EP3066972A1 - Fragrance dispenser for a dishwasher, dishwasher with a fragrance dispenser and method for odorizing a dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fragrance dispensing device (20) for mounting on an inner side (15) of the door (11) of a dishwasher (10), comprising a storage chamber (25) for receiving a fragrance oil (35), a dispensing chamber (33) with a membrane (10). 22), which is continuous for a gas phase of the fragrance oil (35), wherein in a first layer of the fragrance dispenser (20), the storage chamber (25) and the discharge chamber (33) are separated from each other, so that no fragrance oil (35) from the pantry ( 25) and delivery chamber (33), wherein in a second layer of the scent dispenser (20) the storage chamber (25) and scent dispenser (20) are connected so that fragrance oil (35) from the storage chamber (25) into the dispensing chamber (33) passes , and wherein a defined amount of fragrance oil (35) in the discharge chamber (33) remains at a recoverable by closing the open door (11) change in position from the second layer to the first layer. The invention further relates to a dishwasher (10) equipped with such a fragrance dispenser (20) and to a method in which the fragrance dispenser (20) is used in a dishwasher.

Description

The invention relates to a scent dispenser for a dishwasher. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dishwasher, which is equipped with such a fragrance dispensing device, and a method for scenting the interior of a dishwasher.

Known scent dispensers for dishwashers have a filled with fragrance oil pantry, which is covered by a perfume-permeable surface, for example in the form of a membrane. The membrane is permeable to the gas phase of the fragrance oil (fragrance), but not to the liquid fragrance oil. For transport and storage of the fragrance delivery device, a peelable film seals the membrane so that no fragrance is dispensed. For use, this film is peeled off and the thus activated fragrance dispensing device is hung in the interior of the dishwasher (dishwasher). The dispensing intensity of the fragrance is constant over the period from the end of a first rinse to the end of a second rinse.

Increased deodorizing performance is desirable when soiled dishes are placed in the dishwasher, which then develops an unpleasant odor in the interior of the dishwasher until the start of the next wash program. The odor then disturbs the user when the dishwasher is reopened. Although scent dispensers are known in which an opening for the perfume outlet can be adjusted in size. As a result, the delivery intensity can be influenced accordingly. A higher deodorizing performance of the fragrance delivery device can be achieved, but this leads to an increased consumption of fragrance oil. Of course, the opening of the fragrance dispenser could only temporarily be made larger in size and then smaller again, if necessary, in order to reduce the consumption of fragrance oil. However, this leads to an increased operating effort.

The invention is therefore based on the first object to provide a fragrance dispensing device, on the one hand a variable intensity of the delivery of the fragrance into the interior of the dishwasher is possible and on the other hand can be handled easily.

This object of the invention is achieved with the feature combination according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments may be taken from claims 2 to 8.

The fragrance dispenser according to the invention is adapted to be mounted on an inside of the door of the dishwasher. It comprises a storage chamber for receiving a fragrance oil and a discharge chamber with a membrane which is continuous for a gas phase of the fragrance oil (perfume). In a first position of the fragrance dispensing device, the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber are separated from each other, so that no fragrance oil from the storage chamber enters the dispensing chamber. In a second layer of the fragrance dispensing device, the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber are connected to one another so that fragrance oil can pass from the storage chamber into the waste gas chamber. At a recoverable by closing the door open position change from the second layer to the first layer remains a defined amount of fragrance oil in the dispensing chamber.

The invention is based on the idea of automatically filling the dispensing chamber with fragrance oil by opening and closing the dishwasher door. Since the opening and closing of the door is usually associated with a load of the dishwasher, the fragrance delivery of fragrance from the dispensing chamber by the loading of the dishwasher is started or triggered (triggered).

The membrane may be designed so that an amount of perfume per unit of time that passes through the membrane from the delivery chamber is substantially greater with the delivery chamber filled with fragrance oil than with the delivery chamber not filled. Preferably, the amount of perfume per unit time 10 times, 20 or even 40 times greater than unfilled discharge chamber. This means that a significant increase in the delivery intensity can be achieved by filling the delivery chamber with fragrance oil.

The fragrance dispenser may include attachment means for attaching it to the door of the dishwasher. It is also conceivable that the door comprises corresponding receiving means for receiving the fragrance dispensing device. The receiving means of the door and the attachment means of the scent dispenser can cooperate.

In one embodiment, a volume of the storage chamber is 50 to 600 times greater than the volume of the dispensing chamber. This means that theoretically the delivery chamber can be filled with fragrance oil 50 to 600 times by changing the position of the fragrance delivery device. Preferably, the volume of the storage chamber is 100 to 300 or 250 to 350 times greater than the volume of the dispensing chamber.

The fragrance dispenser may comprise a deep drawn plastic storage tray, the storage tray being covered by the membrane. Preferably, an edge of the storage tray is in a plane, so that the membrane can be placed flat on the storage tray and then welded by suitable tools with the edge of the storage tray or can be sealed. Thus, the scent dispenser may be formed as a blister pack, which can be produced very inexpensively.

Between the membrane and the storage tray, a partition may be arranged with at least one window, wherein the partition wall is at least partially spaced from the membrane. The partition wall and the membrane limit thereby the discharge chamber. Fragrance oil passes from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber through the at least one window when the fragrance dispenser is in its second position. A distance between the membrane and portions of the partition may be very small (for example 0.1 to 1 millimeter).

Preferably, the first layer of the fragrance delivery device corresponds to a layer in which the membrane and the partition wall run parallel in the vertical direction. The window connecting the two chambers is arranged in the upper region of the discharge chamber. In this case, a lower edge of the window can define the fill level in the dispensing chamber if, after the dispensing chamber has been filled, the fragrance dispensing device is brought back into the first position. The second layer may correspond to a layer in which the membrane and the partition wall are substantially horizontal. In this position, the storage chamber is arranged above the dispensing chamber, so that fragrance oil can pass by gravity from the storage chamber through the window into the dispensing chamber.

Preferably, a perfume-impermeable activation layer is releasably attached to the membrane. This activation layer may be, for example, a film which is peeled off before use of the fragrance delivery device. The fragrance-impermeable activation layer ensures that no fragrance escapes from the fragrance delivery device before use of the fragrance delivery device regardless of the location.

In addition to the dispensing chamber, a base dispensing chamber may be provided. An amount of perfume dispensed from the base dispensing chamber per unit of time may be substantially smaller than the amount of perfume dispensed from the dispensing chamber per unit of time. Preferably, the delivery rate of the base delivery chamber is less than 30, 20, or even 5 percent, based on the delivery rate of the delivery chamber. Thus, it is possible to provide a base delivery of perfume that is supplemented by the loading triggered and timed fragrance delivery of the delivery chamber. In such a fragrance delivery device, the membrane may be designed so that perfume only passes through the membrane when wet with liquid perfume. Thus, with a deflated dispensing chamber refilling upon actuation of the dishwasher door, only the base dispensing chamber provides a continuous delivery of perfume.

A perfume-impermeable barrier layer having at least one recess may be adhered or adhered to the membrane. If, for example, the membrane completely covers the storage shell, the effective membrane layer can be adjusted independently of the size and shape of the storage shell via the barrier layer.

In one embodiment, the fragrance delivery device is designed so that in use position, so when the fragrance dispenser is attached to the inside of the door, the first layer can be by a horizontally located door of the dishwasher and the second layer by a vertical position reach the door of the dishwasher.

Another object of the invention to provide a dishwasher, in which a variable intensity of the delivery of the fragrance from a fragrance dispenser is possible, is achieved with the feature combination according to claim 9. Embodiments of the dishwasher according to the invention can be taken from claims 10 and 11.

The dishwasher according to the invention according to claim 9 comprises the scent dispenser according to claims 1 to 8. In one embodiment, the door of the dishwasher is pivotally hinged to hinges about a horizontal pivot axis on a housing of the dishwasher. The scent dispenser is attached to the inside of the door and is in the first position when the door is in a vertical or closed position. The second layer of the fragrance dispenser is provided when the door is in a horizontal or fully open position. Thus, when the door of the dishwasher is open and in a horizontal position, the dispensing chamber is filled with the fragrance oil from the storage chamber. When closing the door then only a certain amount of fragrance oil remains in the dispensing chamber. After the scent delivery from the dispensing chamber and the concomitant consumption of fragrance oil in the dispensing chamber, the dispensing chamber can then be automatically refilled during the next loading process by opening the door and closing it again. In the delivery chamber remains a metered amount of fragrance oil.

The membrane may be directed in the installed position of the scent dispenser to the inside of the door. In a preferred embodiment, when the door is in a horizontal position, the storage chamber is arranged above the delivery chamber, so that fragrance oil passes by gravity into the delivery chamber. To ensure perfume leakage through the membrane, a gap greater than 5 mm may be provided between the membrane and the inside of the door opposite the membrane. The gap can be adjusted by spacers or appropriately designed fastening means or receiving means.

A further object of the invention to provide a method for scenting the interior of a dishwasher, are made possible by the different intensities of fragrance delivery, with claim 12.

