Detergent dispensing device
US8221696B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47L15/4445
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine has a cartridge, a selecting mechanism, an operating mechanism, and a thermal element. The cartridge includes a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition. The selecting mechanism selectively exposes each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber. The operating mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating mechanism. The thermal element retains the operating means in the second position and is arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the washing machine during a wash cycle, thereby the thermal element moves or releases the operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is arranged to advance the selecting mechanism to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.