Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02056969 1999-04-27
CENTRIFUGAL SOFTENER SPRAY DISPENSER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention is directed to additive dispensers in washing machines,
and more specifically to centrifugally-actuated agitator-mounted wash additive
dispenser for use in an automatic clothes washer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a conventional agitator-mounted wash additive dispenser, the timing
of fabric softener dispensing is determined by operation of the agitator.
Dispensers are often provided with one or more chambers (or stages) so that
fabric softener is transferred from an inner chamber to an outer chamber as a
result of acceleration and deceleration of the agitator during a spin cycle.
In
such dispensers, fabric softener is dispensed by gravity flow into the tub
during
a deep fill portion of the rinse cycle.
However, so-called "high performance" washing machines have been
developed in which there is no deep fill rinse. Such washers are exemplified
by U.S. Patent No. 4,784,666, assigned to the assignee of the present
application. This patent discloses a high performance washing process.for
vertical axis automatic washers which includes the recirculation of wash fluid
through a spinning wash load prior to agitation. In place of a deep fill
rinse, a wash basket is spun at high speed such that the wash load is
centrifugally displaced against the basket. During spinning, the wash load
is sprayed with recirculated spray rinses, flush spray rinses, or both. Since
there is no deep fill rinse cycle, conventional rinse additive or fabric
softener dispensers are unsuitable for use with high performance washing
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machines where flush spray rinses are utilized. Furthermore, conventional
dispensers
are designed to discharge their contents in one dispensing sequence. Due to
the
wash methods employed in the high performance washer, it may be desirable to
affect
two or more applications of fabric softener, in order to give a more uniform
coverage
of the clothes load.
SlltVIMARY taF TiiE_INVENT!~N
The present invention provides a dispenser that is agitator-mounted, thus
avoiding the necessity of reducing washer basket capac'~ty by locating the
dispenser
elsewhere. The dispenser of the present invention does not require moving
parts, and
may be controlled entirely in response to forces produced by normal action of
the
washer, without the need for external controls. Thus, the dispenser of the
present
invention is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, while providing excellent
predicted
reliability.
The dispenser of the present invention does not prematurely empty its contents
into the wash basket, and does not require a deep fill operation. The present
invention
allows the wash load to be sprayed evenly with wash additive. The present
invention
provides a dispenser for use in an automatic washer having an agitator
disposed in the
tub, and a drive mechanism for selectively rotating the agitator at a first
angular speed,
and a second, greater angular speed. The dispenser is mounted on the agitator,
and
includes first passages far permitting liquid flow from the dispenser into the
tub when
the agitator is rotated at least as fast as the first angular speed, and
second passages
for permitting liquid flow from the dispenser into the tub when the agitator
is rotated at
least as fast as the second angular speed. In an illustrative embodiment, the
dispenser includes a frustoconical portion having a side wall diverging
upwardly from a
bottom wall to an upper end of the frustoconical portion, with the bottom wall
being
secured to the agitator. The dispenser also includes a radially outwardly-
extending
toroidal portion disposed at the upper end of the frustoconical portion. The
first
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PA-5506-0-AV~I-USA
passages are formed in the frustoconical portion, and the second passages are
formed in the toroidal portion.
The dispenser includes a receiving cup capable of receiving and containing a
predetermined quantity of additive. The receiving cup is connected to the
agitator far
rotation therewith. A dispensing cup is secured to receive additive from the
receiving
cup, and is also connected to the agitator for rotation therewith. Rotation of
the
dispenser during a first spin cycle of the automatic washer initiates transfer
of wash
additive from the receiving cup into the dispensing cup, and rotation of the
dispenser
during a second spin cycle of the automatic washer causes the wash additive to
be
centrifugally dispensed into the tub from the dispensing cup.
At least one holding member is disposed between the receiving cup and the
dispensing cup, wherein rotation of the dispenser during the first spin cycle
causes the
wash additive to be transferred from the receiving cup into the holding
member.
Slowing of the rotation of the dispenser during the first spin cycle initiates
flow of the
wash additive from the holding member into the dispensing cup.
The receiving cup, the holding member, and the dispensing cup each have a
respective predetermined capacity for receiving fluid to be dispensed. In one
embodiment, the respective capacities of the receiving cup, the holding
member, and
the dispensing cup are substantially equal to one another. This embodiment
provides
a single-stage dispensing of wash additive. In another embodiment, the
respective
capacities of the receiving cup and the holding member are substantially
greater than
the predetermined capacity of the dispensing cup. This second embodiment
provides
a multiple-stage dispensing of wash additive into the tub.
The holding member includes a downwardly-directed aperture for permitting
gravity-induced flow of wash additive from the holding member into the
dispensing
cup.
A cover member may be provided including a surface for securing the cover
member to the holding member, and a web arrangement for securing cover member
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PA-506-0-AW-iJSA
to the receiving cup. A vane arrangement may be provided between the holding
member and the dispensing cup for maintaining the holding member in a
predetermined relative radial position with respect to the dispensing cup.
Projections
may be provided between the holding member and the dispensing cup for
maintaining
the holding member in a predetermined relative axial position with respect to
the
dispensing cup.
The agitator may include a plurality of agitator vanes disposed on the outer
surface of the agitator, which extend axially along an outer surface of the
dispensing
cup.
The present invention also provides a method of dispensing wash additive fluid
from a dispenser. The method includes the steps of retaining wash additive
fluid in the
dispenser during agitation, and centrifugally dispensing wash additive fluid
into the tub
from dispensing passages in the dispenser wall during at least one spin cycle.
The method may also include the sub-steps of centrifugally dispensing a first
portion of wash additive fluid into the tub during a first spin cycle, and
centrifugally
dispensing a second portion of wash additive into the tub during a second spin
cycle.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon
reference to the accompanying description when taken in conjunction with the
following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view, partially cut away, of a washer
embodying
the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a sections! view of a dispenser embodying the present
invention in conjunction with a v~ash basket, wash tub, and agitator assembly.
FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed sectional view of a dispenser embodying the
present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a top view of a dispenser embodying the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 2.
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FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along Sine VI-VI of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate an operational embodiment of the present
invention.
FIGS. 11 through 16 illustrate another operational embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE~REIFEF3RED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a washing machine of
the automatic type, i.e., a machine having a presettable sequential control
mechanism
for operating a washer through a pre-selected program of automatic washing,
rinsing,
and drying operations in which the present invention may be embodied. The
machine
10 includes a frame 12 carrying vertical panels 14 forming the sides 14a, top
14b, front
14c, and back 14d of a cabinet 15 for the washing machine 10. A hinged lid 16
is
provided in the usual manner to provide access to the interior or treatment
zone 17 of
the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 has a console 18 including a
control panel 20, upon which timer controls, temperature selectors, and other
selectors, as desired, may be mounted.
The treatment zone 17 of the washing machine 10 is contained within an
imperforate fluid containing tub 22 within which is mounted a perforate spin
basket 24
and a vertically disposed agitator 26. Vllater supply and machine drive
mechanisms
are disposed in the area 28 generally below the tub 22.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in detail a wash additive dispenser 30 mounted atop
the
agitator 26 for rotation therewith. The dispenser 30 includes a cover member
32, a
receiving cup 34, a holding member 36, and a dispensing cup 38.
The cover member 32 has a top opening 40 including a funnel member 42,
through which liquid wash additive may be introduced to the dispenser 30. In
the
illustrated embodiment, the cover 32 is secured to the receiving cup 34 via a
plurality
of radial webs 44. A facing surface 46 of the cover member 32 is secured to
the
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PA-5806-0-AW-USA
holding member 36 for example, by spin-welding), thus securing both the cover
32
and the receiving cup 34 to the holding member 36.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 32, the receiving cup 34, and the
holding member 36 are secured, as a unit, to the dispensing cup 38. The
dispensing
cup 38 includes a lower frustoconical portion 48 and an upper, preferably, but
not
necessarily, toroidal portion 50. As can be seen in FIG. 6, a plurality of
slots 52 are
provided in an upper wall 54 of the dispensing cup 38. The slots 52 are sized
and
positioned so as to permit axial passage of support vanes 56 and mounting
projections 58 formed on the sidewall 60 of the holding member 36.
As can be see in FIG. 5, the support vanes 56 extend between a sidewail 62 of
the dispensing cup 38 and the sidewall 60 of the holding member 36 to maintain
the
holding member in a predetermined relative radial position with respect to the
dispensing cup. Although in the exemplary embodiment the support vanes 56 are
shown as being secured to the holding member 36, it is also contemplated that
similar
support vanes could be formed with the ~frustoconical portion 48 of the
dispensing cup
38. The frustoconical portion 48 of the dispensing cup 38 includes a plurality
of
radially disposed passages 48', and the toroidal portion 50 of the dispensing
cup 38
includes a plurality of passages 50', the operation of which will be described
in detail
below.
The mounting projections 58 interact with the upper wall 54 of the dispensing
cup 38 for maintaining the holding member 36 in a predetermined relative axial
position
with respect to the dispensing cup 38. Once the cover 32, the receiving cup
34, and
the holding member 36 have been secured together as a unit as described above,
the
support vanes 56 and mounting projections 58 are aligned with the slots 52 in
the
upper wall 54 of the dispensing cup 38, and the holding member 36 is inserted
into the
dispensing cup 38 until the support vanes 56 come into contact with the
sidewall 62.
In this position, the mounting projections 58 are inside, but slightly below
the upper
wall 54. When the holding member 36 is then rotated to bring the mounting
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PA-5806-0-ANN-USA
projections 58 out ofi alignment with the slots 52, an interference fit is
created between
the mounting projections 58 and the upper wall 54, thus securing the holding
member
36 in a predetermined relative axial position with respect to the dispensing
cup 38. f~fi
course, it is to be understood that all of the above described securing
arrangements
are merely exemplary, and that any number of alternative arrangements will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser 30 is secured to the agitator
26
of the washing machine 10. In the exemplary embodiment, a bottom wall 64 of
the
dispensing cup 38 is secured to the top of an agitator body 66 by means of a
fastener
68. It is also contemplated that the dispenser 30 could be secured to the
agitator 26
by other suitable methods, such as spin welding or gluing. In washing machines
without agitators, it is contemplated that the dispenser could be mounted on a
rotatable tower structure, or other suitable arrangement, within the wash tub.
The agitator includes a plurality of agitator vanes 70, which are disposed on
the
outer surface of the agitator body 66, and extend axially along the outer
surface of the
sidewall 62 of the dispensing cup 38.
FIGS. 7 through 10 schematically illustrate the operation of a first
embodiment of
the present invention, in which wash additive fluid is retained in the
dispenser during
agitation, and centrifugally dispensed into the tub from the dispensing
passages in the
dispenser wall during one spin cycle. In FIG. 7, a predetermined quantity of
wash
additive fluid 72 has been introduced through the funnel member of the cover,
and is
held in the receiving cup. In this embodiment, each of the receiving cup, the
holding
member, and the dispensing cup has a predetermined capacity for receiving wash
additive fluid, and the respective capacities are substantially equal to one
another.
Centrifugal force generated by rotation of the agitator during a first spin
cycle
causes the contents of the receiving cup to be urged upwardly over an edge 74
ofi the
receiving cup, and to be held along the interior of the sidewall 60 and bottom
wall 78
of the holding member, as sho~nrn in FIG. 8. This centrifugal force abates as
rotation of
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PA-5806-0-AW-USA
the agitator slows towards the end of the first spin cycle, so that the
additive 72 is no
longer held in the position shown in FIG. 8, but falls through an aperture 80
in the
bottom wall 78 of the holding member, and is received in the bottom of the
dispensing
cup. Since the capacities of the receiving cup, the holding member, and the
dispensing cup are substantially equal, all of the wash additive fluid 74 is
held in the
dispensing cup below the bottom wall 78 of the holding member, as shown in
FIG. 9.
During a second spin cycle, centrifugal force generated by rotation of the
agitator urges fluid within the dispensing cup 38 upwardly along the sidewall
of the
frustoconical portion, and up to the toroidal portion, of the dispensing cup
38. As the
dispenser rotates with the agitator, wash additive fluid is urged outwardly
through the
passages 48' and 50'. In some machines, the rotational speed of the agitator
during
the spin cycle is increased incrementally. Thus, once the agitator reaches a
first
rotational speed, wash additive fluid first reaches, and is dispensed from,
the passages
48' in the frustoconical portion of the dispensing cup. Subsequently, as the
rotational
speed of the agitator increases to a second level, wash additive fluid
reaches, and is
dispensed from, the passages 50' in the toroidal portion of the dispensing
cup. As
can be seen in FIG. 10, the toroidal portion of the dispensing cup provides a
greater
capacity for a "column" of wash additive fluid upstream of the dispensing
passages 50',
thus enhancing spraying action through the passages 50'.
FIGS. 11 through 16 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention in which
wash additive fluid is transferred from the receiving cup during a first spin
cycle, a first
portion of wash additive fluid is centrifugally dispensed into the tub from
the dispensing
passages during a second spin cycle, and a second portion of wash additive
fluid is
centrifugally dispensed from the dispensing passages during a third spin
cycle. In this
embodiment, the respective capacities of the receiving cup and the holding
member
are substantially greater than the predetermined capacity of the dispensing
cup. FIGS.
11 and 12 are similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, in that they illustrate transfer of
the wash
additive fluid from the dispensing cup into the holding member during a first
spin cycle.
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However, in this embodiment, after the first spin cycle, the level of wash
additive fluid is
above the bottom wall of the holding member, as shown in FIG. 13. Thus, during
the
second spin cycle, the wash additive fluid is separated into a first portion
82 and a
second portion 84. The first portion 82 is dispensed into the tub during the
second
spin cycle, in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 10,
while the
second portion of wash additive fluid is retained in the holding member. At
the end of
the second spin cycle, when rotational speed of the agitator slows down, the
second
portion 84 of wash additive fluid is transferred by gravity flow through the
aperture in
the bottom of the holding member, and is held in the dispensing cup at a level
below
the bottom wall of the holding member, as shown in FIG. 15. During a third
spin cycle,
as shown in FIG. 16, the second portion 84 of wash additive filuid is
dispensed into the
wash tub through the apertures in the dispensing cup in a manner described
hereinabove with reference to FIG. 10.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific
embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of
the invention
are subject to variation. For example, in a machine having more spin cycles
than
those of the illustrated embodiments, additional receiving cup/holding member
combinations may be provided, so that wash additive would not be dispensed
until the
final spin cycle. Similarly, the capacity of the receiving cup and the holding
member
could be provided so as to even more greatly exceed the capacity of the
receiving
cup, so that the wash additive fluid would be dispensed in three or more
portions.
Accordingly, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made
to the
specific embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope
and
spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible
of
being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ
particularly
from those that have been described in the preceding specification and
description. It
should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent
warranted
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hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope
of my
contribution to the art.
