EP0691101B1 - Powdered and liquid detergent and additive detergent integrated dispenser for wasching machines, in particular household dish-washing machines - Google Patents

Description

• The invention refers to a powdered and liquid detergent andadditive detergent integrated dispenser for washing machines,in particular household dish-washing machines, adapted tohold metered amounts of these detergent materials, such as topermit that both a plurality of washing cycles and only onewashing cycle be performed, as well as such detergentmaterials to be delivered to the tank of these washingmachines at pre-established moments of the cycle.
• From EP-A-0457137 is known a dispenser in clothes and dish washing machines, having two compartmentsfor storage of powder detergent and liquid rinsing aid which are provided with a respectivemovable lid, which when opened permits the access to the respective compartment for filling it withthe correspondent detergent and rinsing aid. The powder detergent and the rinsing aid are dischargedin the machine tank respectively by opening the lid and by actuating a valve provided in the rinsing aidcomparment, and to this aim the lid and the valve are associated to a respective magnet co-operatingwith correspondent lamellar elements made of an iron-nickel alloy heated by a thermistor or a PTC heater,which elements maintain their magnetic properties until they are heated up to the Curie point thereof.In this way, when the lamellar elements are heated below their Curie point, they are attracted bythe magnet so that the lid is kept closed and the valve shut off, thereby preventing the detergent andrinsing aid from being discharged from the respective compartment.
• On the contrary, when such lamellar elements are heated up to their Curie point, they become nonmagneticand are not more attracted by the magnet, so as the lid and the valve are opened automaticallyand the detergent and rinsing aid are respectively discharged from the correspondent compartmentin the machine tank, for performing a single washing cycle.
• From EP-A-0554676 is known a dispenser of detergent and rinse aid in washing machines, comprisinga feedbox that receives the detergent from a reservoir and delivers it into a metering chamber,which is opened and closed by a movable lid and adapted to meter such detergent amounts for differentwashing cycles.
• This lid is provided with a flexible element and dimensioned and shaped in a manner to prevent clotsand moist detergent powder from being formed and built up on the lower edge of the metering chamber,so as to permit the detergent to be discharged effectively from the metering chamber in the machinetank for performing the respective washing cycle. This prior art forms the preamble of independentclaim 1.
• From EP-A-0602572 is known a dispenser device for liquid and powder agents for a dish-washing machine, comprising a first and a second delivery device for introducing the washing agents in the machinetank at distinct moments and/or washing phases, which devices are actuated by particular mechanismsindependently from each other, for performing a single washing cycle.
• From DE-U-8602245 is known a dispenser for detergent and brightness conditioner provided withtwo compartments closed by a respective lid, actuated by correspondent mechanisms independentlyfrom each other, for discharging the detergent for a single washing cycle and the brightness conditionerfor several washing cycles.
• From US-A-5211188 is known an additive dispenser provided with a container for rinse aid and detergentfor a dish-washing machine, formed in the inner wall of the machine door and a cover movablebetween a position closing the container and a position exposing the container and discharging the rinseaid and the detergent into the machine tank, for performing a single washing cycle.
• The present invention refers to a detergent and additive detergent dispenser for washing machines,which is made with a holding capacity of such detergent materials at such amounts to be sufficient toperform various cycles, on the contrary of the dispensers disclosed by EP-A-0457137, EP-A-0602572 and US-A-5211188 which are holding detergent materials for performing a single washing cycleonly, and which is made in construction and operation in a manner different than those disclosed byEP-A-0554676 and DE-U-8602245, which are holding detergent materials for performing variouscycles too.
• This dispenser is made as described on the characterizing part of claim 1.
• The invention will be disclosed better by the followingdescription, given solely by way of not-limiting example andwith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein :
• Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the present integrateddispenser fitted on a dish-washing machine ;
• Fig. 2 shows a perspective front and enlarged view of thepresent dispenser ;
• Fig. 3 shows the back side of the dispenser of Figs. 1 and2, fitted on a dish-washing machine ;
• Fig. 4 shows a side view of the dispenser of Fig. 3 ;
• Figs. 5 and 6 show a partially cut side view of the presentdispenser, displaced into two different operative positionsthereof and with the closed lid ;
• Fig. 7 shows a side view of the dispenser of Figs. 5 and 6,which is partially cut at an other position thereof, and withthe opened lid ;
• Figs. 8 and 9 show respective cut front and side views of aconstructive item of the dispenser in accordance with theinvention, displaced into a first operative position thereof;
• Figs. 10 and 11 show the item of Figs. 8 and 9, displacedinto a second operative position thereof ;
• Figs. 12 and 13 show the item of Figs. 8 and 9 displacedinto a third operative position thereof ;
• Fig. 14 shows a front view of a further constructive itemof the present dispenser ;
• Fig. 15 shows a side view of the detail of the installationof the present dispenser on a dish-washing machine ;
• Fig. 16 shows the detail of Fig. 15 in an enlarged view ;
• Figs. 17 and 18 show a front and side view of the dispenserin accordance to the invention, in an embodiment thereof ;
• Figs. 19, 20 and 21 show respectively a front, a side and aplan view of the present dispenser, in a second embodimentthereof ;
• Fig. 22 shows a front view of another embodiment of thepresent dispenser.
• In the Figures referred to, it is schematically representedan integrateddispenser 10 for powdered and liquid detergentsand additive detergents for washing machines, in particularhousehold dish-washing machines, adapted to hold suchdetergent materials and to deliver them into the tank ofthese machines at determined moments of each selected washingcycle. This integrated dispenser, which is formed by thecomponent parts which will be described in detail in the Fig.2, is advantageously fitted on the upper inner surface of thedoor 11 of the dish-washing machine 12, which door as usualis hinged frontally overturning on the same machine, and inthe present case it is represented partially opened, in orderto permit the access to such integrateddispenser 10 forfilling it with the needed detergent materials.
• In the Fig. 2 it is now represented thedispenser 10, whichis integrally made preferably with molded plastic materialand comprises a box-like envelope 13 of parallelepiped form,or other suitable form, in which different rooms are providedon itsfront wall 14, for housing respectively acontainer 15having a long duration storage capacity, for the introductionof powdered detergent through anupper cap 16 therein, atsuch amounts as to allow a plurality of washing cycles to beperformed in the machine, acontainer 17 for liquid additivedetergents like the brightness conditioner, and at least acontainer 18 for the powdered or liquid detergent, at suchamount as to allow a single washing cycle to be performed.
• In particular, thecontainer 15 with long duration storage capacity is advantageously shaped with anupper surface 19and a lower one 20 having semicircular form andside surfaces21 and 22 having rectilinear form, and is also housed in thecorrespondent room 23 of the box-like envelope 13, in such away as to be hinged at the lower side of the same room, inorder to be able to be displaced from an extracted positionevident from the Fig. 2, for being filled with detergentthrough thecap 16, to a position inserted into said room, inwhich it enters the box-like envelope for a determinate depththereof and its front surface flushes with thefront wall 14,for the metered automatic delivery of such detergent into themachine tank on each washing cycle.
• Besides, thiscontainer 15 is provided with a peripheralouter gasket 24 (evident from the Figs. 5-7), adapted to besealed against the correspondentperipheral edge 25 of theroom 23 at the inserted position thereof into the container,for the reasons set forth below, which sealing is also mademore effective thanks to the particular semicircular form ofboth the containerupper wall 19 and lower one 20.
• Of course, the container may be made also with a differentform that that described solely by way of example, byallowing always to perform the same functions thereof.
• Thiscontainer 15 is provided additionally advantageouslywith at least a front opening 26 too, which is closed bytransparent material, acting as indicator of the powdereddetergent filling level into the same container, andaccordingly marked with indication marks for the higher andlower detergent filling level into the container, as well asaprojected handle 27, which in this case is provided on theupper side thereof, and can be grasped by the user in orderto displace the same container into the above described twooperative positions thereof, which handle is housed on acorrespondent front recess 28 of thefront wall 14 at theinserted position of said container.
• In turn, the liquidadditive detergent container 17 isprovided, as usual, with a removablefront access cap 29 forthe introduction of the liquid additive detergents therein, at least anindicator 30 for its filling level with suchliquid additive detergents, made of adequate transparentmaterial, ahole 31 for discharging the liquid additivedetergents in the tank, which may be open and closed by meansof per se known control means, not shown, while thecontainer18 is provided with anaccess lid 32 overturning as evidentin the Figure, and movable by the machine timer from thecontainer closed position, at the filled condition withdetergents thereof, to this open position for delivering asingle dose of detergent, against the action of atorsionspring 33 associated with said lid.
• The Figs. 8-13 will show better this lid.
• Finally, the present integrateddispenser 10 also comprisesa powdered detergent automatic distributing and meteringsystem, marked with thereference numeral 34, whichcommunicates with the inside ofcontainer 15 with longduration storage capacity, and adapted to transerautomatically the detergent form the same container towardthe tank, which system in the present case is arranged belowthecontainer 15 and forms also the preamble of independent claim 1.Advantageously, aperipheral recess 35 is providedaround the distributing andmetering system 34 in thefrontwall 14 of the box-like envelope 13, in order to collect anddischarge adequately into the tank any condensate anddripping from the inside of the same container.
• By examining now the Fig. 3, in which the back side of thecontainer 15 with long duration storage capacity is shown, itis noted that arotor 36 and apneumatic actuator 37 arehoused therein, which are adapted respectively to generatecompressed air for the detergent distribution as well as toact on the above cited distributing andmetering system 34,in order to operate this latter, so as to distributeand introduce through it metered amounts of powdereddetergent from thecontainer 15 toward the machine tank, bymeans of control of the timer during each washing cycle.
• Moreover, a first and asecond electromagnet 38 and 39 or thelike are also housed on the back side of thecontainer 15,and connected in operation in the electric circuit of themachine and controlled by the timer thereof, of which thefirst electromagnet 38 is arranged adjacent the upper edge ofthecontainer 15, in such a way that its movableverticalcore 40 interacts with a shorthorizontal arm 41 of alever42 pivoted on abracket 43, fixed at the back and upper sideof thecontainer 15, which lever is provided with averticalarm 44 joined to such horizontal arm and another horizontalextendedarm 45, joined orthogonally to saidvertical arm 44and having its shapedend 46 entering acorrespondent recess47 provided on the upper side of thecontainer 15.
• In turn, the lowerfree end 48 of thevertical arm 44 of thelever 42 is housed on the free end of arectilinear arm 49 ofanother lever 50 situated below it, which is pivoted at itsother end on astud 51 fixed below thefirst electromagnet 38and connected to the overturninglid 32 of thecontainer 18for the single dose of powdered or liquid detergent, in sucha way that such lever 50 can be rotated limitedly around thisfulcrum point, against the action of a torsion spring (notshown) wound around thestud 51 and urging the same levertoward its rest position of the Fig. 3, by causing at thesame time the lid to be displaced on different operativepositions thereof, which will be described in detail in Figs.8-13. In this manner, thefirst electromagnet 38 is able todisplace with itsmovable core 40 both thelevers 42 and 50simultaneously from the one to the other one of their twooperative positions, respectively from the first restposition thereof, illustrated by the Fig. 3, in which thelever 42 has its shapedend 46 engaging therecess 47,thereby keeping thecontainer 15 into its engaged conditionin which the powdered detergent contained therein may be distributed by a timed controlled operation into the tank, inthe manner hereinafter described, while in turn the lever 50isn't pushed downward by the overhanginglever 42 andtherefore keeps the overturninglid 32 at a closed conditionthereof, engaging thecontainer 18, thereby preventing itfrom being opened, to the operation position thereof, notevident, in which thelever 42 is rotated around itsfulcrumpoint 43, thereby disengaging its shapedend 46 from therecess 47 and therefore permitting thecontainer 15 to beopened and filled with the powdered detergent in the mannerhereinafter described, while in turn the lever 50 is pusheddownward by the consequent lowering of the lowerfree end 48of thevertical arm 44 of thelever 42, so that such lever 50by rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow A causesthe displacement of the overturninglid 32 of thecontainer18 in the released position thereof, in which it is openedand therefore permits the detergent contained therein to bedistributed in the tank. Besides, thesecond electromagnet 39is arranged at an inclined position thereof and connected tothe control means for the liquidadditive detergent container17, which are constituted preferably by a conventional valve(not shown), in such a way that to actuate the same at anopened and closed position thereof for determining orpreventing the distribution of such liquid additivedetergents into the tank. Finally, afurther lever 52 ishoused on the back side of thecontainer 15, at a positionbelow thecontainer 15 and co-operating therewith, whichlever is interconnected by means of aflexible cable 53 withthelock 54 of thedoor 11 of the dish-washing machine, andis pivoted rotatable thereon in such a way as to be actuatedby thecontainer 15 in two different operative positionsthereof, respectively from a first position in which it pullstheflexible cable 53 downward, in the direction of the arrowB of the Fig. 4, when thecontainer 15 is housed on its seatand engaged by thelever 42, in which condition acontrolmechanism 55 of conventional kind provided on the free end ofsuch cable 53 does not affect saidlock 54 and therefore any opening and closing operation of said door by means of saidlock is permitted, to a second operative position thereof inwhich thelever 52 displaces the cable upward, in thedirection of the arrow C of Fig. 4, when thecontainer 15 isreleased by thelever 42 and therefore moved to its openedposition, in which condition thecontrol mechanism 55 of thecable 53 affects thelock 54, thereby preventing thedoor 11from being closed.
• By referring now to the Figs. 5, 6 and 7, shown therein isthecontainer 15 of the present integrated dispenser in threedifferent operative conditions thereof, in which it is notedthat such containerand to this aim itincludes anadditional container 151 inside it havingdimensions slightly lower, which defines ahollow space 56between it and the surrounding walls of thecontainer 15, forcirculating a flow of cooling air generated by therotor 36or by natural convection, and adapted to maintain thedetergent within the pre-established temperature boundarywhich are compatible for the use thereof.Such container 151is additionally provided with adequate means for locking itinto itscontainer 15,and also at least aninner valvemember 57 of per se known kind, acting on thelower drainagehole 58 thereof and operable through theshaped end 46 of thelever 42, which can be coupled thereto, in a manner to closeor open such hole, in order to prevent or permit thedetergent distribution depending on the displacement of thelever 42 into different positions thereof, as well as afiltering element 59. In the Figs. 5 and 6 is shown thecontainer 15 at the closed position thereof, in whichcondition theadditional container 151 is arranged fordistributing the detergent into the tank, through the automatic distributing andmetering system 34 which in thiscase communicates with both thedrainage hole 58 of thecontainer 151 and the tank.
• In Fig. 5, in particular, it is noted that the automaticdistributing andmetering system 34 is operated on the openedposition thereof, in which thecontainer 151 is put intocommunication with the tank through theflexible conduit 60made of resilient material, which is affected by a separatedpressingmember 61 adapted to be pressed or not pressedagainst saidflexible conduit 60.
• In this case, thepressing member 61 is made rotatable with alimited angle of rotation, and maintained at this restposition by asuitable compression spring 62, as well asoperated by a shaft 63 (evident in the Fig. 3) orthogonal totheflexible conduit 60 and actuated in rotation by thepneumatic actuator 37 under the control operation of themachine timer, in the present example such pressing memberbeing not compressed against theflexible conduit 60.
• Under these circumstances, however, the detergent isn'tdistributed into the tank, since thedrainage hole 58 of thecontainer 151 is closed by thevalve member 57 and suchdistribution occurs as soon as said valve means is operatedinto its opened position, thereby by releasing thedrainagehole 58 and permitting the detergent to pass through theflexible conduit 60. On the contrary, in the Fig. 6 it isnoted that thepressing member 61 has been actuated by thepneumatic actuator 37 into its operative position, compressedagainst theflexible condit 60, in which also thespring 62is compressed, with consequent squeezing of said flexibleconduit and interruption of the connection between thecontainer 151 and the tank, in which condition thedetergent distribution into the same tank is prevented.
• Finally, in the Fig. 7 it is noted that in this case thecontainer 15 is displaced into the opened position thereof,being extracted forward and rotated around its lower hingedposition, in which condition the shapedend 46 of thelever42 is disengaged from therecess 47 of the same container,with consequent access to theadditional container 151 forfilling it with the powdered detergent or for any possiblecleaning or maintenance operation thereof, in whichcircumstance the communication between thedrainage hole 58of said additional container and theflexible conduit 60 isinterrupted. By examining now the Figs. 8-13, it is shownschematically theoverturning lid 32 for the access to thedetergentsingle dose container 18, which is represented intothree different operative positions thereof.
• This lid, in particular, is provided at its inner surfacewith a hollow 64 and a lower projectedhook 65, turned towardthe inside of thecontainer 18 and adapted to co-operate bothwith acorrespondent counter-hook 66, projected from abentarm 67 fixed to thestud 51 acting as a fulcrum of the lever50 and operable in rotation by such lever, which in turn isoperated by as already described by thefirst electromagnet38, in such a way thatsuch counter-hook 66 may be actuatedinto three different positions thereof corresponding to suchoperative positions of the overturning lid.
• In the Figs. 8 and 9, in particular, it is noted that thelid32 is closed in front of thecontainer 18, in which conditionthecounter-hook 66 has been displaced upward by the rotationof the lever 50, so as to engage the hollow 64 only and to bedisengaged from thehook 65.
• Then, at this operative position of thelid 32, it is keptengaged and permits thecontainer 18 to be filled withdetergent, and may be disengaged manually therefrom for anypossible introduction of additional detergent therein.
• In the Figs. 10 and 11 it is noted that thecounter-hook 66has been displaced by the rotation of the lever 50 at aposition intermediate between the hollow 64 and thehook 65,in which it is disengaged from both and therefore permits thelid 32 to be opened and the dose of detergent to be distributed from thecontainer 18 toward the machine tank.
• Finally, in the Figs. 12 and 13 it is noted that thecounter-hook66 has been displaced downward by the rotation of thelever 50, so as to engage thehook 65 only and to bedisengaged from the hollow 64.
• Then, at this operative position of thelid 32, it remainsengaged permanently and cannot be opened automaticallytherefrom, thereby excluding the possibility to addstill detergent in thecontainer 18 during the carrying outof each washing cycle, with subsequent lid unlocking which ismade possible by displacing thecounter-hook 66 again intoits other operative positions in the same manners asdescribed above. In the Figs. 14-16 it is now illustratedanother constructive component part of the present integrateddispenser, which permits a simple and quick assembling anddisassembling thereof with respect to the dish-washingmachine. This component part is substantially formed by athinperipheral frame 68 having the same shape and dimensionsslightly larger than the box-like envelope 13 of saidintegrateddispenser 10, for the accommodation around theentire peripheral outline of said box-like envelope thereof,said frame being provided with two half-portions 69 and 70identical and symmetrical to each other, having a pluralityofinsertion tongues 71 which can be engaged around said box-likeenvelope, whose ends are provided with respective foldededges 72, 73 and 74, 75 turned toward each other and matchingto each other, as well as adapted to be joined reciprocallyby means ofscrews 76 or the like after that said half-portionshave been fitted around the box-like envelope 13, atthe condition in which suchperipheral frame 68 holds in itsseat also theperipheral sealing gasket 24 of the container15 (see Figs. 15 and 16).
• By examining now the remaining Figures 17-22, shown thereinare different possible embodiments of the present integrateddispenser, obtained by modifying adequately the reciprocalarrangement of the different component parts of the samedispenser. In the Figs. 17 and 18 it is noted that the arrangement of the different component parts is practicallythe same of the Fig. 2, except that in this case thecontainer 15 is shaped in a reversed mode and both theindicator 30 and thedischarge hole 31 of the liquidadditivedetergent container 17 are aligned with each other in avertical direction instead of horizontal one, as from theFig. 2. In the Figs. 19, 20 and 21 it is noted that thecontainer 15 is housed almost at the same preceding positionthereof, however in this case it has different shape (square)with dimensions slightly smaller and itshandle 27 isprojected laterally at the left-hand side instead ofupwardly, and is hinged laterally in its accommodation space,while in turn the liquidadditive detergent 17 is arrangednear the upper edge of the box-like envelope 13, laterally atthe left-hand side of thecontainer 15, and at the positionbelow it there are arranged aligned vertically both thecorresponding indicator 30 and thedischarge hole 31, andfinally the distributing andmetering system 34 is arrangedbelow thecontainer 18 and associatedlid 32, which are heldat the same preceding position thereof.
• Finally, in the Fig. 22 it is noted that thecontainer 15 ispractically identical to that of the Figs. 19-21 and withrespect thereto it is displaced at the left-hand side, so asitshandle 27 be slightly projected beyond the left-hand sideperipheral edge of the same container, while in turn theliquidadditive detergent container 17 is arranged betweenthecontainer 15 and thecontainer 18 withrelative lid 32,which are held together with the distributing andmeteringsystem 34 at the same position of the preceding figures 19-21,and at a position below thecontainer 17 there arearranged aligned vertically saidindicator 30 anddischargehole 31. Of course, it is also possible to arrange thesecomponent parts in different manners and combinations withrespect to those described by way of example only, as well asit is also possible to operate these component parts withdifferent criteria with respect to those previouslydescribed, provided that it is always obtained an identicaloperation of the present integrated dispenser, thereby without departing from the protection field of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Integrated dispenser (10) for washing machines, in particular household dish-washing machines,which may be fitted preferably on the machine-front closing door (11), including a first container (15)for powdered detergent having a long duration storage capacity, at such amounts as to allow aplurality of washing cycles to be performed, a second container (17) for liquid additive detergents likethe brightness conditioner, and a third container (18) for the powdered or liquid detergent, at suchamounts as to allow a single washing cycle to be performed, the dispenser (10) being adapted todistribute such detergents and additive detergents into the tank of these machines during each washingcycle, with the aid of pneumatic generator means (36) and pneumatic actuator means (37) of per seknown type, associated to an automatic distributing and metering system (34) communicating with theinside of the first container (15) and adapted to permit or prevent said long duration powdereddetergent to pass therethrough, characterized in that said first, second and third container (15, 17, 18)are embodied into a box-like envelope (13) embodying also first and second control means (38, 39),together with said distributing and metering system (34), said pneumatic generator means (36) andsaid pneumatic actuator means (37), said distributing and metering system (34) being controlled bysaid pneumatic actuator means (37) in a manner to permit or prevent the passage of powdereddetergents, said first container (15) being provided with lever means (42) pivoted thereto andinteracting with said first control means (38) and including pivotally mounted inside it an additionalcontainer (151) for the long duration detergent, provided with valve means (57) for detergentdistribution, the additional container (151) being securable or releasable by said lever means (42) formovement between two positions for respectively allowing filling with detergent or permitting thedetergent distribution, said second container (17) being provided with innner valve means operable bysaid second control means (39) into two positions for permitting or preventing the additivedistribution, and said third container (18) being provided with a pivoted access lid (32) displaceable by means of additional lever means (50, 51, 67) operable by said first control means (38) into a first, asecond and a third operative position thereof, in which said lid (32) is respectively engaged, with thepossibility of manual releasing thereof, or disengaged with respect to said third container (18), as wellas engages this latter without the possibility of automatic releasing thereof.
2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that said first container (15) is housed hinged ona correspondent front room (23) of said box-like envelope (13) and is provided with at least a peripheralsealing gasket (24) and a projected handle (27) which can be grasped by the user for displacingsaid container (15) from an extracted position, for filling it with the detergent, to an inserted positionfor the detergent distribution, in which said sealing gasket (24) is tightly sealed against the correspondentperipheral edge (25) of said room (23).
3. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that said additional container (151) has dimensionsslightly lower that those of said first container (15), by defining between it and the surrounding wallsof said first container (15) a hollow space (56) for circulating a flow of cooling air generated by saidpneumatic generator means (36) or by natural convection, adapted to maintain the detergent within thepre-established temperature boundary which are compatible for the use thereof.
4. Dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that said second container (17) is provided with aremovable front access cap (29) for the introduction of the liquid additives therein.
5. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that said lid (32) is provided at its inner surfacewith a hollow (64) and a lower projected hook (65), turned toward the inside of said third container(18) and adapted to co-operate both with a correspondent counter-hook (66) fixed to said additionallever means (50, 51, 67), in a way that said counter-hook (66) can engage either said hollow (64) orsaid hook (65) at the respective first and third operative position of said lid (32) and disengages saidhollow (64) and said hook (65) at the second operative position of said lid (32).
6. Dispenser according to the preceding claims, characterizedin that it comprises additional lever means (52) associatedto said first container (15) and interconnected by means of aflexible cable (53) or the like with the lock (54) of saidmachine door (11), said lever means (52) being operable bysaid first container (15) from a first operative positionthereof, in which said cable (53) does not affect said lock(54) therefore allowing the opening and closing of said door(11), when said first container (15) is housed into its seatand engaged by said lever means (42), to a second operativeposition thereof in which said cable (53) affects said lock(54), thereby preventing said door (11) from being closedwhen said first container (15) is released by said levermeans (42).
7. Dispenser according to the preceding claims, characterizedin that said distributing and metering system (34) isassociated with pressing means (61) rotatably fixed to ashaft (63), operable by said pneumatic actuator (37), saidpressing means (61) being operable by said pneumatic actuator(37) from the one to the other one of two operative positionsthereof, in which they act against said distributing andmetering system (34) in a way that to permit or prevent thepassage of the detergent toward the tank.
8. Dispenser according to the preceding claims, characterizedin that said first and second control means (38, 39) are formed by a respective electromagnet or the like.
9. Dispenser according to the preceding claims,characterized in that it is enclosed by a thin peripheralframe (68) for the assembling and disassembling with respectto the machine thereof, said frame (68) having preferably thesame shape and dimensions slightly larger than said box-likeenvelope (13), for the accommodation around the entireperipheral outline of said box-like envelope (13), and beingprovided with two half-portions (69, 70) identical andsymmetrical to each other provided with a plurality ofinsertion tongues (71), whose ends have respective foldededges (72, 73; 74, 75) turned toward each other and matchingto each other, as well as which can be joined reciprocally bymeans of screws (76) or the like.
10. Dispenser according to the preceding claims,characterized in that said first, second and third container(15, 17, 18) and said distributing and metering system (34)may be fitted with different arrangements thereof on saidbox-like envelope (13).

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