EP3763867A1

EP3763867A1 - Laundry dispenser with hydrophobic coating

Info

Publication number: EP3763867A1
Application number: EP20181745.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Muhammad Khizar
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 2019-07-09
Filing date: 2020-06-23
Publication date: 2021-01-13
Also published as: US20210010183A1

Abstract

A laundry chemistry dispenser (14) for a laundry appliance (10) includes a base (18) having an inner surface (22) and an outer surface (26). A plurality of sidewalls (30) extends from the base (18) to define an interior cavity (34). Each sidewall (38) of the plurality of sidewalls (30) includes an inner surface (22) and an outer surface (26). A hydrophobic coating (42) is at least partially disposed on the inner surface (22) of the base (18) and the inner surface (22) of each sidewall (38) of the plurality of sidewalls (30), whereby a laundry chemistry (72) is repelled by the hydrophobic coating (42) when introduced into the interior cavity (34).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a laundry chemistry dispenser, and more specifically, to a coating for a laundry chemistry dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In at least one aspect, a laundry chemistry dispenser for an appliance includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of sidewalls extend from the base to define at least one interior cavity. Each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls has an inner surface and an outer surface. A coating is at least partially disposed on the inner surface of the base and the inner surface of each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls. The coating is superhydrophobic.
In at least another aspect, a laundry chemistry dispenser includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of sidewalls extend from the base to define an interior cavity. Each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls has an inner surface and an outer surface. A coating is at least partially disposed on the inner surface of the base and the inner surface of each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls.
In at least another aspect, a method of making a laundry chemistry dispenser includes the steps of providing a dispenser body having a base and a plurality of sidewalls. The base and each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls include inner and outer surfaces. An interior cavity is defined by the base and the plurality of sidewalls. A coating is applied to at least a portion of the dispenser body. The coating is a nanocoating.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an appliance;
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a laundry chemistry dispenser for an appliance;
FIG. 3 is a partial top rear perspective view of the laundry chemistry dispenser of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partial top perspective view of a laundry chemistry dispenser for an appliance;
FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional plan view of a dispenser body of a laundry chemistry dispenser for an appliance;
FIG. 6 is a representation of a laundry chemistry dispenser interacting with a coating on the dispenser body of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of making a laundry chemistry dispenser.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a coating for a laundry chemistry dispenser. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term "front" shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term "rear" shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The terms "including," "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises a ... " does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to FIGS. 1-7, reference numeral 10 generally designates an appliance shown in the form of a laundry appliance that includes a laundry chemistry dispenser 14. The laundry chemistry dispenser 14 further includes a base 18 having an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 26 and a plurality of sidewalls 30. The plurality of sidewalls 30 generally extend upward from the base 18 to define at least one interior cavity 34. Each sidewall 38 of the plurality of sidewalls 30 includes an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 26. A coating 42 may then be disposed on the inner surface 22 of the base 18 and the inner surface 22 of each sidewall 38 of the plurality of sidewalls 30. The coating 42 may be superhydrophobic or at least near superhydrophobic. Alternatively, the coating 42 may be hydrophobic.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the appliance 10 is depicted as a horizontal-axis laundry machine. However, it is also contemplated that the appliance 10 may be a vertical-axis laundry machine. The laundry chemistry dispenser 14 is disposed within the appliance 10, such that the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 may be pulled out from a front body 50 of the appliance 10. The laundry chemistry dispenser 14, as shown, is positioned on rails 54 that slide the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 into and out of the appliance 10 through the front body 50 to selectively provide access to the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 to a user. The rails 54 define grooves 58 through which the rails 54 are coupled to the appliance 10. Flanges 62 extend from the sidewalls 38 of the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 and are disposed on the rails 54. Additionally, handle 64 is affixed to the rails 54 for pushing and pulling the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 into and out of the appliance 10, respectively.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, an inlet 66 is positioned proximate to an upper portion 68 of a dispenser body 70. The dispenser body 70 is defined by the base 18 and the sidewalls 38 of the laundry chemistry dispenser 14. The inlet 66 is fluidically coupled with the dispenser body 70 and may be used to dispense a liquid (e.g., water) that mixes with a laundry chemistry 72. Alternatively, the inlet 66 may be positioned at a lower portion 74 of the dispenser body 70. As illustrated, the inlet 66 is an opening through which the liquid may pass; however, the inlet 66 may also be a tube disposed over the upper portion 68 and through an upper opening 76 of the dispenser body 70 or any other inlet configuration known in the art. In addition, the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 may include a cover 78 for covering the dispenser body 70. The inlet 66 may be integrally formed with a side portion 80 of the cover 78, such that an elongated portion 82 forms the inlet 66. Accordingly, a liquid supply line 84 (FIG. 3) may encase the elongated portion 82 to provide a liquid through the inlet 66 and into the dispenser body 70.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the dispenser body 70 is generally formed from a polycarbonate or polypropylene material; however, the dispenser body 70 may also be formed from any polymeric material known in the art. The polymeric material used helps to generally define the range of angles that may be used to expel liquids from the dispenser body 70. Additionally or alternatively, the dispenser body 70 may be segmented into first, second, and third dispenser bodies 70a, 70b, 70c. Each dispenser body 70a-70c includes the lower portion 74 and the upper portion 68. The flanges 62 extend outwardly from the upper portion 68. The upper and lower portions 68, 74 are generally delineated by an indication line 86 that is provided to help a user measure an amount of laundry chemistry 72 provided to the dispenser body 70.
Additionally, the interior cavity 34 of the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 may be divided by a partition 88 to define the first, second, and third dispenser bodies 70a, 70b, 70c. Although three dispenser bodies 70a-70c are illustrated, it is generally contemplated that less than three or more than three dispenser bodies 70a-70c may be used when forming the laundry chemistry dispenser 14. Moreover, the partition 88 may divide the interior cavity 34, such that two or more interior cavities 34 are defined. For example, the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 is divided by the partition 88 to define three interior cavities 34a-34c. It is generally contemplated that the first interior cavity 34a may be used for dispensing the laundry chemistry 72, while the second and third interior cavities 34b, 34c may be used for dispensing other liquids such as fabric softener and/or bleach. The sidewalls 38, the partition 88, and the base 18 of the dispenser body 70 define the second interior cavity 34b of the second dispenser body 70b. Within the second dispenser body 70b, a port 90 may be positioned on the base 18 and may include a tab 92 inwardly extending into the interior cavity 34b of the second dispenser body 70b for measuring a maximum amount of liquid to be dispensed. The port 90 may be used to dispense, for example, fabric softener. Each of the dispenser bodies 70 may receive the laundry chemistry 72. For illustrative purposes, not limitation, the laundry chemistry 72 dispensed in the first dispenser body 70a is typically a laundry detergent. In addition, for illustrative purposes, not limitation, the first dispenser body 70a is described in more detail and referred to generally throughout as the dispenser body 70; however, each dispenser body 70 (the first, second, or third dispenser bodies 70a, 70b, 70c) may include the same general features described in association with the first dispenser body 70a. Additionally, an outlet 94 is positioned proximate the lower portion 74 of the dispenser body 70. The base 18 of the dispenser body 70 is shown as generally sloped and/or angular toward the outlet 94 to provide a flow path for a liquid received in the dispenser body 70. In addition, the upper portion 68, the sidewalls 38, and the flanges 62 of the dispenser body 70 define an upper opening 76. The inlet 66 (FIG. 2) may be positioned proximate the upper opening 76, such that liquids may be dispensed into the dispenser body 70 via the upper opening 76.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, with the coating 42 applied to the laundry chemistry dispenser 14, the laundry chemistry 72 disposed therein condenses and remains tightly concentrated on the base 18 of the dispenser body 70. This concentration results in a surface area 112 of the laundry chemistry 72 in contact with the coating 42 being diminished due to a repulsion effect provided by the coating 42. Accordingly, the laundry chemistry 72 may be completely dispensed from the dispenser body 70 through the outlet 94. It is also contemplated that the coating 42 may be applied to the exposed surfaces of the outlet 94 to allow the laundry chemistry 72 to pass through the outlet 94 without excess laundry chemistry 72 remaining in the outlet 94. The coating 42, described in more detail below, is generally hydrophobic, such that the liquid dispensed through the inlet 66 is repelled and consequently does not stick to the portions of the dispenser body 70 on which the coating 42 is applied. As the laundry chemistry 72 is generally hydrophilic, the laundry chemistry 72 tends to remain concentrated, attracting to the liquid from the inlet 66 rather than to the base 18 or the sidewalls 38 to which the coating 42 is applied. Thus, rather than spreading out along the base 18 of the dispenser body 70, the laundry chemistry 72 condenses and bonds to itself, and to the liquid supplied to the dispenser body 70.
As noted above, the laundry chemistry 72 generally includes components that have a hydrophilic tendency, such that the laundry chemistry 72 is inclined to bond with the liquid supplied to the dispenser body 70 through the inlet 66. Accordingly, the laundry chemistry 72 is more inclined to stick to portions exposed to the liquid dispensed through the inlet 66. Moreover, the laundry chemistry 72, with the hydrophilic components, is more likely to be attracted to wet clothing that may be in the appliance 10. This attraction allows the laundry chemistry 72 to clean the clothing in the appliance 10. Due to the hydrophilic nature of the laundry chemistry 72, the coating 42 may be provided on surfaces of the dispenser body 70 where contact with the laundry chemistry 72 is intended. Without the coating 42, the laundry chemistry 72 will partially adhere to the base 18 and the sidewalls 38 of the dispenser body 70, which would eventually create a build-up of laundry chemistry 72 within the dispenser body 70. The dispenser body 70 will get wet from the liquid dispensed through the inlet 66, which would otherwise attract the laundry chemistry 72. However, the coating 42 allows the dispenser body 70 to repel the laundry chemistry 72 in order to minimize potential build-up of the laundry chemistry 72.
With specific reference to FIG. 5, the coating 42 is shown as applied to the dispenser body 70. The coating 42 in FIG. 5 is applied to the sidewalls 38 of the dispenser body 70 to completely cover the exposed inner surfaces 22 of the sidewalls 38. As further shown in FIG. 5, the laundry chemistry 72 is shown as being disposed within the interior cavity 34 of the dispenser body 70.
With reference now to FIG. 6, for purposes of illustration and depiction, the coating 42 and the laundry chemistry 72 have been exaggerated to show details of the interactions therebetween. The coating 42 is a carbon nanotube-based nanocoating blended with other nanoparticles, such as zinc oxide nanoparticles. Due to the inherent characters of the active ingredients of the coating 42, such as their excellent water repellent properties, high stiffness and conductivity capacity, the active ingredients offer superior superhydrophobic features, which can exceptionally perform against a harsh working environment. When a controlled loading concentration of zinc oxide is used, using graphene driven carbon nanotubes as active ingredients modified by a fluorographene nanosheet, superhydrophobicity and a water contact angle of approximately 155-degrees can be achieved. The superhydrophobic characteristic of the coating 42 of the present concept is ascribed to the irregular microstructure constructed by randomly stacked fluorographene. Incorporation of the carbon nanotubes, allotropes of graphene, into the coating 42 affects protection performance by providing anti-oxidation and corrosion resistance properties.
Additionally, the carbon nanotube-based coating 42 blended with zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibits superhydrophobicity features where multiwalled carbon nanotubes may influence the performance of the coating 42, such as improved adhesion strength, increasing wear resistance, and overall impedance enhancement. It has been found that oxygen and water are a main factor causing metal materials to corrode. Therefore, a unique formulation of the superhydrophobic coating 42 has been developed to offer improved non-wetting features with high performance, such as easy rolling of water droplets from the surface. Traditionally pure nano-zinc oxide is hydrophilic due to the many hydroxyl groups existing on the surface of the pure nano-zinc oxide. Modification of the nano-zinc oxide particles with stearic acid to obtain the hydrophobic nano-zinc oxide are provided to construct a fluorinated polysiloxane nano-zinc oxide nanocoating for use with the present concept.
More generally, the coating 42 is formed from a hexagonal nanocoating 126 that is further formed from a ceramic nanoparticle compound that includes special additives. In addition, the coating 42 generally includes carbon nanotubes, such that a carbon nanotube forest is formed. The carbon nanotube forest improves the hydrophobicity of the coating 42, such that a heterogeneous surface is formed on a nano-scale. Thus, even a minuscule amount of the laundry chemistry 72 will still be repelled by the coating 42. Accordingly, the coating 42 may have either hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties, such that a contact angle 130 between the laundry chemistry 72 and the dispenser body 70 is relatively substantial. For example, in distinguishing hydrophobic and superhydrophobic coatings, the hydrophobic coating 42 provides for a contact angle 130 of at least approximately 100-degrees. The contact angle 130 is referred to as the angle between a drop 134 of the laundry chemistry 72 and a flat and horizontal surface upon which the drop 134 is placed, for example on the base 18 of the dispenser body 70. Generally, the contact angle 130 between the hydrophobic coating 42 and the drop 134 may range from approximately 90-degrees to approximately 130-degrees. Comparatively, the superhydrophobic coating 42, provides for a contact angle 130 of at least approximately 130-degrees. Generally, the contact angle 130 between the superhydrophobic coating 42 and the drop 134 may range from approximately 130-degrees to approximately 160-degrees.
As shown in FIG. 6, the contact angle 130 is measured where the laundry chemistry 72 contacts a solid surface. As illustrated, the contact angle 130 is measured from a contact point 132 and outwardly extends from the edge of the laundry chemistry 72. Stated differently, the contact angle 130 refers to the amount of contact between the laundry chemistry 72 and the dispenser body 70. Without the coating 42, the laundry chemistry 72 would spread out over the dispenser body 70. Accordingly, the contact angle 130 between the dispenser body 70 and the laundry chemistry 72 would be small, and the laundry chemistry 72 would be in contact with a majority of the dispenser body 70. Thus, without the coating 42, the contact angle 130 between the laundry chemistry 72 and the dispenser body 70 would be approaching 0-degrees. Therefore, there is a direct relationship between the contact angle 130 and the hydrophobicity of the coating 42.
The contact angle 130 between the laundry chemistry 72 and the dispenser body 70 increases as the level of hydrophobicity of the coating 42 increases. This measurement of hydrophobicity is also known as wetting, which may be defined as how a liquid deposited on a substrate spreads out, or the ability of the liquid to form a boundary with the substrate. For example, the drop 134 of laundry chemistry 72 dispensed onto the base 18 of the dispenser body 70 forms a boundary in response to the hydrophobicity of the coating 42. The laundry chemistry 72 is repelled by the coating 42 and minimally spreads out relative the base 18, such that the drop 134 remains in a bead-like configuration. Accordingly, as the contact angle 130 increases there is a smaller contact point 132 between the laundry chemistry 72 and the coating 42, such that the highest level of hydrophobicity would result in a single contact point 132 of the laundry chemistry 72 contacting the coating 42 to form the drop 134. Having a diminished area of contact, the drop 134 will ultimately roll along the coating 42 until it passes through the outlet 94 and into a washtub 142 (FIG. 1) of the appliance 10 when a washing cycle releases the laundry chemistry 72.
The coating 42 applied to the dispenser body 70 provides for a large contact angle 130 between the coating 42 and the laundry chemistry 72, such that the coating 42 is at least hydrophobic. The laundry chemistry 72, when in contact with the coating 42, will minimize contact with the surface of the dispenser body 70 and instead will condense to form compact drops 134 in order to minimize the surface area 112. Thus, the drops 134 of the laundry chemistry 72 will have a generally spherical shape resulting in the drops 134, at least partially, rolling relative the coating 42. Where the coating 42 is superhydrophobic, the drops 134 of the laundry chemistry 72 will roll relative the coating 42, in that the laundry chemistry 72 will not stick to the coating 42. Consequently, a sliding angle 150 of the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 is improved by applying the coating 42. The sliding angle 150 measures the level of resistance of a substance to a particular liquid, such that the smaller the sliding angle 150 the more repellant the surface of the substance. Typically, the sliding angle 150 is defined by the angle between a surface (e.g., the dispenser body 70 and/or the coating 42) and a liquid drop (e.g., the drop 134 of laundry chemistry 72) at which the liquid drop starts to slide off the sample surface under the influence of gravitational force. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the sliding angle 150 is indicated by the dashed line to illustrate the slightly angled dispenser body 70. The coating 42 decreases the sliding angle 150 of the dispenser body 70, such that relatively small angling of the base 18 will allow the laundry chemistry 72 to roll or slide off the base 18 and through the outlet 94.
When the laundry chemistry 72 is dispensed into the washtub 142, the laundry chemistry 72 is typically mixed with water, which further increases the sliding angle 150 between the laundry chemistry 72 and the hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating 42. The laundry chemistry 72 generally has a high viscosity, which is lessened by the mixture of water with the laundry chemistry 72. The mixture of the water and the laundry chemistry 72 improves the liquid flow, such that the mixture is more likely to be easily dispensed from the laundry chemistry dispenser 14. Moreover, as the water mixes with the laundry chemistry 72 a strong bond is formed between the water and the laundry chemistry 72 as a result of the hydrophilic properties of the laundry chemistry 72.
Accordingly, the base 18 of the dispenser body 70 is slightly angled to direct the mix of water and laundry chemistry 72 out of the dispenser body 70 via the outlet 94. Stated differently, the sliding angle 150 between the laundry chemistry 72 and the base 18 of the dispenser body 70 is minimal. The coating 42 may be applied to various parts of the laundry chemistry dispenser 14, but the coating 42 is applied at least to portions in which the laundry chemistry 72 will come into contact most directly, such as the base 18, the lower portion 74 of the dispenser body 70, and the outlet 94. Additionally, due to the lower viscosity of other liquids (e.g., bleach, fabric softener, vinegar, etc.), it may be desirable to apply the coating 42 to the first dispenser body 70a and leave the second and third dispenser bodies 70b, 70c uncoated. Alternatively, to ensure maximal cleanout of the laundry chemistry dispenser 14, the coating 42 may be applied to all three of the dispenser bodies 70a-70c.
The coating 42 is formed from a hard coating formulation, such as the ceramic nanoparticle compound with special additives mentioned above, in order to minimize reactions with the additives in the laundry chemistry 72. The use of the hard coating formulation lengthens the lifespan of the coating 42. The coating 42 provides the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 with hydrophobic properties. A conventional container is generally formed from a polymeric material that alone will result in a generally small contact angle 130 between the laundry chemistry 72 and the container. Accordingly, a high sliding angle 150 is required to remove the laundry chemistry 72 from the container. Applying the coating 42 to the inner surfaces 22 of each sidewall 38 and the inner surface 22 of the base 18 results in the dispenser body 70 being fully coated with the coating 42. However, it is also contemplated that the dispenser body 70 may be partially coated, such that only the lower portion 74 of the dispenser body 70 is covered by the coating 42. For example, the dispenser body 70 includes the indication line 86 (FIG. 4) to illustrate the maximum fill point for the laundry chemistry 72. Accordingly, the dispenser body 70 may be coated approximately up to the indication line 86 and/or slightly above the indication line 86 such that the upper portion 68 remains generally uncoated.
In conventional laundry appliances, the laundry chemistry 72 is washed out of the container in an attempt to cleanse the container of the laundry chemistry 72. However, the polymeric material of most conventional containers has a low level of hydrophobicity, such that the water used to wash out the container is not repelled by the container itself. Accordingly, some water and laundry chemistry 72 residue will stick to the container, which will result in a build-up of laundry chemistry 72 in the container. Thus, the consumer must clean the container regularly to avoid the build-up of laundry chemistry 72. If regular cleaning is not maintained then the build-up of laundry chemistry 72 will occur in the container and ultimately affect the clothes to be washed in the laundry appliance. The build-up will eventually breakdown and will be dispensed with the fresh laundry chemistry 72 during the wash cycle. As a result, the build-up will be attracted to the wet clothing due to its hydrophilic properties resulting in black spots on the clothes in the laundry appliance.
Not only are the black spots unsightly on otherwise clean clothing, but the black spots also exude an odor. Unless the build-up in the container is entirely removed, the odor-inducing black spots will continue to stain the clothes in the laundry appliance during the wash cycle. Accordingly, the use of the coating 42 prevents such build-up from occurring in the first place. Due to the hydrophilic properties of the laundry chemistry 72, it will be repelled by the hydrophobic properties of the coating 42. This repulsion is amplified once water is mixed with the laundry chemistry 72 in order to dispense the laundry chemistry 72 from the dispenser body 70 into the appliance 10. The laundry chemistry 72 is attracted to the water, and the mixture of water with the laundry chemistry 72 will further minimize contact with the dispenser body 70 because of the coating 42. Thus, when dispensing the laundry chemistry 72 from the dispenser body 70 the laundry chemistry 72 will not stick to the dispenser body 70, but rather, the coating 42 repels the laundry chemistry 72 out of the dispenser body 70 and into the washtub 142. Accordingly, the build-up is eliminated as the laundry chemistry 72, along with the water, has been removed during the washout of the dispenser body 70 by the water and aided by the coating 42. By applying the coating 42 to the laundry chemistry dispenser 14 in areas that the laundry chemistry 72 will come into contact, the clothes to be washed will not be ruined by build-up residue and an unpleasant odor, because the laundry chemistry 72 will fully washout avoiding build-up in the laundry chemistry dispenser 14.
With reference now to FIGS. 1-7, having described various aspects of the laundry chemistry dispenser 14, a method 200 is disclosed for making a laundry chemistry dispenser 14. According to the method 200, a dispenser body 70 having a base 18 and a plurality of sidewalls 30 is provided (step 204). The base 18 and each sidewall 38 of the plurality of sidewalls 30 include inner and outer surfaces 22, 26. An interior cavity 34 is defined by the base 18 and the plurality of sidewalls 30 (step 208). A coating 42 is applied to at least a portion of the dispenser body 70 (step 212). The coating 42 is a nanocoating and may be formed from a hydrophobic nanocoating (step 216). Alternatively, the coating 42 may be formed from a superhydrophobic nanocoating (step 220). The coating 42 may be applied to a lower portion 74 of the dispenser body 70 (step 224).
A laundry chemistry 72 is dispensed into the interior cavity 34 of the dispenser body 70 (step 228). The coating 42 repels the laundry chemistry 72 from the inner surface 22 of the base 18 and the inner surface 22 of each sidewall 38 of the plurality of sidewalls 30 (step 232). A partition 88 may divide the interior cavity 34 into a first interior cavity 34a and a second interior cavity 34b (step 236), and the coating 42 may be applied to the partition 88 (step 240).
