Treating agent dispensing apparatus for a washing appliance
First Claim
1. Dispensing apparatus for dispensing treating agents into the wash chamber of an automatic washing appliance having sequence control means for controlling the sequence of operation of the appliance, said dispensing apparatus comprising:
- dispensing means to store and dispense a treating agent;
said dispensing means including a dispensing member adapted to move between a closed position storing the treating agent and an open position enabling dispensing of the treating agent;
a motor and a drive shaft adapted for rotation by said motor;
driving gear means comprising a plurality of driving gear teeth, said driving gear means being coupled to said drive shaft for rotation therewith;
dispensing gear means comprising a plurality of dispensing gear teeth, said dispensing gear means being coupled to said dispensing member for movement of said dispensing member therewith;
biasing means for biasing said dispensing member toward its open position, said biasing means being operative to urge said dispensing gear teeth into engagement with said driving gear teeth;
said driving gear teeth being arranged to successively engage corresponding ones of said dispensing gear teeth as said drive shaft rotates;
thereby permitting said biasing means to move said dispensing member toward its open position at a rate determined by the rate of rotation of said drive shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Motor controlled dispenser apparatus for a washing appliance includes a first dispenser for storing and dispensing a first treating agent having a dispensing member movable between a closed position in which the interior of the dispenser is sealed and an open position in which the interior of the dispenser is exposed to enable the dispensing of a first treating agent; a second dispenser for storing and dispensing a second treating agent; a dispenser actuating member movable between a rest position, a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position; and a gear assembly coupling the dispenser actuating member to a motor-driven shaft, for controlling the rate of movement of the dispenser actuating member in accordance with the rate of rotation of the shaft. The dispensing member is coupled to the dispenser actuating member for movement therewith. The rate of movement of the dispensing member from its closed to its open position being determined by the rate of rotation of the motor-driven shaft. The dispenser actuating member in moving from its first to its second dispensing position places the second dispenser in condition for dispensing the second treating agent. The dispenser actuating member is returned to its rest position by user movement of the dispensing member to its closed position.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. Dispensing apparatus for dispensing treating agents into the wash chamber of an automatic washing appliance having sequence control means for controlling the sequence of operation of the appliance, said dispensing apparatus comprising:
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dispensing means to store and dispense a treating agent; said dispensing means including a dispensing member adapted to move between a closed position storing the treating agent and an open position enabling dispensing of the treating agent; a motor and a drive shaft adapted for rotation by said motor; driving gear means comprising a plurality of driving gear teeth, said driving gear means being coupled to said drive shaft for rotation therewith; dispensing gear means comprising a plurality of dispensing gear teeth, said dispensing gear means being coupled to said dispensing member for movement of said dispensing member therewith; biasing means for biasing said dispensing member toward its open position, said biasing means being operative to urge said dispensing gear teeth into engagement with said driving gear teeth; said driving gear teeth being arranged to successively engage corresponding ones of said dispensing gear teeth as said drive shaft rotates;
thereby permitting said biasing means to move said dispensing member toward its open position at a rate determined by the rate of rotation of said drive shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification