Dosing apparatus

Abstract

A metering device for metering powdery or solid-like media such as detergents or disinfectants and for supplying the media in a dissolved state to a washing or cleaning system, including a support, in particular a cartridge support, to which a container, in particular a cartridge, with a powdery or solid-like medium can be attached. The support or the container includes a grid which prevents the medium from exiting the container. A spray nozzle controlled by a controller of the metering device dispenses water for solvating the medium. The medium dissolved in water and passing through the grid can be supplied to the washing or cleaning system via a supply device. The metering device also has a switching device that can be activated by the controller and has at least two different switching states for operating the spray nozzle in different operating modes.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A metering device for metering powdery or solid-like media such as detergents or disinfectants and for supplying the media in a dissolved state to a washing or cleaning system, e.g. to a commercial dishwasher, comprising a support, in particular a cartridge support, to which a container, in particular a cartridge, with powdery or solid-like medium can be attached, wherein the support or the container comprises a grid which prevents the medium from exiting the container, and comprising a spray nozzle by means of which, controlled by a controller of the metering device, water for solvating the medium can be dispensed, wherein the medium dissolved in water and passing through the grid can be supplied to the washing or cleaning system via a supply device, wherein the metering device comprises a switching device that can be activated by the controller and comprises at least two different switching states for operating the spray nozzle in different operating modes. 
     
     
         18 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein a first operating mode of the spray nozzle includes a spraying mode of the spray nozzle in order to apply water to the grid. 
     
     
         19 . The metering device according to  claim 18 , wherein a second operating mode of the spray nozzle includes a rinsing mode of the spray nozzle in order to supply water to a collecting device, without applying the grid. 
     
     
         20 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the switching device supplies a first higher volumetric flow rate of water to the spray nozzle in the first switching state and a second volumetric flow rate of water, which is lower compared to the first volumetric flow rate, in the second switching state. 
     
     
         21 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the metering device is arranged externally to the washing or cleaning system. 
     
     
         22 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the controller of the metering device is configured to communicate with the washing or cleaning system. 
     
     
         23 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the switching device comprises two valves that can be activated by the controller. 
     
     
         24 . The metering device according to  claim 23 , wherein the two valves can be used to open or shut-off different line branches of a supply line leading to the spray nozzle. 
     
     
         25 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the switching device comprises a valve that can be activated by the controller and that can be positioned in at least two different positions and that applies different volumetric flow rates of water to the spray nozzle in the different positions. 
     
     
         26 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the switching device comprises a displaceable close-off element which, in a first position, opens a path between the spray nozzle and the grid for the water and blocks this path in a second position. 
     
     
         27 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the switching device comprises a drive, by means of which the spray nozzle is movable, in particular rotatable, between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         28 . The metering device according to  claim 27 , wherein the spray nozzle applies water to the grid in the first position and supplies water to a collecting device without applying water to the grid in the second position. 
     
     
         29 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the metering device comprises a collecting device, e.g. a hopper, arranged below the grid for collecting the medium dissolved in water. 
     
     
         30 . The metering device according to  claim 17 , wherein the supply device comprises a pump, in particular a peristaltic pump, which can be activated in particular by the controller of the metering device. 
     
     
         31 . A method for operating a metering device for metering powdery or solid-like media such as detergents or disinfectants and for supplying the media in a dissolved state to a target device in the form of a washing or cleaning system, e.g. to a commercial dishwasher, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a support for a container with a powdery or solid-like medium to be metered,   b) carrying out a metering process comprising:
 i) activating a switching device by a controller of the metering device, 
 ii) switching the spray nozzle to a first operating mode, 
 iii) spraying water onto the medium through a grid, 
 iv) collecting the media solution, 
 v) supplying the media solution to a target device, 
   c) carrying out a rinsing process comprising:
 vi) activating of the switching device by the controller of the metering device, 
 vii) switching the spray nozzle to a second operating mode for flushing the pipework, 
 viii) dispensing water through the spray nozzle without spraying onto the grid and the medium. 
   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein step c) is carried out regularly, in particular automatically.