US2982120A

US2982120A - Laundering-aid dispensing means for clothes washing machines

Info

Publication number: US2982120A
Application number: US758459A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pelensky Joseph
Original assignee: Philco Ford Corp
Current assignee: Space Systems Loral LLC
Priority date: 1958-09-02
Filing date: 1958-09-02
Publication date: 1961-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1978-05-02

Description

J-PELENSKY May 2, 1961 LAUNDERING-AID DISPENSING MEANS FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 2, 1958 llllllllllllill y .MM R

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J. Pl-:Ll-:NSKY 2,982,120

LAUNDERING-AID DISPENSING MEANS EOE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES May 2, 1961 2 sheets-sheet 2V Filed Sept. 2, 1958 lll INVENToR. 'Jox/OH Pa N5/W HT'ORNEY Patented May 2,` 1961 LAUNDERrNG-AID DISPENSING MEANS Fok CLOTHES wAsHlNG MACHINES Filed sept. z, 195s, ser. No. 758,459

6 claims. (cms-.201)

The present invention relates to zlaundering machines, particularly to clothes washing machines of automatic type in whichclothes are washed and rinsed in water by movement of an agitator withinl a basket, and in which water is extracted from the clothes by rotation of the basket at centrifuging speed. i

. While of broader applicability, the invention has to do with laundering-aid dispensing means adapted particularly for association with automatic washing machines of the mono-directional or Wobbling agitator variety wherein washing and rinsing of the clothes is accomplished by function of an agitator of suitable configurato water in the wash basket is reached in the course of the cyclic operation ofthe machine, said device being constructed and arranged to insure mixing of the water with the material before the latter passes into said basket.

A characteristic feature of the invention resides in the fact that the novel device adapted to contain and distion journalled on an obliquely disposed member which .Y

`forms part of. a rotatable eccentric drivel mechanism.' The agitatoris held against rotation by means of a ilexible sleeve or boot connected to said agitator and to the wash basket, and continuous unidirectional rotation of the eccentric drive Vmechanism imparts wobbling or cyclically recurring tilting motion to the agitator thereby causing the clothes to be brought into 4intimate contact with turbulent streams of water generated by the moving agitator structure.

Apparatus of this general class is disclosed and claimed in the copending applications of George `C. Fields, Serial No. 733,952 liledMay 8, 1958 (now Patent No. 2,902,- 852, issued September 8, 1959),- and Serial No. 702,362 filed December 12, 1957 (now `Patent No. 2,902,851, issued September 8, 1959), each assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Y Y

Automatic washing machines including those of the above-speciiied variety, function first to wash clothes in water contained within the wash basket, then to extract the wash water from the clothes in the basket, thereafter to rinse the clothes in water freshly supplied tothe basket, and finally. to extract the rinse water from the clothes and basket. Better rinsing of the clothes is obtained when a rinsing-agent (for example `a water softening liquid or solution) is added to the rinse water, and it is desirable that the rinsing liquid or solution be automatically introduced into the wash basket, when the latter is filled with water and the machine has started its rinsing operation. v p

Difficulties and problems have been experienced in attempting to provide the mentioned mono-directional or wobbling-agitator type washing machines with means for automatically dispensing rinsing-agent, and it is an object of this invention to overcome these difficulties and problems by providing a simplified device for use with such a machine.

It is a more general object of this invention to provide a laundering-aid dispensing device of compact construction which makes it possible to associate the device with the agitator structure of an automatic washing machine so as not to interfere with access to the Wash basket. Y

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a device adapted to retain laundering-aid material until the properV time for addition of said material pense a liquid rinsing-agent, is also adapted to contain washing-aid either in the form of powder or in the form of liquid, and to dispense the washing-aid when mixed with water from the wash basket.

t A device constructed in accordance with said invention, is further characterized in that no movable element operable in response to spinning of the tub is required to effect transfer of laundering-aid material from one to another portion of the device.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the device of this invention includes a hollow member adapted for association and movement with the'agitator post structure of an automatic Washing machine. A first receptacle occupies an upper portion of said member and is adapted to retain laundering-aid liquid during the washing operation and has means for ejecting said liquid into said member during the extraction operation of the machine. A second receptacle is disposed to receive the ejected laundering-aid liquid as well as water which fills the basket and thus provides for mixing of said liquid with Water for passage into said basket. This second receptacle is constructed and arranged to receive the 1aundering-aid liquid following the termination of the spinning operation which causes said liquid to be transferred from the rst receptacle into a receiving chamber of the mentioned member. The arrangement of this invention further includes a plate-like element which flares outwardly from the agitator post structure and moves therewith. This plate-like element functions during agitation to cause water within the washing basket to circulate in and out of the device through a filter screen constructed and arranged to intercept lint or other foreign material carried lin the circulating water The full nature of the invention and the manner in which its objects and advantages are achieved, will be fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wobble type washing machine embodying the present invention, certain parts being broken away for illustration purposes; Y

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational-sectional view 4of the agitator structure illustrated in Figure 1 and shows the preferred construction of a dispenser device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 3l is a sectional View looking in the general direction of arrows 3a-3 in Figure 2 and drawn on a larger scale; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view, on a still larger scale, of the dispenser device illustrated in Figure 2.

With moreparticular reference to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates those elements of an automatic clothesV washing machine which are necessary for an understanding of the invention. The machine itself is of the known wobble type including an outer cabinet 1) housing a lixed tub 11 which encirclesa rotatable wash basket 12. The basket 12 is of cylindrical configuration having an inwardly extending peripheral Wall portion 13 preventing the escape of the clothes over the top edge of the basket during spinning thereof. As shown, the clothes basket 12 preferably comprises a foraminous inner shell 1.4 backed by a spaced casing 15 which is imperforate except for a row of overflow ports or apertures 16. The shell 14 permits sediment carried by the water to pass into the space between said shell and the casing 15 and to escape the wash/basket without redea positing on the clothes during the extraction'cycle,

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, a wobbling agitator assembly 18 is mounted within the wash basket 12. As more clearly appears in Figure 2, the outer casing 15 of said basket is conveniently provided with a `depressed portion 19 through which a drive shaft 2t) and associated mechanism extend. Thisshaft 20 is coupled through the usual crank mechanism with an agitator shaft extension 21 and with an agitator plate 22. This arrangement, on rotation of the shaft 20, produces oscillatory or gyrating rotation of the shaft extension 21 which in turn imparts a progressive substantially nonrotative wobbling or undulatory motion to the agitator assembly. Rotative movement of the agitator assembly with respect to the casing 15 is prevented by means of a fluid-tight iiexible and resilient diaphragm 23 interconnecting said casing 15- with the agitator base 24, the latter being mounted in any convenient manner. Details of the agitator structure and its driving crank mechanism have not been shown and are not described herein inasmuch as they are items to which no claim of invention is made herein. Reference may be made to the aforesaid copending applications for arrangements which may be adapted for the purposes of the present invention.

Briefly stated, the operation of the machine is as follows. After the basket 12 is filled with water to a level determined by the apertures 16, the agitator structure or assembly 18 is activated with respect to the basket to effect washing of the clothes. At the conclusion of the washing cycle, the basket and agitator are rotated in unison at high speed for the purpose of centrifugally extracting the wash water from the clothes and expelling the water from the basket through the apertures 16. After this extraction, high speed rotation of the basket and agitator ceases, the basket is filled with a fresh supply of water and the agitator structure is again activated in the basket to effect rinsing of the clothes. Finally, following the rinsing cycle, the basket and agitator are once again rotated at high speed for a period of time sufficiently long to extract the rinse water and spin dry the clothes.

In particular accordance with the present invention and as clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the washing machine is provided with a hollow column 25 and with a dispenser device generally indicated at 28. The column 25 is formed with a reentrant portion 26 fitting over the shaft extension 21 to move in unison therewith. The column 25 serves to prevent clothes from covering the agitator assembly proper, thereby smothering the agitating action. The column also serves to house the dispenser device 28.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, this device 28 comprises an elongated tubular member 30 adapted t0 fit within the column 25 so that the reentrant portion 26 of said column passes into said member. The top portion 31 of the member 30 is open, and a first receptacle 32 is snugly received and supported in said top portion to occupy an upper part of said member. The first receptacle 32 is closed by means of a cover 33 having a rim 34, the marginal edge of which rests upon the marginal portion of the mentioned open portion 31 of the member 30.

Another or second receptacle 35 is supported as by means or ribs 36, outwardly of the member 30 and is thereby suspended below said member in alignment with the open bottom portion 37 thereof. The second receptacle 35 is formed with a tubular portion 38 which as best seen in Figure 3, extend laterally from said stem 43 and are adapted for engagement with recesses 45 in the upper marginal edge of said reentrant portion 38. In order to provide for engagement and disengagement of the filter or screen device, the mentioned reentrant portion 38 is formed with channels 46, into and out of which said projections 44 slide.

As seen in Figures-1 and 2, the wall of the column 25 is provided with a series of parallel slots 47 through which water passes into the second receptacle 35 and filter 4f) and out through ports 48 in the bottom of said column. The passage of water into and out of the dispenser device is effected by means of a anged disc or inverted plate 49 which is attached to and depends from the bottom of the column 25 and which, during wobbling motion of the agitator assembly, acts to circulate water from the wash basket through said device.

As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4, the tubular member 30 has an enlarged section which defines a chamber 5f) about the first receptacle 32. This chamber is in communication with the interior of said first receptacle 32 through openings 51 in the wall thereof.

