EP2460925A1

EP2460925A1 - Detergent dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP2460925A1
Application number: EP10015186A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonin Bucanek; Martin Hellebrand
Original assignee: Primus CE sro
Current assignee: Primus CE sro
Priority date: 2010-12-01
Filing date: 2010-12-01
Publication date: 2012-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-01
Also published as: EP2460925B1; ES2457395T3; DK2460925T3; SI2460925T1

Abstract

Detergent dispenser of a washing machine comprising an external basic container (2) with a water connection, from aside, in which a inner bearing container with a outlet hole is arranged, further comprising a shaped covering insert (8) with a hopper ring (10), whereas at least one of two sections (6,7) intended for a liquid detergent is provided with an inner cover (26), which is put by an adjustage (28) on an outlet tube (22), where the inner supporting container (4) represents the second section (5) intended for the detergent for main washing, whereas on one side from the second section (5) first section (3) intended for pre-washing detergent is arranged, the bottom of which is the bottom (17) of the external container (2) and on the other side from of the second section (5) the third section (6), which is intended for a liquid detergent, and the fourth section (7), which are intended for another liquid detergent are arranged, whereas further it is comprising the shaping covering insert (8) provided with the bearing rim (9), two hopper rings (10,11), protruding into the space of the first and second sections (3,4), whereas the shaped covering insert (8) is provided by two containers (12,13), intended for liquid detergents, provided with outlet holes (20), whereas the first hopper ring (10) is provided by an external collar (14), which creates the labyrinth regulating the water stream (P1) from the water connection (15) into the first section (3), whereas the second hopper ring (11) is arranged in the internal supporting container (4) to create the labyrinth regulating the water stream (P2) coming from the water connection (15a) into the second section (5), which contains the outlet hole (33), whereas the inner cover (26) in the containers (12,13) is on its the upper part of the inner surface (29) provided with a border (30).

Description

Background of the Invention

The invention concers the detergent dispenser of a washing machine which is suitable for using in a laundry.

State of the art

The detergent dispenser is a part of each washing machine. Usualy there is a drawer, which is placed on the frontal panel, whereas the drawer contains several sections for pouring a detergent. After the start of the washing machine the detergent is showered by water coming from above and afterwards it is flushed through apertures on the bottom of the sections into the machine. Such disposition is known from e.g. DE 10 2004 041 726 A1 , DE 103 55 671 A1 , DE 20 2008 017 876 U1 or EP 0 727 520 B1 . The conventional arrangements have two disadvantages. First there is a mechanical problem regarding drawing-out and pulling-in of the drawer, which can lead to wear of the guiding and subsequently getting jammed or to another damage. The other disadvantage is that the shower does not secure the sufficient mix of the water and the powder before its flushing into the washing area.
In another embodiment a detergent dispenser is arranged on the top of a washing machine in the form a fixed container, which is covered by an upper cover. It is known e.g. from CA 2 398 753 A1 . That embodiment solves the mechanical problem, because there is no manipulation with the dispenser. Said embodiment however requires another construction of the interior of the dispenser, which has to esure that the mix of water and detergent is flushed from all sections to the bottom of the dispenser and afterwards it is flushed into the washing machine. Because of that it is necessary to solve the insertion of inedependent parts into each other, but the mix of water and detergent has to be flushed from the assembly on the botton of a dispenser. Since such assembly is not suited for water inlet from above it is necessary to provide the dispenser by a water inlet from aside. The independent parts have to be put into each other into an assembly, so ussually insert container is put into the inner container and these inserts create further separated spaces, where detergent is poured in and then flushed togother with water through the outlet holes into the basic container and into the machine.
Such embodiments of the dispenser are known from US 2003/0145633 A1 or DE 60 2005 005 674 T2 . In US 2003/0145633 A1 the basic container is presented, where a supporting container is placed, into which another similar container module is placed to create separated sections, where some powder or liquid detergent is poured in.
In DE 60 2005 005 674 T2 a shaped insert is placed into the basic container, whereas the shaped insert is formed as a ringlet, orientated into the container, which creates a section.
Each section has a side inlet and an outlet hole for flushing the mixture of water and a detergent, after their mixing towards the bottom of the basic container. Afterwars it is flushed into the washing machine through an common discharge. The side water inlet is however problematical due to necessity of good mixing of water and a dispenser, which is not optimal. The side water inlet is difficult to regulate and due to influx of the stream on the parts of the dispenser comes to uncontroled splashing of water, often out of a required area.
The aim of the present invention is to disclose a detergent dispenser arranged on the upper part of the washing machine as a fixed container covered by upper cover with section moduls of new construction, which is easy to complete and which is adapted for optimal mixing of water and a detergent due to optimal flow of a side water stream.

Feature of the Invention

The above mentioned disadvantages are considerably eliminated by use of the detergent dispenser of a washing machine comprising an external basic container with a water connection, from aside, in which a inner bearing container with a outlet hole is arranged, further comprising a shaped covering insert with a hopper ring, whereas at least one of the sections intended for a liquid detergent is provided with a cover, which is put by an adjustage on an outlet tube, where the inner supporting container represents the second section intended for the detergent for main washing, whereas on one side from the second section first section intended for pre-washing detergent is arranged, the bottom of which is the bottom of the external container and on the other side from of the second section the third section, which is intended for a liquid detergent, and the fourth section, which are intended for another liquid detergent are arranged, whereas further it is comprising the shaping covering insert provided with the bearing rim, two hopper rings and, protruding into the space of the first and second sections, whereas the shaped covering insert is provided by two containers, intended for liquid detergents, provided with outlet holes, whereas the first hopper ring is provided by an external collar, which creates the labyrinth regulating the water stream from the water connection into the first section, whereas the second hopper ring is arranged in the internal supporting container to create the labyrinth regulating the water stream comming from the water connection into the second section, which contains the outlet hole, whereas the inner cover in the containers is on its the upper part of the inner surface provided with a border.
In an advantageous embodiment the openings of the first section and the third section have the same shape to enable to cover them by the same lids.
In another advantageous embodiment the lids consist of elastic wall strips, which are on the lower part provided by elastic hooks, which are fixed on the hopper ring or on the outlet hole.
In another advantageous embodiment the bearing rim has falling down gradient towards the center of the shaped covering insert intended for leading down the water into the dispenser.
In another advantageous embodiment the hinge with the axis, whereon the upper cover of the detergent dispenser is movable mounted, is arranged on the bearing rim.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will be further explained by using the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section of the detergent dispenser of a washing machine according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the dispenser according to the invention, Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section detail of the dispenser at the place in front of the fourth section of the dispenser according to the invention, Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section detail of the second section of the dispenser according to the invention, Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-section detail of the first section of the dispenser according to the invention, Fig. 6 is a schematic axonometric view of the dispenser with lids on the openings of the first and third sections, Fig. 7 is a view of the lid arranged in the third section and the fourth section for a liquid detergent of the dispenser according to the invention, Fig. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-section of the inner cover inserted in third and fourth sections and Fig. 9 is a schematic horizontal cross-section of the inner cover and a part of the section.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

As illustrated in Fig. 1, dispenser 1 consists of the external basic container 2, which is used on one hand as a storage container for a pre-washing powder detergent in the first section 3 and on the other hand as a holder for the inner supporting container 4 and generally as a collecting container for flushed detergents from all four sections, which will be described further, whereas the bottom of the external container 2 is intended for outflow of the flushed detergents from the dispenser into the washing machine. Further there are water connections 15, 15a and 19, which are intended for inlet of water.
The internal supporting container 4 is transversely inserted into the external container 2, whereas the internal supporting container 4 creates the second section 5. In the other direction than the first section 3 is arranged, the third section 6 and the fourth section 7 are arranged. A longitudinal position of the internal supporting container 4 is possible too. The internal supporting container 4 is used as a collecting container for a powder detergent for the second section 5, which is intended for main washing program.
Further there can be seen, that dispenser 1 consists of the shaped covering insert 8. The shaped covering insert 8, which covers an area of the external container 2, is equipped by the bearing rim 9, by two hopper rings 10 and 11, which are intended for pouring of a detergent into the first section 3 and second section 5. The shaped covering inset 8 is equipped by two containers 12 and 13 intended for a liquid detergent creating the third section 6 and the fourth section 7. The first hopper ring 10 is equipped by the external collar 14, which forms the labyrinth, which is intended to create uniform guide of the water stream P1.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the water stream P1, which is coming into the first section 3 from the water connection 15 impacts onto the external wall of the first hopper ring 10 and onto the inner surface of the external collar 14, which guides the water stream P1 in direction of the arrow S1 via the labyrinth, in order to stream around from above and fall in a whirl on the bottom 16 of the first section 3, where the pre-washing detergent is placed and the detergent is undercut and such perfect mix is flushed along the lower bottom 17 of the external container 2 into the washing machine.
The second hopper ring 11 is inserted into the internal supporting container 4, where it creates the labyrinth, analogically to the external collar 14 in the first section 3, intended for uniform guide of the water stream P2. It is shown in detail on Fig. 4. The water stream P2, which is comming into the second section 5 from the water connection 15a, impacts onto the external wall of the second hopper ring 11 and onto the inner surface of the internal supporting container 4, which guides the water stream P2 in direction of the arrow S2 via the labyrinth, in order to stream around from above and fall in a whirl on the bottom of the internal supporting container 4, or more precise to say on the bottom of the second section 5, where the detergent for main washing is placed. The washing detergent is undercut. Perfect mix is flushed away through the outlet hole 33 in the wall of the internal supporting container 4 towards the lower bottom 17 of the external container 2 and further into the washing machine.
The containers 12 and 13 are intended for a liquid detergent and/or a freshening. The containers 12 and 13 are consisting of the apertures 18 intended for injection of water, which is led from the water connection 19 for flushing away a liguid detergent. The containers 12 and 13 are consisting of the outlet hole 20 and the outlet tube 22. The bearing rim 9 has a falling down gradient towards the center and is intended for leading down the water into the dispenser 1. The arrangement of the fourth section 7 is shown in detail on Fig. 3. Further there can be seen, that on the boundary of the external container 2 the rubber overlap 21 is arranged.
The important feature of said invention is, that the openings of the first section 3 and the third section 6, or more precisely said of the container 12, have the same shape. It enables to cover them by the same lid 25. Four dosens of different detergents are the maximum range for washing process. The sections 3 and 5 contain a pre-washing detergent and detergent for main washing. Because some laundries are not interesting in pre-washing and in order to avoid to the users to pour the detergent into a wrong section it is possible to cover the first section 3 by the lid 25. It is better shown in Fig. 5, on enlarged cross-section detail of the first section 3 of the dispenser 1. There can be seen, that the elastic wall strips 32 of lids 25 are consisting of hooks 27, which can be fixed on the hopper ring 10 or on the outlet hole 20 and therefore an unauthorized person can't remove them.
Analogically, the sections 6 and 7 contain a liquid freshening intended for pre-washing and for main washing. Because some laundries are not interesting in pre-washing and in order to avoid to the users to pour a detergent into a wrong section it is possible to cover the third section 6 by the lid 25. The lids 25 are fixed in the third section 6 by two hooks 27 on outlet holes 20 and therefore an unauthorized person can't remove it. If the openings were not same, two types of the lids 25 would be necessary. In presented case it is just one type of the lid 25. The lids 25 are applied e.g. by the coin washing machines.
As illustrated in Fig. 7, 8, 9, the inner covers 26 are arranged in sections 6, 7, which are intended for a liquid detergent. The covers 26 are put by the adjustage 28 on the outlet tube 22. There can be seen, that the covers 26 consist of the border 30, which is arranged on the upper boundary of the inner surface 29. The border 30 is intended for preventing outflow of water comming from the aperture 19 outside from the inner space of the cover 26 into unwanted directions. It is good to see in the cross-section detail in Fig. 8 and 9. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the water stream P3 strikes on the covers 26 and afterwards a part of it is pouring down along the adjustage 28 and another part of the water stream is regulated by border 30 back to the inner area. In horizontal cross-section in Fig. 9 is better shown how is the water stream regulated by the border 30.
The inner cover 26 is intended for regulation of the water stream, which flows from the water connection 19 throught the aperture 18 onto the bottom of the containers 12 and 13 and after perfect flushing of a liquid detergent throught the outlet hole 20 into the external container 2. After interruption of water income from the water connection 19 rest of water will be outflown by itself through the outlet tube 22 due the airspace between the adjustage 28 and the outlet tube 22 into the external container 2. On the upper part of the cover 26 there is a hang-up hook 31 by which the cover 26 is hang-up on the boundary of containers 12 and 13.
The dispenser 1 is further consisting of the upper cover 23, which covers all detergent sections. The upper cover 23 prevents the outcome of detergent from the detergent dispenser 1. The axis 24 of the hinge connects the upper cover 23 and the bearing rim 9 of the shaped covering insert 8.

Claims

Detergent dispenser of a washing machine comprising an external basic container with a water connection, from aside, in which a inner bearing container with a outlet hole is arranged, further comprising a shaped covering insert with a hopper ring, whereas at least one of the sections intended for a liquid detergent is provided with a cover, which is put by an adjustage on an outlet tube characterized in that, the inner supporting container (4) represents the second section (5) intended for the detergent for main washing, whereas on one side from the second section (5) first section (3) intended for pre-washing detergent is arranged, the bottom of which is the bottom (17) of the external container (2) and on the other side from of the second section (5) the third section (6), which is intended for a liquid detergent, and the fourth section (7), which are intended for another liquid detergent are arranged, whereas further it is comprising the shaping covering insert (8) provided with the bearing rim (9), two hopper rings (10) and (11), protruding into the space of the first and second sections (3, 4), whereas the shaped covering insert (8) is provided by two containers (12, 13), intended for liquid detergents, provided with outlet holes (20), whereas the first hopper ring (10) is provided by an external collar (14), which creates the labyrinth regulating the water stream (P1) from the water connection (15) into the first section (3), whereas the second hopper ring (11) is arranged in the internal supporting container (4) to create the labyrinth regulating the water stream (P2) comming from the water connection (15a) into the second section (5), which contains the outlet hole (28), whereas the inner cover (26) in the containers (12, 13) is on its the upper part of the inner surface (29) provided with a border (30).
Detergent dispenser according to the claim 1, characterized in that, the openings of the first section (3) and the third section (6) have the same shape to enable to cover them by the same lids (25).
Detergent dispenser according to the claim 2, characterized in that, the lids (25) consist of elastic wall strips (32), which are on the lower part provided by elastic hooks (27), which are fixed on the hopper ring (10) or on the outlet hole (20).
Detergent dispenser according to the claim 1, characterized in that, the bearing rim (9) has falling down gradient towards the center of the shaped covering insert (8) intended for leading down the water into the dispenser (1).
Detergent dispenser according to the claim 1, characterized in that, the hinge with the axis (24), whereon the upper cover (23) of the detergent dispenser (1) is movable mounted, is arranged on the bearing rim (9).