Washing Agent Dispenser Device for Dishwashers

Abstract

A description is given of a washing agent dispenser device suitable for use in dishwashers, comprising a first body ( 1 A) which in turn comprises a container or reservoir ( 3 ) for washing agents to be dispensed, a device ( 2 ) for metering/dispensing said washing agents, and an actuating mechanism ( 10 ) associated with said metering/dispensing device ( 2 ) for metering and/or dispensing the washing agents. The main feature of the device is that it comprises connection and/or integration means suitable for associating said first body ( 1 A) with at least one accessory component ( 1 B; 1 C, 1 D, 1 E, 1 F) of said dishwasher, for the main purpose of providing optimal flexibility and efficiency of the washer, which employs the dispenser device according to the present invention.

1 . A washing agent dispenser device adapted for use in dishwashers, comprising a first body which in turn comprises: 
 a container or reservoir for washing agents to be dispensed,    a device for metering/dispensing said washing agents,    an actuating mechanism associated with said metering/dispensing device for metering and/or dispensing the washing agents, 
 characterized in that it comprises connection and/or integration means suitable for associating said first body with at least one accessory component of said dishwasher.  
   
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one accessory component comprises at least one basket for dishes.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said at least one basket for dishes comprises a basket for cutlery and/or one or more containers for glasses.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said connection and/or integration means comprise rigid means of connection between said first body and said at least one accessory component.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that said rigid means of connection between said first body and said at least one accessory component comprise moulding in a single piece and/or adhesive bonding and/or hot melting and/or welding of said first body ( 1 A) to at least part of said at least one accessory component.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1   4 , characterized in that said connection and/or integration means comprise movable means of connection between said first body and said at least one accessory component.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said movable means of connection between said first body and said at least one accessory component comprise hook-like projections on one part and corresponding slots on the other part.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said device comprises means for connecting or positioning or supporting it with respect to an element inside a washing tank of said dishwasher.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8 , characterized in that said connecting or positioning or support means are shaped and structured in such a way that said device can be easily placed in or removed from said washing tank.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said device comprises an actuating mechanism for metering and/or dispensing the washing agents.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10 , characterized in that said actuating mechanism ( 10 ) comprises at least actuator means ( 11 ) suitable for controlling said metering and/or dispensing operations.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11 , characterized in that said actuator means operate completely autonomously.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said actuator means comprise a thermoactuator with a heat-sensing head.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 11 , characterized in that: 
 said actuating mechanism additionally comprises: 
 a support integral with a body of said metering/dispensing device, on which support said actuator means are supported in the operational configuration in such a way that said actuator means are able to exert a thrust in the longitudinal direction of said metering/dispensing device, said metering/dispensing device in particular being of the drawer type,  
 a slide integral with a dispensing drawer of said metering/dispensing device, wherein a free end of a pusher belonging to said actuator means is connected to said slide in such a way that said pusher can act on said slide both in terms of thrust and in terms of traction, thereby also moving said drawer in translation,  
 a resilient element or spring, in abutment on the one hand against an inner wall of said slide and on the other hand against a stop integral with the body of said metering/dispensing device.  
   
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a dispensing device of the long load type.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it consists at least partly of a thermoplastic and/or metal material.  
   
   
       17 . An accessory component adapted to be located in or fixed to the inside of a washing tank of a dishwasher, characterized in that it comprises means for connecting it to and/or integrating it with a first body of a washing agent dispenser device.  
   
   
       18 . An accessory component according to  claim 17 , characterized in that it comprises at least one basket for dishes.  
   
   
       19 . An accessory component according to  claim 18 , characterized in that said at least one basket for dishes comprises a basket for cutlery and/or containers for glasses and/or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       20 . An accessory component according to  claim 17 , characterized in that said connection and/or integration means comprise rigid means of connection between said first body ( 1 A) and said accessory component.  
   
   
       21 . An accessory component according to  claim 20 , characterized in that: 
 said rigid means of connection between said first body and said accessory component comprise moulding in a single piece and/or adhesive bonding and/or hot melting and/or welding of said first body to said at least one accessory component.    
   
   
       22 . An accessory component according to, characterized in that: 
 said connection and/or integration means comprise movable means of connection between said first body and said accessory component.    
   
   
       23 . An accessory component according to  claim 22 , characterized in that: 
 said movable means of connection between said first body and said accessory component comprise hook-like projections on one part and corresponding slots on the other part.    
   
   
       24 . A dishwasher incorporating a washing agent dispenser device according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       25 . A dishwasher incorporating at least one accessory component according to  claim 17  which accessory component is adapted to be insertable inside a washing tank of a dishwasher.  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)