Methods and systems for water delivery in an additive dispenser

• US 8,327,672 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Hill, Chris H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KO, JASON Y
• Application Number:
  US11/962,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20090158782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 68/17.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2713 Siphons

Abstract

A washing apparatus such as an automatic laundry washing machine includes a wash agent dispenser drawer including an additive compartment for storing various additives such as detergent, bleach and fabric softener. One or more water inflow tubes may extend downwardly into the additive compartment and may be configured to deliver water for diluting the additives contained in the compartment. The inflow tubes are of sufficient length to reach a sub-surface portion of additive held in the compartment. Water may simultaneously be delivered to the surface of the additive. Furthermore, inflow tubes have their outlets positioned adjacent to the base(s) of one or more siphon post/cap assemblies located in the additive compartments, such that a churning effect is produced from the injection of water through the tubes and the siphoning action of the siphon post, whereby mixing is enhanced and additive buildup may be avoided and/or removed.

Claims

1. An additive flow apparatus comprising:

a siphon cap configured to fit over a siphon post; and

at least one water inflow tube configured to deliver water into an additive compartment, wherein the siphon cap and the at least one water inflow tube are integrally formed as a single piece,

wherein, when the siphon cap is assembled with the siphon post, the at least one water inflow tube extends downwardly and substantially to a floor region of the additive compartment and, and

wherein an outlet of the at least one water inflow tube is located immediately adjacent to a base of said siphon post and wherein the outlet of the at least one water inflow tube is smaller in size than an end inlet of the siphon cap, such that water exits from the outlet and reaches the base of said siphon post with the effect of dislodging material built-up around the base of said siphon post.

2. The additive flow apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cup forming the additive compartment, wherein the additive compartment includes the siphon post and wherein the siphon cap is configured to fit over the siphon post so as to form a siphon post/cap assembly.

3. The additive flow apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outlet of the at least one water inflow tube is angled on one side and includes an angled cut-away on an opposite side relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one water inflow tube, so as to direct the inflow of water toward the base of the siphon post/cap assembly.

4. The additive flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one water inflow tube extends substantially parallel to the siphon cap.

5. The additive flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one water inflow tube extends downwardly to or below the level of the bottom of the siphon cap.

6. The additive flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water inflow tube tapers along its length.

7. The additive flow apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a member positioned in said at least one water inflow tube adjacent an outlet thereof, for directing water to flow radially outwardly from said outlet.

8. The additive flow apparatus of claim 3, wherein the outlet of the at least one water inflow tube includes an angled first side and an angled cut-away on a second side facing the siphon cap.

9. The additive flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one water inflow tube is cylindrically shaped.

10. The additive flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein a floor of the additive compartment includes a recessed region below the at least one water inflow tube and the siphon cap, wherein the siphon post extends upwardly from the recessed region.

11. An additive flow apparatus comprising:

a siphon cap configured to fit over a siphon post; and

at least one water inflow tube configured to deliver water into an additive compartment, wherein the siphon cap and the at least one water inflow tube are integrally formed as a single piece,

wherein, when the siphon cap is assembled with the siphon post, the at least one water inflow tube extends downwardly and substantially to a floor region of the additive compartment,

wherein a floor of the additive compartment includes a recessed floor surface below the at least one water inflow tube and the siphon cap, wherein the siphon post extends upwardly from the recessed floor surface, and

wherein the at least one water inflow tube extends below a non-recessed floor surface of the additive compartment floor without contacting the additive compartment floor.

12. The additive flow apparatus of claim 11, wherein the additive compartment floor further includes a sloped region connecting the recessed floor surface to the non-recessed floor surface.

13. An additive flow apparatus comprising:

a siphon cap configured to fit over a siphon post; and

first and second water inflow tubes configured to deliver water into an additive compartment, wherein the siphon cap and the first and second water inflow tubes are integrally formed as a single piece,

wherein, when the siphon cap is assembled with the siphon post, the first and second water inflow tubes extend downwardly and substantially to a floor region of the additive compartment and an outlet of each of the first and second water inflow tubes is located adjacent to a base of said siphon post such that water exits from the outlet and reaches the base of said siphon post with the effect of dislodging material built-up around the base of said siphon post, and

wherein the first water inflow tube is positioned on a first side of the siphon cap and the second water inflow tube is positioned on a second side of the siphon cap.

14. The additive flow apparatus of claim 13, wherein a floor of the additive compartment includes a recessed region below the first and second water inflow tubes and the siphon cap, wherein the siphon post extends from the recessed region.