Metering device

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing device for the metered introduction of a pourable cleaning agent into a treatment chamber of a program-controlled cleaning device, comprising a housing (27) and a storage container (9) which is interchangeably received by the housing (27) and which serves to hold cleaning agent (39) and has a base body (10) providing a volume space (18), wherein a lighting device (34) for introducing light (32, 36) into the volume space (18) provided by the base body (10), wherein the base body (10) has a light inlet opening (30) that cooperates with the lighting device (34).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dosing device for the dosed introduction of a cleaning agent into a treatment chamber of a program-controlled cleaning device, comprising a housing and a storage container which is exchangeably received in the housing and serves to accommodate cleaning agent and has a base body providing a volume space.

[0002] A dosing device of the generic type is known from EP 3 305 159 B1.

[0003] Cleaning appliances, especially dishwashers or other water-using household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, or the like, typically have a rinsing container that provides a treatment chamber, also called a rinsing chamber. This treatment chamber is accessible to the user via a loading opening that can be sealed fluid-tight by means of a pivoting rinsing chamber door. When used as intended, the rinsing container holds the items to be cleaned, which in the case of a dishwasher can be, for example, dishes, cutlery, and / or similar items.

[0004] To achieve optimized cleaning results, process chemicals are used that are added to the wash chamber during a cleaning process, typically as an additive to the rinse liquid used. Such process chemicals include, for example, cleaning agents that are programmed into the wash chamber of the cleaning device at a specific point in the program.

[0005] The generic dosing device according to EP 3 305 159 B1 has a reservoir for accommodating, i.e., storing, pourable cleaning agent. When used as intended, the reservoir is replaceably accommodated in a housing of the dosing device and has a base body that provides a volume. This volume is divided into a storage chamber on the one hand and a separate compartment on the other. The compartment provides a dosing element, which in turn has a dosing chamber providing a dosing space.

[0006] A generic dosing device has proven itself in everyday practical use. However, there is still a desire for improvement, particularly with a view to further simplifying handling for the user.

[0007] It is therefore the TaskThe invention proposes a dosing device of the generic type which structurally enables simplification of operation for the user.

[0008] To Solution To achieve this object, the invention proposes a dosing device of the generic type, which is characterized by a lighting device for introducing light into the volume space provided by the base body, wherein the base body has a light inlet opening which interacts with the lighting device.

[0009] The lighting device provided by the invention makes it possible to illuminate the storage container accommodated by the dosing device housing during intended use. This allows for simplified handling by the user.

[0010] During a normal loading process, the appliance door of a cleaning appliance, such as a dishwasher, is typically in the open position. Even with a wash cabinet illumination, the inside of the appliance door can be dark, especially when the room lights are turned off, making it difficult for the user, for example, to check the detergent level in the dosing device. The inventive design provides a remedy here, as it enables the reservoir to be illuminated or illuminated. This can allow the user, for example, to immediately see and read the detergent level within the reservoir.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the lighting device according to the invention can, for example, allow the user to visually display operating states of the cleaning appliance, in particular the dishwasher. For example, the fill level of the storage container can be displayed directly. The lighting device can, for example, allow a user to perceive a fill level thanks to the illumination provided by the lighting device; in addition, a direct fill level indication can also be provided, for example by the lighting device emitting light in pulsed and / or colored form. A fully filled storage container can, for example, be illuminated continuously, and a fully emptied storage container can flash rapidly. Alternatively, color changes can also be provided, for example from white to orange to red, which also visualizes the fill level of the storage container.

[0012] Furthermore, any errors that may occur in the dosing device itself can be visualized, for example, by rapidly flashing red. It is also conceivable that a warning message indicating maintenance or cleaning of the dosing device could be provided based on a flashing signal and / or a color change.

[0013] The lighting device provided according to the invention therefore essentially offers two advantages. Firstly, it can illuminate or illuminate the dosing device, in particular the storage container, which is particularly advantageous in darkened rooms, as it allows a user to visually inspect the dosing device, for example, to check the fill level. Secondly, the lighting device can provide a direct status indication of both the dosing device itself and the storage container or other components of the cleaning device, for example, through color changes and / or pulsating light frequencies.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the invention, the base body of the storage container has a light inlet opening which interacts with the lighting device. This light inlet opening serves to ensure that, during intended use, light emitted by the lighting device can reach the interior of the storage container, i.e. into the volume provided by the base body. This embodiment according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it does not require a base body made of a translucent material. Rather, the embodiment of a light inlet opening according to the invention allows the base body to be made of a non-translucent material, in particular plastic material. This opens up the possibility of forming the base body of the storage container from a recycled plastic material, i.e. a post-consumer recyclate.Such recyclates typically consist of a non-translucent material, but offer the advantage of being able to be recycled for improved sustainability while simultaneously minimizing costs. The use of such a material within the scope of the invention is achieved by providing a light entry opening that interacts with the lighting device.

