Additive Dispenser For Automatic Washing Machine

Abstract

A dispenser for receiving additives such as a cleaning agent, an oxidizing agent and a fabric conditioner, diluting these additives where necessary and then dispensing them into the basket of an automatic washing machine at the proper time during an operating cycle of the machine. A plurality of chambers are located within the dispenser. These chambers include an inner chamber for storing the fabric conditioner during a wash cycle; a holding chamber for receiving the fabric conditioner ejected from the inner chamber by centrifugal force during a spin cycle; and a dilution chamber for receiving, dispensing and diluting the oxidizing agent, as well as for receiving, diluting, and dispensing the fabric conditioner which falls into this chamber at the start of a rinse cycle. In addition, a provision for receiving a detergent and dispensing it into the basket during a wash cycle is also included. Means are also provided for automatically cleaning the fabric conditioner residue from the holding chamber by forcefully propelling thereinto, rinse water from the dilution chamber so as to prepare the dispenser for the next operative cycle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improvement for an automatic washing machine, and more particularly, to an apparatus for dispensing additives into a basket of the machine.

The present invention provides an improved means for dispensing certain well-known additives into the basket of an automatic washing machine at proper times during an operative cycle of the machine. More specifically, a cleaning agent such as a soap or detergent, an oxidizing agent such as a bleach, and a rinse agent such as a fabric conditioner are each loaded into the improved dispenser prior to the start of an operative cycle. By means of the improved dispenser, these additives are properly diluted where necessary and added to the basket at the proper time during the operative cycle.

The prior art provides for the dispensing of a diluted fabric conditioner along with a cleaning agent into the basket of an automatic washing machine as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,636-Devery et al. The prior art also provides for the dispensing of a fabric conditioner and a diluted oxi-dizing agent such as is shouwn in U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,135-Douglas, or for the dispensing of only a diluted fabric conditioner as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,248,914-Tingley and 3,466,900-Elliott, Jr. Many fabrics, however, require both a diluted oxidizing agent and a diluted fabric conditioner in addition to a cleaning agent, and heretofore it has been necessary for a user to separately add the third additive, diluting where necessary, before adding it to the machine during an operative cycle.

In the improved dispenser of the present invention the user may place all three additives in the dispenser before starting the machine and need give no further attention thereto. In addition the improved dispenser provides an improved arrangement for automatically diluting both the oxidizing agent and the fabric conditioner, thereby preventing damage to clothes which could result from contact with an undiluted additive. Moreover, both of these additives are diluted in the same dilution chamber at different times of an operative cycle before they are dispensed into the basket.

Finally, some additives, such as fabric conditioners, tend to be somewhat sticky and may leave an undesirable residue in a chamber of a dispenser. This problem is overcome by the dispenser of this invention through the provision of means for positively and forcefully propelling rinse water from the dilution chamber into the holding chamber, thereby insuring thorough cleaning of such chamber before the end of the operative cycle.

With the foregoing in mind, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide an additive dispenser capable of dispensing a cleaning agent, an oxidizing agent, and a fabric conditioner into the basket of a washing machine at the proper times during an operative cycle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an additive dispenser that may be loaded with the three aforementioned additives at the beginning of an operative cycle and does not require additional attention thereafter to insure the proper dispensing of the additives at the proper times.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an additive dispenser including an improved arrangement for properly diluting the additives where necessary before dispensing the admixture into the basket of the machine.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an additive dispenser that is self-cleaning, such that after a complete operative cycle further cleaning of the dispenser before re-use is unnecessary.

