WO1989008164A1

WO1989008164A1 - Dosing reservoir for receiving and discharging a liquid for treating laundry

Info

Publication number: WO1989008164A1
Application number: PCT/EP1988/001174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörn Jobs
Original assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
Priority date: 1988-02-26
Filing date: 1988-12-19
Publication date: 1989-09-08
Also published as: EP0329848A1; PT8039Y; ES1009907U; TR23811A; DE8808758U1; ES1009907Y; PT8039U

Abstract

A dosing reservoir for receiving and discharging a liquid for treating laundry in a washing machine or similar comprises a closure which can be opened during the laundry treatment cycle with a handling extension projecting above the surrounding surface of the dosing reservoir. To facilitate use, the invention proposes that the closure part (4) is lodged in a cage (7) which penetrates the interior of the dosing reservoir (1) and that the tip (8) of the handling extension (6) which projects freely when the reservoir is closed is approximately level with, or above, the surrounding wall (3) of the dosing reservoir.

Description

-7-

Dosing memory for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid

The invention relates to a metering store according to the features forming the claim 1.

Dosing stores for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid are known in various configurations. From US-T 993 001, for example, a metering memory is known, which is filled with a laundry treatment liquid and fed into a washing machine. The dosing tank is initially closed. In a certain cycle of the washing machine, the spin cycle, opens due to a weight attached to the closure part. The centrifugal force overcomes the closing force of the cover. A metering memory, which works according to the same principle, is also known from US Pat. No. 3,888,391. D further is known from US Pat. No. 2,941,309 a metering memory which has non-closable openings. D laundry treatment liquid can escape immediately at the beginning of a washing machine cycle or the like. The dosing storage device in question is, for example, water as a laundry treatment liquid, which is added to the laundry for drying in order to set a suitable ironing moisture.

The known dosing stores are not yet satisfactory in every respect. With dosing tanks, which are open a certain cycle of a washing machine, the spin cycle, the laundry treatment liquid can not be added immediately after the start of the laundry treatment. On the other hand, it is perceived as unsatisfactory in dosing stores that are always open that the laundry treatment liquid can leak before a wash treatment cycle has started. If, for example, longer downtimes are preceded, it is possible for highly concentrated laundry treatment liquid to flow onto items of laundry and to cause color fading or the like.

In addition, the known metering reservoir, which only opens during a spin cycle, is also designed to be relatively complex.

In view of the state of the art described, the object of the invention is to provide a metering reservoir which is of more advantageous use and which is as simple as possible.

This object is initially achieved, in particular, in the case of a dispenser according to the features of claim 1.

The metering memory according to the invention is initially locked, but opens immediately at the start of a laundry treatment. For opening, the pump-like, compressible design of the metering reservoir works together with the closing part that can be lifted off by applying pressure. As soon as the laundry treatment liquid is pressed from the inside against the closing part, the closing part lifts off and forms an exit gap or the like. It is preferred that the metering accumulator is at least partially shaped like a bellows and that the opening is located in an area of the metering accumulator unaffected by the configuration of the bellows. It is advisable, for example, to design the metering reservoir with annular folds on its longitudinal wall and to open the opening in a manner parallel to and at a distance from the Form the folding level area of the metering. The closure part is advantageously stiffened in the wall area unaffected by the folding. A further advantageous embodiment is seen in the fact that the outlet openings are formed in the lid area and can be covered by a closing part connected to the ceiling. In particular, the outlet openings or a single outlet opening cover itself can be formed. A membrane which is forged on or connected to the cover can, for example, cover the outlet opening and open when pressure is applied. Furthermore, the outlet openings can also be formed surrounding the cover, covered by a membrane connected to or molded onto the cover. To fill the metering reservoir, the cover can be unscrewed, which at the same time also exposes the outlet openings, at least when the outlet openings are formed surrounding the cover. The laundry treatment liquid can then simply be introduced through a large opening given the cover removed. After the outlet opening has been closed by means of the cover, the washing treatment liquid can only emerge from the metering reservoir when pressure is applied. In particular, the pump-like configuration of the metering reservoir can be set such that laundry treatment liquid only emerges from the metering reservoir at a pressure which can be caused by wet laundry items. Overall, the dosing store according to the invention makes it possible to enter such a liquid filled with laundry treatment into the washing machine, whereupon the laundry treatment liquid only emerges from the dosing store at the beginning of a washing cycle. Accidental tipping over or falling over of the filled dosing store in a washing machine without the laundry treatment cycle having started does not necessarily lead to the leakage of the laundry treatment liquid. If several openings are provided which are covered by the membrane part, it is provided in a further embodiment that the closure area for the cover, that is to say a thread, is formed on the metering reservoir wall by means of webs and that the opening is formed between the webs.

Another metering memory, which advantageously releases the laundry treatment liquid only after the start of a laundry treatment cycle, that is to say has a closure which can be revealed during laundry treatment, is characterized in that the opening is closed in a closed state by an erect rocker arm closure. When the rocker arm lock is erected, the rocker arm extension protrudes freely over an upper area of the dose memory. At the beginning of the laundry treatment cycle and the wobbling movement caused by the laundry, a rocking moment is exerted on the upstanding region of the rocker arm, which flips the rocker arm and then releases the opening according to the invention. When the rocker arm is tipped over, this rocker arm correspondingly opens a filling opening which also serves as an outlet opening during operation of the washing machine. The laundry treatment liquid is poured in when the rocker arm is upturned, the rocker arm is then raised and the dosing reservoir is inserted into the washing machine with the rocker arm upright. At the beginning of the laundry treatment cycle, the rocker arm, as ^"be inscribed, flipped through the wash pressure and so the training occurs opening is released.

In a further metering storage device according to the invention, the opening can be closed by a cover that is caught and can be lifted off the metering storage device. When the cover is lifted off, there are exit paths for the laundry treatment liquid between the cover, in particular the area in which it is attached and the edge region of the dose storage container, in particular the attachment edge of the dose storage container open. An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the cover can be screwed on without a stop, such that the cooperating threads can be disengaged when screwed on. The ceiling has an edge area, which has a cylindrical longitudinal extension. Only at the front, open edge of the cylindrical region are threads formed on the inside which cooperate with corresponding threads on the edge of the dispensing container. For example, two threads lying one above the other are formed on the edge of the lid and on the edge of the dosing storage containers. When screwing on, the cover falls off after the two threads have been turned. It can then stand out by a certain amount during the laundry treatment cycle. As far as it is not turned, the threads act as a lock, which prevent a complete lift off. It is not necessary to have threads on the cover. For example, two or four cams distributed over the circumference are sufficient. It is preferably further provided that the cover forms a sealing edge in the area in which it sits on the Dosie storage container in the screwed-on state. If necessary, this sealing edge can also be assigned a certain latching action, so that a slight tilting or the like of the metering reservoir in a washing machine before the laundry treatment cycle begins does not allow laundry treatment liquid to leak.

A further dosing store according to the invention with a closure that can be seen during laundry treatment is characterized in that the closure is formed by a cover-lockable cage that is movably caught in the dosing store and forms openings that protrude into the interior of the dosing store. The lid-lockable cage is trapped in an opening of the metering reservoir by means of lower and upper stop areas which project beyond the opening. The lower stop area of the cage can be a spring hook 4

his. The upper stop area also serves as a di edge for the lid. To fill the dosing reservoir, the lid is opened with the cage protruding into the interior of the dosing reservoir. Due to the large opening, the laundry treatment liquid can easily be filled in. The lid is then closed and the dosing memory inserted into a washing machine, for example. In the wobble movement of the dosing accumulator due to the laundry movement, the cage moves outwards when the dosing dispenser has its opening facing downward. The laundry treatment liquid can then - in a metered manner - escape through the opening formed in the edge walls of the cage. In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the metering reservoir is at least partially bellows-shaped in this embodiment. In this case, the combination of the features described further above with regard to the bellows-like configuration can additionally be confused.

According to a further embodiment of the dosing reservoir mi during the laundry treatment, the closure is shown that, in the case of a closing part lying on the outside, which can be lifted off by pressure, and an at least partially bellows-like configuration of the dosing reservoir, the closure part rests spring-loaded on the opening. Vo in part by way of the spring can be designed as a snap spring after overcoming a certain, ^"acting on the closure member opening pressure, the Verschlußte is in a stable open position, which can only be mainly seasonally of the snap spring pressure dung reversed again in the Schließstellu be. As closure part has in front of him adheres to a spherical body.

Another metering memory according to the invention for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a machine or the like, which has a closure which can be revealed during the washing treatment, is characterized through an outlet opening, which is formed at a lower level, below a liquid level of the filled dosing reservoir, than the inlet opening. Furthermore, the outlet opening can be closed from the inside by means of a liquid-carrying closure body. When this dosing reservoir is filled, the liquid-carrying closure body moves into a closed position. The fact that the filling level is above the opening level of the outlet opening means that the outlet opening can be securely closed by means of the closure body. Furthermore, the outlet opening towards the metering reservoir is advantageously designed in such a way that when the metering dispenser is pivoted or tilted or toppled over, the liquid-carrying closure member can release the outlet opening. This configuration can be substantially funnel-shaped, for example. The closure body is advantageously a floating ball, the weight of which is set approximately such that it only projects above the liquid level in its upper region. The contact pressure in the closed state can be adjusted by the weight of the floating ball. It is further preferred that the metering reservoir, in particular in this embodiment, forms two chambers which are connected to one another by one or more liquid channels. The closure body, et the floating ball, can thus be caught in the exit opening on the send chamber. The closure body cannot penetrate into the chamber having the filling opening ^" and may get lost through the filling opening. The arrangement of the inlet opening and the outlet opening at different levels, namely the outlet opening at a lower level than the filling level of the filled dosing reservoir corresponds, is also associated with the advantage that the closure body can already assume a sealing seat at a relatively low fill level. The change in position of the metering reservoir which begins at the beginning of the laundry treatment cycle results in the opening of the outlet opening being released on. In a further advantageous embodiment it is provided that the outlet opening is covered by a perforated cap. The arrangement of the inlet opening and outlet opening at different levels initially results in an approximately graduated configuration of the metering reservoir. The perforated cap, which extends over the outlet opening, can complement the outer shape of the metering reservoir to a desired round shape or the like. In particular, it can be hen that the perforated cap at a distance from the outlet section and the edge of the opening over the outlet opening. So emerging laundry treatment liquid initially enters a further chamber which is still formed in the metering reservoir and in which mixing and dilution with inflowing water take place can and then only completely out of the dosing reservoir through the perforated cap. To form the at least two mentioned chambers, it can be provided that the metering reservoir has an approximately central constriction leaving the liquid channel, or also several liquid channels. Fertigu technically advantageous, the perforated cap can be det together with a lid-like closing the filler opening, connected by a film hinge to the perforated cap. The perforated cap itself can be fastened to the dosing reservoir by means of a holding test. Operationally, it is possible to fold up the area for filling that closes the filler opening, while the perforated cap area is operatively connected to the metering reservoir.

In particular, in a further embodiment of the cage projecting into the interior of the metering reservoir, the storage reservoir is provided for the closure part to be a floating body caught in the cage. This Ausgestaltu is also important with regard to the above-described metering memory, since the described, the closure part taking out chamber in this sense can also be understood as a cage. While with the dosing described above rather the closure part is a buoyant or at least liquid-borne body, is provided in a further embodiment that the closure part is a submersible body. Because of its weight, the submersible body closes an opening suitably formed in the lower region of the cage. By suitable design of the cage, the closure body for filling can be removed from the opening when the dosing reservoir tilts. Likewise, during the laundry treatment cycle, the closure body releases the opening when the dosing reservoir is in a tilted position or with a head overlay for the outlet of the laundry treatment fluid. For this purpose, it may be advisable that the cage is funnel-shaped, at least in its lower area, which has the opening. The upper area d cage, which can represent the upper area of the metering reservoir at about the same time, can be formed, for example, by a lattice construction which opens a row of outlet openings. In this embodiment, too, the laundry treatment liquid initially passes, as it were, an intermediate chamber before finally, completely, very advantageously in a diluted form, finally leaves the metering reservoir completely. With advantageous use of the features described above, the dosing reservoir at least partially pump-like design to be compressible, in a further dosing reservoir according to the invention it is provided that the outlet opening can be closed by a seated ver on the dosing reservoir, pretensioned on a sealing edge, the closure plate. The bias can be created by the pump-like compressibility of the metering memory itself. The anchoring is preferably formed on the bottom of the metering reservoir. The sealing edge, which cooperates with the closure plate, can be displaced by the at least partially bellows-like configuration of the metering storage wall for opening the outlet opening, and an area of application of the metering storage tank is designed to project radially beyond the sealing edge. The area of application is approximately one fold of the fold bellows-like design of the metering storage wall. The radial projection of the sealing edge enables items of laundry or the like to have a compressive effect on the application area. The design creates a marriage, integrated in the functional design of the Dosierspei chers possibility to open the exit area. In a further embodiment it is provided that the closure plate is molded onto a filling cylinder which penetrates the metering reservoir and is anchored in the bottom of the metering reservoir and has a passage opening. The filling cylinder, which is firmly connected to the bottom of the metering reservoir, extends through the metering reservoir and forms an upper edge which forms the closure plate. The dosing spoke or the closing plate can be closed by means of a hinged lid. The fill cylinder preferably has passage openings distributed over its length. The filling cylinder, which cooperates with the sealing edge of the metering storage wall, gives the metering memory a certain stability. The area of interaction of the closure plate with the sealing edge of the metering storage wall can also be designed in such a way that the metering storage wall is trapped - displaceably - in the closing plate and, when the sealing edge is pressed down, openings formed in the sealing edge are free which allow the laundry treatment to pass through allow liquid. When the pressure drops, the openings slide back into the sealing plate so that the dosing reservoir is closed.

A further dosing store for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, which likewise has a closure which can be revealed during laundry treatment, is provided according to the invention with a closure part which can be inserted like a stopper in an opening, the opening being in the opening ¬ settable, serving to form a plug seat Sto fenbereich has a short length and the locked has a cantilevered handling area to form an opening-tilting moment. To fill the Dosierspei chers, the closure part is removed from the plug seat and laundry treatment liquid is filled. Then the closure part is firmly inserted, which is easy to carry out due to the necessary relatively large handling area, which can be approximately spherical. The Dosie storage with the stuck closure part is inserted or inserted into the washing machine as usual. After the start of the laundry treatment cycle, in particular due to the forces exerted by damp laundry items, there is a tilting moment on the handling area of the closure part, which is thereby removed from its closure seat. The closure part can then be completely separated from the remaining metering reservoir, or can still be connected to it via a cord or the like.

In a further development, in particular the dosing reservoir described above with anchored to the dosing reservoir under a certain preload on a sealing edge of the breech plate, the invention proposes that the breech plate is attached to the dosing reservoir in a pendulum-like manner and has a handling extension serving to form an opening force. The closure plate can thus be deflected out of its closed position, in turn by pressing laundry onto the handling continuation, whereupon it closes again when the pressure is released. Likewise, the closure plate for filling the metering reservoir can be deflected accordingly. By adjusting the pretension it can be achieved that an opening only occurs at a certain tilting moment. Simply falling over of the dosing reservoir in a washing machine that is not yet executing the washing cycle cannot yet lead to the leakage of laundry treatment liquid. The pendulum-like suspension or mounting of the closure plate can be realized, for example, by means of a pendulum rod anchored in the metering storage base. 164

be based. With regard to the opening of the metering reservoir for filling, it can also be provided that the handling set of the closure plate is designed to be divisible, with a lid-like upper part. For example, filling is possible without deflecting the closure plate. By safe

Locking the lid can be ensured that during the washing cycle laundry treatment liquid is only due to a deflection of the closure plate over the pendulum-like storage, not by opening the lid. The handling extension itself can, as already explained above in connection with other features, be designed spherically. With regard to the storage of the closure plate, provision can furthermore be made for it to be rotatably mounted on the outside of the metering reservoir by means of a mounting bracket. The locking plate can thus be moved, as it were, a visor into the closed position and into an opening position. In the latter embodiment in particular, the bearing can also be created in such a way that there is no restoring torque with regard to a closure. As soon as the necessary pressure for opening the closure plate through the laundry has been applied when a laundry treatment cycle is started, the closure plate remains essentially in its open position. With a very simple design, there is an effective possibility of closure until the beginning of the laundry treatment cycle.

Another dosing reservoir according to the invention, with a removal opening and an outlet opening which is off during laundry treatment, in which the outlet opening is also formed at a lower level than the inlet opening, below a liquid level of the filled dosing reservoir, is characterized in that inside the dosing reservoir an overflow leading to the outlet opening is formed. The dosing reservoir, which is filled, for example, by means of a latch-lockable lid closure, has approximately an outlet opening which overflows an inner vessel which is in contact with the water treatment liquid is filled, is in connection. This can be implemented by a separate inner container arranged inside the Dosi memory. When filled, the inner container can sit sealingly on the outlet opening. The foot region of the inner container forms, as it were, the lid of the outer container with respect to an outlet opening formed overall in the lower region of the outer container or dosing dispenser. The cover for closing the inlet opening in the outer container, which inlet opening is also associated with the inlet opening of the inner container, can at the same time form a centering for the - otherwise movable - inner container. The cover can be further preferably formed with an externally graspable crossbar, as a practical handle.

A further dosing store in the context of the present invention with a closure that can be seen during the laundry treatment is characterized by an area drawn into the interior of the dosing store with an outwardly projecting cage, which is closed at the top and forms lateral openings, which cage has a surrounding and an upward cage Locking position of the movable locking part cooperates. When the closure part is pressed down or pushed down, the openings of the cage protrude beyond the seal of the closure part, which interacts with an upper sealing edge of the cage, so that the laundry treatment liquid can escape freely through these openings to the outside. In the closed state, in which the fastener is pushed upward, laundry treatment liquid can still escape or flow through the openings of the cage, but the access to the outside is completely closed by the closing region of the pushed-up closing part. The closure part can be provided in its hochg pushed position approximately snap. To fill the dosing reservoir, the closed device is in its pushed-down open position. A about funnel-shaped filling area of the closure part ends with the lower area of the openings of the cage. In the closure part poured laundry treatment liquid wi into the openings of the cage and thus inwards into the interior of the metering. After the metering store has been filled, the closure part is pulled up into its closed position. After inserting the dosing reservoir into a washing machine, the closing part is moved downward into its open position by the pressure resulting from the movement caused by the dew.

A further dosing store in the context of the present invention, which is used for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, has a closure which can be revealed during the laundry treatment and in which the outlet opening is pretensioned by a catch caught on the dosing store a Dic processing area seated closure part is closable. In this respect, this dosing storage corresponds to the dosing storage of his prince de described above

Dosing accumulator anchored, on a sealing edge sitting seal plate. In the embodiment described here, the dosing reservoir is preferably spherical and the outlet openings are arranged above an equator of such a dosing reservoir. The Dosier¬ storage can also be approximately egg-shaped, an upward decreasing diameter is essential. A plurality of outlet openings are also preferably provided, which are arranged on a latitude circle of the metering reservoir. The result is a circumferential ring of outlet openings which are closed by the closure part in the closed position. The closure part can preferably be an elastic plastic ring with a decreasing diameter in the width direction. This closure part is movable by washing pressure in an open position. Due to its elasticity and the interaction of the clearing area, the closure part can be hand in d the position closing the outlet openings is pushed and remains there when the dosing screw is inserted in a washing machine. Due to the laundry pressure starting at the beginning of the wash cycle, the closure part is moved into the open position. But it is also essential that the

Closure part expands so far under the influence of heat that a loose closure fit is provided and the closure is easily moved into its open position by the laundry. In order to achieve an easily immovable locking seat and to allow tying of the closure part a to the dosing reservoir, the largest diameter of the closure portion is smaller than the equator opening of the dosing reservoir. The closure member can therefore only move in one direction from the closed position in the opening position. To hold the closure part in the open position and at the same time to bind the closure part to the metering reservoir, it is preferred that locks are formed above the outlet opening or the outlet openings, onto which the closure part runs out when opening. The locks can be designed as a longitudinal ribs above the outlet opening on the outer surface of the metering reservoir. As an alternative to this, a lock can also be designed as a rib running around a parallel.

In an embodiment of the claims set out or independently, the following features in particular are regarded as essential:

The dosing reservoir can be closed with a lid.

The outlet opening is formed in the lid area and can be covered by a closing part connected to the lid

The closing part is a membrane.

The opening is formed laterally to the lid. 164

A number of openings are provided which are created by webs which connect the lid-closable inlet opening to the metering reservoir body.

The cover can be screwed on without a stop in such a way that the cooperating threads can be disengaged when screwed on.

The cover forms a circumferential sealing edge.

The closure part is spring-loaded.

The spring is designed as a snap spring.

The closure part is a spherical body.

The closure body is a floating ball.

The dosing reservoir forms two chambers that are connected to each other by a liquid channel.

The outlet opening is covered by a perforated cap.

The perforated cap extends over the outlet opening at a distance from the outlet cross section and the opening edge.

The dosing reservoir has an approximately central constriction which leaves the liquid channel.

The closure part is a floating body trapped in a cage projecting into the interior of the Dosie store.

The closure part is a submersible displacement body.

The closure part is a ball. The closure body can be moved laterally in the cage until the opening is substantially cleared.

The opening is formed in the cage bottom and the cage bottom 5 is funnel-shaped.

The outlet opening can be closed by a locking plate anchored to the dosing reservoir and pretensioned on a sealing edge.

10

The locking plate is on the inside of the dosing dispenser

Dosing storage floor anchored.

The sealing edge can be displaced to the opening by an at least partially pu pe 15 bellows-like configuration of the metering reservoir wall, and an area of application to the metering storage wall is designed to project radially beyond the sealing edge.

20 The closure plate is integrally formed on a cylinder having the through-opening and anchored in the bottom of the dosing reservoir and having through openings.

The filling cylinder can be closed with a lid.

25

The handling area is essentially spherical.

The closure part is secured to the dosing container.

30

The closure plate is attached to the dosing reservoir in a helically movable manner and has a handling extension which serves to form an opening force.

• each The locking plate is attached to the dosing reservoir by means of a pendulum rod anchored in the dosing reservoir floor. The handling extension is spherical in shape and is evident in the manner of a lid due to a division.

The closure plate is rotatably mounted on the outside of the metering device by means of a mounting bracket.

There is a separate inner container provided in the interior of the metering memory.

When filled, the inner container sits sealingly on a sealing bead surrounding the outlet opening.

The closure is formed by a cage projecting into the interior of the metering device, closed at the top and forming lateral openings, cooperating with a closure part surrounding the cage and displaceable upwards into a closed position.

The cage roof forms a sealing edge which interacts with the closure part in the closed position.

The dosing reservoir is spherical and the outlet opening is formed above the equator.

Several outlet openings arranged on a parallel are formed.

In a moveable by washing pressure in the open position closure member, the closure member is an elastic plastic ring with a decreasing diameter in the direction of its width.

The largest diameter of the closure part is smaller than the equator circumference of the dosing reservoir. Barriers are formed above the outlet opening, on which the closure part runs upwards during an opening movement.

The barriers are designed as ribs running on a meridian above the outlet opening on the lateral surface of the metering store.

A lock is a rib running around a parallel

10 trained.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a first embodiment

15 a dosing reservoir with a diaphragm-sealed outlet opening;

2 shows a cross section through a second embodiment of a metering reservoir with a rocker arm lock

20th

3 shows a cross section of the object according to FIG. 1, cut along the line III-III, in the closed state;

a-D

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the object according to FIG. 2, in the open state;

5 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of the metering reservoir with the lid locked;

30

6 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a metering reservoir with a captive cage;

7 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a metering reservoir, with a snap spring closure; 8 shows a cross section through a further embodiment form of a metering accumulator, with a two-chamber stem;

9 is a side view of the article of FIG .. 8

10 shows a plan view of the object according to FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 with the cap removed;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the object according to FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 with a cap;

12 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a metering reservoir, with an immersion ball closure;

13 is a plan view of the object according to FIG. 12

14 shows a cross section through a further embodiment form of a metering reservoir, with a floating ball closure;

15 is a top view of the object according to FIG. 14

16 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the dosing reservoir, with a visor lock;

17 shows a cross section of a further embodiment of a metering reservoir with an inner cage and floating gel closure;

18 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a metering accumulator with a filling cylinder anchored to the floor; 19 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a metering reservoir with a pendulum closure anchored to the floor;

20 shows a detail of a closure of a

Article according to FIG. 19;

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of another Dosierspe chers with plug closure;

22 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a metering reservoir with an inner container

23 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a metering reservoir with a fixed cage closure;

24 is a cross-sectional view of a metering reservoir with a closure part seated outside in the adhesive seat

25 the dosing reservoir according to FIG. 24, in an external view

FIG. 26 shows the dosing reservoir according to FIG. 24 or FIG. 25 with the closure part pushed up, in cross section.

Shown and described are metering stores 1 for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like.

1 has a closure 2, which is evident during a laundry treatment. The closure 2 consists in particular of a fastening part 4 which can be fastened by means of a screw thread 3 and openings 5 which are covered by a membrane 6. The membrane 6 is molded directly onto the closure part 4 or in any case is firmly connected to it operationally. The closure part 4 is otherwise designed as a screw plug tet. It is also important that the metering accumulator 1 has folds 7, which enable pump-like compression of the metering accumulator 1. To a use of the Dosierspeichers 1, the closure member 4 is unscrewed together with the associated diaphragm 6 and given through the region of the closing plug 4 opening 8, the openings or input 5 laundry treatment liquid in the Dosierspei _¬ cher. 1 The metering reservoir 1 is then closed again by screwing in the closure part 4. The membrane covers the openings 5 in a sealing manner. After inserting the dosing store 1 into the washing machine and beginning the laundry treatment cycle, pressure is exerted on the dosing store 1 by the wobble movement which begins, which leads to a pump-like compression. As a result, the laundry treatment liquid located inside is expelled from the openings 5, since the membrane 6 lifts off from the openings 5 accordingly in response to the pressure. In front of geous embodiment, the closure part 4 and the openings 5 are surrounded by a boundary edge 9 at a distance. The boundary edge 9 prevents laundry from lying directly on the membrane 6 or possibly getting caught below the membrane 6.

The dosing reservoir shown in FIG. 1 is a blown bellows container. The cap forming the boundary edge 9 and the webs 10 which form the openings 5 is bounced. In the middle is an opening with an internal thread for receiving the closure part 4. The closure part 4, which is designed as a screw plug, has an injection-molded, thin membrane 6 for covering the openings 5.

2 shows a metering accumulator 1 with a rocker lock 11. The rocker arm lock 11 has a through hole 12 which, when the rocker arm lock 11 has been flipped (broken line in FIG. 2), releases the outlet opening and when the rocker arm is upright Closure (illustration in solid lines in FIG. 2 and illustration in FIG. 3) closes the outlet opening 5. 2 to 4, the rocker arm is pivoted into the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2. After filling, the rocker arm lock is pivoted into the position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 3. Used in this state in a washing machine or the like, the laundry pressure exerts a tilting moment on the lever extension 13 of the rocker arm lock and pivots the rocker arm back into the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2. 2 to 4 is also a blown container with a flared cap 14. The cap forms lateral mounting areas 15, in which stub axles 16 of the rocker arm lock 11 are rotatably located.

