SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING A WASHING AGENT IN COMPACT FORM, E.G. IN SOLID OR COMPACTED-POWDER FORM, IN PARTICULAR FOR A WASHING MACHINE, SUCH AS A DISHWASHER

Abstract

 The system (10) comprises a casing (12) having an inlet opening (14) configured for the insertion of a washing agent (A), and an outlet opening (16) configured for delivering a quantity of the washing agent (A). There is a supporting assembly (18) situated in the casing (12) and configured for supporting the washing agent (A). There is an abrading assembly (20) situated in the casing (12) and facing towards the supporting assembly (18). The abrading assembly (20) is configured for acting upon the washing agent (A), thereby removing the quantity of washing agent to be delivered through the outlet opening (16).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for dispensing a washing agent in compact form, e.g. in solid or compacted-powder form, in particular for a washing machine, such as a dishwasher.

Background art

[0002] It is known in this field to use systems for dispensing a washing agent in compact form, in particular in solid or compacted-powder form. Such type of systems suffer from a number of drawbacks.

[0003] One drawback is that, in such systems, washing agents, particularly when they are in solid or compacted-powder form, tend to be adversely affected by the presence of moisture, as is typically the case in the environment of a washing machine. For example, washing agents remaining for some time in such systems will tend to agglomerate, thus impairing their correct delivery into the wash chamber of the washing machine during the wash cycle.

Summary of the invention

[0004] It is one object of the present invention to provide a system capable of overcoming this and other drawbacks of the prior art while at the same time being simple and economical to manufacture.

[0005] According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a system of the above-specified type as defined in the characterizing part of the appended independent claim.

[0006] It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided merely as a non-limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.

Brief description of the drawings

[0008] 

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser system obtained in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the system shown in the preceding figures.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the system shown in the preceding figures. Such view is obtained along line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 that shows the system in a different operating condition.

Detailed description of the invention

[0009] With reference to the drawings, 10 designates as a whole a system for dispensing a washing agent in compact form, i.e. made of cohesive and united, or anyway integral, material. For example, it may be in solid or compacted-powder form. Such system 10 is made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The washing agent used in the system may be, by way of non-limiting example, a detergent. In further embodiments, such washing agent may also be a rinse aid or another additive. As mentioned above, such washing agent may be provided, for example, in solid form or as compacted powder. In particular, when the washing agent comprises compacted powder, such powder may be enclosed or kept cohesive within a tearable covering or capsule, typically made of soft, and optionally transparent, material.

[0010] System 10 is intended for use in a washing machine, e.g. a dishwasher.

[0011] As particularly visible in Figures 1 and 2, system 10 comprises a casing 12 having an inlet opening 14 configured for the insertion of a washing agent A in compact form. Casing 12 comprises also an outlet opening 16 configured for delivering a quantity of washing agent A introduced through inlet opening 14.

[0012] System 10 further comprises a supporting assembly 18 situated in casing 12 and configured for supporting washing agent A introduced in casing 12 through inlet opening 14.

[0013] In addition, system 10 comprises an abrading assembly 20 situated in casing 12 and facing towards supporting assembly 18. Abrading assembly 20 is configured for acting upon washing agent A supported by supporting assembly 18, thereby removing the quantity of washing agent A to be delivered through outlet opening 16. By way of example, particularly in the case wherein washing agent A comprises compacted powder contained within a tearable covering or capsule, abrading assembly 20 can - in operation - break and open said tearable covering or capsule to gain access to washing agent A contained therein and then remove it.

[0014] Preferably, system 10 comprises also an elastic assembly 22 (only visible in Figure 5) situated in casing 12 and configured for moving supporting assembly 18 and abrading assembly 20 in a mutually approaching direction X-X, so that, during use, abrading assembly 20 rests against washing agent A supported by supporting assembly 18.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, casing 12 comprises a pair of half-shells 24, 26 assembled together. For example, half-shells 24, 26 are connected by interference fitting.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, inlet opening 14 is an aperture formed laterally through casing 12.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, when system 10 is installed in a washing machine, outlet opening 16 is configured for operationally facing downwards in the washing chamber, so that the quantity of washing agent removed under the action of abrading assembly 20 during the wash cycle will fall by gravity.

[0018] Preferably, supporting assembly 18 is movably, in particular slidably, mounted in casing 12. Also preferably, elastic assembly 22 is configured for pushing supporting assembly 18 towards abrading assembly 20.

[0019] Preferably, system 10 comprises a closing assembly 28 configured for sealingly close inlet opening 14. In the illustrated embodiment, closing assembly 28 is a lid 30 movably mounted on casing 12 and movable between a covering position (shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5), in which lid 30 is superimposed on inlet opening 14, and a opening position (not shown in the drawings), in which lid 30 is spaced apart from inlet opening 14. In particular, lid 30 is hinged to casing 12, and the covering position corresponds to a position angularly in contact with inlet opening 14, whereas the opening position corresponds to a position angularly spaced apart from inlet opening 14.

[0020] Preferably, with particular reference to Figure 2, lid 30 comprises also a frame 32 movably mounted on casing 12 (e.g. hinged to the casing 12, in particular about an axis Y-Y substantially perpendicular to the approaching direction X-X) between the covering position and the opening position. Lid 30 includes a covering element 34 movably mounted integrally with frame 32 relative to casing 12, and configured for closing and, respectively, opening inlet opening 14. Moreover, covering element 34 is configured for being rotated by a user in a lying plane defined by frame 32, so as to co-operate with supporting assembly 18 when lid 30 is in the covering position.

[0021] In particular, when lid 30 is in the covering position, covering element 34 is configured for being rotated by the user to bring supporting assembly 18 into a loading condition (Figure 4), against the action of elastic assembly 22. In the loading condition, supporting assembly 18 allows the insertion of washing agent A into casing 12, in particular because it faces towards inlet opening 14.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, covering element 34 comprises a protrusion 36 (Figures 4 and 5) configured for resting against a relief 38 (best visible in Figure 2) carried by supporting assembly 18. When covering element 34 is rotated by a user (e.g. counterclockwise R when viewing Figure 3), protrusion 36 comes in abutment with relief 38 against the action of elastic assembly 22, thereby pushing supporting assembly 18 into the loading condition (i.e. from the position shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 4).

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a sealing gasket 40 is interposed between lid 30 and inlet opening 14. Preferably, supporting assembly 18 comprises a hollow body 42 movable in a guided manner within casing 12 and configured for internally receiving the washing agent. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow body is slidable within casing 12.

[0024] In particular, as shown in Figure 2, the hollow body 42 has a hole 44 configured for receiving washing agent A that is inserted into casing 12 through inlet opening 14. In operation, hollow body 42 is movable within casing 12 in such a way that hole 44 substantially comes to face towards, in particular to align itself with, inlet opening 14, e.g. in the above-described loading condition.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, system 10 further comprises a cap 46 configured for sealingly close hole 44, in particular after washing agent A has been inserted into hollow body 42 through inlet opening 14.

[0026] Preferably, hollow body 42 has a lateral opening 48 through which abrading assembly 20 can gain access to washing agent A supported by supporting assembly 18 and remove the quantity thereof to be delivered.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, abrading assembly 20 comprises an abrading drum 50 configured for removing a quantity of washing agent supported by supporting assembly 18. By way of example, particularly in the case wherein washing agent A comprises compacted powder contained within a tearable covering or capsule, abrading drum 50 can - in operation - break and open said tearable covering or capsule to gain access to the compacted powder contained therein and then remove a quantity thereof.

[0028] In particular, abrading drum 50 is rotatably mounted in casing 12. Preferably, abrading drum 50 comprises a plurality of radial teeth or fins (not numbered) configured for abrading washing agent A supported by supporting assembly 18.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, when in use, abrading assembly 20 (in particular, abrading drum 50) is configured for fitting into supporting assembly 18, (in particular, into hollow body 42 through lateral opening 48) and for removing the washing agent supported therein. As abrading assembly 20 progressively abrades washing agent A, elastic assembly 22 pushes supporting assembly 18 and abrading assembly 20 closer to each other, thus keeping abrading assembly 20 in contact with washing agent A.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, abrading assembly 20 further comprises an actuator or motor 52 configured for rotatably driving abrading drum 50. Preferably, abrading drum 50 is configured for revolving about an axis of rotation Y1-Y1 substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement X-X of supporting assembly 18.

[0031] In particular, actuator or motor 52 is connected to abrading drum 50 by means of a shaft 53. In the illustrated embodiment, hollow body 42 has side walls, at least one of which has a slit 55 through which shaft 53 is adapted to pass, so as to allow abrading drum 50, inserted through lateral opening 48, to move along the space defined by hollow body 42.

[0032] Preferably, abrading assembly 20 comprises a cleaning member 54 elastically pushed into engagement against the side surface of abrading drum 50, so as to remove residues of washing agent A removed during the rotation of abrading drum 50. In particular, the side surface of abrading drum 50 is conveniently fitted with radial teeth or fins (not numbered), whereon said cleaning member 54 rests.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, cleaning element 54 is hinged to casing 12 and is pushed by a spring (not numbered) . Advantageously but not necessarily, cleaning member 54 may be structurally similar to a ratchet pawl co-operating with the teeth or fins carried by the side surface of abrading drum 50. By way of example, cleaning member 54 may be shaped as an oscillating blade tending to rest against abrading drum 50.

[0034] Preferably, system 10 further comprises a dispensing assembly 56 configured for controlling the delivery, through outlet opening 16, of the quantity of washing agent removed by abrading assembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment, dispensing assembly 56 is situated downstream of abrading assembly 20 and upstream of outlet opening 16. In particular, with system 10 installed in a washing machine, during the wash cycle, dispensing assembly 56 is operationally situated underneath abrading assembly 20 to collect the quantity of washing agent that has been removed under the action of abrading assembly 20 and falls by gravity during the wash cycle; moreover, dispensing assembly 56 is operationally situated above outlet opening 16 to provide, as will be described hereinafter, for selective delivery of the quantity of washing agent collected from abrading assembly 20.

[0035] Preferably, dispensing assembly 56 comprises a delivery drum 58 rotatably mounted in casing 12 and configured for moving between a collection condition, in which it is configured for collecting the quantity of washing agent removed by abrading assembly 20, and a delivery condition, in which it is configured for delivering the quantity of washing agent accumulated in the collection condition.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, casing 12 tapers off towards delivery drum 58 with a substantially hopper-shaped portion (not numbered) that promotes the conveyance of the removed quantity of washing agent, in particular when it is in a collection condition.

[0037] In particular, delivery drum 58 has a plurality of radial seats 60, each one of them being configured for receiving and dispensing the quantity of washing agent removed by abrading assembly 20. In the respective collection condition, each radial seat 60 of delivery drum 58 faces towards abrading assembly 20, in particular towards abrading drum 50, and can collect the quantity of agent removed by abrading assembly 20 (e.g. by gravity). In the respective delivery condition, each radial seat 60 of delivery drum 58 faces towards outlet opening 16 and can dispense the quantity of washing agent received in the respective collection condition from abrading assembly 20.
In less preferred variant embodiments, the delivery drum may even have just one radial seat.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, radial seats 60 are formed, in a cross-sectional view, as circular-sector partitions of delivery drum 58, preferably having the same angular dimensions. In particular, each radial seat 60 defines a circular sector of approximately 90°.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, when each radial seat 60 of delivery drum 58 moves from the respective collection condition to the respective delivery condition (and vice versa), said delivery drum 58 turns by approximately 180°.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, dispensing assembly 56 further comprises an additional actuator or motor 62 configured for rotatably driving delivery drum 58. Preferably, delivery drum 58 is configured for revolving about an axis of rotation Y2-Y2 substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of supporting assembly 18. In particular, the axis of rotation of delivery drum 58 is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of abrading drum 50.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, elastic assembly 22 is configured for pushing supporting assembly 18, in particular hollow body 42, towards abrading assembly 20. For example, elastic assembly 22 is fixed between casing 12 and supporting assembly 18. In the illustrated embodiment, elastic assembly 22 comprises a pair of springs (only one of which is visible, though not numbered, in Figure 5), e.g. compression preloaded, acting between casing 12 and supporting assembly 18, in particular against hollow body 42.

[0042] In further exemplary variant embodiments, system 10 comprises a position sensor (not shown) configured for identifying data indicative of the position of supporting assembly 18. Thus, the data indicative of the sensed position of supporting assembly 18 can be sent to the control unit of the washing machine. Said control unit may be configured for processing such data, so as to provide information representative of the residual quantity of washing agent A still contained in system 10.

[0043] In further exemplary variant embodiments, actuator or motor 52 that controls abrading assembly 20 and additional actuator or motor 62 that controls dispensing assembly 56 are also provided with respective position sensors.

