US20240180390A1 - Washing agent dispenser - Google Patents
Washing agent dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20240180390A1 US20240180390A1 US18/553,485 US202218553485A US2024180390A1 US 20240180390 A1 US20240180390 A1 US 20240180390A1 US 202218553485 A US202218553485 A US 202218553485A US 2024180390 A1 US2024180390 A1 US 2024180390A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- body part
- wall
- dispensing unit
- washing agent
- front body
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/42—Details
- A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
- A47L15/4409—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants by tipping containers or opening their lids, e.g. with the help of a programmer
Definitions
- 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.
- 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”.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- this frame 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.
- 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.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwashing machine, with a front door in an open position;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a first part and a second part of the dispensing unit of FIGS. 2 and 3 ;
- FIG. 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;
- FIG. 7 is a detail of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 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;
- FIG. 9 is a detail of FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 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;
- FIGS. 11 and 12 are details of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 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;
- FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 15 is a detail of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of a part of the dispensing unit of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 18 shows three details of FIG. 17 ;
- FIGS. 19 and 20 are perspective views of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an element of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 23 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit of the type shown in FIG. 22 ;
- FIG. 24 is a partial and schematic section of a dispensing unit of the type shown in FIG. 22 ;
- FIG. 25 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a portion of a dispensing unit of the type shown in FIG. 22 , in two different conditions.
- FIG. 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.
- 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.
- 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 5 a 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.
- a dispensing unit of washing agents indicated as a whole with 10 and only schematized in FIG. 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 5 a defined herein as “outer” of the mounting wall for the unit 10 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 5 b for example in FIGS. 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 5 a of the inner door panel 5 .
- the dispensing unit 10 comprises a dispenser body 11 , which is preferably formed at least in part with moulded thermoplastic material.
- 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.).
- 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 5 a 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.
- 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 ′.
- 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 5 a of the inner door panel 5 (this opening is indicated with B for example in FIGS. 9 and 13 ).
- a receptacle in the front of body 11 , or of the front part 11 ′′, a receptacle is defined, indicated by 12 for example in FIGS. 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).
- 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).
- 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 .
- the small door 13 can be constrained relative to the dispenser body 11 by means of sliding guides 14 (only one visible in FIGS. 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 13 a on the small door 13 .
- the small door 13 is mounted for sliding within the area indicated with A in FIGS.
- 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.
- 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.
- a fluid washing agent for example a liquid rinse aid
- body 11 has associated thereto a system for dosing and dispensing such a fluid washing agent.
- a lid 15 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 15 a .
- 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 FIGS. 6 , 8 and 9 , with the lid 15 that obtains a closing element of the aforementioned mouth (the mouth is visible in FIG. 16 , where it is indicated with 12 a ′).
- the inlet of the reservoir could be closed by a plug, for example to be opened/closed via angular or rotational movements.
- the lid 15 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.
- 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 11 a and 11 b and two transverse walls 11 c and 11 d , 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.
- At least one of the transverse walls 11 c and 11 d has at least one portion of a reduced height compared to the longitudinal walls 11 a and 11 b , in order to enable the displacement of a small door of the dispensing unit 10 .
- the transverse wall 11 c has a first portion of reduced height 11 c ′, 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.
- the wall 11 c has an additional area of reduced height, indicated with 11 c ′′, in a position corresponding to the locking lever 15 a of the cover 15 .
- the wall 11 c may in any case have as a whole a reduced height compared to the walls 11 a and 11 b .
- the opposite transverse wall 11 d 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 11 a and 11 b : the latter case is for example exemplified in F 4 .
- 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.
- there is also an additional longitudinal wall, indicated with 11 e which extends in an intermediate position and generally parallel to walls 11 a and 11 b ; in the example the longitudinal wall 11 e extends entirely between walls 11 c and 11 d.
- the intermediate wall 11 e 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.
- the intermediate wall 11 e has, on its side facing the wall 11 a , a respective part of the sliding guides 14 for the small door 13 (see FIG. 10 as a reference).
- FIGS. 6 - 13 a portion of the inner door pane 5 is visible, on which the dispensing unit 10 is mounted.
- the mounting wall could be one of the fixed walls of the tank 3 , for example the wall indicated with 5 ′ in FIG. 1 .
- the inner door panel 5 is provided with a through-opening, indicated with B in FIGS. 9 , 11 and 13 , for mounting the unit 10 .
- 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.
- 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).
- the dispenser body 11 is partially inserted into the opening B, starting from the mounting side 5 a 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 5 a designed to face the inside of the washing tank.
- 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.
- the front body part 11 ′′ has dimensions of perimetral encumbrance greater than the through-opening B and that the rear body part 11 ′ 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 clastic compression, in order to exert a seal at least between the front body part 11 ′′ and the mounting side 5 a of wall 5 .
- the gasket 20 has preferably an annular shape, here generally quadrangular with rounded corners, particularly substantially rectangular.
- the gasket 20 has a fixing portion designed to be coupled in a corresponding seat S ( FIGS. 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 5 a of the corresponding wall 5 of the washing tank.
- 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 5 a and a corresponding area of the front body part 11 ′′ (see in FIG. 9 the protruding side lip indicated with 20 a 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 clastic coupling elements, or a frame, only schematized and partially visible in FIGS. 9 and 13 , indicated by F.
- a frame F can be for example of the type described in WO2019243997 A1, 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.
- 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 5 b of the inner door panel, so determining a mutual fixing.
- the fixing means are provided at the peripheral profile of the rear part 11 ′ 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 .
- 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 5 b of the same inner door panel, or at the end of the lip B′ of the same opening B.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 ′′.
- the at least one covering element fulfils decorative or aesthetic functions, not excluding with that it may also fulfil other functions, as exemplified below.
- the element 30 has a respective body, preferably formed from plastic material, for example, moulded thermoplastic material.
- 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 FIG. 2 .
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 ′′.
- 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 11 a and 11 b and the transverse walls 11 c and 11 d 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 11 a and 11 b or of the two transverse walls 11 c and 11 d 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.
- two covering bodies i.e., two covering elements
- the body of the element 30 has two opposite longitudinal flanks 30 a and 30 b and two opposite transverse flanks 30 c , 30 d , in positions corresponding to the longitudinal walls 11 a and 11 b and the transverse walls 11 c and 11 d , respectively, of the body part 11 ′′.
- the longitudinal flanks 30 a , 30 b and the transverse flanks 30 c . 30 d 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.
- the outer walls of the flanks are indicated with 31 a , 31 b , 31 c and 31 d in FIGS. 3 and 5
- corresponding inner walls of the flanks are indicated with 32 a , 32 b , 32 c and 32 d in FIG. 5 .
- each outer wall 31 a , 31 b , 31 c and 31 d is spaced from the respective inner wall 32 a , 32 b , 32 c and 32 d , so that the flanks 30 a - 30 d each have a structure at least partly hollow, delimited laterally by the respective outer and inner walls.
- the outer walls 31 a - 31 d 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.
- the inner walls 32 a , 32 b , 32 c and 32 d 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 ′′.
- the element 30 has an upper side, indicated as a whole with 33 for example in FIGS. 2 and 3 , which covers at least partially the upper face of the front body part 11 ′′.
- the upper side 33 comprises at least two longitudinal portions, indicated with 33 a and 33 b for example in FIG. 3 , designed to cover the top of the longitudinal walls 11 a and 11 b of the front body part 11 ′′.
- At least one of the transverse flanks 30 c , 30 d 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 .
- the flank 30 c has one such portion—indicated with 30 c ′—in a position corresponding to the small door 13 , i.e., at the portion 11 c ′ of the wall 11 c 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 .
- At least one of the transverse flanks 30 c . 30 d 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 .
- the flank 30 d has a plurality of said passages—indicated with 30 d ′—configured as through-openings.
- two through-openings 30 d ′ 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 30 d ′.
- a through-opening 30 d ′ 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 30 d ′ (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).
- At least one of the transverse flanks 30 c . 30 d 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.
- the flank 30 c has one such a portion—indicated with 30 c ′′—in a position corresponding to the lid 15 , i.e., at the portion 11 c ′ of the wall 11 c of the part 11 ′′ of the dispenser body 11 : the presence of the portion of reduced thickness 30 c ′′ allows to facilitate manual switching of the locking lever 15 a of the small door 15 by a user (see also FIG. 10 ).
- 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 .
- 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 30 a , 30 b , with the corresponding coupling means on the front body part 11 ′′ provided on the outside of the longitudinal walls 11 a and 11 b ; in addition or as an alternative, coupling means on the element 30 can be provided on the inner side of the transverse flanks 30 c , 30 d , with the corresponding coupling means on the front body part 11 ′′ provided on the outside of the transverse walls 11 c and 11 d .
- 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.
- respective coupling elements 34 designed for engagement with corresponding coupling elements 17 provided on the outside of the longitudinal walls 11 a and 11 b of the body part 11 ′′.
- the elements 34 are in the form of seats, in which the elements 17 are engageable, basically configured in the form of protruding teeth.
- the aforementioned teeth define an inclined ramp, in order to obtain a substantially snap hooking with the aforementioned seats.
- 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.
- coupling elements can be provided, designed for engagement with corresponding coupling elements provided on the outside of the transverse walls 11 c and 11 d of the body part 11 ′′.
- the inner wall 32 c has, substantially at the portion of reduced height 30 c ′ (see also FIG. 2 ), a seat 35 in which a relief 18 protruding or overhanging from the transverse wall 11 c of the body part 11 ′′ can be engaged.
- the at least one tooth 36 engageable with respect to a protruding relief 19 of the transverse wall 11 d 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.
- 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.
- the coupling means 34 , 35 and 36 are defined within continuous walls of the element 30 , that is, the internal walls 32 a - 32 d 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 .
- the walls 32 - 32 d could be replaced by separate wall portions, for example each in the form of a fin, provided with one or more respective coupling means.
- the internal walls 32 a - 32 d 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.
- 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 32 a - 32 d , from a different function, such as a decorative function, obtained via the external walls 31 a - 31 d : 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 .
- 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.
- the coupling means provided for in the covering element 30 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.
- 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 ).
- the upper side 33 of the element 30 can be provided with a corresponding intermediate longitudinal portion, indicated by 33 c for example in FIGS. 3 , 5 and 6 , which at least partially covers the top of the intermediate wall 11 e .
- the presence of the intermediate portion 33 e 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 .
- FIGS. 6 - 13 the assembled condition of the element 30 on the body 11 is visible in cross-section.
- the coupled condition of the fixing means 17 and 34 is particularly visible, while in FIGS. 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 5 a 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.
- the same FIGS. 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 5 a 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 5 a of the mounting wall 5 .
- the annular gasket 40 formed for example with elastomer material, is mounted in a position closer to each outer wall 31 a - 31 d of the flanks 3 a - 30 d , than to each corresponding inner wall 32 a - 32 d .
- 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 FIGS. 5 and 9 —defined in the lower wall of the element 30 .
- the seat 41 is annular and provided substantially at the lower end of the outer walls 31 a - 31 d ; this annular seat 41 is defined by the same outer walls 31 a - 31 d , on the inner side of which there is a specific portion 31 a ′- 31 d ′ that delimits the seat itself with respect to the inner surface of the walls 31 a - 31 d .
- the portions 31 a ′- 31 d ′ can be in the form of small continuous walls, as shown for example in FIG. 5 .
- 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 - 11 d , and possibly of wall 11 e , of the body part 11 ′′ and the corresponding portions 33 a , and possibly 33 e , of the upper side 33 of the element 30 .
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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 ′′.
- FIG. 1 An example of this type is schematized in F 14 - 18 .
- FIG. 1 An example of this type is schematized in F 14 - 18 .
- the bead 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 - 11 d , and possibly of the wall 11 c.
- the bead 50 includes for this purpose two longitudinal portions 50 a and 50 b , which extend on the top of walls 11 a and 11 b , two transverse portions 50 c and 50 d extending on the top of walls 11 c and 11 d , and an intermediate portion 50 e extending to the top of wall 11 e , wherein these portions of the bead 50 comprise respective sections 50 a ′- 50 c ′ that extend over the lateral ends of the aforementioned walls 11 a - 11 e (in FIG. 16 the representation of the small door 13 and the lid 15 is omitted, for the sake of clarity).
- the top of the wall 11 c of the body part 11 ′′ includes a protruding or overhanging relief 18 ′, on which the respective portion 50 c of the bead 50 extends.
- 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).
- 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 FIG. 16 (and in the details of FIG. 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 .
- additional fixing means may be provided between the body part 11 ′′ and the element 30 .
- 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).
- the adhesive for example, an adhesive that can be activated by laser—laser-activated adhesive
- flanks 30 a - 30 d 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.
- the transverse flank 30 d is substantially free of the respective inner wall, and therefore of the corresponding coupling means previously indicated with 36 .
- 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.
- a sealing arrangement including one or more gaskets may in any case be provided between these two components: the bead 50 of FIG. 16 lends itself to illustrating a possible shape of one such gasket (for this reason, in FIG. 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.
- 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 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 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”.
- 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”.
- washing agent must be understood indifferently as a cleansing substance or an accessory substance (a rinsing additive, a perfuming substance, an anti-limeseale substance, a sanitizing substance, etc.) and any combinations thereof.
- tablette 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).
- a water-soluble film typically a polymer, such as polyvinyl acetate—PVA.
- FIG. 19 One such case is exemplified in FIG. 19 , where element 30 is larger in size than the previously exemplified cases, with a wider upper side 33 .
- the portion 33 b 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.
- 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.
- a tablet can be inserted into the housing 70 before performing a washing 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.
- a housing 70 could be defined at a flank of the element 30 : examples in this sense are provided in FIGS. 20 and 21 , where the housings indicated with 70 are defined at the transverse flanks 30 c and the longitudinal flank 30 b of the element 30 , respectively.
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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 30 a.
- 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 82 a.
- 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.
- 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.
- at least of the key 81 and the slider 82 defines a retaining element, the functions of which will be clarified later.
- 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.
- 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 FIG. 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.
- 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.
- the housing 86 is defined between the walls 31 a and 32 a of the longitudinal flank 30 a , in which the opening 85 is defined, and comprises a passage of the wall 32 a for the sider 82 (see in particular FIG. 24 ).
- FIG. 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 FIG. 23 , designated by 90 a ), 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 FIG. 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 counter-element for example a tooth
- 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.
- the head 92 includes a small lever 92 a (see also FIG. 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 92 b , with which the actuation profile 82 a of the slider 82 is able to cooperate.
- a small lever 92 a (see also FIG. 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 92 b , with which the actuation profile 82 a of the slider 82 is able to cooperate.
- the wall of the dispenser body 11 corresponding to the mounting flank of the member 80 here the wall 11 a , has a passage 87 , through which a corresponding part of the slider 82 is received in a sliding way.
- the passage 87 is essentially axially aligned with the head 92 of element 90 , although this is not an essential feature.
- the end profile 92 a of the slider is suitable to cooperate with the head 92 of the element 90 , in particular with its cam 92 b , in order to cause an angular movement thereof.
- 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 FIG. 24 ).
- 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.
- the housing 86 of the element 30 i.e., its part receiving the slider 82
- 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 scar 86 a ( FIG.
- the seat 86 a is shaped so as to allow a sliding in it of the tooth 83 , and hence the sliding of the slider 82 .
- the head 92 or the driving element 90 as a whole, performs a consequent angular movement (clockwise, referring to FIG. 25 ), thereby also moving the coupling portion 92 a , which frees the corresponding counter-element on the small door 13 , freeing it for the purpose of transitioning to its opening position.
- the member 80 By subsequently interrupting the pressure on the key 81 , the member 80 will return to the original position of part A) of FIG. 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.
- 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 13 a in FIG. 2 ) and the related complications of assembly, or else to integrate a button 80 in addition to the button 13 a 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.
- 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 .
- the mechanism of the control arrangement can also include elements that move angularly, rather than linearly as in the case exemplified.
- a functional housing arrangement of the type exemplified in FIGS. 19 - 21 and/or a functional control arrangement of the type exemplified in FIGS. 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.
Landscapes
- Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
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
- 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.
- 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 A1, 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.
- 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.
- 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:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwashing machine, with a front door in an open position; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit according to possible embodiments of the invention; -
FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a first part and a second part of the dispensing unit ofFIGS. 2 and 3 ; -
FIG. 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; -
FIG. 7 is a detail ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 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; -
FIG. 9 is a detail ofFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 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; -
FIGS. 11 and 12 are details ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 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; -
FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 15 is a detail ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of a part of the dispensing unit ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 18 shows three details ofFIG. 17 ; -
FIGS. 19 and 20 are perspective views of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an element of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a dispensing unit according to possible variant embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 23 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing unit of the type shown inFIG. 22 ; -
FIG. 24 is a partial and schematic section of a dispensing unit of the type shown inFIG. 22 ; and -
FIG. 25 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a portion of a dispensing unit of the type shown inFIG. 22 , in two different conditions. - 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.
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FIG. 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, thedishwasher 1 has a cabinet orstructure 2 defining inside a washing tank orchamber 3.Reference 4 designates as a whole a front door of themachine 1, associated with thecabinet 2 such that it can be moved between an opening position and a closing position. In various embodiments, such as the exemplified one, thedoor 4 can be moved angularly between the above positions, preferably but not necessarily according to a substantially horizontal axis. Thedishwasher 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 atank wall 5, hereinafter also identified as “inner door panel”, having anouter side 5 a that obtains the front surface of thewashing 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 theinner 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 inFIG. 1 . Themachine 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 dispensingunit 10 could be installed at a through opening of any of the walls of thetank 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 dispensingunit 10 on theinner door panel 5 must also be understood as an example of the assembly of the dispensingunit 10 on any other wall of thetank 3, even a fixed wall thereof. Theside 5 a defined herein as “outer” of the mounting wall for the unit 10 (be it amovable wall 5 or afixed 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 5 b for example inFIGS. 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 amovable wall 5 or afixed wall 5′) from which the body ofdispenser 11 is inserted through the corresponding through-opening: in the embodiments exemplified, this mounting side corresponds to theouter side 5 a of theinner door panel 5. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, the dispensingunit 10 comprises adispenser body 11, which is preferably formed at least in part with moulded thermoplastic material. Preferably, thebody 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. Thebody 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
