Plastic washing fluid container for a washing machine

Abstract

A washing fluid container of substantially cylindrical configuration having at least one open end closed by a cover provided with an integrally formed air trap penetrating the cover at an acute angle with a first housing section extending at an acute angle upwardly of the surface of the cover outside of the container and a second housing section extending at an acute angle downwardly of the surface of the cover inside of the cover, the second housing section being adapted to receive washing fluid therein and the first housing section being provided with means responsive to washing fluid in the second housing section.

1 . A washing fluid container for a washing machine, comprising: 
 a receptacle of substantially cylindrical configuration and at least one axial opening;    a cap of polymeric material for closing the axial opening and provided with a first surface facing outside of the receptacle and a second surface facing inside of the receptacle;    an air trap integrally formed with and penetrating the cap at an acute angle and provided with a housing having first and second sections disposed at the first and second surfaces for forming a passage therebetween.    
   
   
       2 . The washing fluid container of  claim 1 , wherein the cap and the air trap are fabricated by a molding process.  
   
   
       3 . The washing fluid container of  claim 2 , wherein the first section is positioned higher than the second section.  
   
   
       4 . The washing fluid container of  claim 3 , wherein the second section is adapted to receive washing fluid therein and wherein the first section is provided with means for responding to washing fluid received in the second section.  
   
   
       5 . The washing fluid container of  claim 4 , wherein the means for responding to washing fluid comprises a nipple adapted to be connected to a hose.  
   
   
       6 . The washing fluid container of  claim 5 , wherein the nipple extends outwardly of the first section.  
   
   
       7 . The washing fluid container of  claim 6 , wherein the nipple extends inwardly of the first section.  
   
   
       8 . The washing fluid container of  claim 7 , wherein the nipple comprises a sleeve having a sealing shoulder therein.  
   
   
       9 . The washing fluid container of  claim 3 , wherein the second section is offset by a step to provide an enlarged opening of the passage.  
   
   
       10 . The washing fluid container of  claim 9 , wherein the step is inclined in the direction of the opening.  
   
   
       11 . The washing fluid container of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second sections comprise wall members disposed in parallel relationship.  
   
   
       12 . The washing fluid container of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second sections are connected to each other by a hinge.  
   
   
       13 . The washing fluid container of  claim 12 , wherein the hinge comprises a flexible member integrally formed with the first and second sections.  
   
   
       14 . The washing fluid container of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second sections are respectively provided with first and second complementing sealing means.  
   
   
       15 . The washing fluid container of  claim 14 , wherein the first sealing means comprises as gasket and the second sealing means comprises a flange.  
   
   
       16 . The washing fluid container of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second members are provided with latching means.  
   
   
       17 . The washing fluid container of  claim 16 , wherein the latching means comprises lugs in one of the first and second sections and bores in the other of the first and second sections for receiving the lugs.  
   
   
       18 . The washing fluid container of  claim 17 , further comprising surfaces for camming with the lugs.