Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090100880 | Additive Dispenser - An additive dispenser includes a fluid-retaining chamber. A siphoning post extends upward from a lower surface of the fluid-retaining chamber and cooperates with a cap or other structure so as to form a siphon chamber. When water is added to the chamber and a liquid level rises above an inlet to the siphoning element, a siphoning effect draws fluid from the chamber. When the siphoning effect is interrupted, any unsiphoned fluid remaining in the chamber exits by permeation through one or more porous elements located in a base of the chamber. | 04-23-2009 |
20090119849 | Sequenced Water Delivery in an Additive Dispenser - An automatic washing machine includes a wash additive dispenser for dispensing detergent and one or more additives into a wash tub. Water is delivered to a first wash agent chamber in the wash additive dispenser for delivery into a wash tub during a wash cycle. Water is subsequently delivered to a second wash agent chamber to flush from that chamber any unintended collection of water or additive residue therein, as may result from the water delivery to the first wash agent chamber and/or from an earlier dispensing of additive from the second wash agent chamber. | 05-14-2009 |
20090158782 | Methods and Systems for Water Delivery in an Additive Dispenser - A washing apparatus such as an automatic laundry washing machine includes a wash agent dispenser drawer including an additive compartment for storing various additives such as detergent, bleach and fabric softener. One or more water inflow tubes may extend downwardly into the additive compartment and may be configured to deliver water for diluting the additives contained in the compartment. The inflow tubes are of sufficient length to reach a sub-surface portion of additive held in the compartment. Water may simultaneously be delivered to the surface of the additive. Furthermore, inflow tubes have their outlets positioned adjacent to the base(s) of one or more siphon post/cap assemblies located in the additive compartments, such that a churning effect is produced from the injection of water through the tubes and the siphoning action of the siphon post, whereby mixing is enhanced and additive buildup may be avoided and/or removed. | 06-25-2009 |
20090261697 | Appliance Drawer and Latch Mechanism Therefor - An appliance drawer construction allows, upon the press of a button, the extension of the drawer from a housing. At the same time, inadvertent unintended opening caused, e.g., by a person's body brushing past or up against the appliance, may be avoided. In another aspect, the invention provides a simple and effective latch release linkage which is particularly well suited to a drawer, like a laundry washer additives dispenser drawer, that requires an offset of the latch from the operation push-button, due to the placement of an additive storage compartment portion of the drawer directly behind the front console of the drawer, and the space constraints within the housing that receives the drawer. | 10-22-2009 |
20090320371 | Push-Position Indicator for Appliance Door - A push-push appliance door, e.g., for a front-load automatic laundry washer, includes a peripheral frame having a first cut-out configured to receive a push-position indicator member that designates a push-position for opening the door. The frame may include a second cut-out located on an opposite side of the frame from the first cut-out. The door may further include a cut-out filler piece. The first and second cut-outs may be configured to interchangeably and interlockingly receive the indicator member and the cut-out filler piece, to thereby allow the indicator member to be properly positioned in relation to a selection of a hinge/latch location. | 12-31-2009 |
20100026015 | Appliance Access Door Strike Assemblies For Addressing Latch Operation Issues Arising From Dimensional Variances - A technique and various door/latch structures are provided to deal efficiently and effectively with excessive appliance door closure/opening forces that can arise in the case that the door strike extension depth is not ideally matched to the relative location of the mating latch mechanism. This is particularly useful in connection with the use of a push-push style access door that must be compressed against a compressible seal gasket in order to effect both opening and closing of the door. A strike member is mounted to one of an appliance cabinet and door so as to be engagable with a latch mechanism when the door is in the closed position. The installing involves initially tentatively mounting the strike in a first of at least two provisioned ways, to thereby provide a first of at least two different strike extension depths. The door operation is then tested to determine whether an excessive operation force is required in order to open or close the door. Upon determining that an excessive operation force is required to open or close the door, the strike member is removed from its initial mount and remounted in a second of the at least two provisioned ways, to thereby provide a second of the at least two different strike extension depths. In another aspect, a limited amount of z-axis play of the strike is permitted to avoid inadvertent unlatching, e.g., of a push-push latch, upon a slam of the door shut. | 02-04-2010 |
20120032569 | Appliance Door Prop Mechanism - A latch plate and striker assembly serve also to prop open the door of a front load laundry washer or other washing or laundry appliance, so as to releasably maintain the door in an open, chamber venting position (regardless of whether the appliance installation is perfectly level). The latch plate also includes a ramped receptacle, and the strike structure includes a prong designed to be guided into the receptacle by the ramp, to align (as necessary) the door strike with the door latch/lock as the door is closed. | 02-09-2012 |
20130081431 | Water Recirculation and Drum Rotation Control in a Laundry Washer - In a laundry washer, relatively short bursts of operation of a recirculation pump are coordinated with corresponding brief intervals of tub rotation during the initial fill periods. The aim is to thoroughly wet the clothes early in each wash/rinse phase to thus improve the wash/rinse effectiveness, while also avoiding excessive suds formation. Following the initial fill periods and during regular wash/rinse agitations, the recirculation system may also be employed to “recharge” the laundry load with detergent that has settled in the bottom of the tub. In a further aspect of the invention, some or all of the conventional intermediate spin extractions are omitted. In this manner, more water is carried over in the clothes from one wash/rinse cycle to the next. An intermediate spin of reduced speed (RPM) and duration as compared to typical normal intermediate spins may be employed between the wash phase and first rinse. | 04-04-2013 |
20130192084 | Automatic Laundry Washer with Active Venting - An existing water recirculation system of a laundry washer may be activated to circulate air in a way that can reduce the moisture in the tub and drum of the washer. Also included is a system whereby an existing drain pump of the washer may be selectively activated to cause air to vent through the washer and out the drain hose of the washer. These systems may be used individually or in conjunction with each other, and with drum rotation. Supplemental venting may also be provided by a dedicated fan, to provide an effective multi-action washing machine venting solution. | 08-01-2013 |
20140131180 | Appliance Control Knob Support - An appliance control knob assembly includes an encoder with a rotatable shaft. A control knob is connected to the shaft and is mounted on a protuberance that extends into the control knob and provides a bearing mounting surface. The control knob has a hub portion rotationally supported by a bearing mounted within the protuberance, and which engages the rotatable encoder shaft. The encoder is mounted such that prior to attachment of the hub portion with the encoder shaft, the encoder is allowed a degree of movement to come into alignment with the hub portion. | 05-15-2014 |