Washing agent dispensing device, particularly for a dishwashing machine

Abstract

A dispensing device ( 1 ) for a dishwashing machine, the dispensing device ( 1 ) including a body ( 2 ) configured to be mounted to a door of the dishwashing machine; a receptacle ( 3 ) formed in the body ( 2 ) to receive a quantity of a washing or rinsing agent; a movable lid ( 5 ) associated with the receptacle ( 3 ) and displaceable in a manner constrained to the body ( 2 ) against the action of a spring ( 8 ) from an open position into a closed position, where it opens and closes the receptacle ( 3 ), respectively; a guiding arrangement for constraining the displacement of the lid ( 5 ) between the open position and the closed position, the guiding arrangement including pins ( 5 a, 5 b ) formed in the lid and corresponding grooves ( 6 a, 6 b ) formed in the body; and a latching apparatus ( 11, 13 ) provided for locking the lid ( 5 ) in the closed position and operable to release the lid ( 5 ) from the closed position.

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;   guiding means for constraining the displacement of the lid ( 5 ) between the open position and the closed position, said guiding means comprising a plurality of pins ( 5   a,    5   b ) formed in one of said lid and body and corresponding grooves ( 6   a,    6   b ) formed in the other of said lid and body; and   a latching apparatus ( 11 ,  13 ) provided for locking the lid ( 5 ) in the closed position and operable to release the lid ( 5 ) from the closed position;   characterized in that at least one of said grooves ( 6   a,    6   b ) comprises an intermediate, main length ( 6   a ′,  6   b ′) having a curved shape with its concavity facing towards the body ( 2 ).   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate, main length ( 6   a ′,  6   b ′) has an approximately parabolic shape. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said grooves comprise at least one end length ( 6   a ″,  6   b ″,  6   b ′″) connected to the intermediate, main length ( 6   a ′,  6   b ′) at a connection point and forming a non-zero angle with a tangent to the intermediate, main length ( 6   a ′,  6   b ′) at said connection point. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said guiding means comprise a pair of pins ( 5   a,    5   b ) and a pair of corresponding grooves ( 6   a,    6   b ) arranged at each lateral side of the lid ( 5 ). 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein said grooves are arranged in such a way as that, when the lid ( 5 ) is in the closed position, it assumes a first orientation (I) and, when the lid ( 5 ) is in the open position, it assumes a second orientation (II), said first and second orientations forming a non-zero angle (α) with respect to each other.