The present technology relates to a detergent metering device for a domestic appliance, e.g. a dishwasher. More particularly, the present technology relates to an enhancement to a cover for the detergent dispenser that makes closing the cover easier.
In the modern kitchen, one common appliance is the dishwasher, or in more specific terms, the automatic dishwasher. Most automatic dishwashers share certain basic components. There is a compartment in which the dishes or crockery are placed and enclosed for treatment or washing. Commonly, there is at least one rack to hold the items to be cleaned. A hinged door or sliding drawer is commonly used to enclose the compartment and its contents. Also, there are commonly a number of nozzles for spraying water to facilitate the cleaning within the compartment. Lastly, there is a dispenser for detergent to release detergent into the compartment during the treatment process and the detergent dispenser will have a cover to hold the detergent therein. An exemplary dishwasher having a detergent dispenser is shown in Wilhemstaetter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,821, which is incorporated by reference herein. Of course, it is to be understood that these components are common and basic, and that individual appliances will differ in the make-up of their components.
Another commonality between modern automatic dishwashers is the basic steps of the cleaning cycle. Generally, there is first a pre-wash stage in which water is sprayed in the compartment to wet the items to be cleaned and any soilage thereon. Once the items have been sprayed, detergent is released into the compartment and further spraying occurs with the detergent mixing with the water to remove the soilage from the dishes and crockery. Subsequently, a rinse stage occurs to wash away the detergent and any remaining soilage. Finally, a drying stage occurs during which the dishes and/or crockery are dried. Again, it is to be understood that these steps are common and basic, however, individual dishwashers may operate with a number of different cycles having a variety of steps ordered in different ways.
Before the dishwasher is operated though, it must be loaded with the items to be cleaned and detergent must be added to the dispenser. The amount of detergent used is generally dependent on the level of soilage and number of items to be cleaned. Detergent is commonly sold in bulk, in liquid, tablet, or powder form. Therefore, when the detergent dispenser is loaded with detergent, the detergent must be poured or inserted into a container of the dispenser. Often though, the user will spill the detergent around the container of dispenser and the presence of the detergent around the container of the dispenser will make it difficult to close the dispenser cover and seal the detergent in the container of the dispenser.
A need has developed to address one or more shortcomings of the prior art.
One aspect of the present technology is to provide a cover for a container of a detergent dispenser that overcomes one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art.
Another aspect of the present technology is directed to a detergent dispenser for dispensing detergent in a domestic appliance. The detergent dispenser comprises a housing, a container defined in said housing and adapted to store detergent, a movable cover adapted to close the container, and at least one extension depending from the cover, said at least one extension adapted to clear detergent from a perimeter of the container as the cover moves.
In examples, (a) the cover is adapted to slide toward the container to close the container, (b) the at least one extension comprises a plurality of bristles, (c) the at least one extension comprises a plastic tab, (d) the at least one extension and the cover comprise a one-piece component, (e) the at least one extension is a separate component from the cover, (f) the at least one extension comprises a pair of extensions each located at an opposite side of the cover and both at a proximal end of the cover that is proximal to the container in an open position, (g) the detergent dispenser comprises a raised lip disposed about the perimeter of the container, and/or (h) the detergent dispenser comprises at least one channel or groove defined at least partially on the housing by the raised lip of the container and extending at least partially along a corresponding edge of the perimeter of the container.
Another aspect of the present technology is directed to a method for filling detergent in a container of a detergent dispenser of a domestic appliance, the dispenser having a cover with at least one extension depending therefrom. The method comprises pouring detergent into the container and closing the cover over the container such that any detergent spilled around a perimeter of the container is swept clear by the at least one extension.
In examples, (a) closing the cover comprises sliding the cover, (b) the at least one extension comprises a flexible, plastic tab or a plurality of bristles, (c) the at least one extension comprises a pair of extensions, each disposed at a proximal end of the cover and on an opposite side of the cover, said proximal end being proximal to the container when the cover is in an open position, (d) a raised lip is disposed at least partially about a perimeter of the container, and/or (e) a housing and said raised lip define a channel or groove through which the at least one extension travels when the cover is moved.
Another aspect of the present technology is directed to a cover for closing a container, said cover adapted to seal detergent in said container. The cover comprises at least one extension depending from the cover in a direction of the container and adapted to follow a portion of a perimeter of the container when the cover travels between open and closed positions, wherein the at least one extension is adapted to push detergent away from a perimeter of the container when the cover is moved.
In examples, (a) the cover is adapted to slide toward the container to close the container, (b) the at least one extension comprises a plurality of bristles, (c) the at least one extension comprises a plastic tab, (d) the at least one extension and the cover are a one-piece component, (e) the at least one extension is a separate component from the cover, (f) the at least one extension is located at a proximal edge of the cover, said proximal edge being proximal to the container when the cover is an open position, (g) the at least one extension comprises a pair of extensions, and/or (h) each of the pair of extensions is located at an opposite side of the cover.
Other aspects, features, and advantages of this technology will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of this technology.
The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various examples of the present technology. In such drawings:
The following description is provided in relation to several examples which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combinable with one or more features of the other examples. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the examples may constitute additional examples.
The channels or grooves 118 are defined on either side of the container 114 and into the housing 112. The container 114 may also include a raised lip 120 disposed about its perimeter. This raised lip 120 further defines the channels or grooves 118. A rubber seal (not shown) may also be disposed about the raised lip 120 or it may depend from the inside of the cover 110 to seal the detergent in the container 114 when the cover is in the closed position. In an example, the rubber seal may be positioned on the interior surface of the cover 110, and may align with the raised lip 120 when the cover is moved to the position shown in
While the present technology has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred examples, it is to be understood that the technology is not to be limited to the disclosed examples, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the technology.
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Number | Date | Country |
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EP 1723893 | Nov 2006 | IT |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20140196754 A1 | Jul 2014 | US |