The method according to the invention employs a scent dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the scent dispenser is attached to the inside of the door of the dishwasher and automatically dispensing a metered quantity of fragrance oil from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber by opening and closing the door of the dishwasher ,

The delivery of the fragrance oil from the storage chamber into the delivery chamber can take place with a time delay of 1 to 100 seconds. Preferably, the time delay is 3 to 50 seconds or 4 to 10 seconds. Such a time delay can be adjusted, for example, by the fact that a fragrance oil membrane is inserted between the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber and allows the fragrance oil to pass only with a time delay or at a low rate. Also, a flow-delaying geometry may be provided in the form of narrow channels through which the fragrance oil can flow only delayed. For example, it may be provided that the dispensing chamber is only substantially full (at least 80 percent of the volume of the dispensing chamber) when the dishwasher door is in a horizontal position (in the open position) for at least 5 seconds.

Figur 1

schematisch eine Spülmaschine mit einer Duftabgabevorrichtung;

Figur 2

die Spülmaschine der Figur 1 mit geöffneter Tür;

Figur 3

im Schnitt ein Ausführungsbeispiel für die Duftabgabevorrichtung;

Figur 4

den Befüllvorgang einer Abgabekammer der Duftabgabevorrichtung; und

Figur 5

im Schnitt ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für die Duftabgabevorrichtung.

Reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the invention is explained in detail. Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically a dishwasher with a fragrance dispenser;

FIG. 2

the dishwasher the FIG. 1 with open door;

FIG. 3

in section, an embodiment of the scent dispenser;

FIG. 4

the filling operation of a dispensing chamber of the fragrance dispenser; and

FIG. 5

in section, another embodiment of the scent dispenser.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a dishwasher 10 with a door 11 which is mounted on a housing 13 pivotally about a horizontally extending axis of rotation 12 via hinges, not shown. On an inner side 15 of the door 11 facing the interior, a fragrance dispensing device 20 is fastened by means of receiving means 16. A bottom 21 of the fragrance dispensing device 20 is turned to the inside 15 of the door, wherein between the bottom 21 and inside 15 a gap remains. For example, this gap can be 2 to 8 millimeters be. It should be noted that the fragrance dispenser 20 in FIG FIG. 1 not shown to scale.

FIG. 1 shows the door 11 in a closed position. It extends in the vertical direction. In this closed position, the scent dispenser 20 mounted on the inside 15 of the door 11 is in a first or vertical position. The flat bottom 21 extends parallel to the inside 15 of the door 11 also in the vertical direction.

FIG. 2 shows the dishwasher 10 with the door open 11. Opposite the closed position, the door 11 has been given by 90 degrees down so that it is now in a horizontal plane. Due to the changed position of the door 11, the position of the fragrance dispensing device 20 has also changed. It now assumes a second or horizontal position. In this second position, the underside extends in a horizontal direction and is directed downwards. When the door 11 is open, dishes to be cleaned can be provided with drawers, baskets, etc., in drawers, not shown here. After loading the dishwasher, the door 11 is closed again, ie in the in FIG. 1 shown position. It may take some time until a rinse starts. During this time, the dirty dishes can cause very unpleasant odors in the dishwasher 10.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the scent dispenser 20 in section. Components or features related to components and features of Figures 1 and 2 are similar or identical, are provided with the same reference numerals. This applies mutatis mutandis to all other figures.

The fragrance dispenser 20, which according to the FIG. 1 is in the first or vertical position, has on its underside 21 a diaphragm 22. The membrane closes an open towards the bottom 21 hopper 23 from. The storage pan may be a thermoformed or thermoformed plastic part. The storage tray 23 has approximately a trapezoidal extension 24, which limits a storage chamber 25. The extension may also take another form, such as a bulbous shape or the shape of a semicircle. Above the storage chamber 25 a retracted portion 26 is provided.

Between the membrane 22 and the storage shell 23, a partition wall 27 is arranged, which, like the membrane 22 of a first or, in the illustration of FIG. 3 Bottom edge 28 extends to a second or upper edge 29 of the storage tray 23. The edges 28, 29 lie in one plane. The partition wall has cranked ends 30, 31 which lie flat against the edges 28, 29 of the storage tray 23 with one side and flat against the membrane 22 with another side. The edges 28, 29, the cranked ends 30, 31 and the membrane 22 are welded together or sealed. The partition wall 27 is preferably also made of plastic and can be produced by deep drawing.

Due to the cranked ends, apart from the edge region, between the partition wall 27 and diaphragm 22, a distance 32 is given, through which a discharge chamber 33 is formed. The dispensing chamber 33 is thus limited by the membrane 22 and the partition wall 27. The dispensing chamber extends over almost the entire length of the storage tray 23, ie from the lower edge 28 to the upper edge 29th

In the region of the drawn-in section, the dividing wall 27 has a window 34. Through the window 34 there is a possibility of connection between the storage chamber 25 and discharge chamber 33. The operation of the scent dispenser 20 and its individual components / chambers is based on FIG. 4 explained.

FIG. 4a represents the fragrance dispenser 20 in its first position, comparable so with FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 , The storage chamber 25 is filled with a volatile fragrance oil 35. On the other hand, the discharge chamber 33 is not filled with the fragrance oil 35.

A gas phase of the fragrance oil 26, which is abbreviated as fragrance and can be distributed in the recessed area 26 and due to the window 34 in the empty discharge chamber 33, can pass through the membrane 22 to the outside, ie. However, the amount of perfume which passes through the not wetted with perfume oil 26 membrane 22 to the outside, compared to the amount of perfume in wetted or directly in contact with the fragrance oil 26 membrane comparatively be small. As an approximation, it can therefore be assumed that in the in FIG. 4a shown position and not filled dispensing chamber 33, the fragrance delivery through the membrane 22 is negligible. It should be noted at this point that, with appropriate selection of material and layer thickness, the membrane can also be designed so that in the state of Figure 1a, although a reduced, but already noticeable fragrance delivery takes place.

FIG. 4b shows the scent dispenser 20 in the second position, that is capable of, with an open dishwasher 10 according to FIG. 2 corresponds. Due to gravity, the fragrance oil 35 is distributed in the storage chamber 25, the retracted region 26 and in the discharge chamber 33. The fragrance oil 36 flows from the storage chamber 25 via the retracted region 26 and the window 34 into the discharge chamber 33. By shaping the drawn-in area 26, by the dimensioning of the window 34 (for example shape and flow cross-section) and by flow obstacles, for example in the form of a screen, a flow-through membrane or the like, which may be arranged in the window 34, the time required to fill the discharge chamber can be influenced , For example, the fragrance dispensing device 20 may be designed so that only after 5 seconds after the door 11 has been opened (corresponds to a change in position of FIG. 4a 4b) to a considerable extent perfume oil 26 passes into the discharge chamber 33 and only after 20 seconds, this is completely filled. By This time delay prevents the dispensing chamber 33 from being completely filled when the dishwasher 10 is opened for a short time. FIG. 4b regardless of this possible time delay, the dispensing chamber is completely filled.

The position shown in Figure 3c and the levels shown correspond to those of Figure 3b. If the fragrance dispensing device 20 is brought back into the vertical position by closing the door 11 after the loading, which takes a certain amount of time, part of the fragrance oil flows from the dispensing chamber 33 back into the storage chamber 25 (see FIG. 4d ). However, some portion remains in the dispensing chamber, the size of which depends on the position of a lower edge 36 of the window 34. The lower edge 36 thus defines a maximum level in the vertical position of the scent dispenser 20. Accordingly, there is now a metered amount of liquid perfume in the dispensing chamber.

Although is according to FIG. 4d only a lower portion of the membrane 22 wetted with fragrance oil 35, but the membrane can be designed by capillary forces so that it sucks over its entire length to the upper edge 29 of the storage tray 23 with fragrance oil. Thus, over the entire surface of the membrane increased fragrance delivery is possible. Only when the liquid perfume 35 in the delivery chamber is completely used up (see FIG. 4a ), the fragrance delivery of the fragrance dispenser 20 is significantly reduced. If anything, only a small basic output remains, due to the gaseous phase of the fragrance oil present in the storage chamber 25, which can pass through the membrane 22 to the outside. However, if the membrane is designed in such a way that perfume is released only when the membrane is wetted with perfume oil, when the discharge chamber 33 is completely emptied, FIG. 4a ) no fragrance more.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the scent dispenser 20. The basic structure of the scent dispenser 20 shown here corresponds to the scent dispenser 20 of FIG. 3 , The partition wall 27 has, in addition to the bent ends 30, 31, a further lowered portion 37, which lies in the same plane as the ends 30, 31. On the partition wall 27, or more precisely, at the ends 30, 31 and the lowered portion 37, the membrane 22 abuts. A perfume-impermeable barrier layer 38 is provided on one of the partition wall 27 facing away from or outer side of the membrane 22. The barrier layer 38 has two recesses, namely a first recess 39 and a second recess 40. In the illustration of FIG FIG. 5 , which shows the fragrance dispenser 20 in the first or vertical position, the first recess 39, a lower recess and the second recess is an upper recess. In addition to the window 34, an additional window 41 is provided in the partition.

