Fabric softener dispenser system for an automatic washer

摘要

A wash additive dispensing system and method for an automatic washer having a wash additive dispenser disposed on the upper portion of an agitator rotatably mounted within a wash basket. The wash additive dispenser comprises a receiving cup capable of receiving a wash additive and a dispensing cup secured to receive wash additive from the receiving cup. A cover member is disposed above the receiving cup and includes a funnel portion extending down into the receiving cup. During a fill cycle operation, a portion of wash liquid flowing into the wash basket through a water inlet device is channeled into a wash liquid supply conduit secured to the underside of a washer lid disposed above the wash basket. The supply conduit has a drain port positioned above the funnel portion of the cover member such that wash liquid continuously drains into the receiving cup through the funnel portion during the fill cycle. The dispenser also includes an overflow tube for channeling excess wash liquid added to the receiving cup into the dispensing cup. Prior to an agitation cycle, therefore, the receiving cup receives wash additive and wash liquid. During the agitation cycle the wash liquid and the wash additive disposed within the receiving cup thoroughly mix to form a diluted wash additive. The dispenser then drains the diluted wash additive into the wash tub subsequent to a high speed spin extraction cycle.