Washing agent dispensing device, particularly for a dishwashing machine

Abstract

A dispensing device for a dishwashing machine, including: a body mounted to a door of the dishwashing machine; a receptacle formed in the body to receive a quantity of a washing or rinsing agent; a lid associated with the receptacle and displaceable in a manner constrained to the body against the action of a spring from an open position into a closed position, wherein the lid comprises an outer face which faces away from the receptacle when the lid is in closed position; a latching apparatus having a striker member assuming a deactivated configuration, in which the striker member is configured to be engaged by the latching member when the lid is closed, and an activated configuration, in which the striker member releases the latching element allowing the lid to pass into the open position; and an opening member which disengages the latching member from the striker element in deactivated configuration, allowing the lid to open.

1 . A dispensing device ( 1 ) for a washing and/or rinsing agent, in particular for a dishwashing machine, said dispensing device ( 1 ) comprising:
 a body ( 2 ) configured to be mounted to a door of the dishwashing machine on the side directed during operation towards a washing chamber of said dishwashing machine;   at least one receptacle ( 3 ) formed in the body ( 2 ) and intended to receive a quantity of a washing or rinsing agent;   at least one movable lid ( 5 ) associated with said at least one receptacle ( 3 ) and displaceable in a manner constrained to the body ( 2 ) against the action of resilient return means ( 8 ) from an open position into a closed position, where it opens and closes the receptacle ( 3 ), respectively, wherein said lid comprises an outer face ( 5   b ) which faces away from the receptacle ( 3 ) when the lid ( 5 ) is in closed position;   a latching apparatus comprising a resiliently biased latching member ( 11 ) arranged on the lid ( 5 ) and an automatically controlled striker member ( 13 ) arranged on the body ( 2 ), wherein said striker member is able to assume a deactivated configuration, in which the striker member ( 13 ) is configured to be engaged by the latching member ( 11 ) when the lid ( 5 ) is in the closed position, and an activated configuration, in which the striker member ( 13 ) releases the latching element allowing the lid ( 5 ) to pass from the closed position into the open position; and   at least one manually operated opening member ( 15 ) arranged on the lid ( 5 ) and operable to disengage the latching member ( 11 ) from the striker element ( 13 ) in deactivated configuration, allowing the lid ( 5 ) to pass from the closed position into the open position;   characterized in that said opening member is slidably arranged in a slider guide ( 16 ) extending along said outer face of the lid ( 5 ).   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid is rotatable about a rotation axis, and the slider guide extends in a direction parallel to said rotation axis. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid is movable along a trajectory (y) which is rectilinear at least when viewed in plan view, and the slider guide ( 16 ) extends in a direction orthogonal to said trajectory, at least when viewed in plan view. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening member is fixedly connected to the latching member ( 11 ). 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein said opening member is formed in one piece with the latching member ( 11 ). 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic member ( 17 ) configured to resiliently bias the latching member ( 11 ) and/or the opening member ( 15 ) towards a rest position, said spring having a first end connected to the lid ( 5 ) and a second end connected to the latching member ( 11 ) and/or opening member ( 15 ).