Dishwasher detergent dispenser having a siphon

Abstract

A dishwasher having a detergent dispenser including an opening allowing the insertion of dishwashing detergent into the dispenser without needing to open the dispenser. The detergent dispenser includes a housing including a tray for holding the inserted detergent and the housing includes a siphon component having a cap and an outlet tube. A delivery tube provides water via one or more nozzles via the opening during operation of the dishwasher. Dissolved detergent is siphoned from the housing via the outlet tube and into the tub.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining a washing compartment;   a delivery tube comprising an end and at least one nozzle located at the end of the delivery tube;   a flow controller for delivering fluid to the delivery tube:   a detergent dispensing system for supplying a cleaning agent to the tub, the detergent dispenser comprising:   a frame;   a door movable relative to the frame, the door defining a chamber and comprising:
 a front door panel; 
 a lower portion comprising an outlet; 
 a spout defining a spout inlet, the spout being formed along the front door panel, wherein the spout inlet is configured to enable a volume of washing detergent to be located in the chamber, and wherein the fluid dispersed by the at least one nozzle flows into the chamber through the spout inlet to dissolve the washing detergent; and 
   a siphon comprising:
 a first siphon member having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in flow communication with the lower portion outlet; and 
 a second siphon member surrounding the first siphon member, the first siphon member and second siphon member located in the chamber and defining a flow path, wherein the siphon is configured to receive dissolved detergent via the flow path and convey flow of the dissolved detergent via the inlet and into the tub via the outlet. 
   
     
     
         20 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one nozzle is directly above the spout inlet, and wherein the one or more nozzles and spout inlet being separated by a distance. 
     
     
         21 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the door is movable between a first position away from the frame and a second position nested within the frame, and wherein the volume of washing detergent is able to be inserted through the spout inlet when the door is nested within the frame. 
     
     
         22 . The dishwasher of  claim 21 , wherein the spout inlet is defined by the door and frame when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         23 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the delivery tube comprises a dedicated delivery tube and is directly connected to the flow controller. 
     
     
         24 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the dishwasher comprises a main conduit connected to the flow controller, and wherein the delivery tube being separate from the main conduit. 
     
     
         25 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the delivery tube is connected to the flow controller outside of the tub and extends from the flow controller along the outside of the tub, the at least one nozzle extending through the tub proximate the spout. 
     
     
         26 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the first siphon member and second siphon member are cylindrical, and wherein the flow path defined between the siphon members being annular. 
     
     
         27 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the detergent dispensing system comprises an insert located in the chamber, and wherein the second siphon member included along the insert. 
     
     
         28 . The dishwasher of  claim 27 , wherein the insert is removable from the chamber when the door is located away from the frame. 
     
     
         29 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the detergent dispensing system includes an insert that comprises the second siphon member and a tray. 
     
     
         30 . The dishwasher of  claim 29 , wherein the insert is removable from the chamber, and wherein the tray is located proximate the spout when the insert is in the chamber. 
     
     
         31 . The dishwasher of  claim 29 , wherein the tray is configured to support the volume of washing detergent. 
     
     
         32 . The dishwasher of  claim 31 , wherein the tray comprises a number of openings to enable dissolved detergent to pass through the tray. 
     
     
         33 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the dishwasher comprises a movable dishwasher door with a dishwasher door panel, and wherein the detergent dispensing system is located along the dishwasher door panel. 
     
     
         34 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the door further comprises:
 a back door panel;   first and second side panels extending between the first and back door panels; and   a bottom door panel joining the first, side and back panels, wherein the first, side, back and bottom panels define the chamber.   
     
     
         35 . The dishwasher of  claim 34 , wherein the bottom panel comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the outlet of the first siphon member is formed on the lower portion. 
     
     
         36 . The dishwasher of  claim 19 , wherein the volume of washing detergent is a pod or tablet. 
     
     
         37 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a washing compartment; and   a detergent dispensing system for supplying a cleaning agent to the washing compartment, the detergent dispenser comprising:   a frame;   a door movable relative to the frame, the door defining a chamber and comprising:
 a front door panel; 
 a lower portion comprising a first outlet; 
 a spout defining a spout inlet, wherein the spout is formed along the front door panel, wherein the spout inlet is configured to enable a volume of washing detergent to be located in the chamber and disperse fluid into the chamber to dissolve the washing detergent; and 
   a siphon comprising:
 a first siphon member having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is in flow communication with the first outlet; and 
 a second siphon member surrounding the first siphon member, wherein the first siphon member and second siphon member are located in the chamber and define a flow path, wherein the siphon is configured to receive dissolved detergent via the flow path and convey flow of the dissolved detergent via the inlet and into the tub via the outlet. 
   
     
     
         38 . The dishwasher of  claim 37 , wherein the volume of washing detergent is able to be inserted through the spout inlet when the door is nested within the frame.