An assembly for dispensing washing agents for a washing machine, in particular a dishwasher

Abstract

The assembly (1) further comprises a reservoir (3) for liquid detergent which may be removably coupled to the body (2a) of the device for dispensing washing agents (2), and which may be positioned on the side of the device for dispensing washing agents (2) intended to face the washing chamber (C). The reservoir has a holding chamber (3d) for liquid detergent able to communicate with the outside of the reservoir (3) through at least one outlet opening (12b) for dispensing liquid detergent and an actuator assembly (21, 22, 23, 24) to control the dispensing of liquid detergent from the reservoir (3).

1 . An assembly for dispensing washing agents into a washing chamber (C) of a washing machine, in particular a dishwasher machine (WD), including
 an integrated device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ), comprising a body ( 2   a ) intended to be mounted in an opening of a sheet-like wall (F) that delimits the washing chamber (C), wherein in said body are arranged at least one receptacle and at least one actuator to dispense a washing agent,   the assembly ( 1 ) being characterized by further comprising   a reservoir ( 3 ) for liquid detergent that may be removably coupled to the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ), and that may be positioned on the side of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ) intended to face towards the washing chamber (C), said reservoir having a holding chamber ( 3   d ) for the liquid detergent capable of communicating with the outside of the reservoir ( 3 ) through at least one outlet opening ( 12   b ) for dispensing the liquid detergent, and   actuating means ( 21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ) for controlling the liquid detergent to be dispensed from the reservoir ( 3 ), said reservoir being distinct from said receptacle and said actuating means being distinct from said actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir ( 3 ) may be hingedly connected to the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ) and, when the reservoir is connected to the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ), the reservoir is capable of assuming a working position, wherein the reservoir is substantially horizontal with respect to the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ), and a raised position. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ) comprises a receptacle for collecting a rinsing agent, and an inlet funnel ( 8 ) for loading the rinsing agent arranged on a front of the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ), and wherein in the working position the reservoir ( 3 ) closes said inlet funnel ( 8 ) as a cap. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the reservoir ( 3 ) is connectable to the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ) by means of a pair of opposite side pins ( 2   p ) arranged on one of said reservoir ( 3 ) and body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ) and snap-fittable within corresponding seats formed on the other of said reservoir ( 3 ) and body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ), and by means of a central pin ( 2   q ) arranged on one of said reservoir ( 3 ) and body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ) and snap-fittable within a corresponding seat formed on the other of said reservoir ( 3 ) and body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ). 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the reservoir ( 3 ) comprises a body ( 3   a ) having a thinner connection part ( 3   b ) for connection to the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ) which in the working position is superimposed to the body ( 2   a ) of the device for dispensing washing agents ( 2 ), and a thicker holding part ( 3   c ) in which the holding chamber ( 3   d ) for the liquid detergent is formed. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein in the working position the holding part ( 3   c ) of the body ( 3   a ) of the reservoir ( 3 ) is intended to be received in a recess (F 1 ) formed on the sheet-like wall (F) of the washing chamber (C). 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising a removable cap ( 11 ) mounted on the reservoir ( 3 ), said outlet opening ( 12   b ) being formed through the cap ( 11 ). 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising dispensing means ( 16 ,  30 ) arranged within the reservoir ( 3 ) and configured to cause the liquid detergent to be dispensed out through the outlet opening ( 12   b ), said dispensing means ( 16 ) being controlled by contactless force transmission by the actuating means ( 21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ). 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the dispensing means ( 16 ,  30 ) may be removed from the reservoir ( 3 ), and in particular they are positioned in a removable cap ( 11 ) of the reservoir ( 3 ). 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said dispensing means comprise
 a piston ( 16 ) movable within the holding chamber ( 3   d ) of the reservoir ( 3 ) and capable of assuming an advanced end-of-stroke position, in which the piston ( 16 ) engages a seat ( 14   d ) formed at the outlet opening ( 12   b ) and blocks fluid communication between the holding chamber ( 3   d ) and the outside of the holding chamber ( 3   d ), and a retracted end-of-stroke position, in which the piston ( 16 ) is removed from the seat, wherein a variable volume working chamber ( 14   e ) capable of communicating with the holding chamber ( 3   d ) is defined between the piston ( 16 ) and the seat ( 14   d ); and   non-return valve means ( 30 ) arranged at the outlet opening ( 12   b ) and downstream of the seat ( 14   d ), said non-return valve means ( 30 ) being open or closed when the difference between a fluid pressure upstream thereof and a fluid pressure downstream thereof is higher or lower than a predetermined value, respectively;   wherein during the stroke of the piston ( 16 ) from the advanced end-of-stroke position to the retracted end-of-stroke position the liquid flows from the holding chamber ( 3   d ) to the working chamber ( 14   e ), and during the stroke of the piston ( 16 ) from the retracted end-of-stroke position to the advanced end-of-stroke position the liquid is dispensed out from the working chamber ( 14   e ) through the outlet opening ( 12   b ).