Automatic laundry aid dispenser for washing machine
US6434977B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F39/028
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A laundry aid dispenser for a washing machine allows simple introduction of laundry aids into cups whose volumes are visible to the user and held within the console of the washing machine. A vertically oriented valve and flush chamber arrangement allows for the removal of the cups and the dispensing of viscous laundry aids such as fabric softener with reduced accumulation and buildup. The configuration also allows easy access to critical channels and parts of the dispenser as well as flexible electronic control of the dispensing times. Color-coding, keying and other indicia simplify the consumer's identification of the proper laundry aid for each cup.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.