Liquid additive dispensing system for a household appliance

Abstract

A dispensing system for a household appliance includes a reservoir for receiving a substantially liquid additive. A connecting hose is provided for connecting the dispensing system to the household appliance. A base is provided for receiving at least a first portion of the reservoir, the base providing a connection for passage of the additive between the reservoir and the connecting hose. An antislip device is provided at a lower end of the base for hindering lateral shifting of the base when the base is placed on a surface.

1 . A dispensing system for a household appliance, comprising: 
 a reservoir configured to receive a substantially liquid additive;    a connecting hose configured to connect the dispensing system to the household appliance;    a base configured to receive at least a first portion of the reservoir, the base providing a connection for passage of the additive between the reservoir and the connecting hose; and    an antislip device disposed at a lower end of the base and configured to hinder lateral shifting of the base when the base is disposed on a surface.    
   
   
       2 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the household appliance includes at least one of a washing machine, a washer-dryer machine, and a dishwasher.  
   
   
       3 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein additive includes at least one of a detergent, a washing additive, and a rinse additive.  
   
   
       4 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first portion of the reservoir includes a substantially cylindrical shape having a reduced diameter relative to a diameter of an exposed portion of the reservoir.  
   
   
       5 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 4  wherein the base includes a cylindrical shape with an outer shell having a substantially same diameter as a diameter of the exposed portion of the reservoir.  
   
   
       6 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the reservoir includes a bottom having a downwardly directed outlet neck, the outlet neck having an outlet opening.  
   
   
       7 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6  wherein the bottom of the reservoir includes an outwardly directed rib having a length equal or greater to a length of the outlet neck.  
   
   
       8 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6  wherein the outlet neck includes a valve having the outlet opening, the valve including a piston movably disposed in an interior of the outlet neck and configured to be pressed against the outlet opening by a spring.  
   
   
       9 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 8  wherein the base includes a bottom having a receiving opening for the outlet neck, the receiving opening merging into a sleeve including a sealing device configured to provide a seal between the outlet neck and an inner wall of the sleeve.  
   
   
       10 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the bottom of the base is spaced apart from the lower end of the base, the sleeve being disposed between the bottom and the lower end of the base.  
   
   
       11 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the bottom of the base includes a raised portion in a region of the receiving opening above the sleeve.  
   
   
       12 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 9  further comprising a plunger disposed in the sleeve, the plunger projecting toward the outlet opening in substantial alignment with the piston of the valve.  
   
   
       13 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 8  wherein the plunger is configured to, when the reservoir is inserted in the base, press against the piston of the valve so as to move the piston away from the outlet opening against the spring force of the spring.  
   
   
       14 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 8  wherein the piston includes a guide bore, and wherein the reservoir includes a guide pin attached to the bottom thereof and projecting into the guide bore.  
   
   
       15 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the sleeve includes a nipple formed on a side thereof and configured for attachment of the connecting hose.  
   
   
       16 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the sleeve includes a nipple formed on a side thereof and configured for attachment of the connecting hose, and wherein the base includes a shell region having a hole disposed below the bottom of the base, the hole being in alignment with the nipple and having a diameter larger than a diameter of the connecting hose.  
   
   
       17 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 15  wherein the base includes a shell region having a hole disposed below the bottom of the base, the hole being in alignment with the nipple and having a diameter larger than a diameter of the connecting hose.  
   
   
       18 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the bottom of the base includes a hole configured to enable screw-mounting of the base.