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. The housing also includes a siphon component with 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 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining a washing compartment;   a main conduit;   a flow controller for delivering fluid to the main conduit;   a delivery tube fluidly connected to the main conduit and comprising an end and at least one nozzle located at the end of the delivery tube for dispensing fluid;   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 dispensed 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.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle is directly adjacent the spout inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 3 , wherein the spout inlet is defined by the door and frame when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the first siphon member and second siphon member are cylindrical, and wherein the flow path defined between the siphon members being annular. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the detergent dispensing system comprises an insert located in the chamber, and wherein the second siphon member included along the insert. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the insert is removable from the chamber when the door is located away from the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the detergent dispensing system includes an insert that comprises the second siphon member and a tray. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein the insert is removable from the chamber, and wherein the tray is located proximate the spout when the insert is in the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein the tray is configured to support the volume of washing detergent. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 10 , wherein the tray comprises a number of openings to enable dissolved detergent to pass through the tray. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , 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. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of washing detergent is a pod or tablet. 
     
     
         16 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining a washing compartment;   a main conduit;   a flow controller for delivering fluid to the main conduit;   a delivery tube fluidly connected to the main conduit and comprising at least one nozzle located at an end of the delivery tube for dispensing fluid;   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, wherein the spout inlet is configured to enable a volume of washing detergent to be located in the chamber, and wherein the fluid dispensed 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.   
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nozzle is directly above the spout inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The dishwasher of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one nozzle has at least one opening. 
     
     
         19 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining a washing compartment;   a main conduit;   an upper spray arm;   a flow controller for delivering fluid to the main conduit;   a delivery tube fluidly connected to the main conduit proximate the upper spray arm and comprising at least one nozzle located at an end of the delivery tube for dispensing fluid through at least one opening in the at least one nozzle;   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, wherein the spout inlet is configured to enable a volume of washing detergent to be located in the chamber, and wherein the fluid dispensed through the at least one opening 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 adjacent the spout inlet.