[0015] The inventive design is particularly characterized by the fact that, during its intended use, light can be introduced into the storage container. For this purpose, the base body of the storage container has at least one light entry opening. This allows illumination of the volume provided by the storage container or the base body, while simultaneously allowing the base body to be made of a non-transparent or non-translucent, recycled plastic material.

[0016] The invention further proposes a storage container for accommodating cleaning agent and comprising a base body providing a volumetric space. This storage container is designed to be exchangeably received in the housing of a dosing device, as described above. The storage container has a light inlet opening that interacts with the lighting device of the dosing device, allowing light to be introduced into the volumetric space provided by the base body.

[0017] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the volume space provided by the base body of the storage container is divided into a storage chamber and a compartment separated therefrom by a partition wall, wherein the compartment provides the light entry opening.

[0018] According to this alternative embodiment of the invention, the volume provided by the base body of the storage container is divided into two sections: a first section serving as a storage chamber, on the one hand, and a second section serving as a compartment, on the other. The storage chamber and the compartment are separated from each other by a partition wall.

[0019] The storage chamber serves as the actual accommodation, i.e., storage of, in particular, pourable cleaning agent, such as powdered or granular cleaning agent. The compartment accommodates a dosing element, which, when used as intended, serves for the metered discharge of cleaning agent from the storage chamber into the treatment chamber of the cleaning device. According to this embodiment, the light inlet opening provided by the invention is provided by the compartment of the storage container. When used as intended, light is thus introduced into the compartment of the storage container through the light inlet opening.

[0020] According to a further feature of the invention, in this context, the light inlet opening is designed to be unsealed. This is possible because the cleaning agent is stored in the storage chamber, not in the compartment. There is therefore no risk of cleaning agent stored in the storage container being able to escape undesirably through the light inlet opening. This makes it possible for a storage container with essentially unchanged construction to also be used within the scope of the inventive design, as is known from the generic EP 3 305 970 B1.

[0021] For the purpose of metered discharge of pourable, particularly powdered or granular, cleaning agent, according to a further feature of the invention, the compartment comprises a metering element, which, according to a further feature of the invention, is formed from a translucent plastic material. This ensures that light introduced through the light inlet opening provided by the compartment is not shielded by the metering element. This allows illumination of the compartment, the metering element, and / or a cover closing the top of the compartment.According to this embodiment, the dosing element is formed from a translucent material, whereas the base body of the storage container can be formed from an opaque material because the light emitted by the lighting device can enter the compartment through the light entry opening formed in the region of the compartment.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, the volume space provides a storage chamber, wherein the storage chamber has the light entry opening. In the intended use, light is thus introduced into the storage chamber and not into a compartment adjacent to the storage chamber.

[0023] According to a further feature, the light inlet opening is closed by a translucent closure part. This ensures that cleaning agent stored in the storage chamber cannot inadvertently escape through the light inlet opening.

[0024] The translucent closure element is preferably a film. This is preferably embedded in the plastic material during the manufacture of the base body, for example, by injection molding, and this occurs during the manufacturing process itself, so that no additional manufacturing or processing step is required to seal the light entry opening with the film in a cleaning-tight manner.

[0025] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the storage container has a dome arranged within the volume space, which provides the light entry opening.

[0026] In this context, it is preferred that the dome has the light entry opening in an upper vertical area. This allows light to be introduced into the storage chamber in an area above the cleaning agent fill level. This allows the user a clear view of the cleaning agent still stored in the storage container. Furthermore, this allows backlighting of the cover that closes the top of the storage container.

[0027] According to a first embodiment, the dome provided by the storage container is arranged centrally within the base body. In its intended use, the storage container with its dome is mounted on an axial extension forming a rotational axis and can rotate about it. This dome, which is already provided by the storage container, has the light entry opening in its upper area. Multiple light entry openings can also be provided, in which case an equidistant alignment in the circumferential direction of the dome is preferably ensured.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment, the dome is formed off-center from the base body. In this case, more than one dome can be provided, for example, two or three domes. Light can be introduced into the storage container via each of these domes. For this purpose, each dome has at least one light entry opening. This design offers the advantage that specific areas of the storage container and / or a cover closing the top of the storage container can be specifically illuminated. Coordinated color effects and / or pulse effects are also possible.

