EP1355561B1 - Systeme de diffusion de detergent - Google Patents

Systeme de diffusion de detergent Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1355561B1
EP1355561B1 EP02718043A EP02718043A EP1355561B1 EP 1355561 B1 EP1355561 B1 EP 1355561B1 EP 02718043 A EP02718043 A EP 02718043A EP 02718043 A EP02718043 A EP 02718043A EP 1355561 B1 EP1355561 B1 EP 1355561B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cartridge
tablets
tablet
chamber
detergent
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
EP02718043A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1355561A1 (fr
Inventor
Richard Paul c/o Lever Faberge Ltd MCNABB
Willem c/o Unilever R & D Vlaardingen OLDENBURG
Kevin c/o Unilever R & D Vlaardingen ROBERTS
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 PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
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 PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP1355561A1 publication Critical patent/EP1355561A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1355561B1 publication Critical patent/EP1355561B1/fr
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
    • A47L15/4463—Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
    • 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
    • A47L15/4445—Detachable devices
    • A47L15/4454—Detachable devices with automatic identification means, e.g. barcodes, RFID tags or magnetic strips
    • 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
    • A47L15/4472—Blister packaging or refill cartridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0409—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/026—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents the powder or tablets being added directly, e.g. without the need of a flushing liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2583/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D2583/04—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets
    • B65D2583/0472—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action
    • B65D2583/0477—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action the container is maintained in the same position during the dispensing of several successive articles or doses
    • B65D2583/049—One rotational action of a cylindrical, disc-like or sphere-like element around its own axis, e.g. step-by-step, reciprocating
    • B65D2583/0495—One rotational action of a cylindrical, disc-like or sphere-like element around its own axis, e.g. step-by-step, reciprocating the element being alveolate

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a dishwasher detergent dispenser system and in particular to a system for the controlled delivery of detergent in tablet form to a dishwasher.
  • CA 2189115 discloses a dishwasher comprising a dispensing arrangement for the programmed delivery of cleaning agents in tablet form.
  • the dispensing arrangement includes a storage unit for storing the detergent tablets, a separating device for removing at least one detergent tablet from the storage unit and a lock chamber.
  • the lock chamber separates the detergent tablets stored in the storage unit from the damp ambient conditions of the washing chamber in the dishwasher.
  • the detergent tablets are stored in several stacks in order that minimise space and the separating device can be arranged to remove a predetermined number of detergent tablets from the storage unit.
  • the dispensing system should have a storage unit capable of holding sufficient detergent for several wash cycles.
  • the detergent in the storage unit must be completely protected from the damp conditions prevailing in the dishwasher since the detergent will form a solid mass when exposed to moisture.
  • the dispensing device must have an effective means of transferring detergent from the storage unit to the dishwasher. Ideally, the dispensing device should dispense the detergent at the appropriate time at the washing cycle.
  • Known dispensing devices for detergent tablets have employed detergent tablets having a diameter of at least 24 mm. In some devices the tablets have been arranged in one or more vertical stacks or columns with the circular faces of adjacent tablets in contact with one another.
  • One of the problems associated with this arrangement is that the surface of the tablets is rough because of the granular nature of the detergent and the device for removing a tablet from the stack must be able to overcome the high frictional forces between adjacent tablets.
  • DE 19620088 discloses a dispensing device in which the tablets are stored in a serpentine channel such that adjacent tablets touch circumferentially. However, this arrangement is wasteful of space.
  • DE 19 540 958 discloses a removable cartridge for a detergent dispensing system, comprising a storage unit containing a plurality of detergent tablets, and a transfer station.
  • a removable cartridge for a detergent dispensing system e.g. for a dishwasher, comprising:
  • a detergent dispensing system e.g. for a dishwasher, comprising a cartridge as described above and a dispensing chamber having an inlet in communication with the transfer port of the cartridge and an outlet which may be sealed by a door.
  • the invention provides an effective detergent dispensing system suitable for use in a dishwasher, laundry washing machine etc., which may contain sufficient detergent tablets for many wash cycles e.g. at least ten, preferably at least thirty, which is simple to operate on the part of the user.
  • the user simply selects the desired wash programme and the dishwasher dispense the correct number of tablets at the appropriate time during the wash cycle.
  • the detergent dispensing device of the invention is preferably positioned within the door of the dishwasher thereby does not encroach on any of the volume within the cleaning chamber. Also, it allows the user ready access for the replacement of the cartridge.
  • An essential component of the detergent dispensing system is a removable cartridge.
  • the cartridge contains the detergent tablets and comprises a mechanism to eject the tablets from the cartridge.
  • the cartridge also has a seal to prevent moisture ingress in to the storage area.
  • the seal is important since ingress of moisture is likely to cause adjacent tablets to agglomerate causing them to jam in the storage unit.
  • the entire cartridge is replaced when it is emptied and thus the transfer mechanism and seal will be replaced when a new cartridge is in place. This feature is desirable since it obviates the need to utilise a transfer mechanism and seal which will last the life of the dishwasher and furthermore it reduces the routine maintenance required to keep the dishwasher in perfect running order.
  • the cartridge utilises spherical or cylindrical detergent tablets.
  • detergent tablets herein refer not only to detergent tablets but also to tablets composed of other dishwashing active ingredients e.g. water softeners and rinse aids.
  • the tablets are formed by compaction or pressure moulding of powdered ingredients in a conventional manner.
  • the spherical tablets preferably have a diameter in the range 10 to 20mm.
  • the cylindrical tablets used in the cartridge preferably have a diameter in the range 10 to 20mm and a length which is at least 10% different to the diameter. The reason for the difference in length is to prevent the tablets rotating out of alignment in the rows within the dishwasher.
  • a preferred cylindrical tablets has a diameter of about 17 mm and a length of about 12 mm. The edge between the circular face and cylindrical surface desirable chamfered since this assists in the manufacture of the tablets by compression moulding and also reduces the propensity of the tablets to chip during transportation and storage.
  • the tablets are arranged in the cartridge in substantially vertical rows when the cartridge is in its upright position.
  • the storage unit comprises a sloping floor or glides to direct tablets towards the transfer station.
  • the transfer station can be at one corner of the cartridge in which case the floor will slope towards that corner. Alternatively, the transfer station may be located spaced from a corner in which case the sloping floor may be in the form of a funnel.
  • Adjacent rows of tablets are preferably separated by guides which are spaced apart slightly more than the diameter of the cylinder or sphere of the detergent tablets.
  • the use of guides is particularly advantageous since it prevents lateral displacement of the tablets and reduces movement of the tablets when the door of the dishwasher is repeatedly opened and closed.
  • the guides reduce the propensity of the tablets to impact violently upon each other which could cause breakage of tablets resulting in incorrect dosing or the tablets jamming in the cartridge.
  • the storage unit is divided in to two halves by a central wall such that there are two sets of tablets arranged in respective sets of rows. Each set of tablets is associated with its own ejection means.
  • the ejection means comprises a wheel, rotatably about a substantially horizontal axis when the cartridge is in its upright position, the wheel having a plurality of circumferential chambers dimensioned to accommodate a tablet, wherein the cartridge is arranged such that a tablet in the transfer station moves under gravity in to a chamber in the wheel, rotation of the wheel transports the tablet towards the transfer port where it falls out of the chamber through the transfer port and is ejected from the cartridge.
  • the wheel is constructed and arranged such that a tablet in the transfer station moves under gravity in to a chamber in the wheel, rotation of the wheel transports the tablet to the transfer port where it partially falls out of the chamber and further rotation of the wheel causes a cam surface on the wheel to contact the tablet and push the tablet through the transfer port to eject it from the cartridge.
  • This embodiment is particularly useful where it is necessary to apply force to the tablet to push it through the transfer seal.
  • the wheel is constructed and arranged such that a tablet in the transfer system moves under gravity in to a chamber in the wheel, rotation of the wheel transports the tablet towards the transfer port and further rotation of the wheel causes the chamber to partially collapse thereby expelling the tablet from the chamber through the transport port and ejecting it from the cartridge.
  • the chambers in the wheel are flexible and they are deformed as the wheel rotates e.g. by contacting a projection or pin formed in the wall of the transfer station. The walls are deformed in such a manner that the tablet is pushed radially outward from the chamber.
  • the ejection means may conveniently comprise two wheels rotatable about a common axis.
  • the wheels may be independently rotatable thereby allowing a different type of table to be used in each set which may be ejected from the cartridge and dispensed independently.
  • the two wheels may be fixed related to each other with chambers off-set such that rotation of the wheel causes alternate ejection of a tablet from each set of tablets.
  • the transfer seal covers the transfer port.
  • the seal may act as a door of shutter movable between a closed position which seals the transfer port and an open position which allows ejection of a tablet through the transfer port.
  • Such a seal may be sliding rotatable or hinged.
  • the transfer seal is in the form of an elastomeric film covering the transfer port and having one or more slits which allow a tablet to be pushed through the seal.
  • Suitable elastomeric materials include rubber, plastics etc. e.g. silicone.
  • the circumferential edge of the wheel may form a seal with the housing of the cartridge or edge of the transfer port.
  • the cartridge may have a manual actuation mechanism e.g. a handle to allow the user to eject the appropriate number of tablets from the cartridge before the washing cycle is started.
  • the dispensing system comprises control means and drive means to actuate the ejection means of the cartridge.
  • the ejection means comprises means to engage the drive means on the dishwasher e.g. cog wheel etc.
  • the cartridge is sealed in a manner to prevent ready access to the detergent tablets therein e.g. to prevent children extracting the detergent tablets.
  • the only point of access to the tablets will be via the transfer port.
  • the transfer port may be sealed with a tamper proof seal which is broken off prior to insertion of the cartridge.
  • the wheel of the ejection means may be immobilised prior to insertion of the cartridge.
  • the housing of the cartridge may conveniently be manufactured of transparent plastics so that the contents may be viewed.
  • the cartridge is in communication with the inlet of a dispensing chamber.
  • the dispensing chamber has an outlet which may be sealed by a shutter or door.
  • One or more tablets ejected from the cartridge passes to the dispensing chamber.
  • the tablets are held in the dispensing chamber until the door is opened at the appropriate time during the washing cycle to introduce the tablet(s) in to the washing chamber of the dishwasher.
  • the door of the dispensing chamber is preferably biased to its closed position sealing the outlet of the dispensing chamber. The door is opened only for a sufficient time to allow the tablet(s) to exit the dispensing chamber and then the outlet of the dispensing chamber is immediately sealed.
  • the possibility of moisture ingress can be further reduced by dispensing the tablets into the washing chamber while the water therein is quiescent i.e. not during spraying or agitation in the washing cycle, and ensuring the outlet is sealed when water is sprayed and also during the drying cycle to prevent ingress of water vapour.
  • the outlet of the dispensing chamber is conveniently sealed by a door.
  • the door may conveniently be pivoted about a horizontal axis at its upper or lower edges.
  • the door is substantially vertical when sealing the outlet of the dispensing chamber and is pivoted about a horizontal axis at the bottom of the door.
  • the door comprises a substantially horizontal extension which forms the base of the dispensing chamber when the door is in its closed position.
  • tablets entering the dispensing chamber from the cartridge will lodge on the horizontal extension of the door.
  • the extended portion forming the base of the chamber is caused to pivot upwardly thereby expelling the tablets from the dispensing chamber.
  • the transfer port of the cartridge may communicate directly with the inlet of the dispensing chamber.
  • the cartridge may be positioned directly above the dispensing chamber so that tablets ejected through the transfer port of the cartridge drop into the dispensing chamber.
  • the cartridge may be displaced relative to the dispensing chamber and an intermediate passage and/or holding chamber may be between the transfer port of the cartridge and the inlet of the dispensing chamber.
  • conveyor means may be provided to move the tablets through the intermediate passage and/or holding chamber into the dispensing chamber. Any suitable conveyor means may be used e.g. a plunger or piston to push tablets from the intermediate passage or holding chamber in to the dispensing chamber.
  • the cartridge may conveniently comprise one or more recognition features which are detectable by a detection system in the dishwasher to identify the contents of the cartridge.
  • the recognition features may be physical e.g. projections, lugs etc. which are engageable with a detection system in the dishwasher.
  • the cartridge may have a code pattern applied to its surface e.g. a bar code or DX-type code, which may be detected by a detection system in the dishwasher to identify the contents of the cartridge.
  • the cartridge may comprise a micro chip containing information about the contents of the cartridge which may be read by a detection system in the dishwasher.
  • the dishwasher preferably comprises control means to control the ejection of tablets from the cartridge and/or release of tablets from the dispensing chamber.
  • the control means may receive information from any detection system in the dishwasher and act upon the information received.
  • the control means may conveniently release tablets from the dispensing chamber at pre-determined time during wash cycle and also ensure that the door of the dispensing chamber closes immediately after releasing the tablets.
  • the control means may also operate to eject the requisite number of tablets from the cartridge in response to a particular wash programme selected on the dishwasher. For example, a plurality of tablets may be ejected for a heavy wash programme and a single tablet for a light wash programme.
  • the control means may also allow multiple dispensing of tablets during a single wash cycle. Thus, a tablet may be dispensed during the prewash and a further one or more tablets may be dispensed during the main wash. If there are different types of tablets in the storage unit a different tablet may be dispensed for the rinse cycle etc.
  • the dishwasher preferably comprises means to detect and signal when the cartridge is substantially empty in order that the user may obtain a fresh cartridge before the existing cartridge has expired.
  • the dishwasher may automatically order a new cartridge from the supplier e.g. via the internet, when the cartridge is almost empty.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a cartridge 2 comprises a housing 4 defining a storage unit 6 having a plurality of rows 8 of detergent tablets 10.
  • the detergent tablets 10 are cylindrical in shape and are arranges such that adjacent tablets in a row touch circumferentially.
  • the rows are separated by guides 12 which restrict movement of the detergent tablets.
  • the cartridge has a sloping floor 14 such that tablets in the storage unit 6 drop under gravity towards the transport station 16.
  • the guides are dimensioned so that the lower most tablet in each row may roll over the floor 14 towards the transport station 16.
  • the ejection means comprises a wheel 18 mounted for rotation about axis 20.
  • the wheel comprises four circumferential chambers 22 which are dimensioned to accommodate a tablet.
  • a tablet shown as 10a
  • Figure 2 shows a cartridge of similar construction to Figure 1 with the exception that the wheel 18 comprises cam surfaces 28.
  • a detergent tablet 10a is held in the circumferential chamber 22 and transported from the storage unit to the transfer port 24.
  • the seal 26 may be a sliding seal or a fixed seal comprising a flexible elastomer having a slit therein.
  • the tablet 10a is partially displaced from the chamber 22 and as the wheel is further rotated the following cam surface 28 pushes against the tablet urging it through the transfer port 24 and ejecting it from the cartridge.
  • FIGS 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative cartridge in accordance with the invention.
  • the cartridge comprises two sets of detergent tablets (not shown) separated by an internal wall 13.
  • the ejecting means comprises two wheels 30, 32 ( Figure 4 ) each having two chambers 22.
  • the wheels 30, 32 may be independently rotatable about axis 20 or they may be fixed relative to each other with the chambers off-set as shown in Figure 4 .
  • the walls of the chambers 22 are constructed of deformable plastics material.
  • a handle 34 is shown for manual rotation of the wheel although it is preferred that the device is rotated by drive means mounted in the dishwasher.
  • the transfer port 24 is covered by a transfer seal which is a fixed film of elastomer 25 having a slits 27 therein, one slit for each set of tablets.
  • a detergent tablet 10a is transported from the storage unit towards the transfer port 24.
  • the wall 36 of the circumferential chamber engages a pin 38 projecting from the housing of the cartridge causing the wall to deform as the rotation of the wheel continues and push the tablet through the transfer port and slit 27 in the transfer seal 25.
  • the pin 38 projects to an extent that it just engages the edge of the wall 36.
  • the wall 36 deforms until it is able to slide under the pin 38 and free rotation continues until the next portion of the wall 36 engages the pin.
  • FIGs 5a and 5b diagrammatically illustrate the arrangement of a cartridge and dispensing chamber in accordance with the invention.
  • the cartridge is as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 .
  • the dispensing chamber 40 comprises a housing 44.
  • the outlet of the dispensing chamber is closed by a door 50 which is pivoted about a horizontal axis 52 at the base of the door.
  • the door additionally comprises an extended portion 54 which forms the base of the dispensing chamber 40 when the door is in its closed position.
  • tablets from the cartridge 2 will fall on to the extended portion 54 when they are transferred from the cartridge.
  • the extended portion 54 will pivot together with the door thereby transporting any tablets in the dispensing chamber through the outlet in to the washing chamber of the dishwasher.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une cartouche amovible pour un système de diffusion de détergent d'un lave-vaisselle. Cette cartouche se compose d'une unité de stockage contenant plusieurs pastilles détersives sphériques ou cylindriques, disposées sur un ou deux rang(s), les surfaces incurvées des pastilles adjacentes en contact, de manière à ce que lorsque la cartouche est au-dessus des pastilles elle puisse se déplacer sous l'action de son poids vers une station de transfert. Cette station de transfert est dotée de moyens d'éjection permettant d'éjecter une pastille de la station de transfert via un port de transfert à l'extérieur de la cartouche et un joint de transfert associé au port de transfert afin d'empêcher la pénétration de l'humidité dans la cartouche.

Claims (37)

  1. Cartouche amovible (2) pour un système de distribution de détergent, par exemple pour un lave-vaisselle, comprenant :
    une unité de stockage (6) comprenant une pluralité de tablettes de détergent cylindriques ou sphériques (10) agencée dans deux rangées (8) ou plus avec des surfaces incurvées des tablettes adjacentes qui se touchent de sorte que lorsque la cartouche est droite, les tablettes se déplacent sous l'action de la gravité vers une station de transfert (16),
    une station de transfert (16) comprenant des moyens d'éjection (18 ; 20 ; 22) pour éjecter une tablette de la station de transfert par un orifice de transfert (24) à l'extérieur de la cartouche,
    un joint d'étanchéité de transfert (26) associé à l'orifice de transfert pour empêcher l'entrée d'humidité dans la cartouche,
    dans laquelle lorsque la cartouche est dans sa position droite, les tablettes sont agencées dans des rangées verticales, caractérisée en ce que l'unité de stockage comprend un plancher incliné (14) pour diriger les tablettes vers la station de transfert (16), et en ce que les moyens d'éjection comprennent une roue (18) pouvant tourner autour d'un axe (20) sensiblement horizontal lorsque la cartouche est dans sa position verticale, ladite roue ayant une pluralité de chambres circonférentielles (22) dimensionnées pour loger une tablette, et étant construites et agencées de sorte qu'une tablette dans la station de transfert (16) se déplace sous l'action de la gravité dans une chambre dans la roue et la rotation de la roue transporte la tablette jusqu'à l'orifice de transfert (24) où elle tombe de la chambre par l'orifice de transfert.
  2. Cartouche amovible selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les rangées adjacentes de tablettes sont séparées par des guides (12) pour empêcher le déplacement latéral des tablettes par rapport à une rangée.
  3. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les tablettes sont sensiblement cylindriques, ayant un diamètre de l'ordre de 10 à 20 mm et une longueur qui présente une différence d'au moins 10 % par rapport au diamètre.
  4. Cartouche amovible selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle les tablettes ont une longueur supérieure au diamètre.
  5. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle on trouve deux ensembles de tablettes qui sont agencés dans des ensembles de rangées respectifs, chaque ensemble de tablettes ayant son propre moyen d'éjection (30 ; 32, 22).
  6. Cartouche selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la roue (18) est construite et agencée de sorte qu'une tablette dans la station de transfert se déplace sous l'action de la gravité dans une chambre (22) dans la roue, la rotation de la roue transporte la tablette jusqu'à l'orifice de transfert où elle tombe partiellement hors de la chambre et la rotation supplémentaire de la roue amène une surface de came (28) sur la roue à venir en contact avec la tablette et à pousser la tablette à travers l'orifice de transfert.
  7. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la roue est construite et agencée de sorte qu'une tablette dans la station de transfert se déplace sous l'action de la gravité dans une chambre (22) dans la roue, la rotation de la roue transporte la tablette vers l'orifice de transfert (24) et la rotation supplémentaire de la roue amène la chambre à s'effondrer partiellement, expulsant la tablette de la chambre par l'orifice de transfert.
  8. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle on trouve deux ensembles de tablettes agencés dans des ensembles respectifs de rangées et les moyens d'éjection comprennent deux roues (30 ; 32) pouvant tourner autour d'un axe commun.
  9. Cartouche amovible selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle les deux roues sont fixes l'une par rapport à l'autre avec les chambres (22) décalées de sorte que la rotation des roues provoque le transport alterné de la tablette à partir de chaque ensemble de tablettes.
  10. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'orifice de transfert (24) est recouvert par un joint d'étanchéité de transfert qui est déplacé latéralement lorsqu'une tablette est éjectée de la cartouche.
  11. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans laquelle l'orifice de transfert est recouvert par un joint d'étanchéité de transfert sous la forme d'un film élastomère (25) ayant une ou plusieurs fentes (27) à l'intérieur de celui-ci et la tablette est poussée par l'élastomère lorsqu'elle est éjectée de la cartouche.
  12. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens pour actionner manuellement les moyens d'éjection.
  13. Cartouche amovible selon les revendications 1 à 11, dans laquelle les moyens d'éjection comprennent des moyens pour se mettre en prise avec les moyens d'entraînement montés sur le lave-vaisselle.
  14. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la cartouche est hermétiquement fermée pour empêcher l'accès facile aux tablettes de détergent à l'intérieur de celles-ci.
  15. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la cartouche comprend un boîtier comprenant un matériau transparent de sorte que les tablettes à l'intérieur sont visibles.
  16. Cartouche amovible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui comprend une ou plusieurs caractéristiques de reconnaissance physique pouvant être mises en prise avec un système de détection pour identifier le contenu de la cartouche.
  17. Cartouche amovible selon les revendications 1 à 15, comprenant un modèle de code appliqué sur sa surface qui peut être détecté par un système de détection pour identifier le contenu de la cartouche.
  18. Cartouche amovible selon les revendications 8 à 15, comprenant une micropuce contenant des informations du contenu de la cartouche.
  19. Système distribution de détergent pour un lave-vaisselle comprenant une cartouche (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes et un dispositif de distribution (40) ayant une entrée en communication avec l'orifice de transfert de la cartouche et une sortie pour distribuer des tablettes, laquelle sortie peut être hermétiquement fermée par une porte (50).
  20. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 19, dans lequel le dispositif de distribution comprend des moyens pour maintenir la porte dans sa position fermée, fermant hermétiquement la sortie excepté lors de la distribution des tablettes.
  21. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 20, dans lequel la porte de la chambre de distribution est sollicitée par ressort dans sa position fermée, fermant hermétiquement la sortie.
  22. Système de distribution de détergent selon l'une quelconques des revendications 19 à 21, dans lequel l'orifice de transfert et la cartouche communiquent directement avec la chambre de distribution du dispositif de distribution.
  23. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 22, dans lequel la cartouche est positionnée directement au-dessus de la chambre de distribution.
  24. Système de distribution de détergent selon les revendications 19 à 21, comprenant un passage intermédiaire et/ou une chambre de maintien entre l'orifice de transfert de la cartouche et le dispositif de distribution.
  25. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 24, qui comprend de plus des moyens de convoyeur pour déplacer les tablettes dans le passage intermédiaire ou la chambre de maintien dans la chambre de distribution.
  26. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 25, dans lequel les moyens de convoyeur comprennent un piston plongeur pour pousser les tablettes du passage intermédiaire ou chambre de maintien dans la chambre de distribution.
  27. Système de distribution de détergent selon les revendications 19 à 26, comprenant de plus des moyens de commande pour commander l'éjection des tablettes de la cartouche et/ou la libération de la tablette (des tablettes) de la chambre de distribution.
  28. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 27, dans lequel les moyens de commande libèrent la tablette ou les tablettes de la chambre de distribution à un moment prédéterminé dans le cycle de lavage.
  29. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 27 ou 28, dans lequel les moyens de commande ferment la porte de la chambre de distribution immédiatement après la libération de la tablette ou des tablettes.
  30. Système de distribution de détergent selon la revendication 26 ou 27, dans lequel les moyens de commande libèrent les tablettes de la chambre de distribution après que l'eau a pénétré dans le lave-vaisselle mais avant que l'eau ne circule.
  31. Système de distribution de détergent selon les revendications 27 à 29, dans lequel les moyens de commande fonctionnent pour éjecter un nombre requis de tablettes de la cartouche selon le programme de lavage sélectionné sur le lave-vaisselle.
  32. Système de distribution de détergent selon les revendications 27 à 31, dans lequel les moyens de commande provoquent la distribution des tablettes à différentes étapes au cours du cycle de lavage.
  33. Système de distribution de détergent selon les revendications 31 à 32, comprenant une cartouche selon l'une quelconque des revendications 19 à 21, dans lequel les moyens de commande distribuent les tablettes en fonction de l'information détectée concernant le contenu de la cartouche.
  34. Système de distribution de détergent selon l'une quelconque des revendications 19 à 33, dans lequel la porte du dispositif de distribution est pivotée autour d'un axe horizontal au niveau de son bord supérieur ou inférieur.
  35. Lave-vaisselle comprenant un système de distribution de détergent selon l'une quelconque des revendications 19 à 34.
  36. Lave-vaisselle selon la revendication 35, dans lequel le système de distribution de détergent est monté dans la porte du lave-vaisselle.
  37. Lave-vaisselle selon les revendications 35 ou 36, qui comprend de plus des moyens pour signaler le moment où la cartouche est sensiblement vide.
EP02718043A 2001-01-25 2002-01-22 Systeme de diffusion de detergent Expired - Lifetime EP1355561B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0101983 2001-01-25
GBGB0101983.5A GB0101983D0 (en) 2001-01-25 2001-01-25 Detergent dispenser system
PCT/EP2002/000693 WO2002058528A1 (fr) 2001-01-25 2002-01-22 Systeme de diffusion de detergent

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1355561A1 EP1355561A1 (fr) 2003-10-29
EP1355561B1 true EP1355561B1 (fr) 2008-03-12

Family

ID=9907523

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02718043A Expired - Lifetime EP1355561B1 (fr) 2001-01-25 2002-01-22 Systeme de diffusion de detergent

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1355561B1 (fr)
AR (1) AR034017A1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE388661T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60225529T2 (fr)
GB (1) GB0101983D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002058528A1 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE388661T1 (de) 2008-03-15
GB0101983D0 (en) 2001-03-14
DE60225529T2 (de) 2009-04-23
DE60225529D1 (de) 2008-04-24
AR034017A1 (es) 2004-01-21
WO2002058528A1 (fr) 2002-08-01
EP1355561A1 (fr) 2003-10-29

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