Plastic washing fluid container for a washing machine

Abstract

A washing fluid container of substantially cylindrical configuration having at least one open end closed by a cover provided with an integrally formed air trap penetrating the cover at an acute angle with a first housing section extending at an acute angle upwardly of the surface of the cover outside of the container and a second housing section extending at an acute angle downwardly of the surface of the cover inside of the cover, the second housing section being adapted to receive washing fluid therein and the first housing section being provided with means responsive to washing fluid in the second housing section.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention, in general, relates to a plastic washing fluid container, hereafter sometimes referred to as a tub, for a washing machine and, more particularly, to a tub surrounding a cylindrical drum each end of which is provided with a closure cap at least one of which has an air trap for measuring the washing fluid level and which at its lower and upper ends is respectively provided with an opening and a nipple for receiving a hose. [0003] 2. The Prior Art [0004] Such well-know air traps are used for measuring the level of washing fluid which at different operational cycles of the washing machine is either plain water or water with a detergent dissolved therein, in a washing machine drum. As washing fluid rises within the air trap it causes the air entrapped therein to be compressed. The pressure of the compressed air is a measure of the level of washing fluid. Thus, German patent specification No.: DE 196 46 440...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The advantages resulting from the arrangement in accordance with the invention are not least that the downwardly open housing with its attached opening nipple is an integral component of the cap of the washing fluid tub in penetrating relationship therewith such that the latter and the air trap are of unitary structure. This arrangement allows the air trap housing to be integrated into an injection molding tool so that both the air trap and the washing fluid container cap may be molded in a single operation. The result is an air trap which is fully integrated in the cap of the washing fluid container and which avoids the need for additional caps and seals or gaskets in the cap of the washing fluid container. In this manner the complexity of any alteration of the air trap in terms of tools otherwise required is minimized or at least reduced, because forming the hollow body of the air trap requires but one core in the injection molding tool for the cap of the washing fluid container. Moreover, the volume and the cross-section of the opening may be adjusted to existing air traps and significant changes or conversion procedures can be avoided.

[0011] In order to structure the injection molding tool in an advantageous manner as regards the directions of discharge from the mold, the housing with its opening nipple occupies a partial section of the outer wall surface of the washing fluid container cap with the opening nipple being formed to extend upwardly at an acute angle relative to the outer wall surface of the washing fluid container cap. Accordingly, the opening nipple is not only of a compact structure but it also is easily accessible for attaching a hose. As regards the inner wall surface, the housing is structured such that the housing of the air trap and its downwardly open section occupy a partial section of the inner wall surface of the washing fluid container cap, with the section of the opening being preferably also formed at a downwardly directed acute angle at the surface of the inner wall. In this manner it is possible to provide two mold discharge directions, one being disposed laterally and the other one in the direction of the angle of the air trap.

[0014] In a useful embodiment the housing of the air trap is formed of a lower housing section and an upper housing section with the downwardly open lower housing section being integrally formed in, and penetrating through, the wall of the washing fluid container cap. The internal chamber of the air trap is thus accessible from the exterior because the upper housing section is mounted for movement relative to the lower housing section at the outer surface of the washing fluid container cap. Accordingly, the interior of the housing of the air trap is easily accessible for cleaning.

[0015] Advantageously, the upper housing section is integrally connected to the lower housing section by means of a hinge of flexible film or foil which makes possible the fabrication of both housing sections in one injection molding tool. In such an arrangement the upper housing section is pivotally connected to the lower housing section by the foil hinge so that the cap of the washing fluid container and the two housing sections may be molded in one piece. This yields two advantages: The air trap is integrally formed in the cap of the washing fluid container and as a result of the foil-hinge connection the interior of the air trap is rendered accessible.

[0016] In order to achieve an efficient integration of the air trap in the cap of the washing fluid container, the lower housing section occupies a partial section of the surface of the outer wall of the cap of the washing fluid container with the partial section being advantageously formed to extend upwardly from the outer surface at an acute angle in the manner of a wedge resulting, relative to the outer surface, in an opening of rectangular or square cross-section. However, to improve the sealing properties between the upper housing section and the lower housing section it may be useful so to shape the partial section formed in the wall to yield an opening of oval, elliptical or circular cross-section.

[0018] To provide for an easy or snap closure, the edges of the ribs are beveled or slanted which results in an incline. Thus, if the upper housing section is pivoted, the lugs thereof will initially engage the inclines, and the inclines will cause the ribs to be spread apart so that the lugs can more easily move relative to the bores.

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantage inherent in the devices of the mentioned prior art is not only that on the one hand the air traps are mounted as a separate components on the cap of the washing fluid container involving, on the other hand and particularly in the case of the air trap being mounted on the cylindrical drum, significant complexity if layout, design or geometry of detecting the air within the trap requires modification.

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