US6401499B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air pump bulk dispenser
Assignee: Maytag Corp
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Filing: 2000-07-31
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2020-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An improved laundry washing machine is provided with multiple fluid storage tanks for fluid detergent, bleach, and/or fabric softener. An air pump pressurizes the tanks when the door of the washing machine is opened. Each tank is in fluid communication with an associated fluid compartment. A user can push a control button to open a valve to selectively deposit a desired amount of fluid from a tank into the associated compartment for a wash cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian D. Clark
- 👤 Ted L. Hansen
- 👤 Daniel F. Wunderlich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:03
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/02; D06F39/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub mounted in the cabinet; a first bulk fluid tank within the cabinet; a first fluid compartment in the cabinet and being in fluid communication with the tub; a first fluid line providing fluid communication between the first fluid tank and the first fluid compartment; an air pump operatively connected to the first tank for pressurizing the first fluid tank; a switch for actuating the pump; and a first valve for controlling flow of fluid from the first tank to the first compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub mounted in the cabinet; a first bulk fluid tank within the cabinet; a first fluid compartment in the cabinet and being in fluid communication with the tub; a first fluid line providing fluid communication between the first fluid tank and the first fluid compartment; an air pump operatively connected to the first tank for pressurizing the first fluid tank; a switch for actuating the pump; and a first valve for controlling flow of fluid from the first tank to the first compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising: a second bulk fluid tank in the cabinet; a second fluid compartment in the cabinet and being in fluid communication with the tub; a second fluid line providing fluid communication between the second fluid tank and the second fluid compartment; a second valve for controlling flow of fluid from the second tank to the second compartment; and the pump being operatively connected to the second tank for pressurizing the second tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The washing machine of claim 2 wherein the first and second tanks are adapted to contain different fluids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the first valve is manually operated to deliver a desired amount of fluid from the first tank to the first compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the cabinet includes an opening for access to the tub and a door movable between open and closed positions relative to the opening, the switch being activated when the door is moved to the open position, thereby actuating the pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
An improved washing machine having a cabinet, a tub mounted in the cabinet, an opening in the cabinet to provide access to the tub, and a door on the cabinet movable between open and closed positions relative to the opening, the improvement comprising: multiple fluid tanks within the cabinet, each fluid tank being adapted to store a different fluid; multiple fluid compartments within the cabinet, each compartment being adapted to receive fluid from one of the respective fluid tanks; an air pump in the cabinet and being operatively connected to each of the fluid tanks for pressurizing the fluid tanks; and multiple valves in the cabinet, each valve being operatively connected to one of the fluid tanks and one of the fluid compartments to control flow of fluid from the fluid tank to the fluid compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
An improved washing machine having a cabinet, a tub mounted in the cabinet, an opening in the cabinet to provide access to the tub, and a door on the cabinet movable between open and closed positions relative to the opening, the improvement comprising: multiple fluid tanks within the cabinet, each fluid tank being adapted to store a different fluid; multiple fluid compartments within the cabinet, each compartment being adapted to receive fluid from one of the respective fluid tanks; an air pump in the cabinet and being operatively connected to each of the fluid tanks for pressurizing the fluid tanks; and multiple valves in the cabinet, each valve being operatively connected to one of the fluid tanks and one of the fluid compartments to control flow of fluid from the fluid tank to the fluid compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved washing machine of claim 6 wherein each of the valves is manually activated to deliver a desired amount of fluid from the one fluid tank to the one fluid compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved washing machine of claim 6 further comprising a switch to activate the air pump, the switch being activated when the door is moved to the open position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved washing machine of claim 6 wherein the pump is a diaphragm air pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improved washing machine of claim 6 further comprising multiple fluid inlet conduits, each having an upper end mounted in the cabinet and a lower end in one of the fluid tanks to allow filling of the fluid tank with fluid, and multiple removable caps each adapted for closing the upper end of each conduit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |