US3811600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treating agent dispenser for automatic washing machine
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-10-11
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1992-10-11
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a dispenser for storing and dispensing treating agent in an automatic washing machine. The dispenser is designed to position the treating agent container in a sealed storage position regardless of variations in the device caused by manufacturing and assembly tolerances.
Inventors
- 👤 J Allison
- 👤 B Boecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:14
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/44; A47L15/4409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A device for dispensing treating agent into a wash chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising an assemblage including a container component and a closure component, means mounting one of the components for relative movement to the other components movement between storage and dispensing positions, and sealing elements carried by the components for sealing engagement in the storage position; and means for biasing the sealing elements together in the storage position, for holding the assemblage in the storage position and for releasing the same for movement toward the dispensing position including a handle and means mounting the handle for movement with the movable component and for movement relative thereto for transmitting holding and closing forces to the movable component; a first latching member and means drivably connecting the handle to the first latching member independently of the movable component; a second latching member defining with the first latching member a plurality of different latching stations operative at the storage position; and means operative between the handle and the movable component at the storage position for biasing the movable component toward the stationary component for placing the sealing elements in sealing engagement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A device for dispensing treating agent into a wash chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising an assemblage including a container component and a closure component, means mounting one of the components for relative movement to the other components movement between storage and dispensing positions, and sealing elements carried by the components for sealing engagement in the storage position; and means for biasing the sealing elements together in the storage position, for holding the assemblage in the storage position and for releasing the same for movement toward the dispensing position including a handle and means mounting the handle for movement with the movable component and for movement relative thereto for transmitting holding and closing forces to the movable component; a first latching member and means drivably connecting the handle to the first latching member independently of the movable component; a second latching member defining with the first latching member a plurality of different latching stations operative at the storage position; and means operative between the handle and the movable component at the storage position for biasing the movable component toward the stationary component for placing the sealing elements in sealing engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the closure component comprises a stationary housing having a container receiving opening therein and the mounting means comprises means mounting the container for movement into and out of the housing for respectively storing and dispensing the agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising means fir biasing the movable component toward the dispensing position upon release of the latching members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 including means operative in response to manually operated movement of the handle toward the dispensing position for uncoupling the driving connection between the first latch member and the handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the sealing elements define a sealing plane, the component mounting means comprise means pivotally mounting the components about an axis and means allowing relative movement to the components transverse of the axis along the sealing plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the closure component comprises a stationary housing having a container receiving opening therein, the component mounting means comprises a shaft journalled in the housing for rotation relative thereto and means mounting the container on the shaft for rotation thereabout, the connecting means including a first member fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith, the first latching member being rotataBly mounted on the shaft and lost motion means operative between the first member and the first latching member for driving the first latching member in one direction of rotation of the first member and for uncoupling the first member from the first latching member in the other direction of rotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the sealing elements define a sealing plane, the component mounting means comprise means pivotally mounting the components about an axis including a shaft journalled in the stationary component for rotation relative thereto, the movable component component comprising spaced openings received about the shaft, the spaced openings being oval having a long axis parallel to the sealing plane when the components are in the storage position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the connecting means include a lost-motion connection between the first latching member and the handle allowing manually driven handle and movable component movement toward the dispensing position.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
211 words
A device for dispensing treating agent into a washer chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising an assemblage including a container component and a closure component, means mounting one of the components for relative to the other component movement between the storage and dispensing positions, and sealing elements carried by the components for sealing engagement in the storage position; and means for holding the assemblage in the storage position and for releasing the same for movement toward the dispensing position in response to a first control signal from a timing mechanism and in response to a second control signal from manual movement of the movable component away from the storage position, the holding and releasing means comprising a first latching member and means drivably connecting the movable component to the first latching member; a second latching member defining with the first latching member a plurality of different latching stations operative at the storage position; means responsive to a timer signal for moving one of the latching members to an unlatched position for releasing the movable component; and means operatively connected to the movable component for movement independently of the first latching member for releasing the movable component in response to manual movement of the movable component away from the storage position.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
211 words
A device for dispensing treating agent into a washer chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising an assemblage including a container component and a closure component, means mounting one of the components for relative to the other component movement between the storage and dispensing positions, and sealing elements carried by the components for sealing engagement in the storage position; and means for holding the assemblage in the storage position and for releasing the same for movement toward the dispensing position in response to a first control signal from a timing mechanism and in response to a second control signal from manual movement of the movable component away from the storage position, the holding and releasing means comprising a first latching member and means drivably connecting the movable component to the first latching member; a second latching member defining with the first latching member a plurality of different latching stations operative at the storage position; means responsive to a timer signal for moving one of the latching members to an unlatched position for releasing the movable component; and means operatively connected to the movable component for movement independently of the first latching member for releasing the movable component in response to manual movement of the movable component away from the storage position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the last mentioned means includes a cam member for uncoupling the latching members during manually driven movement of the movable component away from the storage position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the last mentioned, means comprise a handle, means mounting the handle for movement with the movable component and for movement relative thereto for transmitting holding and opening forces to the movable component, means mounting the cam member for movement with the handle for movement away from the storage position independently of the first latching member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |