In use, the parts of the container are separated from each other with the part 1a brought into engagement with the inner periphery of a mouth of a dishwasher salt tank. The container contents 1 (which may be present in a secondary package within the container) may then be dispensed via the funnel 1a. Claims 1. A container containing regenerating salt for a dishwasher, the container having a body with a spout adapted to engage the inner periphery of a mouth of a dishwasher salt tank, the body having a shape which extends tapered against the part which opens into the spout; the spout being self-supporting; the spout having a barrier operable by the user to permit the flow of salt; and wherein the barrier is operable by a mechanical tearing or pulling action. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein in use the spout engages an internal channel. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the barrier from the user before or after the container has been brought into engagement with the mouth of the salt tank, can be actuated. A container according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the container is a disposable article. 5. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the barrier has the shape of a Plat-te / cap which blocks the mouth of the container. 6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the barrier is provided with a handle which can be actuated by the user. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier comprises a multi-component device, the valve having a part which engages the mouth of the salt tank and a part which is attached to the spout of the container the parts of the valve each have a dispensing opening which, when mutually aligned, allowed the salt to be dispensed, the orientation being achieved by rotation or translational movement of the container. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is made of one or more materials consisting of paper, reinforced paper, cardboard, cardboard, aluminum and plastic materials. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container has a conical or pyramidal shape. 10. A method for refilling the salt tank of a dishwasher, the method using a salt containing container according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising engaging the spout of the container with the inner circumference of the mouth of the dishwasher salt tank and before, during or after the engaging step the operation of the lock comprises, so that the salt can flow into the salt tank. 11. Use of a container according to one of claims 1 to 9 for refilling the salt tank of a dishwasher. For this purpose 6 sheets of drawings