Patent Application
20250176796
Contemporary household appliances such as a dishwasher, clothes washer, or clothes dryer, may have one or more cartridges for automatically dispensing one or more treating chemistries at an appropriate time during a cycle of operation. One common type of cartridge is a single use cartridge, which can be filled with only enough treating chemistry (a single “charge” or “dose”) for a single cycle of operation. Another common type of cartridge is a bulk cartridge, which may contain enough treating chemistry (multiple charges or multiple doses) for multiple cycles.
The disclosure relates to a treating chemistry cartridge for use in a treating chemistry dispensing system of a household appliance, the treating chemistry cartridge comprising: a non-collapsible body defining an interior volume having a liquid treating chemistry portion, for holding a liquid treating chemistry, and a gas portion, for holding a product gas from the liquid treating chemistry; a one-way valve provided in the non-collapsible body and fluidly coupled to the liquid treating chemistry portion; and a two-way vent provided in the non-collapsible body and fluidly coupled to the gas portion.
In the drawings:
The dishwasher 10 has a housing, which may include a cabinet or chassis 11 that may define an interior of the dishwasher 10. Depending on whether the dishwasher 10 is a stand-alone or built-in, the housing of the dishwasher 10 may be a chassis/frame with or without panels attached, respectively. Illustrated, the dishwasher 10 includes the chassis 11 with a base 12 and panels 13, 15, 17, and 19.
The chassis 11, as in the case of the built-in dishwasher implementation, can be formed by other parts of the dishwasher 10, like the tub 14 and the door assembly 20, in addition to a dedicated frame structure, like the base 12, with them all collectively forming a uni-body frame to which the variety of systems are supported. In other implementations, like the drawer-type dishwasher, the chassis 11 can be a tub that is slidable relative to a frame, with the closure being a part of the chassis 11 or the countertop of the surrounding cabinetry. In a sink-type implementation, the sink forms the tub and the cover closing the open top of the sink forms the closure. Sink-type implementations are more commonly found in recreational vehicles.
The systems supported by the chassis 11, while essentially limitless, can include dish holding system 30, spray system 40, recirculation system 50, drain system 60, water supply system 70, drying system 80, heating system 90, and filter system 100. These systems are used to implement one or more treating cycles of operation for the dishes, for which there are many, and one of which includes a traditional automatic wash cycle.
A basic traditional automatic wash cycle of operation has a wash phase, where a detergent/water mixture is recirculated and then drained, which is then followed by a rinse phase where water alone or with a rinse agent is recirculated and then drained. An optional drying phase can follow the rinse phase. More commonly, the automatic wash cycle has multiple wash phases and multiple rinse phases. The multiple wash phases can include a pre-wash phase where water, with or without detergent, is sprayed or recirculated on the dishes, and can include a dwell or soaking phase. There can be more than one pre-wash phase. A wash phase, where water with detergent is recirculated on the dishes, follows the pre-wash phases. There can be more than one wash phase; the number of which can be sensor controlled based on the amount of sensed soils in the wash liquid. One or more rinse phases will follow the wash phase(s), and, in some cases, come between wash phases. The number of wash phases can also be sensor controlled based on the amount of sensed soils in the rinse liquid. The wash phases and rinse phases can include the heating of the water, even to the point of one or more of the phases being hot enough for long enough to sanitize the dishes. A drying phase can follow the rinse phase(s). The drying phase can include a drip dry, heated dry, condensing dry, air dry or any combination.
A controller 22 can also be included in the dishwasher 10 and operably couples with and controls the various components of the dishwasher 10 to implement the cycle of operation. The controller 22 can be located within the door assembly 20 as illustrated, or it can alternatively be located somewhere within the chassis. The controller 22 can also be operably coupled with a control panel or user interface 24 for receiving user-selected inputs and communicating information to the user. The user interface 24 can include operational controls such as dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to input commands, such as a cycle of operation, to the controller 22 and receive information.
The dish holding system 30 can include any suitable structure for holding dishes within the treating chamber 16. Exemplary dish holders are illustrated in the form of upper dish racks 32 and lower dish rack 34, commonly referred to as “racks”, which are located within the treating chamber 16. The upper dish racks 32 and the lower dish rack 34 are typically mounted for slidable movement in and out of the treating chamber 16 through the open face 18 for ease of loading and unloading. Drawer guides/slides/rails 36 are typically used to slidably mount the upper dish rack 32 to the tub 14. The lower dish rack 34 typically has wheels or rollers 38 that roll along rails 39 formed in sidewalls of the tub 14 and onto the door assembly 20, when the door assembly 20 is in the opened position.
Dedicated dish holders can also be provided. One such dedicated dish holder is a third level rack 28 located above the upper dish rack 32. Like the upper dish rack 32, the third level rack is slidably mounted to the tub 14 with drawer guides/slides/rails 36. The third level rack 28 is typically used to hold utensils, such as tableware, spoons, knives, spatulas, etc., in an on-the-side or flat orientation. However, the third level rack 28 is not limited to holding utensils. If an item can fit in the third level rack, it can be washed in the third level rack 28. The third level rack 28 generally has a much shorter height or lower profile than the upper and lower dish racks 32, 34. Typically, the height of the third level rack is short enough that a typical glass cannot be stood vertically in the third level rack 28 and the third level rack 28 still slide into the treating chamber 16.
Another dedicated dish holder can be a silverware basket (not shown), which is typically carried by one of the upper or lower dish racks 32, 34 or mounted to the door assembly 20. The silverware basket typically holds utensils and the like in an upright orientation as compared to the on-the-side or flat orientation of the third level rack 28.
A treating chemistry dispensing system 46 dispenses treating chemistry, directly or indirectly, into the treating chamber 16. The treating chemistry dispensing system 46 includes a treating chemistry cartridge 48 that is operably coupled to the treating chamber 16 by a conduit (not shown), such that one or more treating chemistries dispensed from the treating chemistry cartridge 48 are supplied to the treating chamber 16. The treating chemistry cartridge 48 can be either or both single-use or bulk sources of treating chemistry. In a bulk-use configuration, the treating chemistry cartridge 48 can be a container that is re-filled by the user and/or a container that is replaced after multiple cycles. While any desired treating chemistries can be dispensed, exemplary types of chemistries that might be dispensed include: detergent, anti-spotting agent, bleach, and enzymes.
Referring to
The interior volume 59 is divided into a liquid treating chemistry portion 62, and a gas portion 64. The liquid treating chemistry portion 62 is defined as a portion of the interior holding liquid treating chemistry. The gas portion 64 can hold gas that is off-gassed as a natural consequence of the liquid chemistry in the liquid treating chemistry portion 62 and/or hold gas, such as air, that is provided to replace chemistry dispensed from the liquid treating chemistry portion 62 to prevent low pressure lock. A one-way valve 66 is provided in the body 58 and fluidly couples the liquid treating chemistry portion 62 to the treating chemistry dispensing system 46. In a non-limiting example, the one-way valve 66 can include a membrane. More specifically, the one-way valve 66 can include a displaceable membrane that can displace to an open or closed configuration.
One configuration for the treating chemistry dispensing system 46 is a pump that can fluidly couple the treating chemistry cartridge 48 to the treating chamber 16. The treating chemistry dispensing system 46 and the treating chemistry cartridge 48 can be mounted on an inner surface of the door assembly 20, as shown, or can be located at other positions within the chassis 11.
A two-way vent 68 is provided in the body 58 and fluidly couples the gas portion 64, directly or indirectly, to ambient or other volume for venting or supply of replacement fluid. As illustrated, the two-way vent 68 is optionally indirectly coupled via a straw 72. In a non-limiting example, the two-way vent 68 can include a membrane. More specifically, the two-way vent 68 can include either or both a gas permeable membrane or a displaceable membrane that can displace to an open or closed configuration.