According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry chemistry dispenser for an appliance includes a base. A base includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of sidewalls extends from the base and defines at least one interior cavity. Each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and a coating is disposed on the inner surface of the base and each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls. The coating is superhydrophobic.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the laundry chemistry dispenser includes a dispenser body. The dispenser body includes an upper opening and an outlet that is positioned at a lower portion of the dispenser body.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the laundry chemistry dispenser includes an inlet positioned proximate an upper opening of the dispenser body.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the laundry chemistry dispenser includes a laundry chemistry that is repelled by a coating when introduced into at least one interior cavity.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the laundry chemistry dispenser includes a surface area of the laundry chemistry that is condensed when in contact with a coating.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry chemistry dispenser includes a partition that divides at least one interior cavity into a first interior cavity and a second interior cavity. The coating is disposed on the partition.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the coating of a laundry chemistry dispenser includes a contact angle of at least 130-degrees.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a base of a laundry chemistry dispenser includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of sidewalls extend from the base and define an interior cavity. Each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and a coating that is disposed on the inner surface of the base and the inner surface of each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the coating of a laundry chemistry dispenser is hydrophobic nanocoating. The hydrophobic nanocoating includes a contact angle that is at least 100-degrees.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the coating of a laundry chemistry dispenser is superhydrophobic nanocoating. The superhydrophobic nanocoating includes a contact angle that is at least 130-degrees to 160-degrees.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the laundry chemistry dispenser includes a partition that divides at least one interior cavity into a first interior cavity and a second interior cavity. The coating is disposed on the partition.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry chemistry is repelled by a coating when introduced into an interior cavity.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry chemistry dispenser includes a dispenser body that has an upper portion and a lower portion. The plurality of sidewalls and the upper portion of the dispenser body defines an upper opening.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the laundry chemistry dispenser includes an inlet proximate an upper portion of the dispenser body. The inlet is received by the upper opening, and an outlet is positioned at the lower portion of the dispenser body.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of making a laundry chemistry dispenser provides a dispenser body that has a base and a plurality of sidewalls. The base and each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The method defines an interior cavity of the base and the plurality of sidewalls, and applies a coating to at least a portion of the dispenser body. The coating is a nanocoating.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method of applying the coating includes steps of forming the coating from a hydrophobic nanocoating.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method of applying the coating includes steps of forming the coating from a superhydrophobic nanocoating.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes steps to dispense a laundry chemistry in an interior cavity, and repelling the laundry chemistry from an inner surface of a base and an inner surface of each sidewall of a plurality of sidewalls with the coating.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes steps of applying the coating to a lower portion of a dispenser body.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes steps to divide the interior cavity into a first interior cavity and a second interior cavity with a partition, and applying a coating to the partition.

Claims

A laundry chemistry dispenser (14) for a laundry appliance (10), comprising:
a base (18) including an inner surface (22) and an outer surface (26);

a plurality of sidewalls (30) extending from the base (18) to define at least one interior cavity (34), wherein each sidewall (38) of the plurality of sidewalls (30) includes an inner surface (22) and an outer surface (26); and

a hydrophobic coating (42) at least partially disposed on the inner surface (22) of the base (18) and the inner surface (22) of each sidewall (38) of the plurality of sidewalls (30), whereby a laundry chemistry (72) is repelled by the hydrophobic coating (42) when introduced into the interior cavity (34).
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic coating (42) is a hydrophobic nanocoating.
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of claim 2, wherein the hydrophobic nanocoating has a contact angle (130) of at least 100 degrees.
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the hydrophobic coating (42) has a contact angle (130) of at least 130 degrees.
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of any one of claims 1 and 4, wherein the hydrophobic coating (42) is a superhydrophobic nanocoating.
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of claim 5 wherein the superhydrophobic nanocoating has a contact angle (130) of at least 130 degrees to 160 degrees.
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of any one of claims 1-6, including:
a partition (88) dividing the at least one interior cavity (34) into first and second interior cavities (34a, 34b), wherein the hydrophobic coating (42) is disposed on the partition (88).
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of any one of claims 1-7, including:
a dispenser body (70) including an upper portion (68) and a lower portion (74), wherein the plurality of sidewalls (30) and the upper portion (68) of the dispenser body (70) define an upper opening (76).
The laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of any one of claim 8, including:
an inlet (66) proximate the upper portion (68) of the dispenser body (70), wherein the inlet (66) is received by the upper opening (76) of the dispenser body (70); and

an outlet (94) positioned at the lower portion (74) of the dispenser body (70).
A method of making a laundry chemistry dispenser (14) of any one of the claims 1-9, comprising the steps of:
providing a dispenser body (70) having a base (18) and a plurality of sidewalls (30), the base (18) and each sidewall (38) of the plurality of sidewalls (30) including inner and outer surfaces (22, 26); and

defining an interior cavity (34) by the base (18) and the plurality of sidewalls (30);

applying a hydrophobic coating (42) to at least a portion of the dispenser body (70), wherein the hydrophobic coating (42) is a nanocoating.
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of applying the coating (42) includes the step of forming the hydrophobic coating (42) from a hydrophobic nanocoating.
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of applying the hydrophobic coating (42) includes the step of forming the coating (42) from a superhydrophobic nanocoating.