Dishwasher with a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber

Abstract

A dishwasher for treating dishes according to any automatic cycle of operation may comprise a treating chamber having an access opening, a door selectively closing the access opening, and a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber. The dispenser may comprise a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face. The dispenser may further comprise a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions. An actuator may move the movable element between the retracted and extended positions. When the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position may expel the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher for treating dishes according to any automatic cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising:
 a treating chamber having an access opening;   a door selectively closing the access opening; and   a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber, the dispenser comprising:
 a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face, 
 a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions; 
 an actuator moving the movable element between the retracted and extended positions; and 
 wherein when the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position expels the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid selectively closing the open face. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment comprises a rear wall opposite the open face, with the rear wall forming the movable element. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 3 , wherein the movable element is pivotally mounted to the dispenser. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 3 , wherein the movable element slides within the compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the movable element comprises an elastomeric membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising a sprayer that emits a spray onto the movable element in at least the extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a wax motor. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising a scraper on the movable element that scrapes against the compartment as the movable element moves between the retracted and extended positions. 
     
     
         10 . A dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber of a dishwasher, the dispenser comprising:
 a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face,   a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions;   an actuator moving the movable element between the retracted and extended positions; and   wherein when the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position expels the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.   
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising a lid selectively closing the open face. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the movable element comprises at least one of:
 a rear wall of the compartment opposite the open face; or   an elastomeric membrane.   
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the movable element is at least one of:
 pivotally mounted to a side of the compartment; or   slides within the compartment.   
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the movable element is sized to fill up the cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the actuator is a wax motor. 
     
     
         16 . A method for dispensing a treating chemistry into a treating chamber of a dishwasher from a dispenser cavity having a face open to the treating chamber, the method comprising:
 moving a movable element between a retracted position within the cavity to an extended position near the open face to expel through the face treating chemistry within the cavity; and   after the expelling of the treating chemistry, spraying liquid into the treating chamber such that a portion of the liquid flows over the movable element.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the spraying comprises spraying liquid directly on the movable element. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the movable element closes the face during at least a portion of the spraying. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising closing the open face with a lid after providing treating chemistry into the cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one of:
 pivoting the movable element from a side of a treating chemistry compartment defining the cavity;   sliding the movable element within the cavity; or   changing a shape of the movable element to expel the treating chemistry.