Patent Abstract:
A lightweight, free-body and buoyant dispenser that is centrifugally actuated for releasing a laundry product following the spin cycle includes a housing that has one or more covered apertures one of which is exposed during the spin cycle. The laundry product, which is a liquid, solid, gel powder, or mixture thereof, however, does not exit the dispenser until the spinning has subsided. Disc-shaped dispensers having two apertures that are covered by biased-doors are especially suited for delivering laundry agents for post-spin cycle treatment.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a dispenser for releasing a laundry product such as a fabric treating agent or conditioner for use in washing machines, and more particularly to a centrifugally actuated dispenser.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Various laundry products or additives are used in washing machines to maximize cleaning, fabric protection and the like. However, in order for many of these additives to be effective, it is often necessary to segregate the different additives when more than one is employed as the presence of one additive may adversely affect the others. Similarly, some additives are effective only at certain stages of the wash cycle. For instance, fabric softeners or other fabric treating agents must be added to the laundry in the washing machine during the final rinse portion of the wash cycle. If the fabric softener is added before, most of the softener is simply wasted. Thus, a consumer using an automatic washing machine will typically add detergent to the basket of the washing machine along with the soiled clothing and, subsequently, wait until the final rinse portion before adding fabric softener.  
         [0003]     To make using fabric softeners more convenient, dispensers have been developed which release a liquid additive to the clothe basket of a washing machine at the appropriate phase after the wash cycle. Examples of these are found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,911 to Spain, U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,014 to Gayring et al., and 3,233,794 to Sisler. Unfortunately, these prior art devices exhibit a number of deficiencies. One shortcoming is that they are rather complex and expensive. They further require attachment and some integration into the workings of the washing machine with which they are used, and therefore materially add to cost. These devices typically may not be merely added to an existing washing machine but must be built into the machine at the factory, thus making them virtually useless for existing washing machines that have been sold without such automatic dispenser capability.  
         [0004]     Another approach to improving consumer convenience is the multi-use approach wherein two or more laundry additives are included on a single delivery substrate. The multi-use approach contemplates depositing two or more additives targeted at different phases of a laundry cycle, e.g. detergent plus a fabric softener, upon or within a delivery substrate. The substrate is added to the washer at the start of the laundry cycle, and is designed to dispense the additive at the stage of the wash cycle where the additive is most effective.  
         [0005]     There are several drawbacks associated with multi-use compositions of the art. Typically, delivery of each additive does not occur exactly at the stage of the wash cycle where its use is most efficient. Multi-use packages are often inefficient owing to their fixed proportions of the various additives. The consumer thus cannot vary the amount of a particular additive without altering the amount of the remaining additives. In many cases, delivery of a particular additive does not occur, or incompletely occurs, when intended. This severely reduces performance of the additive. Some additives can interact with their co-additives, also severely reducing their performance. Most multi-use additives include the additive, e.g. fabric softener, with the detergent composition, and such detergents usually hamper the performance of such softeners. The detergent/softener compositions are thus relatively easy to use, but do not work well.  
         [0006]     Another approach to obtaining the convenience of multi-use compositions with the effectiveness and flexibility of single-use additives is to provide a means for dispensing the additive at the desired point(s) in the cycle. Typically such a dispenser is a mechanical device built into the washing machine, and has a limited capability for dispensing additives. Many of these dispensers are suited to dispense only liquid additives and usually are made by the appliance manufacturers to fit only certain models of washing machines that they also manufactured. A number of patent references describe dispensers that use centrifugal force developed by a washing machine during a spin phase to effect release of an additive. The centrifugal dispensers of the art appear to fall into two categories: (a) passive dispensers with no moving parts which rely entirely on centrifugal force to release the additive; and (b) active dispensers which utilize centrifugal force to effect a change in configuration of the dispenser, causing the release of the additive.  
         [0007]     Generally, the prior art dispensers of the first type are suited to dispense only liquid additives, which are effective only if delivered in the rinse. The second class of prior art dispensers are often complex, and/or are limited in their application to a small number of washing machine agitators. The liquid additives suffer the disadvantage of being inconvenient, and often messy to use, while the mechanical dispensers necessary to dispense the liquid additive generally must be provided by the manufacturer with the washing machine, and cannot be retrofitted.  
         [0008]     The first category of prior art dispensers describe, in general, a two-chamber dispenser that is mounted on top of an agitator. An inner chamber has outwardly sloping walls and is initially filled with the additive. Coakial with and having larger diameter than this inner chamber is an outer chamber with straight walls and often a circumferential channel. At the bottom of the second chamber are one or more apertures that allow the additive to drain into the tub of the washing machine. With this type of dispenser, a liquid additive to the inner chamber and during the spin phase, centrifugal force causes the additive to flow out over the sloping walls and into the second chamber, where it continues to flow under the influence of centrifugal force into the circumferential channel. When the spin phase ends, the additive flows by gravity out or the apertures at the bottom of the second chamber and into the tub as it is filling with rinse water. Dispensers of this type are disclosed, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,277 to Manthei, U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,574 to Sundstrom, U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,957 to Marcussen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,773 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,785 both to Waugh, U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,054 to Drews et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,480 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,135 both to Douglas, U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,163 to Bochan et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,059 Yates.  
         [0009]     Other dispensers which rely on centrifugal force to release an additive, but which are not attached to the agitator include free body dispensers having a balloon-like additive reservoir that releases additive under pressure generated by spin phase centrifugal forces, especially if the reservoir is sandwiched between a laundry load and the sidewall of the machine. See for, example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,515 to Townsend. U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,573 to Brenner et al. describes a centrifugally actuated two-chamber dispenser which hangs on the rim of the wash tub; operation of this device is similar to the agitator-mounted two-chamber dispensers, i.e., centrifugal fill of an outer chamber and gravity flow after the spin ceases.  
         [0010]     There are numerous prior art centrifugal force operated dispensers that effect a mechanical change in the dispenser and that indirectly cause the dispensing of the additive. U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,951 to Clearman et al. describes a dispenser apparatus that is mounted on an agitator that includes a water pump and a nozzle. Under centrifugal force created by the spin, the nozzle is redirected to aim a flow of water into a portion of the dispenser containing the additives. U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,131 to Dugger describes a pouch containing an additive and constructed such that a seal on the pouch is broken under the centrifugal force of the spin, freeing the additive. U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,544 to Olthuis describes an agitator-mounted dispenser that is held above the water level during the wash. During the spin phase the centrifugal force releases a catch on the dispenser causing it to fall below the rinse water level. T993,001 (U.S. Defensive Publication) to McCarthy describes a spin actuated dispenser having a mass attached to a valve. U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,054 to Bory et al. discloses non-soluble sheets having partially serrated phases that rupture under spin-generated centrifugal force, releasing an additive. U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,391 to Merz discloses a dispenser that releases additive via a centrifugally actuated valve. U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,530 to Filipak shows a dispenser that may be attached to the agitator and comprises a pivotable cup that pivots from vertical to horizontal during spin, pouring out the additive.  
         [0011]     In view of the deficiencies of the existing art, there remains a need for a simple, reliable mechanical dispenser, which can be used with a wide variety of existing commercially available washing machines, for dispensing a laundry additive into the washing machine during a selected phase of the washing cycle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention is based in part on the development of a lightweight, free-body dispenser that is centrifugally-actuated for releasing a laundry product following the spin cycle and typically in the rinse cycle which obviates the need for consumer intervention. The dispenser can use laundry products in the form of a liquid, solid, gel, powder, or mixtures thereof. Specifically, the laundry product, which is typically water soluble, is released through an opened aperture of the dispensing device and into the washing machine as it is being filled with rinse water following the spin cycle. The laundry product then comes into contact with the clothes as the product dissolves in the water.  
         [0013]     Accordingly, in one aspect the invention is directed to a dispenser, for use in a basket of an automatic washing machine for dispersing a laundry product into the basket that includes a rotatable inner wall and an interior region, wherein the dispenser includes: 
        a housing defining an internal chamber adapted to receive the laundry product and having at least one aperture;     cover means for covering and sealing the at least one aperture wherein the cover means includes at least one cover that is movable between a closed position and an opened position upon activation of the cover means;     latch means for engaging the at least one cover to maintain the at least one cover in its closed position until the latch means is disengaged whereby the at least one cover moves to its opened position;     a weight assembly that is actuated by centrifugal force and that is operatively connected to the latch means, whereby the weight assembly upon actuation by the centrifugal force causes the latch means to disengage the at least one cover;     means for causing the housing to orient within the basket, when the housing is subject to a centrifugal force, so that when the weight assembly is actuated and the at least one cover moves to its opened position the laundry product remains within the internal chamber until the centrifugal force has substantially subsided or been removed, with the proviso that only one aperture becomes exposed to the environment when the housing is subject to the centrifugal force; and     means for biasing the weight assembly to return the weight assembly to a neutral position when the centrifugal force has substantially subsided or been removed.        
 
         [0020]     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a dispenser, for use in a basket of an automatic washing machine for dispersing a laundry product into the basket that includes a rotatable inner wall and an interior region, wherein the dispenser includes: 
        a housing defining an internal chamber adapted to receive the laundry product and having first and second apertures;     a first cover means for covering and sealing the first aperture, which includes a first cover that is movable between a first closed position and a first opened position upon activation of the first cover means;     a second cover means for covering the second aperture, which includes a second cover that is movable between a second closed position and a second opened position upon activation of the second cover means;     a weight assembly that is actuated by centrifugal force and thereupon activates either the first cover means or the second cover means, but not both, thereby uncovering and unsealing one of the first or second apertures;     means for causing the housing to orient within the basket, when the housing is subject to a centrifugal force, so that when either the first or second cover means is activated and either the first or second cover moves to its opened position the laundry product remains within the internal chamber until the centrifugal force has substantially subsided; and     means for biasing the weight assembly to return the weight assembly to a neutral position when the centrifugal force has substantially subsided or been removed.        
 
         [0027]     The dispenser is preferably buoyant and has two sealable apertures each of which can be opened by centrifugal force. An important feature of the dispensing device is that one of the apertures is opened by the centrifugal force during the spin cycle; nevertheless, the laundry product remains within the chamber of the dispensing device and is not released from the dispensing device until the spinning has substantially stopped. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are cross-sectional elevational views a dispenser of the instant invention;  
         [0029]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict the lever/weight assembly and corresponding support elements, respectively, for the dispenser;  
         [0030]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are the perspective interior views of a half portion of the dispenser with the aperture opened and closed, respectively;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the interior of an embodiment of the dispenser; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along line  7 - 7  of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of the dispensing device has an overall disc-shaped configuration with a round outer perimeter and relatively flat outer contours formed on opposite sides. The device is preferably constructed of a pair of shells made of light-plastic material that is buoyant in water so that the device, when filled with the intended additive, remains afloat on the surface of the water thereby avoiding entanglement with clothing during the wash cycle. In addition, the device will rest on top of the clothing after the water has drained from the basket or drum following the wash cycle. In this fashion, the dispenser does not become entangled with the articles in the basket when the spin cycle begins so that the device can assume the proper orientation against the basket wall, i.e., against the articles of clothing that are banked against along the side of the wall, during the spin cycle.  
         [0034]     The device has an inner chamber  10  and apertures  12  and  14  that are each located at two opposite facing flat contours. The overall configuration of the device is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis  11  and the internal parts within the chamber are situated about this axis so that the device is evenly balanced. In this fashion, during the spin cycle, the device will be held by the centrifugal force against the basket of the washing machine with one of the flat surfaces of the device being pressed against the wall of the basket.  
         [0035]     Aperture  12  is covered by hinged door  16  and aperture  14  is likewise covered by hinged door  22 . Seals  18  and  20  are positioned around the perimeter of apertures  12  and  14 , respectively. Alternatively, the seals can be attached to edges of the doors. The hinged doors are biased toward the center of chamber  10  and, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the doors are kept closed by latch  42  which is an elongated member having a first end that is in contact with door  16  and a second end that is in contact with door  22 . The latch is connected via member  36  to a lever/weight assembly that includes weight  30 . Latch  42  is pivotably attached to member  36  at pivot point  38  so that movement of weight  30  in direction  32  or  34  will cause the latch to move in either of two predetermined directions. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when weight  30  is pulled toward direction  34 , latch  42  rotates around pivot point  38  so that the first end of latch  42  becomes disengaged from door  16 . The biased door swings inward immediately thereby exposing the chamber  10  to the outside environment through aperture  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second end of the latch however remains engaged to door  22  thereby keeping it closed.  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lever/weight assembly also includes two realignment elements  50 ,  52  for re-positioning weight  30  to its original or neutral position once the spinning has substantially stopped. Operation of the realignment elements  50 ,  52  is further illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . As shown, each realignment element has two sets of wings  50 A,  50 B and  52 A,  52 B that are attached to rod members  56  and  54 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 3B , each half of the inner shell of the dispensing device has support features for the lever/assembly that include a center support  60  for rod  54  and side supports  62  and  64  for wings  52 A and  52 B, respectively. Corresponding support features for rod  56  and wings  50 A and  50 B are shown on the other side of the shell. In addition, the other half of the shell (not shown) has matching support elements that together with those illustrated in  FIG. 4 , secure the lever/assembly. The rods  54 ,  56  ( FIG. 3A ) fit into their respective center supports so that the rods are free to rotate; the wings  50 A,  50 B and  52 A,  52 B rest between the tips of the side supports.  
         [0037]     The wings are made of light weight, resilient material such as plastics, e.g., polyethylene. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 A, when the dispenser is subject to a centrifugal force, weight  30  is pulled away from its neutral position on axis  11 ; this motion causes the resilient material of the wings to bend. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the movement of weight  30  will also cause latch  42  to shift thereby disengaging one end of the latch from door  16  that springs open. When the centrifugal force is removed, e.g., after the spin cycle terminates, the wings act as springs to return the weight  30  to its original neutral position but hinged door  16  remains open. The weight assembly can employ other biasing means to return the weight  30  to its neutral position. For instance, the weight assembly can be spring-loaded.  
         [0038]     One of the distinguishing features of the dispenser is that even though one of its two doors opens during the spin cycle, the laundry product remains within the chamber until the spin cycle has substantially stopped and the basket is refilled with fresh water. Referring to  FIG. 2 , when the dispenser is subject to a centrifugal force as in the washing machine basket, the force will orient the dispenser so that one of its flat surfaces becomes substantially oriented toward the outer perimeter of the basket and the other flat surface of the device faces the center of the basket. It is understood, that articles being washed may be situated between the outer perimeter of the basket and the dispenser. In the illustration of  FIG. 2 , the side of the dispenser with aperture  12  would be facing the center and the side with aperture  14  would be pressed against the basket. Thus, even when door  16  swings opening, the contents inside chamber  10  do not exit the chamber because the laundry product also is subject to the centrifugal force.  
         [0039]     To prevent the doors of the dispenser from opening prematurely before the spin cycle, the dispenser is designed so that the doors do not open under the influence of the relatively mild forces generated during the wash cycle. In other words, the agitation forces associated with the wash cycle do not move weight  30  sufficiently to permit either door  16  or  22  to open. One technique of achieving this is to use a weight  30  that is of sufficient mass.  
         [0040]     In use, a consumer fills the chamber of the dispenser with a laundry product, e.g., rinse released product, through aperture  12  or  14 , then closes the spring-loaded door with the aid of one the raised finger grip protrusions  13  or  15  on the surface of the doors  16  and  22 , respectively. The loaded dispenser is ready for use and can be in placed the drum of an automatic washing machine along with the soiled clothing to be washed. The dispenser can be loaded with any desired laundry product especially products, such as fabric softeners, that are intended to interact with articles being laundered following the initial spin cycle. However, it is understood that laundry products can also include, for example, any composition added to enhance the cleanliness, sanitation or aesthetics of fabrics, and includes, but is not limited to detergents, whiteners, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, bleaches, bleach activators, anti-redeposition agents, enzymes and mixtures of the foregoing.  
         [0041]     The dispenser is particularly suited for delivering a fabric treatment composition for imparting fabric protection benefits, including stain resistance, oil repellency, water repellency, softness, wrinkle and damage resistance, and improved hand feel. One such composition is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/338,350 filed Jan. 8, 2003 to Kaaret et al. and entitled “Fabric Treatment for Stain Release,” which is incorporated herein by reference. This fabric treatment composition includes at least one zeta potential modifier and a hydrophobic agent having a melting point or glass transition temperature of less than 100° C. A fluoropolymer is preferably included. The composition once treated onto the fabric can be cured by exposing the fabric to a temperature above ambient but less than 100° C. that can be accomplished in an automatic drying machine.  
         [0042]     The dispenser of the present invention can be used in any automatic clothes washing machines that includes a clothesbasket into which the clothes to be washed are placed. Preferred are top loading machines, which are the kind having a vertically oriented basket with a hinged, top loading door, the clothes are loosely placed in the basket around a centrally disposed agitator. Typically, the agitator tapers from a base at the bottom of the clothesbasket to a generally frustoconical end or projection spaced from the top door when in the closed or horizontal position. A plurality of agitator blades is frequently found on the sides of the agitator for disturbing the wash water and thereby removing dirt and other contaminants from the clothes.  
         [0043]     Commonly, these automatic washing machines have control mechanisms for establishing a sequence of washing cycles. The general sequence is washing, extracting by wash water by spinning, rinsing and then extracting rinse water by spinning again. Of course, variations from this typical sequence in different machines are also possible.  
         [0044]     After the machine is loaded with clothes, and the lid closed, the first cycle of washing begins with the slow filling of the wash basket with water. This filling takes a period of several minutes. Usually, a soap or detergent is used in the washing operation. The soap or detergent is generally placed in the wash basket over the clothes prior to the closing of the lid and the initiation of the washing cycles. The inventive dispenser, which is loaded with the desired laundry product, can be placed into the basket at this time for spin actuated.  
         [0045]     During the wash cycle, the doors of the buoyant dispenser remain closed thereby isolating the laundry product inside the chamber from the wash liquor. When the wash cycle is complete with the wash liquor having been drained from the basket, initiation of the spin cycle causes the realignment of the dispenser device against the side of the basket as described herein.  
         [0046]     The centrifugal force acting on the lever arm releases one of the latch ends that engage one of the spring-loaded doors. Specifically, the door that is opposite the direction of the force, in other words, the inward facing door, swings open inwardly toward the inner chamber. Although the inward facing door is now open, centrifugal force also keeps product inside the device. When the spin cycle stops, the device falls to the bottom of the basket and the laundry product dissolves in the rinse water that fills the basket and freely enters the now opened dispenser.  
         [0047]     After the basket is filled, rinse agitation helps disperse the product throughout the rinse water. The weighted levers orients the device perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the basket such that product can more easily be rinsed out of the device. Hence, the device enables automatic release of a product into the rinse wash cycle of any automatic washing machine employing a centrifugal spin cycle without the need for user intervention or concerns about premature release of the product other cycles of the washing machine.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate another embodiment of the dispensing device that has two hinged doors that are separately activated. As depicted, the interior of the lower half of the device, which has an overall disc-shaped configuration, has a round exterior perimeter  70  and relatively flat outer contours formed on opposite sides. A dispenser is formed when two symmetrical halves or shells are sealed to create an enclosed chamber or compartment.  
         [0049]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , one shell includes an aperture  78  that has a water-resistant seal or gasket  76  surrounding its perimeter. The aperture is flanked on one side by the spring loaded hinged door  72  that is biased to open toward the interior and on the other side by a spring-loaded lever/weight assembly  74 . Alternatively, the seals can be attached to the perimeter of edges of the door. The door  72  has a lip  80  at one end. The lever/weight assembly includes a lever arm  86  that supports a weight  82  at one end and a shorter extension arm  84  at the other end. The lever/weight assembly is designed so that when centrifugal force pulls the lever arm toward the center of the device, the extension arm bends away from the center. To facilitate the closing of an opened door, surface of each door facing that faces the exterior environment can also be equipped with a raised finger grip protrusion.  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the closed door  72  seals the aperture; this effectively creates a watertight compartment within the dispenser when both apertures are so sealed. Sealing of the aperture is accomplishing by securing the lip of the door to the extension arm of the lever/weight assembly. The door remains closed until centrifugal force activates the lever/weight assembly to bend the extension arm and thereby disengage the door that then swings open.  
         [0051]     In constructing a dispenser by mating two half portions illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it is preferred that the halves are arranged so that weights are the same side of the device. This provides for better weight distribution. While the size of the device is not critical, it should be such as to be conveniently used with minimal chance of be entangled in the articles being washed. Moreover, the dispenser should have a loading capacity in the approximate range of 50 cc to 200 cc of laundry product.  
         [0052]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate another embodiment of the dispenser that preferably has an overall disc-shaped configuration with a round perimeter and relatively flat outer contours formed on opposite sides. The dispenser is formed by preferably permanently attaching two halves or shells  100 ,  200 ; the internal features of shell  100  are depicted in the figures. Shell  100  defines an inner chamber having an aperture that is covered by closed hinged-door  102 A, which is biased by spring  132  to swing toward the interior of the chamber to an opened position  102 B as shown in  FIG. 7 . The outer surface of the door has an o-ring, water-resistant gasket  108  that keeps the interior chamber substantially isolated from the environment when the door is closed.  
         [0053]     The door  102 A has an extension  134  that extends toward an outer edge of the interior of the chamber. The door has a rotatable rod  150  on each side that permits the hinged door to readily move from a closed position  102 A to an opened position  102 B. Rib structure  126  provides structural support for the door  102 A and extension  134  while minimizing the mass of the dispenser.  
         [0054]     The dispenser further includes a lever/weight assembly that responds to centrifugal force to open the hinged door. The lever/weight assembly includes a weight  104  that is positioned near the outer edge of the chamber and an extension arm  106 . The extension arm  106 , which functions as a latch, engages the top surface of the hinged door  102 A to keep it closed until the weight is subject to centrifugal force. In addition, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , a spring mechanism  152  that is cooperatively connected to rod  130  creates a spring load that biases the extension arm  106  so that when the door is pushed to its closed position, the door remains sealed until weight  104  encounters the requisite centrifugal force. As shown, the lever/weight assembly has a rotatable rod  130  that is supported by support posts  122 A and  122 B.  
         [0055]     As further depicted, the dispenser also preferably includes support columns  124 A,  124 B and  120 A and  120 B that are strategically located to afford structural integrity to the dispenser. To assemble a dispenser, two shells, each of which has the support columns, are attached together. Preferably the two shells are assembled as mirror images of each other so that in the fabricated dispenser, both weights are on the same end of the chamber.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , certain parts of the dispenser&#39;s exterior notably portions  140  and  142  can be fabricated with a pliable water-resistant material. Portions on the exterior of shell  200 , with closed door  202 , that are denoted by reference numbers  240  and  242  correspond to portions  140  and  142  of shell  100 , respectively. When the consumer presses portion  142  and engages weight  104 , the extension arm  106  concomitantly is pressed away from the edge of door  102 A. As a result, the hinged door springs from its closed position  102 A to an open position  102 B. The resilient gasket  108  around perimeter of door  102 A provides some of the spring loading on the door, while spring  132  provides the majority of the spring loading.  
         [0057]     In use, the consumer fills the chamber of the dispenser with laundry product through one of the opened doors. After the chamber is loaded with laundry product, the consumer closes the door by pressing into portion  140  and engaging extension  134  until the door is reengaged to extension arm  106 . The gasket seals the interface between door  102 A and the opening. The dispenser is then ready for use as described previously. During the spin cycle, the dispenser will orient itself so that one of the two flat surfaces is banked against the inner surface of the basket (or against clothing adhering to the inner surface). Centrifugal force will open the door that is facing the center of the basket but the contents will not be released until the spin cycle has substantially terminated.  
         [0058]     Preferably, the dispenser should be made of materials that are resistant to the harsh physical and chemical conditions encountered in an automatic washing machine. Suitable materials include plastics that also afford buoyancy to the device. The materials should also be able to tolerate high temperatures in a drying machine in the event that the consumer neglects to remove the dispenser before loading the clothes into the dryer. Furthermore, the material can be transparent or part of the device can include a transparent window so that the consumer can see the amount of laundry product inside.  
         [0059]     Household automatic washing machines typically have spin cycle speeds of between about 400 to 1000 rpm. Dispensers of the present invention are designed accordingly so that the biased-doors are actuated at the appropriate speeds. One of the benefits of using biased-doors is that the dispenser is more reliable and will consistently open during the spin cycle. With prior art dispensers such as those having an aperture that is sealed with a valve that is tethered to a movable weight, operation of the device can be adversely influenced by conditions in the washing machine. For instance, when the dispenser is fully loaded with a solid laundry product, the weight may not move far enough so that the aperture becomes only partially opened. Furthermore, when using prior art dispensers in some automatic washing machines, liquid products can be displaced by the movement of the weight or dissolved away by water seeping into the dispenser during the spin cycle resulting in a waste of product. With other devices, fluctuations in temperatures and/or pressure inside the dispenser chamber may cause the aperture to open prematurely or too late.  
         [0060]     Although dispensers with two apertures are most preferred, it is contemplated that the inventive dispenser may have only a single aperture or may have a plurality of apertures. Dispensers with a single aperture can be designed so that the aperture will consistently face the interior of the washing machine basket during the spin cycle. This in turn will insure that the laundry product remains within the dispenser chamber until the spin cycle has terminated.  
         [0061]     Referring to the lower portion of the dispenser as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , for instance, a single aperture dispenser will be fabricated by simply enclosing this lower portion. This single aperture device can further include means for orienting the device while under the influence of centrifugal force within the washing machine basket. This may include making the portion of the dispenser that is opposite the aperture heavier since it is known that centrifugal force acting on an object will cause the object&#39;s heaviest side to be farthest from the center of rotation. In addition, the exterior surface of the portion of the dispenser that is opposite the aperture can be made flat whereas the dispenser&#39;s exterior surface, on the side where the aperture is located, is made convex-shaped. This configuration increases the likelihood that the dispenser&#39;s flat exterior surface will be oriented toward the basket wall during the spin cycle with the aperture facing the interior of the basket.  
         [0062]     Dispensers with a plurality of apertures can also be fabricated. For example, dispensers can be manufactured having a polyhedron exterior configuration with multiple apertures. In the case of a tetrahedron, one or more of the four faces can each have an aperture and accompanying biased-door mechanism. If only three of the faces have apertures, then the dispenser can be made so the surface or face without the aperture will become oriented toward the basket wall during the spin cycle. This can be achieved by appropriate distribution of weight and/or making the exterior surface of the faces with the aperture more convex-like.  
         [0063]     While described in terms of the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various modifications and alterations will no doubt occur to one skilled in the art after having read the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3