Patent ID: 6571993
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: A47L,D06F

Abstract:
An apparatus for holding and dispensing metered doses of an active composition into a laundry washing, drying or a dishwashing machine, comprising a supply chamber (1; 12; 19) for containing at least double a quantity of an individual dose of the active composition; a dispensing chamber (2; 13; 20) for containing a single dose of the active composition and for releasing the dose via a discharge passage (8; 17; 26) into an interior of the machine; the dispensing chamber (2, 13, 20) being connected to the supply chamber (1; 12; 19) by a passage (9; 14; 21), means (5, 7; 5â€², 7â€²; 15; 22, 23, 24, 25) for opening the discharge passage (8; 17; 26) and closing, beforehand or simultaneously, the passage (9; 14; 21) between the supply chamber (1; 12; 19) and the dispensing chamber (2; 13; 20), the means for opening and closing being operated by means (3; 3â€²; 16; 23) that are activated by conditions prevailing in the interior of the machine which occur exclusively during a washing, drying or dishwashing cycle, and means for re-opening the passage (9; 14; 21) between the supply chamber (1; 12; 19) and the dispensing chamber (2; 13; 20) and closing, beforehand or simultaneously, the discharge passage (8; 17; 26) of the dispensing chamber (2; 13; 20), in order to refill the dispensing chamber from the supply chamber (1; 12; 19).