[0044] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. System (10) for dispensing a washing agent (A) in compact form, e.g. in solid or compacted-powder form, in particular for a washing machine, such as a dishwasher; said system (10) comprises:

- a casing (12) having an inlet opening (14) configured for the insertion of said washing agent (A) and an outlet opening (16) configured for delivering a quantity of said washing agent (A) introduced through said inlet opening (14);

- a supporting assembly (18) situated in said casing (12) and configured for supporting the washing agent (A) introduced in said casing (12) through said inlet opening (14); and

- an abrading assembly (20) situated in said casing (12) and facing towards said supporting assembly (18); said abrading assembly (20) being configured for acting upon said washing agent (A) supported by said supporting assembly (18), thereby removing said quantity of washing agent to be delivered through said outlet opening (16).

2. System according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic assembly (22) situated in said casing (12) and configured for moving at least one of said supporting assembly (18) and said abrading assembly (20) in a mutually approaching direction (X-X), so that, during use, said abrading assembly (20) rests against said washing agent (A) supported by said supporting assembly (18).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said supporting assembly (18) is movably mounted in said casing (12) .

4. System according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, wherein said elastic assembly (22) is configured for pushing said supporting assembly (18) towards said abrading assembly (20) .

5. System according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said supporting assembly (18) comprises a hollow body (42) movably mounted in said casing (12) and configured for internally receiving said washing agent.

6. System according to claim 5, wherein said hollow body (42) has a lateral opening (48) through which said abrading assembly (20) can gain access to the washing agent (A) supported by the supporting assembly (18) in order to remove therefrom said quantity to be delivered.

7. System according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said hollow body (42) has a hole (44) configured for receiving said washing agent (A) that is inserted into said casing (12); said hollow body (42) being movable into a loading condition, in which said hole (44) is substantially aligned with said inlet opening (14).

8. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said abrading assembly (20) comprises an abrading drum (50) configured for removing a quantity of washing agent (A) supported by the supporting assembly (18); said abrading drum (50) being rotatably mounted in said casing (12).

9. System according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the axis of rotation (Y1-Y1) of said abrading drum (50) is substantially perpendicular to said approaching direction (X-X).

10. System according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said abrading assembly (20) comprises a cleaning member (54) elastically pushed into engagement against the side surface of said abrading drum (50), so as to remove residues of the washing agent (A) removed during the rotation of said abrading drum (50) .

11. System according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a closing assembly (28) configured for sealingly closing said inlet opening (14).

12. System according to claim 11, wherein said closing assembly (28) is movably mounted on the casing (12) and is movable between a covering position, in which said closing assembly (28) covers said inlet opening (14), and an opening position, in which said closing assembly (28) is at a distance from said inlet opening (14).

13. System according to claim 12, wherein, when said closing assembly (28) is in the covering position, said closing assembly (28) can be operated by a user to engage and cooperate with said supporting assembly (18) in order to move said supporting assembly (18) in said casing (12).

14. System according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 2, wherein said closing assembly (28) is configured for moving said supporting assembly (18) away from said abrading assembly (20) against the action of said elastic assembly (22) .

15. System according to claim 11, wherein said closing assembly (28) is configured for moving said supporting assembly (18) into a loading condition, in which said supporting assembly (18) is farthest from the abrading assembly (20) and allows the insertion of said washing agent (A) through said inlet opening (14).

16. System according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a dispensing assembly (56) configured for controlling the delivery, through said outlet opening (16), of the quantity of washing agent removed by said abrading assembly (20).

17. System according to claim 16, wherein said dispensing assembly (56) comprises a delivery drum (58) rotatably mounted in said casing (12) and configured for moving between a collection condition, in which said delivery drum (58) is configured for collecting the quantity of washing agent removed by said abrading assembly (20), and a delivery condition, in which said delivery drum (58) is configured for delivering the quantity of washing agent accumulated in said collection condition.

18. System according to claim 17, wherein said delivery drum (58) has at least one radial seat (60) configured for receiving and dispensing the quantity of washing agent removed by the abrading assembly (20).

19. System according to claim 18, wherein, in said collection condition, said at least one radial seat (60) faces towards the abrading assembly (20) and is capable of collecting the quantity of washing agent removed by the abrading assembly (20).

20. System according to claim 18 or 19, wherein, in said delivery condition, said at least one radial seat (60) faces towards said outlet opening (16) and is capable of dispensing the quantity of washing agent received in said collection condition from the abrading assembly (20).

21. System according to any one of claims 17 to 20 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the axis of rotation (Y2-Y2) of said delivery drum (58) is substantially perpendicular to said approaching direction (X-X).

22. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said washing agent in compact form comprises compacted powder enclosed into a tearable covering or capsule; said abrading assembly (20) being able to tear and open said tearable covering or capsule, so as to gain access to said compacted powder.

Drawing