Cartridge

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge for coupling to a dosing device which may be positioned within a domestic device for dispensing at least one washing or cleaning agent preparation, the cartridge having at least one chamber for storing at least one free-flowing liquid or powder washing or cleaning agent preparation and the cartridge is protected against ingress of rinsing water into the chamber(s) when coupled to the dosing device. The cartridge is provided with at least one outlet opening on the lower side in gravity direction, in particular for gravity fed dispensing of preparation from at least one chamber and at least one ventilation opening on the underside in the direction of gravity for ventilation of at least one chamber, wherein the ventilation opening is separate from the outlet opening and the ventilation opening has a communicating connection with at least one chamber of the cartridge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / EP2010 / 000454, filed Jan. 27, 2010, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2009 009 120.3 filed Feb. 16, 2009, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to water-conveying equipment such as household appliances that employ components such as a cartridge, a dispenser for coupling to a cartridge, and a dispensing system for delivering a plurality of preparations. The invention particularly relates to automatic dishwashers, washing machines, laundry driers, or automatic surface cleaning systems that employ such components.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Automatic dishwashing agents are available to consumers in a plurality of presentations. In addition to traditional liquid manual dishwashing agents, automatic dishwashing agents have become increasingly significant as household automatic dishwashers h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0198]A number of advantageous effects may thereby be achieved before the start of a water-releasing cleaning program of the automatic dishwasher. On the one hand, a suitable cleaning preparation can suppress the creation of unpleasant odors as a result of biological decomposition processes taking place in food residues adhering to the items being washed. On the other hand, an appropriate cleaning preparation can “soften” the food residues that may possibly be adhering to the items being washed, so that they can be easily and completely detached during the dishwasher cleaning program, in particular in the case of low temperature programs.

[0199]It is additionally possible to apply a preparation by means of the vibratory atomizer onto the items being washed after an automatic dishwasher cleaning program has ended. This can involve, for example, a preparation having antibacterial action or a preparation for modifying surfaces.APPLICATION EXAMPLES

[0200]In principle, the dispensing system of the kind described above is suitable for use in or in conjunction with water-conveying apparatuses of any kind.

[0201]The dispensing system according to the present invention is suitable in particular for use in water-conveying household appliances such as automatic dishwashers and / or washing machines, but is not limited to such use.

[0202]In general, it is possible to use the dispensing system according to the present invention wherever dispensing of at least one, preferably multiple preparations into a liquid medium, in accordance with an external physical or chemical parameter that triggers or controls a dispensing program, is required.

[0203]It is thus also conceivable, for example, to use the dispensing system in household robots, such as for example automatic floor cleaning machines, for dispensing cleaning substances into a toilet bowl or toilet flushing tank, in water-conveying cleaning devices such as, for example, pressure washers, in window-washing systems for vehicles, plant watering systems, steam ironing devices, valves, and the like.LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

Problems solved by technology

Because new ingredients are available only to a limited extent, however, and because for environmental and economic reasons the quantity of the ingredients used per cleaning cycle cannot be arbitrarily increased, there are natural limits to this approach to a solution.

In this connection, apparatuses for multiple dispensing of washing and cleaning agents have very recently come under scrutiny by product developers.

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