Detergent dispensing device

1. A detergent composition dispensing device which is removably insertable into a washing machine, the device comprising:

(a) a primary chamber adapted to accommodate a detergent composition,

(b) a secondary chamber, from which the detergent composition is released into the wash liquor of the washing machine,

(c) a mechanism for transferring detergent from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber, the mechanism comprising:

(i) a moveable piston disposed within the secondary chamber

(ii) a moveable plug arranged between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber, the plug is independently moveable with respect to the moveable piston and which, when operated, is a valve which permits flow of the detergent composition from the primary chamber and the secondary chamber

(d) a cap operable by a user and a first biasing spring which biases the cap in a direction away from the movable plug, and;

(e) a second biasing spring which biases the moveable plug away from a main piston body.

2. A device according to claim 1 , adapted for use in an automatic laundry washing machine.

3. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the moveable piston is manually operated.

4. A device according to claim 3 , wherein the movable piston comprises:

a main piston body and,

the moveable plug.

5. A device according to claim 4 , wherein the movable plug is attachable to the main piston body by a resilient hooking means.

6. A device according to claim 5 , wherein the moveable plug is biased away from the main piston body by a biasing means.

7. A device according to claim 4 , wherein the main piston body is biased towards a first position by a biasing means.

8. A device according to claim 4 , wherein the main piston body comprises a cylinder having a flaring at the end furthest from the primary chamber.

9. A device according to claim 1 , which has a cap operable by a user.

10. A device according to claim 9 , wherein the cap has an indication means to show a user how many times the cap has been operated.

11. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition is in the form of a liquid.

12. A device according to claim 11 , wherein the detergent composition is refillable into the primary chamber.

13. A device according to claim 12 , wherein the detergent composition is refillable by replacement of a pouch containing detergent within the primary chamber.

14. A device according to claim 1 which further comprises:

a disengaging member which disengages hooking means of the moveable plug.