Liquid dispenser for use with washing machine
First Claim
1. A dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a tub of a washing machine, comprising:
- a container for holding a selected amount of liquid and a quantity of air above the surface of the liquid;
a pump for pumping the liquid out of the container;
control means for turning the pump on for a selected period of time;
a conduit extending from the pump to an opening in the container, wherein a portion of the conduit passes through the air in the container, the conduit having a hole through which air is drawn from the container into the conduit when the pump is shut off; and
a dispensing nozzle assembly for directing the liquid from the opening in the container to the tub of the washing machine.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The device of the invention dispenses a liquid, such as detergent or softener, into a clothes washing machine. The device includes two components: a container and a nozzle assembly. The container holds a quantity of liquid and a vane pump. The pump pumps the liquid through a conduit to the nozzle assembly. An anti-siphon tube is located in a hole in the conduit, within the container, but above the level of the liquid. When the pump is shut off, the anti-siphon tube prevents the creation of a siphon effect within the conduit. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing, a hose from the container to the nozzle housing, and a nozzle to direct the liquid into the tub of the washing machine.
19 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a tub of a washing machine, comprising:
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a container for holding a selected amount of liquid and a quantity of air above the surface of the liquid; a pump for pumping the liquid out of the container; control means for turning the pump on for a selected period of time; a conduit extending from the pump to an opening in the container, wherein a portion of the conduit passes through the air in the container, the conduit having a hole through which air is drawn from the container into the conduit when the pump is shut off; and a dispensing nozzle assembly for directing the liquid from the opening in the container to the tub of the washing machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a tub of a washing machine, comprising:
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a container for holding a selected amount of liquid and a quantity of air above the surface of the liquid; a pump for pumping the liquid out of the container; control means for turning the pump on for a selecting period of time; a conduit extending from the pump to an opening in the container, wherein a portion of the conduit is located in the air above the surface of the liquid, the conduit having a hole through which air is drawn into the conduit when the pump is shut off; an anti-siphon tube inserted into the hole in the conduit, wherein one end of the anti-siphon tube is located within the conduit and the other end is located within the container above the surface of the liquid, and wherein the hole is located on the lower side of the conduit and the anti-siphon tube extends downward from the hole; and a dispensing nozzle assembly for directing the liquid from the opening in the container to the tub of the washing machine.
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5. A dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a tub of a washing machine, comprising:
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a container for holding a selected amount of liquid and a quantity of air above the surface of the liquid; a pump for pumping the liquid out of the container; control means for turning the pump on for a selected period of time; a conduit extending from the pump to an opening in the container, wherein a portion of the conduit passes through the air in the container, the conduit having a hole through which air is drawn from the container into the conduit when the pump is shut off; a nozzle housing attached to the washing machine; a hose for directing the liquid from the opening in the container to the nozzle housing; and a nozzle for directing the liquid from the nozzle housing to the tube of the washing machine. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a tub of a washing machine, comprising:
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a container for holding a selected amount of liquid and a quantity of air above the surface of the liquid; a pump for pumping the liquid out of the container; control means for turning the pump on for a selected period of time; a fitting mounted within an opening in the container above the surface of the liquid; and
having a hole through which air is drawn from the container into the fitting when the pump is shut off;a tube for directing the liquid from the pump to the fitting; a nozzle housing attached to the washing machine; a hose for directing the liquid from the fitting to the nozzle housing; and a nozzle for directing the liquid from the nozzle housing to the tub of the washing machine. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification