Abstract:
An apparatus for holding and dispensing metered doses of an active composition into a washing, drying or dishwashing machine has a supply chamber which holds at least double the amount of an individual dose of the active composition. A dispensing chamber is connected to the supply chamber by a passage in order to receive an individual dose of the active composition and to discharge the composition by way of a discharging passage. The closing of the passage between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber, either beforehand or simultaneously, is actuated by means which are activated by conditions inside the machine, existing exclusively during a washing, drying or dishwashing cycle. The passage between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber is re-opened and, beforehand or simultaneously, the discharging passage from the dispensing chamber is closed, so that the dispensing chamber can be re-filled from the supply chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP00/06890, filed Jul. 19, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention is directed to an apparatus for holding and dispensing metered amounts of at least one active composition into a washing machine, a laundry dryer or a dishwashing machine.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,515 discloses a dispensing device for detergent, comprising a rigid container and, communicating with this rigid container by means of a pipe, a compressible reservoir containing the measured quantity of detergent needed for one washing cycle. Under the effect of centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the laundry drum, the reservoir is compressed—particularly if it is disposed between the laundry and the wall of the laundry drum—in such a way that its contents are emptied into the rigid container, where the detergent is then dissolved by the washing liquid. A disadvantage of this dispensing system resides in the fact that the reservoir can be used for only one respective washing cycle and has to be replaced with each new washing cycle.  
           [0004]    European patent publication EP 0 215 366 describes a detergent container with a welded seal, wherein the welded seal melts at a specific operating temperature and then releases the detergent. The seal of the container in particular cannot be used again, and in addition it is not possible to dispense more than once with this system.  
           [0005]    European patent publication EP 0 328 769 describes a removable dispensing container with a closure that can be opened during a washing cycle and which has a manipulating extension. The pressure exerted by the laundry during the washing cycle causes the manipulating extension to be pushed into the dispensing container in such a way that the detergent is able to flow out. It is not possible to dispense more than one dose and the dispensing container must be filled again before each washing cycle.  
           [0006]    German patent publication DE 39 02 356 discloses a dispensing container which may be used for a single washing cycle only and operates on the basis of a temperature-dependent release of a liquid fabric conditioner. The rising temperature causes the pressure in the dispensing container to rise above atmospheric pressure, as a result of which a gate valve is displaced into its open position, permitting the liquid fabric conditioner to flow into the washing machine.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,643 describes a dispensing container, which also allows a metering unit to be released for only one washing cycle. Forces generated by the wet laundry act on the release mechanism of the dispensing container.  
           [0008]    German patent publications DE 39 34 123 and DE 39 22 342 describe detergent containers which are fixedly mounted on the laundry drum. Pins or locking hooks are used for fixing purposes. With these containers, no provision is made for more than one dose, which means that they have to be removed from the washing machine after every washing cycle and re-filled.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,297 describes a dispensing system for a dishwashing machine, which is mounted in the interior of the machine and incorporates a supply and a dispensing compartment. Although it is possible to dispense more than one dose, the dispensing system is controlled by the dishwashing machine in a complex manner.  
           [0010]    German patent publication DE 195 40 608 discloses a system enabling more than one dose to be dispensed, in which tablets of dishwashing detergent are placed. The individual doses are controlled by a command issued by the dishwashing machine, i.e.,, an operating program of the dishwashing machine selected by the user controls the time at which the dose is released.  
           [0011]    Australian published patent application AU-A-78393/91 discloses a dispensing container for a detergent, which is dispensed through an orifice opened by the build-up of internal pressure in the container. This internal pressure is generated either by the operating program of the machine or by operation directly on the part of the user.  
           [0012]    Summing up the state of the art, dispensing systems are known which primarily permit individual doses to be dispensed and in a few cases multiple doses. In systems permitting a single dose, the release of detergent is generally operated on the basis of a delayed release, which may be triggered by means of a rise in temperature, an increase in pressure or centrifugal forces, for example. What systems permitting multiple doses have in common is that the release is mechanically triggered (valve, piston, gate, etc.) either on the basis of a command issued by the washing program of the machine or by direct operation on the part of the user.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    An underlying objective of the invention is to propose an apparatus for holding and dispensing metered doses of an active composition into a laundry washing machine, a dryer or a dishwashing machine, which enables more than one dose to be dispensed (in either one or more washing, drying or dishwashing rinse cycles) and is triggered independently of the commands of an operating program in the machine or intervention by the user.  
           [0014]    This objective is achieved by the invention using an apparatus of the generic type having a supply chamber for containing at least double the quantity of an individual dose of the active composition. Connected to the supply chamber by a passage is a dispensing chamber for containing a single dose of the active composition and releasing the same via a discharge passage into the interior of the machine. Means are provided for opening the discharge passage and closing, beforehand or simultaneously, the passage between the supply chamber and dispensing chamber. The opening means are operated by means that are activated by conditions prevailing in the interior of the machine, which occur exclusively during a washing, drying or dishwashing cycle. Means are also provided for re-opening the passage between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber and closing, beforehand or simultaneously, the discharge passage of the dispensing chamber in order to refill the same from the supply chamber.  
           [0015]    In a first embodiment the apparatus proposed by the invention comprises a fluid reservoir; an expansion mechanism and a one-way valve disposed between the fluid reservoir and the expansion mechanism, so that fluid is able to flow between the fluid reservoir and the expansion mechanism. An opening/closing mechanism is operated by the expansion mechanism, in such a way that the discharge passage of the dispensing chamber is opened and the passage between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber is closed, beforehand or simultaneously, to enable the contents of the dispensing chamber to be substantially entirely released into the machine. A return mechanism re-positions the opening/closing mechanism in the initial position; and means are provided to enable the hydraulic fluid to leave the expansion mechanism when the opening/closing mechanism is re-set by the return mechanism.  
           [0016]    Accordingly, the flow of fluid from the fluid reservoir into the expansion mechanism is operated either by the wet laundry or dry laundry compressing the fluid reservoir directly or indirectly, in which case the opening/closing mechanism is preferably a gate valve, or by a pivotably mounted weight exerting pressure on the fluid reservoir due to the rotation of the apparatus with the washing machine or dryer drum, in which case the opening/closing mechanism is preferably a float valve. In both cases the return mechanism is preferably a return spring.  
           [0017]    In another embodiment, the apparatus proposed by the invention comprises a one-way valve between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber. A water chamber with a one-way valve is provided so that, at the start of an operating cycle, water disposed in the machine flows through the one-way valve into the water chamber, expanding it to the degree that the dispensing chamber is compressed. A discharge passage of the dispensing chamber is opened and, beforehand or simultaneously, the one-way valve between supply chamber and dispensing chamber is closed to permit the contents of the dispensing chamber to be substantially entirely released into the machine. Means are provided to enable the water slowly to leave the water chamber, causing the dispensing chamber to expand again. As a result, the one-way valve between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber is opened and, beforehand or simultaneously, the discharge passage of the dispensing chamber is closed to allow the dispensing chamber to be filled from the supply chamber again. The means enabling the water to leave the water chamber preferably comprises small orifices.  
           [0018]    In a further embodiment the apparatus proposed by the invention comprises a one-way valve between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber. Means which alter in form, at least to a certain degree, when the temperature is increased, cause the dispensing chamber to be compressed, the discharge passage of the dispensing chamber to be opened and, beforehand or simultaneously, the one-way valve between supply chamber and dispensing chamber to be closed, to enable the contents of the dispensing chamber to be substantially entirely released into the machine. The means which alter in form undergo a reverse change of form, at least to a certain degree, on cooling, causing the one-way valve between the supply chamber and the dispensing chamber to be opened again and, beforehand or simultaneously, the discharge passage of the dispensing chamber to be closed, in order to refill the dispensing chamber from the supply chamber.  
           [0019]    An alternative to this further embodiment of the invention is characterized by a rigid chamber with a material disposed therein, in particular a wax, which expands as the temperature increases and shrinks on cooling. Preferably, the supply chamber is designed so that it contains a wax. This being the case, it is preferable if the opening mechanism is raised by means of a flexible diaphragm, which responds to the expansion of the material.  
           [0020]    The apparatus proposed by the invention is additionally characterized by a bimetallic strip, which bends when the temperature increases and returns to shape on cooling.  
           [0021]    Particularly preferred, the supply chamber is designed so that it can be re-filled from the exterior.  
