EP4312703A1

EP4312703A1 - Washing agent dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP4312703A1
Application number: EP22719340.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marta ARMATO; Daniele Cerruti; Alberto SCIUTTO; Marco Bianchi
Original assignee: Eltek SpA
Current assignee: Eltek SpA
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-29
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: KR20230162106A; WO2022208334A1; CN117396119A

Abstract

A washing agent dispensing unit has a dispenser body (11), designed for mounting at a through-opening of a mounting wall of a dishwasher tank. The dispenser body (11) has a rear body part (11') and a front body part (11'') which has a greater perimeter encumbrance than the rear body part (11'). The dispenser body (11) has, at a peripheral profile of the rear body part (11'), first fixing elements (16), for fixing the dispenser body (11) with respect to an inner side of the mounting wall (5). The dispensing unit (10) further comprises a covering element (30), configured to cover at least partially a peripheral profile of the front body part (11''), and between the covering element (30) and at least one of the peripheral profile and the upper face of the front body part (11'') second fixing elements are provided (17, 18, 34, 35, 36), for fixing the covering element (30) to the front body part (11'').

Description

“Washing agent dispenser”

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention refers to washing agent dispensers for domestic dishwasher machines, and more particularly to dispensers designed to be mounted at one of the walls that define a washing tank of a dishwasher machine, such as an inner wall or inner door panel of a front door that delimits frontally the machine tank.

Background art

As is known, domestic dishwashers are usually provided with a front door, the structure of which includes a wall that, when the door itself is closed, frontally delimits the washing tank of the machine. This wall is usually referred to as an “ inner door panel”.

In most known solutions, the washing agent dispenser of the dishwasher has a body fixed at a through opening of the inner door panel, so that a front portion thereof is facing and protruding towards the inside of the tank, to enable dispensing of the washing agents. The rear portion of the dispenser body, at which at least an actuator, an actuation mechanism and other possible electrically powered components are mounted, is instead housed within the door, i.e., in a position protected and isolated with respect to the tank. For this purpose, a sealing gasket is usually provided between the dispenser body and the through opening of the inner door panel.

The dispenser may also be fixed at a through opening of one of the fixed walls of the tank, such as a side wall. In the following, therefore, the term “mounting wall” is meant to designate the wall at which the body of the dispenser is mounted, be it the “movable” wall of the tank obtained by the inner door panel, or one of the fixed walls of the tank, for example a side wall.

The front portion of the dispenser body generally has a quadrangular shape, in particular substantially rectangular, with a front face in which a receptacle is defined for the containment of a washing agent: for such cases, the front face has usually associated thereto a small door, which is angularly movable or else is slidable in a transverse direction between an opening position and a closing position of the aforementioned receptacle. In addition, or as an alternative, to the aforementioned receptacle, a passage is defined in the front face of the dispenser body, that can be used to load a fluid washing agent into a tank defined internally to the dispenser body, wherein this passage can instead be opened or closed manually by means of a removable plug, or by means of an angularly movable lid performing the function of a plug.

The aesthetic appearance and the dimensions of the visible part of the dispenser, i.e., the part thereof protruding from the mounting wall, is determined to the largest extent by the aforementioned elements, that is, by the front part of the dispenser body, by the receptacle door and/or by the plug or lid of the loading passage of the fluid washing agent, which are components that are generally obtained by moulding of plastic material, for example a thermoplastic polymer. A possible optical indicator - for indication of the amount of residual fluid washing agent present inside the aforementioned tank - may also contribute to the aesthetic aspect, which indicator is typically at the said front part of the dispenser body.

The possibility of varying the shape, or the dimensions, or the overall appearance, or the functionality of the visible part of the dispenser is therefore limited, unless important investments in the production cycle, for obtaining moulds aimed at the production of differentiated components of the dispenser (such as the dispensing body, a lid or a plug, an optical indicator).

WO2019243997 A1 discloses a dispenser according to the preamble of Claim 1. This dispenser, intended for mounting at a through-opening of a wall of a dishwasher tank, comprises a dispenser body having a rear part and a front part, with a perimetral gasket which is mounted in a corresponding seat of the dispenser body essentially at a transition area between the rear part and the front part. The dispenser also comprises a fixing frame having a substantially annular shape, defining a central passage through which one of the rear part and the front part of the dispenser body can be inserted. This frame has first fixing means, which can be coupled with corresponding second fixing means provided in the dispenser body, for the purpose of fixing the latter at the through opening of the mounting wall, in a condition of at least partial compression of the perimetral gasket. The fixing frame is prearranged for being mounted on the dispenser body during the assembly of the dispenser on the mounting wall of the tank: for this purpose, the frame must be mounted from the side of the mounting wall which is opposite to the side from which the dispenser body is inserted into the through opening of such a wall. The prior solution therefore involves the interposition of the mounting wall of the tank between the fixing frame and the dispenser body, when the fixing frame is mounted on the dispensing body. The fixing frame must be mounted on the part of the dispenser body having smaller perimetral dimensions, i.e., the body part capable of being inserted into the through opening of the mounting wall. The frame may also include reinforcement means, prearranged for counteracting possible deformations or failures of the aforementioned wall at least in a position corresponding to an area thereof that circumscribes the through opening.

The frame described in WO2019243997 A1 has the functions of fixing the dispenser and is not in sight, when the dispenser is mounted in its opening starting from the outer side of the mounting wall, i.e., the side facing the inside of the tank. However, according to a possible variant embodiment, the dispenser body is configured to be mounted starting from the inner side of the mounting wall: in this case the rear body part has greater perimetral dimensions than the front body part, and at the peripheral profile of the front body part are defined elements for coupling with the frame, for the purpose of fixing in position the dispenser on the mounting wall. In this case, the edge of the through opening of the mounting wall must protrude towards the inside of the washing tank, with the fixing and/or reinforcing frame mounted at the outer side of the same wall, and therefore directly facing the tank.

For such a case, the frame is preferably finished from an aesthetic point of view, and possibly is equipped with a corresponding part intended to hide the coupling elements between the front part of the dispenser body and the frame itself. In embodiments of this type, the perimetral sealing gasket of the dispenser sealingly operates on the inner side of the tank wall, i.e., on the side of this wall opposite to that on which the fixing frame is mounted.

In the aforementioned variant of WO2019243997 Al, therefore, the fixing and/or reinforcing frame is partially in sight, creating a sort of cornice that surrounds a corresponding portion of the front body part of the dispenser. In view of its fixing function, this frame must have high strength characteristics, and for this reason the same must be obtained by shearing and deforming a metal sheet: this type of realization is however complicated and is not satisfactory from an aesthetic point of view. The prior art document also mentions the possibility of forming the fixing frame with plastic material, by injection moulding of thermoplastic material, possibly filled with fiberglass. Even such a realization is however inconvenient in the case of a frame in sight, both for the thicknesses of material required by its functions (fixing the dispenser and reinforcing the area of the tank wall which surrounds the corresponding mounting opening), and for the greater complication in obtaining aesthetic components with materials filled with fiberglass. The type of mounting according to the aforementioned variant also implies a realization of the mounting wall - that is, with the edge of the through opening for the dispenser protruding towards the inside of the tank - which deviates from the practice commonly followed in the production of dishwashers.

Aim and summary of the invention

The present invention essentially aims to solve the indicated drawbacks, through a washing agent dispensing unit of economic and reliable construction, but at the same time designed for enabling to manage in a simple way a wide range of aesthetic variants, and if necessary, functional variants.

This and other aims, which will become clearer hereinafter, are achieved according to the present invention by a washing agent dispenser as described below. Preferential embodiments of the invention are indicated in the attached claims. The invention also relates to a domestic dishwasher using such a dispenser. The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided herein in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will be clear from the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached schematic drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example only, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dishwashing machine, with a front door in an open position;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention;

- Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention;

- Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of a first part and a second part of the dispensing unit of Figures 2 and 3;

- Figure 6 is a first cross-sectioned perspective view of a dispensing unit in accordance with possible embodiments of the invention, mounted on a wall of a dishwasher washing tank;

- Figure 7 is a detail of Figure 6;

- Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention, mounted on a wall of a dishwasher washing tank;

- Figure 9 is a detail of Figure 8;

- Figure 10 is a longitudinally sectioned perspective view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention, mounted on a wall of a dishwasher washing tank;

- Figures 11 and 12 are details of Figure 10;

- Figure 13 is a vie in longitudinally section of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention, mounted on a wall of a dishwasher washing tank;

- Figure 14 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention;

- Figure 15 is a detail of Figure 14;

- Figure 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of a part of the dispensing unit of Figure 14;

- Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit of Figure 14;

- Figure 18 shows three details of Figure 17;

- Figures 19 and 20 are perspective views of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention;

- Figure 21 is a perspective view of an element of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention;

- Figure 22 is a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention;

- Figure 23 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit of the type shown in Figure 22;

- Figure 24 is a partial and schematic section of a dispensing unit of the type shown in Figure 22; and

- Figure 25 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a portion of a dispensing unit of the type shown in Figure 22, in two different conditions.

Description of preferred embodiments

The reference to an embodiment within this description indicates that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, phrases such as “in one embodiment”, “in various embodiments” and the like, possibly present in different places of this description, are not necessarily referred to one and the same embodiment. In addition, particular conformations, structures or characteristics defined within this description may be combined in any appropriate way in one or more embodiments, even different from those depicted. The numerical and spatial references (such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, etc.) as used herein are for convenience only and therefore do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments. The same reference numbers are used in the figures to indicate similar or technically equivalent elements.

Figure 1 shows in a schematic form a dishwashing machine, indicated as a whole with 1, equipped with a unit for dispensing washing agents in accordance with the invention. In the case exemplified, the dishwasher 1 has a cabinet or structure 2 defining inside a washing tank or chamber 3. Reference 4 designates as a whole a front door of the machine 1, associated with the cabinet 2 such that it can be moved between an opening position and a closing position. In various embodiments, such as the exemplified one, the door 4 can be moved angularly between the above positions, preferably but not necessarily according to a substantially horizontal axis. The dishwasher 1 could however be of another type, for example with at least one translatable or sliding door: in some dishwashers, in fact, the loading door is not tiltable, but is made to slide linearly on suitable guides, for example similar to FR-A-2.674.426; in other solutions, the dishwasher can have a basket for containing the dishes to be washed, configured as a sliding drawer, whose front wall actually obtain a machine door.

The inner face of door 4 comprises a tank wall 5, hereinafter also identified as “inner door panel”, having an outer side 5a that obtains the front surface of the washing tank 3. Door 5, or at least a part thereof wherein the aforementioned through-opening is defined, is made of metal material, such as stainless steel, or plastic, for example by injection moulding of a thermoplastic material. Tank 3 is also delimited by a plurality of fixed tank walls, one of which is indicated with 5’, which typically include two side walls, a rear wall, an upper wall or top and a lower wall or bottom. In the inner door panel 5 is mounted, at a corresponding through opening, a dispensing unit of washing agents, indicated as a whole with 10 and only schematized in Figure 1. The machine 1 then comprises all the elements normally known for operation thereof, which are independent of the purposes of the invention and which will therefore not be described here.

The mounting position on the inner door panel 5 should be understood as an example, since the dispensing unit 10 could be installed at a through opening of any of the walls of the tank 3, for example a stationary wall, such as the side wall indicated with 5’, or a movable wall, such as the wall of a translatable door or of a movable drawer: therefore, the description below in relation to the assembly of the dispensing unit 10 on the inner door panel 5 must also be understood as an example of the assembly of the dispensing unit 10 on any other wall of the tank 3, even a fixed wall thereof. The side 5a defined herein as “outer” of the mounting wall for the unit 10 (be it a movable wall 5 or a fixed wall 5’) indicates the surface of this wall facing the inside of the washing tank of the machine, while the side defined herein as “inner” - designated with 5b for example in Figures 9 and 13 - indicates the surface of the same wall opposite the outer side. The side defined herein as “mounting side” indicates the side of the tank wall (be it a movable wall 5 or a fixed wall 5’) from which the body of dispenser 11 is inserted through the corresponding through-opening: in the embodiments exemplified, this mounting side corresponds to the outer side 5a of the inner door panel 5.

With reference to Figure 2, in various embodiments, the dispensing unit 10 comprises a dispenser body 11, which is preferably formed at least in part with moulded thermoplastic material. Preferably, the body 11 is formed by a number of pieces, for example melded with thermoplastic material separately from each other, and then joined together, for example, by welding. The body 11 has associated thereto various functional members, of a type known in itself and therefore not described, necessary for the operation of the dispensing unit (such as actuator means, one or more small doors and/or a plug, a system for retaining/releasing a small door, a dosing valve of a liquid washing agent, etc.).

Referring also to Figures 3 and 4, in the example shown, the dispenser body 11 has a first body part or portion 11’, suitable to be at least partly inserted in a through-opening of the wall 5 of the tank, and a body second part or portion 11 “, intended to protrude at least in part from the front or outer side 5a of the inner door panel 5; in the following, for simplicity, the aforementioned body parts or portions 11 ’ and 11” will also be identified as “rear part” and “front part”, respectively. Note that the two parts or portions identified as 11 ’ and 11” do not necessarily correspond to two different pieces that make up body 11: in other words, if the dispensing body were formed for example by a front piece and a back piece welded together, the front piece could also form an area of the rear part 11”, or vice versa the back piece could also form an area of the front part 11’.

In the preferential example shown, the front part 11” therefore has a greater perimetral encumbrance than the rear part 11’ and the mounting through-opening, and the dispenser body 11 is inserted through this through-opening starting from the outer side 5a of the inner door panel 5 (this opening is indicated with B for example in Figures 9 and 13).

In various embodiments, in the front of body 11, or of the front part 11”, a receptacle is defined, indicated by 12 for example in Figures 6, 10 and 13, suitable for containing a washing agent, such as a solid washing agent in the form of powder or tablet (although containment of washing substances in another form is not excluded, such as a liquid or gel). At the receptacle 12 a closing element is provided, here represented by a small door, indicated as a whole with 13, which is constrained to the body 11, or to the front part 11”.

The small door 13 is mounted movable on the body part 11”, so that it can move between a closing position and an opening position of the receptacle 12. For this purpose, for example, the small door 13 can be constrained relative to the dispenser body 11 by means of sliding guides 14 (only one visible in Figures 2-3), and the same body 11 can have associated thereto a suitable system for locking/releasing of the door 13, according to a technique known in itself. This system may also include a manually operable release element, including, for example, a button 13a on the small door 13. In the example, the small door 13 is mounted for sliding within the area indicated with A in Figures 2-3, in a transverse direction with respect to the mouth of the receptacle, between the closing position and the opening position. In the preferential example, the small door 13 is of a sliding type, but in other embodiments it could be of another type, for example angularly movable or rotating, equipped with suitable elements for this purpose, such as rotation pins or hinging means.

In various embodiments, in addition or as an alternative to the dispensing system including the receptacle 12 and the small door 13, the unit 10 defines inside the body 11 a reservoir for a fluid washing agent (for example a liquid rinse aid), and body 11 has associated thereto a system for dosing and dispensing such a fluid washing agent. Referring to the non-limiting example shown in Figures 2-4, next to the area where the receptacle 12 is defined, a lid 15, provided with a corresponding manually operable locking/releasing device, for example including a manually operable locking lever 15a. The lid 15 is preferably hinged to the front part 11” of the dispenser body 11, for rotating according to a generally horizontal axis, but it could be mounted slidable. The lid 15 is designed to cover a corresponding area where the mouth of the aforementioned reservoir is located, the latter being indicated with 12’ for example in Figures 6, 8 and 9, with the lid 15 that obtains a closing element of the aforementioned mouth (the mouth is visible in Figure 16, where it is indicated with 12a’). Alternatively, the inlet of the reservoir could be closed by a plug, for example to be opened/closed via angular or rotational movements.

In the same area underlying the lid 15 there may be an outlet opening that is part of the fluid washing agent dispensing system, and for this purpose the body of the lid 15 may have openings or passages to allow the outflow of this liquid agent to the inside of the washing tank. The presence of two different dispensing systems of two different washing agents is not an essential feature of the invention. The same applies to the exemplified implementation of these two dispensing systems, which could in fact be constructed according to any other technique known in the field.

As visible in Figures 3 and 4, in various embodiments, the part 11’ of the body 11 designed to protrude towards the inside of the tank 3 preferably has a generally quadrangular peripheral profile, in particular substantially rectangular, which is defined by two longitudinal walls 11a and lib and two transverse walls 1 lc and 1 Id, the walls of these pairs being substantially parallel to each other. The peripheral profile of the part 11’ may also have different shapes, such as including curved areas.

In various embodiments, at least one of the transverse walls 1 lc and 1 Id has at least one portion of a reduced height compared to the longitudinal walls 11a and lib, in order to enable the displacement of a small door of the dispensing unit 10. In the case exemplified in Figure 3, the transverse wall 11c has a first portion of reduced height 11c’, substantially in a position corresponding to the area A for sliding of the small door 13, in order not to constitute an obstacle to the movement of the latter in the passage from the closing position to the opening position. In the example of Figure 3 the wall 11c has an additional area of reduced height, indicated with 1 lc”, in a position corresponding to the locking lever 15a of the cover 15. The wall 11c may in any case have as a whole a reduced height compared to the walls 11a and lib. The opposite transverse wall lid of the part 11” can also include portions of reduced height, or have an as a whole a reduced height compared to the longitudinal walls 1 la and 1 lb: the latter case is for example exemplified in F4.

The small door 13 and the lid 15 are mounted at the upper face of the body 11, corresponding to the upper face of the part 11” thereof. In various embodiments, at this upper face, there is also an additional longitudinal wall, indicated with lie, which extends in an intermediate position and generally parallel to walls 11a and lib; in the example the longitudinal wall lie extends entirely between walls 11c and lid.

In various embodiments, such as that shown in Figures 3-4, the intermediate wall lie defines in the upper face of the dispenser body 11 two different areas, within which the small door 13 and the lid 15 are located, respectively.

It should be noted that, in various embodiments, such as that shown in Figures 3-4, the intermediate wall lie has, on its side facing the wall 11a, a respective part of the sliding guides 14 for the small door 13 (see Figure 10 as a reference).

In Figures 6-13 a portion of the inner door pane 5 is visible, on which the dispensing unit 10 is mounted. As mentioned, the mounting wall could be one of the fixed walls of the tank 3, for example the wall indicated with 5’ in Figure 1. The inner door panel 5 is provided with a through-opening, indicated with B in Figures 9, 11 and 13, for mounting the unit 10. In various embodiments, the opening B is substantially quadrangular, in particular substantially rectangular with rounded corners, but other shapes are not excluded, for example shapes substantially complementary to the profile of the part 11’ designed to be inserted through the opening B .

In various preferential embodiments, the inner door panel 5 is shaped in such a way as to integrally define a perimetral lip or edge of the through opening B, this edge being indicated with B’ and being preferably oriented towards the inside of door 4 or, more generally, towards the outside of the dishwasher tank. The edge B’ rises from a general plane of the inner door panel 5 (or of another wall of the tank).

For the purpose of mounting, the dispenser body 11 is partially inserted into the opening B, starting from the mounting side 5a of the inner door panel 5, so that the rear part 11’ of the body 11 is at least partly housed inside the door 4, and the front part 11” of the body 11 protrudes frontally from the inner door panel 5, i.e., from its side 5a designed to face the inside of the washing tank.

Before the aforementioned insertion, an annular gasket is mounted on the dispenser body 11, indicated with 20 in various figures, preferably at or near a transition area between the two parts 11’ and 11” of the body 11, and the dispenser body 11 is then fixed in position relative to the wall 5. The gasket 20 is preferably formed from an elastomer material, for example, a silicone.

In various embodiments the front body part 11” has dimensions of perimetral encumbrance greater than the through-opening B and that the rear body part 1 of the body 11: in this way, the body 11 can be fixed in position with the gasket 20 in a condition of at least partial elastic compression, in order to exert a seal at least between the front body part 11” and the mounting side 5a of wall 5.

The gasket 20 has preferably an annular shape, here generally quadrangular with rounded corners, particularly substantially rectangular. Preferably, the gasket 20 has a fixing portion designed to be coupled in a corresponding seat S (Figures 7, 11 and 12) defined in the dispenser body 11, in the example substantially near the transition between the two body parts 11’ and 11”. The gasket 20 is preferably shaped to achieve a seal of a substantially radial type, or a seal of a substantially axial type, or a seal of axial-radial type, between the dispenser body 11 and the mounting side 5a of the corresponding wall 5 of the washing tank.

In the example shown, the gasket 20 is obtained in such a way as to have at least one of its parts capable of exerting a radial sealing action, interposed between the edge B’ of the opening B and the dispenser body 11, as well as a part capable of exerting an axial sealing action, interposed between the mounting side 5a and a corresponding area of the front body part 11” (see in Figure 9 the protruding side lip indicated with 20a of the gasket 20). The gasket 20 can be at least partly hollow, for example including two generally parallel annular walls, joined locally together by means of transverse stiffening walls.

The fixing of the body 11 to the wall 5 is obtained using one or more mounting elements known in themselves, for example including screws and/or elastic coupling elements, or a frame, only schematized and partially visible in Figures 9 and 13, indicated by F. Such a frame F can be for example of the type described in WO2019243997 Al, and therefore it may have a substantially annular shape, in order to define a respective central passage through which the rear part 11’ of the dispenser body 11 can be inserted. The frame F can in any case be replaced by a plurality of brackets or other mounting elements, according to a known technique.

The rear part 11 ’ of the dispenser body 11 is provided with respective fixing means, designed for cooperating with the abovementioned one or more mounting elements, exemplified here by the frame F. In the assembled condition, the frame F is fixed both with respect to the dispensing body 11 and to the inner side 5b of the inner door panel, so determining a mutual fixing. In the example shown the fixing means are provided at the peripheral profile of the rear part 1 of the body 11, and comprise coupling teeth or reliefs 16, which protrude outwards from the longitudinal and transverse walls of the rear part 11 ’ of the body 11.

For the purpose of fixing, as mentioned, part 11’ is inserted through the opening B of the inner door panel 5, with the mounting element represented by the frame F which is arranged at the inner side 5b of the same inner door panel, or at the end of the lip B’ of the same opening B. During the insertion, the coupling reliefs 16 elastically snap with respect to the frame F, keeping the dispenser body 11 in position with respect to the inner door panel, thereby blocking the dispenser body 11, in a condition of partial compression of the gasket 20, which in this way can exert or improve the necessary seal. As mentioned, in any case, the fixing of the rear part 11’ of the dispenser body 11 to the corresponding mounting wall 5 can be made in any known way.

In accordance with the invention, the dispensing unit 10 additionally comprises at least one covering element, configured for covering at least partially the peripheral profile of the front body part 11”, between said additional component and at least one of the peripheral profile and the upper face of the front body part, fixing means being provided, for the fixing of the at least one covering element to the front body part 11”. In the preferential embodiment depicted, the at least one covering element fulfils decorative or aesthetic functions, not excluding with that it may also fulfil other functions, as exemplified below.

One such covering element is indicated as a whole with 30 for example in Figures 2, 3 and 5. The element 30 has a respective body, preferably formed from plastic material, for example, moulded thermoplastic material. Preferably, the body of the element 30 is in a single piece having a substantially annular shape, with a central passage in which the front body part 11” is housed at least partially, as is visible for example in Figure 2. Alternatively, the element 30 could be made of several pieces, which can be coupled together and/or coupled to the dispenser body 11, such as two “C” shaped elements or two “U” shaped elements or two “L” shaped elements, possibly also configured for mutual coupling.

Preferably, the element 30 is shaped so as to substantially cover the peripheral profile of the front body part 11”, but the case of an element 30 covering only part of said peripheral profile - for example a “C” or “U” or “L” shaped element - is not excluded from the scope of the invention. For example, a single- piece element 30, or else an element 30 made up of two pieces forming a L-shape, can be designed to cover two contiguous sides of the peripheral profile of the body part 11”. Moreover, the covering element 30, even when made in a single piece, can be configured to cover only one side of the peripheral profile of the body part 11”, for example at only one of the longitudinal walls 11a and lib and the transverse walls 11c and lid of said body part 11”.

Element 30 may possibly comprise two covering bodies (i.e., two covering elements) in opposite positions, i.e., to cover only the outer side of the two longitudinal walls 11a and lib or of the two transverse walls 11c and lid of said body part 11”; in embodiments of this type, for example, the abovementioned two elements or covering bodies may each have a shape substantially corresponding to that of the two longitudinal sides or the two transverse sides described below.

In various embodiments, the body of the element 30 has two opposite longitudinal flanks 30a and 30b and two opposite transverse flanks 30c, 30d, in positions corresponding to the longitudinal walls 11a and lib and the transverse walls 11c and lid, respectively, of the body part 11”.

In various embodiments, the longitudinal flanks 30a, 30b and the transverse flanks 30c, 30d each comprise both an outer wall, defining an outer side of the corresponding flank, and an inner wall or wall portion, defining an inner side of the corresponding flanks and delimiting a respective part of the central passage of the element 30 in which the front body part 11” is received. In the example shown, the outer walls of the flanks are indicated with 31a, 31b, 31c and 3 Id in Figures 3 and 5, while corresponding inner walls of the flanks are indicated with 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d in Figure 5.

Preferably, each outer wall 31a, 31b, 31c and 3 Id is spaced from the respective inner wall 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d, so that the flanks 30a-30d each have a structure at least partly hollow, delimited laterally by the respective outer and inner walls.

In the example shown, the outer walls 3 la-3 Id are shaped walls, preferably inclined, with the element 30 thus having a substantially quadrangular external profile, which is tapered upwards, with bevelled edges at the angles formed between said outer walls; the outer profile could be rounded at least at the upper side of the element 30, corresponding to its narrower upper portion. The tapered or inclined conformation of the external walls facilitates outflow of washing water.

In the example, also the inner walls 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d are continuous and connected to each other at their respective ends, in order to define a central passage of the element 30 that is substantially complementary to the peripheral profile of the front body part 11”.

In various preferential embodiments, the element 30 has an upper side, indicated as a whole with 33 for example in Figures 2 and 3, which covers at least partially the upper face of the front body part 11”. In the example shown, the upper side 33 comprises at least two longitudinal portions, indicated with 33a and 33b for example in Figure 3, designed to cover the top of the longitudinal walls 11a and 1 lb of the front body part 11”.

In various embodiments at least one of the transverse flanks 30c, 30d of the covering element 30 has at least one portion of reduced height, in a position substantially corresponding to a respective closing element of the dispensing unit 10. In the example shown (see Figure 3), the flank 30c has one such portion - indicated with 30c’ - in a position corresponding to the small door 13, i.e., at the portion 11c’ of the wall 11c of the body part 11” of the dispenser body 11: in this way, as is apparent, the small door 13 is free to slide transversely along the guides 14 between the closing positions and the opening position, also protruding beyond the peripheral profile of the dispensing unit 10.

In various embodiments at least one of the transverse flanks 30c, 30d of the covering element 30 has one or more passages, in a position substantially corresponding to a respective closing element of the dispensing unit 10.

In the example shown (see Figure 3), the flank 30d has a plurality of said passages - indicated with 30d’ - configured as through-openings. In the example, two through-openings 30d’ are in a position corresponding to the small door 13: in this way, when the small door 13 opens for dispensing purposes, the washing agent contained in receptacle 12 is free to flow out, together with part of the washing water sprayed inside the tank 3 of the machine, through the corresponding openings 30d’. Similarly, a through-opening 30d’ is in a position corresponding to the lid 15: in this way, when the fluid washing agent contained in the reservoir 12’ is dispensed, it can flow, together with part of the washing water sprayed inside tank 3 through the corresponding the opening 30d’ (as mentioned, in the area underlying the lid 15 there may be the dispensing opening of the fluid agent, and this agent can flow through passageways present between the lid and the dispenser body).

In various embodiments at least one of the transverse flanks 30c, 30d of the covering element 30 has at least one portion of a reduced thickness, in a position corresponding to a manual release element of a respective closing element.

In the example shown (see Figure 3), the flank 30c has one such a portion - indicated with 30c” - in a position corresponding to the lid 15, i.e., at the portion 11c’ of the wall 11c of the part 11” of the dispenser body 11: the presence of the portion of reduced thickness 30c” allows to facilitate manual switching of the locking lever 15a of the small door 15 by a user (see also Figure 10).

In various embodiments, at least one of the peripheral profile and the upper face of the front body part 11” of the dispenser body 11 has respective means for the fixing of the covering element 30.

In various embodiments of this type, at an inner side of the longitudinal flanks 30a, 30b and/or transverse flanks 30c, 30d there are provided respective coupling means, configured for the engagement with respective coupling means provided at the peripheral profile of the front body part 11”. The coupling means on element 30 can be provided on the inner side of the longitudinal flanks 30a, 30b, with the corresponding coupling means on the front body part 11” provided on the outside of the longitudinal walls 11a and lib; in addition or as an alternative, coupling means on the element 30 can be provided on the inner side of the transverse flanks 30c, 30d, with the corresponding coupling means on the front body part 11” provided on the outside of the transverse walls 1 lc and 1 Id. Coupling means could be provided in addition or alternatively at junction areas between the flanks of element 30 or the peripheral walls of the front body part 11”, i.e., in corner positions.

Referring in particular to Figures 3 and 5, in various embodiments, at the inner wall 32a and 32b of the two longitudinal flanks 30a and 30b there are provided respective coupling elements 34, designed for engagement with corresponding coupling elements 17 provided on the outside of the longitudinal walls 1 la and 1 lb of the body part 11 “. In the example, the elements 34 are in the form of seats, in which the elements 17 are engageable, basically configured in the form of protruding teeth. Preferably, the aforementioned teeth define an inclined ramp, in order to obtain a substantially snap hooking with the aforementioned seats. Alternatively, the coupling elements 34 could be in relief and/or in the form of teeth, which engage in elements 17 configured as seats; or else, a different combination of coupling elements in relief and coupling seats could be envisaged.

In addition and/or as an alternative, also at the inner wall 32c and 32d of the two transverse flanks 30c and 30d coupling elements can be provided, designed for engagement with corresponding coupling elements provided on the outside of the transverse walls 11c and lid of the body part 11”. In the example, the inner wall 32c has, substantially at the portion of reduced height 30c’ (see also Figure 2), a seat 35 in which a relief 18 protruding or overhanging from the transverse wall 11c of the body part 11” can be engaged. On the other hand, on the inner side of the transverse wall 32d there is at least one protruding tooth 36 engageable with respect to a protruding relief 19 of the transverse wall lid of the body part 11”; in the example, the relief 19 extends over the entire width of the sliding area for the small door 13, in order to allow the engagement of two teeth 36, but this is not an essential feature, since a number of separate reliefs 19 can be provided. In the example, the at least one tooth 36 defines a respective inclined ramp, opposite to that of the teeth 17 provided on the dispenser body 11, in order to obtain a substantially snap hooking with the at least one protruding relief 19. Also in this case inverse arrangements are possible, between the tooth and the seat on the two parts 30, 11”, even in combinations other than the one exemplified.

In the example shown, the coupling means 34, 35 and 36 are defined within continuous walls of the element 30, that is, the internal walls 32a-32d that delimit the central passage that receives the front part 11” of the dispenser body 11: this configuration must be considered as a preferential one as it ensures a precise positioning between the body 11 and the element 30. However, in possible variant embodiments, the walls 32-32d could be replaced by separate wall portions, for example each in the form of a fin, provided with one or more respective coupling means. Regardless of the implementation chosen, the internal walls 32a-32d, or the wall portions that replace them, are at least partly elastically flexible, in order to allow coupling of the corresponding coupling means 34 and 36 to the respective coupling means 17 and 19 of the body 11.

The elasticity for the purpose of mounting and coupling the coupling elements can be obtained, for example, by exploiting the properties of suitable polymers or plastic materials, which - while ensuring a substantially rigid structure of the element 30 as a whole - can provide walls of appropriate thickness and shape suitable to enable a slight elastic deformation, in particular during a slightly forced coupling during assembly.

The construction of the flanks of the element with a double- wall structure is advantageous as it allows to split the fixing function, obtained through the inner walls or wall portions 32a-32d, from a different function, such as a decorative function, obtained via the external walls 3 la-3 Id: in this perspective, the internal walls can also have a different thickness than the external walls, and/or some walls may be provided with reinforcing ribs.

The ability to substantially snap the cover element 30 to the body of dispenser 11 simplifies assembly and allows mounting of the element 30 even after the body 11 has been fixed to the mounting wall 5. In this way, an appliance manufacturer can, for example, mount a unified dispenser body on dishwashers, and subsequently customize the dispenser by adding the element 30 as desired by a household appliance retailer or an end customer.

Preferably, the coupling means provided for in the covering element 30, represented here by the elements 34, 35 and 36, are integrally defined by the relevant body, and the corresponding coupling means on the dispenser body 11 are integrally defined by the relative body part 11”. This feature simplifies the construction of the unit 10, given that the aforementioned coupling means can be obtained during the moulding phase of the plastic material of the piece or pieces that define the body part 11” and of the piece or pieces that form the element 30, without the need for additional operations. It should also be noted that, in possible less advantageous embodiments, some of the coupling means could be defined by one or more additional components to be mounted between the element 30 and the front body part 11” (for example, a mounting sub-frame, to be associated in advance to part 11” and on which to then couple the element 30).

As mentioned, in various embodiments, at the upper face of the body 11 there is at least one intermediate longitudinal wall, such as the wall previously indicated by 1 le: for these embodiments the upper side 33 of the element 30 can be provided with a corresponding intermediate longitudinal portion, indicated by 33e for example in Figures 3, 5 and 6, which at least partially covers the top of the intermediate wall lie. The presence of the intermediate portion 33e, in addition to strengthening the element 30 to a certain extent, allows to reduce the aesthetic discontinuities at the exposed part of the unit 10.

In Figures 6-13 the assembled condition of the element 30 on the body 11 is visible in cross-section. In Figures 6-9 the coupled condition of the fixing means 17 and 34 is particularly visible, while in Figures 10-13 the coupled condition of the fixing means 18 and 35, on the one hand, and 19 and 36, on the other hand, is visible.

A small space can be provided between the lower end of the element 30 and the mounting side 5a of the wall 5, in order to facilitate circulation of the washing liquid, during the operation of the dishwasher, in order to avoid stagnation and accumulation of dirt residues.

By the way, the same Figures 6-13 lend themselves to highlighting how, in particularly advantageous embodiments, the covering element 30 can have associated thereto a respective annular gasket, indicated with 40, configured to create an axial type seal with respect to the outer side 5a of the mounting wall 5. The presence of the gasket 40, although not indispensable, is advantageous as it prevents possible dirt residues from creeping in and settling in any passageway possibly present between the element 30 and the outer side 5a of the mounting wall 5. For this reason it is also preferable that the annular gasket 40, formed for example with elastomer material, is mounted in a position closer to each outer wall 3 la-3 Id of the flanks 3a-30d, than to each corresponding inner wall 32a-32d. The cross- sectional shape of the gasket 40 shown in the drawings is of course only an example, this shape being able to vary as needed.

The gasket 40 is conveniently mounted in a corresponding seat - indicated with 41 only in Figures 5 and 9 - defined in the lower wall of the element 30.

In the example shown, the seat 41 is annular and provided substantially at the lower end of the outer walls 3 la-3 Id; this annular seat 41 is defined by the same outer walls 3 la-3 Id, on the inner side of which there is a specific portion 3 la’-3 Id’ that delimits the seat itself with respect to the inner surface of the walls 3 la-3 Id. The portions 31a’-31d’ can be in the form of small continuous walls, as shown for example in Figure 5.

It should be noted, however, that the presence of a specific seat for the positioning of the gasket 40 is not an essential feature because, in possible variant embodiments, said gasket is overfolded to element 30 or co-moulded therewith, or possibly fixed in another way, for example glued or welded.

In further embodiments it is possible to provide for a sealing arrangement also between the element 30 and the front part 11” of the body 11, in order to reduce the risk of unwanted infiltration of dirt between the parts in question. For this purpose, preferably, this sealing arrangement has an annular peripheral profile circumscribing, for example, a corresponding region of the upper face of the body 11 : such an arrangement may, for example, include a gasket arranged between the top of walls 11-1 Id, and possibly of wall lie, of the body part 11” and the corresponding portions 33a, and possibly 33e, of the upper side 33 of the element 30. Also for these applications a gasket can be overfolded to the body 11 or the element 30; other techniques to provide one or more gaskets on the body 11 or the element 30 are for example those known as FIPG ( Formed-in-place gaskets) and CIPG ( Cured-in-place gasket).

The fixing means between the body 11 and the element 30 may have a different structure from the one exemplified. For example, particularly when the covering element 30 is designed for covering only a part of the peripheral profile of the front part 11”, snap-on coupling means may be provided, such as pairs of coupling teeth provided on the covering element, between which a respective coupling relief provided on the peripheral profile of the front part 11” can be engageable. In addition, in accordance with embodiments alternative to those described above, the fixing means may include one or more welds or bondings between the element 30 and the front part 11” of the dispenser body 11. In various embodiments of this type, the one or more welds or bondings may include a welding or gluing line having an annular peripheral profile, in order to also achieve a sealing arrangement between the element 30 and the body part 11”.

An example of this type is schematized in F14-18. In these figures, with 50 is indicated as a whole a welding bead, i.e., a continuous welding without interruptions, at the upper face of the front body part 11”. More particularly, in the example, the bead 50 is shaped so as to extend at the top of the walls 11-1 Id, and possibly of the wall lie.

In the case exemplified - see in particular Figure 16 - the bead 50 includes for this purpose two longitudinal portions 50a and 50b, which extend on the top of walls 11a and lib, two transverse portions 50c and 50d extending on the top of walls 1 lc and 1 Id, and an intermediate portion 50e extending to the top of wall 1 le, wherein these portions of the bead 50 comprise respective sections 50a’ -50e’ that extend over the lateral ends of the aforementioned walls 11 a- lie (in Figure 16 the representation of the small door 13 and the lid 15 is omitted, for the sake of clarity). In the case exemplified, the top of the wall 11c of the body part 11” includes a protruding or overhanging relief 18’, on which the respective portion 50c of the bead 50 extends.

In various embodiments, the weld bead 50 is configured as a small continuous protrusion of the upper face of the body part 11”, such that it can interpenetrate the element 30 when welded. The bead 50 can therefore be advantageously obtained during the moulding phase of the body part 11”, which is then melted at least in part through a heat welding phase, for example an ultrasonic welding or a laser welding (in the latter case the material that forms the element 30 will preferably be a material transparent to the laser radiation). Preferably, the equipment used is configured or shaped to follow the profile of the parts to be welded, preferably compressing them during the welding. Note that in Figure 16 (and in the details of Figure 18) the weld beam 50 is deliberately represented as a separate part with respect to the body 11 and the element 30 for the sake of greater clarity, but in reality this is an integral part of at least one of them, before welding, or could depict the molten materials after welding.

The union between the body 11 and the element 30 is therefore preferably made without filler material, although this option is not excluded: for example, the bead 50 could be formed with an adhesive material arranged on body 11 or element 30.

Even in the presence of one or more welds or gluing, such as the bead 50, additional fixing means, for example of the type already described, may be provided between the body part 11” and the element 30. In the example in Figure 14, the body part 11” is provided with coupling teeth 17 (only one visible) and the element 30 is provided with seats 34 (only one visible). The presence of such additional means, in addition to contributing to the stability of the element 30 on the body 11, can be useful in the production phase during the welding operation: for example, the fixing means 17, 34 are exploited for positioning the element 30 on the body 11, and then the welding operation is carried out, for example, an ultrasonic or laser welding, or the bonding operation is carried out, for example by thermally activating the adhesive (for example, an adhesive that can be activated by laser - laser-activated adhesive).

Note that, in presence of welding or bonding, one or more of the flanks 30a- 30d of element 30 do not necessarily have to be provided on their inner side with the respective coupling means and/or do not necessarily have to have a double-wall structure. For example, in the case represented in Figure 14, the transverse flank 30d is substantially free of the respective inner wall, and therefore of the corresponding coupling means previously indicated with 36.

It will be appreciated that the bead or welding line 50, besides mutually fixing the element 30 and the body part 11”, also obtains a sealing arrangement between the two components in question. As indicated above, a sealing arrangement including one or more gaskets may in any case be provided between these two components: the bead 50 of Figure 16 lends itself to illustrating a possible shape of one such gasket (for this reason, in Figure 16, the reference “60” in brackets is also added to the reference “50”). Such a gasket 60 can be obtained for example with FIPG or CIPG technique.

In the case of a gasket 60, not necessarily having the geometry exemplified, one of the body part 11” and the element 30 will preferably be provided with a seat for the positioning or the formation of the gasket itself; as mentioned, however, a gasket could be overmoulded to the part 11” or the element 30, without the need for a specific seat.

The characteristics of the present invention are clear from the given description, as are its advantages.

The covering element 30 provided in accordance with the invention allows for managing countless aesthetic variants of the dispensing unit 10, for example differentiated from one another in terms of shape and/or size and/or colour (obviously in the figures discussed so far only one example geometry is provided); on the covering element 30 there can also be stamped indications or distinctive signs that vary depending on the language and/or the manufacturer of the dishwasher, and that otherwise should be obtained on the front body part 11”.

The manufacturer of the dispensing unit 10 can therefore provide a single mould - technically more complex and expensive - for the formation of the front body part 11”, and a number of moulds - technically simpler and cheaper - corresponding to the various versions of the covering element.

The preferential case of an element 30 that covers a substantial part of the visible surface of the front body part 11” also simplifies preparation of the moulding equipment of the dispensing body. To this end, it should be remembered that the construction of moulded components with surfaces in sight presupposes that the corresponding surfaces of the mould have a very high degree of finishing (understood as the absence of surface roughness). In the case of the unit described, basically only the mounting and movement areas for the small door 13 and the lid 15 are in sight, and therefore require a high finishing of the corresponding mould surfaces. On the other hand, the walls lla-lle (excluding their sides that delimit the aforementioned mounting and movement areas) are covered by the element 30, and therefore they do not require a particular finishing. Obviously, the mould used to obtain the element 30 must have the required degree of finishing, but a mould for obtaining the element 30 is much simpler and cheaper than a mould configured to obtain a piece of the body 11 that defines an aesthetically finished a front body part 11”. It should also be considered that, in the known dispensing units, minimal surface imperfections of the front body part 11” cause a production waste, and this waste has a greater impact on costs if detected at the end of the dispenser assembly (as the dispenser must be completely discarded): this problem does not arise in the unit according to the invention.

The presence of the covering element 30 can also be advantageous to increase the functionality of the dispensing unit as a whole, for example by defining at least one housing directly exposed and configured to receive a washing agent, for example a tablet including one or more washing agents, and therefore also tablets of the type known as “2 in 1” or “3 in 1”. The term “washing agent” must be understood indifferently as a cleansing substance or an accessory substance (a rinsing additive, a perfuming substance, an anti-limescale substance, a sanitizing substance, etc.) and any combinations thereof. In addition, the term “tablet” is intended to designate both tablets in solid form, and tablets - also known as “tabs” or “pods” - of the type in which one or more washing agents in liquid or semi-solid form are enclosed in a casing formed by a water-soluble film (typically a polymer, such as polyvinyl acetate - PVA).

One such case is exemplified in Figure 19, where element 30 is larger in size than the previously exemplified cases, with a wider upper side 33. In the example, the portion 33b of the upper side is sufficiently large so that a housing 70 is defined in it, within which a user can place a washing agent tablet. The housing 70 is directly exposed as a whole, that is, it is free of doors or similar movable closing elements, and has at least one drainage passage. Preferably, the housing has - at least in its front part - a containment portion 71, for example, comprising an alternation of full and empty spaces, such as a substantially grid structure, as exemplified, for example, a welded structure.

As it can be imagined, a tablet can be inserted into the housing 70 before performing a washing program. During said program, part of the water sprayed inside the tank 3 of the dishwasher 1, for example through a well-known system with rotating sprayers, can reach the housing 70, favouring the dissolution of the tablet and the outflow of the corresponding water-washing agent mixture to the inside of the tank 3. This effect is made possible by the presence of the aforementioned at least one drainage passage. The effect of dissolving the tablet and flowing of the washing agent into the tank is further favoured by the presence of the containment portion 71 provided with openings, which facilitates passage of the water sprayed at inlet, and the water-detergent mixture at outlet.

Of course, a housing 70, even of a different structure and/or size, could be defined at a flank of the element 30: examples in this sense are provided in Figures 20 and 21, where the housings indicated with 70 are defined at the transverse flanks 30c and the longitudinal flank 30b of the element 30, respectively.

In any case, other functions may also be associated with the covering element in order to improve or facilitate the use of the dispensing unit, for example by providing on this element at least part of an arrangement for manually controlling the release of a small door of the dispenser, in order to allow it to pass to the respective opening position.

An example of this type is shown in Figures 22-25, where the same reference numbers already used in the previous figures are used. In the case of this example, the covering element 30 has associated thereto at least part of a control arrangement, which can be operated manually by a user to cause the switching of a locking/releasing system of said small door, associated with the dispensing body 11. In the case depicted, the abovementioned control arrangement includes a control member, indicated as a whole with 80, which is mounted in a movable manner on the covering element 30 at one of its flanks, in particular the longitudinal flank 30a.

Referring also to Figure 25, in the example, the member 80 defines or comprises an operable part, such as a key or button 81, designed to be at least partly accessible, i.e., exposed with respect to the covering element 30. The key 81 is associated with a sliding element, indicated by 82, which defines - at one end opposite the key 81 - a cam or actuation profile, indicated with 82a.

The sliding element 82 is preferably longitudinally extended, with a generally flat shape, and for this reason in the following it will also be identified as a slider.

Preferably, the key 81 and the slider 82 are formed in a single piece, for example of moulded plastic material, although this is not an essential feature. In particularly advantageous embodiments, at least of the key 81 and the slider 82 defines a retaining element, the functions of which will be clarified later. In the example shown, the retaining element includes a tooth for elastic coupling 83, here protruding below by a flap or fin defined directly by slider 82.

The control arrangement preferably also comprises an elastic element, arranged to urge the control member 80 in a respective inoperative position; in the example depicted, the elastic element, indicated by 84, is represented by a helical spring, for example, of metal material. Preferably, the key 81 has, on the side thereof opposite to the accessible one, a seat (not indicated) for the positioning of a portion of the end of the spring 84 (see for example Figure 24).

The covering element 30 is configured for the mounting of the member 80 and the spring 84, and defines at least one seat or housing for this purpose. For example, in the case exemplified in Figure 23, reference 85 indicates the opening of a housing 86 in which the key 81 is mounted slidingly and in which a part of the slider 82 is inserted slidingly. As can be seen also in the following Figures 24 and 25, in the case exemplified, the housing 86 is defined between the walls 31a and 32a of the longitudinal flank 30a, in which the opening 85 is defined, and comprises a passage of the wall 32a for the sider 82 (see in particular Figure 24).

In Figure 24 is also visible a driving element, indicated as a whole with 90, which is part of a locking system of the small door 13. This system is of a conception known in itself, and does not require an in-depth description there. It suffices to point out here that such a system may include an actuator and a corresponding driving system (the actuator is partially visible in Figure 23, designated by 90a), able to cause a rotation or angular movement of a shaft part 91 of the driving element 90 about its axis. Element 90, i.e., its shaft part 91, is mounted in a corresponding through-seat of the dispenser body 11, so that a shaped heads thereof, indicated as a whole by 92, is at the area A for the sliding of the small door 13 (see Figure 22), in such a position that - with the small door 13 closed - a coupling portion of said head 92 cooperates with a counter-element (for example a tooth) present at the lower side of the same small door 13, in order to keep it in the closing position, against the action of corresponding elastic means. A rotation or angular movement imparted to shaft 91 causes a corresponding movement of the head 92, whose coupling portion is freed from the counter-element of the small door 13, thus allowing the latter to pass into the respective opening position, thanks to the action of the respective elastic means.

In the non-limiting example shown in Figure 25, the head 92 includes a small lever 92a (see also Figure 22) - which is assumed here to be the aforementioned coupling portion designed for cooperating with the relevant counter-element of the small door 13 - as well as a shaped peripheral profile, for example to define a cam 92b, with which the actuation profile 82a of the slider 82 is able to cooperate. Still in Figure 23, as well as in Figures 24-25, it is noted that, in the case exemplified, the wall of the dispenser body 11 corresponding to the mounting flank of the member 80, here the wall 11a, has a passage 87, through which a corresponding part of the slider 82 is received in a sliding way. In the example, the passage 87 is essentially axially aligned with the head 92 of element 90, although this is not an essential feature. The arrangement is, however, such that, irrespective of the position of the passage 87 and the shape of the slider 82, the end profile 92a of the slider is suitable to cooperate with the head 92 of the element 90, in particular with its cam 92b, in order to cause an angular movement thereof. For this purpose, as can be seen for example in Figure 25, a part of the slider 82 that protrudes beyond the passage 87 extends transversely within the area for sliding of the small door 13, below the latter (see also Figure 24).

In various preferential embodiments, the control member 80 is mounted on the covering element 30 after this has been mounted on the body 11, in the manner described above. Following the mounting of the element 30 on the body 11, the housing 86 of the element 30 (i.e., its part receiving the slider 82) is axially aligned with the passage 87 of the wall 1 la of the body 11: in this way, the slider 82 can be inserted through said housing 86 and passage 87, until the key 81 - behind which spring 84 was previously placed - is also received completely in the housing 86: upon reaching this position, the lower tooth 83 of the slider cursor 82 engages elastically in a corresponding sear 86a (Figure 24) defined at the bottom of the housing 86, thus retaining the member 80 as a whole in the mounting position. The seat 86a is shaped so as to allow a sliding in it of the tooth 83, and hence the sliding of the slider 82.

The end of the spring 84 opposite the key 81 abuts on the wall 32a, so as to urge the member 80 towards the outside of the housing 86, for example substantially flush with the outer surface of the wall 3 la of the flank 30a: an undesired extraction is however prevented by the presence of the retaining element represented by the aforementioned tooth 83 engaged in the corresponding seat 86a. As mentioned, in the mounted condition, a portion of the slider 82 extends transversely in the area A.

This condition is similar to that represented in part A) of Figure 25, in which the spring 84 urges the member 80 as a whole outwards, i.e., so that the cam profile 82a at the end of the slider 82 is in a rearward position, relative to the head 92 of the actuation element 90 of the locking/releasing system of the small door 13. In part B) of Figure 25, on the other hand, the case of a pressure operated by a user on the key 81 is exemplified, with the consequent sliding inwards of the member 80 as a whole, against the action of the spring 84. In this way, the cam profile 82a of the slider moves to an advanced position relative to the head 92, in particular causing a push on the cam 92b of said head. The head 92, or the driving element 90 as a whole, performs a consequent angular movement (clockwise, referring to Figure 25), thereby also moving the coupling portion 92a, which frees the corresponding counter-element on the small door 13, freeing it for the purpose of transitioning to its opening position. By subsequently interrupting the pressure on the key 81, the member 80 will return to the original position of part A) of Figure 25, thanks to the action of the spring; the same applies for the member 90, which is also subject to the reaction of an elastic element (non- visible), according to a technique that is known in itself.

As can be seen, therefore, in the case described with reference to Figures 22-25, the covering element 30 provided in accordance with the invention acts as a support for an auxiliary control system for the opening of the small door 13, for example to avoid having to provide and mount a button on the small door 13 (as in the case of the button 13a in Figure 2) and the related complications of assembly, or else to integrate a button 80 in addition to the button 13a which is in any case present on the small door 13 or on the dispenser body 11, in particular a button 80 of such shape and size to be more easily accessible or operated by a user.

In any case, it will be appreciated that the arrangement for manual control associated with the cover element 30 can be obtained in another way, for example by configuring the button 81 and the slider 82 as separate parts, for example by mounting only the key 81 on the element 30 and only the cursor 82 on the dispenser body 11, with the key and the slider able to cooperate with each other following the assembly of the element 30 on the body 11. It will also be appreciated that the mechanism of the control arrangement can also include elements that move angularly, rather than linearly as in the case exemplified.

It will be appreciated that a functional housing arrangement of the type exemplified in Figures 19-21 and/or a functional control arrangement of the type exemplified in Figures 22-25 can also be advantageously provided for on a covering element that only partially covers the peripheral profile of the front body part 11”, for example only a longitudinal or transverse side of said profile.

It is clear that numerous variations are possible for the person skilled in the art to the dispensing unit described as an example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A washing agent dispensing unit, designed for mounting at a through- opening (B) of a mounting wall (5) of a dishwasher tank (3), the dispensing unit (10) comprising a dispenser body (11) in which at least one containment volume (12, 12’) is defined, capable of containing at least one washing agent, wherein the dispenser body (11) has a rear body part (1 G) and a front body part (11”), the front body part (11”) having a perimetral encumbrance greater than the rear body part ( 1 G), wherein the front body part (11”) has a peripheral profile and an upper face, at the upper face at least one closing element (13, 15) being mounted, which is displaceable at least from an open position, to enable access to the at least one containment volume (12, 12’), and a closed position, in which access to the at least one containment volume (12, 12’) is prevented, wherein substantially at a transition area between the rear body part (1G) and the front body part (11”) a seat (S) is defined, for positioning a perimetral gasket (20) designed for exerting a seal with respect to an outer side (5a) of the mounting wall (5), wherein the dispenser body (11) has, at a peripheral profile of the rear body part (1 G), first fixing means (16), for fixing the dispenser body (11) with respect to an inner side of the mounting wall (5), wherein the dispensing unit (10) further comprises at least one covering element (30), configured for covering at least partially the peripheral profile of the front body part (11”), wherein second fixing means (17-19, 34-36, 50, 60) are provided between the at least one covering element (30) and at least one of the peripheral profile of the front body part (11”) and the upper face of the front body part (11”), for fixing the covering element (30) to the front body part (11”).

2. The dispensing unit according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one covering element (30) has a substantially annular shape, with a central passage in which the front body part (11”) is at least partially housed, or else is shaped for covering only a part of the peripheral profile of the front body part (11”)

3. The dispensing unit according to Claim 2, wherein the at least one covering element (30) has a substantially annular shape and is shaped so as to substantially completely cover the peripheral profile of the front body part (11”).

4. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the at least one covering element (30) has an upper side (33) which covers at least partially the upper face of the dispenser body (11).

5. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-4, wherein the at least one covering element (30) has two opposite transverse flanks (30c, 30d), and wherein at least one of the two opposite transverse flanks (30c, 30d) has at least one of:

- a portion of reduced height (30c’) in a position substantially corresponding to the at least one closing element (13, 15), in particular for enabling displacement of the at least one closing element (13, 15) between the open position and the closed position,

- one or more passages or through openings (30d’) in a position substantially corresponding to the at least one closing element (13, 15), in particular for enabling outflow of a washing liquid and/or of the at least one washing agent from the containment volume (13, 15),

- a portion having reduced thickness (30c”), in a position substantially corresponding to an element (15a) for manual release of the at least one closing element (15).

6. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-5, wherein the at least one covering element (30) has a gasket (40) associated thereto, preferably an annular gasket, configured for providing a seal of an axial type with respect to the outer side (5a) of the mounting wall (5).

7. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-6, wherein at least one sealing arrangement (50, 60) is set between the at least one covering element (30) and the front body part (11”), the sealing arrangement having preferably an annular peripheral profile.

8. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-7, wherein the at least one covering element (30) comprises at least one of:

- two transverse flanks (30c, 30d) opposite to one another, or

- two longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b) opposite to one another, the two transverse flanks (30c, 30d), respectively the two longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b ), each having an outer side and an inner side, wherein the two transverse flanks (30c, 30d), respectively the two longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b), each comprise an outer wall or wall portion (31a, 31b, 31c, 3 Id), defining at least part of said outer side, and an inner wall or wall portion (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d), defining at least part of said inner side, and wherein the outer wall or wall portion (3 la, 3 lb, 3 lc, 3 Id) and the inner wall or wall portion (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) are spaced apart from one another, wherein preferably the two transverse flanks (30c, 30d), respectively the two longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b), are at least partially hollow, with a channel-shaped cross-section laterally delimited by said outer wall or wall portion (31a, 31b, 31c, 3 Id ) and said inner wall or wall portion (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d).

9. The dispensing unit according to Claims 6 and 8, wherein:

- the at least one covering element (30) has a substantially annular shape with a central passage, and comprises the two transverse flanks (30c, 30d) and the two longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b), with the respective inner wall or wall portions (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) that each delimit a respective part of the central passage,

- the annular gasket (40) of the at least one covering element (30) has an annular shape and is closer to said outer wall or wall portion (31a, 31b, 31c, 3 Id) of the transverse flanks (30c, 30d) and of the longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b) with respect to said inner wall or wall portion (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) of the transverse flanks (30c, 30d) and of the longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b).

10. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 2-9, wherein:

- the second fixing means (17-19, 34-36, 50, 60) comprise first coupling means (17-19) at the peripheral profile of the front body part (11”),

- the at least one covering element (30) has two transverse flanks (30c, 30d) opposite to one another, and two longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b) opposite to one another, the transverse flanks (30c, 30d) and the longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b ) of the at least one covering element (30) each having an outer side and an inner side, and

- the second fixing means (17-19, 34-36, 50, 60) further comprise second coupling means (34-36) at the inner side of a plurality of the transverse flanks (30c, 30d) and the longitudinal flanks (30a, 30b) of the at least one covering element (30), configured for engagement with the first coupling means (17-19), in particular with a substantially snap-on coupling, wherein preferably the first coupling means (17-19) are defined integrally with the front body part (11”) and the second coupling means (34-36) are defined integrally in the at least one covering element (30).

11. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-10, wherein:

- the front body part (11”) has two longitudinal peripheral walls (11a, lib) opposite to one another, and two transverse peripheral walls (11c, lid) opposite to one another, which define the peripheral profile of the front body part (11”), the longitudinal peripheral walls (11a, lib) and the transverse peripheral walls (11c, 1 Id) each having a top belonging to the upper face of the front body part (11”),

- the front body part (11”) has at least one further longitudinal wall (lie), which is in a position intermediate to the two longitudinal peripheral walls (11a, 1 lb) and which extends at the upper face of the front body part (11”), and

- an upper side (33) of the at least one covering element (30) has an intermediate portion (33e) which covers at least partially a top of the further longitudinal wall (lie).

12. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-11, wherein the second fixing means (17-19, 34-36, 50, 60) comprise one or more welds or bondings (50) between the at least one covering element (30) and the front body part (11”), the one or more welds or bondings (50) preferably comprising a continuous welding or bonding line having an annular peripheral profile which also provides a sealing arrangement between the at least one covering element (30) and the front body part (11”).

13. The dispensing unit according to any one of Claims 1-12, wherein at least part of a functional arrangement is mounted or defined on the at least one covering element (30), such as at least one of:

- a control arrangement (80, 84) operable to cause a switching of a coupling/uncoupling system (90, 90a) of said at least one closing element (13, 15) which is associated to the dispenser body (11), the control arrangement (80, 84) comprising in particular at least one control member (80) which is manually operable by a user and is movably mounted on the covering element (30), the control arrangement (80, 84) preferably comprising an elastic element (84) operative for urging the control member (80) in a respective inoperative position,

- a housing arrangement, comprising a housing (70) which is directly exposed and configured for receiving a washing agent.

14. A washing agent dispensing unit, designed for mounting at a through opening (B) of a mounting wall (5) of a dishwasher tank (3), the dispensing unit (10) comprising a dispenser body (11) in which at least one containment volume (12, 12’) is defined, capable of containing at least one washing agent, wherein the dispenser body (11) has a rear body part (1 G) and a front body part (11”), the front body part (11”) having a peripheral profile and an upper face, wherein the dispensing unit (10) further comprises at least one covering element (30) coupled to the dispensing body (11) and configured to at least partially cover at least one of the peripheral profile and the upper face of the front body part (11”).

15. A dishwashing machine, comprising a dispensing unit according to one or more of Claims 1-14.