IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,320,056
Granted Patent B2
US 12,320,056 · App. 18/392,630 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Bulk dispenser for a laundry treating appliance

Inventors: Fernanda K. Pieretti (Rio Claro, BR); Bruno T. Ramasco (Stevensville, MI)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
D06F39/02D06F39/024D06F23/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,320,056
App. No.
18/392,630
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
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. A plurality of projections extend from the shaft for moving a treating chemistry through the hollow shaft.

Claims (19)

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 a first end, a dispenser assembly on a second end, and a shaft passing through the tubular tank and connecting the rotatable actuator to the dispenser assembly;

the dispenser assembly comprising first and second dispenser plates positioned on the second end of the tubular tank, one of the first and second plates comprising at least one opening and at least one seal, the other of the first and second plates comprising an outlet having a shape complimentary to the at least one seal, the at least one seal comprising a raised portion that is configured to be received in the outlet on the other of the first and second plates;

a plurality of projections extending from the shaft for moving a treating chemistry through the hollow shaft;

wherein rotating of the actuator effects a rotation of the plurality of projections, which effects dispensing a predetermined amount of the treating chemistry from the outlet.

2. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections engage an interior surface of the tubular tank.

3. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections are positioned along a length of the shaft.

4. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the at least one seal is liquid-tight.

5. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings and the at least one seal comprises a plurality of seals.

6. The laundry treating appliance of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of openings and the plurality of seals are alternately positioned about one of the first and second plates.

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

8. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections comprise one of bristles, fingers, and blades.

9. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections are rigid.

10. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections are flexible.

11. The laundry treating appliance of claim 7 , wherein the first plate is coupled to the actuator.

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

13. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 , wherein the at least one seal comprises one of a rubber and polymeric material.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2023
From: PIERETTI, FERNANDA K.; RAMASCO, BRUNO T.
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065933/0043 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17985529 · Nov 11, 2022
Continuation 16926816 · Jul 13, 2020
Division 15958090 · Apr 20, 2018
Provisional Application 62520146 · Jun 15, 2017
Related Publication 20240125035A1 · Apr 18, 2024
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