I'm using a dishwashing detergent in form of a grain/powder for my dishwasher. I don't like the "Tabs", as they are both expensive and not working as good as the grain.
However there is a big downside. Filling the small detergent box in the dishwasher's door from the detergent bag is challenging and will often end in filling too much grain into the dishwasher and the detergent is elsewhere in the machine.
Therefore I decided to design a dispenser, that will fit onto a standard PET-bottle, at least onto the european PET bottle screws which are called PCO28. I guess the name is based on the fact that the diameter is 28mm.
How it works:
You fill the detergent powder (not working for liquid) into a PET bottle and screw the dispenser on top.
To put some detergent into the dishwasher, hold the bottle upside down and point it into the detergent box in the dishwasher's door and pull the trigger arm gentle until the powder trickles out of the dispenser. Release the Trigger Arm and the rubber band on the Retract Arm will close the Shutter and will to stop the flow of powder.
Assembling:
After printing out all parts place the Shutter between the Bottom and Top Housing leaning it forward in direction of the front and keeping the flat end parts on the Shutter's axle pointing upwards. It's important to lean it forward, so that it will close when turning backwards. It you assemble it when it leans backwards, that you won't be able to open the Shutter in the right direction. It needs to open with a forward rotation. The back of the part is where the rubber band hook is attached on the bottom housing. (refer to the attached images). The Top housing is symetrical. Try rotating the Shutter, it should move freely. It will not turn 360° however, because it's eliptical to be able to completely close the inner diameter. Glue the Bottom and Top Housing part together with e.g. UHU Plast, which works best for me for PLA parts.
Make sure you do not glue in the Shutter, it needs to be moveable.
Then glue on the Trigger Arm on the left and the Retract Arm on the right side of the Shutter's axle (See images).
Finally attach a standard household rubber band to the Retract Arm and the counter hook on the Bottom Housing.
If you prefer the Trigger Arm to be on the other side, you just need to print the Bottom Housing part mirrored so that the counter hook is on the left instead of teh right side.
Have fun.
Caipi
