EP1321560A2 - Device and method for dosing a detergent paste - Google Patents

Abstract

The dosing device has an injector (21) for delivery of the washing product paste and mixing it with water, with an injector outlet line (19) feeding the obtained mixture to pump unit (28) for delivery to a utilization point. <??>An Independent claim for a method for dosing a washing product paste is also included.

Description

The invention relates to a device for dosing pasty products, in particular of pasty detergents, for sucking in the pasty product, for mixing with a liquid solvent, especially water, by means of an injector and to convey the paste-solvent mixture to Place of use, especially in a washing machine, preferably a commercial one Washing machine, the injector is an outlet line for the mixture having.

It is known to use paste-like detergents in commercial laundries use a number of advantages over powder detergents exhibit.

A corresponding detergent is described in EP 0 295 525 A1 (Henkel KGaA) proposed. It is a pasty detergent, the special Handling requirements for dosing and mixing with Provides water as a solvent. For the metered feeding and mixing in this publication a person working on the principle of the water jet pump Injector with integrated shut-off valve proposed. As a detection device the metered amount of paste is a measuring arrangement based on conductivity measurements disclosed.

A metering device of the type mentioned at the beginning is described in WO 98/15682 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG). The water is used here Operating the injector working on the principle of a water jet pump, to create the necessary vacuum so that detergent paste is sucked in and is mixed with the water. The water pressure also serves to Convey the paste-solvent mixture obtained to the place of use, in in this case to a commercial washing machine.

The entire structure of such a metering device together with the Storage containers for the pasty product are described in detail in WO 99/12816 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG) and shown in the figures.

Finally, DE 197 51 154 A1 (Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG) shows one another embodiment of the metering device for pasty products. The Product inlet of the dosing device is equipped with a cutting element, which pierce the outlet spout of the storage container and thus can open the storage container.

This known metering device works under many conditions satisfactory and trouble-free, but is in terms of its scope still room for improvement. The paste-solvent mixture must from the injector with a downward gradient to the place of use, i.e. the washing machine, flow. Because the dosage depends on the water pressure and the water pressure provides for the promotion of the paste-water mixture, the The injector should not be located below the dosing point of the washing machine, because in this case the mixture should flow upwards. The dosing point can e.g. B. the dispenser in the upper part of the front of the machine or Liquid metering inlet usually located in the lower part of the rear of the machine his. The dosing device must therefore always be above the Dosing point of the washing machine can be installed. One is through the spatial Conditions in the assembly adversely restricted. On too large a distance between the dosing device and the floor also complicates this Change the storage container for the paste, which from above into the dosing device is used. For structural reasons, it is not possible with the metering device metering sections with a length of more than 3 m to realize.

Further disadvantages arise from the necessity mentioned above entire line from the injector to the dosing point of the washing machine Incline must be provided since the injector needs a free outlet.

In practice, the outlet line is usually designed as a hose. On Hang this dosing hose between the injector and the washing machine can lead to a backflow of the product, especially the pasty Components of the mixture, in the metering line and thus to product deposits within the sagging hose at its lowest point ("Bellies") so that the free diameter of the hose is always more reduced until the hose is finally blocked and clogged. The Incoming water can then through the injector into the storage container for the flow pasty product so that the entire dynamic water pressure of typically about 2.5 bar on the thin plastic container wall presses and can tear open this wall. To avoid On the other hand, dynamic water pressure cannot solve this problem be reduced because such pressure to achieve the desired amount of ejection required according to the target dosage set on the dosing device is.

Since the known metering devices above the metering points of the washing machines they can be arranged for spatial reasons not for particularly high machines with a large loading capacity of more than 30 kg can be used.

The invention is therefore based on the object in a metering device type mentioned a possibility for mounting the metering system below to create the dosing point of the washing machine and at the same time with high Security a backlog of product solution within the outlet line of the To prevent dosing.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a metering device of the type mentioned at the outset solved in that the outlet line of the injector for the Paste-solvent mixture is connected to a pump unit.

According to the invention, the water pressure applied to the metering device only serves still to operate the injector, but no longer to promote the paste-solvent mixture. The promotion of this mixture is solely by the Pump unit made. With an appropriate design of the pump unit the mixture can be brought to any height so that the Dosing device also below the dosing points of the washing machines can be arranged and also very large washing machines with high Loading capacities can be supplied by the metering device. issues with a product backflow in the outlet pipe no longer occur, as possible Remnants of mixture in the outlet line are conveyed away from the pump unit so that these residues do not remain in the outlet line for a long time remain and do not lead to deposits.

Another advantage of the solution according to the invention is that existing Dosing devices of the type mentioned above can be quickly, easily and easily upgraded can be.

The pump unit mentioned can be used as a simple feed pump for Liquids be formed. In this case, however, the pump should convey at least as much as water or another solvent flows through the injector so that the water flow through the injector and thus the water pressure-dependent dosing of the paste is not done by the pump is disturbed.

Alternatively and preferably, it can also be provided that the pump unit has a container and a feed pump that the outlet line the injector for the paste-solvent mixture freely in or over the container ends and that the drain of the container to the inlet of the feed pump for the Mixture is connected.

In this particularly preferred variant according to the invention, it is certain the pump unit cannot influence the way the injector works, because the injector outlet always remains free.

In order for the paste-solvent mixture to accumulate with even greater certainty as well as to avoid a backflow to the injector, it is suggested that the outlet line of the injector over its entire length to the Outlet end is inclined so that the liquid is already due to the Gravity flows out of the outlet line.

An overflow of the container and an unintentional emptying of the container is avoided automatically and with a high degree of certainty if after another Embodiment of the invention, a control device for the bath level in the container is provided, wherein the control device in the solvent inlet Controls injector and / or the feed pump. It is preferable to work with a pump with a fixed delivery rate and continuous uninterrupted Delivery until the dosing quantity set on the dosing device is reached is. The device works as follows: If the bath level in the tank exceeds a maximum level, the solvent feed into the injector interrupted by a solenoid valve located in front of the injector closes. If the bath level in the container drops below a minimum level, this opens Solenoid valve and the solvent flows back into the injector until the Maximum level in the tank is reached again. Then the solenoid valve closes again and the process is repeated until the dosing quantity set on the dosing device is reached.

Finally, it is also proposed that the metering device according to the invention spatially below the dosing point of a washing machine supplied by it, especially commercial machine. With this configuration becomes an advantage with large, spatially high washing machines large capacity reached, which are now also supplied with the dosing device can. The arrangement below the washing machine also makes it easier Handling when placing a new storage container for the paste in the Metering device.

If the device has a paste feed channel to the injector suction chamber, into the a solvent inlet channel opens, a shut-off device for opening and Closing the solvent inlet channel and a shut-off device for opening and closing the paste feed channel, it is also significant Advantage if according to a further embodiment of the invention Shut-off devices must be operated independently of one another.

Then namely in addition to the metering operation of the metering device, both the solvent inlet channel as well as the paste feed channel at the same time opened and closed at the same time, also a cleaning company possible. In this case, the solvent inlet channel is with the paste feed channel closed open. Rinsing the injector, its outlet line and possibly in the outlet line or other devices arranged after it With this water, clear water is easily possible.

This applies in particular if, according to the invention, behind the metering device Pump unit is switched, which is flushed from time to time with fresh water to prevent a build-up of paste particles in the pump unit avoid. After a certain time, these product residues become hard and can block the pump unit. With the above Rinsing is a particularly safe operation of the pump unit simple, problem-free and inexpensive way possible without the need for time-consuming Bypasses and circuits would be required.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shut-off device is for opening and closing the paste feed channel as a control piston, which arranged coaxially with the paste feed channel, for closing in this channel is movable into it and has a through hole which is in the closed Position releases the flow of solvent through the injector.

In this embodiment, a control piston is used as in the known metering device used to close the paste feed channel, but the has a horizontal through-hole, when the paste feed channel is blocked at the level of the injector, so that water or a nonetheless other solvent can flow through the injector. The advantage of the known Dosing device that the paste feed channel simultaneously through the control piston to close this channel when this piston is cleaned moved back and forth is also retained in this embodiment according to the invention. Without the paste being sucked in, water can now flow through the injector, its outlet line and the subsequent pump unit flow so that the desired cleaning effect is achieved.

So that the dosing device even at relatively low dynamic water pressures, which can in particular also be less than 2.0 bar, can be operated, it is further proposed that an electrically actuated unit, in particular a coil is arranged which, when excited, the control piston in the open position against a permanent mechanical force, in particular the power of a spring. Because the control piston is independent of the adjacent Water pressure can be opened, the metering device can also a water supply with a relatively small dynamic water pressure operate. When the dosing device is out of operation, i.e. without power automatically the paste feed channel through the permanent mechanical Force closed, so that an automatic shutoff of the paste feed in the The metering device is out of operation and an uncontrolled one slow dripping or after-running of the paste into the injector with certainty is avoided.

It is also proposed that the shut-off device for opening and closing of the solvent inlet channel as an electrically actuable valve, in particular Solenoid valve, is formed in the solvent inlet channel. Since the Electromechanical opening and closing of the solvent inlet duct results there are a variety of options for operating the metering device.

