Washing machine water and chemical delivery apparatus

Abstract

An improved washing machine is provided with a water delivery system formed into the lid for delivering water to various additive compartments. A detergent compartment is formed in the lid, and the water delivery system includes outlet holes for flushing detergent from the detergent compartment. A bleach compartment and a fabric softener compartment are provided in the cabinet, with the water delivery system having outlets for flushing bleach and fabric softener from these compartments. The water delivery system also includes a plurality of shower holes for providing a wet down shower to laundry in the drum of the washing machine. Water traps are formed in the water delivery system so as to prevent accidental spilling of water onto a user or into the drum when the lid is raised from a closed position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved washing machine having a cabinet with a drum mounted therein, an access opening for access to the drum, and a lid pivotal between open and closed positions, the improvement comprising: 
 at least one additive compartment mounted on the cabinet; and    a water delivery system formed in the lid for delivering water to the additive compartment.    
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the water delivery system includes water channels molded into the lid.  
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the lid further includes a detergent compartment.  
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 3  wherein the detergent compartment includes a bottom wall and ribs adapted to space a detergent tablet above the bottom wall.  
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 4  wherein the ribs are sloped to facilitate discharge of the tablet from the detergent compartment.  
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the water delivery system has outlets to direct water into the compartment.  
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 6  wherein the additive compartment includes a bleach compartment and a fabric softener compartment.  
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the water delivery system includes a plurality of shower holes to provide a wet down shower to laundry in the drum.  
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 1  wherein the water delivery system includes a water trap to hold water when the lid is raised from the closed position.  
     
     
         10 . An improved washing machine having a cabinet with a drum mounted therein, an access opening for access to the drum, and a lid pivotal between open and closed positions, the improvement comprising: 
 a detergent compartment formed in the lid and having a bottom wall and ribs adapted to space a detergent tablet above the bottom wall; and    a water delivery system for delivering water to the detergent compartment.    
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 10  wherein the ribs are sloped to facilitate discharge of the tablet from the detergent compartment.  
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 10  wherein the water delivery system is formed in the lid.  
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 12  wherein the water delivery system includes water channels molded into the lid.  
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 10  wherein the water delivery system includes a plurality of shower holes to provide a wet down shower to laundry in the drum.  
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 10  wherein the water delivery system includes a water trap to hold water when the lid is raised from the closed position.  
     
     
         16 . An improved washing machine having a cabinet with a drum mounted therein, an access opening for access to the drum, and a lid pivotal between open and closed positions, the improvement comprising: 
 a water delivery system formed in the lid and having shower holes to provide a wet down shower to laundry in the tub.    
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 16  wherein the water delivery system includes a water trap to hold water when the lid is raised from the closed position.  
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 16  wherein the water delivery system includes water channels molded into the lid.  
     
     
         19 . An improved washing machine having a cabinet with a drum mounted therein, an access opening for access to the drum, and a lid pivotal between open and closed positions, the improvement comprising: 
 a water delivery system formed in the lid; and    a water trap in the water delivery system to hold water when the lid is raised from the closed position.    
     
     
         20 . The washing machine of  claim 19  wherein the water delivery system includes water channels molded into the lid.  
     
     
         21 . The washing machine of  claim 19  further comprising a plurality of additive compartments for holding additives to be dispensed into the tub.  
     
     
         22 . The washing machine of  claim 21  wherein the water delivery system has outlets to supply water to the additive compartments to flush the additives into the tub.  
     
     
         23 . The washing machine of  claim 22  wherein the additive compartments include a detergent compartment in the lid.  
     
     
         24 . The washing machine of  claim 22  wherein the detergent compartment includes a bottom wall and ribs adapted to space a detergent tablet above the bottom wall.  
     
     
         25 . The washing machine of  claim 22  wherein the additive compartments include a bleach compartment and a fabric softener compartment in the cabinet.  
     
     
         26 . The washing machine of  claim 19  wherein the water delivery system includes a plurality of shower holes to provide a wet down shower to laundry in the drum.