EP0609204B1 - Detergent dispensing system - Google Patents

Detergent dispensing system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0609204B1
EP0609204B1 EP91918518A EP91918518A EP0609204B1 EP 0609204 B1 EP0609204 B1 EP 0609204B1 EP 91918518 A EP91918518 A EP 91918518A EP 91918518 A EP91918518 A EP 91918518A EP 0609204 B1 EP0609204 B1 EP 0609204B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
detergent
chute
detergent bar
gap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91918518A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0609204A1 (en
Inventor
James C. Bricker
Robert E. Ebbeler
Michael R. Roseman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever NV
Publication of EP0609204A1 publication Critical patent/EP0609204A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0609204B1 publication Critical patent/EP0609204B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4436—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants in the form of a detergent solution made by gradually dissolving a powder detergent cake or a solid detergent block

Definitions

  • warewashing machines In an institutional kitchen such as a restaurant or cafeteria, there are typically a variety of different mechanical warewashing machines which have unique functions. For example, one machine or one portion of a machine may be particularly designed to presoak dirty dishes. A second machine might be designed to wash the presoaked dishes. Another machine might be designed to scrub pots and pans and an additional machine might be designed to wash glassware. Generally, each machine will use a unique detergent particularly formulated to perform that unique washing function. Institutional laundries are similar.
  • Solid detergent dispensers which involve the use of water to dissolve the detergent are for example described in U.K. patent application 2 226 233, U.S. patent 2,686,080 and U.S patent 2,537,790.
  • U.K. patent 2 226 233 describes a detergent dispenser, where a block of detergent is dissolved by downwardly directed sprays which pass through a screen containing the detergent block. The downwardly directed sprays dissolve the lower portion of the detergent block to form a wedge-shape. The dissolved detergent flows from the support to the drain.
  • the support for the detergent block is a porous screen, which allows the detergent as dissolved to flow immediately through the screen on to the drain.
  • the problem with this design is that the detergent cakes on the screen and hardens when not is use.
  • U.S. patent 2,686,080 describes an annular tapered reservoir for water which dissolves the tapered end of a detergent stick. The outlet for the water may be clogged by the soap, impeding dispensing of water with dissolved soap.
  • U.S. patent 2,537,790 directs water downwardly over the detergent block to dissolve the detergent. The detergent can again block the lower exit for the freshly dissolved detergent, because of previously dissolved detergent caking at the bottom of the dispenser.
  • the present invention is premised upon the realization that the above problems can be overcome by using a dispensing system which incorporates a plurality of different dispensers all designed to project water against a solid or semi-solid detergent to dissolve the detergent.
  • the different dispensers will each have a uniquely shaped opening and chute which will permit only a particular shape of detergent composition to be placed into the opening.
  • a presoak will have a defined geometric shape and a pot and pan scrubber will have a different but unique geometric shape so that neither can be placed in the wrong dispenser.
  • the different dispensers used can be identical except for the shape of the chute.
  • the same tooling can be used to make different dispensers; only the tooling for the chute need be changed.