These and other objects of the subject invention will become apparent from the following detailed description including the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By this invention there is provided a dispenser for an automatic washing machine whereby three additives may be initially placed in the dispenser before operation of the machine is begun, properly diluted where necessary, and added to the wash or rinse water at the proper times during a wash or rinse cycle without further attention by an operator. Convenient openings are provided for adding a cleaning agent, an oxidizing agent and a fabric conditioner, while a plurality of chambers located within the dispenser aid in the proper storage and dispensing of these additives. These chambers include an inner chamber for storing the fabric conditioner during a wash cycle, a holding chamber communicating with the inner chamber for storing the conditioner during a spin cycle, and a dilution chamber having an inlet port for receiving water to dilute the conditioner, and an outlet port for dispensing the admixture into the basket during a rinse cycle. This dilution chamber also is used for the dilution of an oxidizing agent during a wash cycle. Finally, the dispenser includes a provision for receiving a detergent and supplying this detergent to the basket during an operating cycle. Preferably, the dispenser also includes fins which aid in cleaning the hodling chamber, so that the dispenser will be clean and ready for immediate use at the start of a subsequent operating cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view, partly broken away, of an automatic washing machine showing the dispenser of the subject invention incorporated therein.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dispenser of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a clothes washing machine of the generally vertical agitator, spin basket type, incorporating one embodiment of the present invention. An outer appearance cabinet 1 is provided with a bottom bulkhead 2 secured to the casing to provide a water collection tub 3 and machinery compartment 4. Disposed within the latter compartment is a frame 5, mounted for gyratory movement about a pivot point (not shown) located in a transverse structural member at the base of the cabinet. The frame carries a drive motor 6 disposed with its shaft projecting vertically downward. The shaft has a drive sheave mounted thereon and the end of the shaft is attached to the rotor of a pump 7, which withdraws liquid from the tub 3 by way of a screened inlet 8 in the bulkhead 2, the inlet being attached to the pump by an inlet hose 10. A discharge hose 11 leads from the pump 7 to provide for discharge of liquid from the washer. The motor 6 is of the reversible, split-phase, induction type commonly used in washing machines. As is well understood in the art, when the motor operates in one direction, it operates the agitator for washing and rinsing functions, and, when operated in the other direction, it rotates the clothes basket for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the basket and the fabrics therein. The pump 7 may be of any of the wellknown types so that, when the motor is operating in the "spin" direction, the pump removes water from the tub 3; and, when the motor is operating in the "wash" direction, no pumping action occurs.

A transmission 14 is mounted within the frame 5 and has a casing 15 about the lower portion of which a circular concentric skirt 16 provides a driven clutch element. Within the skirt 16 there is a unidirectional clutch 17 of a type well known in the art. The clutch is fixed to a sheave 18, from which a belt 20 connects with the motor shaft. When the motor operates in the spin direction the clutch 17 engages the skirt 16 to rotate the casing 15 therewith. By means of a conventional slip clutch 21 of the coil spring type, the rotation of sheave 18 in the wash direction transmits torque to the transmission 14, while clutch 17 is disengaged from the skirt 16 so that the drive torque is not transmitted to the casing 15. It will be understood that any conventional braking or snubbing device (not shown) may be used to restrain rotation or oscillation of the casing 15 during the washing operation. During the spin operation, the clutch 21 slips relative to the transmission 14, so that no torque is transmitted thereto.

A sleeve 23 extends from the transmission and is secured to a fixture 24 on which is mounted a liquid and fabric receiving receptacle or basket 25. When the transmission housing is rotated as aforesaid, basket 25 rotates therewith. A flexible rubber boot 26 is fixed to the sleeve 23 and bulkhead 2 to prevent passage of liquid into the machinery compartment while permitting gyratory movement of the sleeve 23 relative to the bulkhead 2. A coil spring 27 between the frame 5 and a damping device (not shown) on the underside of bulkhead 2 serves to damp excessive gyrations, as is well known in the art.

Within the basket 25 and co-axial therewith is an agitator 28. The agitator includes a relatively large, hollow center post 30, from which extend a plurality of vanes 31, the vanes being arranged as a spiral about the post 30. The agitator is secured to the splined upper end 32 of an agitator shaft 33, which extends downwardly through the agitator and through the sleeve 23 to the transmission 14. During the wash and rinse steps, the transmission 14 is effective to cause the shaft 33 to oscillate about its axis which, in turn, causes oscillation of the agitator. The shaft 33 is disposed within a sleeve 34 which is connected at its upper end to a depending flange 35 formed in the interior of the agitator shaft 33. The lower end of sleeve 34 forms a portion of a pump 36, which is mounted on the agitator for movement therewith. A cap 37 is threaded to the upper portion of the splined end 32 and holds the agitator assembly together during operation. Thus during agitation operations the agitator 28 and pump 36 oscillate together with the agitator shaft 33 about a generally vertical axis. The vanes 31 cause relative motion of the fabrics and fluid to effect cleaning of the fabrics and fluid is drawn inwardly through openings 38 by the pump 36 and forced upwardly through the annular passage 39, formed between the sleeve 34 and the agitator post 30. Appropriate openings 40 are formed adjacent the top of the agitator for the egress of the fluid. Additional details of structure of the agitator shaft and pump arrangement and a more complete description of the manner of operation of a suitable pump of this type are found in McMillan U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,553.

The basket 25 is generally frusto-conical in shape and is imperforate except for a row of apertures 41 through which fluid is ejected into the tub 3 during the centrifugal spin operations of the basket. A solenoid-operated water valve assembly 43 has an inlet 44 arranged to be connected to a hot water supply and an inlet 45 arranged to be connected to a cold water supply, whereby hot, cold or warm water can be delivered into the basket 25 by way of a valve outlet 46, as is well known in the art. The top panel 47 of the casing 1 has an access lid 48 and a control compartment (not shown) in which are located various control devices, including a time cycle controller which conducts the washing machine through a cycle of operation.

A filter pan 50 is mounted about the upper end of the agitator, below the openings 40, by means of a set of interfitting ribs 51. The pan includes an imperforate outer wall 53 and a perforate lower wall 54. Thus the fluid pumped through the openings 40 eventually will be received in the filter pan 50 and will flow outwardly through the performations in the lower wall 54 and return to the basket 25.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, which show details of the dispenser structure, the dispenser 55 is positioned about the agitator post and is supported on the filter pan. The dispenser does not engage the agitator post, but rather motion is imparted to the dispenser by means of frictional engagement between the lower wall 54 of the filter pan and a depending circumferential lip 56 on the dispenser. To control this frictional engagement a coating 57 of suitable material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, is provided on the depending lip 56. It will be understood that if desired the coating could be placed on the upper surface of the wall 54 or used on both the lip and the wall.

The dispenser, which is generally annular in shape, is provided with three openings in an upper surface 58 for receiving the above-mentioned additives. An inner opening 59 is provided for receiving the fabric conditioner, while generally arcuate shaped apertures 60 and 62 are provided for receiving the cleaning agent and the oxidizing agent respectively. Aperture 60 is aligned with a passageway 64 extending through to the filter pan 50, while aperture 62 defines an opening into dilution chamber 66 of the dispenser. A fill-level indicator button 68 mounted on a bottom wall 70 of the dilution chamber serves to aid an operator in filling the dilution chamber to the proper level with the oxidizing agent.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the agitator post 30 has openings 40 permitting communication between the annular passage 39 and a space 72 between the dispenser and the agitator post itself. The circumferential lip 56 provided for supporting the dispenser, insures that the dispenser is spaced slightly above the surface of the filter pan. This lip does not form a watertight seal with the filter pan, and as a result, water from space 72 will pass under the lip and onto the perforate lower wall of the pan.

An inner chamber 76 has included therein a bottom wall 78 and an upwardly and outwardly slanting side wall 80. At the top of this sidewall is an opening 82 providing communication between the inner chamber and a holding chamber 84 disposed outwardly of chamber 76. This holding chamber, which includes a generally vertical outer wall 86 and a lower wall 88 inclined downwardly and inwardly, receives the fabric conditioner ejected from the inner chamber by centrifugal force during a spin cycle. The lower end of the holding chamber is provided with an aperture 90 which opens into the dilution chamber 66 to allow fabric conditioner contained in the holding chamber during a spin cycle to fall by gravitational force into the dilution chamber upon the cessation of the spin cycle.

The dilution chamber has included therein an inlet portion 92 located in an inner, upright wall 94 of the dispenser, and an outlet portion 96 located in an outer, upright wall 98 of the dispenser. These ports serve, respectively, to receive water supplied from the annular passage 39 of the agitator post 30, and to dispense a water-diluted admixture of either the fabric conditioner or the oxidizing agent into the basket 25.

Finally, a plurality of fins, one of which is shown at 100, are located within the holding chamber and extend downwardly from that chamber into the dilution chamber to a point below that of outlet port 96. These fins serve to forcefully propel a water-diluted admixture into the holding chamber during a rinse cycle for the purpose of cleansing any remaining fabric conditioner left in that chamber.

The steps in an operative cycle utilizing dispenser of the subject invention will now be considered. Referring again to the drawings, prior to initiating operation of the machine, proper amounts of a cleaning agent, an oxidizing agent, and a fabric conditioner are introuduced into openings 60, 62, and 59 respectively of the subject dispenser. The cleaning agent falls through passageway 64 of the dispenser onto the perforate lower wall 54 of the filter pan 50 below. The oxidizing agent collects in the dilution chamber to a level even with the top of the fill-level indicator button 68 mounted on the bottom wall 70 of that chamber. The fabric conditioner introuduced through opening 59 collects in the inner chamber 76 where it is held until the first spin cycle of the machine.

Upon initiation of a wash cycle, water is pumped through the agitator post 30 as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 of the drawings. This water builds up inside the annular passage 39 of the post until finally, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, it overlfows openings 40 and starts to fill space 72. Then, since the circumferential lip 56 supporting the dispenser does not form a watertight seal with the filter pan upon which it rests, water passes under the lip and begins washing the cleaning agent through the holes 104 of the filter pan and into the basket 25 of the machine. This action actually serves to aid the primary source of water for washing out the cleaning agent, this primary source being water overflowing port 106 as the water level continues to rise in space 72 of the dispenser.

At some time prior to the water level reaching port 106 as it rises in space 72, the level reaches port 92 communicating with the dilution chamber 66 holding the oxidizing agent and overflows this port into the dilution chamber where it admixes with and dilutes the oxidizing agent contained therein. As this additive is diluted by the incoming water, the level of this admixture continues to rise until it reaches outlet port 96 in the outer wall of the chamber. Since this port is lower than the water level eventually reached in space 72, although preferably higher than inlet port 92, the diluted admixture starts overflowing the dilution chamber and into the basket 25. The period of time that elapses between that point in time when the water starts flowing into the port 92 and that point in time when the diluted oxidizing agent overflows port 96 into the basket is determined by the size of the intake port 92. Satisfactory results were achieved by selecting this port size so as to effect a one and one-half minute time delay before the admixture was added to the basket. During the remainder of the wash cycle, wash water is continuously pumped up through the agitator post and into space 72. The water in this space continues to overflow port 92 into dilution chamber 66 and out port 96 of that chamber, thereby maintaining a constant level of recirculated wash water in space 72.

During the entire wash cycle, the fabric conditioner deposited in opening 59 is contained within inner chamber 76. At the end of a wash cycle, the pump and agitator cease to operate and the machine assumes a pause state. Then, because of the imperfect seal between the circumferential lip 56 of the dispenser and the filter pan 50, the water in dilution chamber 66 recedes to the level of port 92. Thereafter, a spin cycle commences. Since the dispenser then moves with the agitator, and since a resisting force resulting from the frictional engagement existing between the dispenser and the filter pan insures that the dispenser moves with the pan, the spin motion of the agitator causes a centrifugal force to build up in the dispenser. This force causes two results. First, the remaining admixture in dilution chamber 66 is spun out through port 96, which completely empties that chamber during a spin cycle. And, secondly, the fabric conditioner stored in inner chamber 76 is thrown by centrifugal force through opening 82 into the holding chamber 84 of the dispenser. Under the continuing influence of centrifugal force, this additive collects along the outer wall 86 and lower wall 88 of this chamber where it is held until the spin cycle is completed. At that time another pause state occurs and the fabric conditioner in this chamber, influenced now by gravitational force, flows downwardly through opening 90 and into the dilution chamber 66 of the dispenser. Thus, this same chamber 66 is utilized not only for diluting the oxidizing agent but also for diluting the fabric conditioner.

Subsequently, a rinse cycle commences. Water is pumped up through the agitator post 30, out the openings 40 and into space 72 where the water level again starts to rise. Upon reaching the level of port 92, water begins flowing into the dilution chamber thereby diluting the fabric conditioner contained therein. As in the above-described oxidizing agent dilution operation, the level of this admixture begins to rise in the dilution chamber. The rising admixture overflows port 96 located in the outer wall of that chamber, thereby allowing the diluted fabric conditioner to be transmitted into the basket 25 of the machine.

As in a wash cycle, the water level in space 72 also remains even with port 106, located above that of outlet port 96 of the dilution chamber. Thus, the fins 100, which extend from the inclined bottom wall of the holding chamber into the dilution chamber, reach below the level of water-diluted fabric conditioner contained therein. Consequently, during movement of the agitator this diluted admixture is picked up and splashed by the fins into the holding chamber and removes the sticky fabric conditioner therefrom.

Upon completion of the rinse cycle, another pause state occurs during which time water splashed into the holding chamber flows back into the dilution chamber by gravitational force. The spin cycle which follows causes any admixture in the dilution chamber to be spun out through its port 96, thereby leaving the dispenser clean and ready for the next operative cycle.

Thus, by the above-described novel dispensing apparatus, it is clear than an operator can be freed of what was heretofore the necessary step of adding either an oxidizing agent or a fabric conditioner to the machine after an operative cycle has commenced. By this invention, the operator may introduce an oxidizing agent and a fabric conditioner along with a cleaning agent into prescribed chambers in the dispenser piror to the start of an operative cycle. Then, as the machine progresses through its various wash, spin, and rinse cycles, the above-mentioned additives are timely dispensed from their chamber, diluted as necessary, and added to the water contained in the basket. Moreover, the dispenser is automatically cleaned and, upon completion of an operative cycle, it is ready for the next operative cycle.

While there is shown and described specific embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular constructions shown and described, and it is inteneded by the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a washing machine including a basket and an agitator, and arranged to provide spaced wash, spin and rinse cycle, a dispenser for dispensing first and second additives into the basket, said dispenser being mounted for movement with said agitator and comprising:

a. a body member includig a dilution chamber for receiving a first additive, said dilution chamber having a first port for receiving a liquid during a wash cycle to dilute said first additive placed therein, said dilution chamber having a second port for discharging the diluted first additive from said chamber,

b. said diluted first additive being at least partially discharged through said second port during said wash cycle, said diluted first additive being fully discharged from said dilution chamber by centrifugal force resulting from spinning movement of the agitator during a first spin cycle to fully empty said dilution chamber,

c. said body member including an inner chamber for receiving said second additive, a holding chamber disposed outwardly of said inner chamber and communicating therewith, said second additive being discharged from said inner chamber into said holding chamber by said centrifugal force during said first spin cycle, said second additive falling by gravity into said dilution chamber at the end of said spin cycle,

d. said dilution chamber receiving a liquid through said first port during a rinse cycle to dilute said second additive contained therein, said diluted second additive being at least partially discharged through said second port of said dilution chamber during said rinse cycle, said diluted second additive being fully discharged by said centrifugal force from said dilution chamber during a second spin cycle to fully empty said dilution chamber, and

e. means extending into said dilution chamber for expelling liquid from the dilution chamber into said holding chamber during a rinse cycle to completely flush said second additive from said holding chamber.

2. A dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein said agitator includes a hollow center post, and pumping means for recirculating said liquid from said basket through said post to said first port for diluting said first and second additives.

3. In a washing machine including a basket and an agitator, and arranged to provide spaced wash, spin and rinse cycles, a dispenser for dispensing first and second additives into the basket, said dispenser being mounted for movement with said agitator and comprising:

a. a body member including a dilution chamber for receiving a first additive, said dilution chamber having a first port for receiving a liquid during a wash cycle to dilute said first additive placed therein, said dilution chamber having a second port for discharging the diluted first additive from said chamber,

b. said diluted first additive being at least partially discharged through said second port during said wash cycle, said diluted first additive being fully discharged from said dilution chamber by centrifugal force resulting from spinning movement of the agitator during a first spin cycle to fully empty said dilution chamber,

c. said body member including an inner chamber for rceiving said second additive, a holding chamber disposed outwardly of said inner chamber and communicating therewith, said second additive being discharged from said inner chamber into said holding chamber by said centrifugal force during said first spin cycle, said second additive falling by gravity into said dilution chamber at the end of said spin cycle,

d. said dilution chamber receiving a liquid through said first port during a rinse cycle to dilute said second additive contained therein, said diluted second additive being at least partially discharged through said second port of said dilution chamber during said rinse cycle, said diluted second additive being fully discharged by said centrifugal force from said dilution chamber during a second spin cycle to fully empty said dilution chamber,

e. a filter pan mounted on said agitator, said body member being supported by said filter pan, said body member and said filter pan having frictionally engaging surfaces whereby said body member moves with said filter pan and said agitator.

4. A dispenser as recited in claim 3 and further including a coating on one of said engaging surfaces for controlling the friction therebetween.

5. A dispenser as recited in claim 1 wherein said inner chamber is disposed in the central upper portion of said body member, said holding chamber is disposed radially outward of said inner chamber, and said diltution chamber is disposed in the lower portion of said body member and below said holding member.