Metering System For Dispensing At Least One Flowable Preparation Into An Interior Of A Washing Machine

Abstract

A metering system for dispensing at least one flowable preparation into an interior of a washing machine, the system having at least one metering device and at least one container which can be coupled to the metering device and is intended for storing the at least one flowable preparation, wherein the metering device includes: at least one electrical power source for operating the metering device; at least one metering unit for dispensing a predefined amount of the at least one flowable preparation; at least one sensor unit for monitoring the metering unit; and at least one control unit coupled to the metering unit and to the sensor unit, wherein the metering unit has a pump for dispensing the at least one flowable preparation and wherein the metering system is suitable for being freely positioned within the interior of the washing machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metering system for dispensing at least one flowable preparation into an interior of a washing machine, which system is suitable for being freely positioned within the interior of the washing machine and comprises:
 at least least one metering device and   at least one container which can be coupled to the metering device for storing the at least one flowable preparation,   
       wherein the metering device has
 at least one electrical power source for operating the metering device, 
 at least one metering unit for dispensing a predefined quantity of the at least one flowable preparation, 
 at least one sensor unit for monitoring the metering unit, and 
 at least one control unit coupled to the metering unit and the sensor unit, and 
 
       wherein the metering unit has a peristaltic pump for dispensing the at least one flowable preparation. 
     
     
         2 . The metering system according to  claim 1 , wherein the peristaltic pump comprises a rotary body which is eccentrically mounted within a receptacle for conveying the at least one flowable preparation through a pump hose. 
     
     
         3 . The metering system according to  claim 2 , wherein the control unit can control the rotary body using at least one signal transmitted by the sensor unit. 
     
     
         4 . The metering system according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensor unit has at least one Hall sensor and the rotary body has at least one magnet. 
     
     
         5 . The metering system according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotary body can be moved by the control unit into a valve position for tightly sealing the peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         6 . The metering system according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle of the peristaltic pump is narrowed in places. 
     
     
         7 . The metering system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is suitable for the separate storage of at least two flowable preparations. 
     
     
         8 . The metering system according to  claim 1 , wherein the peristaltic pump comprises a double head. 
     
     
         9 . The metering system according to  claim 1 , wherein the peristaltic pump comprises a bidirectional freewheel. 
     
     
         10 . The metering system according to  claim 1 , wherein the metering system comprises a substantially spherical outer shell which is suitable for receiving the metering device and the container.