Detergent dispensing apparatus for washing machine
First Claim
1. Detergent dispensing apparatus for a washing appliance having a wash receptacle for receiving articles to be washed, said apparatus comprising:
- detergent storage means having a bottom wall opening for storing the detergent and for dispensing the detergent through said opening;
a movable slide for closing said opening;
and control means responsive to a preselected level of water in the receptacle for moving said slide to open said wall opening to permit the detergent to be dispensed;
said storage means including a hopper positioned in overlying relationship to said receptacle;
said hopper including a plurality of compartments each having a respective bottom opening;
said slide comprising a bottom slide movable into and out of registration with each of said bottom openings;
and said control means comprising stepping means for sequentially moving said slide out of registration with said bottom openings each time the water level reaches said preselected level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The detergent dispensing apparatus is adapted to be used in a washing appliance of the type having a tub for receiving the articles to be washed. The apparatus comprises a detergent storage hopper having a bottom wall opening whereby the hopper stores the detergent and dispenses the same through the bottom wall opening. The hopper is mounted in overlying relationship to the tub so that the detergent is dispensed into the tub. A slide is movably connected to the hopper and is adapted to be moved into and out of registration with the opening. A control device is provided which moves the slide out of registration with the bottom wall opening at a predetermined point in the cycle of operation of the washing machine to permit the detergent therein to be dispensed into the tub. The hopper is removably connected to the appliance so it can easily be removed for cleaning.
35 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Detergent dispensing apparatus for a washing appliance having a wash receptacle for receiving articles to be washed, said apparatus comprising:
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detergent storage means having a bottom wall opening for storing the detergent and for dispensing the detergent through said opening; a movable slide for closing said opening; and control means responsive to a preselected level of water in the receptacle for moving said slide to open said wall opening to permit the detergent to be dispensed; said storage means including a hopper positioned in overlying relationship to said receptacle; said hopper including a plurality of compartments each having a respective bottom opening; said slide comprising a bottom slide movable into and out of registration with each of said bottom openings; and said control means comprising stepping means for sequentially moving said slide out of registration with said bottom openings each time the water level reaches said preselected level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Detergent dispensing apparatus for a washing appliance having a wash receptacle for receiving articles to be washed, said apparatus comprising:
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detergent storage means having a bottom wall opening for storing the detergent and for dispensing the detergent through said opening; a movable slide for closing said opening; and control means responsive to a preselected level of water in the receptacle for moving said slide to open said wall opening to permit the detergent to be dispensed; said storage means comprising a hopper positioned in overlying relationship to said receptacle; said slide comprising a bottom slide movable into registration with said opening to close said opening, and movable out of registration with said opening to permit detergent to fall therethrough; said control means includes a rack having a plurality of teeth on said slide, a spring for biasing said slide to a position wherein said slide is out of registration with said opening and a pawl engageable with the teeth comprising said rack to maintain said slide in position against the bias of said spring, and moving means responsive to said preselected level of water for moving said pawl out of engagement with said rack, whereby said slide moves out of registration with said bottom opening. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A washing appliance having a receptacle provided with an opening for receiving articles to be washed therethrough;
- detergent dispensing apparatus on said appliance for dispensing detergent into said receptacle;
said apparatus comprising;detergent storage means having at least a bottom opening overlying said receptacle for dispensing detergent received therein through said bottom opening into said receptacle, a slide movable between a first position wherein said slide closes said bottom opening and a second position wherein said slide uncovers said bottom opening; and control means for moving said slide to said second position at a predetermined point in the cycle of operation of said appliance, said detergent storage means comprising a hopper having a plurality of sections, each of said sections having a respective bottom opening, said slide closing all of said bottom openings when in said first position and uncovering respective ones of said bottom openings as said slide is moved to corresponding respective intermediate positions between said first and second positions, said control means including a rack connected to said slide, said rack having a plurality of teeth wherein each tooth is spaced from the next adjacent tooth by a distance corresponding to the distance between adjacent bottom openings of said plurality of sections, and a pawl mounted for pivotal movement, said pawl having a first member pivotable into and out of engagement with said teeth and a second member pivotable into engagement with said rack teeth when said first member is pivoted out of engagement with said rack teeth to limit movement of said slide to one tooth at a time, and sensing means responsive to predetermined points in the cycle of operation of said appliance for pivoting said pawl each time one of said predetermined points in the cycle of operation of said appliance is reached. - View Dependent Claims (12)
- detergent dispensing apparatus on said appliance for dispensing detergent into said receptacle;
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13. A washing appliance having a receptacle provided with an opening for receiving articles to be washed therethrough;
- detergent dispensing apparatus on said appliance for dispensing detergent into said receptacle;
said apparatus comprising;detergent storage means having at least a bottom opening overlying said receptacle for dispensing detergent received therein through said bottom opening into said receptacle; a slide movable between a first position wherein said slide closes said bottom opening and a second position;
wherein said slide uncovers said bottom opening;said detergent storage means comprising a hopper having a plurality of sections, each of said sections having a respective bottom opening, said slide closing all of said bottom openings when in said first position and uncovering respective ones of said bottom openings as said slide is moved to corresponding respective intermediate positions between said first and second positions; and
stepping means for sequentially moving said slide to said intermediate positions each time the water level in said receptacle reaches a preselected level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- detergent dispensing apparatus on said appliance for dispensing detergent into said receptacle;
Specification