NZ198959A - Two compartment dispenser for detergent and rinsing agent in dishwasher-single solenoid operation - Google Patents

Description

19895 aww«wiw»iww«caa»w»»wiwiiiii>w»'i imhb«C——wi ww nw Pri#*f*3v H-- V<f*V ^ ' If' 80 • I 1 Iv!; ci ^ &]• 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 • 1 • ■ • Compete Opacification Filed: **»»*. nDL...)Mm.m 1? X Joomrt Pta *2*2 V* Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 195 3 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "DISPENSING UNIT" -VWE W.A. DEUTSHER PROPRIETARY LIMITED, a company . incorporated under the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia, o|? Goo -^ou 0 c^c( ^ /V)00r&fc>biv\ f VA c\ 7 I ^9■ 1 (X<j $Wa(i c* , hereby declare the invention, for which-I-/we pray that a patent may be granted to -me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- 198959 This invention relates to a dispensing unit and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a dispensing unit for the dispensing of detergent and rinsing agent in a dishwasher.

Modern dishwashers generally have the container for the detergent and the reservoir for the rinsing agent incorporated in the structure of the door. The detergent container must be filled for each complete cycle whilst the rinsing agent reservoir is filled intermittently as only a small quantity is required for each complete cycle of the dishwasher. The dispensing of the detergent and rinsing aid is normally performed by special controls for each with each control being operated by a solenoid,,the activation being by a single time. In some cases the dispensing unit is activated by mechanical means.

These controls are somewhat bulky and relatively expensive.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive and simple unit for dispensing two different agents at different periods of time. Another object of the invention in a preferred form is to provide electical means for controlling the dispensing of the detergent and of the rinsing agent of a dishwasher machine, which will be of simplified design and construction. A dependant object is to enable the use of a single solenoid for controlling the dispensing of the detergent CM 2. 198959 and rinsing agent.

According to the present invention, there is provided a dispensing unit for flowable materials, said unit including a hollow housing, first and second compartments defined within said housing and each being adapted to store a respective said material, a separate discharge port for each said compartment through which material can escape from said housing, closure means for said discharge ports mounted on said housing for movement between port open and closed positions, a solenoid connected to said housing and being movable back and forth between two positions as a consequence of energization and de-energization, and coupling means connecting said solenoid to said closure means so that said solenoid movement will cause the first compartment discharge port to be opened while the second discharge port remains closed and will subsequently cause the second compartment discharge port to open.

The essential features of the invention, and further optional features, are described in detail in the following passages of the specification which refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings however, are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, so that the specific^form.-and arrangement of the features (whether they be essential or optional features) shown is not to be understood as limiting on the invention.

CM 3. 198959 Jn the drawings; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one possible form of the invention shown incorporated in the door of a dishwashing machine.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the dispenser unit of the invention prepared ready for use.

Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the dispenser unit shown in Figures 1 and 2, but on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is an end elevation view of the dispenser unit shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the dispenser unit shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the unit as shown in Figure 3.and which is in the condition as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a partial view similar to Figure 9 but showing the volumetric capacity of the metering chamber adjusted.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of Figure 9.

CM 4. 19 8959 Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the unit in a subsequent condition of operation.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 but showing the unit in a Still later condition of operation.

The dispenser unit shown in the drawings is particularly suited for use in a dishwasher and Figure 1 shows such a unit mounted within the door 2 of dishwasher 3. The unit 1 includes a hollow housing 4 which defines a detergent compartment 5 and a rinse aid compartment 6 (Figure 6). In the particular example shown, the compartment 5 is adapted to contain a detergent powder and the compartment 6 is adapted to contain a liquid rinse aid, but different materials may be contained by corresponding compartments in other applications of the invention. 1 For dishwashing purposes, the detergent is introduced into the interior 7 of the dishwasher 3 (Figure 1) at an appropriate time in the dishwashing cycle and the rinse aid is introduced at a subsequent point in time, as again determined by the washing cycle. The compartments 5 and 6 of the unit 1 therefore need to be opened to the dishwashing interior 7 at different times. Furthermore, in the particular example under consideration, the entire contents of the detergent compartment 5 is dispensed each time that CM 5. 198959 compartment is opened, ,whereas the jrinse aid compartment 6 dispenses a metered quantity only each time it is opened. As a result, the compartment 5 requires refilling each time the dishwasher 3 is used, but the compartment 6 is filled only as required.

When the unit 1 is mounted for use as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the compartment 5 communicates with the dishwasher interior 7 through a discharge port 8, which is generally substantially rectangular in shape as best shown in Figure 1. In the construction shown, a hinged flap or door 9 is operable to form closure means for the port 8 and that door 9 preferably includes a resilient gasket 10 which is engageable with a rectangular rib 11 of the housing 4 which surrounds the discharge port 8. The door 9 is hinged at 12 for movement relative to the housing 4 and a spring (not shown) is mounted at the hinge 12 in such a manner as to urge the door 9 towards the open position (Figure 1). A latch 13 releasably retains the door 9 in the closed position (Figure 2) in a manner hereinafter described.

The compartment 6 communicates with the dishwasher interior 7 through a discharge port 14 and, in the construction shown, closure means for that port includes a valve member 15 which is operable to engage against an inner valve seat 16 to close the port 14 as shown in Figure 6. As also shown in Figure 6, part of the hinged door 9 overlies the CM 6. 198959 port 14 so that when, the door 9 is closed the gasket 10 engages against an outer valve seat 17 which also surrounds the port 14.

It is a feature of the construction shown that opening and closing movement of both the door 9 and the valve member 15 is controlled through a single solenoid 18 (Figures 6 and 7). A plunger 19 of the solenoid 18 is operable to move rearwardly away from the compartment 5 when the solenoid 18 is energized and a coil compression spring 20 is operable to return the plunger 19 to its forward position as shown in Figure 6 when the solenoid 18 is de-energized. It will be appreciated however, that other arrangements may be adopted to suit different circumstances.

Coupling means connects the solenoid plunger 19 to both the hinged door 9 and the valve member 15 and in the construction shown the connection to the door 9 is by way of the latch 13. It is preferred, as shown, for the coupling means to include a bracket 21 having an arm 22 which is rigidly secured to the solenoid plunger 19 and a cross-bar 23 which is connected to the valve member 15 and the latch 13 respectively at opposite ends 24 and 25. The arm 22 and the cross-bar 2 3 may be formed integral as shown.

In the preferred construction shown, a cylindrical stem 26 projects from and is integral with the bracket end 24. The stem 26 forms the body of the valve CM 7. ,19 8959 member 15 and is surrounded by a, cylindrical sleeve 2 7 of a relatively flexible material. A step 28 formed at the outer end portion 29 of the valve member 15 is adapted to engage against the valve seat 16 and the flexible nature of the sleeve 27 assists in obtaining a substantially fluid tight seal when that engagement occurs. The valve member 15 projects through an opening 30 provided in a rear wall 31 of the housing 4 and a flange 32 formed integral with the inner end portion 33 of the sleeve 27 provides a closure cap for the opening 30. It will be appreciated that the valve 15 will move back and forth with the solenoid plunger 19 so that energization and de-energization of the solenoid 18 has a direct influence on the position of the valve member 15 relative to the valve seat 16.

The latch 13 may be formed in any appropriate manner, but in the particular construction shown, it includes a detent member 34 mounted at one end 35 of a pivoted arm 36 so as to be movable between latching and de-latching positions. The arm 36 is interposed between the door 9 and the housing 4 when the door 9 is closed (figure 6) and a neck section 37 passes through an opening 38 in the door 9 to connect the detent member 34 and the arm end 35. The opposite end 39 of the arm 36 is formed integral with a cylindrical pivot rod 4 0 which extends through and is rotatably mounted in a lower CM 8. tl 9 8959 wall 41 of the housing 4.

As best seen in Figure 7, the rotational axis of the pivot rod 40 extends substantially at right angles to the arm 36 so that pivotal movement of the arm 36 causes the detent member 34 to move up or down relative to the door opening 38.. That assumes of course that the housing 4 has an upright disposition as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Such pivotal movement is controlled by a lever 42 formed integral with the inner end of the pivot rod 40 and extending therefrom towards the coupling bracket 21. The control lever 4 2 and coupling bracket 21 are preferably connected through a cam mechanism such that reciprocation of the solenoid plunger 19 causes pivotal movement of the latch arm 35.

In the construction shown, the cam mechanism includes a slot 4 3 formed through a lug 44 proyided at the end 25 of the bracket 21. A pin 4 5 secured ■,) to the adjacent end 46 of the lever 42 projects into the slot 4 3 and is slidable therein. The slot 4 3 slopes as shown so as to have a ramping effect on the pin 45 when the solenoid plunger 19 moves back and forth such that the lever end 46 is moved up and down. Such up and down movement of the lever end 46 naturally causes the pivot rod 40 to oscillate and that in turn causes the detent member 34 to move up and down.

As shown, the detent member 34 has two abutment CM 9. 198959 faces - an upper face 47 and a lower face 48, The faces 4 7 and 4 8 are adapted to co-operate with respective latching faces 49 and 50 formed on opposite sides of the door opening 38. In the arrangement shown, the abutment face 4 7 is located closer to the housing 4 than is the abutment face 48 and the two latching faces 49 and 50 are substantially coplanar. That arrangement allows the latch 13 to release the door 9 in two stages as hereinafter desribed, but other arrangements could be adopted for the same purpose. A ramping face 51 is provided at the upper side of the door opening 38 for a reason hereinafter made clear.

.The rinse aid compartment is preferably divided into a main chamber 52 and a metering chamber 53 which are able to communicate through a transfer opening 54 (figures 9 and 11). The division is preferably formed by a wall 55 which, as shown in Figure 9, is located between upper and lower walls 56 and 57 of the compartment 6. Those relative terms are of course used on the assumption that the unit 1 is located in the upright position Which it adopts when the associated dishwasher door 2 is closed. The arrangement is such that, when the door 2 isopened to adopt the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, liquid in the main chamber 52 will pass through the transfer opening 54 and thence along the passage 58 to enter the metering chamber 53.

CM . 198959 When the door 2 is then closed, liquid not captured by the recess defining the metering chamber 53 will return to the main chamber 52 by way of transfer opening 54. As shown more clearly in Figure 10,the upper surface 62 of the liquid retained in the metering chamber 53 is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the dividing wall 55.

As a result of the foregoing, a predetermined quantity of liquid will remain available for escape through the discharge port 14. Means may be provided to enable variation of that predetermined quantity to suit requirements and in the construction shown, such means comprises a member 59 rotatably mounted on the housing 4 and being adjustable to vary the volumetric capactiy of the metering chamber 53. For that purpose, the member 59 may be semi-circular in cross section as shown in Figures 9 and 10 and is rotatable so as to be completely clear of the ') metering chamber 53 as shown in Figure 9, partly located in the chamber 53 as shown in Figure 10, or completely immersed in the chamber 5 3 (not shown) . A hand engageable knob 60 is connected to the member 59 and is accessible at the front of the unit 1 as shown in Figures .2 and 7. Liquid in the metering chamber 53 communicates with the discharge port 14 by way of a slot 61 formed through the base of the chamber 53 (Figure 7).

CM 11. '198959 Assuming that the unit 1 is mounted in a dishwasher door 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the unit door 9 will be open .(.figure 1) prior to commencement of a dishwashing cycle. Detergent powder can be placed in the compartment 5 and the door 9 is closed as shown in Figure 2. In that regard,: the ramping face 51 of the door 9 engages sloping face 63 of the detent member 34 to force that member downwards to permit the door to reach the fully closed position as shown in Figure 6. The resilience of the latch arm 36 allows such movement and serve^to return the detent member 34 to its operative position as also shown in Figure 6. The dishwasher door 2 is then closed for commencement of a washing cycle and a charge of liquid is left in the metering chamber 53 in the manner previously described.

When the dishwasher cycle commences a timer (not shown) is energized so that after a predetermined period of time that timer functions to cause v. energization of the solenoid 18. The plunger 19 is thereby pulled back against the spring 20 carrying the coupling bracket 21 with it. Such rearward movement of the bracket 21 causes the valve member 15 to move clear of the inner valve seat 16 and the end 46 of the lever 42 to rise due to the coaction of slot 4 3 and pin 45. As a consequence, the detent member 34 is swung downwards so that the abutment face CM 12. 19 8959 4 7 is clear of the door latching face 49 and the door 9 then starts to open under the influence of its biasing spring. Movement beyond a partially open position as shown in Figure 12 is prevented however, because of co-action between the abutment face and the door latching face 50.

Thus, in the Figure 12 condition some detergent may escape from the compartment 5 and the discharge port 14 is not closed by the valve member 15. The door 9 however, remains in a position such that it effectively closes the port 14 and thereby prevents discharge of liquid from the metering chamber 53.

After a further delay as determined by the timer, the solenoid 18 is de-energized so that the spring 20 functions to push the plunger 19 back to its original position (see Figure 13). The valve member 15 is thereby caused to engage the inner valve seat 16 and close the discharge port 14. The detent member 34 rises because of the co-action between the slot 4 3 and pin 4 5 and the abutment face 48 clears the door latching face 50. At that time, the abutment face 47 is located rearwardly of the door latching face 49 so that nothing prevents the door 9 from swinging into its fully open position as shown in Figure 13. At this stage, the bulk of the detergent is dispensed and the door 9 is cleared from the discharge port 14 so that port is controlled solely by the valve member 15. 13. (19 895 Subsequent re-energization of the solenoid 18 causes the valve member 15 to pull back from the inner valve seat 16 so opening the port 14 for discharge of the liquid contained in the metering chamber 53. Such re-energisation however, has no.. influence on the door 9 because of its fully open condition. After a suitable period of time the solenoid 18 is again de-energised to return the valve member 15 to the port closing position and the unit 1 is then in a condition for recharging with detergent for a subsequent dishwashing cycle. Metering chamber 53 refills automatically as previously described as a consequence of opening and closing of the dishwasher door 2. The door 9 of the unit 1 must be manually closed prior to commencement of the next cycle.

It will be clear from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a simple yet effective dispensing unit which is particularly suitable for use with dishwashers. The use of a single solenoid to control each of two material chambers contributes to the simplicity of the unit.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

CM 14.

Claims (15)

198959 WHAT 4/WE CLAW*! IS:- The claims defining the jji.yctnti.on arc gp follows:

1. A dispensing unit for flowable materials, said unit including a hollow housing, first and second compartments defined within said housing and each being adapted to store a respective said material, a separate discharge port for each said compartment through which material can escape from said housing, closure means for said discharge ports mounted on said housing for movement between port open and closed positions, a solenoid connected to said housing and being movable back and forth between two positions as a consequence of energization and de-energization, and coupling means connecting said solenoid to said closure means so that said solenoid movement will cause the first compartment discharge port to be opened while the second discharge port remains closed and will subsequently cause the second compartment discharge port to open.

2. A dispensing unit according to Claim 1, wherein said second compartment discharge port is opened and then closed by said solenoid movement over a time period during which said first compartment discharge port remains open.

3. A dispensing unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said closure means includes two separately movable closure members, one of which is movable by said solenoid between positions at which it respectively opens and closes said second compartment discharge port, and the other said closure member is operative to close CM 15. (| 9 said fijrst compartment discharge port and is responsive to said solenoid movement to adopt a port open position.

4. A dispensing unit according to Claim 3, wherein said other closure member is is biased towards said port open position, latch means is operative to hold said other closure member against movement towards said port open position, and said coupling means connects said solenoid and said latch means so that said solenoid movement causes said latch means to release said other closure member.

5. A dispensing unit according to claim 4, wherein said coupling means connects said solenoid and said one closure member so that said one closure member opens said second compartment discharge port when the solenoid moves in one direction and closes that port when the solenoid moves in the opposite direction, and said other closure member functions to close said second compartment discharge port while retained by said latch means.

6. A dispensing unit according to claim 5, wherein said latch means releases said other closure member when said solenoid is at or near the end of its movement in said opposite direction, and said one closure member is moved to open said second compartment discharge port by subsequent movement of said solenoid in said one direction.

7. A dispensing unit according to claim 6, wherein CM 16. 198959 said latch means partially releases said other closure in response to movement of said solenoid in said one direction, said partial release allows said closure member to: move to a position at which said first compartment discharge port is partly open but said second compartment discharge port is closed by said other closure member, and said latch means fully releases said other closure member in response to movement of said solenoid in said opposite direction.

8. A dispensing unit according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said one closure member is a valve member located within said housing for movement into and out of engagement with an inner valve seat associated with said second compartment discharge port.

9. A dispensing unit according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein said other closure member is a flap hingedly mounted on an outer surface of said housing and being spring biased towards an open position.

10. A dispensing unit according to claim 9, wherein said flap has resilient gasket means which is engageable against an outer valve seat associated with said second compartment discharge port.

11. A dispensing unit according to claim 10, wherein said gasket means is also engageable with a valve seat surrounding said first compartment discharge port.

12. A dispensing unit according to any preceding claim, wherein said second compartment has an internal wall CM 17. 19 8959 which divides said compartment into a main chamber and a metering chamber, said second compartment discharge port communicates with said metering chamber, and a transfer opening provides communication between said chambers and is arranged to allow material to flow from said main chamber to said metering chamber when said dispensing unit has one particular disposition but not when said unit has another disposition.

13. A dispensing unit according to claim 12, wherein regulating means is provided to permit selective variation of the volumetric capacity of said metering chamber.

14. A dispensing unit according to any preceding claim when connected to the access door of a dish washing machine.

15. A dispensing unit as herein particularly described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANTS CM 18.