Apparatus for metering quantities of a powered detergent into cleaning machines

An apparatus for repeated, automatic metering of precisely metered quantities of a powdered detergent into water-carrying cleaning machines, in particular household dishwashers and household washing machines, comprising:

• a detergent holder with an outlet opening;
• a metering and dispensing device being disposed below said outlet opening of said detergent holder and having at least one loading and one dispensing position, being equipped with a movable metering device having only one metering receptacle for receiving a single metered quantity of the powdered detergent, and having a housing;
• a treatment vessel of the water-carrying cleaning machine for receiving the detergent;
• said detergent holder having an interior and said metering and dispensing device having a guide being acted upon continuously by a stream of compressed air, and the interior of said metering receptacle also being acted upon by the stream of compressed air in the dispensing position;
• said metering and dispensing device having first and second chambers communicating with one another, said first chamber communicating with said detergent holder and being disposed below said outlet opening of said detergent holder, the detergent fed into said first chamber being fed gradually, during motion of said metering device, into said second chamber, and said second chamber having an opening facing toward said treatment vessel;
• a lid being connected to said metering device for closing said treatment vessel-side opening of said second chamber in the loading position, said lid uncovering a discharge opening in the dispensing position, from which the metered detergent is fed gradually to said treatment vessel;
• and
• sealing elements surrounding said treatment vessel-side opening of said second chamber, cooperating with said lid and being disposed on said housing of said metering and dispensing device.