The straw 72 can be located outside of the body 58, further located within the door assembly 20 having a first opening 74 connected to the two-way vent 68, and second opening 76 fluidly coupled to ambient within the door assembly 20. In a non-limiting example, the straw 72 can have a curved shape, where the first opening 74 is connected to the two-way vent 68 and the second opening 76 can be located above the body 58 following a curve of the straw 72, fluidly coupled to ambient. However, it is contemplated that the straw 72 can have any shape, and the second opening 76 can be located anywhere within the door assembly 20.
The treating chemistry cartridge 48 can be installed to the treating chemistry dispensing system 46 and the straw 72 when the door assembly 20 is open. The treating chemistry dispensing system 46 can include an inlet 78. The treating chemistry cartridge 48 can be inserted to the treating chemistry dispensing system 46, where the liquid treating chemistry portion 62 fluidly couples to the inlet 78, via the one-way valve 66. It is contemplated in a non-limiting example, that the two-way vent 68 can be a displaceable membrane, where the first opening 74 displaces the two-way vent 68 from a closed configuration to an open configuration, fluidly coupling the two-way vent 68 to ambient via the straw 72. Once the treating chemistry cartridge 48 is coupled to the treating chemistry dispensing system 46 and the straw 72, the door assembly 20 can be closed and the dishwasher 10 can be operated.
During operation, the treating chemistry dispensing system 46 may allow for a fractional amount of the entire volume of the treating chemistry cartridge 48 to be dispensed and it may also allow for a specific volume to be dispensed. More specifically, treating chemistry may be drawn out by the treating chemistry dispensing system 46 through the inlet 78 and may then be pumped out of an outlet (not shown) to the environment surrounding the treating chemistry cartridge 48.
The treating chemistry cartridge 48 can be configured with two orientations with respect to a vertical axis Y (
During operation of the dishwasher 10, the treating chemistry cartridge 48 is configured in the use orientation. In the use orientation, the treating chemistry cartridge 48 is oriented the same as the shipping orientation with respect to the vertical axis Y (
The straw 172 can be located in the interior volume 159, having a first opening 174 connected to the two-way vent 168, and second opening 176 located in the gas portion 164, where at least a portion of the straw 172 between the first opening 174 and the second opening 176 passes through the liquid treating chemistry portion 162. The straw 172 may have a generally curved shape, where the second opening 176 can be located in the gas portion 164 in the shipping, use, or loading orientations. However, it is contemplated that the straw 172 can have any shape, and the second opening 176 can be located anywhere within the gas portion 164.
The treating chemistry cartridge 148 can be configured with two orientations with respect to the vertical axis Y (
During operation of the dishwasher 10, the treating chemistry cartridge 148 is configured in the use orientation. In the use orientation, the treating chemistry cartridge 148 is oriented the same as the shipping orientation with respect to the vertical axis Y (
Aspects of the disclosure provide for several benefits, including that the treating chemistry cartridge with the two-way vent can ventilate during transport, to prevent a build-up of product gas from cracking or otherwise damaging the body of the treating chemistry cartridge. Further, the one-way valve prevents leakage of treating chemistry, allowing the treating chemistry cartridge to be shipped or otherwise transported with treating chemistry within the interior volume.
Further yet, during operation the two-vent allows for the bi-direction flow of gas into and out of treating chemistry cartridge, when the liquid treating chemistry is drawn out of treating chemistry cartridge by the treating chemistry dispensing system, the volume of dispensed liquid treating chemistry is replaced by air vented into the treating chemistry cartridge, by the two-way vent with the straw.
To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all of the aspects is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.
This written description uses examples to disclose aspects of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice aspects of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. While aspects of the disclosure have been specifically described in connection with certain specific details thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, which is defined in the appended claims.
