IP Library Granted Patent US 10,731,285
Granted Patent B2
US 10,731,285 · App. 15/958,090 · Granted Aug 4, 2020

Bulk dispenser for a laundry treating appliance

Inventors: Fernanda K. Pieretti (Rio Claro, BR); Bruno T. Ramasco (Stevensville, MI)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
D06F39/024D06F23/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,731,285
App. No.
15/958,090
Granted
Aug 4, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A laundry treating appliance includes a treating chamber, an agitator rotatably mounted in the treating chamber and having a skirt and a hollow shaft extending upwardly from the skirt, and a bulk dispenser located within the hollow shaft. The bulk dispenser includes a tubular tank with a rotatable actuator on one end, a dispenser on the other end, and a shaft passing through the tubular tank and connecting the rotatable actuator to the dispenser. Rotating of the actuator, effects a rotation of the shaft, which effects a dispensing of the treating chemistry from the tubular tank via the dispenser.

Claims (13)

1. A laundry treating appliance comprising:

a treating chamber;

an agitator rotatably mounted in the treating chamber and having a skirt and a hollow shaft extending upwardly from the skirt; and

a bulk dispenser located within the hollow shaft comprising a tubular tank with a rotatable actuator on one end, a dispenser assembly on the other end, and a shaft passing through the tubular tank and connecting the rotatable actuator to the dispenser assembly;

wherein the dispenser assembly comprises a first dispenser plate positioned on one end of the tubular tank and comprising a plurality of openings and a plurality of seals, the dispenser assembly also comprises a second dispenser plate positioned above the first plate and comprises an outlet having a shape complimentary to the plurality of seals;

each of the plurality of seals comprises a raised portion projecting from the first plate and is configured to be received in the outlet of the second plate;

the dispenser assembly further comprising a biasing member for biasing one of the plurality of seals on the first plate against the outlet on the second plate for forming a liquid-tight seal;

wherein rotating of the actuator effects a rotation of the shaft, which effects one of a dispensing of a treating chemistry from the tubular tank via the outlet and sealing of the outlet with a liquid-tight seal between the first and second dispenser plates.

2. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the first plate moves relative to the second plate.

3. The laundry treating appliance of claim 2 , wherein the first plate is coupled to the actuator.

4. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of seals and plurality of openings alternate around the first plate.

5. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the bulk dispenser is actuated by a motor in communication with the actuator.

6. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the seals comprise one of a rubber and polymeric material.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2018
From: PIERETTI, FERNANDA K.; RAMASCO, BRUNO T.
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045596/0470 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62520146 · Jun 15, 2017
Related Publication 20180363215A1 · Dec 20, 2018
Cited By (2)
US 12,331,451 US 12,410,550