Patent CA548282A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US9976246B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 10.5 years remaining
Laundry treating appliance dispenser
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
•
Filing: 2017-04-26
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Granted: 2018-05-22
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Expires: 2037-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A laundry treating appliance may comprise a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and having an opening at least partially aligned with an opening in the appliance front panel, thus providing access to the treating chamber through the front panel opening and the tub opening. A bellows may connect the front panel and the tub at their respective openings, and a treating chemistry dispenser may be provided on the bellows.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Malheiros
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:46
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/02; D06F39/028; D06F33/02; D06F37/00; D06F37/26; D06F37/266; D06F37/30; D06F37/304; D06F39/005; D06F39/04; D06F39/08; D06F39/083; D06F2202/02; D06F2202/04; D06F2202/10; D06F2202/12; D06F2204/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation, the laundry treating appliance comprising: a chassis having a front panel with an opening; a tub located within the chassis and at least partially defining a treating chamber, the tub having an opening at least partially aligned with the front panel opening providing access to the treating chamber through the front panel opening and the tub opening; a bellows connecting the front panel and the tub at their respective openings; and a treating chemistry dispenser provided on the bellows and having a receptacle configured to hold a treating chemistry, the receptacle having an opening, and a lid to selectively close the opening of the receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation, the laundry treating appliance comprising: a chassis having a front panel with an opening; a tub located within the chassis and at least partially defining a treating chamber, the tub having an opening at least partially aligned with the front panel opening providing access to the treating chamber through the front panel opening and the tub opening; a bellows connecting the front panel and the tub at their respective openings; and a treating chemistry dispenser provided on the bellows and having a receptacle configured to hold a treating chemistry, the receptacle having an opening, and a lid to selectively close the opening of the receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises an open top defining the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 further comprising a liquid supply system including a liquid conduit with an outlet positioned to supply liquid into the receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the dispenser is mounted to the bellows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the dispenser is integrally formed with the bellows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the dispenser is of a color different than the bellows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises multiple of the treating chemistry receptacles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the bellows has a generally circular shape, and the receptacle is located on a lower half of the bellows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes a bottom wall with an outlet opening fluidly communicating the receptacle with the treating chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 9 further comprising a liquid supply system including a liquid conduit with an outlet positioned to supply liquid into the receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 10 wherein the outlet is positioned to supply the liquid through the opening into the receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 9 wherein the outlet is located on the bellows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 9 wherein the outlet is adjacent to the receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 9 wherein the receptacle includes a wall, and the outlet is positioned to supply liquid into the receptacle through the wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laundry treating appliance of claim 14 wherein the bellows forms the receptacle wall.
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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) | 2021-05-21 | 2021-11-20 | 2022-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2025-05-21 | 2025-11-20 | 2026-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2029-05-21 | 2029-11-20 | 2030-05-22 | $7700.00 | Pending Window |