           [0022]    In one particularly practical arrangement, the apparatus proposed by the invention is firmly but detachably secured in the interior of the machine. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view through a first embodiment of the apparatus proposed by the invention in a non-dispensing state;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of the first embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in a dispensing state;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the apparatus proposed by the invention in a non-dispensing state;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the apparatus of the second embodiment in a dispensing state;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the apparatus proposed by the invention in a non-dispensing state;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the apparatus of the third embodiment in a dispensing state;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus proposed by the invention in a non-dispensing state; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the apparatus of the fourth embodiment in a dispensing state. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1 depicts an apparatus based on a hydraulic operating mode. Accordingly, the apparatus comprises a supply chamber  1 , a dispensing chamber  2  and a compressible bladder  3 . The apparatus is triggered by the action of the wet or dry laundry on the compressible bladder  3 , causing the latter to be compressed. A hydraulic fluid  6  (preferably water) disposed therein is discharged through a one-way valve  4  to a bellows  5 . The one-way valve  4  prevents the hydraulic fluid  6  from flowing back into the compressible bladder  3 . The bellows  5  displaces an opening mechanism  7  (e.g., a gate valve) so that the passage  9  between the supply chamber  1  and the dispensing chamber  2  is first closed, after which the passage  8  from the dispensing chamber  2  into the machine is opened for dispensing the active composition.  
         [0033]    A return mechanism  11  (e.g., a spring) returns the opening mechanism  7  into its initial position, such that the discharge passage  8  from the dispensing chamber  2  to the machine is closed, and the passage  9  between the dispensing chamber  2  and the supply chamber  1  is opened again. At the same time, the bellows  5  is pushed together again, and the hydraulic fluid  6  is able to flow back, e.g., through a small orifice  10 , into the compressible bladder  3 , which expands to its original size. Because the passage  9  between the supply chamber  1  and the dispensing chamber  2  is open again, the dispensing chamber  2  can now be filled again.  
         [0034]    The opening mechanism can be designed so that it is not re-positioned until a machine cycle has been completed, i.e., there will be only one dispensing action into the machine during a cycle. However, it would also be conceivable, e.g., by dimensioning the orifice  10  and the return spring  11  accordingly, for the opening mechanism to be re-set more than once during a cycle, to allow several individual doses to be released during one cycle.  
         [0035]    It goes without saying that within the scope of the invention, other embodiments would also be conceivable. For example, it would be conceivable for the opening mechanism to open the discharge passage  8  to the machine and the passage  9  between the supply chamber  1  and the dispensing chamber  4  simultaneously. Similarly, it would also be conceivable for a measured quantity of the active composition to be completely ejected from the dispensing chamber  2  by means of a slight pressure generated by the cover of the apparatus.  
         [0036]    A second embodiment of the apparatus proposed by the invention (FIGS. 3 and 4) is of a similar construction, but uses a different principle to operate the opening/closing mechanism. As the apparatus rotates with the washing machine or dryer drum, a pivotably attached weight  30  pushes, as it is displaced, against a compressible chamber  3 ′. As a result, a hydraulic fluid  6 ′ disposed in this chamber  3 ′ is forced through the one-way valve  4 ′ into an expansion chamber  5 ′. As the expansion chamber  5 ′ is gradually filled, the float valve  7 ′ mounted therein rises against the pressure of the return spring  11 ′.  
         [0037]    In a non-dispensing state (FIG. 3), the float valve  7 ′ closes off the discharge passage  8  between the dispensing chamber  2  and the machine. As the float valve  7 ′ rises, it pivots about the valve, closing off the discharge passage  8 , thereby also closing off the passage  9  between the supply chamber  1  and the dispensing chamber  2 . As the float valve  7 ′ rises still farther (FIG. 4), it finally opens the discharge passage  8  so that the dispensing chamber  2  can be emptied into the machine. As the washing machine or dryer drum rotates, the float valve  7 ′ is essentially retained in this upper position.  
         [0038]    Once the washing machine or dryer drum stops rotating, the expansion chamber  5 ′ slowly empties via the orifice  10 ′, closing the discharge passage  8  to the machine again and re-opening passage  9  between supply chamber  1  and dispensing chamber  2 , allowing the dispensing chamber  2  to be filled again in readiness for the next cycle.  
         [0039]    The apparatus proposed by the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 operates on the basis of a back-pressure effect and is primarily suitable for use in a laundry washing machine. The active composition is discharged from a filled supply chamber  12  via a one-way valve  14  into a dispensing chamber  13  disposed underneath the supply chamber  12 . Disposed underneath the dispensing chamber  13  is a water chamber  15  into which water disposed in the machine at the start of an operating cycle flows via a one-way valve  16  and fills the chamber  15 . As the water chamber  15  fills, it causes the one-way valve  14  between the supply chamber  12  and the dispensing chamber  13  to close on the one hand and, on the other hand, compresses the dispensing chamber  13  causing its contents to be released into the washing machine through a discharge passage  17 . Once the operating cycle is completed, the water drains slowly out of the bottom water chamber  15  through small orifices  18 , and the discharge passage  17  of the dispensing chamber  13  is closed. The dispensing chamber  13  is then able to expand, as a result of which the one-way valve  14  can re-open, enabling the dispensing chamber  13  to be filled again with active composition from the supply chamber  12 .  
