DOSING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a dosing device (10, 10a) for dispensing a plurality of tablets, which each comprise at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system comprises: a container (12) for storing the plurality of tablets, the container (12) having an exit port (14); an outlet for delivering tablets from the container (12) into the automatic washing machine; a metering mechanism (20) located between the exit port (14) of the container (12) and the outlet; and a housing (22) which surrounds the metering mechanism (20), the housing (22) having an inlet opening (25) for receiving tablets from the exit port (14) of the container (12), and an output opening (28) for delivering tablets to the outlet; a resilient portion (33) on the metering mechanism (20) which is operable to be deflected by a protrusion (31) on the housing (22) as the metering mechanism (20) is moved from the first position to the second position, so as to prevent more than the one or more tablets passing from the container (12) through to the outlet during a movement of the metering mechanism (20) from the first position to the second position, wherein the metering mechanism (29) is linearly moveable in the housing (22) between a first position in which the one or more tablets is receivable in the inlet opening (25), and a second position in which the one or more tablets is deliverable to the outlet.