In use, the device 28 is snugly seated within the hollow column on the agitator assembly 18. Before or during filling of the washing basket 12 with water, a measured quantity of washing-aid may be placed in the device. For that purpose the first receptacle 32 is removed and the washing-aid material is poured into the member through the open top 31 thereof. The washing-aid material which may be either in the form of powder or in the form of liquid, runs into the lower second receptacle 35 and is retained therein. Also a measured quantity of liquid rinsing-agent isrpoured into the first receptacle 32, pouring of the rinsing-agent being facilitated by providing its cover 33` with a funnel-shaped opening 52. The basket 12 is filled with water to a level where, at the start of the washing operation, water flows through the slots 47 of the column 25 into the second receptacle 35 and mixes with the washing-aid material therein, the mixture then passing into the basket. Gyratory motion of the device 28 with the agitator assembly causes water to circulate as indicated by the How arrows in Figure 2, the mixture of water and washing-aid being thus caused to circulate with the water through the filter screen 40. In this manner, the filter screen retains improperly dissolved powdered soap or detergent and prevents it from passing into the wash basket.

During the washing operation the liquid-rinsing agent is retained in the first receptacle 32, but following the washing operation, high speed rotation of the device with spinning of the basket and agitator to extract the washing water, causes the liquid to be ejected from said container 32 through the openings 51 and into the chamber 50 where said liquid remains during high speed rotation. When high speed rotation ceases, the rinsing-agent flows into and remains within the second receptacle 35. Rinsing water which fills the tub fiows into `said second receptacle 35 and mixes with the liquid rinsing-agent, the mixture being discharged from said second receptacle into the wash basket as the agitator resumes its wobbling motion for rinsing the clothes in said basket.

Because of the slots 47 in the column 25, water is constantly present within said column during motion of the device so that there is created a pump-like action which causes water to circulate through the filter 40. In this manner the filter effectively serves to remove lint and other foreign matter from the circulating water.

After each use the device can be thoroughly cleaned by removing it from the column 25, and flushing it with clear water. The first receptacle 32 can also be removed for thorough cleaning and the filter screen 40 can be detached from its operative position so that any accumulation of lint and other matter removed from the water can be washed away readily.

From the foregoingv description, it will be appreciated wat..

.assenso l vvv has been shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention embraces such changes and modifications liquid -to the water in said basket, said device comprising Y a hollow post mounted on said extended shaft and disposed to be partially submerged in water within said basket, means for circulating water from said basket through said post,said means including upper'and lower series of openings in said post, an elongated tubular member received within said post, and a pair of receptacles, each having a closed lower portion for retaining said liquid, one of said receptacles being supported within said member at the upper end portion thereof and having a row of circumferentially arranged apertures through which said liquid passes into said member in response to rotation of the basket and agitator assembly, the other of said receptacles depending from the lower end portion of said member to receive said liquid from the latter upon deceleration of the basket and agitator, said other of said receptacles being disposed at a level between said upper and lower series of openings to be liooded `by water passing through said post.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which the mentioned tubular member is provided with an internal chamber, the mentioned apertures of the mentioned one of the receptacles discharging into said chamber.

3.` A device as setforth in claim 1, in which ilter means is detachably carriedby the mentioned member and is disposed within the mentioned post between the mentioned upper and lower series of openings to filter the water passing through said post.

4. In an automatic clothes washing machine wherein a water extracting operation is followed by a clothes rinsing operation, the combination of a wash basket adapted to spin for water extracting operation and adapted 6 to be lled with water to a predetermined level for clothes rinsing operation, an agitator assembly mounted within said basket and including a shaft extension projectin'g upwardly in said basket, said assembly being adapted to rotate with said basket during said extracting. operation and to move with respect to said basket during said Arinsing operation, a hollow rvpost mounted on said extension and disposed to be partially submerged in the water within said basket, means for circulating water from said basket through said post, an elongated tubular member received within said post, a rst receptacle suspended within an upper portion of said member, said first receptacle having -a closed lower portion -to retain rinsing-agent liquid and having means for passing said liquid into said member in response to rotation of said basket and agitator assembly, a second receptacle carried by said member and suspended below the lower portion of said member to receive the liquid rinsing-agent from the latter at the termination of said extracting operation, said second receptacle also having a closed lower portion to retain said liquid and being disposed at a level to be flooded by the water passing through said post.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4, in which ports are provided in wall portions of the mentioned hollow post, and an outwardly flaring disc is carried by said post to effect circulation of water from the wash basket into said post through said ports.

6. The combination set forth in claim 4, in which ports are provided in wall portions of the mentioned hollow post, an outwardly aring disc is carried by said post to effect circulation of water from the wash basket into said post through said ports, and iilter means disposed within said post and in the path of the circulating water to filter the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS