Apparatus for dispensing rinse water additive in an automatic washing

Abstract

An improved apparatus for accurately measuring and dispensing a rinse water additive in an automatic washing machine. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an apparatus is provided for accurately measuring a relatively small volume of fluid product by forming an annular column within the dispenser. The annular column extends at least to approximately the desired fill level for the additive so that the relatively small amount of fluid product causes a substantial change in the fluid's vertical position within the dispenser. This is preferably accomplished by providing a dispenser having an internal pushup configuration in its base, the pushup configuration extending at least to approximately the desired fill level within the dispenser. An improved sealing structure is also provided for the valve used to close the filling and dispensing aperture in the dispenser body during the wash cycle. A flexible securement member is used to secure a recessed valve to the dispenser to minimize the chances of premature opening during the wash cycle. Each of these improvements helps to insure that the correct amount of additive will be added to the dispenser and that substantially all of additive initially added to the dispenser will be present when the valve is opened by the centrifugal force of the spin cycle so that all of the material can be effectively utilized during the rinse cycle.