Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Fluid treatment – Manipulation of liquid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-31
2001-12-11
Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1743)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Fluid treatment
Manipulation of liquid
C068S01700R, C068S012180, C068S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327729
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washer lid having a fluid dispenser and a method for using same.
Many devices have been used for dispensing fluids such as liquid detergents into washing machines. Some of these devices have been provided inside the washing machine and some have been provided on the lid for the washing machine. These prior art devices however have been deficient in many respects.
Many of these devices have been small in volume. They also failed to provide a satisfactory means for metering the amount of fluid dispensed, and for permitting the user to determine the amount of fluid left in the dispenser.
Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a fluid dispenser thereon and the method for using same.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a fluid dispenser which will hold a large quantity of fluid for use in many washing loads.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a fluid dispenser which is comprised of two chambers, one of which is a reservoir chamber and the other of which is a dispensing chamber.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid which includes a counter balance for counter balancing the weight of the fluid in the fluid dispenser.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid and method for using same which permits the metering of the amount of fluid to be dispensed.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a dispenser which contains a viewing window therein for observing the quantity of fluid within the dispensing chamber.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a fluid dispenser with a window and a movable marker for marking the level of fluid desired to be dispensed.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid which includes a fluid dispenser and a seal for sealing condensation inside the washer when the lid is closed.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a fluid dispenser with a valve for dispensing fluid from the fluid dispenser.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a fluid dispenser with a removable valve which can be easily removed and cleaned.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved lid having a fluid dispenser which is registered above the washer access opening when the lid is in its open position so that fluid can be dispensed directly into the access opening by gravity.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved lid which recharges the dispensing chamber each time the lid is moved to its closed position.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved lid having a dispenser with a dispensing spout that minimizes dripping.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid which is comprised of a metal lid frame and a plastic housing detachably connected to the metal frame.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved washer lid having a fluid dispenser therein which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, attractive in appearance, and efficient in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing objects may be achieved by a lid for a washing machine having a washing machine cabinet with an upwardly presented access opening therein. The lid includes a lid frame having a front edge, a rear edge, side edges, an upper surface and a lower surface. A hinge is connected to one of the edges of the lid frame for permitting hinged attachment of the lid to the washing machine cabinet for pivotal movement between an open position wherein the upper and lower surfaces are upstanding and a closed position wherein the lid is in covering relation over the access opening. A dispenser housing is carried on the lower surface of the lid frame and forms an enclosed chamber, the chamber having a lowest portion when the lid is in the open position. The dispenser housing includes a dispensing opening located adjacent the lowest portion of the chamber and forming a communication path from within the chamber to outside the chamber. The dispenser housing also includes a fill opening providing communication into the chamber for filling the chamber with a fluid up to a predetermined maximum level. A fill cap is detachably connected to the fill opening. A dispensing valve is mounted in the dispensing opening and is movable from a closed position preventing fluid from leaving the chamber through the dispensing opening to an open position permitting fluid to exit through the dispensing opening when the lid is in its open position.
The chamber may be comprised of a reservoir chamber and a dispensing chamber, with the fill opening being in the reservoir chamber and the dispensing opening being in the dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber includes a charging opening providing fluid communication between the reservoir chamber and the dispensing chamber.
According to one feature of the invention, the charging opening is oriented to prevent fluid flow from the reservoir chamber through the charging opening to the dispensing chamber when the lid is in its open position and to permit fluid flow from the reservoir chamber through the charging opening to the dispensing chamber when the lid is in its closed position.
One feature of the invention includes a reservoir window mounted within the housing to permit observation of the level of fluid within the reservoir chamber.
Another feature of the present invention includes a dispensing window in the dispensing chamber to permit observation of the level of fluid within the dispensing chamber.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a sliding gage or marker member which is mounted to the dispensing window for selective manual movement along the longitudinal axis of the window.
Another feature of the present invention includes a valve which is detachably mounted within the dispensing opening for permitting the removal of the valve for cleaning.
Another feature of the present invention includes a dispensing tube having a spout which is inclined in a plane oblique to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a dispenser housing which is detachably mounted to the lid and which can be removed from the lid.
Another feature of the present invention includes a counter balance assembly mounted to the lid for yieldably urging the lid to its open position against the weight of the fluid within the fluid dispenser.
A method according to the present invention includes the steps of moving the lid about its hinge axis from a closed position wherein the lid is in covering relation over the washing machine access opening to an upstanding position. The valve is then moved from a closed position preventing the fluid from exiting the chamber through a dispensing opening to an open position permitting the fluid to exit the chamber through the dispensing opening. The dispensing opening is located above the access opening of the washer when the lid is in its upright position whereby the fluid exiting from the dispensing opening will fall by gravity into the access opening.
Another feature of the method of the present invention includes moving the fluid from a reservoir chamber to a dispensing chamber through a charging opening in the dispensing chamber. One feature of this method includes charging the dispensing chamber by moving the lid to a predetermined orientation whereby the fluid will pass through the charging opening from the reservoir chamber to the dispensing chamber.
REFERENCES:
patent: 529202 (1894-11-01), Schramm
patent: 1549027 (1925-08-01), Perry
patent: 269988
Dunsbergen Kirk M.
Langel Luann E.
Purtilo Dennis L.
Sears Jeffrey L.
Wunderlich Daniel F.
Maytag Corporation
Stinson Frankie L.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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