Patent ID: 7699063

Claim:
A dishwasher comprising: an outer body; a basin slidably supported by the outer body between an extended, loading/unloading position and a retracted, in use position, said basin including front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a wash chamber; and a dispenser assembly mounted to one of the front and opposing side walls of the basin, said dispenser assembly including: a main body portion including at least a top section, a front section and a bottom section; a first reservoir provided in the main body portion, said first reservoir including a first opening exposed at the top section for receiving a first wash aid, and a second opening for dispensing the first wash aid, said second opening leading to an outlet formed on one of the front and bottom sections; a cover for selectively closing the first opening of the first reservoir; a second reservoir provided in the main body portion, said second reservoir including a first opening exposed at one of the top and front sections for receiving a second wash aid, and a second opening exposed at one of the front and bottom sections for dispensing the second wash aid; a first lid pivotally mounted relative to the main body portion for selectively covering the first opening of the second reservoir; a second lid pivotally mounted relative to the main body portion for selectively covering the second opening of the second reservoir; a rinse aid cup fluidly connected to the first reservoir; and an actuator mechanism for automatically releasing the first wash aid through the outlet, opening the second lid, and releasing the second wash aid from the second opening in the second reservoir during a wash operation, the actuator mechanism including a linear actuator, a pivoting lever, a charging lever and a door release lever, said pivoting lever being acted upon by the linear actuator and adapted to shift the charging lever and operate the door release lever, the rinse aid cup being operatively connected to the charging lever wherein, substantially simultaneous with the operation of the door release lever, the charging lever causes the first wash aid to enter the rinse aid cup and subsequently the charging lever causes the first wash aid to flow out of the rinse cup and through the outlet.