The invention also relates to a method for dosing pasty products, especially pasty detergents, for sucking in the pasty Product, for mixing with a liquid solvent, in particular Water, and to convey the paste-solvent mixture to the place of use, especially in a washing machine, preferably a commercial washing machine, taking suction and mixing in and with an injector performs.

The above-mentioned object is achieved in the method according to the invention solved by mixing the paste-solvent mixture with a pump unit promotes to the site. The advantages are also mentioned above Service.

It is particularly preferred if the pump unit has a container and has a feed pump and the mixture flows freely into the container from which the mixture with the feed pump can be taken to the place of use promotes.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, whereby the pasty product by means of the liquid solvent operated injector from a paste feed channel and the paste-solvent mixture through an outlet line of the injector, it is proposed that the solvent is shut off when the paste feed channel is closed through the injector, the outlet line and through the one connected to the outlet line Pump unit can flow. This enables easy rinsing and cleaning the pump unit, as already explained in more detail above has been.

Figur 1

einen Schnitt durch eine Dosiereinrichtung nach dem Stand der Technik, die erfindungsgemäß weiterentwickelt werden kann,

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Weiterentwicklung der Dosiereinrichtung nach Figur 1 und

Figur 3

einen Schnitt gemäß Figur 1, aber mit einer besonders vorteilhaften erfindungsgemäßen Ausgestaltung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it

Figure 1

3 shows a section through a metering device according to the prior art, which can be developed further according to the invention,

Figure 2

a schematic representation of the further development of the metering device according to the invention according to Figure 1 and

Figure 3

a section according to Figure 1, but with a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention.

In all drawings, the same reference numerals have the same meaning and may therefore only be explained once.

To understand the invention, the structure and function of a Dosing device according to the prior art, as described in WO 98/15682 A1 and WO 99/12816 A1 is known.

A storage container 1 is inserted into the metering device according to FIG. 1. The The metering device has a frame on which a dimensionally stable container 2 is placed, which can be equipped with handling handles 3. In these Container 2, the storage container 1 is set for the pasty detergent. At the bottom, the container 2 is provided with a central opening 4, through which an adapter-shaped outlet opening 5 of the storage container 1 into the Dosing device protrudes and there tightly with the paste feed channel 6 Dosing device can be connected.

Figure 1 also shows the solvent inlet channel 7 coming from the right for the solvent, which is usually water. This stands with increased pressure and is blocked by the shut-off device 8 Dosing device separated. It has proven particularly advantageous for this purpose a 2/2-way shut-off valve or tap, in which only between the switching positions is switched completely open and completely closed. Is the shut-off device 8 opened, the pressurized water is against the control piston 9, which on the Piston plate 10 is arranged. The piston plate 10 is on a guide plate 10a arranged and axially movable in the cylindrical space 11. Room 11 is designed to be waterproof overall. Below the guide plate 10a is one Arranged spring 12 against which the guide plate 10a is axially movable.

The water under pressure laterally under the injector 13 is on the Piston plate 10 next to the arrangement of the control piston 9 and presses the Piston plate down. In the exemplary embodiment, the spring 12 is designed that it is deflected at a water pressure of 1.5 bar. If the Piston plate 10 moves down, it takes the control piston arranged on it 9 and 14 with. In the closed state, the control piston 14 closes the Connection between the paste feed and the injector suction chamber 15, during the control piston 9 the connection between the solvent inlet channel 7 and the injector prechamber 16 shut off. The lengths of the distances and the lengths of the control pistons 9 and 14 are selected so that that when the double control piston arrangement 9, 10, 14 drops, the Connection from the paste feed to the injector suction chamber 15 released becomes. If the piston plate 10 drops further, then the Control piston 9, the connection from the solvent inlet channel 7, that is the water under pressure, released into the injector prechamber 16.

Due to the 2/2 circuit of the shut-off device 8, the water is immediately below full operating pressure, in the exemplary embodiment below 2.5 bar, and presses through the narrow injector nozzle 13. The injector nozzle 13 is through the cylinder space for the control piston 14 through to the injector suction chamber 15 and up directed with this coaxial measuring section 17. The relaxing water sucks in paste from the paste feed, dissolves the paste and mixes with her. The mixture is injected into the measuring section 17, in which the in Flow direction with spaced measuring electrodes 18 the electrical Conductivity is measured. The measuring arrangement allows that in the mixture to precisely record the amount of paste present, so that its concentration can also be determined unknown or varying pastes can be precisely quantified can. An integration device in a control device, not shown here determines the amount of the total dosed paste and adds The command to close the system is reached when the target dosing quantity is reached. After that the further transport of the mixture of the paste in aqueous solution into the Outlet line 19 interrupted.

When the shut-off element 8 closes off the solvent inlet channel 7, it is stationary no more pressurized water. As a result, the piston plate 10 is over its guide plate 10a moved upwards by the spring 12. At the same time they push Control pistons 9 and 14 in their cylindrical movement spaces, initially the connection from the water inlet to the injector prechamber 16 and then the Connection from the paste feed to the injector suction chamber 15 closed become. This through the control piston 9 for the injector prechamber in the Water displaced by the injector dissolves and mixes the remaining paste possibly with the waste water flowing through the bypass 20. There the space 11 is designed to be watertight, the guide plate 10a with the piston plate 10 arranged thereon and the control pistons 9 and 14 after Closure of the opening to the injector prechamber 16 only then moves upward if the water still present in room 11 via the bypass 20 can be dissipated. The after closing the connection to the injector prechamber 16 amount of water conveyed through the bypass 20 is so small that it does not significantly influence the mixing ratio.

In the following, the invention, shown schematically in Figure 2, is shown Further development of the dosing device according to Figure 1 described. Here too pasty detergent from a storage container 1 from an injector 21 sucked in, in which 7 water under a solvent inlet channel Inflows pressure. The paste-water mixture leaves the injector 21 via a Outlet line 19, which ends freely above a container 22. The outlet pipe 19 runs down its entire length with a slope, so that a Backflow or blockage of the line by remaining paste does not occur can. The drain 23 arranged at the lowest point of the container 22 is over a line connected to a feed pump 24, the paste-water mixture pumps to the commercial washing machine.

To adjust the delivery rate of the feed pump 24 to the throughput of In principle, different technical implementations are possible for injector 21.

The performance of the injector could be adapted to the delivery rate of the pump 24 become. However, there would be extensive changes or technical additions of the injector. On the other hand, the injector output would be throttled not an advantage either. In principle, the funding could also the pump can be adapted to the performance of the injector. Doing so, however relatively high costs arise. For this reason, according to the invention particularly inexpensive adjustment of the throughput of the injector to the Feed pump 24, which works continuously with a fixed delivery rate, proposed, the adjustment being carried out by means of a two-point control is turned on and off by the product solution flow through the injector becomes. The procedure is as follows:

A control device 25 controls the shut-off device 8, a solenoid valve for the Inlet channel 7 of the solvent (water) in the injector 21 depending of the bath level of the product solution in container 22. Reaches the bath level Maximum 26, a corresponding signal is sent to the control device via a line 25 given, which then closes the shut-off device 8. The feed pump 24 continues to work with constant power. Then if the bathroom level has dropped to a minimum 27, the corresponding leads to the Control device 25 signal that the control device 25 the Shut-off device 8 in the solvent inlet channel 7 opens again, so that fresh paste-water mixture flows from the injector 21 into the container 22 until again the maximum 26 of the bath level is reached and the process itself repeated. The bath level is measured by appropriate Electrodes in the container 22.

In this embodiment, the dotted line in FIG edged pump unit 28 except for switching the solenoid valve on and off 8 no influence whatsoever on the mode of operation of the injector 21 exercised so that a malfunction by the pump unit 28 is excluded.

With the metering device according to the invention, the paste-water mixture are promoted to any and any high-altitude locations without Faults in the operation of the injector 21 occur. Possible blockages, thus thickening of the paste-like detergent, which Occasionally occur and cannot be immediately dissolved by the water that they block the outlet line 19 and occasionally backflow in cause this line, which in turn tears the storage container can lead to the paste, put in the metering device according to the invention no longer a problem. Such blocks are simply in the Container 22 rinsed and at least partially crushed by the feed pump 24, so that this product is also dissolved. The product blocks remain So in the metering device according to the invention no longer in the range of Injector 21 and the outlet line 19.

With the dosing device according to the invention or the inventive The pasty detergent can also be used in relatively large washing machines be metered in, for example, a loading capacity of more than 30 kg, because the metering device can now easily below the dosing point of the washing machine. Another advantage is that then easier handling for the user.

Finally, the structure and mode of operation of that shown in Figure 3 described advantageously further developed metering device according to Figure 1, only the differences from the metering device according to FIG. 1 being explained here become.

