Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
62t~
L ~ ~
B~KGR~VN~_OF THE INVENTION
T~e present invention relates to a liquid produ~t
dispenser for a clo~hes washing machi~e or a dishw~sher.
~ore speci~ically, ~he invention is concerned with a
dispenser ~apa~le of measuring and dispensin~ into th
05 washin~ ~achin~ upon reque~t, a de~inite and
predetermine~ ~mount of the liquid required. The
invention is also co~cerned with a ~nit co~prising both
the measuring device i~sel~ and a reservoir for the
li~uid ~o be dispense~, which may be lod~ed in either
top or ront loading washing machines.
In a washer, especially in a clothes washing
machine, it is customar~ to ad~ to the water, going into
the d~um durin~ ~he various successive s~eps o~ the
washing ~ycle, a num~er of produc~ or additives, in
either liquid or powder form, namely; liquiq detergent,
sotener, æoap powde~, e~c. In the context of this
inve~tion, the prohlems of storing and dispensin~ a
li~uid detergent axe speci~ic~lly considered,
Accordin~ to known system~, the perso~ using the
washing machine has to ~ill a spheric~l dispenser with
liquid ~e~ergent for every wash or to ill dispe~sers of
other shapes provided for this purpose which can only
t~ke enough liquid Eo~ one wa~h, this being very
limiting.
lOl~C
Pa~e 2 ~13 ,~ 7 ~
There are also available improved syætems
comprising a reservoir or licluid detergen~, located in
the washing machine, which use a measuring pump to take
the li~uid up to the machine drum and ensure that the
05 ~ight amount is measured and dispensed.
These lattqr ~ystem~, which use various type, of
measu~ing pumps ~see, for irlsta~ce, do~uments FR A 2 475
079, EP A-O 077 463, ~B-A-2 113 255 and GB-A-~ 11 Z56),
have the drawback of being g~nerally inaccessible ~o the
person using the machine and the~efore problems of
drying out, s~icking and clog~ing arise due to the
va~ying viscosity of the liquid detergentæ. The
measuring pump and its valves, i any, as well as the
xeservoir become blocked or sticky due to the lumpæ ~r
liquid
deterg~nt; and, the inaccessibility o the parts
prevents an easy removal of the deposits. MoreoYer,
theæe lumpy deposits degrade and give out a disagreeable
odor i~ time.
Additiona~ly, the e~act amounts of liquid deter~ent
dispensed are a~Eected b~ the pump itself ~nd ~y ~he
lengths of cables requi~ed ~or ~he various couplings
among the elements of the sy~tem.
1016
Page 3
SU~A~
The present invention ai.ms to overcome all these
drawb~cks by providing a liqui~ prod~ct dispen~e~ for a
washing machine having a reservoir for the liquid so
that there is no need of refilling before each wash,
05 which is able ~o measure exactly and dispense directly
the amounts of li~uid requir~d ~o~ the wash a~d ye~
ena~les a~cess ~o all the other operational parts o the
system so th~t it can be easily clea~ed. ~t is thus an
o~ject of this invention to provide a product dispenser
for a clothes washing machine~ or dishwasher cO~p~isi~g
reservoir and, dispo~ed there~elow, a ~easuring device
havin~ ~ hollow valve member able to move along a
vertical a~is from a rest position, in which the
reservoir communicates with the
interior of ~he hollow v~lve mem~er so that it ma~ be
~illed, to a working position, in which the interior of
this valve member communicates with the space underneath
th~ measuring device to xelease a measure of the liquid
product in~o the washing m~chine. The valve membe~ is
pre~erably in one piece with a movable magnetic core
cooperating with a fixed ele~trom~gnet which, u~on being
excited, causes the movement o the valve member ~rom
the res~ position to the working position.
The movable hollow valve member of the measuring
2S device is guided ~or slidin~ movement from the rest
position to the working position ins.ide a tu~lar guide
ha~in~ a vertical axis, which is mounted on the bottom
of the ~e~ervoi~ ~o~ the liquid, preferably using an
interposed sealing ring~
1016K
Page 4
The movable hollow valve member of the meas~ring
device also preferabl~ has two seal rinys, one mounted
near each e~d, ~espectively. One seal ring being
disposed so that, in the res~ position, it fits against
05 ~ seat made in one piece with ~he tubular guide to stop
the e~it o~ the li~uid ~rom the b~se of the measuring
device. The o~her seal ring bein~ disposed so that, i~
the working position, it fits agai~st an annular seat
integral with the ~ottom of the reservoir in order ~o
s-~op pass~ge of li~uid from the xeservoir to ~he
measuring device.
In a pre~erred embodiment of the invention, the
reservoir for the liquid ~nd the measuring device placed
underneath it form a sinyle unit devised ~or pla~ement
inside a ~uitably ~ranged sea~ in the block or
dispen3in~ module for laundering products or additi~es
or for removing it from such seat. The ele~romagnet i~
fixed to the dispensing block or module. The above
mentio~ed seat comprises a wall made of pla~tic material
p~oviding electrical insulation ~nd sealing of~ ~he
electromagne~ while allowing -the passage of the magnetic
field in order ~o attract the moving core integral with
the moYable hollow valve membe~ ~f the measurin~
device. The wall also locates the measuring device on
the appliance.
The liqui~ produc~ dispenser according to the
invention, whose main fe~t~re~ have jus~ been described
of~ers the following advan~acJes:
Pa~e 5
J ~ r~
Firstly, it measures more e~aet a~ounts than ~hose
obtain~d ~y using traaitional pumps, as it employs ~
me~suring device workinq by volume which is opera~d
only b~ gravity and b~ electromagnetic att~action~ Thus,
05 the invention ov~rcomes vari~b~e pa~ameters, such as the
speed variationS o~ the pump motors depending on the
temperature oE the windings or the torque variations
c~used by the dif~erent ~iscosities of the liguid
detergents available on the market. The dis~enser
10 accor~in~ ~o ~his in~ention, i~ made in such a w~y that
the reser~oir is illed with onl~v the required ~ount of
air at the instant of op~ration, and eliminates the need
for the customa~y venting hole on the reserYoir which i~
likel~ to ca~se ~rying out or deterioration of the
15 li~uid ~herein.
The readily removable reservoir, whi~h has in its
upper p~rt a filling aperture h~ving a removable cover,
m~kes the filling with liquicl detergent very easy and
does away with any additiona] ~illing device.
Preferablr, the liquid cletergent dispenser
according to the invention is provided for installation
in the upper part o~ a washing machine ahove the ~ub or
drum of the machine so th~t the product dispensed falls
~y gravit~ where neede~. As the dispenser is di~ectly
25 located underneath the reservoir and just above the tuh
of the washer to which it may be connected ~y a short
leng~h of ~ ge dia~eter pipe, the risks of sticking,
clo~ing and bad smell are eliminated. Moreover, when
the reservoir is taken out, the measuring device com~s
with it and i~ is ~erefore easy to clean them both
periodically, simply b~ wa~hing, in order to prevent the
usual sticking and cloggin~ ~roblems. Cleaning of ~he
05 measuring device can be ~a~e even easier by providing a
separable connection, by a threaded connection for
in~ance, be~ween the measuring device and the bottom of
the reservoi~, which would a~low complete access to the
reservoir and also to the oth~er working parts of the
1~ measuring device. The position of the dispense~ at the
~op of the w~she~ is ergonomic as it makes handling easy.
It is also to be noted that the remo~able unit
comprising the reservoir and the measurin~ device has no
electrical connection t~ereto. The working conn~ction
with the ~easurin~ device is purel~ ma~netic a~d takes
place via a w~ll made o~ plastic material not sensitive
to the magnetic fiel~, be~ind whic~ there is a fi~ed
electro~agnet totall~ waterti~ht with respect to the
liquid around thq ~easuring device seatiny.
2~ The c~pacity of the reservoir can be easily chose~
to ensure availability o~ a la~ge qua~tity of liquid
detergent, su~icient for dispensing a numher of
measures which may be re~uir~d for a sin~le wash and
also for dispensi~g the doses required for several
successive washes wi~hout h~in~ to refill the reser~oir.
1016K
Pa~e 7
The liquid produ~ dispenser accordiny ~o the
inven~ion can be incorporated into a block or mod~le for
the dispensing of w~shing products or additives, ~hich
would also comprise one or morç compartments ~or storing
05 and dispensing a~other product, either liquid or powdex.
There is therefore provided a dispensing unit well
suited to toda~'s ~eeds, able to work with fairly large
amounts of liquid detergent or soap pow~ers while the
electric~l val~es ~nd the valves cables are kept to a
limite~ number. However, the invention will be better
understood by the following det~iled description, with
referen~e to the a~tached drawin~ showing, b~ wa~ o~ non
limiting e~amples, some embodiments of the li~ui~
product dispenser for washing machine.
F~;~SÇ~LPTIO~ OF T~IE D~WINGS
Fig.l is a general perspective view of a liqui~
product dispenser according to ~he invention associated
with ot~er dispensers ~or dif~er~nt washing products;
~0 Fig. Z is a ver~ical cross se~tion of the dispensqr
only for a liquid product in a rest position;
Fig. 3 is a parti~l c~oss se~tion of the di~penser
of ~ig. ~ in a working position;
Fig. ~ is an overhead view of the elect~o~agnetic
part o~ the disp~nse~, ~ccording to Figs. 2 and ~;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a ~iferent
embodiment of the dispenser for a liquid produçt
according to the in~ention.
1016K
~age 8
L~ RI~O~
Fig~ 1 shows a ~lock or module 1 for the dispensing
of washing products or additives Eor a ~ro~ loading
washing machine. The unit 1 comprises powder
compartments 2, 3 an~ a sof~ener compartment 4 accord1ng
~5 to dispensing sys~ems not concerned by the present
i~vention. In particul~r, the unit comprises a seatin~
cavity S open at the top a~d able to receive a removable
reservoir 6 ~or liquid deter~ent, ~he reservoir 6 b~ing
associ~ted with a measuring device 7 whi~h is described
detail here below.
The unit 1 is p~ovide~ with at leas~ one latera~
inlet pipe 8, for the ~ater with which the dispensed
products are to be mi~ed. ~n outlet pipe 9 is provided
extending verticall~ downward to convey such products
mixed with w~ter towards the washin~ rnachine ~rum.
The li~uid deteryent reservoir ~, whose shape
m~tches that of the se~ting ca~ity S provided in the
unit 1, has a ~illing aperture lo in its upper p~rt for
pouring the li~uid in, this aperture being closed, u~der
normal conditions, ~y a co~er or lid 11 as also shown in
Fig. 2.
Refer~ing to FIG. 2, the reservoir 6 has extendin~
downw~d from the bottom thereo~ ~ tubularly shaped
guide lZ inside which there :is assembled, in a slidin~
way, ~he moving valve member of the me~suring device 7.
An annular seal 1~ provided between the bot~om o~ the
7 1 ~ ~
reservoir 6 and the top of guiqe 12 ensures perfect
sealin~ between the reservoir 6 and the meas~ring device
7. The wall o~ ~he reservoir 6 can be made of flexible
plastic material t~ help the dose of liquid ~low more
05 easily ~der the action gravity.
The moving part of the rneasuring ~evice 7 com~rises
a hollow v~lve . member lS who~e upper part 1~ has a
cruciform ~hape in ~ross section and which is guided to
slide vertically inside an annular part 17 attached to
the bottom of the reservoir ~. ~he cylindrical middle
section of the valve member :L5 slides vertically inxide
a tubular guide 12. The middle section of valve member
15 bein~ prcvided wi~h a me~l sleeve la. The lower
section lg o~ the valve member 15 has a rounded conica~
shape.
Lateral entr~ ports 20 ~or the liquld detergent are
provided in ~e hollow valve ~e~ber 15 of the mov~n~
part o ~he measuring device 7 between the upper
cru~i~o~m ~ection 1~ and the middle sec~ion o~ ~alve
member 15. Lateral e~it ports 21 for the liquid are
providqd in the lower conical section 19 of the hollow
valve member 15.
~ first lipped seal rin~ 22 is mounted on th~ valve
member 15 above the lateral entry ports 20~ A second
annular lipped seaI ring 23 is ~lso mounted on valve
me~bex 15 in the lower sec~ion 19 directly below the
lateral e~its 21.
Pagç l0 ~ t~
~ ~eturn ~pring 24 for the moving part of the
m~asurin~ device 7 has ~he upper end thereof regis-tered
against the bottom of ~e~ervoir 6 and the lower end,
against pLojections ~5 forrned from the materi~l of the
05 hollow valve member lS and whi~h ~re pro~ided at
circum~erential intervals between the lat~ral entry
ports 20. When the measuring reservoir 6 is placed in
its seating ~avity 5, the ~easuring device 7 fits in a
cylindric~l e~tension of the seating cavity S ~hich is
defined by a wall of unit l, made o~ plastic material.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the unit l contain~ the
coil of an electromagnet ~7, having an horizontal axis
28, pl~ced near the wall 26; and, the coil 27 is
electrically fed by wires (not shown) connected to
te~minals 29. On either side of the elec~romagnetic coil
Z7 there are positioned vertical electrical pole plates
30 and 31, respe~ively/ e~tending in the direction o~
the seating cavity for the measurin~ device 7, bu~
isolated and insulated ~herefrom by the wall 2~ The
re~ulting magnetic circuit is able to be completed by
the metal sleeve l~ of the measuring device 7, which
acts here as a movable magnetic armature, the plastic
wall 26 allowing passa~e of the magnetic field.
In a ~est position, as sho~n in ~ig, 2, as with the
electro~gnetie coil lg de-ene~gi~ed, the mova~le
armature-valve membe~ lS of the measurin~ device 7 is
positioned as low as possible und~r the action o~
gr~vity and of the ret~rn spriny 2q. The lowe~ lipped
~a~e 11
seal ring 23 closes the exit of the measurin~ device 7
by resting against a wall 32 in the sh~pe of a truncated
cone which is interrlally con~ected to the lower section
: o~ guide 12. Thus~ wîth the valve ~ember 15 in the
05 position shown in FIG. 2, ~he liquid detergent contained
in the reserYoir 6 fills the inside of ~he hollow va~ve
member lS by gravi~y, as shown ~y the arrows in Fig. 2,
flowing through the ve~tical passages provided in a
cruci~orm sec~ion area 16 and also through l~teral ent~y
ports 20.
Referring to Fig~ 3, the valve memher is shown in
the dosing or dispensing position, with the
electr.omag~e-ti~ ~ooil 27 is energized by a short impulse
o~ electric current, the movable armature consistin~ o~
the metal sleeve 18 is attracted upwards. As the movable
ar~atu~e is made in one piece with the valve member 15,
t~e whole moviny part o~ t~e measuring device 7 is
quickly displaced upwardly. Upward movement of valve
me~ber 15 moves the ~ower li~ped seal ring z3 away from
the trunco-conical wall 32 ~llowing the li~uid contained
in the ~ollow valve mem~er 15 and also p~esent in the
annular space defined by the guide 12 and the par~ 17,
to ~low out freely through the exits ~1, as shown ~y ~he
arrow~ on Fi~. 3. Simu~taneously, the upper seai ring
2S 22 abuts against the annular part 17 and provides a
barrier between ~he ~eservoir 6 and the mea~uring device
7, ~hus ensuring that, in a si~gle dose, the correct
amount of liquid wanted by the user is dispensed.
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Page 12 2 ~
In order to fill the reservoir 6, the user of the
washing machine takes the removable reservoir out o~ its
seating c~vity along with the measuring d~vice 7. The
return spriny 24 maintains the movable valve member of
05 the measuring device 7 in the downwards position,
preventing the liquid from flowing ou~ during filling
ana handling. ~he remo~al of ~he reser~oir 5 also m~kes
cleaning of the device easier. The measurin~ device 7
can be secured to the reservoir 6 by threaded connqc~.ion
screwing, hence the measur;ng device 7 i~self becomes
remoYa~le ~ unscrewing it for cleaning.
Fig. 5 shows a different embodiment of the
dispense~ for liquid detergent, suitable for ~ ~ront
loading machine. There is provided a remov~ble
reservoir 60 ~o~ liqllid detergent, which ~its in a
seati~g c~ity 5 and is associated with ~ measuring
de~ice 70, whose structure ~nd opera~ion are the s~me as
those of the ~bove description. ~uiding tracks 33 are
provided on the side ~aces o~ the seating ca~it~ 50, the
tracks 33 departing ~rom the front opening o~ the
seating cavity 50, through which the reservoi~ 60 is
inserted and extracted. The reservoir 60 is provided
wit~ guiding fingers 34 on its lateral walls which are
intended ~o fit and slide in the guidin~ tracks 33.
~S Each time it is operated, the dispenser dispenses
the same amount of liquid dete~gent, for instance, a
volume of 20 cubic centimeters. As soon as it leaves the
measuring device 70, and right below it, the amount of
J -t~
.7~
detergent is mixed wit~ a jet of water coming f~om th~
water inlet a ~see FIG. 1), and the resulting mi~ture is
conveyed vi~ an outlet g towaLds the washing machine
drum. As the dispenser is installed in the upper part
05 o the washing ~chine aboYe the drum, the detergent
reaches the drum by g~avity.
The e-lec~rica} impulses reaching the elec~omagnet
coil 27 are sent either directly by the washer
prograrnmer or by an ~lectronic assemhly not ~hown here,
un~er command of the washer p~ogrammer. The electronic
assem~ly can send a series of impulses to ~he elect~o
Magnet, hence a number of measures o~ ~etergent ~re
delivered making up the total amount of detergent
required for the chosen program or for the type of
1~ clothes to be laundered.
~s ~ whole, there i~ provided a liquid detergent
ai~penser ~or washing machine of~ering the following
a~vanta~es:
All the working parts of the dispenser are easily
accessible to ~he user, especially as ~ar as cleaning is
concerned;
The measurin~ or dosing device 7 is removable ~nd
has no c~les or elec~rical connections, since the
magnetic ~ield only is used to operate it through a wal~
26 made of plastic mate~ial.
The measuring device 7 works by volume an~
. dispenses an exact amount of li~uid detergent at each
operation.
.
.
P~cJ~
J ~
The total amount of the pro~uct ~ispensed is easily
adjust~ble by the number of impulses sent to the
electroma~net.
When ~ounted on a washer, the device according t.o
05 the inven~ion of~ers a simplifie~ sy~tem o dispensing
li~uid products, a~ there i~ no need for a pump, or for
a pipe o~ varyiny length or for any o~her i~ac~e~ible
paxt ~illed with detergent likely to stick ~r go dr~.
The li~uid deter0ent reservoir 6 is airti~ht and
~herefore ~here is no deteriora-tion o~ the product
waitin~ to be dispensed insi~e the reservoir.
~he invention is not limited to the embodiments of
the dispenser or liquid detergent or a washing m~chine
des~ribed above by way of examples o~ly; on the
contrary, it covers any varia~ion, both in manufacture
and application, within ~he ~;cope of the inventive
principle. Therefore, it is within the scope of the
invention to carry ou~ cons~ructive modi~ic~tion~ o
details of the measuring devi~e or to use it ~or
dispensiny any other liquid pro~uct re~uired, ~or
instance in a dishwasher. One such variation con~erns
the reservoir ~illing apertule 10, closed by a cover 11
which can be eliminated, in whi~h case there is
provision for the reservoir ~ to be filled frotn the
aperture on which ~he measurin~ device 7 removably
mounted .
