Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Fluid treatment – Manipulation of liquid
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-10-16
Coe, Philip R. (Department: 1746)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Fluid treatment
Manipulation of liquid
C068S01700R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301734
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a bulk dispensing agitator and method for using same. Specifically it relates to a bulk dispensing agitator for use with a washing machine.
Many automatic washing machines incorporate a dispensing apparatus for dispensing conditioning agents such as fabric softening materials to the tub which contains the fabrics being washed. It is desirable to provide a storage chamber which dispenses the correct metered amount into a bulk dispenser for distribution into the tub of fabrics. It is also desirable to be able to store a sufficient amount in the storage chamber to accommodate several loads of fabrics.
Therefore a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved bulk dispenser for use in combination with a washing machine agitator.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved method for using the bulk dispensing device of the present invention.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a bulk dispensing device which stores a sufficient quantity of conditioner to accommodate several loads of fabrics in the washing machine.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved bulk dispenser which permits the accurate metering of the amount of conditioner dispensed for each load of the washing machine.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved bulk dispenser which permits adjustment of the amount metered for each load of fabric being washed.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved bulk dispenser which can be easily mounted upon or removed from the upper end of an agitator within a conventional washing machine.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved bulk dispenser which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and efficient in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing objects may be achieved by a bulk dispenser adapted for mounting to an agitator of a washing machine. The bulk dispenser comprises a dispenser housing having side walls and a bottom wall forming a dispensing chamber. The side walls form an open upper end in the dispensing chamber.
A storage housing is provided with side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall forming a storage chamber. A dispensing opening is formed in the bottom wall.
A first attachment mechanism attaches the dispensing and storage housings together so that the storage housing is at least partially within the dispensing chamber of the dispenser housing. In that position the dispensing opening is positioned a predetermined distance above the bottom wall of the dispenser housing.
A valve is disposed within the dispensing opening of the dispenser housing and is movable from an open position providing fluid communication through the dispensing opening from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. The valve is also movable to a closed position preventing fluid communication through the dispensing opening from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.
A second attachment mechanism is connected to one of the dispenser and storage housings and is adapted to mount the dispenser and storage housings to the agitator.
According to one feature of the invention, the storage housing provides a substantially airtight closure to the storage chamber whereby when the valve is in its open position a fluid within the storage chamber will pass by gravity through the dispensing opening into the dispensing chamber until the fluid level within the dispensing chamber reaches the dispensing opening. At that point the fluid level stops and fluid will cease passing from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.
According to another feature of the invention, the bulk dispenser includes a plurality of centrifugal openings in its side walls for permitting the fluid to exit the dispensing chamber during rotation of the dispensing chamber about a vertical axis.
According to another feature of the invention the first attachment mechanism adjustably attaches the dispenser and the storage housings together for vertical adjustment of the dispensing opening relative to the bottom wall of the dispenser housing.
According to a further feature of the invention the first attachment mechanism comprises a slot formed in one of the dispenser and storage housings and a pin formed on the other of the dispenser and storage housings. The pin extends within the slot.
According to a further feature of the present invention the second attachment mechanism comprises a skirt having downwardly presented edges sized and shaped to register with and attach to the upper end of the agitator.
According to a further feature of the present invention the bulk dispenser includes a spring biasing the valve to its closed position.
The method of the present invention comprises filling an airtight storage compartment with fluid. Next, the airtight storage chamber, which includes a dispensing opening therein, is mounted at least partially within a dispensing chamber having a bottom wall so that the dispensing opening of the storage chamber is spaced above the bottom wall of the dispensing chamber. A valve is placed within the dispensing opening in a closed position preventing fluid communication through the dispensing opening. The valve is moved from its closed position to an open position permitting fluid to pass from the storage chamber through the dispensing opening to the dispensing chamber whereby the level of the fluid within the dispensing chamber will rise until reaching the dispersing opening and then will stop. The valve is then moved to its closed position after the fluid level within the dispensing chamber reaches the dispensing opening. The final step of the method comprises rotating the agitator about a vertical axis to permit the fluid to exit by centrifugal force from the dispensing chamber through outflow openings in the dispenser chamber.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2979935 (1961-04-01), Oles
patent: 3005330 (1961-10-01), Bochan
patent: 3010304 (1961-11-01), Altorfer
patent: 3027741 (1962-04-01), Bullock et al.
patent: 3085417 (1963-04-01), Oles
patent: 3724242 (1973-04-01), Davis
patent: 5359744 (1994-11-01), Kimball et al.
Dunsbergen Kirk M.
Petrak Daniel G.
Sears Jeffrey L.
Thomas John E.
Coe Philip R.
Maytag Corporation
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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