Detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016220094-A1
Application number	US-201514608522-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 29, 2015
Priority date	Jan 29, 2015
Publication date	Aug 4, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance may generally include a body extending between a top side and a bottom side. The body may include an outer surface extending from the top side and may define a detergent chamber between the outer surface and the bottom side. The detergent chamber may be at least partially formed by an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall and a bottom wall extending between the upper and lower sidewall. In addition, the dispenser module may also include at least one flow diverter extending outwardly from the outer surface at a location adjacent to the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber. The flow diverter(s) may be angled in a direction of a fluid collection opening defined through a top of the upper sidewall such that fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed into the fluid collection opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance, the detergent dispenser module comprising:
a body extending between a top side and a bottom side, the body including an outer surface extending from the top side and defining a detergent chamber between the outer surface and the bottom side, the detergent chamber being at least partially formed by an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall and a bottom wall extending between the upper and lower sidewalls; and at least one flow diverter extending outwardly from the outer surface at a location adjacent to the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber, the at least one flow diverter being angled in a direction of a fluid collection opening defined through a top of the upper sidewall such that fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed into the fluid collection opening.

2 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow diverter comprises a first flow diverter and a second flow diverter, the first flow diverter being spaced apart from the second flow diverter such that the fluid collection opening is defined between the first and second flow diverters, both the first and second flow diverters being angled in the direction of the fluid collection opening such that the fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed between the first and second flow diverters and into the fluid collection opening.

3 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow diverter comprises an angled wall extending outwardly from the outer surface and a lip extending outwardly from the angled wall towards the top side of the body.

4 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 1 , further comprising a first sidewall rib and a second sidewall rib extending lengthwise along the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber, the first sidewall rib being spaced apart from the second sidewall rib such that a flow channel is defined between the first and second sidewall ribs, the flow channel being in flow communication with the fluid collection opening such that the fluid flowing through the fluid collection opening is directed into the flow channel and travels within the flow channel along the upper sidewall towards the bottom wall of the detergent chamber.

5 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 4 , wherein the first and second sidewall ribs are spaced apart from one another such that the fluid is retained within the flow channel due to surface tension between the first and second sidewall ribs and the fluid.

6 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 1 , further comprising a spreader rib projecting outwardly from the bottom wall of the detergent chamber, the spreader rib extending at least partially along an outer perimeter of the bottom wall defined at an interface between the bottom wall and the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber such that, when the fluid flowing through the fluid collection opening is directed along the upper sidewall towards the bottom wall, the spreader rib is configured to spread out the flow of fluid along a width of the bottom wall.

7 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 6 , further comprising a fluid collection wall extending within the detergent chamber adjacent to an interface defined between the lower sidewall and the bottom wall of the detergent chamber, the fluid collection wall being configured to at least partially block the fluid flowing along the bottom wall from flowing upward along the lower sidewall.

8 . A detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance, the detergent dispenser module comprising:
a body extending between a top side and a bottom side, the body including an outer surface extending from the top side and defining a detergent chamber between the outer surface and the bottom side, the detergent chamber being at least partially formed by an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall and a bottom wall extending between the upper and lower sidewalls, the upper sidewall defining a fluid collection opening at a top of the upper sidewall that is in fluid communication with the outer surface; and first and second sidewall ribs extending lengthwise along the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber, the first sidewall rib being spaced apart from the second sidewall rib such that a flow channel is defined between the first and second sidewall ribs, the flow channel being in flow communication with the fluid collection opening such that fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed through the fluid collection opening and into the flow channel for transport within the flow channel along the upper sidewall towards the bottom wall of the detergent chamber.

9 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 8 , wherein the first and second sidewall ribs are spaced apart from one another such that the fluid is retained within the flow channel due to surface tension between the first and second sidewall ribs and the fluid.

10 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 8 , wherein the first and second sidewall ribs from part of a plurality of sidewall ribs extending lengthwise along the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber, the plurality of ribs being spaced apart from one another along a width of the upper sidewall such that a plurality of flow channels are defined along the upper sidewall.

11 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 8 , further comprising a spreader rib projecting outwardly from the bottom wall of the detergent chamber, the spreader rib extending at least partially along an outer perimeter of the bottom wall defined at an interface between the bottom wall and the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber such that, when the fluid flowing through the fluid collection opening is directed along the upper sidewall towards the bottom wall, the spreader rib is configured to spread out the flow of fluid along a width of the bottom wall.

12 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 11 , further comprising a fluid collection wall extending within the detergent chamber adjacent to an interface defined between the lower sidewall and the bottom wall of the detergent chamber, the fluid collection wall being configured to at least partially block the fluid flowing along the bottom wall from flowing upward along the lower sidewall.

13 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 8 , further comprising at least one flow diverter extending outwardly from the outer surface at a location adjacent to the upper sidewall of the detergent chamber, the at least one flow diverter being angled in a direction of the fluid collection opening such that the fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed into the fluid collection opening.

14 . The detergent dispenser module of claim 13 , wherein the at least one flow diverter comprises a first flow diverter and a second flow diverter, the first flow diverter being spaced apart from the second flow diverter such that the fluid collection opening is defined between the first and second flow diverters, both the first and second flow diverters being angled in the direction of the fluid collection opening such that the fluid flowing downwardly along the outer surface of the body is directed between the first and second flow diverters and into the fluid collection opening.

15 . A detergent dispenser module for a dishwashing appliance, the detergent dispenser module comprising:
a body extending between a top side and a bottom side, the body including an outer surface extending from the top side and defining a detergent chamber between the outer surface

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Durham Kyle Edward
• Ross Christopher Brandon
• Miller Gregory Owen
• Curtis Craig

Classifications

• A47L15/4436 Primary

  in the form of a detergent solution made by gradually dissolving a powder detergent cake or a solid detergent block · CPC title

• A47L15/4409

  by tipping containers or opening their lids, e.g. with the help of a programmer · CPC title

• A47L15/4418 Primary

  in the form of liquids (A47L15/4409, A47L15/4436, A47L15/4445 take precedence) · CPC title