Patent ID: 7270135

Claim:
A dishwasher dispensing assembly for dispensing an additive during a wash cycle of the dishwasher, said assembly comprising: a reservoir for holding the additive; a dispenser actuator configured to selectively open an outlet of said reservoir upon movement of said actuator, a shape memory wire adapted to contact in length upon application of a electric current thereto and to elongate upon interruption of the current thereto, said shape memory wire being connected to said actuator for causing movement of said actuator by contraction of said wire; and the dishwasher dispensing assembly further including first and second reservoirs having first and second dispenser actuators respectively; and first and second shape memory wires adapted to contract in length upon application of an electric current thereto and to elongate upon interruption of the current thereto, said first and second shape memory wires being connected to said first and second actuators, respectively, for causing movement of said actuators by contraction of said wires each said shape memory wire having a first end connected to a fixed anchor and a second end connected to one of said actuators, one of said first and second actuators comprising a lever for rotating a shaft said lever being connected to one of said shape memory wires; and the other of said actuators comprising a plunger valve having a stem connected to the other of said shape memory wires.