[0029] According to a further feature of the invention, the base body is designed as a shell that is open on one side, the open side being closed by a film, the film being backlit by the lighting device, in particular even when the storage container is filled or partially filled with cleaning agent. The cover closing the top of the storage container is designed as a film according to this embodiment. This is preferably at least partially transparent so that a user can see through it into the volume provided by the storage container or the base body. By means of the lighting device provided according to the invention, backlighting of the film is possible, in particular even when the storage container is filled with cleaning agent, which leads to special visual effects.In particular, it is possible to generate visual cues and / or information for a user through appropriate coloring. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the dosing device according to the invention is provided for arrangement in the appliance door of the cleaning appliance, in particular of the dishwasher, which door can be pivoted about a horizontal axis. When the appliance door is pivoted into the open position, light can be introduced by means of the lighting device via the light inlet opening into the volume provided by the base body, in particular into the area of ​​the storage container above the detergent fill level that is free when the appliance door is open between the detergent supply and the film that closes off the top, and in particular also free when the storage container is full or partially full. This provides backlighting for the film.

[0030] According to a further feature of the invention, the lighting device comprises an LED that interacts with the light inlet opening. Preferably, one LED is provided for each light inlet opening, so that the light emitted by this LED can be introduced through the light inlet opening directly into the volume provided by the storage container. Additional optical elements, such as lenses, can be provided that enable light redirection, light scattering, and / or other light manipulation. In particular, targeted illumination of the volume provided by the storage container and / or backlighting of the cover closing the top of the storage container can be achieved.

[0031] LEDs aren't the only suitable light source. However, LEDs offer the advantage of low power consumption and a compact size, requiring only a small installation space.

[0032] The light source, in particular the LED, is preferably provided by a circuit board. This is preferably formed on the housing side. For example, the housing accommodating the reservoir can have a housing base with a groove on the outside into which the circuit board is inserted. This achieves space-saving housing while simultaneously ensuring that the light sources provided by the circuit board are directly and precisely positioned in the respective light entry openings.

[0033] The invention is characterized overall by the fact that light is introduced into the storage container via areas that have specially provided light entry openings. These light entry openings or windows are structurally provided in the base body of the storage container in such a way that either no cleaning agent can escape from them in an uncontrolled manner or, alternatively, the light entry openings are covered by a translucent film. This film can, for example, be automatically fed into the plastic injection mold and back-injected in a frame-like manner, whereby partial areas of the base body remain transparent. Furthermore, the base body can be formed from a non-transparent, preferably recycled plastic material.

[0034] According to a first variant, light is introduced into the dosing area of ​​the storage container provided by the compartment via a circuit board equipped with two LEDs. The compartment slidably accommodates a dosing element made of translucent material, which serves as an additional guide or light distributor. Alternatively or in addition to this, light is introduced into the storage chamber of the storage container, for which purpose, light inlet openings sealed against cleaning agent are provided. These are preferably provided by a dome of the storage container, which allows light to be introduced into an area above the cleaning agent fill level.

[0035] The invention further proposes a program-controlled cleaning appliance, in particular a dishwasher, which is equipped with a dosing device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The cleaning appliance can have a control device which is connected to the dosing device, in particular to the lighting device, for control purposes. The control device can be configured, in particular, to send control signals to the dosing device, in particular to the lighting device, so that the lighting device can be switched on or off. In particular, the lighting device can be switched on or off, or illuminated at different frequencies and / or colors, depending on the operating state of the cleaning appliance and / or the fill level of the dosing device's storage container, under the control of the control device.

[0036] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of a dosing device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view from below of a storage container; Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of a storage container; Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the storage container according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 in a schematic rear view of a housing accommodating the storage container in the intended use case; Fig. 6 in a schematic sectional view of a storage container with a dosing element in the closed position; Fig. 7 in a sectional side view of a dosing device according to the invention; Fig. 8 in a schematic plan view from above of a dosing device according to the invention; Fig. 9 in a schematic sectional view of a dosing device according to the invention with a dosing element in the open position; Fig. 10 in a schematic perspective view of a storage container with a partially backlit cover; Fig. 11 in a schematic perspective exploded view of a dosing device according to the invention according to a second embodiment; Fig. 12 in a schematic sectional view of the dosing device according to Fig. 11; Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a storage container with a partially backlit cover; Fig. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of a storage container according to a further embodiment; Fig. 15 shows a partially sectioned side view of a dosing device according to the invention according to the further embodiment; Fig. 16 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of the dosing device according to Fig. 15 and Fig. 17 in rear view the dosing device after Fig. 16 .

