Container

Abstract

A container for regenerating salt for a dishwasher comprises a body ( 1 ) having a spout adapted to engage an inner periphery of a mouth of a dishwasher salt tank. The spout has a gate ( 2 ) operable by a user to allow the flow of salt.

1 . A container which contains regenerating salt for a dishwasher, the container comprising a body having a spout adapted to engage an inner periphery of a mouth of a dishwasher salt tank, the spout having a gate operable by a user to allow the flow of salt. 
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein in use the spout engages an inner channel. 
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the gate may be operated by a user before or after the container is placed into engagement with the mouth of the salt tank. 
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is a single use item. 
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the gate is in the form of a sheet or cap that blocks the spout of the container. 
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 5 , wherein the gate is associated with a handle that may be operated by a user. 
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the gate comprises a valve. 
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout itself comprises the gate, movement of the spout relative to the container creating a salt flow passageway. 
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the gate is operated by the mechanical action of the user. 
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the gate comprises a multi-component device, wherein the valve has a portion which engages the mouth of the salt tank and a portion which is attached to the spout of the container, the portions of the valve each having a discharge aperture which when aligned allow the discharge of salt, the alignment may be achieved by rotation or by translation movement of the container. 
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is made out of one or more materials selected from paper, reinforced paper, card, cardboard, aluminium and plastics materials. 
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape tapers in the portion terminating in the spout. 
   
   
       13 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the container is of conical or pyramidal shape. 
   
   
       14 . A method of recharging the salt tank of a dishwasher, the method utilising a salt-containing container according to  claim 1 , the method comprising engaging the spout of the container with the inner periphery of the mouth of the dishwasher salt tank and, before, during or after the engagement step, operating the gate to allow the salt to flow into the salt tank. 
   
   
       15 . A method of recharging the salt tank of a dishwasher comprising the step of:
 supplying a container according to  claim 1  to the interior of a dishwasher.