Automatic dispensing device
First Claim
1. A device for dispensing materials into a washing machine, said washing machine including a wash tub and including a wash water supply, said device comprising:
- reservoir means for storing quantities of said materials to be dispensed and for dispensing said materials utilizing only the force of gravity, said reservoir means being of a size sufficient to hold enough of said materials for one or more washloads;
adjustable-volume mixing chamber means for containing a predetermined amount of said material dispensed from said reservoir means and for mixing said predetermined amount of said dispensed material with wash water; and
routing means for routing materials from said reservoir means to said mixing chamber means and for routing wash water mixed with said materials from said mixing chamber means to the wash tub of said washing machine, said routing means comprising a solenoid actuated valve system and a plurality of valves and passageways, said solenoid actuated valve system controlling the flow of said wash water and said materials through said device by controlling the opening and closing of said plurality of valves.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to gravity based dispensers for washing machines that incorporate at least one storage reservoir and at least one dispersement chamber, wherein the dispersement chamber is adjusted by a user to regulate the amount of a liquid or granular material that is dispensed by the device. The device is controllable to allow a predetermined amount of the stored material to be dispensed into the dispersement chamber. The material is then flushed or dispersed from the chamber by the introduction of a fluid that is under pressure into the dispersement chamber.
136 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for dispensing materials into a washing machine, said washing machine including a wash tub and including a wash water supply, said device comprising:
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reservoir means for storing quantities of said materials to be dispensed and for dispensing said materials utilizing only the force of gravity, said reservoir means being of a size sufficient to hold enough of said materials for one or more washloads; adjustable-volume mixing chamber means for containing a predetermined amount of said material dispensed from said reservoir means and for mixing said predetermined amount of said dispensed material with wash water; and routing means for routing materials from said reservoir means to said mixing chamber means and for routing wash water mixed with said materials from said mixing chamber means to the wash tub of said washing machine, said routing means comprising a solenoid actuated valve system and a plurality of valves and passageways, said solenoid actuated valve system controlling the flow of said wash water and said materials through said device by controlling the opening and closing of said plurality of valves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for dispensing materials into a container, said materials being mixed with a flushing fluid prior to being dispensed into said container, said device comprising:
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reservoir means for storing quantities of said materials to be dispensed; mixing chamber means for containing a predetermined amount of said material dispensed from said reservoir means and for mixing said predetermined amount of said dispensed material with said flushing fluid, said mixing chamber being adjustable in size to control the amount of said material contained therein; and routing means for routing materials from said reservoir means to said mixing chamber means and for routing said flushing fluid mixed with said materials from said mixing chamber means to said container. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification