GB2147613A - Dispensing arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid-dispensing arrangement, more especially for delivering liquid fabric conditioner or liquid detergent into the wash drum of an automatic clothes washing machine, has a reservoir 20,21 removably accommodated in an operative position in a housing with a separate liquid-tight connection formed between the reservoir outlet and a dispenser 50, and valve means 40 which normally allows the passage of liquid from the reservoir to the dispenser, but is operable, preferably automatically, to close the reservoir outlet when the reservoir is withdrawn from its operative position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensing arrangement This invention relates to dispensing arrangements for enabling controlled quantities of a liquid to be discharged from a reservoir, and to reservoirs for use in such arrangements. The invention is especially, though not exclusively, concerned with dispensing arrangements of this kind which are used for the introduction of liquid fabric conditioner or liquid detergent into the wash drums of automatic clothes washing machines.

In use of such dispensing arrangements liquid from the reservoir is arranged to befed, usually under gravityn into a dispenser incorporating or associated with a valve for controlling the flow of liquid into it from the reservoir, means also being provided for causing the contents ofthedispenserto be discharged at appropriate instants, for example into another receptacle which, in the case of a fabric conditioner dispenser or a liquid detergent dispenser for a washing machine would be provided bythewash drum ofthe machine.

An object ofthe invention isto provide a dispensing arrangement of the kind referred to having a reservoir which is readilyremovabletofacilitatefilling and cleaning.

According to the invention a liquid-dispensing arrangement incorporating a reservoir for said liquid and a dispenserfor receiving liquid from the reservoir, comprises a housing for accommodating the reservoir in an operating position and from which the reservoir can bewithdrawn,and meansforforming a liquidtight connection between an outlet from the reservoir and an inlettothedispenserwhenthereservoiris placed in the operating position,the reservoir incorporating a valve which is open to allow the passage of liquid from the reservoir outletwhen the reservoir is in its operating position, but is operable to close the outlet when the reservoir is withdrawn from the operating position.

Preferablythe liquid-tight connection is formed automatically between the reservoir outlet and the dispenser inlet when the reservoir is placed in the operating position. In addition the valve is preferably operable automatically to close the reservoir outlet when the reservoir is withdrawn.

Thus the valve is conveniently closed by means of a spring, and movement of the reservoir into its operating position produces a displacementofthe valve againstthe spring bias sufficientto open the valve.

The reservoir is conveniently slidable relative to the housing so that it can be withdrawn therefrom by a sliding motion, a spring catch being preferably provided for securing the reservoir in its operating position.

The valve may form part of a hollow plunger slidablysupported in a tubular housing,the dispenser inlet being provided by a tube the end of which is arranged to engage the end of the plunger and depress it within the housing, so as to effect the opening ofthevalveandalsoconnectthe reservoir outlet, via the interiorofthe plunger,to the dispenser tube, when the reservoir is placed into its operating position.

In the case of a fabric conditioner dispenser for a washing machinethe reservoir is preferably removable from thefrontofthe machine, the housing therefor conveniently being located in or adjacent the washing machine control panel where it is readily accessible, and conveniently, where a powder dispenser is employed, alongside the powder dispenser to be of slim construction, enabling itto befitted into a confined space, and providing a relatively small liquid surface area in contact with the air.

The dispenser may be of any convenient construction, but is preferably arranged to operate in the manner of that forming the subject of PatentApplica- tion No. 8234751. (2111 021).

One arrangement in accordance with the invention for use in dispensing controlled quantities of a fabric conditioner into the wash drum of an automatic clothes washing machine will now be described by way ofexample with reference to Figures 1 to 1 O of the accompanying schematic drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates the front of the washing machine, Figures 2 and 3 show a side view and a plan view, both in part section ofthe reservoirforthefabric conditioner, Figure 4 represents a transverse section through the reservoir, Figures Sand 6 represent parts of the reservoir on an enlarged scale, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate sectional views ofthe dispenser, and Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the operation of the coupling meansforconnecting the reservoirtothe dispenser.

Figure 1 shows the front of an automatic clothes washing machine 1 ofthefront-loadertype,having a fascia panel 2 extending transversely across the top of the front face of the machine and accommodating the controls 3. The fascia panel 2 is also provided with an opening 4within which is slidablysupported in known manner a dispenser drawer 5 for powdered soap or detergent. Between the dispenser drawer 5 and the adjacent side panel there is located a housing which accommodates a reservoir 20 for liquid fabric conditioner.The reservoir, which is shown in more detail in Figures 2to 4, is of long narrow configuration, enabling itto be housed in the confined space available in the washing machine,and consequently, in orderto provide a reasonable capacity- up to say one litre-is arranged to extend from thefrontto the rear of the machine. The reservoir 20 is formed as a two-part moulding of clear polystyrene, and comprises a lower part 21 with upstanding side and end walls which provides the containment part of the reservoir, and a fixed lid 22 which is conveniently secured to the upper edge of the part 21 by ultrasonic welding.In view of its length, provision is madeforthefitting of in this case two (though there may be more) dividers as The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

at 23 which are slotted between pairs of ribs 24 provided on each side of the inside of the container at appropriate positions, the dividers 24, which are constructed to permit the passage of liquid, possibly bythe provision of openings as at 23.1, serving to preventthesidewallsofthecontainerfrom caving in.

Afilling hole 25 forthe liquid is provided in a side wall towards the front of the container, the hole being located in a recessed housing 26to enable fitting of a removable sealing plug 27 as shown in Fig. 5, without the plug extending beyond the profile ofthe container.

An outlet hole 28 is provided in the base ofthe container part 21 and a vent hole 29 of minimal size is provided in the lid 22to enable relief of any air lock in the system butwithoutallowing leakage of any significant amount of the liquid when the reservoir is being handled, such as during filling. It is arranged for the filling hole to be in close proximity to the outlet hole so as to permit ready cleaning. The lower part of the container includes a recess 31 extending from one .end to the other and which serves as a guide when sliding the container into its operating position in the washing machine. The recess also serves as a housing forthe connecting arrangement linking the reservoir with the dispensing chamber and which will be described in more detail later.The reservoir is slidably supported in its housing so asto be removable from the washing machine in the manner of a drawer. The rear portion of the lid (as housed in the washing machine) is provided on its upper surface with a ramp 32 and detent 33 of such inclination and shape asto permit engagement with a spring clip 34, attached to a rearwall 66 of the washing machine by a screw 35, when the reservoir has been pushed fully into its housing as shown in Figure 6. The arrangement ensures that the reservoir does not come loose, for example, during the spinning operation when vibrations might be set up in the machine cabinet.A lip 36 is provided on one edge of each of the container and the lid, atthefront, to enable the reservoirto be more easily removed from the washing maching for filling and!orcleaning. The construction ofthe reservoir from clear polystyrene conveniently allows the level of liquid present to be viewed when the reservoir is housed in the washing machine.

Beneath the reservoir20there is located a dispenser 50 as shown in more detail in Figures 7 and 8. This comprises a moulded container 51 to which is attached by ultrasonic welding a moulded base 61 including an upwardly extending pipe 62. Surmount ing the top ofthe pipe is a valve 53 of hollow conical form which operates as in the arrangement described in Patent Application No.8234751, the valve being arranged to prevent or allowflowof liquid into the dispensing chamber 50 th roug h an opening 63 in the top. The opening 63 is atthe inner end of an elbow connection 54 projecting from the top of the dispens ing chamber for connection to the reservoir outlet as will be subseqently described.A local compartment 55 is formed within and to one side ofthe lower part of the chamber, and has a restricted liquid connection with the main cjmpartment via a gap 56; thisforms a syphon arrangement which, together with a connec tor 57 projecting therefrom, and pipe 65, which connectstoa region ofthewash drum lowerthan the dispenser, are equivalent in operation to the pipe which extends towards the bottom of the dispenser of the arrangement described in the above Patent Application.The chamber has an upperconnection 58, which can be linked by a pipe 64to the upper part of the wash drum.The top of the dispensing chamber carries a spigot 59 which, with a flange 60 forming part of the lower part of the elbow connection 54, provides meansforsecuring the chamber to the inside ofthe washing machine cabinet.

The arrangementfor removably connecting the reservoir 20 to the dispensing chamber 50 so as to enable liquid in the reservoirtobegravityfedtothe chamber is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, and comprises a valve 40 slidably mounted in a housing 41 which is attached to the underside of the reservoir20 by a hollow spigot 42. which fits into the opening 28 in the base ofthe reservoir and whose bore provides the outlet 43 of the reservoir. Over the end of the spigot is fitted a spring clip 43a to permit this securement, a sealing washer 43b being fitted between the housing and the reservoirto prevent any leakage of liquid.

Figure 9 shows the valve in its 'closed' position, i.e. the outlet from the reservoir is closed off by a portion 40a of the valve, whilst Figure 10 shows the valve in its 'open' position,the hole40b in the valve coinciding with the outlet so asto allow liquid from the reservoir to pass into the central open-ended cavity 40c of the valve.The connection arrangement is such that when the aforementioned housing and valve is inserted in the washing machine (as part of the reservoir) contact is made with the outer end ofthe elbow connection of the dispensing chamber, as in Figure 9, further inward movement ofthe reservoir forcing the housing over the connection which has its inlet orifice 54a in contact with the orifice 40d of the valve against the pressure of a spring 45which is located in the annular space 46 between the valve and the housing. Afixing screw 47 and washer48serve to limit movement of the valve see Figure 9, and the spring ensures return of the valve to its closed position when the reservoir is removed.

Once the connection is made, as in Figure 10, liquid can flow from the reservoir to the dispensing cham ber. '0' ring seals are provided at 49a, 49b and 49cto prevent leaking ofthe liquid beyond the flow path of the liquid according to the position of the valve, i.e.

whether 'open' or 'closed'.

Operation of the dispenser is generally in accordance with that described in the Patent Application No.

8234751, that is to say with the reservoir 20 in position and the valve 53 open, liquid fabric conditionerfrom the reservoirflowsfromthe reservoir 20 into the dispensing chamber 50, via the elbow connection 54.

The outlet pipes 64,65 from the dispensing chamber 50 are also filled to the level of conditioner in the reservoir 20. When the washing machine control system requests fabric conditioner, a solenoid oper ated valve (notshown) isopenedtocausewaterto flow into the dispensing chamber under pressure through the inlet pipe 62. The flow ofwaterfromthe pipe causes the valve 53 to rise, thereby blocking off the opening 63.

The water enters the dispensing chamber 50 through the gap between the upper end of the pipe 62 and the skirt 53a of the valve 53, flowing downwards towardsthebottom ofthechamberandmixingwith the fabric conditioner in the chamber, the mixturethen being fed to the wash drum through both pipes 64, 65; the flow of water is continued for a sufficient length of time to ensure that the chamber 50 and the pipes 64, 65 are thoroughly flushed of conditioner.

The solenoid valve is then de-energised and the flow of water stops; as air can enterthetop of the chamber through the pipe 64 it allows water remaining in the chamber 50to syphon into the wash drum through the pipe 65. At the same time the valve 53 drops back on to the pipe 62 and allows the chamberto re-fill with fabric conditionerfrom the reservoir20,the rate offlow of the conditioner into the chamber 50 being sufficiently below that at which liquid is discharged from the chamber bythesyphoning process to ensurethatthe chamber is virtually completely emptied and the process terminated.

The arrangement ofthe present invention has the advantagethatthe reservoir, being removable, permits easierfilling and cleaning than a reservoirwhich is permanently located often in a relatively inaccessible position. Moreover, location of the end of the reservoir adjacent the control panel makes for ready insertion and removal by the user.

It is envisaged that in a washing machine in which liquid detergent as well as liquid fabric conditioner is to be used, provision oftwo such systems mounted alongside each other, or a common system having two individual compartments for the different liquids, could be provided. Such a system would enable the conventional drawer-type dispenser for powdered detergent to be dispensed with.

The invention is, however, not restricted to washing machines but could have other applications where there is a need for conveniently removable reservoirs for dispensers.

Claims (9)

1. A liquid-dispensing arrangement comprising a reservoirforsaid liquid and a dispenserfor receiving liquid from the reservoir, a housing for accommodating the reservoir in an operating position and from which the reservoir can be withdrawn, and means for forming a liquid-tightconnection between an outlet fromthe reservoir and an inlettothedispenserwhen the reservoir is placed in the operating position, the reservoir incorporating a valve which is open to allow the passage of liquid from the reservoir outlet when the reservoir is in its operating position, but is operable to close the outlet when the reservoir is withdrawn from the operating position.

2. An arrangementaccordingto Claim 1 wherein the liquid-tight connection is formed automatically between the reservoir outlet and the dispenser inlet when the reservoir is placed in the operating position.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein the valve is operable automatically to close the reservoir outlet when the reservoir is withdrawn.

4. An arrangement according to Claim 3 wherein the valve is closed by means of a spring, and movement of the reservoir into its operating position produces a displacementofthe valve againstthe spring bias sufficient to open the valve.

5. An arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the reservoir is slidable relative to the housing so that it can be withdrawn therefrom by a sliding motion and is associated with catch means for securing it in its operating position.

6. An arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the valve forms part of a hollow plungerslidablysupported in a tubular housing, the dispenser inlet being provided by a tube the end of which is arranged to engage the end of the plunger and depress it within the housing, so asto effect the opening of the valve and also connectthe reservoir outlet, via the interiorofthe plunger,tothe dispenser tube, when the reservoir is placed into its operating position.

7. An arrangement according to any preceding Claim for an automatic clothes washing machine having a control panel at the frontface of the machine wherein the reservoir housing is located in or adjacent the control panel, and the reservoir is removablefrom the front of the machine.

8. A dispensing arrangementsubstantiallyas shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 ofthe accompanying drawings.

9. An automatic clothes washing machine incorporating a liquid-dispensing arrangement according to any preceding Claim.