FIGS. 3 and 4 , in the example shown, thedispenser body 11 has a first body part orportion 11′, suitable to be at least partly inserted in a through-opening of thewall 5 of the tank, and a body second part orportion 11″, intended to protrude at least in part from the front orouter side 5 a of theinner door panel 5; in the following, for simplicity, the aforementioned body parts orportions 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 therear part 11″, or vice versa the back piece could also form an area of thefront part 11′. - In the preferential example shown, the
front part 11″ therefore has a greater perimetral encumbrance than therear part 11′ and the mounting through-opening, and thedispenser body 11 is inserted through this through-opening starting from theouter side 5 a of the inner door panel 5 (this opening is indicated with B for example inFIGS. 9 and 13 ). - In various embodiments, in the front of
body 11, or of thefront part 11″, a receptacle is defined, indicated by 12 for example inFIGS. 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 thereceptacle 12 a closing element is provided, here represented by a small door, indicated as a whole with 13, which is constrained to thebody 11, or to thefront part 11″. - The
small door 13 is mounted movable on thebody part 11″, so that it can move between a closing position and an opening position of thereceptacle 12. For this purpose, for example, thesmall door 13 can be constrained relative to thedispenser body 11 by means of sliding guides 14 (only one visible inFIGS. 2-3 ), and thesame body 11 can have associated thereto a suitable system for locking/releasing of thedoor 13, according to a technique known in itself. This system may also include a manually operable release element, including, for example, abutton 13 a on thesmall door 13. In the example, thesmall door 13 is mounted for sliding within the area indicated with A inFIGS. 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, thesmall 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 thesmall door 13, theunit 10 defines inside thebody 11 a reservoir for a fluid washing agent (for example a liquid rinse aid), andbody 11 has associated thereto a system for dosing and dispensing such a fluid washing agent. Referring to the non-limiting example shown inFIGS. 2-4 , next to the area where thereceptacle 12 is defined, alid 15, provided with a corresponding manually operable locking/releasing device, for example including a manuallyoperable locking lever 15 a. Thelid 15 is preferably hinged to thefront part 11″ of thedispenser body 11, for rotating according to a generally horizontal axis, but it could be mounted slidable. Thelid 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 inFIGS. 6, 8 and 9 , with thelid 15 that obtains a closing element of the aforementioned mouth (the mouth is visible inFIG. 16 , where it is indicated with 12 a′). 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 thelid 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
FIGS. 3 and 4 , in various embodiments, thepart 11′ of thebody 11 designed to protrude towards the inside of thetank 3 preferably has a generally quadrangular peripheral profile, in particular substantially rectangular, which is defined by twolongitudinal walls transverse walls part 11′ may also have different shapes, such as including curved areas. - In various embodiments, at least one of the
transverse walls longitudinal walls unit 10. In the case exemplified inFIG. 3 , thetransverse wall 11 c has a first portion of reducedheight 11 c′, substantially in a position corresponding to the area A for sliding of thesmall 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 ofFIG. 3 thewall 11 c has an additional area of reduced height, indicated with 11 c″, in a position corresponding to the lockinglever 15 a of thecover 15. Thewall 11 c may in any case have as a whole a reduced height compared to thewalls transverse wall 11 d of thepart 11″ can also include portions of reduced height, or have an as a whole a reduced height compared to thelongitudinal walls - The
small door 13 and thelid 15 are mounted at the upper face of thebody 11, corresponding to the upper face of thepart 11″ thereof. In various embodiments, at this upper face, there is also an additional longitudinal wall, indicated with 11 e, which extends in an intermediate position and generally parallel towalls longitudinal wall 11 e extends entirely betweenwalls - In various embodiments, such as that shown in
FIGS. 3-4 , theintermediate wall 11 e defines in the upper face of thedispenser body 11 two different areas, within which thesmall door 13 and thelid 15 are located, respectively. - It should be noted that, in various embodiments, such as that shown in
FIGS. 3-4 , theintermediate wall 11 e has, on its side facing thewall 11 a, a respective part of the slidingguides 14 for the small door 13 (seeFIG. 10 as a reference). - In
FIGS. 6-13 a portion of theinner door pane 5 is visible, on which thedispensing unit 10 is mounted. As mentioned, the mounting wall could be one of the fixed walls of thetank 3, for example the wall indicated with 5′ inFIG. 1 . Theinner door panel 5 is provided with a through-opening, indicated with B inFIGS. 9, 11 and 13 , for mounting theunit 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 thepart 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 ofdoor 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 mountingside 5 a of theinner door panel 5, so that therear part 11′ of thebody 11 is at least partly housed inside thedoor 4, and thefront part 11″ of thebody 11 protrudes frontally from theinner door panel 5, i.e., from itsside 5 a 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 twoparts 11′ and 11″ of thebody 11, and thedispenser body 11 is then fixed in position relative to thewall 5. Thegasket 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 therear body part 11′ of the body 11: in this way, thebody 11 can be fixed in position with thegasket 20 in a condition of at least partial clastic compression, in order to exert a seal at least between thefront body part 11″ and the mountingside 5 a ofwall 5. - The
gasket 20 has preferably an annular shape, here generally quadrangular with rounded corners, particularly substantially rectangular. Preferably, thegasket 20 has a fixing portion designed to be coupled in a corresponding seat S (FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 ) defined in thedispenser body 11, in the example substantially near the transition between the twobody parts 11′ and 11″. Thegasket 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 thedispenser body 11 and the mountingside 5 a of thecorresponding 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 thedispenser body 11, as well as a part capable of exerting an axial sealing action, interposed between the mountingside 5 a and a corresponding area of thefront body part 11″ (see inFIG. 9 the protruding side lip indicated with 20 a of the gasket 20). Thegasket 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 thewall 5 is obtained using one or more mounting elements known in themselves, for example including screws and/or clastic coupling elements, or a frame, only schematized and partially visible inFIGS. 9 and 13 , indicated by F. Such a frame F can be for example of the type described in WO2019243997 A1, and therefore it may have a substantially annular shape, in order to define a respective central passage through which therear part 11′ of thedispenser 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 thedispenser 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 dispensingbody 11 and to theinner side 5 b of the inner door panel, so determining a mutual fixing. In the example shown the fixing means are provided at the peripheral profile of therear part 11′ of thebody 11, and comprise coupling teeth orreliefs 16, which protrude outwards from the longitudinal and transverse walls of therear part 11′ of thebody 11. - For the purpose of fixing, as mentioned,
part 11′ is inserted through the opening B of theinner door panel 5, with the mounting element represented by the frame F which is arranged at theinner side 5 b of the same inner door panel, or at the end of the lip B′ of the same opening B. During the insertion, thecoupling reliefs 16 elastically snap with respect to the frame F, keeping thedispenser body 11 in position with respect to the inner door panel, thereby blocking thedispenser body 11, in a condition of partial compression of thegasket 20, which in this way can exert or improve the necessary seal. As mentioned, in any case, the fixing of therear part 11′ of thedispenser body 11 to the corresponding mountingwall 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 thefront 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 thefront 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
FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 . Theelement 30 has a respective body, preferably formed from plastic material, for example, moulded thermoplastic material. Preferably, the body of theelement 30 is in a single piece having a substantially annular shape, with a central passage in which thefront body part 11″ is housed at least partially, as is visible for example inFIG. 2 . Alternatively, theelement 30 could be made of several pieces, which can be coupled together and/or coupled to thedispenser 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 thefront body part 11″, but the case of anelement 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 anelement 30 made up of two pieces forming a L-shape, can be designed to cover two contiguous sides of the peripheral profile of thebody part 11″. Moreover, the coveringelement 30, even when made in a single piece, can be configured to cover only one side of the peripheral profile of thebody part 11″, for example at only one of thelongitudinal walls transverse walls 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 twolongitudinal walls transverse walls 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 oppositelongitudinal flanks transverse flanks longitudinal walls transverse walls body part 11″. - In various embodiments, the
longitudinal flanks transverse flanks 30 c. 30 d 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 theelement 30 in which thefront body part 11″ is received. In the example shown, the outer walls of the flanks are indicated with 31 a, 31 b, 31 c and 31 d inFIGS. 3 and 5 , while corresponding inner walls of the flanks are indicated with 32 a, 32 b, 32 c and 32 d inFIG. 5 . - Preferably, each
outer wall inner wall flanks 30 a-30 d each have a structure at least partly hollow, delimited laterally by the respective outer and inner walls. - In the example shown, the outer walls 31 a-31 d 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 theelement 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 element 30 that is substantially complementary to the peripheral profile of thefront body part 11″. - In various preferential embodiments, the
element 30 has an upper side, indicated as a whole with 33 for example inFIGS. 2 and 3 , which covers at least partially the upper face of thefront body part 11″. In the example shown, theupper side 33 comprises at least two longitudinal portions, indicated with 33 a and 33 b for example inFIG. 3 , designed to cover the top of thelongitudinal walls front body part 11″. - In various embodiments at least one of the
transverse flanks element 30 has at least one portion of reduced height, in a position substantially corresponding to a respective closing element of the dispensingunit 10. In the example shown (seeFIG. 3 ), theflank 30 c has one such portion—indicated with 30 c′—in a position corresponding to thesmall door 13, i.e., at theportion 11 c′ of thewall 11 c of thebody part 11″ of the dispenser body 11: in this way, as is apparent, thesmall door 13 is free to slide transversely along theguides 14 between the closing positions and the opening position, also protruding beyond the peripheral profile of the dispensingunit 10. - In various embodiments at least one of the
transverse flanks 30 c. 30 d of the coveringelement 30 has one or more passages, in a position substantially corresponding to a respective closing element of the dispensingunit 10. - In the example shown (see
FIG. 3 ), theflank 30 d has a plurality of said passages—indicated with 30 d′—configured as through-openings. In the example, two through-openings 30 d′ are in a position corresponding to the small door 13: in this way, when thesmall door 13 opens for dispensing purposes, the washing agent contained inreceptacle 12 is free to flow out, together with part of the washing water sprayed inside thetank 3 of the machine, through the correspondingopenings 30 d′. Similarly, a through-opening 30 d′ is in a position corresponding to the lid 15: in this way, when the fluid washing agent contained in thereservoir 12′ is dispensed, it can flow, together with part of the washing water sprayed insidetank 3 through the corresponding theopening 30 d′ (as mentioned, in the area underlying thelid 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 30 c. 30 d of the coveringelement 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
FIG. 3 ), theflank 30 c has one such a portion—indicated with 30 c″—in a position corresponding to thelid 15, i.e., at theportion 11 c′ of thewall 11 c of thepart 11″ of the dispenser body 11: the presence of the portion of reducedthickness 30 c″ allows to facilitate manual switching of the lockinglever 15 a of thesmall door 15 by a user (see alsoFIG. 10 ). - In various embodiments, at least one of the peripheral profile and the upper face of the
front body part 11″ of thedispenser body 11 has respective means for the fixing of the coveringelement 30. - In various embodiments of this type, at an inner side of the
longitudinal flanks transverse flanks 30 c. 30 d there are provided respective coupling means, configured for the engagement with respective coupling means provided at the peripheral profile of thefront body part 11″. The coupling means onelement 30 can be provided on the inner side of thelongitudinal flanks front body part 11″ provided on the outside of thelongitudinal walls element 30 can be provided on the inner side of thetransverse flanks front body part 11″ provided on the outside of thetransverse walls element 30 or the peripheral walls of thefront body part 11″, i.e., in corner positions. - Referring in particular to
FIGS. 3 and 5 , in various embodiments, at theinner wall longitudinal flanks respective coupling elements 34, designed for engagement withcorresponding coupling elements 17 provided on the outside of thelongitudinal walls body part 11″. In the example, theelements 34 are in the form of seats, in which theelements 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, thecoupling elements 34 could be in relief and/or in the form of teeth, which engage inelements 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 transverse flanks transverse walls body part 11″. In the example, theinner wall 32 c has, substantially at the portion of reducedheight 30 c′ (see alsoFIG. 2 ), aseat 35 in which arelief 18 protruding or overhanging from thetransverse wall 11 c of thebody part 11″ can be engaged. On the other hand, on the inner side of thetransverse wall 32 d there is at least one protrudingtooth 36 engageable with respect to a protrudingrelief 19 of thetransverse wall 11 d of thebody part 11″; in the example, therelief 19 extends over the entire width of the sliding area for thesmall door 13, in order to allow the engagement of twoteeth 36, but this is not an essential feature, since a number ofseparate reliefs 19 can be provided. In the example, the at least onetooth 36 defines a respective inclined ramp, opposite to that of theteeth 17 provided on thedispenser body 11, in order to obtain a substantially snap hooking with the at least one protrudingrelief 19. Also in this case inverse arrangements are possible, between the tooth and the seat on the twoparts - 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 32 a-32 d that delimit the central passage that receives thefront part 11″ of the dispenser body 11: this configuration must be considered as a preferential one as it ensures a precise positioning between thebody 11 and theelement 30. However, in possible variant embodiments, the walls 32-32 d 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 32 a-32 d, 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 thebody 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 32 a-32 d, from a different function, such as a decorative function, obtained via the external walls 31 a-31 d: 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 ofdispenser 11 simplifies assembly and allows mounting of theelement 30 even after thebody 11 has been fixed to the mountingwall 5. In this way, an appliance manufacturer can, for example, mount a unified dispenser body on dishwashers, and subsequently customize the dispenser by adding theelement 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 theelements dispenser body 11 are integrally defined by therelative body part 11″. This feature simplifies the construction of theunit 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 thebody part 11″ and of the piece or pieces that form theelement 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 theelement 30 and thefront body part 11″ (for example, a mounting sub-frame, to be associated in advance topart 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 11 e: for these embodiments theupper side 33 of theelement 30 can be provided with a corresponding intermediate longitudinal portion, indicated by 33 c for example inFIGS. 3, 5 and 6 , which at least partially covers the top of theintermediate wall 11 e. The presence of theintermediate portion 33 e, in addition to strengthening theelement 30 to a certain extent, allows to reduce the aesthetic discontinuities at the exposed part of theunit 10. - In
