Patent Publication Number: US-7900486-B2

Title: Agent dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an agent dispenser for a fabric treatment appliance, such as a washing machine. Agent dispensers are well-known devices for receiving powder and/or liquid agents, such as washing agents and additives, including detergents, bleach and other oxidizers, and fabric softeners, and dispensing the agent into a receptacle of the fabric treatment apparatus for treating fabric items contained in the receptacle during an operation cycle of the fabric treatment appliance. Typically, water supplied to the agent dispenser mixes with the agent to form an agent solution, which is dispensed into the receptacle. Problems commonly encountered with agent dispensers may include clumping of a powder agent, poor mixing of the agent and water, premature interaction of agent with water remaining in the dispenser from a previous operation cycle, and overflowing the agent dispenser. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An agent dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention for a fabric treatment appliance comprises a housing, a manifold having at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port, and an agent compartment in the housing configured to receive an agent in liquid or powder form. The at least one outlet port is in fluid communication with the bottom of the agent compartment to supply water to the bottom of the agent compartment whereby the water supplied to the agent compartment mixes with the agent in the agent compartment substantially from the bottom up. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary fabric treatment appliance in the form of a washing machine with an agent dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the washing machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of the agent dispenser of  FIG. 1  having a receptacle and a cover according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the agent dispenser of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first alternative receptacle for the agent dispenser of  FIG. 3  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second alternative receptacle for the agent dispenser of  FIG. 3  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third alternative receptacle for the agent dispenser of  FIG. 3  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 6  of an alternative agent dispenser having the third alternative receptacle of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the agent dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the agent dispenser of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a cutaway perspective view of an exemplary fabric treatment appliance in the form of a washing machine  10  showing the environment in which one or more embodiments of the invention can be used. The fabric treatment appliance may be any machine that treats fabrics, and examples of the fabric treatment appliance may include, but are not limited to, a washing machine, including top-loading, front-loading, vertical axis, and horizontal axis washing machines; a dryer, such as a tumble dryer or a stationary dryer, including top-loading dryers and front-loading dryers; a combination washing machine and dryer; a tumbling or stationary refreshing/revitalizing machine; an extractor; a non-aqueous washing apparatus; and a revitalizing machine. For illustrative purposes, the invention will be described with respect to a washing machine with the fabric being a clothes load, with it being understood that the invention may be adapted for use with any type of fabric treatment appliance for treating fabric and to other appliances, such as dishwashers, employing an agent dispenser. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , which is a side sectional view of the washing machine  10  of  FIG. 1 , the washing machine  10  of the illustrated embodiment may include a cabinet  12  that houses a stationary tub  14 . A rotatable drum  16  mounted within the tub  14  may include a plurality of perforations  18  ( FIG. 1 ), and liquid may flow between the tub  14  and the drum  16  through the perforations  18 . The drum  16  may define a chamber  20  for receiving fabric items to be treated. The chamber  20  may be accessible through a hinged lid  22  ( FIG. 1 ), as is well-known in the washing machine art. A motor  24  coupled to the drum  16  through a transmission  26  may rotate the drum  16  at various speeds in opposite rotational directions. 
     The tub  14  and/or the drum  16  may be considered a receptacle, and the receptacle may define a fabric treatment chamber for receiving fabric items to be treated. While the illustrated washing machine  10  includes both the tub  14  and the drum  16 , it is within the scope of the invention for the fabric treatment appliance to include only one receptacle, with the receptacle defining the fabric treatment chamber for receiving the fabric items to be treated. 
     Washing machines are typically categorized as either a vertical axis washing machine or a horizontal axis washing machine. As used herein, the “vertical axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum that rotates about a generally vertical axis relative to a surface that supports the washing machine. Typically, the drum is perforate or imperforate and holds fabric items and a fabric moving element, such as an agitator, impeller, nutator, and the like, that induces movement of the fabric items to impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles for cleaning action. 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” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum that rotates about a generally horizontal axis relative to a surface that supports the washing machine. The drum may be perforated or imperforate, holds fabric items, and typically washes the fabric items by the fabric items rubbing against one another and/or hitting the surface of the drum as the drum rotates. In horizontal axis washing machines, the clothes are lifted by the rotating drum and then fall in response to gravity to form a tumbling action that imparts the mechanical energy to the fabric articles. In some horizontal axis washing machines, the drum rotates about a horizontal axis generally parallel to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be horizontal. The drum can rotate about an axis inclined relative to the horizontal axis, with fifteen degrees of inclination being one example of inclination. 
     Vertical axis and horizontal axis machines are best differentiated by the manner in which they impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles. In vertical axis machines, the fabric moving element moves within a drum to impart mechanical energy directly to the clothes or indirectly through wash liquid in the drum. The clothes mover is typically moved in a reciprocating rotational movement. In horizontal axis machines mechanical energy is imparted to the clothes by the tumbling action formed by the repeated lifting and dropping of the clothes, which is typically implemented by the rotating drum, although the use of a fabric moving element in a horizontal axis machine is also possible. The illustrated exemplary washing machine  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a vertical axis washing machine. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the washing machine  10  may further include a liquid supply and recirculation system. Liquid, such as water, may be supplied to the washing machine  10  from a water supply, such as a household water supply, via, for example, hot and cold water supply inlets  30 ,  32 . A water supply conduit  34  may fluidly couple the hot and cold water supply inlets  30 ,  32  to an agent dispenser  60 . A valve assembly  36  may control flow of the water from the hot and cold water supply inlets  30 ,  32  and through the water supply conduit  34  to the agent dispenser  60 . The valve assembly  36  may be positioned in any suitable location between the hot and cold water supply inlets  30 ,  32  and the agent dispenser  60 . It is within the scope of the invention for the liquid supply system to include any number of water supply inlets, such as only one inlet, i.e., only the cold water supply inlet  32 . The agent dispenser  60  may be fluidly coupled with the tub  14  and/or the drum  16  for dispensing an agent solution formed by the agent and the water to the fabric treatment chamber, as will be described in more detail below. The agent solution that flows from the agent dispenser  60  typically enters a space between the tub  14  and the drum  16  and may flow by gravity to a sump  38  formed by a lower portion of the tub  14 . A pump  40  fluidly coupled to the sump  38  may direct fluid to a drain conduit  42 , which may drain the liquid from the washing machine  10 , or to a recirculation conduit  44 , which may terminate at a recirculation inlet  46 . A two-way valve  48  provided at the juncture of the drain conduit  42  and the recirculation conduit  44  may alternately direct liquid flow to the drain conduit  42  or the recirculation conduit  44 . The recirculation inlet  46  at the end of the recirculation conduit  44  may direct the liquid from the recirculation conduit  44  into the drum  16 . The recirculation inlet  46  may introduce the liquid into the drum  16  in any suitable manner, such as by spraying, dripping, or providing a steady flow of the liquid. 
     The liquid supply and recirculation system may differ from the configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, agent dispensers, and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the washing machine  10  and for the introduction of more than one type of agent. Further, the washing machine  10  may include a heating system for heating liquid in the washing machine  10 . The heating system may include a sump heater, a steam generator, a combination of a sump heater and a steam generator, or other types of devices for heating the liquid. 
     The washing machine  10  may further include a controller  50  coupled to various working components of the washing machine  10 , such as the motor  24 , the valve assembly  36 , the pump  40 , the two-way valve  48 , the agent dispenser  60 , and other valves and sensors commonly employed in washing machines, such as temperature sensors and pressure sensors, to control the operation of the washing machine  10 . The controller  50  may receive data from one or more of the working components or sensors and may provide commands, which can be based on the received data, to one or more of the working components to execute a desired operation of the washing machine  10 . The commands may be data and/or an electrical signal without data. A control panel  52  may be coupled to the controller  50  and may provide for input/output to/from the controller  50 . In other words, the control panel  52  may perform a user interface function through which a user may enter input related to the operation of the washing machine  10 , such as selection and/or modification of an operation cycle of the washing machine  10 , and receive output related to the operation of the washing machine  10 . 
     Many known types of controllers may be used for the controller  50 . The specific type of controller is not germane to the invention. It is contemplated that the controller may be a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various 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), may be used to control the various components. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the agent dispenser  60  according to one embodiment of the invention. The agent dispenser  60  may typically be used with a liquid agent, a powder agent, or both a liquid agent and a powder agent. The agent may be any agent for treating fabric, and examples of agents may include, but are not limited to washing agents, such as detergents and oxidizers, including bleaches, and additives, such as fabric softeners, sanitizers, de-wrinklers, and chemicals for imparting desired properties to the fabric, including stain resistance, fragrance (e.g., perfumes), insect repellency, and UV protection. 
     The agent dispenser  60  of the illustrated embodiment includes a housing  62  formed by an open-top receptacle  64  closed by a cover  66 . The housing  62  of the illustrated embodiment is shaped to fit in a desired location, such as a corner, of the washing machine  10 , but it is within the scope of the invention for the housing  62  to have any suitable configuration. As shown in  FIG. 4 , which is an exploded view of the agent dispenser  60  of  FIG. 3 , the cover  66  includes an opening  68  for receipt of the agent, such as by manual introduction of the agent through the opening  68  by a user. The cover  66  further includes a siphon tube receiver  70  having a downwardly extending cylindrical body  72  with a closed top  74 . Additionally, a segmented, generally linear rib  76  extends downwardly from the cover  66  toward the receptacle  64 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the receptacle  64  includes first and second orthogonal sidewalls  80 ,  82 , a third sidewall  84  orthogonal to the first sidewall  80  and opposed to the second sidewall  86 , a fourth sidewall  86  orthogonal to the second sidewall  82  and opposed to the first sidewall  80 , and an arcuate fifth sidewall  88  joining the third and fourth sidewalls  84 ,  86 . In this embodiment, the arcuate fifth sidewall  88  is provided to accommodate the space necessary for the drum  16 , and the shape of the fifth sidewall  88  is not to be considered critical to the invention. As stated above, the housing  62  may have any suitable configuration, and the particular configuration described herein is for illustrative purposes only. An inlet compartment  90 , an agent compartment  92 , and an overflow compartment  94  in this embodiment are defined within the sidewalls  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 . 
     In particular, the inlet compartment  90  is defined between the first sidewall  80  and a generally vertical, upstanding wall  96  spaced from the first sidewall  80 , along with the connecting portions of the first and third sidewalls  82 ,  84 . Near or at a bottom edge of the wall  96 , a plurality of outlet ports in the form of spaced, elongated slits or openings  98  separated by partitions  100  provides fluid communication between the inlet compartment  90  and the agent compartment  92 , which, in the exemplary embodiment, is located adjacent to the inlet compartment  90  on the opposite side of the wall  96 . In different embodiments of the invention, the number, location, and shape of the openings  98  may vary from what is shown in  FIG. 4 . The wall  96  may further include a air vent  102 , such as the opening  102  disposed near or at an upper edge of the wall  96 . An inlet port  104 , which can be located in any suitable position and is shown as being located at the second sidewall  82 , provides an entry for the supply of water to the agent dispenser  60  through the inlet compartment  90 . The water supply conduit  34  may be coupled to the inlet port  104  to introduce the water into the inlet compartment  90 . In alternate embodiments of the invention, the inlet port  104  and the inlet compartment  90  may be substantially integrated such that the inlet compartment  90  becomes substantially reduced in size, e.g., resembling a multiple nozzle shower head. As shown in  FIG. 5 , which is a sectional view taken along the wall  96 , the rib  76  on the cover  66  mates with the wall  96 , and the cover  66  and the receptacle  64  are coupled, such as through ultrasonic welding or other suitable joining process, including a snap fit, to seal the inlet compartment  90 , except for the inlet port  104 , the openings  98 , and the air vent  102 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the receptacle  64  further includes an overflow wall  110  having, in this embodiment, a generally linear portion  112  parallel to and spaced from the second sidewall  82  and an arcuate portion  114  spaced from the second and fourth sidewalls  82 ,  86 . The linear portion  112  extends from the wall  96  and joins with the arcuate portion  114  near the juncture of the second sidewall  82  with the fourth sidewall  86 . The overflow wall  110  divides that portion of the receptacle  64  excluding the inlet compartment  90  into the agent compartment  92  and the overflow compartment  94 . 
     The agent compartment  92  is defined between the wall  96 , the overflow wall  110 , the third sidewall  84 , and the fifth sidewall  88 . The agent compartment  92  is also defined, in part, by a bottom wall  120  of the receptacle  64 . Further, the agent compartment  92  includes a loading zone LZ, shown by a dashed line in  FIG. 4 , which in this embodiment is characterized as that portion of the agent compartment  92  in registry with the opening  68  of the cover  66  and an area surrounding the portion in registry with the opening  68  such that the agent introduced through the opening  68  primarily loads into the loading zone LZ of the agent compartment  92 . The loading zone LZ in the current embodiment contains no structure to positively hold the agent in the loading zone LZ, but the agent, particularly an agent in powder form, will tend to reside in the loading zone LZ due to the registry of the opening  68  with the loading zone LZ. In reality, some of the agent may naturally flow to areas of the agent compartment  92  outside the loading zone LZ. The area outlined by the dashed line in  FIG. 4  to represent the loading zone LZ is provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the metes and bounds of the loading zone LZ. 
     As seen in  FIG. 6 , which is a sectional view taken along a plane generally parallel to the linear portion  114  of the overflow wall  110 , the bottom wall  120  may be inclined to encourage flow of water and agent solution toward a siphon tube  122  in the agent compartment  92  during operation of the agent dispenser  60 , as described in more detail below. The siphon tube  122  extends above and below the bottom wall  120  of the receptacle  64  and may be surrounded by a siphon sump  124  formed in the bottom wall  120  of the receptacle  64 . The portion of the siphon tube  122  extending above the bottom  120  and into the agent compartment  92  may be received within the cylindrical body  72  of the siphon receiver  70  formed in the cover  66 . The siphon tube  122  and the siphon receiver  70  form a siphon device for removal of the agent solution from the agent receptacle  92  during operation of the agent dispenser  60 . The siphon tube  122  may be fluidly coupled to any desirable location in the washing machine  10 , such as the space between the tub  14  and the drum  16 , as described above. A valve or other flow control device may be located downstream from the siphon tube  122  to control flow out of the agent dispenser  60 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the overflow compartment  94  is defined by the overflow wall  110 , the second sidewall  82 , the fourth sidewall  86 , and connecting portions of the wall  96  and the fifth sidewall  88 . The overflow wall  110  has a height less than the distance between the bottom wall  120  and the cover  66  such that an upper edge of the overflow wall  110  is spaced from the cover  66 , as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , to provide fluid communication between the agent compartment  92  and the overflow compartment  94 . With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the overflow compartment  94  includes a drain port  130 , which is preferably fluidly coupled to the same destination as the siphon tube  122 , although it is within the scope of the invention for it to be coupled elsewhere. 
     During operation of the washing machine  10 , the agent dispenser  60  is employed to dispense the agent contained therein into the fabric treatment chamber under the control of the controller  50  by way conventional valving (such as the valve assembly  36 ) to control the supply of water to the inlet port  110  or the drain of water from the siphon tube  122  and/or the drain port  130 . At any suitable time, such as before the start of the operation or during the operation, the user may introduce the agent, typically in either powder or liquid form, into the agent dispenser through the opening  68 . The agent enters the agent compartment  92  and is deposited primarily in the loading zone LZ of the agent compartment  92 . Some of the agent may enter areas of the agent compartment  92  outside the loading zone LZ. 
     When time comes to dispense the agent, the controller  50  signals the valve assembly  36  to supply water to the agent dispenser  60  through the water supply conduit  34 . Water is normally supplied for predetermined period of time. The water enters the agent dispenser  60  through the inlet port  104  into the inlet compartment  90  under its ambient pressure, as indicated by arrows labeled A in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the openings  98  are located near or at the bottom of the wall  96  and distributed through its length. As the water enters the inlet compartment  90 , its ambient pressure also urges the water through the openings  98  into the agent compartment  92 , as indicated by arrows labeled B in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . In normal usage, in the embodiment shown, the water pressure typically is high enough that the incoming water is effectively distributed across the bottom wall  120  of the agent compartment  92 . As well, the openings  98  are sized small enough that the water is urged into the agent compartment  92  at a relatively high velocity. The velocity may or may not be higher than the velocity of the water entering the inlet compartment  90 , but it will preferably be high enough to enhance mixing of any powders deposited in the loading zone LZ with the water. Thus, for a powder agent, the water entering the agent compartment  92  at a relatively high velocity along the bottom wall  120  of the agent compartment  92  tends to turbulently lift, suspend, and jostle the powder agent, thereby facilitating mixing of the agent with the water from the bottom up to form the agent solution, as indicated by arrows labeled C in  FIG. 6 . For a liquid agent, the water entering the agent compartment  92  has a similar effect to facilitate mixing of the agent with the water. The agent solution need not be a solution with the agent fully dissolved in the water; rather, the agent solution may have a dispersion of the agent in the water so that the water may carry the agent to the desired location. 
     The water, any undissolved agent, and the agent solution flow toward the siphon tube  122  and exit the agent dispenser through the siphon tube  122 , as indicated by arrows labeled D in  FIG. 6 . Flow through a siphon device in a dispenser of this type is a well-known concept and will not be described here for brevity. Any type of siphon device may be employed with the agent dispenser  60  for dispensing the agent solution from the agent compartment  92 . In the illustrated embodiment, the configuration of the siphon tube  122  and the siphon receiver  70  may be set to achieve a desired siphon flow. For example, the height and diameter of the siphon tube  122  and/or the cylindrical body  72  of the siphon receiver  70  may be predetermined to achieve a desired flow rate. 
     The air vent  102  in the wall  96  facilitates establishing a stable, swift and uninterrupted siphon flow of the agent solution from the agent compartment  92  through the siphon tube  122 , by enabling the prompt removal of water remaining in the inlet compartment  90  until it is reasonably evacuated. The air vent  102  allows air to flow from the agent compartment  92  into the inlet compartment  90  to enable the siphon to draw water remaining in the inlet compartment  90  out of the inlet compartment  90 , especially when the valve assembly  36  is closed. Air entering the inlet compartment  90  through the air vent  102  compensates for the water leaving the inlet compartment  90  and inhibits formation of a vacuum in the inlet compartment  90  that would otherwise retard or interrupt the siphoning through the siphon tube  122 . 
     If, at any time during the operation of the agent dispenser  60 , the level of the agent solution in the agent compartment  92  rises to the upper edge of the overflow wall  110 , any additional supply of water to the agent compartment not accommodated by the agent solution leaving the agent compartment  92  through the siphon tube  122  will tend to cause overflow of the agent, water, or agent solution into the overflow compartment  94 , as indicated by arrows labeled E in  FIG. 6 . In other words, if the siphon flow through the siphon tube  122  cannot draw the agent solution from the agent compartment  92  at a rate sufficient to maintain the level in the agent compartment  92  below the upper edge of the overflow wall  110 , the contents of the agent compartment  92  will flow over the overflow wall  110  and into the overflow compartment  94 . The overflow into the overflow compartment  94  leaves the agent dispenser  60  through the drain port  130  to a desired location. The overflow compartment  94 , therefore, prevents the agent dispenser  60  from overflowing and leaking. Further, large particulates of the agent, if present, will float or be propelled to the surface of the agent solution in the agent compartment  92  and flow into the overflow compartment  94  should the level of agent solution in the agent compartment  92  rise to the upper edge of the overflow wall  110 , thereby evacuating the large particulates from the agent compartment  92 . The drain port  130  may be sized to accommodate the large particulates, and the bottom  120  of the receptacle  64  in the overflow compartment  92  may be inclined toward the drain port  130  to facilitate fluid flow toward the drain port  130 . 
     The supply of water to the inlet compartment  90  during the operation of the agent dispenser  60  can be controlled in any suitable manner to achieve a desired flow of water into the agent compartment  92 . The particular parameters employed for controlling the valve assembly  36  will normally depend on characteristics of the water supply, such as water pressure, design of the washing machine  10 , type of agent, and configuration and size of the agent dispenser  60 . For example, the water flow can be controlled to supply water continuously or intermittently into the inlet compartment  90 . In one embodiment, the water flow may be controlled to supply water to the inlet compartment  90  for a first predetermined period of time, such as about twenty seconds, cease supply of water for a second predetermined period of time, such as about fifteen seconds, and supply water again for a third predetermined period of time, equal to or different from the first predetermined period of time. The water supply may be controlled at a time later in the operation of the washing machine  10  or after the operation of the washing machine  10  to rinse the agent dispenser  60 . 
     The inlet compartment  90 , including the inlet port  104  and the outlet port in the form of the openings  98 , form a manifold for the agent dispenser  60 . The manifold in this embodiment is a conventional manifold having a single inlet and multiple outlets; however, it is within the scope of the invention for the manifold to have any suitable number of inlets and any suitable number of outlets (e.g., single inlet/single outlet, single inlet/multiple outlets, multiple inlets/multiple outlets, multiple inlets/single outlet). The manifold functions to adapt the flow of water supplied by the water supply conduit  34  to the bottom of the agent compartment  92  such that the water supply mixes with the agent in the agent compartment  92  substantially from the bottom up. Other examples of the manifold may include, but are not limited to, the multiple nozzle shower head described above, an adapter to adapt the flow of water from the conduit into a generally triangular, cone, or other shape spray of water similar to adapters used on garden hoses. In other words, the manifold need not constitute a distinct compartment in the agent dispenser  60  but may take the form of an adapter located between the water supply conduit  34  and the agent compartment  92 . It is believed that distributing the flow across the bottom of the agent compartment at a relatively high velocity enables a dispenser according to the invention to effectively handle liquid or powder agents. 
     The receptacle  64  may be configured in any suitable manner to achieve a desired flow of water into the inlet compartment  90  and the agent compartment  92  in accord with the invention. Alternative embodiments illustrating other exemplary configurations for the receptacle  64  are shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , where elements similar to those of the receptacle  64  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6  are identified with the same reference numeral bearing the letter “A,” an alternative receptacle  64 A is substantially similar to the receptacle  64  of  FIGS. 3-6 , except that the inlet compartment  90 A of the receptacle  64 A of  FIG. 7  is configured to extend around more of the perimeter of the agent compartment  92 A. For example, the inlet compartment  90 A extends around approximately three-quarters of the perimeter of the agent compartment  92 A, particularly along the first, third, and fifth sidewalls  80 A,  84 A,  88 A. In contrast, the inlet compartment  90  of  FIGS. 3-6  extends around approximately one-quarter of the agent compartment  90 A, particularly along the first sidewall  80 . It is within the scope of the invention for the inlet compartment to have any suitable perimeteral length relative to the agent compartment to achieve a desired flow rate and flow pattern of water into the agent compartment. For example, the inlet compartment may extend around the entire perimeter of the agent compartment in an embodiment lacking the overflow compartment. The openings  98 A may be located along the entire wall  96 A, as in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , or may be located in selected locations along the wall  96 A to achieve a desired flow rate and flow pattern of water into the agent compartment  96 A. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , where elements similar to those of the receptacle  64  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6  are identified with the same reference numeral bearing the letter “B,” an alternative receptacle  64 B is substantially similar to the receptacle  64  of  FIGS. 3-6 , except that the inlet compartment  90 B of the receptacle  64 B of  FIG. 8  includes multiple inlet ports  104 B to accommodate multiple supplies of water to the inlet compartment  90 B. In particular, the exemplary inlet compartment  90 B has one of the inlet ports  104 B on the second sidewall  80 B and another of the inlet ports  104 B on the third sidewall  84 B. The inlet compartment  90 B may include any desired number of the inlet ports  104  in any suitable locations to achieve a desired flow rate and flow pattern of water, and two of the inlet ports  104 B are shown in  FIG. 8  for illustrative purposes. 
     It is also contemplated to vary the size of the openings  98  in any embodiment of the agent dispenser  60  to achieve a desired flow rate and flow pattern of water. For example, successive openings  98  away from the inlet port  104  can be defined by increasing length and, therefore, increasing area. Such a configuration may be considered to accommodate a reduction in water pressure as a function of distance from the inlet port  104 . Conversely, a system with a sufficiently high water pressure may not benefit from such a variation in the size of the openings  98 . 
     It is also contemplated to vary the direction of water flow into the inlet port  104  compared to the direction of water flow from the inlet compartment  90  into the agent compartment  92 . In the embodiments described thus far, the direction of water flow into the inlet compartment  90  via the inlet port  104  is generally perpendicular to the direction of water flow from the inlet compartment  90  into the agent compartment  92 . The two directions may have another relative configuration, such as a parallel configuration or at an angle between perpendicular and parallel. In some embodiments, the relative directions may be dictated by the configuration of the washing machine  10  and the space available for the agent dispenser  60 . 
     It is also contemplated to position the inlet compartment  90  in a position other than adjacent to the agent compartment  92  such that the water may flow from the inlet compartment  90  and through the bottom wall  120  of the receptacle  64  into the agent compartment  92 . This type of water flow into the agent compartment  92  may achieve the same effect as the water flow that results from positioning of the openings  98  near or at the bottom of the wall  96  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6  in that the water enters the agent compartment  92  at the bottom of the agent compartment  92  and thereby lifts, suspends, and moves the agent. This configuration results in effectively locating the openings  98  at the bottom wall  120  of the receptacle  64  in the agent compartment  92  and may be employed with the agent in powder form; the size of the openings  98  may be sufficiently small to prevent the powder agent from falling through the openings  98 . Alternately, if a an agent in liquid form were to be used, typically some type of trap, valve, or other appropriate device known to those skilled in the art may be used to contain the liquid agent between the inlet port  104  and the receptacle  64  or in the receptacle  64 . 
     Another embodiment of the receptacle  64 C is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , where elements similar to those of the receptacle  64  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6  are identified with the same reference numeral bearing the letter “C.” As seen in  FIG. 9 , the exemplary alternative receptacle  64 C is substantially similar to the receptacle  64  of  FIGS. 3-6 , except that the bottom  120 C of the receptacle  64 C is generally flat rather than sloped or inclined, or is less sloped or inclined than the bottom wall  120 , and includes a well  140 C surrounding the siphon conduit  122 C. While the well  140 C in the illustrated embodiment is generally rectangular, the well  140 C may have any suitable configuration. The loading zone LZC resides on the bottom  120 C and does not extend into the well  140 C such that the agent introduced in the agent compartment  92 C substantially resides in the loading zone LZC rather than the well  140 C, which may hold residual water and/or agent remaining from the previous operation cycle.  FIG. 10 , which is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 6  of an alternative agent dispenser  60 C employing the alternative receptacle  64 C, illustrates that the well  140 C may be inclined toward the siphon tube  122  to facilitate flow of the agent, water, and agent solution in the well  140 C toward the siphon tube  122 C for maximum removal of the agent, water, and agent solution from the well  140 C through the siphon tube  122 C during operation of the agent dispenser  60 . The receptacle  64 C may include the sump  124 C surrounding the siphon tube  122 C in addition to the well  140 C, or, alternatively, the receptacle  64 C may include only the well  140 C surrounding the siphon tube  122 C. 
     Another embodiment of the agent dispenser  60 D is illustrated in  FIGS. 11-13 , where elements similar to those of the agent dispenser  60  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6  are identified with the same reference numeral bearing the letter “D.” As seen in  FIG. 11 , the agent dispenser  60 C is similar to the agent dispenser of  FIGS. 3-6 , except for some cosmetic differences and the presence of a siphon wall  150 D, which can be seen in the exploded view of  FIG. 12 , extending upwardly from the bottom  120 D. The siphon wall  150 D may be located in the agent compartment  92 D between the loading zone LZD and the siphon tube  122 D to form a siphon compartment  154 D around the siphon tube  122 D, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is located near the third side wall  84 D between the wall  96  and the overflow wall  110 . The siphon compartment  154 D may fluidly communicate with the agent compartment  92 D through gaps  152 D formed between the siphon wall  150 D and the wall  96 D and the overflow wall  110 D. Further, as seen in  FIG. 13 , which is a sectional view of the agent dispenser  60 D taken along a line through the siphon tube  122 D, the siphon wall  150 D may have a height less than the distance between the bottom  120 D and the cover  66 D. The siphon wall  150 D may provide a barrier between the loading zone LZD and the siphon compartment  154 D to avoid or reduce the mixing of the agent in the agent compartment  92 D with residual water that may remain in the siphon compartment  154 D from the previous operation cycle. The operation of the agent dispenser  60 D is substantially similar to that of the agent dispenser  60  described above, except that the agent, water, and agent solution in the agent compartment  92 D must flow around the siphon wall  150 D through the gaps  152 D to reach the siphon tube  122 D. Further, the alternatives for the receptacle  64  described above may also be incorporated into the receptacle  64 D or other embodiments of the receptacle  64 . 
     The embodiments of the agent dispenser described above are configured for manual introduction of the agent through the opening in the cover; however, it is within the scope of the invention for the agent dispenser to incorporate other configurations for loading the agent. For example, the agent dispenser may be configured for automatic loading of the agent, for example, through a drawer-type sliding mechanism or a pivoting-type door mechanism, or other configurations known to those skilled in the art. 
     The embodiments of the agent dispenser described above are configured with a single agent compartment to hold one agent at a time; however, it is within the scope of the invention for the agent dispenser to be configured to hold more than one agent, such as by incorporating more than one agent compartment, with one or more of the agent compartments fluidly communicating with the inlet compartment in the manners described above such that the water enters the agent compartment at the bottom of the agent compartment. Further, the agent dispenser may include a separate inlet compartment and/or separate outlet compartment for each of the agent compartments in the agent dispenser. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.