Spray system for an appliance having a flexible spray membrane having a separable seam

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12163271-B2
Application number	US-202217891414-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2022
Priority date	Mar 6, 2020
Publication date	Dec 10, 2024
Grant date	Dec 10, 2024

Abstract

A recirculating fluid flow system for an appliance includes a fluid pump that delivers process fluid through a fluid path. A tub is disposed within a cabinet and defines a processing space. The fluid path includes at least a portion of the processing space. The tub has an outlet that directs the process fluid toward the fluid pump. A sprayer assembly is coupled with the tub for directing the process fluid into the processing space. The sprayer assembly includes a spray head having a plurality of spray nozzles and an operable seam that extends through each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles. The operable seam is selectively separable to define a release opening that includes at least two spray nozzles of the plurality of spray nozzles.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sprayer assembly for a laundry appliance, the sprayer assembly comprising:
a bellows that is configured to extend between a tub and an outer cabinet; and
a flexible spray head that includes spray nozzles that are configured to spray a fluid into the tub, wherein the flexible spray head is disposed within the bellows, and wherein an operable seam extends through the flexible spray head and bisects each of the spray nozzles, wherein the operable seam separates to define a release opening when a blockage within process fluid is disposed within at least one of the spray nozzles.

2. The sprayer assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rigid housing that is disposed within the bellows, wherein the rigid housing receives the flexible spray head.

3. The sprayer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the rigid housing includes a contoured portion that seats the flexible spray head and directs the spray nozzles in a direction that is configured to direct the fluid into the tub.

4. The sprayer assembly of claim 3 , wherein the flexible spray head includes a base that is seated within an aperture of the rigid housing.

5. The sprayer assembly of claim 4 , wherein the aperture is defined within the contoured portion of the rigid housing.

6. The sprayer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the rigid housing includes a light fixture that selectively illuminates a processing space defined within a drum.

7. The sprayer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible spray head is configured to provide for recirculation of process fluid having at least one blockage contained therein through the tub and the flexible spray head.

8. The sprayer assembly of claim 7 , wherein the process fluid includes particulate material accumulated during a laundry cycle, and wherein the sprayer assembly is configured to allow passage of the particulate material through at least one of the spray nozzles and the release opening.

9. The sprayer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the operable seam is biased toward a closed position that encloses an area of the operable seam between the spray nozzles.

10. The sprayer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the operable seam extends continuously through each of the spray nozzles.

11. A sprayer assembly for an appliance, the sprayer assembly comprising:
a bellows; and
a flexible spray head that includes a plurality of spray nozzles that are configured to spray a fluid into a tub attached to the bellows, wherein the flexible spray head is disposed within the bellows, and wherein an operable seam extends through the flexible spray head and bisects each of the spray nozzles, wherein the operable seam separates to define a release opening when a blockage within process fluid is disposed within at least one of the spray nozzles.

12. The sprayer assembly of claim 11 , wherein the operable seam selectively defines the release opening when a blockage of the process fluid is disposed within at least one spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles.

13. The sprayer assembly of claim 11 , wherein the bellows includes a rigid housing that receives the flexible spray head.

14. The sprayer assembly of claim 13 , wherein the rigid housing includes a light fixture.

15. The sprayer assembly of claim 13 , wherein the flexible spray head includes a base that is seated within an aperture of the rigid housing.

16. The sprayer assembly of claim 11 , wherein the process fluid includes particulate material accumulated during a laundry cycle, and wherein the sprayer assembly is configured to allow passage of the particulate material through at least one spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles and the release opening.

17. The sprayer assembly of claim 11 , wherein the operable seam is biased toward a closed position that encloses an area of the operable seam between the plurality of spray nozzles.

18. A sprayer assembly for an appliance, the sprayer assembly comprising:
a rigid housing that is disposed within a bellows, the rigid housing having an aperture that is defined within a contoured portion of the rigid housing; and
a flexible spray head that includes a plurality of spray nozzles that are configured to spray a fluid into a tub attached to the bellows, wherein the flexible spray head is disposed within the contoured portion of the rigid housing, and wherein an operable seam extends through the flexible spray head and bisects each of the spray nozzles, wherein the operable seam separates to define a release opening when a blockage within process fluid is disposed within at least one of the spray nozzles.

19. The sprayer assembly of claim 18 , wherein the operable seam selectively defines the release opening when the blockage of the process fluid is disposed within at least one spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles.

20. The sprayer assembly of claim 19 , wherein the process fluid includes particulate material accumulated during a laundry cycle, and wherein the sprayer assembly is configured to allow passage of the particulate material through at least one spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles and the release opening.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Chiorino Carlo
• Mancini Mauro

Classifications

• D06F39/083

  Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements · CPC title

• D06F39/085

  Arrangements or adaptations of pumps · CPC title

• D06F37/267

  Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups (D06F37/206 takes precedence) · CPC title

• D06F37/266

  Gaskets mounted between tub and casing around the loading opening · CPC title

• B05B15/528 Primary

  by resilient deformation of the nozzle · CPC title