FIGS. 6-13 the assembled condition of theelement 30 on thebody 11 is visible in cross-section. InFIGS. 6-9 the coupled condition of the fixing means 17 and 34 is particularly visible, while inFIGS. 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 mountingside 5 a of thewall 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
FIGS. 6-13 lend themselves to highlighting how, in particularly advantageous embodiments, the coveringelement 30 can have associated thereto a respective annular gasket, indicated with 40, configured to create an axial type seal with respect to theouter side 5 a of the mountingwall 5. The presence of thegasket 40, although not indispensable, is advantageous as it prevents possible dirt residues from creeping in and settling in any passageway possibly present between theelement 30 and theouter side 5 a of the mountingwall 5. For this reason it is also preferable that theannular gasket 40, formed for example with elastomer material, is mounted in a position closer to each outer wall 31 a-31 d of theflanks 3 a-30 d, than to each corresponding inner wall 32 a-32 d. The cross-sectional shape of thegasket 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 inFIGS. 5 and 9 —defined in the lower wall of theelement 30. - In the example shown, the
seat 41 is annular and provided substantially at the lower end of the outer walls 31 a-31 d; thisannular seat 41 is defined by the same outer walls 31 a-31 d, on the inner side of which there is aspecific portion 31 a′-31 d′ that delimits the seat itself with respect to the inner surface of the walls 31 a-31 d. Theportions 31 a′-31 d′ can be in the form of small continuous walls, as shown for example inFIG. 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 toelement 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 thefront part 11″ of thebody 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 11-11 d, and possibly ofwall 11 e, of thebody part 11″ and the correspondingportions 33 a, and possibly 33 e, of theupper side 33 of theelement 30. Also for these applications a gasket can be overfolded to thebody 11 or theelement 30; other techniques to provide one or more gaskets on thebody 11 or theelement 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 theelement 30 may have a different structure from the one exemplified. For example, particularly when the coveringelement 30 is designed for covering only a part of the peripheral profile of thefront 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 thefront 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 theelement 30 and thefront part 11″ of thedispenser 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 theelement 30 and thebody 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, thebead 50 is shaped so as to extend at the top of the walls 11-11 d, and possibly of thewall 11 c. - In the case exemplified—see in particular
FIG. 16 —thebead 50 includes for this purpose twolongitudinal portions walls transverse portions walls intermediate portion 50 e extending to the top ofwall 11 e, wherein these portions of thebead 50 compriserespective sections 50 a′-50 c′ that extend over the lateral ends of theaforementioned walls 11 a-11 e (inFIG. 16 the representation of thesmall door 13 and thelid 15 is omitted, for the sake of clarity). In the case exemplified, the top of thewall 11 c of thebody part 11″ includes a protruding or overhangingrelief 18′, on which therespective portion 50 c of thebead 50 extends. - In various embodiments, the
weld bead 50 is configured as a small continuous protrusion of the upper face of thebody part 11″, such that it can interpenetrate theelement 30 when welded. Thebead 50 can therefore be advantageously obtained during the moulding phase of thebody 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 theelement 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 inFIG. 16 (and in the details ofFIG. 18 ) theweld beam 50 is deliberately represented as a separate part with respect to thebody 11 and theelement 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 theelement 30 is therefore preferably made without filler material, although this option is not excluded: for example, thebead 50 could be formed with an adhesive material arranged onbody 11 orelement 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 thebody part 11″ and theelement 30. In the example inFIG. 14 , thebody part 11″ is provided with coupling teeth 17 (only one visible) and theelement 30 is provided with seats 34 (only one visible). The presence of such additional means, in addition to contributing to the stability of theelement 30 on thebody 11, can be useful in the production phase during the welding operation: for example, the fixing means 17, 34 are exploited for positioning theelement 30 on thebody 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 30 a-30 d ofelement 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 inFIG. 14 , thetransverse flank 30 d 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 theelement 30 and thebody 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: thebead 50 ofFIG. 16 lends itself to illustrating a possible shape of one such gasket (for this reason, inFIG. 16 , the reference “60” in brackets is also added to the reference “50”). Such agasket 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 thebody part 11″ and theelement 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 thepart 11″ or theelement 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 dispensingunit 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 coveringelement 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 thefront 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 thefront 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 thefront 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 thesmall door 13 and thelid 15 are in sight, and therefore require a high finishing of the corresponding mould surfaces. On the other hand, thewalls 11 a-11 e (excluding their sides that delimit the aforementioned mounting and movement areas) are covered by theelement 30, and therefore they do not require a particular finishing. Obviously, the mould used to obtain theelement 30 must have the required degree of finishing, but a mould for obtaining theelement 30 is much simpler and cheaper than a mould configured to obtain a piece of thebody 11 that defines an aesthetically finished afront body part 11″. It should also be considered that, in the known dispensing units, minimal surface imperfections of thefront 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-limeseale 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
FIG. 19 , whereelement 30 is larger in size than the previously exemplified cases, with a widerupper side 33. In the example, theportion 33 b of the upper side is sufficiently large so that ahousing 70 is defined in it, within which a user can place a washing agent tablet. Thehousing 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—acontainment 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 thetank 3 of thedishwasher 1, for example through a well-known system with rotating sprayers, can reach thehousing 70, favouring the dissolution of the tablet and the outflow of the corresponding water-washing agent mixture to the inside of thetank 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 thecontainment 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 inFIGS. 20 and 21 , where the housings indicated with 70 are defined at thetransverse flanks 30 c and thelongitudinal flank 30 b of theelement 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
FIGS. 22-25 , where the same reference numbers already used in the previous figures are used. In the case of this example, the coveringelement 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 dispensingbody 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 coveringelement 30 at one of its flanks, in particular thelongitudinal flank 30 a. - Referring also to
FIG. 25 , in the example, themember 80 defines or comprises an operable part, such as a key orbutton 81, designed to be at least partly accessible, i.e., exposed with respect to the coveringelement 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 82 a. - 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 theslider 82 defines a retaining element, the functions of which will be clarified later. In the example shown, the retaining element includes a tooth forelastic coupling 83, here protruding below by a flap or fin defined directly byslider 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 exampleFIG. 24 ). - The covering
element 30 is configured for the mounting of themember 80 and thespring 84, and defines at least one seat or housing for this purpose. For example, in the case exemplified inFIG. 23 ,reference 85 indicates the opening of ahousing 86 in which the key 81 is mounted slidingly and in which a part of theslider 82 is inserted slidingly. As can be seen also in the followingFIGS. 24 and 25 , in the case exemplified, thehousing 86 is defined between thewalls longitudinal flank 30 a, in which theopening 85 is defined, and comprises a passage of thewall 32 a for the sider 82 (see in particularFIG. 24 ). - In
FIG. 24 is also visible a driving element, indicated as a whole with 90, which is part of a locking system of thesmall 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 inFIG. 23 , designated by 90 a), able to cause a rotation or angular movement of ashaft part 91 of the drivingelement 90 about its axis.Element 90, i.e., itsshaft part 91, is mounted in a corresponding through-seat of thedispenser 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 (seeFIG. 22 ), in such a position that—with thesmall door 13 closed—a coupling portion of saidhead 92 cooperates with a counter-element (for example a tooth) present at the lower side of the samesmall door 13, in order to keep it in the closing position, against the action of corresponding elastic means. A rotation or angular movement imparted toshaft 91 causes a corresponding movement of thehead 92, whose coupling portion is freed from the counter-element of thesmall 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
FIG. 25 , thehead 92 includes asmall lever 92 a (see alsoFIG. 22 )—which is assumed here to be the aforementioned coupling portion designed for cooperating with the relevant counter-element of thesmall door 13—as well as a shaped peripheral profile, for example to define acam 92 b, with which theactuation profile 82 a of theslider 82 is able to cooperate. - Still in
FIG. 23 , as well as inFIGS. 24-25 , it is noted that, in the case exemplified, the wall of thedispenser body 11 corresponding to the mounting flank of themember 80, here thewall 11 a, has apassage 87, through which a corresponding part of theslider 82 is received in a sliding way. In the example, thepassage 87 is essentially axially aligned with thehead 92 ofelement 90, although this is not an essential feature. The arrangement is, however, such that, irrespective of the position of thepassage 87 and the shape of theslider 82, theend profile 92 a of the slider is suitable to cooperate with thehead 92 of theelement 90, in particular with itscam 92 b, in order to cause an angular movement thereof. For this purpose, as can be seen for example inFIG. 25 , a part of theslider 82 that protrudes beyond thepassage 87 extends transversely within the area for sliding of thesmall door 13, below the latter (see alsoFIG. 24 ). - In various preferential embodiments, the
control member 80 is mounted on the coveringelement 30 after this has been mounted on thebody 11, in the manner described above. Following the mounting of theelement 30 on thebody 11, thehousing 86 of the element 30 (i.e., its part receiving the slider 82) is axially aligned with thepassage 87 of thewall 11 a of the body 11: in this way, theslider 82 can be inserted through saidhousing 86 andpassage 87, until the key 81—behind whichspring 84 was previously placed—is also received completely in the housing 86: upon reaching this position, thelower tooth 83 of theslider cursor 82 engages elastically in a correspondingscar 86 a (FIG. 24 ) defined at the bottom of thehousing 86, thus retaining themember 80 as a whole in the mounting position. Theseat 86 a is shaped so as to allow a sliding in it of thetooth 83, and hence the sliding of theslider 82. - The end of the
spring 84 opposite the key 81 abuts on thewall 32 a, so as to urge themember 80 towards the outside of thehousing 86, for example substantially flush with the outer surface of thewall 31 a of theflank 30 a: an undesired extraction is however prevented by the presence of the retaining element represented by theaforementioned tooth 83 engaged in thecorresponding seat 86 a. As mentioned, in the mounted condition, a portion of theslider 82 extends transversely in the area A. This condition is similar to that represented in part A) ofFIG. 25 , in which thespring 84 urges themember 80 as a whole outwards, i.e., so that thecam profile 82 a at the end of theslider 82 is in a rearward position, relative to thehead 92 of theactuation element 90 of the locking/releasing system of thesmall door 13. In part B) ofFIG. 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 themember 80 as a whole, against the action of thespring 84. In this way, thecam profile 82 a of the slider moves to an advanced position relative to thehead 92, in particular causing a push on thecam 92 b of said head. Thehead 92, or the drivingelement 90 as a whole, performs a consequent angular movement (clockwise, referring toFIG. 25 ), thereby also moving thecoupling portion 92 a, which frees the corresponding counter-element on thesmall door 13, freeing it for the purpose of transitioning to its opening position. By subsequently interrupting the pressure on the key 81, themember 80 will return to the original position of part A) ofFIG. 25 , thanks to the action of the spring; the same applies for themember 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
FIGS. 22-25 , the coveringelement 30 provided in accordance with the invention acts as a support for an auxiliary control system for the opening of thesmall door 13, for example to avoid having to provide and mount a button on the small door 13 (as in the case of thebutton 13 a inFIG. 2 ) and the related complications of assembly, or else to integrate abutton 80 in addition to thebutton 13 a which is in any case present on thesmall door 13 or on thedispenser body 11, in particular abutton 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 thebutton 81 and theslider 82 as separate parts, for example by mounting only the key 81 on theelement 30 and only thecursor 82 on thedispenser body 11, with the key and the slider able to cooperate with each other following the assembly of theelement 30 on thebody 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
FIGS. 19-21 and/or a functional control arrangement of the type exemplified inFIGS. 22-25 can also be advantageously provided for on a covering element that only partially covers the peripheral profile of thefront 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 (20)
1. A washing agent dispensing unit, designed for mounting at a through-opening of a mounting wall of a dishwasher tank, the washing agent dispensing unit comprising a dispenser body in which at least one containment volume is defined, capable of containing at least one washing agent,
wherein the dispenser body has a rear body part and a front body part, the front body part having a perimetral encumbrance greater than the rear body part,
wherein the front body part has a peripheral profile and an upper face, at the upper face at least one closing element being mounted, which is displaceable at least from an open position, to enable access to the at least one containment volume, and a closed position, in which access to the at least one containment volume is prevented,
wherein substantially at a transition area between the rear body part and the front body part a seat is defined, for positioning a perimetral gasket designed for exerting a seal with respect to an outer side of the mounting wall,
wherein the dispenser body has, at a peripheral profile of the rear body part, first fixing means, for fixing the dispenser body with respect to an inner side of the mounting wall,
wherein the dispensing unit further comprises at least one covering element, configured for covering at least partially the peripheral profile of the front body part,
wherein second fixing means are provided between the at least one covering element and at least one of the peripheral profile of the front body part and the upper face of the front body part, for fixing the covering element to the front body part.
2. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering element has a substantially annular shape, with a central passage in which the front body part is at least partially housed, or else is shaped for covering only a part of the peripheral profile of the front body part.
3. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one covering element has a substantially annular shape and is shaped so as to substantially completely cover the peripheral profile of the front body part.
4. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering element has an upper side which covers at least partially the upper face of the dispenser body.
5. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering element has two opposite transverse flanks, and wherein at least one of the two opposite transverse flanks has at least one of:
a portion of reduced height in a position substantially corresponding to the at least one closing element, in particular for enabling displacement of the at least one closing element between the open position and the closed position,
one or more passages or through openings in a position substantially corresponding to the at least one closing element, in particular for enabling outflow of a washing liquid and/or of the at least one washing agent from the containment volume,
a portion having reduced thickness, in a position substantially corresponding to an element for manual release of the at least one closing element.
6. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering element has a gasket associated thereto, configured for providing a seal of an axial type with respect to the outer side of the mounting wall.
7. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least one sealing arrangement is set between the at least one covering element and the front body part.
8. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one covering element comprises at least one of:
two transverse flanks opposite to one another, or
two longitudinal flanks opposite to one another,
the two transverse flanks, respectively the two longitudinal flanks, each having an outer side and an inner side,
wherein the two transverse flanks, respectively the two longitudinal flanks, each comprise an outer wall or wall portion, defining at least part of said outer side, and an inner wall or wall portion, defining at least part of said inner side,
and wherein the outer wall or wall portion and the inner wall or wall portion are spaced apart from one another.
9. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 8 , wherein:
the at least one covering element has a gasket associated thereto, configured for providing a seal of an axial type with respect to the outer side of the mounting wall, and
the at least one covering element has a substantially annular shape with a central passage, and comprises the two transverse flanks and the two longitudinal flanks, with the respective inner wall or wall portions that each delimit a respective part of the central passage,
the annular gasket of the at least one covering element has an annular shape and is closer to said outer wall or wall portion of the transverse flanks and of the longitudinal flanks with respect to said inner wall or wall portion of the transverse flanks and of the longitudinal flanks.
10. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 2 , wherein:
the second fixing means comprise first coupling means at the peripheral profile of the front body part,
the at least one covering element has two transverse flanks opposite to one another, and two longitudinal flanks opposite to one another, the transverse flanks and the longitudinal flanks of the at least one covering element each having an outer side and an inner side, and
the second fixing means further comprise second coupling means at the inner side of a plurality of the transverse flanks and the longitudinal flanks of the at least one covering element, configured for engagement with the first coupling means, in particular with a substantially snap-on coupling.
11. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein:
the front body part has two longitudinal peripheral walls opposite to one another, and two transverse peripheral walls opposite to one another, which define the peripheral profile of the front body part, the longitudinal peripheral walls and the transverse peripheral walls each having a top belonging to the upper face of the front body part,
the front body part has at least one further longitudinal wall, which is in a position intermediate to the two longitudinal peripheral walls and which extends at the upper face of the front body part, and
an upper side of the at least one covering element has an intermediate portion which covers at least partially a top of the further longitudinal wall.
12. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein the second fixing means comprise one or more welds or bondings between the at least one covering element and the front body part.
13. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least part of a functional arrangement is mounted or defined on the at least one covering element, such as at least one of:
a control arrangement operable to cause a switching of a coupling/uncoupling system of said at least one closing element which is associated to the dispenser body, the control arrangement comprising in particular at least one control member which is manually operable by a user and is movably mounted on the covering element,
a housing arrangement, comprising a housing which is directly exposed and configured for receiving a washing agent.
14. A washing agent dispensing unit, designed for mounting at a through opening of a mounting wall of a dishwasher tank, the dispensing unit comprising a dispenser body in which at least one containment volume is defined, capable of containing at least one washing agent,
wherein the dispenser body has a rear body part and a front body part, the front body part having a peripheral profile and an upper face,
wherein the dispensing unit further comprises at least one covering element coupled to the dispensing body and configured to at least partially cover at least one of the peripheral profile and the upper face of the front body part.
15. A dishwashing machine, comprising a washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 1 .
16. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 7 , wherein the sealing arrangement has an annular peripheral profile.
17. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 8 , wherein the two transverse flanks, respectively the two longitudinal flanks, are at least partially hollow, with a channel-shaped cross-section laterally delimited by said outer wall or wall portion and said inner wall or wall portion.
18. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 10 , wherein the first coupling means are defined integrally with the front body part and the second coupling means are defined integrally in the at least one covering element.
19. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 12 , wherein the one or more welds or bondings comprise a continuous welding or bonding line having an annular peripheral profile which also provides a sealing arrangement between the at least one covering element and the front body part.
20. The washing agent dispensing unit according to claim 13 , wherein the control arrangement comprises an elastic element operative for urging the control member in a respective inoperative position.
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PCT/IB2022/052871 WO2022208334A1 (en) | 2021-03-31 | 2022-03-29 | Washing agent dispenser |
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DE102017114794A1 (en) * | 2017-07-03 | 2019-01-03 | Sanhua Aweco Appliance Systems Gmbh | Device for dispensing detergent |
IT201800006469A1 (en) * | 2018-06-19 | 2019-12-19 | DISPENSER OF WASHING AGENTS AND ASSEMBLY METHOD |
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2022
- 2022-03-29 CN CN202280039218.0A patent/CN117396119A/en active Pending
- 2022-03-29 US US18/553,485 patent/US20240180390A1/en active Pending
- 2022-03-29 EP EP22719340.6A patent/EP4312703A1/en active Pending
- 2022-03-29 KR KR1020237037516A patent/KR20230162106A/en unknown
- 2022-03-29 WO PCT/IB2022/052871 patent/WO2022208334A1/en active Application Filing
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Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2022208334A1 (en) | 2022-10-06 |
KR20230162106A (en) | 2023-11-28 |
CN117396119A (en) | 2024-01-12 |
EP4312703A1 (en) | 2024-02-07 |
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