Patent Publication Number: US-2023160131-A1

Title: Laundry treating appliance having a treating chemistry dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/563,208, filed on Dec. 28, 2021, now allowed, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/509,659, filed on Jul. 12, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,236,459, issued Feb. 1, 2022, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Laundry treating appliances, such as clothes washers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, can have a configuration based on a rotating laundry basket or drum that defines a drum opening and at least partially defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating. The laundry treating appliance can include a cabinet including a panel with an access opening through which laundry items are loaded and unloaded into the treating chamber. A closure can be movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively open and close the access opening to the treating chamber. A bellows can be provided to extend at least partially between the access opening and the drum opening. 
     The laundry treating household appliance can have a controller that implements a number of user-selectable, pre-programmed cycles of operation having one or more operating parameters. Hot water, cold water, or a mixture thereof, along with various treating chemistries, can be supplied to the treating chamber in accordance with the cycle of operation. The laundry treating household appliance can have a dispenser for loading of treating chemistries into the appliance by the user and for supplying various treating chemistries to the treating chamber. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance comprises a cabinet defining an interior and having a front panel that at least partially defines an access opening to the interior, a treating chamber located within the cabinet and accessible by the access opening, a closure movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively open and close the access opening and having a rear face confronting the treating chamber when the closure closes the access opening, and a bulk treating chemistry dispenser mounted to the rear face and protruding through the access opening when the closure closes the access opening. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser comprises first and second bulk treating chemistry reservoirs positioned side-by-side and removably coupled to the bulk treating dispenser and extending along a vertical height of the access opening, a dispenser inlet formed between the first and second bulk treating chemistry reservoirs at an upper end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser and fluidly coupled to a water supply, a dispenser outlet formed between the first and second bulk treating chemistry reservoirs at a lower end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser and fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. At least one of first and second bulk treating chemistry reservoirs is sized to hold at least 1 liter of treating chemistry. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance comprises a cabinet defining an interior and having a front panel that at least partially defines an access opening to the interior, a treating chamber located within the cabinet and accessible by the access opening, a closure movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively open and close the access opening and having a rear face confronting the treating chamber when the closure closes the access opening, and a bulk treating chemistry dispenser mounted to the rear face and protruding through the access opening when the closure closes the access opening. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser comprises first and second bulk treating chemistry reservoirs extending along a vertical height of the access opening, a dispenser inlet formed between the first and second bulk treating reservoirs at an upper end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser and fluidly coupled to a water supply, and a dispenser outlet formed between the first and second bulk treating chemistry reservoirs at a lower end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser and fluidly coupled to the treating chamber, the dispenser outlet comprising at least two spray nozzles with a first spray nozzle configured to provide a spray toward the treating chamber and a second spray nozzle configured to provide a spray toward a bellows extending between the treating chamber and the access opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundry treating appliance including a closure in a closed condition. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic of a control assembly of the laundry treating appliance of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a top perspective view of the laundry treating appliance of  FIG.  1    with the door assembly in an opened condition and including a bulk treating chemistry dispenser. 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom perspective view of the laundry treating appliance, the door assembly in the opened condition, and the bulk treating chemistry dispenser of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of the door assembly and the bulk treating chemistry dispenser of  FIG.  3    with the door assembly in a closed condition. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the cross-section of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser of  FIG.  5    taken from the rear face of the door assembly. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser of  FIG.  5    taken from a top of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a schematic view of a laundry treating appliance  10  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The laundry treating appliance  10  can be any laundry treating appliance  10  that performs a cycle of operation to clean or otherwise treat laundry items placed therein, non-limiting examples of which include a horizontal or vertical axis clothes washer; a combination washing machine and dryer; a tumbling or stationary refreshing/revitalizing machine; an extractor; a non-aqueous washing apparatus; and a revitalizing machine. While the laundry treating appliance  10  is illustrated herein as a horizontal axis, front-load laundry treating appliance  10 , the aspects of the present disclosure can have applicability in laundry treating appliances with other configurations. The laundry treating appliance  10  shares many features of a conventional automated clothes washer and/or dryer, which will not be described in detail herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the exemplary aspects in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Laundry treating appliances are typically categorized as either a vertical axis laundry treating appliance or a horizontal axis laundry treating appliance. As used herein, the term “horizontal axis” laundry treating appliance refers to a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum that rotates about a generally horizontal axis relative to a surface that supports the laundry treating appliance. The drum can rotate about the axis inclined relative to the horizontal axis, with fifteen degrees of inclination being one example of the inclination. Similar to the horizontal axis laundry treating appliance, the term “vertical axis” laundry treating appliance refers to a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum that rotates about a generally vertical axis relative to a surface that supports the laundry treating appliance. However, the rotational axis need not be perfectly vertical to the surface. The drum can rotate about an axis inclined relative to the vertical axis, with fifteen degrees of inclination being one example of the inclination. 
     In another aspect, the terms vertical axis and horizontal axis are often used as shorthand terms for the manner in which the appliance imparts mechanical energy to the laundry, even when the relevant rotational axis is not absolutely vertical or horizontal. As used herein, the “vertical axis” laundry treating appliance refers to a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum, perforate or imperforate, that holds fabric items and, optionally, a clothes mover, such as an agitator, impeller, nutator, and the like within the drum. The clothes mover can move within the drum to impart mechanical energy directly to the clothes or indirectly through wash liquid in the drum. The clothes mover can typically be moved in a reciprocating rotational movement. In some vertical axis laundry treating appliances, the drum rotates about a vertical axis generally perpendicular to a surface that supports the laundry treating appliance. However, the rotational axis need not be vertical. The drum can rotate about an axis inclined relative to the vertical axis. 
     As used herein, the “horizontal axis” laundry treating appliance refers to a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum, perforated or imperforate, that holds laundry items and washes and/or dries the laundry items. In some horizontal axis laundry treating appliances, the drum rotates about a horizontal axis generally parallel to a surface that supports the laundry treating appliance. However, the rotational axis need not be horizontal. The drum can rotate about an axis inclined or declined relative to the horizontal axis. In horizontal axis laundry treating appliances, the clothes are lifted by the rotating drum and then fall in response to gravity to form a tumbling action. Mechanical energy is imparted to the clothes by the tumbling action formed by the repeated lifting and dropping of the clothes. Vertical axis and horizontal axis machines are best differentiated by the manner in which they impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles. 
     Regardless of the axis of rotation, a laundry treating appliance can be top-loading or front-loading. In a top-loading laundry treating appliance, laundry items are placed into the drum through an access opening in the top of a cabinet, while in a front-loading laundry treating appliance laundry items are placed into the drum through an access opening in the front of a cabinet. If a laundry treating appliance is a top-loading horizontal axis laundry treating appliance or a front-loading vertical axis laundry treating appliance, an additional access opening is located on the drum. 
     In more detail, the laundry treating appliance  10  can include a structural support assembly comprising a cabinet  12  defining a housing within which a laundry holding assembly resides. The cabinet  12  can be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame, to which decorative panels can or cannot be mounted, defining an interior, enclosing components typically found in a conventional laundry treating appliance, such as an automated clothes washer or dryer, which can include motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the present disclosure. The cabinet  12  can include a front panel  62  that at least partially defines an access opening  63  to allow user access to the interior of the cabinet  12 . 
     The laundry holding assembly of the illustrated exemplary laundry treating appliance  10  can include a tub  14  dynamically suspended within the structural support assembly of the cabinet  12  by a suitable suspension assembly  28 , the tub  14  at least partially defining a treating chamber  18  for laundry items. A rotatable drum  16  can be provided within the tub  14  to further define at least a portion of the treating chamber  18 . The treating chamber  18  is configured to receive a laundry load comprising laundry items for treatment, including, but not limited to, a hat, a scarf, a glove, a sweater, a blouse, a shirt, a pair of shorts, a dress, a sock, and a pair of pants, a shoe, an undergarment, and a jacket. The access opening  63  can provide access to the treating chamber  18 . 
     The drum  16  can include a plurality of perforations  20  such that liquid can flow between the tub  14  and the drum  16  through the perforations  20 . A plurality of baffles  22  can be disposed on an inner surface of the drum  16  to lift the laundry load received in the treating chamber  18  while the drum  16  rotates. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the laundry holding assembly to comprise only one receptacle, such as the tub  14 , without the drum  16 , with the receptacle defining the laundry treating chamber  18  for receiving the load to be treated. 
     The tub  14  can also define a tub opening  65 , which can be at least partially aligned with the access opening  63  of the front panel  62  of the cabinet  12 . In one example, the tub  14 , along with the tub opening  65 , the drum  16 , and the access opening  63 , can have central axes that are co-axial with one another, or with at least one of the other axes, such that a common central axis is formed. A bellows  26  can extend between the tub opening  65  and the access opening  63  to couple the access opening  63  of the front panel  62  with the tub opening  65 . The bellows  26  can sealingly couple the tub opening  65  and the access opening  63  such that liquid is not permitted to move from the tub  14  into the interior of the cabinet  12 . 
     A closure, illustrated herein as a door assembly  24 , can be movably mounted to or coupled to the cabinet  12  to selectively open and close the access opening  63  to the treating chamber  18 . In one example, the door assembly  24  can be rotatable relative to the cabinet  12 . By way of non-limiting example, the door assembly  24  can be hingedly coupled to the cabinet  12  for movement between an opened condition ( FIG.  3   ) and a closed condition as shown. In the closed condition, the door assembly  24  can seal against the bellows  26  or the access opening  63 , or both, when the door assembly  24  closes the access opening  63 . In the opened condition, the door assembly  24  can be spaced apart from the access opening  63  and the bellows  26  and can allow access to the front panel  62  and the access opening  63 . 
     The door assembly  24  comprises a front surface  58 , a top surface  60 , and a rear face  64 , with the rear face  64  at least partially confronting the treating chamber  18  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition to close the access opening  63 . The door assembly  24  can further include a bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  that can be integrated with, mounted to, or coupled to the door assembly  24 . The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be mounted to the rear face  64  such that the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  protrudes rearwardly from the rear face  64  and through the access opening  63  so as to be received within and to abut the bellows  26  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be sized and shaped so as to be received by and to protrude through the access opening  63  and can extend along the vertical height and the width of the access opening  63 . 
     The laundry treating appliance  10  can further include a liquid supply assembly for supplying liquid, such as water or a combination of water and one or more wash aids, such as detergent, to the laundry treating appliance  10  for use in treating laundry during a cycle of operation. The liquid supply assembly can include a source of water, such as a household water supply  40 , which can include separate valves  42  and  44  for controlling the flow of hot and cold water, respectively. The valves  42 ,  44  can be opened individually or together to provide a mix of hot and cold water at a selected temperature. The valves  42 ,  44  are selectively openable to provide water, such as from the household water supply  40 , to be supplied through an inlet conduit  46  directly to the tub  14  by controlling first and second diverter mechanisms  48  and  50 , respectively. The diverter mechanisms  48 ,  50  can each be a diverter valve having two outlets such that each of the diverter mechanisms  48 ,  50  can selectively direct a flow of liquid to one or both of two flow paths. Water from the household water supply  40  can flow through the inlet conduit  46  to the first diverter mechanism  48  which can direct the flow of liquid to a supply conduit  52 . The second diverter mechanism  50  on the supply conduit  52  can direct the flow of liquid to a tub outlet conduit  54  which can be provided with a spray nozzle  56  configured to spray the flow of liquid into the tub  14  in a desired pattern and under a desired amount of pressure. For example, the spray nozzle  56  can be configured to dispense a flow or stream of water into the tub  14  by gravity, i.e. a non-pressurized stream. In this manner, water from the household water supply  40  can be supplied directly to the tub  14 . While the valves  42 ,  44  and the conduit  46  are illustrated exteriorly of the cabinet  12 , it will be understood that these components can be internal to the cabinet  12 . 
     The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be configured for dispensing treating chemistry to the treating chamber  18  for use in treating the laundry according to a cycle of operation. While illustrated and described herein as a bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 , it will be understood that the treating chemistry dispenser can be any of a single dose dispenser, a bulk dispenser, or an integrated single dose and bulk dispenser. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber  18 . The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be configured to dispense a treating chemistry directly to the tub  14  or mixed with water from the liquid supply assembly. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can include means for supplying or mixing detergent to or with water from the water supply  40 . Alternatively or additionally, water from the water supply  40  can also be supplied to the tub  14  through the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  without the addition of a detergent. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be configured to dispense the treating chemistry into the tub  14  in a desired pattern and under a desired amount of pressure. For example, the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be configured to dispense a flow or stream of treating chemistry into the tub  14  by gravity, i.e. a non-pressurized stream. 
     Water can be supplied to the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  from the supply conduit  52  by directing the diverter mechanism  50  to direct the flow of water to a dispensing supply conduit  68 . The dispensing supply conduit  68  can include a dispensing nozzle  66  configured to dispense the flow of water to the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  in a desired pattern and under a desired amount of pressure. 
     The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can include multiple chambers or reservoirs for receiving doses of different treating chemistries. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be moveable between a fill position, wherein the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  is exterior to the cabinet  12  and can be filled with treating chemistry when the door assembly  24  is in the opened condition, and a dispense position, wherein the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  is interior of the cabinet  12  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. 
     Non-limiting examples of treating chemistries that can be dispensed by the dispensing system during a cycle of operation include one or more of the following: water, detergents, surfactants, enzymes, fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinkle releasers/reducers, softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stain repellents, water repellents, energy reduction/extraction aids, antibacterial agents, medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers, shrinkage inhibitors, and color fidelity agents, and combinations thereof. The treating chemistries can be in the form of a liquid, powder, or any other suitable phase or state of matter. 
     The laundry treating appliance  10  can also include a recirculation and drain assembly for recirculating liquid within the laundry holding assembly and draining liquid from the laundry treating appliance  10 . Liquid supplied to the tub  14  through tub outlet conduit  54  and/or the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  typically enters a space between the tub  14  and the drum  16  and can flow by gravity to a sump  70  formed in part by a lower portion of the tub  14 . The sump  70  can also be formed by a sump conduit  72  that can fluidly couple the lower portion of the tub  14  to the pump  74 . The pump  74  can have an inlet fluidly coupled with the sump  70  and an outlet configured to fluidly couple and to direct liquid to the drain conduit  76 , which can drain the liquid from the laundry treating appliance  10 , or to the recirculation conduit  78 , which can terminate at the recirculation inlet  80 . In this configuration, the pump  74  can be used to drain or recirculate wash water in the sump  70 . The recirculation inlet  80  can direct the liquid from the recirculation conduit  78  into the drum  16  by fluidly coupling the recirculation conduit  78  with the drum  16 . The recirculation inlet  80  can introduce the liquid into the drum  16  in any suitable manner, such as by spraying, dripping, or providing a steady flow of liquid. In this manner, liquid provided to the tub  14 , with or without treating chemistry can be recirculated into the treating chamber  18  for treating the laundry within. The recirculation and drain assembly can include other types of recirculation systems. 
     The liquid supply and/or recirculation and drain assembly can be provided with a heating assembly which can include one or more devices for heating laundry and/or liquid supplied to the tub  14 , such as a steam generator  82  and/or a sump heater  84 . Liquid from the household water supply  40  can be provided to the steam generator  82  through the inlet conduit  46  by controlling the first diverter mechanism  48  to direct the flow of liquid to a steam supply conduit  86 . Steam generated by the steam generator  82  can be supplied to the tub  14  through a steam outlet conduit  87 . The steam generator  82  can be any suitable type of steam generator such as a flow through steam generator or a tank-type steam generator. Alternatively, the sump heater  84  can be used to generate steam in place of or in addition to the steam generator  82 . In addition or alternatively to generating steam, the steam generator  82  and/or sump heater  84  can be used to heat the laundry and/or liquid within the tub  14  as part of a cycle of operation. The sump heater  84  can be provided within the sump  70  to heat liquid that collects in the sump  70 . Alternatively, the heating assembly can include an in-line heater that heats the liquid as it flows through the liquid supply, dispensing, and/or recirculation assemblies. 
     It is noted that the illustrated suspension assembly, liquid supply assembly, recirculation and drain assembly, and dispensing assembly are shown for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to the assemblies shown in the drawings and described above. For example, the liquid supply, dispensing, and recirculation and pump assemblies can differ from the configuration shown in  FIG.  1   , such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, heaters, sensors (such as water level sensors and temperature sensors), and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the laundry treating appliance  10  and for the introduction of more than one type of treating chemistry. For example, the liquid supply assembly can include a single valve for controlling the flow of water from the household water source. In another example, the recirculation and pump assembly can include two separate pumps for recirculation and draining, instead of the single pump as previously described. In yet another example, the liquid supply assembly can be configured to supply liquid into the interior of the drum  16  or into the interior of the tub  14  not occupied by the drum  16 , such that liquid can be supplied directly to the tub  14  without having to travel through the drum  16 . 
     The laundry treating appliance  10  also includes a drive assembly for rotating the drum  16  within the tub  14 . The drive assembly can include a motor  88 , which can be directly coupled with the drum  16  through a drive shaft  90  to rotate the drum  16  about a rotational axis during a cycle of operation. The motor  88  can be a brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor having a stator  92  and a rotor  94 . Alternately, the motor  88  can be coupled to the drum  16  through a belt and a drive shaft to rotate the drum  16 , as is known in the art. Other motors, such as an induction motor or a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor, can also be used. The motor  88  can rotationally drive the drum  16 , including that the motor  88  can rotate the drum  16  at various speeds in either rotational direction. 
     The laundry treating appliance  10  also includes a control assembly for controlling the operation of the laundry treating appliance  10  and its various working components to control the operation of the working components and to implement one or more treating cycles of operation. The control assembly can include the controller  30  located within the cabinet  12  and the user interface  32  that is operably coupled with the controller  30 . The user interface  32  can provide an input and output function for the controller  30 . In one example, the user interface  32  can be provided or integrated with the door assembly  24 , such as being located on the front surface  58  or the top surface  60 . In another example, the user interface  32  can be provided on the front panel  62  of the cabinet  12 , such that the user interface  32  may not be accessible by a user when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. 
     The user interface  32  can include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output. For example, the displays can include any suitable communication technology including that of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) array, or any suitable display that can convey a message to the user. The user can enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options. Other communications paths and methods can also be included in the laundry treating appliance  10  and can allow the controller  30  to communicate with the user in a variety of ways. For example, the controller  30  can be configured to send a text message to the user, send an electronic mail to the user, or provide audio information to the user either through the laundry treating appliance  10  or utilizing another device such as a mobile phone. 
     The controller  30  can include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the laundry treating appliance  10 . For example, the controller  30  can include the machine controller and a motor controller. Many known types of controllers can be used for the controller  30 . It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to effect the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID control), can be used to control the various components. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the controller  30  can be provided with a memory  34  and a central processing unit (CPU)  36 . The memory  34  can be used for storing the control software that is executed by the CPU  36  in completing a cycle of operation using the laundry treating appliance  10  and any additional software. For example, the memory  34  can store a set of executable instructions including at least one user-selectable cycle of operation. Examples, without limitation, of cycles of operation include: wash, heavy duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash, pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, and timed wash, which can be selected at the user interface  32 . The memory  34  can also be used to store information, such as a database or table, and to store data received from one or more components of the laundry treating appliance  10  that can be communicably coupled with the controller  30 . The database or table can be used to store the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including factory default values for the operating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control assembly or by user input. 
     The controller  30  can be operably coupled with one or more components of the laundry treating appliance  10  for communicating with and controlling the operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller  30  can be operably coupled with the valves  42 ,  44  and the diverter mechanisms  48 ,  50  for controlling the temperature and flow rate of treating liquid into the treating chamber  18 , the motor  88  for controlling the direction and speed of rotation of the drum  16 , the pump  74  for controlling the amount of treating liquid in the treating chamber  18  or sump  70 , the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  for controlling the flow of treating chemistries into the treating chamber  18 , the user interface  32  for receiving user selected inputs and communicating information to the user, the steam generator  82 , and the sump heater  84  to control the operation of these and other components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation. 
     The controller  30  can also be coupled with one or more sensors  38  provided in one or more of the assemblies of the laundry treating appliance  10  to receive input from the sensors  38 , which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of sensors  38  that can be communicably coupled with the controller  30  include: a treating chamber temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, which can detect the temperature of the treating liquid in the treating chamber  18  and/or the temperature of the treating liquid being supplied to the treating chamber  18 , a moisture sensor, a weight sensor, a chemical sensor, a position sensor, an imbalance sensor, a load size sensor, and a motor torque sensor, which can be used to determine a variety of assembly and laundry characteristics, such as laundry load inertia or mass. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of the laundry treating appliance  10  with the door assembly  24  in the opened condition, spaced from the access opening  63  and exposing the front panel  62  of the cabinet  12  to view by a user. At least one hinge  25  can couple the door assembly  24  to the cabinet  12  for movement between the closed condition and the opened condition. While the door assembly  24  is illustrated herein as pivoting horizontally, it will be understood that the door assembly  24  can also be configured to pivot vertically. Any suitable closure mechanism can be used for securing the door assembly  24  in the closed condition. By way of non-limiting example, a catch or hook (not shown) can be provided on the front panel  62  for selective interaction with a latch (not shown) provided on the door assembly  24  and configured to resiliently retain the door assembly  24  in the closed condition until sufficient force is applied to overcome the coupling of the door assembly  24  with the front panel  62 . 
     Other components, though not shown, can be included on or within the door assembly  24 , such as on the top surface  60 , non-limiting examples of which include the user interface  32 , a display, or mode selectors. In the case that such components or any other components are provided with the door assembly  24  requiring electrical power, the wires for powering such components can pass from the cabinet  12  into the door assembly  24  by passing through the at least one hinge  25 . 
     The rear face  64  of the door assembly  24  can comprise a bulkhead  67  to which the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be mounted or coupled. The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  comprises at least one bulk treating chemistry reservoir, illustrated herein as a first treating chemistry reservoir  102  and a second chemistry reservoir  104 , a bulk treating chemistry dispenser inlet  106 , and a bulk treating chemistry dispenser outlet  108 . The dispenser inlet  106  can be formed at an upper end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  and can be fluidly coupled to the water supply  40  by the dispensing nozzle  66  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. The dispenser outlet  108  can be formed at a lower end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  and can be fluidly coupled to the treating chamber  18  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. The dispenser outlet  108  can be provided as an opening in the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 , and/or can include at least one spray nozzle. 
     The first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104  can be removably or detachably coupled to the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 , the bulkhead  67 , and/or the rear face  64 . The first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104  can be positioned side-by-side within the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  and can be sized and shaped to extend along the vertical height of the access opening  63  such that the first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104  can protrude through and be received within the access opening  63  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. In one example, when the reservoirs  102 ,  104  are positioned side-by-side, the dispenser inlet  106  and the dispenser outlet  108  can be located between the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . By way of non-limiting example, each of the reservoirs  102 ,  104  can be sized to hold at least 1.1 liters of a treating chemistry. 
     Each of the first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104  can include a closure, illustrated herein as a lid  110 . The lid  110  can be any suitable type of closure that is movable relative to the reservoirs  102 ,  104  to selectively allow a treating chemistry to be added to an interior of the reservoirs  102 ,  104 , non-limiting example of which include snap-fit lids, screw-on lids, plug type closures, or rotatable or pivotable lids that can be hingedly coupled to the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . The lids  110  are illustrated herein as pivotable or flip lids  110 . A finger recess  112  can be provided adjacent at least one edge of the lid  110  to allow a user access to contact or grip the edge of the lid  110  in order to open the lid  110  to allow for cleaning or adding treating chemistry to the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . Each lid  110  can also be provided with an indicia  114 , which can be a symbol, image, or text to indicate, by way of non-limiting example, a type of chemistry to be contained within the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . While such an indicia  114  is illustrated herein as being provided on the lid  110 , it will be understood that the indicia  114  could alternatively be provided on the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . 
     The reservoirs  102 ,  104  can further include or define a handle, illustrated herein as a grip recess  116  that can be configured, such as being shaped, sized, or contoured, to be grasped by a user to facilitate removal of the reservoirs  102 ,  104  from the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 . The reservoirs  102 ,  104  can be retained within the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  by a snap fit or an interference fit such that a user is able to remove the reservoirs  102 ,  104  by gripping the grip recess  116  and pulling or lifting the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . The reservoirs  102 ,  104  can further include a fill indicia  118  comprising a visual indicator of a current level of treating chemistry within the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . The fill indicia  118  can include a viewing window  120 , which can be provided as at least a portion of the reservoir  102 ,  104  that is transparent and provides a view of at least a portion of the interior of the reservoir  102 ,  104  so that a user can view a fill level of the treating chemistry within the reservoir  102 ,  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , the dispenser outlet  108  can comprise a mixing conduit outlet  122  and a cleaning outlet  124 . The mixing conduit outlet  122  is fluidly coupled to the dispenser inlet  106  and can be provided at the lowermost point of abutment between the first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104 . In one example, the reservoirs  102 ,  104  can at least partially define the mixing conduit outlet  122 . The mixing conduit outlet  122  is configured to provide liquid that exits the mixing conduit outlet  122  to the treating chamber  18  and can be provided as an opening defined by the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  or as at least one spray nozzle that is positioned or oriented to spray toward the treating chamber  18 . 
     The cleaning outlet  124  is fluidly coupled to the dispenser inlet  106  and can be provided adjacent the mixing conduit outlet  122  at the lower end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 . In one example, the cleaning outlet  124  can be located between the mixing conduit outlet  122  and the rear face  64  or the bulkhead  67 . However, it will be understood that any suitable location for the cleaning outlet  124  on the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  can be used, such that the cleaning outlet  124  is positioned to be able to provide a spray of liquid onto at least a portion of the bellows  26 . In one example, the cleaning outlet  124  can be positioned at the lower end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  such that the cleaning outlet  124  at least partially overlies the bellows  26  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. The cleaning outlet  124  can include at least one cleaning spray nozzle  126  ( FIG.  7   ). While the cleaning outlet  124  is illustrated herein as including a set of three cleaning spray nozzles  126 , it will be understood that any suitable number of cleaning spray nozzles  126  can be used. The cleaning spray nozzles  126  can be positioned or oriented to deliver the spray of liquid toward the bellows  26  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition in order to perform cleaning of the bellows  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition, the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  protrudes through the access opening  63 , and is additionally received within and abutting the bellows  26 . The dispensing nozzle  66  can be provided on the bellows  26 . In one aspect, the dispensing nozzle  66  can at least partially protrude through the bellows  26 . When the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition, the dispensing nozzle  66  is positioned adjacent the dispenser inlet  106  such that water provided from the water supply  40  to the dispensing nozzle  66  can flow from the dispensing nozzle  66  and into the dispenser inlet  106 . In one example, the dispensing nozzle  66  can be at least partially aligned with the dispenser inlet  106 . 
     A mixing conduit  128  extends between and fluidly couples the dispenser inlet  106  with the dispenser outlet  108 , and specifically the mixing conduit outlet  122 . The mixing conduit  128  can be provided between the reservoirs  102 ,  104  and can extend along the vertical height of the reservoirs  102 ,  104 , and thus the access opening  63 . The mixing conduit  128  can be defined by a housing or a conduit provided within the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  regardless of whether or not the reservoirs  102 ,  104  are received in place within the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 , or the first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104  can at least partially collectively form the mixing conduit  128 . 
     A first conduit portion  130  and a second conduit portion  132  can be collectively thought of as forming a treating chemistry supply conduit  134  that fluidly couples the mixing conduit  128  with at least one of the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . The treating chemistry supply conduit  134  can include and be fluidly coupled to a pump assembly  138 , which can be a hydraulic pump assembly  138 , that is configured to provide the treating chemistry from the reservoir  102 ,  104  into the mixing conduit  128 . In one example, the first conduit portion  130  can extend between and fluidly couple the reservoir  102 ,  104  to the pump assembly  138 , while the second conduit portion  132  can extend between and fluidly couple the pump assembly  138  to the mixing conduit  128 . The treating chemistry supply conduit  134 , and specifically the first conduit portion  130 , can include a plunger  136  that can be configured to dock with the reservoir  102 ,  104  and can allow treating chemistry to flow from the reservoir  102 ,  104  to the first conduit portion  130  only when the pump assembly  138  is operated and to prevent treating chemistry from entering the first conduit portion  130  when the pump assembly  138  is not operated. 
     In one example, the pump assembly  138  can be positioned between the rear face  64  and the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . The pump assembly  138  can be at least partially received within the bulkhead  67  portion of the door assembly  24 . The bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  of the present disclosure can be used with a variety of laundry treating appliances  10  having various configurations for the door assembly  24 , including built-in and not built-in laundry treating appliances  10 , and door assemblies  24  that can extend along and selectively cover either the entire front panel  62  or only a portion of the front panel  62 , such as the access opening  63 . For example, in the case that the laundry treating appliance  10  is a built-in laundry treating appliance  10 , the door assembly  24  can extend along and selectively cover the entire front panel  62 , while the bulkhead  67  portion of the door assembly  24  selectively covers the access opening  63  and serves to mount the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  that is selectively received within the access opening  63 , such that the door assembly  24  provides for only a single door to be opened in order for a user to access the treating chamber  18 . In one example, the front surface  58  of the door assembly  24  can be opaque, so as to prevent viewing of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  and the pump assembly  138  from an exterior of the laundry treating appliance  10  when the door assembly  24  is in the closed condition. 
     A cleaning nozzle conduit  148  can be provided to fluidly couple the cleaning spray nozzles  126  with the mixing conduit  128 . The cleaning nozzle conduit  148  can be configured to allow liquid to flow from the mixing conduit  128  to the cleaning spray nozzles  126  passively, such as by flow of gravity. Alternatively, the cleaning nozzle conduit  148  can have a pump (not shown), as in the arrangement of the treating chemistry supply conduit  134  and pump assembly  138 . Such a pump can be configured to provide liquid, which can be only water or a mix of treating chemistry and water, from the mixing conduit  128  to the cleaning spray nozzles  126  and can be positioned between the rear face  64  and the reservoirs  102 ,  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , the reservoirs  102 ,  104  can each define a dispensing opening  140  within which the plunger  136  can be received when the reservoirs  102 ,  104  are docked with the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  in order to fluidly couple the reservoirs  102 ,  104  with the first conduit portion  130 . The pump assembly  138  comprises a pump inlet  142  and a pump outlet  144 . The mixing conduit  128  can define at least one treating chemistry inlet  146 . The first conduit portion  130  can fluidly couple the dispensing opening  140  with the pump inlet  142 . The second conduit portion  132  can fluidly couple the pump outlet  144  with the treating chemistry inlet  146 . 
     While the cleaning nozzle conduit  148  is illustrated herein as being a branched conduit that fluidly couples each of the cleaning spray nozzles  126  with the mixing conduit  128  via a single, common cleaning nozzle conduit  148 , it will be understood that multiple cleaning nozzle conduits  148  can be included, such that each of the cleaning spray nozzles  126  is fluidly coupled to the mixing conduit  128  via a dedicated, non-branched cleaning nozzle conduit  148 . In addition, while the cleaning nozzle conduit  148  is illustrated herein as being coupled to the mixing conduit  128  at a lower end of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 , it is contemplated that the cleaning nozzle conduit  148  can couple to the mixing conduit  128  at any suitable point along the mixing conduit  128 , can couple directly to the dispenser inlet  106 , or can be fluidly coupled with the dispensing nozzle  66  independently of the mixing conduit  128 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , a front cross-sectional view of the laundry treating appliance  10  with the door assembly  24  in the closed condition shows a rear view of a portion of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  where it can be more clearly seen that the reservoirs  102 ,  104  can at least partially define the mixing conduit  128 , as well as the dispenser inlet  106  and the mixing conduit outlet  122 . It can also be appreciated that each of the reservoirs  102 ,  104  is provided with a dedicated pump assembly  138 , a plunger  136 , a dispensing opening  140 , and a treating chemistry inlet  146  to the mixing conduit  128 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , a top cross-sectional view of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  with the door assembly  24  in the closed condition relative to the cabinet  12  illustrates the coupling of the first reservoir  102  to the mixing conduit  128  by the first conduit portion  130  of the first supply conduit  134  via the first pump assembly  138 , while the second reservoir  104  is coupled to the mixing conduit  128  by the second first conduit portion  130  of the second supply conduit  134  via the second pump assembly  138 . 
     Turning now to the operation of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 , water can be supplied to the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  from the dispensing supply conduit  68  and the dispensing nozzle  66  when so directed by the controller  30  for a cycle of operation. Water dispensed from the dispensing nozzle  66  can enter the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  through the dispenser inlet  106  to flow into the mixing conduit  128 . While water is supplied to the mixing conduit  128  of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100 , at least one of the pump assemblies  138  can be operated to supply at least one treating chemistry from at least one of the reservoirs  102 ,  104  to the mixing conduit  128 . While the operation of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  is described herein as providing treating chemistry to the mixing conduit  128  concurrently with the supply of water to the mixing conduit  128 , it will be understood that treating chemistry can also be supplied to the mixing conduit  128  independently of the supply of water to the mixing conduit  128 . 
     The selection of the reservoir  102 ,  104  from which the treating chemistry is to be pumped can be determined by the cycle of operation. For example, during a pre-wash or a wash phase of the cycle of operation, a detergent can be supplied to the mixing conduit  128  from the first reservoir  102 , while a fabric softener can be supplied to the mixing conduit  128  from the second reservoir  104  at a subsequent phase of the cycle of operation. Alternatively, treating chemistries from both the first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104  can be supplied to the mixing conduit  128  at the same time. 
     The contents or the type of treating chemistry stored within the treating chemistry reservoirs  102 ,  104  can be a parameter defined by the laundry treating appliance  10 , or it can be a user-selectable variable. By way of non-limiting example, the laundry treating appliance  10  can be programmed via the controller  30  to recognize the first treating chemistry reservoir  102  as being designated for a detergent, while the second treating chemistry reservoir  104  can be designated for containing a fabric softener. Alternately, a user can instruct the controller  30  as to what is contained in the treating chemistry reservoirs  102 ,  104  by entering such information into the user interface  32 . By way of non-limiting example, a user can input information to the user interface  32  indicating that the first treating chemistry reservoir  102  contains a detergent while the second treating chemistry reservoir  104  contains a fabric softener or a stain treating chemistry, or that both treating chemistry reservoirs  102 ,  104  contain a detergent, or any desired combination. 
     Based on information received by or programmed into the controller  30  as to the contents of the treating chemistry reservoirs  102 ,  104 , the controller  30  can determine an appropriate amount of a treating chemistry from one or more of the treating chemistry reservoirs  102 ,  104  that should be taken from the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  at a predetermined appropriate point during the automatic cycle of operation, and the controller  30  can control the operation of at least one of the pump assemblies  138  accordingly to remove the appropriate amount of the treating chemistry from at least one of the treating chemistry reservoirs  102 ,  104  at the appropriate time. 
     When the controller  30  determines that treating chemistry should be supplied from at least one of the reservoirs  102 ,  104 , the pump assembly  138  operates to draw treating chemistry from the at least one of the reservoirs  102 ,  104  through the dispensing opening  140  to the first conduit portion  130 , into the pump inlet  142  to the pump outlet  144 , through the second conduit portion  132 , and into the mixing conduit  128  via the treating chemistry inlet  146 . The treating chemistry pumped into the mixing conduit  128  by the pump assembly  138  mixes with the water that has entered the mixing conduit  128  through the dispenser inlet  106  in order to form a water-treating chemistry mixture within the mixing conduit  128 . In one example, the water-treating chemistry mixture within the mixing conduit  128  can then be supplied to the mixing conduit outlet  122  by gravity flow or with the aid of a pump to enter the treating chamber  18 . 
     In place of, or in addition to, the supplying of the water-treating chemistry mixture to the treating chamber  18  through the mixing conduit outlet  122 , water-treating chemistry mixture can flow from the mixing conduit  128 , through the cleaning nozzle conduit  148 , and can then exit the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  through the cleaning spray nozzles  126  of the cleaning outlet  124  to additionally provide the function of cleaning of the bellows  26 . The supply of the water-treating chemistry mixture from the mixing conduit  128  to the cleaning spray nozzles  126  can be driven by gravity flow, as well as under the operation of a valve or a pump. The water-treating chemistry mixture can be supplied from the cleaning spray nozzles  126  so as to be sprayed directly onto the bellows  26  to clean the bellows  26 . 
     The operation of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser  100  to provide cleaning of the bellows  26  through the cleaning spray nozzles  126  can occur automatically as a part of certain cycles of operation, can be programmed to occur when a predetermined number of cycles of operation of the laundry treating appliance  10  have been completed or after a predetermined length of time, or can occur when directed to occur by a user by way of an input to the user interface  32 , independently of the normal laundry treating cycle of operation. The user can also select, at the user interface  32 , if the cleaning of the bellows  26  should be done with water only, or with the water-treating chemistry mixture. 
     The aspects of the present disclosure described herein set forth a bulk treating chemistry dispenser for a laundry treating appliance that allows for improved user experience and flexibility. The positioning of the bulk treating chemistry reservoirs on the rear face of the door can allow a user easy access to the treating chemistry reservoirs, which can either be filled in place within the bulk treating chemistry dispenser, or can be removed to be filled at a more convenient location for the user. This also allows for previously unused space within the door assembly and received within and abutting the bellows to be efficiently used as the location for the bulk treating chemistry dispenser to allow for the storage of large quantities of treating chemistries that can be dispensed on a load-by-load basis. In addition, the treating chemistry reservoirs include features that allow for easy insertion, easy removability, and easy alignment with the bulk treating chemistry dispenser, as well as easily allowing a user to check the fill level of the reservoirs without removing the reservoirs from the bulk treating chemistry dispenser. Methods are also provided for leveraging the location of the bulk treating chemistry dispenser in order to provide a cleaning function for the bellows, which can otherwise retain buildup of treating chemistries, bacteria, debris, and water, eventually resulting in unpleasant odors to a user. 
     Specifically in the context of a built-in laundry treating appliance, the aspects of the present disclosure set forth a laundry treating appliance wherein a user need only open a single door in order to gain access to the drum and to the treating chamber. In the case of traditional built-in appliances, two doors are typically provided. A first, inner door is typically provided to selectively cover the access opening, often similar to doors found on traditional non-built-in laundry treating appliances. A built-in laundry treating appliance, however, will also include a second, outer door that extends along and selectively covers the entire height and width of the laundry treating appliance, and can have an appearance to match the outer cabinetry of, for example, a kitchen or bathroom of the user. Thus, the user must open both doors in order to gain access to the treating chamber for loading laundry items, which can be bothersome. The laundry treating appliance disclosed herein would allow for a built-in laundry treating appliance which can still have an outer appearance to match surrounding cabinetry, and further wherein a user need only open a single door to gain access to the treating chamber, resulting in an improved user experience and improved convenience. 
     To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature is not illustrated in all of the aspects is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose aspects of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice aspects of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. While aspects of the disclosure have been specifically described in connection with certain specific details thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, which is defined in the appended claims.