US 4,938,240 AGranted

Dishwashing apparatus including a flip-flop solid detergent dispenser

AssigneeEcolab Inc.

InventorsHaresh C. Lakhan, Lawrence W. Switala, Kim J. Ashton

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A flip-top detergent dispenser (30) comprising a base means (31) having a funnel-shaped interior, a nozzle (22) positioned within the interior of the base means, and a detergent container support (32) connected by a hinge (33) to the base (31). The detergent container support (32) is designed to hold only a particular shaped detergent container (23), thus helping to insure that only suitable detergent products are used in the warewashing apparatus. The flip-top detergent dispensed (30), mounted on top of the dishwashing apparatus (1), is designed so that the detergent container (23) can be inserted into and removed from the detergent holder support (32) only in an upright position to prevent dripping of detergent sulution on to the user. Water will not spray up through the product nozzle (22) unless particularly shaped detergent container (23) is situated in the detergent support holder (32) and the detergent support holder (32) is closed. Preferably, the detergent support holder (32) has open areas so that labels including instructions and warnings can be read on the solid detergent container (23). A circular metallic ring (37) having a plurality of holes is situated around the funnel-shaped interior of the base (31). Water is flushed through the holes of the circular metallic ring (37) at designated times to insure that the detergent is rinsed down through the funnel-shaped interior of the base.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A dispenser apparatus for use with a container having an indent comprising:

(a) a base, said base having an interior and a rim;
(b) a nozzle, said nozzle positioned within said interior of said base and flow of water through said nozzle is controlled by a valve;
(c) a cam, said cam extending out over the rim of said base, said cam operatively connected to a switch situated such that application of vertical pressure downwards onto said cam causes said cam to move, thereby activating said switch, said switch operatively connected to said valve allowing water to flow through said nozzle;
and
(d) a container support, said container support attached by a hinge to said base, said hinge designed to allow said container support to move from a closed position in which said container support rests upon said base to an open position, said container support comprising in its closed position;
(i) a first circular member having a space, said space of a size and location as to enclose said cam when said container support is in a closed position without touching said cam;
(ii) a second circular member situated parallel and above said first circular member, said second circular member attached to said first circular member, said second circular member having a circumference larger than said first circular member;
(iii) a protection means, said projection means attached to said container support, said projection means extending within and above a circular area defined by said first circular member, said projection means adapted to be positioned in an indent of a container;
(iv) a vertically extending support member having a top portion and a bottom portion, said vertically extending support member extending perpendicular to said second circular member, said vertically extending support member attached at its bottom portion to said second circular member, said vertically extending support member positioned such that when said container support is in an open position, said vertically extending support member is attached to a portion of said second circular member which is closest to said base member;
(v) a container base support, said container base support situated parallel to and above said first circular member and said circular member, said container base support attached to the top portion of said vertically extending support member;
and
(vi) a handle attached to said container base support.

9 more elements

A dispenser apparatus for use with a container having an indent comprising:

(a) a base, said base having a funnel-shaped interior and a rim;
(b) a nozzle, said nozzle positioned within said funnel-shaped interior of said base and flow of water through said nozzle is controlled by a valve;
(c) a cam, said cam extending out over the rim of said base, said cam operatively connected to a switch situated such that application of vertical pressure downwards onto said cam causes said cam to move, thereby activating said switch, said switch operatively connected to said valve allowing water to flow through said nozzle;
and
(d) a container support, said container support attached by a hinge to said base, said hinge designed to allow said container support to move from a closed position in which said container support rests upon said base to an open position, said container support comprising in its closed position:
(i) a first circular member having a space, said space of a size and location as to enclose said cam when said container support is in a closed position without touching said cam;
(ii) a second circular member situated parallel and above said first circular member, said second circular member attached to said first circular member, said second circular member having a circumference larger than said first circular member;
(iii) a projection means, said projection means, attached to said container support said projection means extending within and above circular area defined by said first circular member said projection means adapted to be positioned in an indent of a container;
(iv) a curved vertically extending support member having a top portion and a bottom portion, said curved vertically extending support member extending perpendicular to said second circular member, said curved vertically extending support member attached at its bottom portion to said second circular member, said curved vertically extending support member positioned such that when said container support is in an open position, said curved vertically extending support member is connected to a portion of said second circular member which is closest to said base member;
(v) a curved container base support, said curved container base support situated parallel to and above said first circular member and said second circular member, said curved container base support attached to the top portion of said curved vertically extending support member;
and
(vi) a handle attached to said curved container base support.

9 more elements

A dispenser apparatus for use with a container having an indent comprising:

(a) a base, said base having a funnel-shaped interior and a rim;
(b) a nozzle, said nozzle positioned within said funnel-shaped interior of said base and flow of water through said nozzle is controlled by a valve;
(c) a cam, said cam extending out over the rim of said base, said cam operatively connected to a switch situated such that application of vertical pressure downwards onto said cam causes said cam to move, thereby activating said switch, said switch operatively connected to said valve allowing water to flow through said nozzle;
and
(d) a container support, said container support attached by a hinge to said base, said hinge designed to allow said container support to move from a closed position in which said container support rests upon said base to an open position, said container support comprising in its closed position;
(i) a first circular member having a space, said space of a size and location as to enclose said cam when said container support is in a closed position without touching said cam;
(ii) a second circular member situated parallel and above said first circular member, said second circular member attached to said first circular member, said second circular member having a circumference larger than said first circular member;
(iii) a projection means, said projection means, attached to a cross bar member, said cross bar member attached to both said first circular member and said second circular member;
said projection means extending within and above a circular area defined by said first circular member said projection means adapted to be positioned in an indent of a container;
(iv) a semi-circular vertically extending support member having a top portion and a bottom portion, said semi-circular vertically extending support member extending perpendicular to said second circular member, said semi-circular vertically extending support member attached at its bottom portion to said second circular member, said semi-circular vertically extending support member positioned such that when said container support is in an open position, said semi-circular vertically extending support member is connected to a portion of said second circular member which is closest to said base member;
(v) a semi-circular container base support, said semi-circular container base support situated parallel to and above said first circular member and said second circular member;
said semi-circular container base support having a smaller radius than a radius of said semi-circular vertically extending support member;
said semi-circular container base support attached to a top portion of said semi-circular vertically extending support member;
said semi-circular container base support positioned such that it resides within a semi-circular area defined by said semi-circular vertical support member;
and
(vi) a handle attached to said semi-circular container base support.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/341,927Filed 21 Apr 1989 · division
Priority: 30 Apr 1987
Granted: 3 Jul 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B01F 21/22
Using flow mixing: using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles
A47L 15/0081
Of non-domestic use type, e.g. commercial dishwashers for bars, hotels, restaurants, canteens or hospitals: with vertical sliding closing doors,…
A47L 15/4436
Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants: in the form of a detergent solution made…
Y10T 137/4891
Fluid handling: with holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained