Dispenser and dispensing method for pulsator wash system

Abstract

A dispenser and dispensing method for a pulsator wash system or machine includes an inner cup defining an inner chamber for receiving an additive and an outer cup defining an outer chamber annularly disposed about the inner cup. The inner and outer cups are disposed within a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine. In operation, an additive is added to the inner chamber and the wash tub of the pulsator washing machine is filled with water, wherein that water enters and rises within the outer chamber. A predetermined amount of the water in the outer cup is permitted to enter the inner cup to pre-dilute the additive.

1 . A dispenser for a pulsator washing machine, comprising:
 an inner cup defining an inner chamber for receiving an additive; and   an outer cup defining an outer chamber annularly disposed about said inner cup, said inner and outer cups are disposed within a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine.   
   
   
       2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further including:
 a cap closing an open end of said outer cup while allowing communication between said inner chamber and said outer chamber over a radial sidewall defining said inner cup.   
   
   
       3 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said outer cup includes a base portion defining a bottom of said outer chamber and a radial sidewall portion extending from said base portion. 
   
   
       4 . The dispenser of  claim 3  wherein said base portion and said radial sidewall portion of said outer cup are formed integrally with said pulsator hub. 
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 3  wherein said base portion is formed integrally with said pulsator hub and said radial sidewall is formed integrally with said cap. 
   
   
       6 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said inner cup is removable from said outer cup. 
   
   
       7 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said outer cup includes drain holes that allow said additive to drain into a wash tub of the pulsator washing machine from said outer chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein said outer cup includes a base portion formed integrally with said pulsator hub and said drain holes extend axially and radially through said pulsator hub. 
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein said inner cup includes a weep hole for admitting water into said inner chamber to mix with said additive. 
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 9  further including:
 a cap closing an open end of said outer cup while allowing communication between said inner chamber and said outer chamber over a radial sidewall defining said inner cup, an orifice defined through at least one of said cap and said pulsator that communicates with said inner chamber.   
   
   
       11 . The dispenser of  claim 10  further including a dip tube extending into said inner chamber from said orifice. 
   
   
       12 . A dispensing method for a pulsator washing machine, comprising:
 adding an additive to an inner chamber of a dispenser inner cup disposed within a distal end of a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine;   filling a wash tub of the pulsator washing machine with water, said water entering and rising within an outer chamber defined about said inner cup by an outer cup; and   permitting a predetermined amount of said water in said outer cup to enter said inner chamber of said inner cup to predilute said additive.   
   
   
       13 . The dispensing method of  claim 12  further including:
 opening a lid over said inner chamber prior to adding said additive; and   closing said lid after adding said additive and allowing said additive to enter said inner chamber prior to filling said wash tub.   
   
   
       14 . The dispensing method of  claim 12  wherein said water entering and rising within said outer chamber occurs by said water passing from said wash tub to said outer cup through drain holes defined in said pulsator that fluidly connect said wash tub and said outer cup. 
   
   
       15 . The dispensing method of  claim 12  wherein said permitting said predetermined amount of said water in said outer cup to enter said inner chamber includes:
 providing a weep hole through a radial sidewall of said inner cup disposed axially below an open end of said inner cup; and   providing a dip tube depending downwardly into said inner cup from a cap disposed over said inner and outer cups, said water from said outer chamber entering said inner chamber through said weep hole until said water fills said inner cup to a level of a distal end of said dip tube.   
   
   
       16 . The dispensing method of  claim 12  further including:
 dispensing said prediluted additive from said inner cup into said wash tub.   
   
   
       17 . The dispensing method of  claim 16  wherein said dispensing includes:
 centrifugally forcing said prediluted additive in said inner chamber over a radial sidewall of said inner cup and into said outer chamber; and   gravitationally forcing said prediluted additive of said outer chamber to flow into said wash tub through drain holes fluidly connecting said outer chamber to said wash tub.   
   
   
       18 . The dispensing method of  claim 17  further including:
 after dispensing, again filling said wash tub with water for a rinse cycle, said water again entering and rising within an outer chamber and entering said inner chamber to automatically rinse any residual additive remaining in said inner chamber.   
   
   
       19 . A submersible dispenser for a washing machine, comprising:
 an outer cup disposed within or formed integrally with an agitator element of the washing machine at a submersible location thereon; and   an inner cup disposed in said outer cup for receiving an additive to be dispensed during a wash cycle of the washing machine.   
   
   
       20 . The dispenser of  claim 19  further including:
 a cap closing an open end of said outer cup while allowing fluid communication between an inner chamber of said inner cup with an outer chamber of said outer cup when said cap closes said open end of said outer cup.   
   
   
       21 . The dispenser of  claim 19  wherein said inner cup defines a weep hole along a radial sidewall thereof to allow water filling said outer chamber to enter said inner chamber. 
   
   
       22 . The dispenser of  claim 20  wherein at least one of said cap and said pulsator includes a dip tube extending down into said inner chamber of said inner cup to prevent water entering said inner chamber through said weep hole from filling said inner cup above a distal end of said dip tube. 
   
   
       23 . The dispenser of  claim 20  wherein said outer cup is formed by said cap.