Patent ID: 9127391
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: A47L,D06F

Abstract:
1. An appliance, comprising: a wash tub forming a wash zone in which objects can be positioned to be washed; a fluid supply for delivering washing fluid to the wash zone; a dispensing device comprising a compartment configured to store an additive and comprising an inlet for receiving washing fluid from the fluid supply and an outlet for dispensing a mixture of additive and washing fluid to the wash zone; a controller configured to control the dispensing device in a dispensing state wherein a regulated amount of the mixture is dispensed from the compartment into the wash zone, and a self-cleaning state wherein the compartment is flushed with washing fluid and the entire contents of the compartment are evacuated to remove any additive residue from the compartment; and a flow regulator fluidly connecting the fluid supply to the input of the dispensing device and fluidly connecting the outlet of the dispensing device to the wash zone, wherein the controller is configured to control the flow regulator in a first state in which the washing fluid is dispensed into the compartment via the inlet to form the mixture and a second state in which the regulated amount of the mixture is evacuated from the compartment via the outlet during the dispensing state and the entire contents of the compartment are evacuated via the outlet during the self-cleaning state.