Abstract:
A device is disclosed to enable the safe insertion and removal of a container of solid or powdered detergent cleaner into a detergent dispenser such as for a dishwasher. The device includes a bowl portion and a central, upstanding water spray outlet near the bottom of the bowl which ejects water into the container to remove the detergent from the container, or from bulk powder fed into the bowl. 
     The spray outlet is occluded by a cover plate which is mounted on a screen which retains the powdered detergent, and the cover plate functions to occlude the spray outlet and horizontally deflect the water spray. This prevents the ejection from the dispenser of water, steam, detergents and chemical solution.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 801,587 filed Nov. 25, 1985, and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,682 issued May 19, 1987. 
    
    
     This invention relates to a new and improved device for safely inserting and removing a container of detergent from a detergent dispenser, and for effectively removing these materials from the container for use, typically in a dishwasher. 
     Various types of protection devices have been employed to protect dishwasher operators from the effects of backsplash or water ejection from detergent dispensers, and these include: splashguards, closure tops which electrically actuate a cut-off valve, especially designed closure mechanisms, and special container designs. However, many of these protection devices present problems in terms of complexity of construction, cost, reliability, ease of use, and electrical connections. 
     Also, many types of dispensers produce a solution build-up. The immersion of the detergent formula into the solution in the dispenser results in two undesireable effects. Firstly, the water will differentially dissolve the various ingredients in the formula, causing a wide variation in the formula which is fed to the dishwasher. Secondly, if the detergent includes a chlorine containing compound, this solution build-up will tend to evaporate the chlorine from the solution rather than passing it to the dishwasher. This not only wastes the chlorine compound, but also the chlorine in vapor form is toxic, and particularly when heated. 
     Detergent containers are not uniformly sized, and hence it would be useful to provide a device which can accommodate most container sizes and shapes and still retain safety features such as protection of the operator from backsplash, and the ejection of hot liquid, steam and detergent, both powder and liquid. 
     THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a detergent feed device for a detergent dispenser is provided to minimize backsplash and the hazard due to ejection of water, and detergent, possibly into an operator&#39;s face; prevent the differential dissolving of detergent; and, increase the feed rate of solid and powdered detergent, which is especially important in the case of short cycle dishwashers. 
     The device comprises an upwardly open-ended bowl container for receiving an open inverted container of solid or powdered detergent and for removing detergent therefrom by means of an upwardly directed spray or jet of water from an upstanding water jet positioned at the lower portion of the bowl. The bowl container provides a narrow, inwardly biased (preferably spring loaded) finger, which in the closed position occludes the water outlet and prevents water from being ejected from the bowl and onto the operator or persons near the dishwasher. When the container of detergent is inserted into the bowl, it will bias the finger outwardly and away from the outlet. This exposes water from the jet to be ejected into the detergent in the container and causes the detergent to be removed. When the container is withdrawn from the bowl, the finger will be released, and will be biased inwardly to occlude the outlet. Hence, the ejection of water and detergent, etc., from the bowl is prevented. 
     In the case of powder which is intentionally or accidentally placed into the dispenser, water spray from the finger is deflected horizontally onto the powder and forms a slurry. Subsequently, this slurry is fed to a water vortex which causes the slurry to become thin and uniform prior to being flushed to the dishwasher. 
     A perforated screen is positioned at the level of the jet outlet and functions to prevent unwetted powder from falling freely into the bottom of the dispenser and plugging up the outlet. Consequently, detergent powder is spread outwardly along the perforated screen, and this enables the powder to be contacted by a vortex of water along the periphery of the dispenser. A centrally disposed gravity outlet extends upwardly for a short distance from the bottom of the dispenser to maintain a shallow basin of water. When the dispenser is activated, a vortex is formed in this water basin and causes the detergent powder to be slurried and thinned. Hence, there is little or no possibility of the powder solidifying and plugging either the outlet or a band in an outlet pipe or bulkhead fitting. The bottom of the dispenser is flat shaped to establish a shallow basin of water and enable a suitable water vortex to be formed. The vortex of water is forced up through the perforated screen and along the sidewall of the dispenser. This causes the powder to be continuously and uniformly eroded and slurried. Consequently, the detergent slurry or solution has the same uniformity as the detergent in the container. Moreover, any chlorine containing compounds are removed to the dishwasher also as a solution or slurry, and hence the chlorine content will not be dissipated into the ambient air. 
     In effect, the detergent is dissolved, slurried and diluted in two stages, the first stage occurring in the container due to the upstanding water outlet, and the second stage occurring at and below the perforated screen from the vortex forming jets. 
     Where bulk detergent powder is employed exclusively, that is, it is unloaded by hand rather than being fed from a container, the spring loaded finger can be replaced by a rigid bracket attached to the perforated plate. The bracket functions to continuously deflect water in a horizontal manner, as in the case of the spring loaded finger. 
     When an empty container of detergent is removed from the bowl, the finger will be biased inwardly and occlude the water jet. This will protect the operator from being splashed by a combination of steam, hot water and detergent. Consequently, the dishwasher will not have to be shut down or special precautions taken to protect the operator when a container of detergent is inserted or removed when the dishwasher is operating. The inward biasing of the finger and occlusion of the water jet is independent of the distance between the bowl wall and the container of detergent. Therefore, many different sizes of detergent containers may be used in the device without difficulty. 
     Safety features of the dispenser include the use of the screen as a component of the dispenser. This obviates the need to use a similar screen to cover the mouth of the detergent container. Consequently, the mouth of the detergent container may be used completely open; therefore, the container will not become plugged and produce a pressure build-up, as can presently occur. Furthermore, use of the screen causes splashing to occur at the level of the upstanding water jet, rather than taking place at the outlet of the dispenser. The inwardly biased finger is, of course, another safety feature. Optionally if desired, a lid cover may be employed when powdered detergent is being used in bulk form and simply unloaded by hand rather than being fed from a container. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partly broken away, in perspective, showing the device of the invention having inserted therein an inverted container of detergent; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partly broken away, in perspective showing the lower portion of the device following removal of the detergent container, or prior to complete insertion; 
     FIG. 3 is a view in sectional side elevation showing a rigid bracket employed to occlude a jet outlet, and to deflect water; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, partly in cut away perspective showing another embodiment similar to the device of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view in side elevation of the device showing the liquid flow inlets and outlets; and, 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view of the device showing the direction of movement of the solution. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detergent dispenser 10 of this invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and comprises an upwardly open deep bowl container 11 that is attached to a dishwasher (not shown). A water inlet 12 extends into the lower portion of the dispenser and feeds a manifold 13 having outlet jets 14, 15 and an upstanding outlet 16 located centrally of the bowl. A non plugging drain 17 leading to an outlet tube 18 at the bottom of the container 11 feeds detergent 19 which is removed from the container into the dishwasher as a solution. 
     The interior of the bowl container 11 is provided with a narrow finger 20 which is rotationally mounted on the inside wall of the container by a pivot 21 and biased inwardly by a spring element 21a. As shown in FIG. 2, an end extension 22 of the finger 20 is sized to cover or occlude the outlet 16. This prevents hot water, solid detergent, detergent solution, steam, etc., from being ejected out of the bowl container when the detergent carton has been removed, or when the detergent carton 23 is being removed from or being inserted into the bowl. If desired, a cover plate 24 attached to the bowl by a chain 25 may be used to cover the open end of the bowl container when bulk detergent powder is unloaded into the bowl. 
     A screen 26 having perforations 27 is positioned adjacent and preferably level with the upstanding outlet 16. The screen is supported by legs that are spot welded thereto, two legs 26a, 26b being shown. Positioned below the screen is a small deflector plate 28, which may be preferably employed, in conjunction with the screen. The deflector plate and screen both function to prevent dry detergent powder from sifting through the screen to the drain 17. Hence, the powder will be dissolved or slurried, rather than passing through the drain in dry form. 
     Water from the inlet 12 is fed to the outlet jets 14, 15 and is circulated in the direction shown by the arrows. Since the bottom 11a of the container 11 is flat, a water vortex is formed due to the circulation produced by the jets. This vortex will move upwardly along the sidewall of the bowl and through the screen to dissolve and slurry the detergent. At the same time, water from the upstanding outlet 16 is injected into the powdered detergent in the container. The entire effect of the jets 14, 15 and outlet 16 is injected into the powdered detergent in the container. The entire effect of the jets 14, 15 and outlet 16 is to uniformly dissolve and slurry the detergent. The drain 17 extends upwardly for a short distance from the bottom 11a of the container and thereby maintains a shallow (about 1/2&#34;) water reservoir at the bottom of the container 11. The presence of the water reservoir enables a water vortes to be formed quickly and minimizes the possibility of the drain and associated tubing from becoming plugged. 
     It will be observed that the bowl container 11 is sized to provide a considerable amount of extra space 29 between the detergent container 23 and the sidewall 30 of the bowl container. This extra space enables a wide variety of container sizes and shapes to be employed in the device. 
     FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention which may be used if the operator employs detergent powder exclusively. A cover plate 35 is fixed in place by bolting to the screen 26 and occludes the upstanding outlet 16. This prevents water from being ejected out of the bowl and onto the operator. Water from the outlet 16 will be deflected horizontally onto powder on the screen to dissolve and slurry the powder. 
     Another embodiment of the invention, similar to that of FIG. 3, is shown in FIGS. 4-6. The detergent feed device shown in FIGS. 3-6 eliminates the finger element 20, and hence the device involves no moving parts, and eliminates the need for a lid 24. Furthermore, no electricity is required to operate a cut-off mechanism when the detergent carton 23 is removed. 
     In FIG. 4, a detergent dispenser 40 is provided, having a round sidewall 41 to conform with the usual round detergent container 42, containing powder 42a. The detergent container is shown inverted through the upper open end 43 of the dispenser. The bottom portion 44 of the dispenser is flat shaped to assist in producing a suitable vortex in the bottom of the container. Mounting supports 45 on either side of the dispenser 40 are provided to secure the device to a dishwasher. 
     A manifold 46 is mounted through the sidewall 41 near the bottom of the dispenser 40 and secured thereto by a bolt 47. The end of the manifold is capped 48, and the manifold is provided with slot orifices 49, 50 which are directed to feed water tangentially, and in a circular manner around the bowl to produce a vortex movement of detergent solution in the bottom of the dispenser. The manifold also provides a vertical orifice 51 to produce an upstanding jet of water. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, a water feed pipe 55 and a detergent solution outlet pipe 56 are attached to the manifold 46 and outlet drain bore 57, respectively. It will be noted that the outlet pipe 56 extends upwardly beyond the bottom portion 44 for a short length 58 (e.g. 3/8&#34;). This enables a shallow pool 59 of detergent solution to be formed, and the vortex of this solution to be maintained. Also, previously undissolved detergent powder which may have sifted through a support screen, to be discussed, infra will be solubilized in the pool. 
     Positioned over the manifold 46 is a metal screen 64 for retaining detergent powder 42a as it falls from the inverted detergent container 42. The screen contains perforations 65 to permit detergent solution to drain through to the pool 59, and is positioned a sufficient distance above the water outlet to enable the water vortex to pass therethrough. 
     A cover plate 66, similar to cover plate 35 in FIG. 3, is welded to the screen 64 and occludes orifice 51 in the manifold. An upstanding water jet from the orifice 51 will be deflected horizontally by the cover plate 66 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The screen 64 is supported and secured to legs 67, 68 which are U-shaped at 69, 70 and fit over the manifold 46, while being supported on the bottom 44 of the detergent dispenser 40. This arrangement positions the screen with respect to the manifold and provides a constant, small spacing between the screen 64 and sidewall 41 of the dispenser. 
     Detergent powder 42a will continuously fall from the container 42 onto the screen 64 and will be continuously dissolved by horizontally deflected water from the vertical orifice 51. Also, the vortex movement of the detergent solution, as it passes through the screen will function to dissolve detergent powder near the sidewall of the dispenser. In addition, any powder which falls through the screen perforations 65 will enter the pool 59 of detergent solution and be dissolved prior to entering the dishwasher. 
     When the detergent container 42 is removed from the dispenser 40, there will be no splashback of detergent solution. water or steam, etc., through the upper open end 43 of the dispenser. This is due to the operation of the cover plate 66 in horizontally deflecting water from the vertical orifice 51. 
     Thus the present invention will protect the operator at all times, irrespective of whether the detergent is being removed from its container, whether a container is being replaced, or whether the bowl is completely open. Also, the device can be used with a wide variety of container sizes without requiring a bowl change. Also, the device can be used with detergent powder that is not containerized but is simply unloaded into the bowl in bulk form. 
     Obviously, many equivalents of this invention are possible without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, vertical guides may be used to center a container within the bowl. Also, additional jet outlets could be positioned peripherally along the side wall of the bowl and directed towards the screen 26. It will be appreciated that conventional components in dishwasher systems may be used with this device, such as conductivity sensors to monitor the detergent concentration and activate the water jets.