  • an apparatus for dissolving an elongated solid detergent bar and dispensing dissolved detergent which apparatus comprises a dispenser outer wall, an elongated chute spaced from the outer wall and having an open top and an open bottom; the solid detergent bar having a cross-sectional configuration substantially the same as the cross-sectional configuration of the chute; means to support the detergent bar in the chute with a portion of the detergent bar exposed below the chute; and means for projecting water at the exposed portion of the detergent bar; the means to support the detergent bar being a planar support beneath the chute spaced from the open bottom of the chute providing a gap of predetermined height between the chute and the support; the detergent bar resting, in use, in the chute supported by the planar support whereby only a lower cross-sectional portion of the detergent bar is exposed to the said gap, the exposed portion having a thickness equal to height of the gap; with the water projecting means directing water laterally across the said gap, whereby, in use, the exposed portion of the detergent bar at the gap is dissolved by water
  • the present invention is described with respect to a kitchen. However it should be understood that this invention applies equally to laundry facilities where there are multiple clothes washing machines as opposed to dishwashing machines or apparatuses.
  • a kitchen area 10 equipped with a plurality of washers 11a, 11b and 11c connected to detergent dispensers 12a, 12b and 12c via drains 23a, 23b, and 23c.
  • the detergent dispenser 12 of the present invention is shown more particularly in Fig. 2. It includes a chute 16 adapted to receive a long bar of detergent 18 which will be resting on a support 17. Between the support 17 and the chute 16 is a small gap 19 which exposes a bottom portion 21 of the detergent bar 18. A stream 22 of water is impelled against this bottom portion 21 of the detergent bar 18 dissolving it. The dissolved water is directed to drain 23.
  • the detergent dispenser 12 includes a front wall 24, back wall 25 and two side walls 26 and 27. Inside the detergent dispenser 12 is a water slide 28. Water slide 28 is bonded to the side walls 26 and 27 holding it in position. Water slide 28 includes a vertical portion 29 which generally slopes away from the back wall 25. The vertical sloped portion continues to slope until it turns into the support 17. The support 17 is simply the horizontal planar portion of water slide 28.
  • a first water inlet 31 is directed against the sloped vertical portion 29 of water slide 28 so that water sprayed from the inlet forms the stream 22 of water.
  • the water slide extends beneath the chute 16 and has a forwardmost edge 32 which is spaced from the front wall 24 providing a gap 33 between the water slide and the front wall.
  • Beneath the water slide is the bottom wall 34 of the dispenser 12. This is a sloped bottom wall that will direct water passing down slide 28 and through the gap 33 to the drain 23.
  • the chute 16 is relatively interchangeable. Thus different dispensers can be identical except for the uniquely shaped chute.
  • the chute includes a planar top wall 35 and a horizontal circumferential chute wall 36 which extends down from the top wall 35.
  • An opening 37 extends through the top planar surface into the chute 16 which is open at its bottom.
  • Top wall 35 rests on ledge 38 which extends completely around the four walls of the apparatus 12.
  • the dispensing apparatus 12 also includes a top cover 39 which covers chute 16. This is connected to the back wall at hinge 41.
  • the top 39 and the top wall 35 of chute 16 also include slots or small openings 42 and 49 respectively adapted to permit water sprays to enter the detergent apparatus.
  • the dispenser 12 includes a water inlet 43, connectable with supply line 13, which extends to an on/off valve 44. As shown, the valve 44 connects to first water spray 31 and second water spray 45 via tubing 46.
  • the orifice size of sprays 31 and 45 are provided so that about 20 to 100% of the water passes through spray 31 and acts to dissolve detergent.
  • the water passing from spray 45 goes directly into tube 47.
  • the space 48 between the spray 45 and tube 47 should eliminate the need for any siphon break.
  • Tube 47 leads to drain 23 acting as a drain assist and sucking in dissolved detergent and foam. Since drain 23 is larger in diameter than tube 47, dissolved detergent passes freely down drain 23 to the respective working apparatus.
  • the top cover 39 of the dispenser is lifted and a bar of detergent is dropped into the opening 37 of chute 16.
  • the detergent bar has a cross sectional configuration which corresponds to the cross sectional configuration of opening 37 of chute 16.
  • the detergent bar drops through the chute 16 and rests on the support 17 which is the horizontal portion of the water slide 28.
  • Valve 44 is opened and water from inlet 43 flows through up tube 46 to sprays 31 and 45.
  • a first water supply flows through spray 31. This directs water down the water slide 28 against its sloped vertical portion 29. As this water flows down, it widens out in a fan-shaped pattern or a sheet of water. This sheet of water impinges against the bar of detergent 18 at the exposed bottom portion 21. This dissolves the exposed portion 21 of the detergent bar.
  • the dissolved detergent passes beyond the water slide and down to the bottom wall 34 to the drain 23. This is then mixed in drain 23 with the second stream of water which flowed from spray 45 down tube 47 into drain 23.
  • chute 16 includes an optional pressure switch 50 which is adapted to sense the presence of a detergent bar within the chute. This can be connected to a warning light which would tell an operator to insert an additional bar of detergent into the chute 16.
  • One of the primary benefits of the present invention is the ability to use basically the same dispenser for different detergents without significant modification of the dispenser.
  • one mold can be used to form a large portion of the dispenser.
  • only the chute need be different to make the dispenser suitable for use only with the appropriate detergent.
  • the detergent bars each having unique chemical compositions will also have unique shapes. Three are shown but there can be as many as required.
  • the dishwashing detergent I8a which is formulated for use as a pot and pan scrubber might have an oval shape as shown in Fig. 3A and be inserted in dispensers 12a.
  • the detergent 18b which is used to wash plates and the like and having a composition especially adapted for that application might have a square cross-sectional configuration as shown in Fig. 3B and be inserted in dispensers 12b.
  • the detergent composition 18c which is used to wash silverware might have a cylindrical configuration as shown in Fig. 3C and be inserted in dispensers 12c.
  • a kitchen using a plurality of detergents dispensers would have a dispenser for each of these detergents. More particularly, each one of these dispensers would have a chute corresponding in shape to the shape of the detergent 3A-3c. Thus the dispenser for the pot and pan scrubber would have an oval shaped chute. This would prevent the operator from inserting round or square detergent bars.
  • Any solid detergent formulation can be used as part of the present invention.
  • a suitable detergent formulation is disclosed in Bruegge application “Method of Making Paste Detergent and Product Produced," Serial No. 476,297, filed February 7, 1990, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the detergent compositions 18a, 18b and 18c will preferably be covered in a water soluble wrapper 55 as shown more particularly in Fig. 2 and Figs. 3A-3C.
  • a water soluble wrapper 55 is sold by CMS Gilbreath under brand name dissolvo pouching DP45.
  • the top 39 of the dispenser can be color coded for the particular detergent.
  • the oval detergent which is adapted to be used to wash pots and pans, and be used only in an oval chute, might have a green wrapper.
  • the top 39 of the dispenser for the pot and pan scrubber likewise would be green.
  • the detergent bar formulated for washing dishes which is square in shape, might have a blue water soluble wrapper.
  • the top of the dispenser covering the square chute for the dishwashing machine dispenser would likewise be blue and so on.
  • the dispenser of the present invention provides many safety features. Since the spray of water is lateral, it is very unlikely that it is going to spray out of the dispenser from the top. Since an elongated chute is used this possibility is then again reduced. The water would simply have to go too far up the dispenser chute to spray out the top.
  • the present invention provides a multitude of different advantages which aid the user of the dispenser as well as the manufacturer of the dispenser.

Landscapes

  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
  • External Artificial Organs (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
  • Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
EP91918518A 1991-10-25 1991-10-25 Detergent dispensing system Expired - Lifetime EP0609204B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BR9107324A BR9107324A (pt) 1991-10-25 1991-10-25 Sistema de distribuição de detergente
CA002119234A CA2119234A1 (en) 1991-10-25 1991-10-25 Detergent dispensing system
PCT/CA1991/000386 WO1993007798A1 (en) 1991-10-25 1991-10-25 Detergent dispensing system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0609204A1 EP0609204A1 (en) 1994-08-10
EP0609204B1 true EP0609204B1 (en) 1996-12-18

Family

ID=27160041

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91918518A Expired - Lifetime EP0609204B1 (en) 1991-10-25 1991-10-25 Detergent dispensing system

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0609204B1 (es)
AT (1) ATE146348T1 (es)
AU (1) AU668676B2 (es)
BR (1) BR9107324A (es)
CA (1) CA2119234A1 (es)
DE (2) DE69123763T2 (es)
ES (1) ES2074970T3 (es)
WO (1) WO1993007798A1 (es)

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005058364A (ja) * 2003-08-08 2005-03-10 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 食器洗い機
US7941885B2 (en) 2006-06-09 2011-05-17 Whirlpool Corporation Steam washing machine operation method having dry spin pre-wash
US7765628B2 (en) 2006-06-09 2010-08-03 Whirlpool Corporation Steam washing machine operation method having a dual speed spin pre-wash
US7730568B2 (en) 2006-06-09 2010-06-08 Whirlpool Corporation Removal of scale and sludge in a steam generator of a fabric treatment appliance
US7665332B2 (en) 2006-08-15 2010-02-23 Whirlpool Corporation Steam fabric treatment appliance with exhaust
US7681418B2 (en) 2006-08-15 2010-03-23 Whirlpool Corporation Water supply control for a steam generator of a fabric treatment appliance using a temperature sensor
US7841219B2 (en) 2006-08-15 2010-11-30 Whirlpool Corporation Fabric treating appliance utilizing steam
US7886392B2 (en) 2006-08-15 2011-02-15 Whirlpool Corporation Method of sanitizing a fabric load with steam in a fabric treatment appliance
US7707859B2 (en) 2006-08-15 2010-05-04 Whirlpool Corporation Water supply control for a steam generator of a fabric treatment appliance
US7753009B2 (en) 2006-10-19 2010-07-13 Whirlpool Corporation Washer with bio prevention cycle
US8393183B2 (en) 2007-05-07 2013-03-12 Whirlpool Corporation Fabric treatment appliance control panel and associated steam operations
US7861343B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2011-01-04 Whirlpool Corporation Method for operating a steam generator in a fabric treatment appliance
US8037565B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2011-10-18 Whirlpool Corporation Method for detecting abnormality in a fabric treatment appliance having a steam generator
US8555676B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2013-10-15 Whirlpool Corporation Fabric treatment appliance with steam backflow device
US7918109B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2011-04-05 Whirlpool Corporation Fabric Treatment appliance with steam generator having a variable thermal output
US7966683B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2011-06-28 Whirlpool Corporation Method for operating a steam generator in a fabric treatment appliance
US7690062B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2010-04-06 Whirlpool Corporation Method for cleaning a steam generator
US8555675B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2013-10-15 Whirlpool Corporation Fabric treatment appliance with steam backflow device
US7905119B2 (en) 2007-08-31 2011-03-15 Whirlpool Corporation Fabric treatment appliance with steam generator having a variable thermal output
US10172508B2 (en) 2012-05-30 2019-01-08 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Dishwasher comprising a detergent dispenser

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2686080A (en) * 1945-12-26 1954-08-10 Soapsudzer Inc Process of impregnating a liquid with a substance miscible therewith
US2537790A (en) * 1948-01-13 1951-01-09 Sage Laboratories Detergent dissolving device
US4426362A (en) * 1978-12-05 1984-01-17 Economics Laboratory, Inc. Solid block detergent dispenser
GB2047753B (en) * 1978-12-05 1983-12-21 Economics Lab Solid block detergent dispenser
DE3620900A1 (de) * 1986-06-21 1987-12-23 Lang Apparatebau Gmbh Einspuel- und dosiergeraet
AU599463B2 (en) * 1987-04-30 1990-07-19 Ecolab Inc. Dishwashing apparatus
GB8717407D0 (en) * 1987-07-23 1987-08-26 Diversey Corp Dispenser
GB2226233A (en) * 1988-12-22 1990-06-27 Unilever Plc Dispenser

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU8853191A (en) 1993-05-21
DE69123763T2 (de) 1997-07-10
EP0609204A1 (en) 1994-08-10
DE609204T1 (de) 1995-07-06
ES2074970T1 (es) 1995-10-01
WO1993007798A1 (en) 1993-04-29
BR9107324A (pt) 1996-01-02
CA2119234A1 (en) 1993-04-29
ATE146348T1 (de) 1997-01-15
ES2074970T3 (es) 1997-05-16
AU668676B2 (en) 1996-05-16
DE69123763D1 (de) 1997-01-30

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