         [0040]    In this third embodiment of the apparatus, it is particularly important for the bottom water chamber  15  to remain completely filled with water during the operating cycle, so that the one-way valve  14  remains closed, in order prevent any additional dispensing action from the supply chamber  12 .  
         [0041]    Another embodiment would also be conceivable in which, instead of being arranged one above the other, the three chambers were arranged in a different layout relative to one another. Instead of providing small orifices  18 , it would also be conceivable to use other drainage means (e.g., a semi-permeable membrane) for draining the water from the water chamber  15 .  
         [0042]    In a fourth embodiment of the apparatus proposed by the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 and based on a temperature effect, a supply chamber  19  filled with active composition releases the composition via a one-way valve  21  to a dispensing chamber  20  disposed underneath the supply chamber  19 . Underneath the dispensing chamber  20  is a rigid bottom chamber  22  containing a wax  23 . An increase in temperature, i.e., as the water or the dryer interior is heated to the desired operating temperature, causes the wax  23  to expand, pushing a ram  25  upwards via a flexible diaphragm  24 , so that it closes the one-way valve  21 , compresses the dispensing chamber  20  and releases its contents through a discharge passage  26  into the washing machine or the dryer. As it then cools, the wax  23  shrinks and the ram  25  is able to return to its initial position. This causes the one-way valve  21  to open and allows the dispensing chamber  20  to be filled again with active composition from the supply chamber  19 .  
         [0043]    Also with the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the three chambers need not be exclusively disposed one above the other. The dispensing chamber  20  and the rigid chamber  22  may also be arranged adjacent to one another, for example. Similarly, one skilled in this particular art would have no difficulty in finding a suitable material other than wax. The only important thing about this material is that it should have an appropriate expansion coefficient at a selected operating temperature of the machine.  
         [0044]    Likewise, the means  25  used to open the discharge passage  26  of the dispensing chamber  20  need not explicitly be a ram. It would also be conceivable to use a piston, for example rigid, which, because it is displaced by an expanding material, pushes the contents of the dispensing chamber, made from a very flexible material, to the discharge passage. To improve release of the active composition from the dispensing chamber, it would also be conceivable to provide more than one means for opening the discharge passage (e.g., two rams from two different positions).  
         [0045]    In an alternative embodiment (which is not illustrated), the apparatus may also be activated on the basis of temperature by providing a bimetallic strip, which is deformed under the effect of temperature. This deformation directly or indirectly initiates the same procedure as that illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, where the ram  25  of the apparatus pushes via the diaphragm  24 , i.e., compresses the dispensing chamber  20 , opens the discharge passage  26  of the dispensing chamber  20  and, beforehand or simultaneously, closes the one-way valve  21  between supply chamber  19  and dispensing chamber  20 , in order to release the contents of the dispensing chamber substantially entirely into the machine. On cooling, the bimetallic strip would likewise return to its initial shape and as a result open the one-way valve  21  again to enable the dispensing chamber  20  to be re-filled with active composition from the supply chamber  19 .  
         [0046]    In the case of a dishwashing machine, the temperature is normally increased twice during a dishwashing cycle, namely once during the cleaning cycle and a second time during the rinsing cycle. The temperature-dependent embodiments of the apparatus proposed by the invention would therefore be activated twice, i.e., an appropriate substance would be released into the dishwashing machine twice.  
         [0047]    In all embodiments, the speed at which the fluid contained in the dispensing chamber is discharged can be controlled by appropriate means, for example by dimensioning the discharge passage  8  (FIGS.  1  or  3 ),  17  (FIG. 6) or  26  (FIG. 8) accordingly. In this manner, a delayed release can be obtained to suit specific application requirements (for example releasing fabric conditioner in a dryer).  
         [0048]    It is of advantage to provide means for inactivating the system, preferably of the type which do not have to be removed from the machine, so that the user can decide whether to run the machine with the system proposed by the invention in the activated state or in the non-activated state. Any type of locking mechanism that would prevent the opening mechanism  7  from being activated could be used for this purpose, preferably a system of blocking the hydraulic fluid  6 .  
         [0049]    The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the drawings and the claims may be construed as essential to the invention in its different embodiments, both individually and in any combination.  
         [0050]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.