[0037] Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic perspective exploded view, the inside 2 of a washing compartment door 1 of a cleaning appliance not shown in more detail below, such as a dishwasher.

[0038] The dishwashing cabinet door 1 accommodates a dosing device 3 of the type according to the invention. This device has a housing 27 which has a housing base body and a closing flap 4 pivotably arranged thereon.

[0039] The housing 27 serves to rotatably accommodate a support unit 6. The housing base body provides an axle extension 8 for rotatably receiving the support unit 6.

[0040] The support unit 6, in turn, provides a bearing sleeve 12, which is designed to correspond to the axial extension 8. In the final assembled state, the support unit 6 is attached with its bearing sleeve 12 to the axial extension 8. During normal operation, the support unit 6 rotates around a rotational axis defined by the axial extension 8.

[0041] The support unit 6 serves to replaceably hold a storage container 9. This storage container 9, also called a cartridge, has a base body 10 which is closed on the top by means of a sealing film serving as a cover.

[0042] When used as intended, the storage container 9 is received by the support unit 6 and the support unit 6 together with the storage container 9 is received by the housing 27, whereby the closure flap 4 is removed from its Fig. 1 shown open position into a closed position in which the housing 27 is closed fluid-tight.

[0043] The Figures 1 to 10 relate to a first embodiment. As can be seen from a summary of these figures, the dosing device 3 has a drive device 7 (cf. Fig. 5 ). This provides a motor-gearbox arrangement (not shown in detail). By means of this, the support unit 6 can be rotated by a motor, specifically about the axis of rotation defined by the axle extension 8. When used as intended, a storage container 9 held by the support unit 6 rotates together with the support unit 6.

[0044] The reservoir 9 serves to store a quantity of detergent sufficient for several wash programs. A portion of detergent is drawn from the reservoir for each wash program.

[0045] The storage container 9 can be inserted into the support unit 6 in an interchangeable manner by the user. The support unit 6 holds the storage container 9 in a rotationally fixed manner, so that during a motor-driven rotational movement of the support unit 6, the storage container 9 held by it also rotates.

[0046] As a summary of the Figures 2 to 4 The storage container 9 has a base body 10. This base body 10 is equipped with a dome 11 which, when the storage container 9 is inserted into the support unit 6, receives the bearing sleeve provided by the support unit 6, which ensures a precise positional alignment of the storage container 9 relative to the support unit 6.

[0047] The base body 10 further provides a peripheral edge 24, which carries the sealing film 26 for the top closure of the storage container 9. Preferably, the film 26 is welded to the edge 24 at the edge.

[0048] The base body 10 of the storage container 9 provides a volume 18, which is divided into a storage chamber 13 on the one hand and a compartment 25 separated from it by a partition 15 on the other. The storage chamber 13 serves to actually store the cleaning agent. The compartment 25, meanwhile, serves to accommodate a dosing element 22, which in turn provides a dosing chamber 14. This dosing chamber 14 serves to dispense cleaning agent in portions during normal operation.

[0049] In terms of flow technology, the dosing chamber 14 is connected to a dosing channel 17, which in the embodiment shown is provided by the storage container 9 (cf. Fig. 2), which opens into a dosing opening 23. Detergent dispensed from the storage chamber 13 can be dispensed in the direction of a treatment chamber of the cleaning appliance, in particular the dishwasher, through the dosing channel 17 via the dosing opening 13.

[0050] As can be seen particularly from a summary of the Figures 6, 7 and 9 The dosing element 22, which is accommodated by the compartment 25 and provides the dosing chamber 14, can assume two positions relative to the base body 10 of the storage container. In this case, the dosing element 22 can be moved vertically.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows the dosing element 22 in its non-dosing position. Fig. 9 shows a dosing element 22 which has been moved upwards in the vertical direction and which is in its dosing position in this position.

[0052] For the purpose of transferring cleaning agent from the storage chamber 13 into the dosing chamber 14, the base body 10 has an outlet opening 19 (cf. Fig. 3 ). This is surrounded by funnel-shaped ribs for improved cleaning agent transfer into the dosing chamber 14.

[0053] Corresponding to the outlet opening 19, the dosing element 22 in the illustrated embodiment is equipped with an inlet opening 20. The inlet opening 20 overlaps with the outlet opening 19 when the dosing element 22 is in its dosing position.

[0054] For the automatic transfer of the dosing element from the non-use position into the dosing position when the storage container 9 is inserted into the support unit 6 as intended, adjusting means 21 provided on the support unit side are used (cf. Fig. 7 and 9 ). These adjusting means 21 are designed as mandrels in the embodiment shown, as is also Fig. 1 These adjusting means 21 engage, when used as intended, in openings 28 formed on the bottom side of the base body 10 of the storage container 9, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0055] The sectional view according to Fig. 7 shows the dosing device with the storage container 9 not yet inserted. In this position, the dosing element 22 provided by the storage container 9 is still in a non-dosing position, as shown in Fig. 6shown. As soon as the storage container 9 is inserted vertically downwards into the support unit 6 of the dosing device 3 as intended, the adjusting means 21 of the dosing device 3, designed as mandrels, reach through the openings 28 on the storage container side, whereby they come into contact with the dosing element 22. If the storage container 9 is now moved further downwards in the vertical direction and inserted into the support unit 6 as intended, the dosing element 22 accommodated by the compartment 25 is driven upwards in the vertical direction, i.e. moved, so that the dosing element 22 is brought into its dosing position when the storage container 9 is properly inserted into the dosing device 3, as is most clearly shown Fig. 9 can be recognized.

[0056] A dosing device 3 of the type described above is known from the generic EP 3 305 970 B1.

[0057] The dosing device according to the invention has a lighting device 34. This serves to introduce light in accordance with the arrows 32 into the volume space 18 provided by the base body 10 of the storage container 9 (cf. Fig. 9 ) and / or a backlighting of the film 26 closing the base body 10 on the top in a partial section 33 (cf. Fig. 10 ) to effect.

[0058] For this purpose, the lighting device 34 has an LED circuit board 29, which is inserted into a correspondingly designed groove on the back of the base of the housing 27 (cf. Fig. 5 ). This LED circuit board 29 provides two LEDs 31 in the embodiment shown, as is particularly Fig. 9 can be recognized.

[0059] According to the invention, a light inlet opening 30 is provided on the base body side for introducing light into the storage container 10, which light inlet opening interacts with the lighting device 34.

[0060] According to the Figures 1 to 10 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the openings 28 already provided on the compartment side of the base body 10 serve as light entry openings 30. In the intended operating case, light emitted by the LEDs 31 can pass through these openings 28 serving as light entry openings 30 into the compartment 25 provided by the base body 10 in accordance with the arrows 32. The dosing element 22 itself is formed from a transparent, i.e., translucent material, so that the dosing element 22 itself serves as a light distribution means. In addition, due to the transparent design of the dosing element 22, the light introduced into the compartment 25 can also serve for backlighting the film 26 closing the base body 10, specifically in the section 33 that overlaps with the compartment 25, as shown schematically in Fig. 10 is shown.

[0061] In order to allow the light 32 to pass through the adjusting means 21 cooperating with the openings 28 during the intended use, the adjusting means 21 have an opening 38 on the upper side, ie in their end section assigned to the respective opening 28.

[0062] As can be seen particularly from the presentation after Fig. 9 When used as intended, light 32 emitted by an LED 31 is guided through a hollow actuator 21 to its opening 38, whereby it is also guided through the opening 28 serving as the light inlet opening 30, because the actuator 21 extends through this opening when the storage container 9 is inserted into the dosing device 3 as intended. As a result, the light emitted by an LED is guided through the light inlet opening 30 into the storage container 9.

[0063] The above-described embodiment offers the advantage that the base body 10 of the storage container 9 can be formed from a non-transparent material, for example, from a recycled plastic material. A further advantage of this embodiment is that no cleaning agent-tight closure of a light inlet opening 30 is required, since this is formed in the region of the compartment 25. The actual cleaning agent storage takes place via the storage chamber 13, so that, due to the light inlet openings 30 formed in the region of the compartment 25, there is no risk of unwanted cleaning agent discharge through the light inlet openings 30.

[0064] A second embodiment is shown in the Figures 11 to 13According to this embodiment, light entry openings 30 are formed in the area of ​​the storage chamber 13. When used as intended, this results in illumination of the storage container 9 as indicated by arrows 36 (see Fig. 12 ) and / or to a backlighting of the film 26 closing the base body 10 in section 33, as shown schematically in Fig. 13 is shown.

[0065] For the introduction of light into the storage container 9, the dome 11 provided by the storage container 9 has a plurality of light entry openings 30 in a section which is upper in the vertical direction, as is particularly the case with the Figures 11 and 12 The bearing sleeve 12 of the support unit 6, which interacts with the dome 11 in the intended use, has a translucent cap 35 on the dome side which serves as an optical element. In the intended lighting case, as in Fig. 12As shown, light emitted by the lighting device 34 passes either directly or by means of a light guide through the axial extension 8 to the cap 35 serving as the optical element. Here, the light is deflected by 90°, so that the light can pass into the storage container 9 through the light inlet openings 30 provided by the dome 11 of the storage container 9, as indicated by the arrows 36. To ensure a cleaning agent-tight closure, the light inlet openings 30 are closed, preferably by means of a light-permeable film embedded in the plastic material of the base body 10.

[0066] A particular advantage of this design is that a large-area backlighting of the film 26 closing the base body 10 can take place.

[0067] Another example is shown in the Figures 14 to 16According to this embodiment, light domes 37 are used that are designed separately from the dome 11. In the illustrated embodiment, two such light domes 37 are provided. These each provide a light inlet opening 30 in a vertically upper section, preferably at the front, so that no special optical elements are required for light deflection. The light domes 37 each interact with an LED, which is provided by a correspondingly arranged LED circuit board 29, as is particularly Fig. 16 can be seen. In the embodiment shown, light is introduced into the storage container 9 via both light domes 37. Reference symbol

[0068] 1 Wash cabinet door 2 Interior 3 Dosing device 4 Closure flap 5 Dosing outlet 6 Support unit 7 Drive device 8 Axle extension 9 Storage container 10 Base body 11 Dome 12 Bearing sleeve 13 Storage chamber 14 Dosing chamber 15 Partition wall 16 Dosing chamber 17 Dosing channel 18 Volume space 19 Outlet opening 20 Inlet opening 21 Adjusting means 22 Dosing element 23 Dosing opening 24 Edge area 25 Compartment 26 Film 27 Housing 28 Opening 29 LED circuit board 30 Light inlet opening 31 LED 32 Arrow (light) 33 Film section 34 Lighting device 35 Cap 36 Arrow (light) 37 Light dome 38 Opening 39 Cleaning agent

Claims

1. Dosing device for the metered introduction of a cleaning agent into a treatment chamber of a program-controlled cleaning device, with a housing (27) and a storage container (9) which is exchangeably received in the housing (27), which serves to accommodate cleaning agent (39) and has a base body (10) providing a volume space (18), characterized by a lighting device (34) for introducing light (32, 36) into the volume space (18) provided by the base body (10), wherein the base body (10) has a light inlet opening (30) cooperating with the lighting device (34).

2. Dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume space (18) is divided into a storage chamber (13) and a compartment (25) separated therefrom by a partition wall (15), wherein the compartment (25) provides the light entry opening (30).

3. Dosing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe light entry opening (30) is designed to be unlocked.

4. Dosing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the compartment (25) accommodates a dosing element (22) made of a translucent plastic material.

5. Dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume space (18) provides a storage chamber (13) which has the light entry opening (30).

6. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims 1, 2, 4 or 5, characterized in that the light entry opening (30) is closed by means of a light-permeable closure element.

7. Dosing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the closure element is a film.

8. Dosing device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the storage container (9) has a dome (11) arranged within the volume space (18) which provides the light entry opening (30).

9. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe base body (10) of the storage container (9) is designed as a shell open on one side, wherein the open side is closed by means of a film (26) which can be backlit by means of the lighting device (34).

10. Dosing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting device (34) has an LED (29, 31) cooperating with the light inlet opening (30).

11. Storage container (9) which serves to accommodate cleaning agent (39) and has a base body (10) providing a volume space (18), and which is designed to be exchangeably received by the housing (27) of a dosing device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage container (9) has a light inlet opening (30) which cooperates with the lighting device (34) of the dosing device (3) so that light (32, 36) can be introduced into the volume space (18) provided by the base body (10).

Images