Detergent dispensing apparatus of washing machine

• US 20060272359A1
• Filed: 05/30/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kang, Je Nam
• Application Number:
  US11/442,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20060272359A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/17.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

There is provided a detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine. The detergent dispensing apparatus includes a main body of the washing machine, a detergent cartridge separately received in the main body and storing a detergent therein, a detergent outlet formed on the detergent cartridge to define a detergent dispensing passage, and an opening/closing assembly for selectively opening and closing the detergent outlet.

Claims

1. A detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:

a main body of the washing machine;

a detergent cartridge separately received in the main body and storing a detergent therein;

a detergent outlet formed on the detergent cartridge to define a detergent dispensing passage; and

an opening/closing assembly for selectively opening and closing the detergent outlet.

2. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening/closing assembly includes a cap for opening and closing the detergent outlet.

3. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cap is opened and closed by a pressure difference between pressures of interior and exterior sides of the detergent outlet.

4. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening/closing assembly includes a press portion for pressing the cap to selectively open the detergent outlet.

5. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body is provided with a drawer insertion portion in which the cartridge receiving drawer can be inserted and the detergent cartridge is separately received in the cartridge receiving drawer.

6. A detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:

a main body of the washing machine;

a cartridge receiving body formed on the main body;

a detergent cartridge separately received in the cartridge receiving body and storing a detergent therein;

a detergent outlet form on the detergent cartridge to define a detergent dispensing passage; and

a cap for opening/closing the detergent outlet.

7. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cap opens and closes the detergent outlet using an external force.

8. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cap is placed at a front portion of the cartridge receiving body.

9. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cap closes the detergent outlet using an elastic force generated by an elastic member.

10. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the elastic member is placed at a front portion of the cartridge receiving body.

11. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge receiving body is provided with a guide portion for guiding the movement of the cap.

12. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the guide portion is provided with a hole along which the cap is guided.

13. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a sealing member for sealing a space between the cartridge receiving body and the detergent outlet.

14. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge receiving body is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the detergent cartridge therein.

15. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the main body is provided with a drawer insertion portion in which the cartridge receiving drawer can be inserted and the detergent cartridge is separately received in the cartridge receiving drawer.

16. A detergent dispensing apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:

a main body of the washing machine;

a drawer insertion portion formed on the main body;

a cartridge receiving drawer separately inserted in the drawer insertion portion; and

a detergent cartridge separately received the cartridge receiving drawer and storing a detergent therein.

17. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the cartridge receiving drawer is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the detergent cartridge therein.

18. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein corners of the fixing portion is rounded or chamfered.

19. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the detergent cartridge is provided with a detergent outlet.

20. The detergent dispensing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising an opening/closing assembly for opening and closing the detergent outlet.