Washing machine descaler introduction apparatus

• US 9,492,054 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2014
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frederick Keiner, Patricia Keiner
• Original Assignee: Frederick Keiner, Patricia Keiner
• Inventors: Keiner, Frederick, Keiner, Patricia
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): OSTERHOUT, BENJAMIN LEE
• Application Number:
  US14/504,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20160097148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4231 Constructional details of the salt container or the ion exchanger
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/686 Devices for dosing liquid additives
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/22 Eliminating or preventing deposits, scale removal, scale prevention C02F1/042, C02F1/4602, C02F5/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/12 as part of household appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washing machines or vacuum cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 5/08 Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/007 Arrangements of water softeners

Abstract

A washing machine descaler introduction apparatus for introducing a descaling agent to the water inlets of a conventional washer and dryer at a controlled rate comprises a dispensing bag with an attached dispensing valve assembly and an attachable diverter. In use, the dispensing bag, containing of a descaling agent, is hung from an elevated position above a convention washing machine with the water inlet conduits of the washing machine each connected to one of two outlet tubes of the diverter. Once a hole is opened for ventilation, the valve handle is moved from the closed position, partially or fully opening the valve assembly'"'"'s outlet pipe, thereby enabling the descaling agent to exit the bag and be directed into the hot water inlet conduit and the cold water inlet conduit at a rate that is controlled by how unobstructed the outlet is with respect to the closing member.

Claims

1. A washing machine descaler introduction apparatus for connection to the water inlet conduits of a washing machine, comprising:

a dispensing receptacle adapted to be filled with a descaling agent and having a selectively openable air outlet therein;

a dispensing valve assembly integrated into said dispensing receptacle, wherein said dispensing valve assembly is defined by a selectively closeable outlet pipe having a threaded interior surface; and

a diverter removably attached to said dispensing valve assembly and having a plurality of outlet tubes for connecting to the water inlet conduits of a washing machine, wherein when the air outlet is open and the outlet pipe is not closed, descaling agent in the dispensing receptacle flows through the plurality of outlet tubes for entry into the water inlet conduits.

2. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing receptacle additionally includes a mounting aperture for allowing it to be hung in an elevated position.

3. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a closing member which can be placed over the outlet pipe or moved partially or fully off the outlet pipe.

4. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 3, wherein the closing member is connected to a valve handle that enables it to be moved through the application of manual pressure.

5. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diverter includes a threaded outer base surface and removably attaches to the dispensing valve assembly through the engagement of the outer base surface threads and the interior surface threads.

6. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diverter includes a threaded outer base surface.

7. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diverter includes two outlet tubes.

8. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the outlet tubes include a threaded exterior surface thereon.

9. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the outlet tubes include a threaded exterior surface thereon.

10. A washing machine descaler introduction apparatus for connection to the water inlet conduits of a washing machine, comprising:

a dispensing receptacle adapted to be filled with a descaling agent and having a selectively openable air outlet therein;

a dispensing valve assembly integrated into said dispensing receptacle, wherein said dispensing valve assembly is defined by a selectively closeable outlet pipe;

a diverter removably attached to said dispensing valve assembly and having a plurality of outlet tubes for connecting to the water inlet conduits of a washing machine, wherein when the air outlet is open and the outlet pipe is not closed, descaling agent in the dispensing receptacle flows through the plurality of outlet tubes for entry into the water inlet conduits; and

wherein each of the outlet tubes include a threaded exterior surface thereon.

11. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 10, wherein the diverter includes two outlet tubes.

12. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 10, wherein the dispensing valve assembly is defined by a closeable outlet pipe having a threaded interior surface.

13. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 10, wherein the diverter includes a threaded outer base surface.

14. A washing machine descaler introduction apparatus for connection to the water inlet conduits of a washing machine, comprising:

a dispensing receptacle adapted to be filled with a descaling agent and having a selectively openable air outlet therein;

a dispensing valve assembly integrated into said dispensing receptacle, wherein said dispensing valve assembly is defined by a selectively closeable outlet pipe;

a diverter removably attached to said dispensing valve assembly and having a plurality of outlet tubes for connecting to the water inlet conduits of a washing machine, wherein when the air outlet is open and the outlet pipe is not closed, descaling agent in the dispensing receptacle flows through the plurality of outlet tubes for entry into the water inlet conduits; and

wherein the diverter includes a threaded outer base surface.

15. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 14, wherein the dispensing valve assembly is defined by a closeable outlet pipe having a threaded interior surface.

16. The washing machine descaler introduction apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the outlet tubes include a threaded exterior surface thereon.