By the lowered portion 37 of the partition wall 27, the gap between the partition wall 27 and the diaphragm 22 is divided into two chambers. The upper chamber corresponds to the discharge chamber 33. It can, as stated above, by pivoting the Fill the fragrance dispenser 20 in the horizontal position. Below the discharge chamber 33, a base discharge chamber 42 is formed, which can be filled like the dispensing chamber 33 by pivoting the scent dispenser 20 in the horizontal position. In this case, fragrance oil flows from the storage chamber 25 into the base discharge chamber 42.

However, due to the substantially smaller recess 39, the amount of perfume emitted per unit time via the base dispensing chamber is substantially smaller than the quantity of fragrance dispensed through the dispensing chamber 33 through the recess 40. Thus, with the fragrance dispenser 20 of the FIG. 5 a triggered by a load and its intensity high scent delivery can be realized, but after a certain period of time subsides. In addition, the base delivery chamber 42 provides for a lower intensity delivery. But it stops in comparison to the fragrance delivery through the discharge chamber 33 significantly longer.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

dishwasher

11

door

12

axis of rotation

13

casing

14

inner space

15

inside

16

Aufnehmung

20

Fragrance delivery system

21

bottom

22

membrane

23

hopper

24

extension

25

storeroom

26

section

27

partition wall

28

edge

29

edge

30

The End

31

The End

32

distance

33

delivery chamber

34

window

35

fragrance oil

36

Lower edge

37

Lowered area

38

junction

39

First recess

40

Second recess

41

Pop-up windows

42

Base discharge chamber

Claims (13)

A fragrance dispenser (20) for mounting to an inside (15) of the door (11) of a dishwasher (10), comprising a storage chamber (25) for receiving a fragrance oil (35), a dispensing chamber (33) having a membrane (22) is continuous for a gas phase of the fragrance oil (35), wherein in a first layer of the Duftabgabevorrichtung (20), the storage chamber (25) and the discharge chamber (33) are separated from each other, so that no fragrance oil (35) from the storage chamber (25) and discharge chamber (33), wherein in a second layer of the scent dispenser (20) the pantry (25) and scent dispenser (20) are connected, so that fragrance oil (35) from the pantry (25) into the dispensing chamber (33) passes, and wherein at a change in position achievable by closing the opened door (11) from the second layer to the first layer leaves a defined quantity of fragrance oil (35) in the dispensing chamber (33). A fragrance dispenser (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that a volume of the storage chamber (25) is 50 to 600 times greater than the volume of the dispensing chamber (33). Fragrance dispensing device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a supply tray (24) made of plastic is provided, which is covered by the membrane (22). Fragrance dispensing device (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that between the membrane (22) and the storage tray (24) a partition wall (27) with at least one window (34) is arranged, wherein the partition wall (27) at least partially from the membrane (22) is spaced. A fragrance delivery device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a perfume-impermeable activation layer is releasably attached to the membrane (22). A fragrance dispenser (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a base dispensing chamber (42) is provided, wherein an amount of fragrance dispensed from the base dispensing chamber (42) per unit time is substantially less than one from the dispensing chamber (33) amount of perfume dispensed per unit of time. A fragrance dispensing device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a perfume-impermeable barrier layer (38) with at least one recess (39, 40) adheres to the membrane (22). Fragrance dispensing device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the inserted position of the fragrance dispensing device (20), the first layer by a located in horizontal position door (11) of the dishwasher (10) and the second layer by a in vertical position located door (11) of the dishwasher (10) can be realized. A dishwasher (10) comprising a fragrance dispenser (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Dishwasher (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the door (11) of the dishwasher (10) is hinged to hinges about a horizontal axis of rotation (12) pivotally mounted on the housing (13) of the dishwasher (10), wherein the fragrance dispenser ( 20) is in the vertical position of the door (11) in the second position and in the horizontal position of the door (11) in the first position. Dishwasher (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the membrane (22) in installation position of the scent dispenser (20) to the inside (15) of the door (11) is directed. A method of scenting the interior (14) of a dishwasher (10) having a door (10) and a scent dispenser (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fragrance dispenser (20) is attached to the inside (14) of the door (11). the dishwasher (10) is attached and by opening and closing the door (11) automatically a metered amount of fragrance oil (35) from the storage chamber (25) in the discharge chamber (33) is discharged. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the delivery of the fragrance oil (35) from the storage chamber (25) in the discharge chamber (33) takes place with a time delay of 1 to 100 seconds.

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