Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a storage and additive
dispensing device, and more particularly relates to a treating
agent dispensing device which delivers predetermined amounts o~
treating agents to a domestic or industrial washing device.
Embodiment of the invention includes manual as well as automatic
operation resulting in the supply of a predetermined amount of
a treating agent to a domestic or industrial washing device.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Various apparatus for supplying detergent to a washing
device have heretofore being devised.
For example United States Patent No. 4,203,307 ~JJ1
discloses a detergent supply device for supplying a detergent and ~
a fabric conditioner into a washing basin of a washing machine. -~ ¦
The detergent supply device is mounted in the washing machine and
has a detergent container containing a detergent and a fabric
conditioner container containing a fabric conditioner. In the
preliminary washing step, the detergent supply device delivers
only water to the washing basin. In the washing step the device
delivers the detergent together with water to the washing basin.
Finally, in the rinsing step the device delivers the fabric
conditioner together with water. These three water supplying
functions are performed through controls of only two water
supplying solenoid valves.
Fùrthermore, ! United~ States Patent No. 4,009,598~ $~
discloses a domestic clothes washer incorporating a system for
dispensing predetermined amounts of liquid treating agents ~
wherein an add on storage tank reservoir is mounted on the washer ¦ ~> ,~/i
control console. User operated valves provide gravity flow o~
the agents from thle reservoir into the dispensing vessels on the
console.
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Another device described in United States Patent No.
2,698,022 discloses an invention relating to a dispenser for
liquid detergents and more particularly to dispenser for liquid
detergent in an automatic dishwashing machine and the like,
wherein a receptacle adapted to hold a liquid detergent, open
at the top and having an opening in the bottom and a closure
therefor, which closure is operated by thermal actuated
bimetallic element responsive to the temperature oP the water in
the machine.
Moreover, United States Patent No. 3,370,597 discloses
a dishwashing machine having a sump which can be filled and
drained automatically, and a motor driven pump and spray device
connected to recirculate a spray cleansing liquid over soiled
articles in a cleansing chamber, includes a metering type gravity
feed dispenser connected to transfer a measured amount of
concentrated liquid sanitizer into the chamber during the final
rinsing operation of the machine to sanitize the articles without
need for water at a temperature of 180 F.
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Finally, United States Patent No. 3,670,530 discloses
an additive dispenser for clothes washing machines or the like
having a container that pivots from a vertical additive retaining -
position to a horizontal additive dispensing position in response
to centrifugal force developed by spinning of the agitator.
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Each of the prior devices referred to above present
reIatively complicated structures having li~ited use as the
supplying devices mounted in the washing machine and therefore
only usable with said washing apparatus.
Further the prior devices referred to above in some
cases only present storage space for one application of treating
agents, and therefore must be manually refilled with each cycle
or wash.
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It is the object of this invention to provide an
improved storage and dispensing devi~e which will be portable,
environmentally attractive, and will reduce the need of refilling
each and every cycle or wash.
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It is a further object of the present invention to
automatically measure a predetermined amount of liquid treating
agents and have them presented to the washing device at the
precise moment required.
The broadest aspect of this invention relates to a
dispensing device for storing and dispensing liquids, comprising
a reservoir having an opening at one end thereof to receive said
liquid; a discharge passage at another end thereof for
discharging said liquid; a valve structure associated with said
discharge passage for communicating said liquid in said reservoir
through said passage in an open position and to block access of
said liquid to said discharge passage in a closed position.
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~20 It is another aspect of this invention to provide a
plurality of dispensing devices interconnected in a side-by-side
relationship wherein each device comprises: a dispensing device
for storing and dispensing liquids, comprising a reservoir having
an opening at one end thereof to receive said liquid; a discharge
passage at another end thereof for discharging said liquid; a
valve structure associated with said discharge passage for
communicating said liquid in said reservoir through said passage
in an open position and to block access of said liquid to said
discharge passage in a closed;position, including a lid hinged
adjacent said open end of said reservoir so as to permit
introduction of liquid into said reservoir in an open position
and to close said opening in said closed position; further
including a viewing window and which said reservoir includes a ;
tongue structure presented exteriorly of said reservoir and
present?~ng a groove structure presented exteriorly of said
reservoir; wherein said tongue structure of one of said devices
is connected to said groove structure of said adjacent device.
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DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
These and other objects and features shall now be
described in relation to the following drawings:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the said dispensing device
in association with a washing device.
Figure 2 is a front psrspective view of two dispensing devices.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of three of the said dispensing
. devices.
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the said dispensing
device, showing a particular piping arrangement.
Figure 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the
said dispensing device.
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; Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the
said dispensing device.
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Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the said dispensing
device along the line 7-7 of figure 5.
~ Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the said dispensing device
`~ along the line 8-8 of figure 7.
;30 Figùre 9 is a partiàl cross-sèctional view of the said dispensing
~ device along the line 9-9 of figure 6.
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Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the said dispensing device
along the line 10-LO o~ figure 9. `
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Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment
of the dispensing device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Like parts shall be given identical numbers throughout
the figures. The dispensing device is generally depicted by
numeral 70 and comprises a reservoir tank 2 and a hinged closure
member or lid 4 which is connected to the reservoir tank 2 by
h~nges 14. Each dispensing device 70 can be conne~ted to another
dispensing device 70 by engaging the nesting arrangement by
placing the tongue 16 into the groove 18 as shown in figure 3.
This permits numerous dispensing devices 70 to be connected to
one another in side by side relationship. The dispensing device
70 is adapted to receive and dispense liquid treating agents 90
such as soaps, fabric softeners or the like.
,
~ ; Referring now to figure 1 there is shown two connected
;~ ; individual dispensing devices 70 relative to a domestic or
industrial washing device 60. It should be understood that
although the two connected dispensing devices are shown in
figure 1, one dispensing device could be used without departing
from the spirit of the invention to be more fully described
~herein. The details of the domestic or industrial washing device
60 need not be described herein, since the particular arrangement
of the parts is not essential to the present invention. The
washing device 60 is illustrated to show the combination with the
two connected individual dispensing devices 70. The dispensing
devices 70 can be mounted by ;aisuitable bracket to a secured
object, such as a wall or a moveable object such as a moveable
support (not shown). However, in order to operate, the height of
the individual dispensing device 70 muæt be at an elevation
greater than the elevation of the frame 64 of the washing device
60 as shown in figure 1.
The displensing device 70 may have any shape provided
it present~ a receptacle open at one end and covered by a lid 4
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which is moveable between an open position and a closed position.
The dispensing device 70 is further provided at its bottom
portion with a discharge passage 6, a valve 8 which has an open
position and a closed position, and a supply tube 12 which is
adapted to be inserted into the cleansing chamber 66.
Figure 2 illustrates two individual dispensing devices
70 connected by a tongue and groove connecting means 16 and 18,
respectively as hereinafter described with respect to figure 3.
The dispensing device 70 comprises of a hollow generally
cylindrical storage device open at one end with such opening
covered by a lid 4 in the closed position. When the lid 4 is
in the upper or open position it permits the introduction of
liquid treating agents 90 into the reservo~r tank 2 for the
purpose of storage and dispensing of the said liquid treating
agents 90. Valves 8 are located at the other end of the
~ reservoir 2 set in the closed position until activated manually,
;i~ or in the alternative automatically, resulting in the valve 8
being placed into the open position for a temporary period,
allowing a predetermined measure of liquid treating agent 90 into
the supply tube 12 which said supply tube 12 will deliver the
said liquid treating agents directly into the cleansing chamber
66 as shown in figure 1, or through a piping arrangement 80 as
shown in figure 4, to the cleansing chamber 66 as shown in
figure 1.
Vextically along the front of the dispensing devices
70 is a viewing window 10 which permits the inspection of the
level of the liquid in the! rese!rvoir tank 2. on one side of the
dispensing devices 70 there exists a groove 18, and on the other
side there exists a tongue 16 which permits numerous storage and
additive dispensing devices 70 to be joined together into one
continuous unit. The valve 8 is manually situate in the closed
position which does not permit the ~low of liquid treating agents
from the reservoir tank 2 to the supply tube 12. The valve is
placed into the ope!n position manually allowing a flow of liquid
treating agents so from the reservoir tank 2 into the supply tube
12 by pushing the handle 9.
Figure 3 illustrates the nesting arrangement which
permits the numerous dispensing devices 70 to be connected. The
means used to attach the dispensing devices 70 is a tongue and
groove structure. Each dispensing device 70 has a tongue 16 and
groove 18 whereby the tongue 16 may be inserted into a groove
18 forming a continuous unit.
Figure 4 illustrates an alternative piping arrangement
80 than that illustrated in figure 1. The supply tube 12 is
connected to the valve 8 which controls the discharge passage 6
at one end, and to a multiple access connector 20. The multiple
access connector 20 is connected directly to T connector 24 or
alternatively may be connected to a joining pipe 22 which in turn
is connected to T connector 24, T connector 24 being connected
through pipe members 23 and 25 to the hot and cold supply line
28 and 29 which are connected to the washing device 60 and which
are normally under constant water pressure when tap valves 30 and
~ 31 respectively are in the open position.
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Pipe sections 23 and 25 respectively are connected to
T sections 26 and 27 respectively which in turn are connected to
hot and cold supply line 28 and 29, the hot and cold supply lin~s
28 and 29 are adapted to be connected to the washing device 60
in a well known manner. When the washing device 60 permits the
flow of water into its cleansing chamber 66 or other holding
area a low prejssure will be created in the piping arrangement 80.
When the valve means 8 is temporarily placed into the open
position either manually or automatically a predetermined amount
of liquid treating a~ents 90 will be drawn into the piping
arrangement 88, illustrated by 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and
27. Valves 8 in the arrangement shown in figure 4 are one way
valves which permit flow of liquid treating agents 90 from
reservoir 21 to supply tube 12 but do not permit backflow of
liquid into the reservoir 2. When the washing device permits the
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flow of water to occur again the liquid treating agents will be
delivered to the cleansing chamber 66. This process will be
repeated numerous times depending on the particular domestic or
industrial washing device 60 and will only deliver liquid
treating agents 90 as determined by the dispensing device 70.
Figures 5, 7 and 8 illustrate a dispensing device 70,
comprising a hollow vertical generally cylindrical storage
reservoir tank 2 open at the upper end with such opening covered
by a lid 4 in the closed position. When lid 4 is in the open
position it permits the introduction of liquid treating agents
90 into the reservoir 2 for the purpose of storage and dispensing
of said liquid treating agents 90. The lid 4 being attached to
the reservoir 2 by a hinging device 14. The valve arrangement
is presented at the lower end o~ the dispensing device 70 which :
is in-the closed position until activated by a automatic valve
: means (which shall be more fully described herein) which places
: the valve arrangement 92 into the open position for a temporary
period allowing a predetermined measure of a liquid treating
~20 ayents 90 into the supply tube 12 which will deliver the said
liquid treating agents 90 directly or through a piping means to
the cleansing chamber 66 as previously described. ::
Vertically along the front of the dispensing device 70
: is a viewing window 10 which permits the inspection of the level
of liquid treating agents 90 in the reservoir tank 2.
.
on one side of the dispensing device 70 there exists
a groove 18, and on the other side there exists a tongue 16 which
permits numerous storage and additive dispensing devices to be
joinsd together into one continuous unit.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the automatic valve
arrangement 92. The cam plate 48 controls the flow of liquid
treating agents 9t) through the discharge passage 40, and is
normally ~ituate in the closed position which does not permit the
flow of liquid treating agents 90 from the reservoir tank 2 into
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the supply tube 12. The valve arrangement 92 is placed in the
open position by depressing the cam plate on/off switch 32,
energizing the electric motor 54 which causes the cam plate 48
to rotate 180 F into the open position, a position which permits
the liquid treating agents 90 to flow from the reservoir tank 2
through the opening 40, through the cam opening 50, into the
supply tube 12. When the cam plate on/off switch 32 is depressed
the cam motor 54 is activated, rotating the cam plate another
180 F into the closed position. In the alternative a timing
10mechanism will be activated upon depressing the cam plate on/off
switch 32 and will automatically place the cam plate 48 into the
closed position after a predetermined period of time.
Figures 7 and 8 disclose an agitator 94 which is driven
by an electrical agitator motor 42, and is activated by pressing
the agi~ator on/o~f switch 34. The agitator motor 42 will be
activated causing the agitator blades 46 to move in a circular
motion around its vertical axis. Alternatively, a time delay
switch could be inserted in the electrical circuitry so that when
20the agitator on/o~f switch 34 is activated the agitator motor 42
would be energized for a predetermined period of time, thereafter
shutting itself off.
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The power source to energize the agitator motor 42 and
the cam motor 54 is provided by batteries 58 which are suitably
wired (this feature is not illustrated). The batteries 58 are
located in the battery housing 56 which is appropriately sealed
to minimize unwanted seepage. The batteries 58 are replaceable. ;~-
30Appropriate sealing gaskets will be used throughout the
structure in order to minimize unwanted seepage.
Referring to the alternative device in figures 6, 9 and
10 which illustrat:e a dispensing device 70, comprising of a
hollow vertical generally cylindrical storage receptacle open at
the upper end with such opening covered by a lid 4, in the closed
position. When the lid 4 is in the open position it permits the
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introduction of liquid treating agents 90 into the reservoir tank
4 for the purposes of storage and dispensing of said lic~id
treating agents 90. The lid 4 being attached to the reservoir
tank 2 by a hinging device 14. The valve arrangement is
presented at the lower end of the dispensing device 70 which is
in the closed position until activated manually by a plunger
button 36 resulting in the valve means being placed into an open
position for a temporary period of time allowing a predetermined
measure of liquid treating agents 90 into the supply tube 12
which will deliver said licruid treating agents 90 directly into
the washing device 60 or alternatively through a piping
arrangement 80 to the cleansing chamber 66.
Vertically along the front of the dispensing device 70
is a viewing window 10 which permits the inspection of the level
of liquid in the reservoir 2.
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On one side of the dispensing device 70 there exists
a groove 18 and on the other side there exists a tongue 16 which
permits numerous dispensing devices 70 to be joined together into
: one continuous unit.
The valve arrangement is biased in the closed position
which does not permit the flow of liquid treating agents 90 from
the reservoir tank 2 into the supply tube 12. The valve is
placed into the open position by pressing the plunger button 36
: into a position where the cam opening 78 aligns with the
discharge passage 40 allowing a flow of liquid treating agents
90 from the reservoir tank 2 into the supply tube 12 for a
predetermined period of time which is dependant on the setting
of the spring means 77 which returns the cam plate 76 into a
closed position.
A manually operated agitator 93 can be engaged by the
rotation of the hanclle 72 around its vertical axis which rotates
the gear 73 and in turn the gear 74 thereby transferring the
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power to the agitator blades 46 causing them to rotate around
their vertical axis.
Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of the
dispensing device 70 comprising a hollow vertical generally
rectangular storage reservoir tank 2 open at an upper end with
such opening covered by a lid 4 and agitator handle 100 recessed
in the lid 14 in the closed position. When lid 4 is in the open
position it permits the introduction of liquid treating agents
90 into the reservoir 2 for the purpose of storage and dispensing
of said liquid treating agents 90. The valve arrangement is
presented at the lower end of the dispensing device 70 which is
biased in the closed position until activated manually by lifting
the tab handle 102 resulting in the valve means being placed into
an open position for a period of time allowing a measure of
liquid treating agents 9o into the supply tube 12 which will
deliver said liquid treating agents 90 directly into the washing
device 60 or alternatively through a piping arrangement 80 to the
cleansing chamber 66.
Vertically along the front of the dispensing device 70
is a viewing window 10 which permits the inspection of the level
of liquid in the reservoir 2.
On one side of the dispensing device 70 there exists
a groove 18 and on the other side there exists a tongue 16 which
permits numerous dispensing devices 70 to be joined together into
one continuous unit as previously described in relation to the
previous fiqures.
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The valve arrangement is biased in the closed position
which does not permit the flow of liquid treating agents 90 from
the reservoir tank 2 into the supply tube 12. The valve is
placed into the open position by activating the tab handle 102,
which causes the t-valve 106 to either be manoeuvred into an open
position where a free flow of treating agents will be permitted
from the reservoir tank 2 into the supply tube 12, or the t-valve
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will prevent the Plow of the liquid treatinq agents 90 by sealing
the chamber 108, permitting the chamber 108 to fill with a
predetermined measure of liquid treating agents 90 until the
spring mechanism 110 returns the t-valve into the closed position
allowing said predetermined measure of liquid treating agents 90
to flow from the chamber 108 into the supply tube 12. Treating
Agents 90 may be introduced into chamber 108 through hole 10~.
The manually operated agitator 112 can be engaged by
the rotation of the agitator handle 100 around its vertical axis
thereby transferring the power to the agitator blades 114 causing
said agitator blades 114 to rotate around their vertical axis.
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Appropriate sealing gaskets will be used throughout the
structure in order to minimize unwanted seepage.
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The dispensing device 70 as illustrated has a
rectangular cross section, however various other shapes could be
adopted. The dispensing device 70 has been described as useful
with liquid treating agents which would include liquid
detergents, solutions of solid detergents, fabric softeners and
the like. Further the device is suitable to receive packages of
concentrated agents which can be diluted and used in the
dispensing device. Recently such products hava become popular
due to the environmental concerns surrounding plastic soap
containers which are disposed of after the inputting of the
product. The dispensing device described herein may be made of
plastic, but is more environmentally desirable as the device can
be used repeatedly and accepts llquid treating agents which can
be contained in more environmentally safe containers which will
only be required to facilitate a temporary storage function.
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Although the preferred embodiments as well as the
operation and use have been specifically described in relation
to the drawings, it should be understood that variations in
preferred embodiment can be achieved by a man skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly,
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the invention should not be understood to be limited to the exact
form revealed by the drawings.
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