FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to washer extractors, and more particularly, to an improved chemical dispenser for supplying chemicals such as detergents, softeners, sours, bleaches, and the like, into the wash water of a washer extractor during a washing cycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In large commercial washers used in on-premise commercial laundries, chemicals, such as detergent and various wash water additives, are held in reservoirs, such as plastic barrels, remote from the washer and are supplied to the washer via peristaltic pumps that direct the chemical through respective hoses to the washing machine for dispensing into the wash water. Current chemical dispenser systems to which the chemical supply hoses connect have been relatively costly and problem prone.

[0003] Such dispenser systems commonly have a plastic body mounted in a back side of the washing machine with molded ports to which the chemical supply hoses are connected, which selectively supply the chemicals into the dispenser for direction into wash water. Such dispensers are made of relatively inexpensive plastic material that can be susceptible to the corrosive effects of chemicals commonly used in clothes washing operations and breakage or leakage from over stressing or loose clamping of the hose connectors, resulting in the undiluted chemicals running down the side of the machine onto other components of the machine or into the discharge hose of the dispenser, which can lead to deterioration of the discharge hose. If strain reliefs or ports are assembled as individual parts into the dispenser, this requires more components and assembly time, resulting in higher costs. Moreover, when it is necessary to remove the back panel of the washing machine for service or repair, each of the chemical supply hoses must be individually disconnected from the ports of the dispenser. Reconnection of the multiplicity of hoses further increases a risk of port damage and leakage from improper hose clamping. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a washer extractor having a chemical dispenser that minimizes the risk of damage to hose connecting ports and harmful leakage of chemicals supplied to the wash machine.

[0005] Another object is to provide a washer extractor having a chemical dispenser as characterized above which permits service and repair of the washing machine, including disassembly of the machine cabinet, without disconnecting the chemical supply hoses from their respective connecting ports.

[0006] A further object is to provide a washer extractor having a chemical dispenser of the foregoing type which is adapted to prevent or minimize harmful leakage of undiluted chemicals from the hose connecting ports onto other components of the machine or into the dispenser discharge hose.

[0007] Still another object is to provide a washer extractor having a chemical dispenser of the above kind in which connecting ports for the chemical supply hoses are less susceptible to breakage or corrosion from the dispensed chemicals.

[0008] Yet a further object is to provide a chemical dispenser for washer extractors of the above kind which is relatively simple in construction, facilitates convenient connection and removal of supply hoses to the connector ports, and which is economical in design.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an illustrative washer/extractor having a chemical dispenser in accordance with the invention;

[0011] FIG. 1 A is a diagrammatic depiction of chemical containers or barrels from which chemicals are supplied to the chemical dispenser of the illustrated

washer/ extractor;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective of the illustrated washer/extractor, with portions broken away; [0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the chemical dispenser of the illustrated machine taken in the plane of 4-4 in FIG. 3, with the hose connecting cap thereof shown in phantom in a removed condition;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a transverse section, taken in the plane of line 4-4 in FIG. 4;

[0015] FIG. 4 A is an enlarged view of a liquid diverter located downstream of the illustrated chemical dispenser;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the body of the illustrated chemical dispenser;

[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken in the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective of the hose connecting cap of the illustrated dispenser; and

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of the hose connecting cap taken in the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

[0020] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrative embodiment thereof has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown an illustrated washer/extractor 10 having a chemical dispenser 11 in accordance with the invention. The illustrated washer/extractor 10 is a washing machine of a type commonly referred to in the trade as a pocket hard mount washer, comprising a cabinet 12 supporting a wash tub 14, a rotatably driven tumbler 15 within the wash tub 14 for receiving clothing or other items to be washed, and a front opening access door 16 to the wash tub 14. For supplying water to the wash tub 14 during selected wash and rinse cycles, a plurality of water supply hoses 17 are provided which each are controlled by a respective control valve 18 in a conventional manner. The control valves 18 in this instance each are mounted on a rear panel 19 within the machine cabinet 12.

[0022] For supplying chemicals, such as detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and the like during selected wash cycles, the individual chemicals in this case are contained in respective supply containers or barrels 22 and are supplied to the chemical dispenser 1 1 for injection into the wash water via respective chemical supply hoses 24 and peristaltic pumps 23, as is known in the art.

[0023] In accordance with the invention, the chemical dispenser has a novel design which facilitates efficient and reliable connection of the chemical supply hoses and which prevents or minimizes port breakage and leakage problems heretofore associated with the connection of such chemical supply hoses to the washer extractor. To this end, the dispenser 11 has a two-part construction comprising a dispenser body 25 and a removable and replaceable hose connection cap 26 to which the multiplicity of chemical supply hoses 24 can be secured and removed at locations remote from the washing machine 10. The dispenser body 25 in this case has an upright portion 25a that defines an elongated vertical mixing chamber 27 having a water inlet 28 at an upper end thereof, a relatively large diameter discharge opening 29 at a lower end, and a hub or port 25b intermediate the inlet and discharge ends for receiving the hose connection cap 26. The water inlet 28 is connectable to a selectively controllable water supply hose 30, and the discharge opening 29 is connected to a discharge hose 31 that communicates with the wash tub 14. The body 25 further has an outwardly extending hub 25c that defines overflow outlet or vent 34 located above the outlet 29.

[0024] The dispenser body 25 is mounted within the cabinet 12 with the cap receiving hub or port 25b and the overflow outlet defining hub 25c disposed within respective openings in the rear panel 19. For securing the dispenser body 25 in mounted position, the dispenser body 25 is formed with a plurality of mounting hubs 35, in this case disposed above and below the overflow outlet 34, that can be secured to the rear panel 19 by respective screws 36 from outside the cabinet.

[0025] The illustrated hose connection cap 26 has a cylindrical base 40

complementary in shape to a cylindrical configuration of the cap receiving hub or port 25b of the dispenser body 25 with a plurality of integrally formed upstanding hose connecting ports 41 communicating through the base 40, each for coupling with a respective chemical supply hose 24. To facilitate positioning of the hoses onto the ports 41, the outer ends 42 of the ports 41 in this case are chamfered or tapered.

[0026] For mounting the cap 26 in recessed relation to the hub 25b, the hub 25b is formed with elongated grooves 46a that define a bottom locating ledge 45 for positioning the cap 26 in predetermined mounted position, with the hose ports 41 protectively contained within the hub. In mounted position, the terminal ends of the hose ports 41 preferably are disposed coplanar, or slightly below the outer perimeter of the hub 25b. For positioning the cap 26 in predetermined circumferential relation to the hub 25b, the cap 26 is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed ribs 46 that are positionable into respective axial locating grooves 46a of the hub 25b. The ribs 46 in this case are formed along the outer perimeter of an annular wall 47 of the cap 26 that extends from the base 40 in the direction of the hose connecting ports 41. It will be understood that the ribs and grooves may be differently sized to provide a keyed arrangement for insuring that the cap 26 is located in a single predetermined circumferential position within the hub.

[0027] For releasably securing the hose connection cap 26 within the hub 25b, latches 50 are provided on diametrically opposed sides of the cap 26. The latches 50 in this case are in the form of a pair of resilient latch arms that extend from the base 40 outwardly beyond the annular wall 47 and are deflectable inwardly toward each other for snap action engagement with latch grooves 50a in the hub 25b. Manual deflection of the latch arms 50 toward each other permits unlatching and removal of the cap 26 from the hub 25b.

[0028] Hence, with the hose connection cap 26 removed from the dispenser, the chemical supply hoses 25 may be more easily and reliably connected to the ports 41 of the cap 26 without being constrained to a work location at the back panel 19 of the machine. Following securement of chemical supply hoses 24 to the respective ports 41 of the cap 26, the cap 26 may then be easily inserted and latched into position in the hub 25b with the ports 41 protectively contained within the hub 25b. Similarly, in the event of the need for service to the washing machine, the cap 26 may be unlatched and removed from the dispenser body 25 without the tedious necessity for disconnecting each of the chemical supply hoses 24. Replacement of the cap 26 following service similarly may be easily accomplished, without the necessity for re-clamping or connecting the individual hoses to the inlet ports of the dispenser.

[0029] In carrying out the invention, the hose connection cap 26 is made of a hard, more fracture and chemically resistant material then the dispenser body 25. The cap 26, for example, may be made of a commercially available plastic material, sold under the trade name Kynar 720®, while the dispenser body may be made of a less expensive plastic material. The more rigid cap material enables the chemical supply hoses to be securely clamped to the ports 41 with less risk of fracture or breakage of the ports, or leakage from loosely clamped chemical supply hoses. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that since the cap 26 is a relatively small component of the dispenser 11 , it may be made of more durable and expensive material than the dispenser body 25, without significantly increasing the cost of the dispenser. Furthermore, since the dispenser body 25 is not subjected to high stress clamping of hoses, nor normally exposed to undiluted chemicals, as will become apparent, it may be made of less expensive plastic materials than heretofore possible, further enhancing the economical manufacturer of the dispenser.

[0030] In keeping with the invention, the hub 25b extends outwardly of the upright body portion 25a at an angle, in this case about 45°, to the vertical such that in the event any chemical leakage from the clamped ends of the hoses 24 on the ports 41 should occur, it will drain downwardly in the hub 25b. To facilitate such drainage, the base 40 of the cap 26 is formed with drainage holes 52 at least about a lower portion thereof.

[0031] In a washing operation, it can be seen that when a selected chemical is directed to a respective hose 24 connected to the cap 26, the chemical will be dispersed downwardly through the hub or port 25b into the vertical chamber 27 of the upright body portion 25a. Simultaneously, for diluting the chemical and premixing it with water prior to introduction into the wash tub, water may be directed into the dispenser from the water inlet 28 in timed relation to the chemical injection.

[0032] For diverging the incoming water from the dispenser body inlet 28 to minimize entry into the hub 25b, the dispenser body 25 is formed with a V-shaped diverter 55 in directly opposed relation to the water inlet 28. The diverter 55 has a V- shaped construction defined by a pair of integrally formed plates 55a depending from a top wall of upright body portion 25a with an apex 55b in centered opposing relation to the water inlet 28. Pressurized water directed into the dispenser body 25 from the inlet 28 will engage the diverter 55 and be flared outwardly on opposite sides thereof so as not to directly enter or impinge upon the opening 56 through which the hub 25b communicates with the upright body portion 25a. For further preventing the direction of water into the hub 25b, the upright body portion 25a has a depending wall 58 extending a distance downwardly below the juncture between the upper perimeter of the hub 25b with the upright body portion 25a. The upright body portion 25a further has a depending wall 59 extending to a distance below the upper perimeter of the overflow outlet 34 for preventing a discharge of liquid during normal dispensing of chemicals. [0033] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the dispenser body 25 is formed with an upstanding wall 60 at the juncture of the bottom portion of the hub 25b and the upright body portion 25a for defining a pocket 61 for collecting any chemicals that might inadvertently leak from the hose connection ports 41. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art by reason of the location of the pocket 61 adjacent a lower end of the hub 25b, it also will received and accumulate water directed into the dispenser from the water inlet 28 sufficient to dilute any chemical that should leak or otherwise accumulate in the pocket for preventing its corrosive effects. During normal operation of the dispenser 11, sufficient water and chemical is directed into the dispenser so that chemical and water in the pocket continues to be mixed and overflow for discharge from the outlet to the washer tub.

[0034] While in the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser 11 has a water inlet 28 at an upper end of the dispenser body 25, alternatively, one or more of the cap ports 41 may be utilized for connection to a water supply hose. In that case, the upper water inlet 28 may either be eliminated, not used, or used in conjunction with water supplied through the cap inlet ports 41 for more complete mixing with chemicals injected through other ports 41 of the cap.