DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR POWDERED TREATING AGENT FOR USE IN A WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine. The dispensing system includes at least one supply container with a fill opening for the powdered treating agent, an agitator having a vertical rotatable shaft and blades or vanes configured to be rotated by the rotatable shaft, and a contact protection grill configured to cover the fill opening so as to prevent contact with the agitator. The agitator is drivable by an electrical drive. The contact protection grill is connected to the rotatable shaft so as to form an inseparable unit with the agitator

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed to German patent application DE 10 2007 048 196.0, filed Oct. 8, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine.

BACKGROUND

In washing machines for domestic use, the detergent is usually manually introduced into a chamber which is flushed with water and introduced into the suds container after the wash cycle has started. The user must observe the dosage instructions for the particular detergent used, and take care to fill the correct amount into the chamber. To facilitate charging with detergent or other additives, automatic dispensing systems in which a relatively large amount of detergent is stored in a supply container can be used. Once a wash cycle is started, the preset amount of detergent will then be added to the wash liquid, which eliminates the need for the user to ensure that the proper amount of detergent is filled in each time a wash cycle is carried out. Such dispensing systems are frequently used especially in industrial washing machines.

A dispensing system for powdered detergent is described in EP 0 297 371 B1 and WO 03/023120 A1. The washing powder is released from a supply container into a mixing chamber, from where it is delivered to the washing machine. An agitator having a plurality of rotating blades or vanes agitates the powder within the container, causing it to flow through an opening into a mixing chamber or mixing channel located therebelow. Once the desired amount has been introduced into the mixing chamber, the mixing chamber is flushed with water, the outflowing detergent/water mixture being directed through a conduit to the washing machine. When refilling the supply container, there is a risk of contact with the sharp-edged blades. There is also a potential for inadvertently reaching into the container while the agitator is rotating.

German document DE 93 03 690 U1 describes a dispensing system in which the predetermined amount of detergent is filled from a supply container into a drawer-like receptacle. The bottom of the container has an opening formed therein, downstream of which is located a compartmented wheel having a horizontal rotating shaft. When rotating the compartmented wheel, powder is released from the supply container through the opening thereof into one compartment at any one time, said one compartment moving downward as the compartment shaft rotates further, and subsequently releasing the powder into the receptacle through an opening located below the compartmented wheel. The compartments each receive a predetermined amount of powder, so that the metering is via the number of compartments that are emptied into the receptacle. Here too, the opening and the rotating compartmented wheel are accessible to the user.

German document DE 102 34 316 B4 describes a mixing device which is provided with a grille and can be reliably turned off by a lever-operated switch. The switch is connected to the grille in such a way that power supply to the electrically operated mixer is enabled only when the grille is closed.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a dispensing system where the risk of injury is reduced in a simple manner.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine. The dispensing system includes at least one supply container with a fill opening for the powdered treating agent, an agitator having a vertical rotatable shaft and blades or vanes configured to be rotated by the rotatable shaft, and a contact protection grill configured to cover the fill opening so as to prevent contact with the agitator. The agitator is drivable by an electrical drive. The contact protection grill is connected to the rotatable shaft so as to form an inseparable unit with the agitator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below and is schematically shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the dispensing system connected to a washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the dispensing system; and

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are isolated views of a container from the dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, the dispensing system including at least one supply container having a filling opening for treating agents, such as detergent or washing or rinse additives, and further having an agitator with rotating blades or vanes, said agitator being rotatable by means of a vertical rotating shaft and being coupled to and drivable by an electrical drive.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the interior of the container is prevented from being accessed when the agitator is activatable. This is achieved in a simple manner using a contact protection grille to cover the filling opening, i.e., the upper, open end of the container, thereby preventing contact with the agitator. The moving blades or other sharp-edged parts of the agitator are located near the bottom of the container. The contact protection grille covers the filling opening, which is located at the opposite end, i.e., at the top end of the container. Consequently, the agitator and the blades thereof are located at a distance from the contact protection grille, so that contact is at least nearly impossible. The contact protection grille is so coarse that it does not impede the treating agent filling process. All positions are described relative to the dispensing system in its normal position of use.

In an embodiment, the lower end of the rotating shaft of the agitator is supported on the container bottom, while the upper end thereof is supported in the contact protection grille. This provides for particularly stable support.

In an embodiment, the contact protection grille is connected to the rotating shaft such that the agitator and the contact protection grille together form an inseparable unit. This allows the agitator and the contact protection grille to be removed together from the supply container, thus facilitating the cleaning of the interior of the container and of the blades. This also ensures that the interior of the container is accessible only when the agitator, and thus the sharp-edged blades or vanes, are no longer located within the container. Moreover, it is impossible to inadvertently activate the agitator, which allows the user to reach into the container without risk of injury.

In another embodiment, the dispensing system includes a base unit on which the supply container is removably placed and secured, along with the agitator, the electrical drive being disposed within the base unit. This allows the container to be easily removed for easy filling or cleaning, while allowing the base unit to remain in its installed position.

In one suitable embodiment, the electrical drive includes an electric motor which is provided with a gear mechanism to form a gear motor, a coupling being attached to the gear output to provide for detachable connection to the agitator. The gear mechanism is coupled to the electric motor or formed as a unit therewith to provide a higher torque at the output of the gear mechanism. Thus, the motor can be of relatively low power and small size while still providing the torque required for breaking up and moving lumps of powder.

In an embodiment, the dispensing system includes two supply containers which are each provided with an agitator and an electrical drive for the agitator. The electrical drives for the agitators can be controlled individually, allowing the suitable treating agent to be selected automatically according to the wash cycle or the programmed sequence of washing steps.

Furthermore, the supply containers can be inserted and secured in the base unit in the manner of a bayonet or a threaded connection. Thus, the supply containers are fixedly and nonrotatably mounted in the base unit, and thereby prevented from becoming detached as the agitator rotates. On the other hand, the user can easily detach and remove the containers from the base unit.

In an embodiment, the contact protection grille includes a plurality of concentric annular rings which are joined by radial spokes. This provides stable support for the rotating shaft. The annular rings and the spokes are thin in relation to the spaces therebetween in order not to substantially impede the powdered treating agent filling process.

Referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated washing machine 1 includes a suds container 2 in which is rotatably mounted a drum 3 which is driven by an electric motor. Dispensing system 18 is located outside washing machine 1 and connected thereto via connecting hoses 15, 16. The additives used may be, for example, detergents, washing additives or rinse additives. Dispensing system 18, which is separate from washing machine 1, may be placed and secured at different locations, as desired. Depending on the installation conditions of washing machine 1, the dispensing system may be placed or secured, for example, on housing 4 of washing machine 1, laterally adjacent thereto, or behind it. Washing machine 1 further includes a dispensing drawer 6 which may include a detergent compartment 9 for receiving the detergent for a wash cycle and which is connected to suds container 2 via a flexible tube 8. Dispensing drawer 6 is in communication with a water feed line 12, with a solenoid valve 10 and/or a water distributor 11 interposed therebetween, and allows detergent for a single wash cycle to be flushed into suds container 2 when dispensing system 18 is not used. Solenoid valve 10 and/or water distributor 11 are controlled by controller 7 of washing machine 1.

In order for detergent to be added from external dispensing system 18, water is supplied thereto via supply hose 15. The detergent/water mixture, i.e. the concentrated detergent solution, is delivered to washing machine 1 through detergent solution conduit 16; the rear wall 5 of washing machine 1 being provided with a connection 13a for coupling member 13b of water conduit 15 and with a connection 14a for coupling member 14b of detergent solution conduit 16. The detergent solution conduit 16a extending within the washing machine opens into flexible tube 8 on suds container 2. Solenoid valve 10, water distributor 11, and dispensing system 18 are controlled by controller 7 of washing machine 1, said controller also controlling the wash cycle sequence. Dispensing system 18 is operatively connected to controller 7 via signal connection 40. The dispensing system 18 of this embodiment includes a base unit 19 and two containers 20, 21 for powdered or granular detergent or treating agent.

FIG. 2 shows a detail view of an embodiment of dispensing system 18 which includes two supply containers. The containers 20, 21 for powdered treating agent are placed on base unit 19. Connecting hoses 15, 16 extend out of base unit 19 and are provided at their free ends with coupling members 13b, 14b, which are inserted and attached to their corresponding connections 13a, 13b (FIG. 1) provided on washing machine 1. Containers 20, 21 are each provided with a removable cover 20D, 21D to prevent the treating agents in containers 20, 21 from being contaminated and from absorbing moisture.

In FIG. 3, container 20 is shown by itself. Filling opening 28 is located at the top end and is covered by contact protection grille 27. Contact protection grille 27 includes, at its center, the bearing 26 for rotating shaft 34. A plurality of concentric annular rings 29 are arranged around bearing 26, and are joined by radial spokes 30. Annular rings 29 and spokes 30 are thinner than spaces 31, so that powdered treating agent can be filled in without being impeded, or substantially impeded, by contact protection grille 27.

FIG. 4 is a view showing container 20 in a removed condition, looking at the underside thereof. The bearing 25 for shaft 34 of agitator 24 is provided in the central region of bottom 22. A cylindrical chamber 17 is provided between shaft 34 and the outer edge of bottom 22 and has supported therein a compartmented wheel 17a for metering precise amounts of the powdered treating agent. Compartmented wheel 17a is driven by cams or dogs which are attached to rotating shaft 34. Furthermore, a coupling element 35 is mounted on rotating shaft 34 of agitator 24 by a screw 33a, said coupling element engaging with a mating coupling element on the electrical drive as container 20 is inserted into base unit 19. Container 20 has formations 32 provided on its shell in the lower region thereof, said formations allowing attachment to mating means on base unit 19 in the manner of a bayonet (FIG. 2). After loosening coupling element 35, rotating shaft 34 can be withdrawn from bearing 25 in bottom 22 of container 20, allowing agitator 24 to be removed from container 20. Chamber 17 is screwed to the underside of container bottom 22 by screws 33b, 33c, so that it can be removed and cleaned after loosening said screws 33b, 33c. After removal of chamber 17, compartmented wheel 17a is also accessible, for example for cleaning purposes.

FIG. 5 shows a situation where rotating shaft 34 has been detached. It can be seen that the upper end of the rotating shaft is inseparably supported in bearing 26 of contact protection grille 27. Bearing 26 is connected to the outer annular ring 29a via spokes 30, thereby allowing it to be secured to the edge 28a of filling opening 28. Agitator 24 with its rotating blades 23 and contact protection grille 27 can only be jointly removed from container 20, so that no disturbing or dangerous parts will be present inside the container when cleaning it.

The present invention has been described herein based on one or more exemplary embodiments, but is not limited thereto. Reference should be had to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, the dispensing system comprising: at least one supply container including a fill opening for the powdered treating agent;an agitator having a vertical rotatable shaft and blades or vanes configured to be rotated by the rotatable shaft, the agitator being drivable by an electrical drive; anda contact protection grill configured to cover the fill opening so as to prevent contact with the agitator, the contact protection grill being connected to the rotatable shaft so as to form an inseparable unit with the agitator.

2. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the powdered treating agent includes at least one of detergent, washing additive and rinsing additive.

3. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein a lower end of the rotatable shaft is supportable on a bottom of the at least one supply container and an upper end of the rotating shaft is supported in the contact protection grille.

4. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the agitator and contact protection grill are removable together from the supply container.

5. The dispensing system as recited in claim 3 wherein the agitator and contact protection grill are removable together from the supply container.

6. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the dispensing system further comprises a base unit, the at least one supply container and agitator being removably disposable and securable thereon, and wherein the electrical drive is disposed in the base unit.

7. The dispensing system as recited in claim 3 wherein the dispensing system further comprises a base unit, the at least one supply container and agitator are removably disposable and securable thereon, and wherein the electrical drive is disposed in the base unit.

8. The dispensing system as recited in claim 4 wherein the dispensing system further comprises a base unit, the at least one supply container and agitator are removably disposable and securable thereon, and wherein the electrical drive is disposed in the base unit.

9. The dispensing system as recited in claim 4 wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.

10. The dispensing system as recited in claim 5 wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.

11. The dispensing system as recited in claim 6 wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.

12. The dispensing system as recited in claim 7 wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.

13. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8 wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.

14. The dispensing system as recited in claim 9 wherein the at least one supply container includes a first and a second supply container, the agitator being associated with the first supply container and further comprising a second agitator and a second electrical drive associated with the second supply container, wherein the agitator and the second agitator are individually controllable.

15. The dispensing system as recited in claim 6 wherein the base unit and at least one supply container include respective portions of a bayonet connection configured to insert and secure the at least one supply container on the base unit.

16. The dispensing system as recited in claim 6 wherein the base unit and at least one supply container include respective portions of a threaded connection configured to insert and secure the at least one supply container on the base unit.

17. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1 wherein the contact protection grill includes a plurality of concentric annular rings joined by radial spokes.