System and method for dispensing product to a washing machine. A chemical dispensing system includes a system controller, machine interface, and pump controller that communicate through serial data buses. The system controller provides a user interface, retrieves washing machine status information from the machine interface, and issues product dispensing commands to the pump controller. The pump controller monitors pump status and dispenses product in response to commands from the system controller. The pump controller: (1) determines pump activation periods based on calibration data stored in a pump controller memory; (2) tracks pump usage and adjusts the activation period to compensate for pump wear as the pump ages; (3) disables the pump if conditions exists that preclude operating the pump; (4) monitors product levels, and (5) reports pump status to the system controller. Integral channels are included in the pump housing to provide stress relief to a squeeze tube.

A method for setting a time of a release of a cleaning agent during a cleaning cycle in a household appliance includes obtaining an evolution over time of a local parameter inside the appliance, the local parameter comprising an acceleration induced by the cycle or a temperature inside the appliance; obtaining reference patterns of evolutions of the local parameter during a cycle comprising different cleaning steps including a step adapted for releasing the cleaning agent at a predetermined adapted time; comparing the evolution of the local parameter to the reference patterns and identifying a cleaning step within the cycle when a similarity between a reference pattern and the evolution is above a predetermined threshold, and setting the release of the agent at the predetermined adapted time within the identified cleaning step when the identified step corresponds to a step adapted for releasing the agent.

A supply container for a dispensing device for introducing a pourable detergent in metered amounts into a treatment chamber of a program-controlled cleaning appliance, the dispensing device including a rotatable carrier unit, the supply container being replaceably receivable in the carrier unit. The supply container includes: a reservoir chamber; a dispensing opening; a metering chamber connectable to the reservoir chamber via an interposed outlet opening; and a closure device configured to close the outlet opening at least until the supply container is first put into use. The closure device is configured to cooperate with an actuating device to open the outlet opening to provide a flow path of the detergent from the reservoir chamber into the treatment chamber of the appliance via the metering chamber and the dispensing opening.

A dosing device or system for dispensing tablets, which can include at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing one or more, but not all, of the tablets at once into the automatic washing machine, and wherein the dosing device or system can be for dispensing only one tablet at once.

A detergent dispenser may be positioned to dispense detergent into a wash tub of a household appliance. The detergent dispenser may include a detergent cartridge. The detergent cartridge may include a detergent strip having a plurality of detergents. One or more ejection mechanisms may be used to expel the detergent from the detergent strip through an outlet of the detergent cartridge. One or more tablet ejection sensors may be used.

A dosing unit for use in an automatic dosing system of a water-bearing household appliance for automatically dosing detergent tablets, the dosing unit comprising a storage cartridge for storing a plurality of the detergent tablets and a dosing device for releasing a respective one of the detergent tablets, wherein the storage cartridge includes a tubular section for storing the plurality of detergent tablets ordered in a line one behind the other.

A system (10) includes a support structure (20) associable with a bottom wall (BW) of a washing tub (WT) of a washing machine (WM). The system further includes a container body (22) having a receptacle (14) configured for receiving a quantity of washing agent. The container body (22) has an opening (24) leading into the receptacle (14). The container body (22) is mountable on the support structure (20) in the washing tub (WT). The container body (22) is configured for being reversibly brought by a user into a retracted condition and an extracted condition. In the retracted condition, the container body (22) is inserted in the support structure (20). In the extracted condition, the container body (22) is removed and separate from the support structure (20). The system (10) includes a closure element (16) configured for closing the opening (24).

A system for detecting and indicating variations in volume of chemicals in a container is provided. The system includes a retention basin configured to retain the container. The retention basin includes a pressure cell, a basin input interfaces, and a basin controller. The pressure cell is configured to measure a weight of the container. The container is placed on the pressure cell. The basin input interface is configured to allow specification of properties of the chemicals in the container. The basin controller is configured to calculate the volume of the chemicals in the container based on the measured weight of the container and the specified properties of the chemicals in the container. The basin controller includes a basin display configured to display the calculated volume of the chemicals in the container.

System and method for dispensing product to a washing machine. A chemical dispensing system includes a system controller, machine interface, and pump controller that communicate through serial data buses. The system controller provides a user interface, retrieves washing machine status information from the machine interface, and issues product dispensing commands to the pump controller. The pump controller monitors pump status and dispenses product in response to commands from the system controller. The pump controller: (1) determines pump activation periods based on calibration data stored in a pump controller memory; (2) tracks pump usage and adjusts the activation period to compensate for pump wear as the pump ages; (3) disables the pump if conditions exists that preclude operating the pump; (4) monitors product levels, and (5) reports pump status to the system controller. Integral channels are included in the pump housing to provide stress relief to a squeeze tube.

The invention relates to a method of automatic dishwashing, comprising: placing soiled wares inside a cleaning volume; providing a first cleaning composition comprising a bleach and a second cleaning composition different from the first composition; and delivering the first composition and the second composition separately to the cleaning volume to contact the soiled wares, wherein: the first composition is delivered to the cleaning volume as a mist and the second composition is delivered to the cleaning volume as a jet; and the first and second compositions are delivered to the cleaning volume at a temperature below 100° C. The invention also relates to a dishwasher and a kit for use in the inventive method.