The piston rod 29 attached to the underside of the guide plate 10 can by means of an electrical coil 30 downward against the force of the compression spring 12 to be pulled. In contrast, if the coil 30 is de-energized, the piston rod is located 29, the guide plate 10a and the piston plate 10 with the arranged thereon and upwardly extending spool 14 in the upper Position in which the paste feed channel 6 through the upper end of the control piston 14 is closed. In this position it is possible to use the injector 13, 15 and the downstream lines and devices with rinse fresh water when the solenoid valve 8 the water inlet channel 7th opens. According to the invention, namely in the upper region of the control piston 14 a through bore 31 coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the injector 13, 15 intended. This bore 31 is arranged such that in the top Position of the control piston 14 is a flow for that from the water inlet channel 7 inflowing water through the injector nozzle 13, the injector suction chamber 15, the measuring section 17 to the outlet line 19 and through the invention subsequently arranged pump unit, not shown in FIG. 3 he follows. The measuring electrodes arranged in the measuring section 17 are also used 18 cleaned, for conductivity measurement and thus for determination serve to concentrate the paste-like detergent in the water. Should he Rinsing process are ended, the solenoid valve 8 is simply again closed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

storage container

2

container

3

handling grips

4

opening

5

outlet

6

Paste feed

7

Solvent inlet port

8th

shutoff

9

spool

10

piston plate

10a

guide plate

11

room

12

feather

13

injector nozzle

14

spool

15

Injector suction chamber

16

Injector antechamber

17

measuring distance

18

measuring electrodes

19

outlet pipe

20

bypass

21

injector

22

container

23

procedure

24

feed pump

25

control device

26

maximum

27

minimum

28

pump unit

29

piston rod

30

Kitchen sink

31

Through Hole

Claims (12)

Device for dosing pasty products, in particular pasty detergents, for sucking in the pasty product, for mixing with a liquid solvent, in particular water, by means of an injector (21) and for conveying the paste-solvent mixture to the place of use, in particular in a washing machine, preferably a commercial washing machine, the injector (21) having an outlet line (19) for the mixture,
characterized in that the outlet line (19) of the injector (21) for the paste-solvent mixture is connected to a pump unit (28). Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the pump unit (28) has a container (22) and a feed pump (24), that the outlet line (19) of the injector (21) for the paste-solvent mixture is free in or above the container (22) ends and that the outlet (23) of the container (22) is connected to the inlet of the feed pump (24) for the mixture. Device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the outlet line (19) of the injector (21) is inclined over its entire length towards the outlet end. Device according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that a control device (25) for the bath level in the container (22) is provided, the control device (25) controlling the solvent feed into the injector (21) and / or the feed pump (24). Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the dosing device is arranged spatially below the dosing point of a washing machine supplied by it, in particular a commercial machine. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the device has a paste feed channel (6) to the injector suction chamber (15) into which a solvent inlet channel (7) opens, a shut-off device (8) for opening and closing the solvent inlet channel (7) and a Has shut-off device (14) for opening and closing the paste feed channel (6) and that the shut-off devices (8, 14) can be actuated independently of one another. Device according to the preceding claim,
characterized in that the shut-off device for opening and closing the paste feed channel (6) is designed as a control piston (14) which is arranged coaxially with the paste feed channel (6), can be moved into this channel (6) for closing and has a through hole (31) which, in the closed position, enables the solvent to flow through the injector (13, 15; 21). Device according to the preceding claim,
characterized in that an electrically actuatable unit, in particular a coil (30), is arranged which, when excited, brings the control piston (14) into the open position against a continuously acting mechanical force, in particular the force of a spring (12). Device according to one of claims 6 to 8,
characterized in that the shut-off device (8) for opening and closing the solvent inlet channel (7) is designed as an electrically operable valve, in particular a solenoid valve, in the solvent inlet channel (7). Process for dosing pasty products, in particular pasty detergents, for sucking in the pasty product, for mixing with a liquid solvent, in particular water, and for conveying the paste-solvent mixture to the place of use, in particular in a washing machine, preferably a commercial washing machine, wherein suction and mixing are carried out in and with an injector (21),
characterized in that the paste-solvent mixture is conveyed to the place of use by means of a pump unit (28). A method according to claim 10,
characterized in that the pump unit (28) has a container (22) and a feed pump (24) and in that the mixture is allowed to flow freely into the container (22) from which the mixture is conveyed to the place of use by the feed pump (24) , A method according to claim 10 or 11,
characterized in that the pasty product is sucked in from a paste feed channel (6) by means of the injector (13, 15; 21) operated with the liquid solvent, the paste-solvent mixture is drawn through an outlet line (19) of the injector (13, 15; 21) and that when the paste feed channel (6) is blocked, the solvent can flow through the injector (13, 15; 21), the outlet line (19) and through the pump unit (28) connected to the outlet line (19) ,

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