Dispenser Box with Integral Water Inlet

Abstract

A unitary dispenser box assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The dispenser box includes a mixing chamber, a plurality of valve seats, a cold water manifold, and water inlets that are integrally formed from a single, continuous piece of plastic. The dispenser box simplifies assembly, reduces parts, and minimizes the likelihood of leaks. The dispenser box thereby reduces costs while increasing the performance and efficiency of the washing machine appliance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine appliance defining a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction, the washing machine appliance comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub positioned within the cabinet;   a wash basket disposed within the tub, the wash basket being rotatable about an axis within the tub; and   an additive dispenser positioned within the cabinet and configured to provide wash liquid to the wash basket, the additive dispenser comprising:
 a mixing chamber defining a compartment configured to receive wash additive; 
 an inlet manifold in fluid communication with the mixing chamber; 
 a water inlet configured to provide a flow of water to the inlet manifold; and 
 one or more valves configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the mixing chamber for mixing with the wash additive to form the wash liquid, 
 wherein the water inlet, the inlet manifold, and the mixing chamber are formed as a single, integral part. 
   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the water inlet is a cold water inlet, the additive dispenser further comprising:
 a hot water inlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber;   a hot water valve configured to selectively control a flow of hot water from the hot water inlet into the mixing chamber; and   one or more cold water valves configured to selectively control a flow of cold water from the inlet manifold into the mixing chamber or the wash basket,   wherein the hot water inlet, the cold water inlet, the inlet manifold, and the mixing chamber are formed as a single, integral part.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber includes a first additive compartment and a second additive compartment, the additive dispenser further comprising:
 a first valve in fluid communication with the first additive compartment and the inlet manifold, the first valve being configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the first additive compartment; and   a second valve in fluid communication with the second additive compartment and the inlet manifold, the second valve being configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the second additive compartment.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the first additive compartment is configured to receive wash detergent and the second additive compartment is configured to receive fabric softener. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the additive dispenser further comprises a third valve in fluid communication with the wash basket and the inlet manifold, the third valve being configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the wash basket. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the additive dispenser further comprises one or more valve seats configured to receive the one or more valves, each valve seat having an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet manifold and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, wherein the one or more valves are configured to control the flow of fluid through the one or more valve seats. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more valves are solenoid valves. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the water inlet is threaded for receiving a water supply hose. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the additive dispenser is positioned above the tub. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine appliance is a vertical axis washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         11 . An additive dispenser for providing wash liquid to a wash basket of a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance defining a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction, the additive dispenser comprising:
 a mixing chamber defining a compartment configured to receive wash additive and an inlet manifold;   a water inlet configured to provide a flow of water to the inlet manifold;   a valve seat configured to receive a valve, the valve seat having an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet manifold and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, wherein the valve is configured to control the flow of water through the valve seat,   wherein the mixing chamber, the water inlet, and the valve seat are formed as a single, integral part.   
     
     
         12 . The additive dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the mixing chamber for mixing with a wash additive to form the wash liquid which is provided to the wash basket. 
     
     
         13 . The additive dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the water inlet is a cold water inlet, the additive dispenser further comprising:
 a hot water inlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber;   a hot water valve configured to selectively control a flow of hot water from the hot water inlet into the mixing chamber; and   one or more cold water valves configured to selectively control a flow of cold water from the inlet manifold into the mixing chamber or the wash basket,   wherein the hot water inlet, the cold water inlet, the inlet manifold, and the mixing chamber are formed as a single, integral part.   
     
     
         14 . The additive dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the mixing chamber includes a first additive compartment and a second additive compartment, the additive dispenser further comprising:
 a first valve in fluid communication with the first additive compartment and the inlet manifold, the first valve being configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the first additive compartment; and   a second valve in fluid communication with the second additive compartment and the inlet manifold, the second valve being configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the second additive compartment.   
     
     
         15 . The additive dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the first additive compartment is configured to receive wash detergent and the second additive compartment is configured to receive fabric softener. 
     
     
         16 . The additive dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the additive dispenser further comprises a third valve in fluid communication with the wash basket and the inlet manifold, the third valve being configured to selectively control the flow of water from the inlet manifold into the wash basket. 
     
     
         17 . The additive dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the valve is a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         18 . The additive dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the water inlet is threaded for receiving a water supply hose. 
     
     
         19 . The additive dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the additive dispenser is positioned above the wash basket. 
     
     
         20 . The additive dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the washing machine appliance is a vertical axis washing machine appliance.