5, a lid 17 is provided, which is caught on the dosing storage container 18 abhe bar. In detail, the cover 17 here has a thread formation 19 which can be screwed onto a thread 20. The thread 20 has no end stop, so that the cover 17 or the thread 19 can pass through the thread de 20 completely and then sits loosely on the shoulder 21. In the fully screwed-on state, the thread formation 19 and the thread 20 are disengaged. It is important that the cover 17 forms on its edge 22 an area which extends beyond the extent of the thread 20, which measure enables the cover 17 to rest on the shoulder 21 after the stop-free thread 20 has been driven through. The Dosierspeicherbe¬ ratio 18 has an opening 5 in an upper end rich 23. To fill the dosing 1 according to FIG. 5, the lid 17 is raised from the position shown in FIG. 5 and then, when the thread 19 hits the thread 20 unscrewed until it is completely removed that can. The laundry treatment liquid is then poured through the opening 5 into the metering storage container 18. The lid is then replaced and screwed through the thread 20 through the thread 20. At the end of the stop-less thread 20, the deck can be freely moved downwards until it sits sealingly on the shoulder 21 by means of the seal 24. When placed in the washing machine in this position, no detergent liquid can escape at first. If necessary, it may be advisable to design the sealing seat to snap in slightly. At the beginning of the tumbling movement in the washing machine, laundry treatment liquid exits through the opening 5 into the space between the edge region 23 of the container and the lid 17. The liquid then penetrates further between the shoulder 2 and the sealing seat 24 and the edge 22 of the lid 17 to the outside .

6 has a cage 25 which forms openings 26. The cage 25 can be closed by means of a cover 27 which is hinged to the cage 25. The cage 25 also has a lower edge area 28, which can also be designed as a spring hook, and an upper edge area 29. The lower edge area 28 and the upper edge area 29 exceed in their lateral dimensions the opening 5 of the metering reservoir 1 in which the Cage 25 is caught. The metering 1 has a fold 7, for pumping ejection of the laundry handling liquid. The opening 5 of the metering reservoir 1 is formed in detail in a bounced ring 30, the upper edge 31 of which closes approximately with the cover 27 when the cage 25 is extended. The ring 30 forms an inwardly funnel-shaped inflow opening 32. To fill the dosing reservoir 1 according to FIG. 6, the cover 27 is opened. Poured-in laundry treatment liquid enters the interior of the metering reservoir through the openings 26. After filling the dosing reservoir 1, the cover 27 is locked in place and the dosing reservoir 1 is placed in the wasc machine used. At the beginning of the wobble movement, the cage 25 is either moved outwards due to a pumping movement by means of the fold 7 or by the weight of the liquid application. Laundry treatment liquid can then escape from the metering reservoir 1 through the openings 26. If appropriate, the cage 25 can also have openings i in its bottom 33.

7 has a closure part 4 in the form of a ball 34 which can be held by means of a spring 35 in the closed position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. The spring 35 is designed as a snap spring. Through an over-center stress, the ball 34 is moved into the open position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 7. The metering reservoir 1 according to FIG. 7 likewise has folds 7, for a compressibility that is similar to that of a pump and for a corresponding dispensing of the laundry treatment liquid. To fill in the laundry treatment liquid, the ball 34 is pulled by hand into the open position shown in dashed lines in FIG. The laundry treatment liquid can be poured in through the opening 5 into the interior of the Dosing storage 1 flows. After filling the dosing reservoir 1, the ball 34 is moved into the closed position, which is shown in solid lines in FIG. 7. By the over center snap action of the spring 35 is a secure Schließste ^~ l- lung achieved. After the dosing reservoir 1 according to FIG. 7 has been inserted into a washing machine, the action of the laundry pressure results in a pump-like compression which moves the ball 34 into the open position shown in dashed lines. The spring 35 for the ball 34, which can consist of several spring struts, is otherwise held in a cap 37 that overlaps the upper region of the metering reservoir 1. This cap 37 is designed essentially in accordance with the cap in the metering reservoir according to FIG. 6. 8 has a first comb 38 and a second chamber 39 which are separated from one another by separating webs 40 which leave liquid channels 41. In the first chamber 38, which is arranged on the left in FIG. 8, there is a floatable closure body 42, which is designed here as a ball. The opening 5, which can be closed by the closure body 42, is arranged at a lower level than the filler opening 43, which is formed in the second chamber 39 on the right in FIG. 8. The opening 5 and the filler opening 43 are overlaid by a cap 44 which is fastened to the metering reservoir 1 by means of a holding web 45. The closure area 46 of the cap 44 is evident by means of a film hinge 47, while the cap area 48 cannot be removed from the dosing store 1 during operation. The cap area 48 is at a distance from the opening 5 and an opening 5 surrounding the wall area 49 of the metering reservoir 1 angeor net, so that a space 50 is formed. Furthermore, outlet openings 51 are formed in the cap 48. Laundry treatment liquid emerging from the opening 5 thus first reaches an intermediate chamber before it leaves the metering store 1 completely. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 10, the separating webs 40 can be formed by constricting the metering memory 1. 8 to 10 of the Kappenb rich 46 is pivoted about the film joint 45 so that the insertion opening 43 is free. Laundry treatment liquid is ^" poured in ^" through the filling opening 43, whereupon the ball 42 floats on the liquid level and, due to the funnel-shaped design of the section 49, migrates up to the opening 5 when it is filled and closes it. The fact that the filling opening is arranged at a higher level As the opening 5, the opening 5 is sealed at a relatively low fill level. After filling, the cap area 46 is closed and the dosing reservoir 1 is inserted into the washing machine Opening 5 is torn away and so laundry treatment liquid can escape from the metering reservoir 1. If necessary, the floating ball 42 can be provided with such a weight that it floats only to a smaller extent on the liquid level, but to a greater extent i the liquid is immersed. This may make opening easier.

In the case of the metering body 1 according to FIG. 12, the closure part is an immersion ball 49. The cage 25 projects into the interior of the

Dosing store 1 and is out with such a width that the plunger 49, as shown in Fig. 12 by dashed lines, can roll to the side, completely opening the opening 5. 11 has three standing surfaces 50. In the position as shown in FIG. 12, in which the dosing reservoir 1 stands on the central standing surface 50, the immersion ball is located in the opening 5, these ver ¬ closing. For filling, the metering reservoir 1 can either be placed on the right or left footprint 50, whoever. The diving ball 49 is then in one of the positions shown in broken lines. D Opening 5 is free and washing treatment liquid can be poured into the interior of the metering reservoir 1. 13 that the upper opening of the cage 25 can be closed, for example, by webs 51. The space between the webs is selected so that the immersion ball 49 cannot escape from the cage.

14 is the ball 49 al

Swim ball trained. The floating ball swims at c half the immersion depth. When filling, the ball 49 floats and automatically opens the opening 5. After filling up to the desired level, the ball 49 seals the opening 5 again. In the washing machine there is a g-dosed emptying when there is a change in position in each row , tung. As can be seen, the cage 25 is also provided in this configuration with a size such that the ball 49 has sufficient space for filling. In the same way as for the object according to FIG. 12, the outlet opening is covered by webs 51.

The metering reservoir 1 according to FIG. 16 consists of a metering reservoir receptacle 18 which is essentially spherical in cross section. A visor-like closure 53 is hinged approximately in the center of the metering reservoir container 18 by means of an axis 52. Specifically, this closure 53 has a closure plate 54 which is seated on the opening 5 in the position represented by solid lines. The closure 53 can be moved to the side in an open position, as is shown again in a broken line. To limit the displaceability of the closure 53, beads 55 are formed. In addition, 5 locking ridges 56 are formed in the region of the opening, which ensure a secure mounting in the closed position. The handling extension 57 of the closure 53 is provided with such a height that at the start of the wobble movement in the washing machine the - wet - laundry can exert a sufficient tilting moment on the handling extension 57 in order to close the closure 53 from its closed position into the open position move.

17 there is also a cage 25 protruding into the interior of the dosing store 1, with slot openings 26. Inside the cage 25 there is a floating ball 49 which closes the opening 5. The cage 25 can be screwed on by means of a screw thread. Filling of the metering reservoir 1 according to Fi 17 takes place when the closure is unscrewed. Then the closure is screwed on again. The floating float 49 seals at the opening 5 even when the fill level is low. A well-dosed emptying is possible with a change in position in any direction. The metering accumulator 1 according to FIG. 18 in turn has a closure plate 54, which sits sealingly on a collar 59 of the metering accumulator wall 18. The Dosierspeiσherwandu 18 forms a fold 7. It is important that the closure plate 54 is anchored, for example welded, to the bottom 61 of the metering reservoir 1 by means of a cylindrical filler cylinder 60. Furthermore, the closure plate 54 can be closed by means of a cover 62. 18, the lid 62 is opened and laundry treatment liquid is introduced into the filling cylinder 60. The laundry treatment liquid enters the interior of the metering reservoir 1 through the openings 63. The lid 62 is then closed. After entering a washing machine and at the beginning of the laundry treatment cycle, the laundry can exert pressure on the protruding areas 64 during the tumbling movements of the metering reservoir 1, a gap being produced between the closure plate 54 and the collar 59, as a result of which laundry treatment liquid can escape .

19 there is a in the bottom 61

Pendulum rod 65 anchored, which carries the locking plate 54. The handling area 66, which protrudes over the closure 54, can be divided at 67 (FIG. 20). As can be seen from FIG. 20, the handling area 66 d of the metering reservoir 1 according to FIG. 19 can be opened for filling by opening. The pendulum rod 65 can be screwed by means of a thread 68 into a corresponding mating thread of the plate 54. After filling the Dosierspe chers 1, the metering memory 1 is inserted into a washing machine. Due to the onset of wobble and d laundry pressure caused thereby on the handle 66 rich in the locking plate 54 is deflected, as indicated by the broken line. Then laundry treatment liquid kit may leak. When the laundry pressure decreases, the pendulum rod 65 and thus the Locking plate 54 automatically returns to a locking position.

21, the sealed 69 is designed as a plug. It has a relatively short plug region 70, which can be driven into the opening 5. The handling range 66 is designed with such a height that in a laundry cycle you set the damp laundry etc. a sufficiently high tilting moment z opening the closure 69. The handling area 66 is essentially spherical. The closure 69 can be connected to the metering reservoir 1 via a thin B or the like so that it is not lost in the laundry in the open state. It can also be a completely separated from this.

22 is constructed with two shells, namely with an inner container 71 and an outer container 72. The inner container 71 has an upper opening 5, the outer container 72 has lower outlet openings 73. In the filling state, which is shown in FIG. 22 , the inner container 71 sits on a sealing edge 74 of the outer container 72, which surrounds the outlet opening 73, sealingly. The outer container 72 is closed by means of a cover 76. The cover 76 can be snapped into place in the upper part d of the outer container 72. It can also be screwed onto the lower part of the outer container by means of a screw thread 77. The inner ratio 71 is movable in the outer container 72. 22 the lid 76 is opened and the laundry treatment liquid i is entered into the inner container 71. Then the lid is closed again and the metering reservoir 1 is inserted into a washing machine or the like. After the start of the movement in the washing machine, the laundry treatment liquid emerges from the inner container 71 via its upper edge 78, which acts as an overflow, and flows in down to the outlet openings 73. Because of the movable receptacle of the inner container 71 in the outer container 72 and the wobbling movements in the washing machine, the inner container 71 repeatedly lifts off from the sealing ring 74, so that the washing treatment liquid finally through the

Exit opening 73 can exit into the washing machine. D Lid 76 can have a crossbar 79 for better handling of the lid. The lid 76 may further have centering webs 85 for centering the opening 5 of the inn container 71.

23 has a cage 25 with an upper closing cover 80. The cage 25 also has a number of slot openings 26. Furthermore, further openings can be formed in the cage bottom or there can be openings in the wall which are in the interior of the metering memory 1 extending tub 81 may be formed. The closure part 4 has a closure collar 82 which, when the closure part 4 is pulled up into the closed position, seals together with the end cover 80 of the cage 25. The closure part 4 is formed overall over an edge region 83 of the metering reservoir 1 and has an outer gripping bead 84. To fill the metering reservoir 1, the closure member 4 is in the depressed position shown in FIG. 23. Poured Wäsσhebe¬ treatment liquid can enter the interior of the metering reservoir 1 through the openings 26 in the cage 25. After filling the closure part 4 is pulled up until the Kra 82 with the end cover 80 ,. closes the sealing edge 85 of the cage 25. Then the metering memory 1 is inserted into a washing machine or the like in this state. Due to the laundry pressure resulting from the tumbling movements, the closure part 4 is pushed down again into the position shown in FIG. 22, so that laundry treatment liquid can escape from the interior through the openings 2 in the cage 25. The dosing reservoir shown in cross section in FIG. 24 is essentially spherical, with a clip-lockable closure cap 93 formed in the upper pole area. Above the equator 94, outlet openings 5 are formed which are closed in the closed state by a closure part 91. The closure part 91 consists of a flexible plastic ring which is prestressed on the sealing area 90, ie the outer wall area of the metering dispenser 1 surrounding the outlet openings 5.

The closure part 1 is formed in its upper region with a smaller diameter d than in its lower region. However, the diameter d of the closure part 91 in its lower region is smaller than the diameter of the dosing reservoir 1 in the region of the equator 94.

The closure part 91 can also be formed from a special thermally expandable material. The temperature increase of the washing water during the course of the laundry treatment cycle can result in an enlargement of the closure part 91 and thus practically an automatic lifting of the closure part 91 from the outlet opening 5. It is also only possible for the closure part 91 to fit loosely over the outlet openings 5 set that the laundry treatment liquid can easily escape in the heated state.

Above the outlet openings 5, locks 92 are formed, on which the closure part 91 runs upward during an opening movement, as shown in FIG. 26. These locks 92 serve on the one hand as stop elements for an opening movement of the closure part 91, and on the other hand as a means for capturing the closure part 91 to the metering reservoir 1. Alternatively, which is not shown in detail in the drawings, the lock 92 can also be designed as a circumferential rib. The Barriers 92, as shown in FIGS. 24-26, are formed in detail as ribs running on a meridian on the outer surface of the metering dispenser 1.

In addition, a handling extension 95 is formed on the closure cover 93 for easier handling.

For filling with laundry treatment liquid, the closure cap 93 of the metering reservoir 1 is opened as shown in FIGS. 24-26 and laundry treatment fluid is poured into the interior of the metering reservoir 1 from above. Before that, the closure part 91 is shifted by hand from the position shown in FIG. 26, which it assumes after a washing process, to the position shown in FIG. 24 or FIG. Due to the elasticity and the shape of the closure part 91, this remains in the closure position shown in FIG. 25. After the laundry treatment liquid has been poured in, the closure cap 91 is closed in a snap-in manner and the dosage reservoir 1 is inserted into a washing machine or the like. With the start of the laundry treatment and the moistening of the laundry, the laundry pressure exerts such a force on the closure part 91 that it is moved upward into an opening position according to FIG. 26. Alternatively or in support, it can also be provided that the closure part 9 expands due to the heat of the washing water and can thus be easily moved into the open position according to FIG. 26.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawing can be of importance for the invention both individually and in any combination.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. dosing memory for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, c with a closure which is evident during the laundry treatment, characterized in that an outlet opening (5) of the dosing memory (1) by means of an externally lying closing part which can be lifted off by pressurization (6 ) is abde bar and that the metering memory (1) to expel the

, _j laundry treatment liquid is at least partially compressible by pump.

2. Dosing reservoir, in particular according to claim 1, gekennzei net by a bellows-like design and thereby, since the opening (5) in the bellows-like design

15 uninfluenced area of the metering memory (1) is formed.

3. dosing store for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like,

20 with a closure which can be seen during laundry treatment, characterized in that the opening (5) can be closed by a rocker arm closure (11) which is erected in the closed state.

25

4. Dosing reservoir, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (5) can be closed by a cover (17) which can be lifted off and can be lifted off from the dosing reservoir (1).

30

5. dosing memory for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, characterized by a closure which is evident during the laundry treatment, characterized in that the closure is caught by a bewe Lich in the dosing memory (1) and projects into the interior of the dosing memory (1) A lid-lockable cage (25) forming openings (26) is formed.

6. dosing reservoir, in particular according to one or more d preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing reservoir (1) is at least partially bellows-shaped.

7. dosing memory for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, characterized by a closure which can be seen during the laundry treatment, characterized in that the outlet opening (5) is formed at a lower level, below a liquid level of the filled metering memory (1) al the inlet opening (43) and that the outlet opening (5) can be closed from the inside by means of a liquid-carrying closure body (42).

8. Dosing memory for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, characterized by a closure which is evident during the laundry treatment, characterized in that a closure part (69) can be inserted into an opening (5) in such a way that the opening (5 ) protruding plug area (70) serving to form a plug seat has a short length and that the closure part (69) has a cantilevered handling area (66) to form an opening-tilting moment.

9. Dosing store for receiving and dispensing a laundry treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, with an inlet opening and an outlet opening which can be seen during the laundry treatment, characterized in that the outlet opening (73) is at a lower level than the inlet opening (5). , below a liquid level of the filled dosing reservoir and that an overflow (78) leading to the outlet opening (73) is formed inside the dosing reservoir (1) 8164 _ 3 G -

10. Dosing memory for receiving and dispensing a Wäschebe¬ treatment liquid in a washing machine or the like, with a closure which is evident during laundry treatment, characterized in that the outlet openings (5) are caught by a pretensioner on the dosing dispenser (1) on one Sealing area (90) seated closure part (91) can be closed.