EP2281939B1 - Household device with dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a water-conducting domestic appliance, for example a laundry treatment appliance for washing and / or drying laundry, and a tray for such a domestic appliance. Specifically, the invention relates to the field of washing machines, tumble dryers and washer dryers.

From the EP 1 884 584 A2 a washing machine is known in which a plurality of storage containers are provided. In the storage containers laundry treatment agents are stored, which are sufficient for several washing programs. The storage containers are arranged on a support which can be pulled out of the washing machine and inserted again.

The from the EP 1 884 584 A2 known washing machine has the disadvantage that the operation is relatively complex. In particular, there is the disadvantage that a cleaning or emptying of the reservoir is associated with a relatively large effort. For example, pump elements must be dismantled and then reassembled.

From the DE 10 2004 059 137 A1 a device for the metered delivery of a liquid washing, rinsing or Nachspülsubstanz for a washing machine is known. Here, a dispensing container is provided which is able to retain a certain amount of the liquid substance. In the housing of the dispenser, a refillable main chamber or refillable main tank is formed, which can receive a certain amount of liquid rinsing substance, which is usable in the course of a plurality of successive operating cycles. The tank is hereby refillable by a suitably mounted on the front of the housing opening to which a removable sealing plug belongs.

From the DE 10 2007 052 076 B3 is a water-conducting household appliance with a Einspülschale for liquids known. The bottom of the Einspülschalenwandung is inclined in this case to an opening, so that a spherical closure device rests sealingly on the opening solely due to gravity. As a sealing means, a rubber layer of the spherical sealing device can be used. Actuation is by magnetic forces.

From the DE 32 46 127 A1 is a device with facilities for the storage, dosage and addition of liquid detergents and detergents known. Here, a fluid coupling with a valve body is arranged on a container in the guide direction. The connecting piece of the fluid coupling is guided over a certain guide path in this direction and coupled to the valve body. In this case, the connection piece has a catch component which, after overcoming the guide path, can be locked by a block component and releases the connection piece from the valve body.

From the EP 1 324 428 A2 a connection means for electrical contact is known.

The object of the invention is to provide a shell in which the operability is facilitated, and a domestic appliance with such a shell. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a tray in which a stored liquid can be easily removed, and a domestic appliance with such a tray.

The object is achieved by a shell according to the invention and by an inventive domestic appliance having the features of the respective independent patent claim. Preferred embodiments of the shell and the domestic appliance result from corresponding dependent claims and the following description, wherein also preferred embodiments of the shell correspond to preferred embodiments of the domestic appliance and vice versa, and this even if it is not explicitly stated herein.

Accordingly, the shell according to the invention, which is in particular a Einspülschale for a water-conducting household appliance, a shell body, the shell body has at least one chamber and a chamber associated outlet, which is mannell closed by means of at least indirectly connected to the shell body, flexible closure element mannell, wherein the flexible closure element (17) is designed as a closure flap.

The household appliance according to the invention, in particular water-conducting household appliance, is accordingly equipped with at least one housing part and a shell according to the invention, wherein the shell can be introduced into the housing part.

There is the advantage that a chamber of the shell can be emptied in a simple manner, with a targeted collection of the liquid is made possible, which expires from the chamber via the associated outlet. Specifically, there is the advantage that the shell can be emptied before cleaning, so that the cleaning of the shell is facilitated. In addition, there is the particular advantage that the contents of the chamber can be easily replaced. This makes it possible, in particular, to exchange a soiled or otherwise no longer required laundry treatment agent or the like.

In the household appliance according to the invention or the shell according to the invention, the flexible closure element is designed as a closure flap. The flexible closure element is at least partially bendable designed so that it can be pressed in the region of the outlet to the outlet to close it, and can be removed from the outlet to open the outlet, the closure element remains connected to the shell body ,

It is advantageous that a fastening part of the closure element is connected to the shell body and that a closure part of the closure element has an elastically deformable plug which can be pressed into an opening of the outlet for closing the outlet associated with the chamber. As a result, a simple operation is possible to open and close the outlet by means of the closure part of the closure element. In particular, the operation can be made with one hand, since the closure part is permanently associated with the outlet and can be pressed to close in a simple manner on the outlet, whereby the elastically deformable plug of the closure part of the closure element closes the outlet.

It is also advantageous that the elastically deformable plug has an annular, elastically deformable sealing lip to ensure a reliable seal. In addition, a reliable seat in the outlet of the chamber can be achieved by the annular sealing lip.

It is advantageous that the fastening part of the closure element has a latching point, on which the closure part can be latched when the outlet is open. That's it Further advantageous that the latching point of the fastening part of the closure element is formed by a recess into which a projection of the closure part of the closure element can be latched, or that the latching point of the fastening part of the closure element is formed by a projection which can be latched into a recess of the closure part of the closure element is. The configuration of the recess is adapted to the configuration of the projection. Specifically, a cylindrical recess may be provided, into which a cylindrical projection can be latched. Here, a puncture may be provided on the projection to ensure reliable engagement.

The fastening part of the closure element can be arranged in an advantageous manner on a front side of the shell body or on an underside of the shell body. As a result, advantageous arrangements of the closure element are given, in which an advantageous position of the closure part of the closure element is predetermined. As a result, on the one hand a simple operation is possible. With a retractable and extendable shell an operation in the inserted, partially ejected and removed state is possible. It is particularly advantageous that the outlet is provided on a front side of the shell body.

Advantageously, a recess is provided on an outer side of the shell body in the region of the outlet associated with the chamber, into which the closure element can be inserted for closing the outlet. As a result, the closure element can be flush with the outside of the shell body. This also ensures some protection against accidental opening or wear during the life of the shell.

Here, it is also advantageous that the recess is designed so that in the recess on the outside of the shell body with inserted closure element which closes the outlet, a free space remains free to allow removal of the closure element from the recess for opening the outlet. For example, an operator with a fingertip or a fingernail can lift the closure element out of the recess on the outside of the shell body through the clearance.

Advantageously, a color configuration of the closure element differs from a color design of the shell body. Specifically, the closure element can be configured in an accent color. By a conspicuous configuration, on the one hand, the operation for a user (user) is facilitated, since he recognizes the closure element as an operable by him closure element. On the other hand can be pointed to the special function of the shell, resulting in a differentiator.

Advantageously, a connectable to the shell body panel is provided, wherein the panel is removable from the shell body and wherein the closure element is covered by the panel when the panel is connected to the shell body. In this way, a shapely design of the shell can be achieved, so that in particular in the inserted or inserted state of the shell, in which the shell is located in a housing part of a household appliance, a shapely front surface of the domestic appliance can be realized. In addition, a protection for the closure of the spout can be formed by the aperture, since unintentional release of the closure element from the spout prevented and optionally complete closure of the outlet by means of the closure element and a fixing of the closure element can be achieved.

The shell body may have a plurality of chambers, which are associated with outlets, which are closed by connected to the shell body, flexible closure elements. This results in the advantage that the closure elements can be operated individually to selectively open an outlet. As a result, a chamber can be specifically emptied. As a result, it is also possible to separate the residues of laundry treatment agents or the like contained in the chambers separately from one another in order to optionally refill them into the chambers after a cleaning of the shell. In addition, an inadvertent incorrect filling of a chamber can be corrected.

• Fig.1 1 ein Hausgerät mit einer Schale in einer auszugsweisen, schematischen, räumlichen Darstellung entsprechend einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• Fig. 2 einen auszugsweisen Schnitt durch die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Schale des Hausgeräts entlang der mit II bezeichneten Schnittlinie;
• Fig.3 den in Fig. 1 mit III bezeichneten Ausschnitt einer Schale eines Hausgeräts entsprechend einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer auszugsweisen, schematischen, räumlichen Darstellung;
• Fig.4 den in Fig. 3 mit IV bezeichneten Ausschnitt der Schale des Hausgeräts des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels in einem Zustand, in dem ein Auslauf geöffnet ist, und
• Fig. 5 den in Fig. 3 mit IV bezeichneten Ausschnitt der Schale des Hausgeräts des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels aus der mit V bezeichneten Blickrichtung.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding elements with matching reference numerals. Show it:

• Fig.1 1 a domestic appliance with a shell in an excerpt, schematic, spatial representation according to a first embodiment;
• Fig. 2 an excerpted section through the in Fig. 1 illustrated shell of the household appliance along the section line designated II;
• Figure 3 the in Fig. 1 with III designated section of a shell of a household appliance according to a second embodiment in a partial, schematic, spatial representation;
• Figure 4 the in Fig. 3 with IV designated section of the shell of the domestic appliance of the second embodiment in a state in which an outlet is open, and
• Fig. 5 the in Fig. 3 with IV designated section of the shell of the domestic appliance of the second embodiment of the V direction of view designated.

Fig. 1 shows a domestic appliance 1 in an excerpt, schematic, spatial representation according to a first embodiment. The domestic appliance 1 of this embodiment is designed as a water-conducting household appliance 1. The water-conducting household appliance 1 can be used in particular for washing and / or drying laundry. The domestic appliance 1 has a shell 2, which can serve in particular as a dispenser for a water-conducting household appliance 1. The domestic appliance 1 and the shell 2 of the invention, however, are also suitable for other applications.

The water-conducting household appliance 1 has a housing part 3. On the housing part 3, a front surface 4 is provided. The housing part 3 has a receptacle 5 formed by a free space, which serves to receive the shell 2. The shell 2 can be inserted into the receptacle 5. However, an embodiment is possible in which the shell 2 is inserted into a receptacle 5. Thus, the shell 2 can be introduced into the housing part 3.

The shell 2 has a shell body 6 and a diaphragm 7. The panel 7 is suitably connected to the shell body 6, wherein a user can solve the connection. This allows a user to remove the panel 7 from the shell body 6. The aperture 7 is designed as a handle shell, wherein an engagement 8 at the Aperture 7 is provided. On the engagement 8, a user can pull the shell body 6 with the aperture 7 from the receptacle 5. Here, the user can partially pull the shell 2 from the housing part 3 and then dismantle the panel 7, as in the Fig. 1 is illustrated.

The shell 2 has in this embodiment chambers 9, 10, wherein filling openings for the chamber 9, 10 are covered by plastic lid 11, 12. The chambers 9, 10 allow the storage of two different laundry treatment agents. In general, liquids can be stored in the chambers 9, 10, the term liquid generally being understood. For example, such liquids may also be relatively viscous and / or contain particles, in particular powdered detergents or the like.

Furthermore, a further chamber 13 is provided, which does not serve as a storage chamber, but flushed during operation of the water-conducting household appliance 1 and thereby completely emptied.

The chambers 9, 10 can be used so that laundry treatment products are stored for several program runs. After a few program runs then a replenishment of one or both chambers 9, 10 is required. As a rule, however, at least one of the chambers 9, 10 always stores a certain amount of laundry treatment agent. If a user now wants to clean the shell 2 after a larger number of program runs, then there is the problem that when emptying the shell 2, the still stored quantities of laundry treatment products are lost. A separate collection of remaining in the chambers 9, 10 residual amounts is not possible or only with great effort.

In addition, a user may inadvertently fill the wrong laundry treating agent in one of the chambers 9, 10. In this case, the user is also faced with the problem of how to remove the accidentally filled laundry treatment agent from the shell 2. Targeted collection of the accidentally filled laundry treatment agent is also advantageous here.

To solve these problems, the water-bearing domestic appliance 1 of the first embodiment of outlets 15, 16, wherein the outlet 16 in the Fig. 2 is illustrated. The spouts 15, 16 are assigned to the chambers 9, 10. About the outlet 15, the chamber 9 can be emptied. About the outlet 16, the chamber 10 can be emptied.

In addition, flexible closure elements 17, 18 are provided, with which the outlets 15, 16 are closed. In the Fig. 1 a state is shown in which the outlet 15 is opened, while the outlet 16 is closed with the closure element 18.

The closure elements 17, 18 in this embodiment are immediate, i. directly, connected to the shell body 6. However, the closure elements 17, 18 can also be connected indirectly to the shell body 6, for example by means of suitable fastening means.

The closure elements 17, 18 are designed as closure tabs. Here, the closure elements 17, 18 at least partially bendable, as it is based on the closure element 17 in the Fig. 1 is illustrated.

The closure element 17 has a fastening part 19 and a closure part 20. In this case, the closure element 17 is connected at its attachment part 19 with the shell body 6. The closure part 20 of the closure element 17 has an elastically deformable plug 21 which can be pressed into an opening 22 of the outlet 15. Here, an annular, elastically deformable sealing lip 23 is formed on the plug 21 of the closure part 20, whereby a seal of the spout 15 is further improved and a certain resistance is generated, which counteracts a pushing out or pulling out of the plug 21 from the opening 22 of the spout 15 ,

In this embodiment, the outlets 15, 16 are arranged on a front side 25 of the shell body 6. In this way, a comfortable access to the closure elements 17, 18 for opening the outlets 15, 16 or for closing the outlets 15, 16 is possible.

On the front side 25 recesses 26, 27 are provided, in which the closure elements 17, 18 are used. When closing the outlets 15, 16 close the closure elements 17, 18 then flush with the front 25 of the shell body 6.

The fastening part 19 of the closure element 17 has a latching point 28, on which the closure part 20 can be latched when the outlet 15 is open. In this case, the latching point 28 is formed in this embodiment by a recess into which a projection of the closure part 20 of the closure element 17 can be latched, as described in more detail with reference to the closure element 18.

The embodiment of the water-conducting household appliance 1 is hereinafter also with reference to the Fig. 2 described in more detail.

Fig. 2 shows an excerpted section through the shell 2 of FIG Fig. 1 shown household appliance 1 along the section line designated II. In this case, the outlet 16 of the shell body 6 in the Fig. 2 open while he is in the Fig. 1 closed is. The closure element 18 has a fastening part 29 and a closure part 30. In this case, a plug 31 is provided on the closure part 30, which serves to close the opening 32 of the outlet 16. In this case, the plug 31 additionally has a sealing lip 33, which is configured circumferentially on the plug 31. The elastic sealing lip 33 is pressed in closing the spout 16 in the opening 32, whereby a reliable sealing of the opening 32 of the spout 16 is ensured.

On the fastening part 29 of the closure element 18, a latching point 34 is provided, which is formed by a recess 35 in the fastening part 29. The recess 35 serves to receive a cylindrical projection 36 of the closure part 30, which faces away from the plug 31. The projection 36 has a constriction 37 in order to facilitate the engagement. The recess 35 of the fastening part 29 is adapted to the configuration of the projection 36 of the closure part 30.

For engaging the projection 36 of the closure member 30 in the recess 35 of the fastening part 29 of the fastening part 19 is pressed in the direction of the recess 35 by a user, as illustrated by the arrow 38. In the locked Condition results in the advantage that the closure element 18 does not hinder the emptying of the chamber 10.

To close the outlet 16, the latching connection is released and the closure member 30 of the closure member 18 is pressed against the outlet 16, as illustrated by the arrow 39. The design of the closure elements 17, 18 has the advantage that a one-handed operation is possible. This allows a user with the other hand a vessel or the like. Under the respective outlet 15, 16 hold to catch the liquid, in particular the laundry treatment agent.

Fig. 3 shows the in Fig. 1 With III designated section of a shell 2 of a water-conducting household appliance 1 according to a second embodiment in a schematic, spatial representation. In this embodiment, the fastening parts 19, 29 of the closure elements 17, 18 are arranged on an underside 40 of the shell body 6 of the shell 2 and connected thereto, while the fastening parts 19, 29 of the closure elements 17, 18 in the basis of FIGS. 1 and 2 described first embodiment of the front side 25 of the shell body 6 of the shell 2 are arranged. The closure parts 20, 30 of the closure elements 17, 18 are inserted in this embodiment in the recesses 26, 27, leaving free spaces 41, 42 free. To open the spout 15, which is closed by the closure member 17, a user can engage with a fingertip or a fingernail in the space 41 and push the closure member 20 of the closure member 17 away from the front side 25 of the recess 26 and then press down towards the bottom 40. The open outlet 15 is in the Fig. 4 shown.

Accordingly, the user can open the shutter member 18 by engaging in the clearance 42. However, an aid can also be used to open the closure elements 17, 18. The closure parts 20, 30, which are inserted into the recess 26, 27, close in the closed state of the outlets 15, 16 with the front side 25 from.

Fig. 4 shows the in Fig. 3 With IV designated section of the shell 2 of the water-conducting household appliance 1 according to the second embodiment. In this case, the outlet 15 is shown when the opening 22 is released. In the open state, the closure member 20 of the closure member 17 depends on the with the Underside 40 of the shell body 6 connected fastening member 19 before the outlet 15 down. To close the hanging down closure part 20 of the closure member 17 is folded up or bent up, the plug 21 is pressed with the sealing lip 23 in the opening 22 of the spout 15. The closure part 20 of the closure element 17 is then inserted again into the recess 26.

Fig. 5 shows the in Fig. 3 with IV designated section of the shell 2 of the water-conducting household appliance 1 of the second embodiment of the V direction of view designated. The fastening part 19 of the closure element 17 is fastened to the underside 40. In this case, 40 rib-shaped projections 43, 44 are formed on the underside, to which the fastening part 19 is joined. Due to the rib-shaped projections 33, 44, the closure element 17 is reliably connected to the shell body 6 in the region of the fastening part 19. In this case, the rib-shaped projections 33, 44 engage through suitably configured passage openings in the fastening part 19. The connection of the closure element 17 to its fastening part 19 with the underside 40 can also be made detachable, in order to enable cleaning or wear-related replacement of the closure element 17. In the closed state, in which the closure part 20 closes the outlet 15, the closure element 17 is bent around an edge 45 between the underside 40 and the front surface 4 of the shell body 6.

The closure elements 17, 18 of the described embodiments have a color design, which differs from a color design of the shell body 6, in particular of a color design of the front side 25 and lifts. Specifically, an accent color for the closure elements 17, 18 can be selected.

In the embodiments described above in detail, there is the advantage that the closure elements 17, 18 are connected to the shell body 6, so that they can not be lost. Furthermore, the closure elements 17, 18 are easy to operate. In addition, the closure elements 17, 18 may optionally be clipped in on itself, so that they do not interfere with the emptying.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Domestic appliance (water-conducting household appliance)

2

Bowl

3

housing part

4

front surface

5

admission

6

shell body

7

cover

8th

intervention

9, 10

chamber

11, 12

Plastic lid

13

chamber

15, 16

outlet

17, 18

closure element

19

attachment portion

20

closing part

21

Graft

22

opening

23

sealing lip

25

front

26, 27

recess

28

resting place

29

attachment portion

30

closing part

31

Graft

32

opening

33

sealing lip

34

resting place

35

recess

36

head Start

37

constriction

38, 39

arrow

40

bottom

41, 42

free space

43, 44

rib-shaped projection

45

edge

Claims (14)

1. Bowl (2), particularly flushing-in bowl for a water-conducting domestic appliance, comprising a bowl body (6), wherein the bowl body (6) has at least one chamber (9) and an outlet (15), which is associated with the chamber (9) and which is manually closable by means of a flexible closure element connected at least indirectly with the bowl body (6), characterised in that the flexible closure element (17) is formed as a closure strap.
2. Bowl according to claim 1, characterised in that a fastening part (19) of the closure element (17) is connected at least indirectly with the bowl body (6) and that a closure part (20) of the closure element (17) has a resiliently deformable plug (21) which for closing the outlet (15) associated with the chamber (9) can be pressed into an opening (22) of the outlet (15).
3. Bowl according to claim 2, characterised in that the resiliently deformable plug (21) has at least one annular, resiliently deformable sealing lip (23).
4. Bowl according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the fastening part (19) of the closure element (17) has a detent point (28) at which the closure part (20) is detentable when the outlet (15) is open.
5. Bowl according to claim 4, characterised in that the detent point (28) of the fastening part (19) of the closure element (17) is formed by a recess in which a projection of the closure part (20) of the closure element (17) is detentable or that the detent point (28) of the fastening part (19) of the closure element (17) is formed by a projection which is detentable in a recess of the closure part (20) of the closure element (17).
6. Bowl according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the fastening part (19) of the closure element (17) is arranged at a front side (25) of the bowl body (6).
7. Bowl according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the fastening part (19) of the closure element (17) is arranged at an underside (40) of the bowl body (6).
8. Bowl according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the outlet (15) associated with the chamber (9) is arranged at a front side (25) of the bowl body (6).
9. Bowl according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a cut-out (26) into which the closure element (17) is at least partly insertable for closure of the outlet (15) is provided at an outer side (25) of the bowl body (6) in the region of the outlet (15) associated with the chamber (9).
10. Bowl according to claim 9, characterised in that the cut-out (26) is designed so that when the closure element (17) which closes the outlet (15) is inserted a free space (41) is left in the cut-out (26) at the outer side (25) of the bowl body (6) so as to enable at least partial removal of the closure element (17) from the cut-out (26) in order to open the outlet (15).
11. Bowl according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the closure element (17) has a coloured form differing from a coloured form of the bowl body (6).
12. Bowl according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a cover member (7) connectible with the bowl body (6) is provided, that the cover member (7) is removable from the bowl body (6) and that the closure element (17) is covered by the cover member (7) when the cover member (7) is connected with the bowl body (6).
13. Bowl according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the bowl body (6) has at least one further chamber (10) and outlet (16) which is associated with the further chamber (10) and which is closable by means of a further flexible closure element (18) connected at least indirectly with the bowl body (6).
14. Domestic appliance (1), particularly water-conducting domestic appliance, with at least one housing part (3) and bowl (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which bowl is introducible into the housing part (3).

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