Dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine

Abstract

A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine. The dispensing system includes at least one supply container with a fill opening for the powdered treating agent, an agitator having a vertical rotatable shaft and blades or vanes configured to be rotated by the rotatable shaft, and a contact protection grill configured to cover the fill opening so as to prevent contact with the agitator. The agitator is drivable by an electrical drive. The contact protection grill is connected to the rotatable shaft so as to form an inseparable unit with the agitator

1 . A dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, the dispensing system comprising:
 at least one supply container including a fill opening for the powdered treating agent;   an agitator having a vertical rotatable shaft and blades or vanes configured to be rotated by the rotatable shaft, the agitator being drivable by an electrical drive; and   a contact protection grill configured to cover the fill opening so as to prevent contact with the agitator, the contact protection grill being connected to the rotatable shaft so as to form an inseparable unit with the agitator.   
   
   
       2 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the powdered treating agent includes at least one of detergent, washing additive and rinsing additive. 
   
   
       3 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein a lower end of the rotatable shaft is supportable on a bottom of the at least one supply container and an upper end of the rotating shaft is supported in the contact protection grille. 
   
   
       4 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the agitator and contact protection grill are removable together from the supply container. 
   
   
       5 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 3  wherein the agitator and contact protection grill are removable together from the supply container. 
   
   
       6 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the dispensing system further comprises a base unit, the at least one supply container and agitator being removably disposable and securable thereon, and
 wherein the electrical drive is disposed in the base unit.   
   
   
       7 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 3  wherein the dispensing system further comprises a base unit, the at least one supply container and agitator are removably disposable and securable thereon, and
 wherein the electrical drive is disposed in the base unit.   
   
   
       8 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 4  wherein the dispensing system further comprises a base unit, the at least one supply container and agitator are removably disposable and securable thereon, and
 wherein the electrical drive is disposed in the base unit.   
   
   
       9 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 4  wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and
 wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.   
   
   
       10 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 5  wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and
 wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.   
   
   
       11 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6  wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and
 wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.   
   
   
       12 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 7  wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and
 wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.   
   
   
       13 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 8  wherein the electrical drive includes a gear motor having an electric motor and a gear mechanism, and
 wherein a coupling is attached to a gear output of the gear motor so as to provide detachable connection to the agitator.   
   
   
       14 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the at least one supply container includes a first and a second supply container, the agitator being associated with the first supply container and further comprising a second agitator and a second electrical drive associated with the second supply container,
 wherein the agitator and the second agitator are individually controllable.   
   
   
       15 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6  wherein the base unit and at least one supply container include respective portions of a bayonet connection configured to insert and secure the at least one supply container on the base unit. 
   
   
       16 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 6  wherein the base unit and at least one supply container include respective portions of a threaded connection configured to insert and secure the at least one supply container on the base unit. 
   
   
       17 . The dispensing system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the contact protection grill includes a plurality of concentric annular rings joined by radial spokes.