US20090293203A1 - Dispenser and dispensing method for pulsator wash system - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser and dispensing method for a pulsator wash system or machine includes an inner cup defining an inner chamber for receiving an additive and an outer cup defining an outer chamber annularly disposed about the inner cup. The inner and outer cups are disposed within a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine. In operation, an additive is added to the inner chamber and the wash tub of the pulsator washing machine is filled with water, wherein that water enters and rises within the outer chamber. A predetermined amount of the water in the outer cup is permitted to enter the inner cup to pre-dilute the additive.

Description

• This application is related to the U.S. patent application entitled “PULSATOR WASH SYSTEM” (Atty. Dkt. No. 228636 GECZ 2 00880), filed concurrently herewith, commonly assigned to General Electric Company, and expressly incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
• The present disclosure generally relates to washing machines, and more particularly relates to a dispenser and dispensing method for a pulsator wash system. In one embodiment, a dispenser for a pulsator washing machine includes an inner cup defining an inner chamber for receiving an additive and an outer cup defining an outer chamber annularly disposed about the inner cup, wherein the inner and outer cups are disposed within a pulsator hub of a pulsator washing machine. The dispenser and dispensing method will be described with particular reference to this embodiment, but it is to be appreciated that it is also amenable to other like applications.
• Conventional vertical axis washing machines are known to include a center agitator disposed within a vertical axis wash basket, which is rotatably supported within a tub. Typically, the agitator extends upwardly from the bottom wall of the basket and has a height that is substantially equal to the height of the wash basket.
• Several dispensers are known for agitator-type washing machines, including those that use a centrifugal force developed by a washing machine during a spin phase to effect release of a fabric softener or the like, which is typically most effective in the rinse cycle. In one known arrangement, the agitator-type dispenser is mounted on an agitator post and uses centrifugal force to transfer a fabric softener from a reservoir compartment to a release compartment. At the same time, a washing tub and an agitator are rotating to spin out wash water. As the agitator comes to a stop at the end of a spin cycle, the laundry additive drains into the tub. Dispensers of this type are disclosed, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,227 issued to Manthei; U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,574 issued to Sundstrom; U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,957 issued to Marcussen; U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,773 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,785 both issued to Waugh; U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,054 issued to Drews et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,480 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,135 issued to Douglas; U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,163 issued to Bochan et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,059 issued to Yates. Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,081 to Savkar et al. also discloses an agitator-type fabric softener dispenser. Other types of dispensers which utilize centrifugal force to release an additive but which are not attached to the agitator are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,515 to Townsend and U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,573 to Brenner et al.
• Many of the prior art agitator-type fabric softener dispensers, particularly those received on the end of the agitator post, are designed to reside above, or at least partially above, a maximum water level within the washing machine. A second type of vertical axis washing machine is known wherein a pulsator or disc-like impeller is provided adjacent or along the bottom wall of the wash basket, the basket being rotatably supported within the tub of the washing machine. In the pulsator washing machine, there is no agitator post extending upward to a location above a maximum fill level for a dispenser to reside above, or at least partially above, a maximum water level within the washing machine.
• In view of the lack of an agitator post extending upward to a location above or near a maximum fill level, many pulsator washing machines use a flow-through type fabric dispenser. Flow-through dispensers are disclosed, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,307 to Obata; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,168 to Smock. These types of dispensers are somewhat complex and therefore add substantially to the cost and overall complexity of the washing machine when employed.
SUMMARY
• According to one aspect, a dispenser for a pulsator washing machine is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the dispenser includes an inner cup defining an inner chamber for receiving an additive. An outer cup defines an outer chamber annularly disposed about the inner cup. The inner and outer cups are disposed within a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine.
• According to another aspect, a dispensing method for a pulsator washing machine is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, an additive is added to an inner chamber of a dispenser inner cup disposed within a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine. A wash tub of the pulsator washing machine is filled with water. The water enters and rises within an outer chamber defined about the inner cup by an outer cup. A predetermined amount of the water in the outer cup is permitted to enter the inner chamber of the inner cup to pre-dilute the additive.
• According to yet another aspect, a submersible dispenser for a washing machine is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the dispenser includes an outer cup disposed within or formed integrally with an agitator element of the washing machine at a submersible location thereon. An inner cup is disposed in the outer cup for receiving an additive to be dispensed during a wash cycle of the washing machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine.
• FIG. 2 is an elevational schematic view of the washing machine ofFIG. 1 shown having a pulsator.
• FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the pulsator having a dispenser disposed or formed with a central hub of the pulsator.
• FIG. 3B is another perspective view of the pulsator showing a lid of the dispenser in an open position.
• FIG. 4A is a front cross-sectional view of the pulsator and the dispenser.
• FIG. 4B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the pulsator and the dispenser ofFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 4C is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the dispenser, taken from the side and showing the lid pivoted to its open position.
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser, including a portion of the pulsator, an inner cup, a cap main body, and the lid.
• FIG. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cap main body showing a dip tube formed thereby.
• FIG. 6B is an underside view of the cap main body, again showing the dip tube.
• FIGS. 7A-F are operational views of the pulsator and dispenser.
• FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a pulsator and a dispenser according to an alternate embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring now to the drawings wherein showings are for purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments,FIG. 1 shows a pulsator wash system ormachine50 including acabinet52 and acover54. Abacksplash58 extends from thecover54, and acontrol panel56 including a plurality ofinput selectors66 is coupled to thebacksplash58. As is known and understood by those skilled in the art, thecontrol panel56 and theinput selectors66 can collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. Adisplay60 can indicate the selected features, a countdown timer, and or other items of interest to machine users. Alid62 is mounted to thecover54 and is pivotable about a hinge (not shown) between an open position facilitating access to a wash tub64 (FIG. 2) located within thecabinet52, and a closed position (as shown) forming an enclosure over thewash tub64.
• With additional reference toFIG. 2, thewash tub64 is located or positioned within thecabinet52, and awash basket70 is movably disposed and rotatably mounted within thewash tub64. As is known and understood by those skilled in the art, thebasket70 can include a plurality of apertures or perforations to facilitate fluid communication between an interior100 of thebasket70 and thewash tub64. An agitator element, such as theillustrated pulsator116, is rotatably positioned within thebasket70 onvertical axis118 for imparting motion to articles and liquid received within thebasket70.
• Thewash tub64 includes abottom wall67 and aside wall68, thebasket70 being rotatably mounted or supported within thetub64 in spaced apart relation from thetub bottom wall67 and theside wall68. Apump assembly72 is located beneath thewash tub64 and thebasket70 for gravity assisted flow when draining thetub64. Thepump assembly72 includes a pump74, amotor76, and in an exemplary embodiment a motor fan (not shown). Apump inlet hose80 extends from awash tub outlet82 intub bottom wall67 to apump inlet84, and apump outlet hose86 extends frompump outlet88 to an appliance washingmachine water outlet90 and ultimately to a building plumbing system discharge line (not shown) in flow communication with theoutlet90.
• A hotliquid valve102 and a coldliquid valve104 deliver fluid, such as water, to thebasket70 and thewash tub64 through a respective hotliquid hose106 and a coldliquid hose108.Liquid valves102,104 andliquid hoses106,108 together form a liquid supply connection for thewashing machine50 and, when connected to a building plumbing system (not shown), provide a water supply for use in thewashing machine50.Liquid valves102,104 andliquid hoses106,108 are connected to abasket inlet tube110, and fluid is dispersed from theinlet tube110 through anozzle assembly112 having a number of openings therein to direct washing liquid intobasket70 at a given trajectory and velocity. A known dispenser (not shown inFIG. 2) may also be provided to produce a wash solution by mixing fresh water with a known detergent or other composition for cleansing of articles in thebasket70.
• In an alternate embodiment a spray fill conduit114 (shown in phantom inFIG. 2) can be employed in lieu of thenozzle assembly112. Along the length of thespray fill conduit114 can be a plurality of openings arranged in a predetermined pattern to direct incoming streams of water in a downward tangential manner towards articles in thebasket70. The openings in theconduit114 can be located a predetermined distance apart from one another to produce an overlapping coverage of liquid streams into thebasket70. Articles in thebasket70 may therefore be uniformly wetted even when the basket is maintained in a stationary position.
• In an exemplary embodiment, thebasket70 and thepulsator116 are driven by amotor120 through a transmission andclutch system122. Atransmission belt124 is coupled to respective pulleys of amotor output shaft126 and atransmission input shaft128. Thus, asmotor output shaft126 is rotated,transmission input shaft128 is also rotated.Clutch system122 facilitates driving engagement of thebasket70 and the pulsator116 (e.g., through shaft172) for rotatable movement within thewash tub64, andclutch system122 facilitates relative rotation of thebasket70 and thepulsator116 for selected portions of wash cycles.Motor120, transmission andclutch assembly122 andbelt124 can collectively be referred to as a machine drive system, the drive system for rotating thebasket70 and/or thepulsator116. As shown, thepulsator116 is disposedadjacent bottom92 of thewash basket70 and drivingly connected to the illustrated drive system. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, thedrive system120,122,124 of the illustrated embodiment can be replaced by any other suitable drive system.
• Thewashing machine50 can also include a brake assembly (not shown) selectively applied or released for respectively maintaining thebasket70 in a stationary position within thetub64 or for allowing thebasket70 to spin within thetub64.Pump assembly72 is selectively activated to remove liquid from thebasket70 and thetub64 throughdrain outlet90 during appropriate points in washing cycles asmachine50 is used. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated, the washing machine also includes areservoir132, atube134 and apressure sensor136. As fluid levels rise in thewash tub70, air is trapped in thereservoir132 creating a pressure in thetube134 thatpressure sensor136 monitors. Liquid levels, and more specifically changes in liquid levels in thewash tub70, may therefore be sensed, for example, to indicate laundry loads and to facilitate associated control decisions. In further alternative embodiments, load size and cycle effectiveness can be determined or evaluated using other known indicia, such as motor spin, torque, load weight, motor current, voltage, current phase shifts, etc. It is to be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, that thereservoir132,tube134 andpressure sensor136 need not be employed in thewashing machine50 of the subject disclosure. In particular, it may be advantageous to simplify thewashing machine50 so as to reduce manufacturing costs and the ultimate end cost to a consumer by eliminating thereservoir132,tube134 andpressure sensor136.
• Operation of themachine50 can be controlled by acontroller138, though this is not required (for example, simple electromechanical controls can be employed for controlling and operating the washing machine50). Thecontroller138 can be operatively connected to the user interface input located on thewashing machine backsplash58 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of the user interface input, thecontroller138 operates the various components of themachine50 to execute selective machine cycles and features. Thecontroller138 is operatively coupled to thedrive system120,122,124 and the nozzle assembly112 (or alternatively the spray conduit114).
• With reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B, thepulsator116 can include abase portion150, acentral hub152 extending upward from thebase portion150, and a plurality of radially extendingvanes154 extending upward from thebase portion150. Thepulsator116 can be the same or similar to the pulsator disclosed in the above-referenced U.S. patent application entitled “PULSATOR WASH SYSTEM,” though this is not required. In the illustrated embodiment, thepulsator116 has a bell-shape and each of thevanes154 extends radially from about a peripheralradial edge156 of thebase portion150 to a location radially spaced apart from thecentral hub152. Thepulsator116 can be mounted within thewashing machine50 such that thebase portion150 is disposed closely adjacent the bottom92 of the rotatably supportedwash basket70.
• With additional reference toFIGS. 4A-C, thecentral hub152 of the illustratedpulsator116 can be mounted to ashaft172 by a suitable fastener, such as the illustratedbolt176. Also, a dispenser, such as illustrateddispenser180, for thewashing machine50 can be disposed within thepulsator116 and/or formed integrally therewith at a submersible location on the pulsator. As will be described in more detail below,dispenser180 can automatically dispense an additive (e.g., fabric softener) during operation of the pulsator wash system50 (e.g., such as between the wash and rinse cycles) and is self-cleaning during operation of thewash system50. More particularly, in accordance with one embodiment, thedispenser180 is a submersible, centrifugal-type dispenser for a vertical axis close washer (e.g., pulsator wash machine or system50), which is self-cleaning and does not require pre-dilution of an additive (e.g., fabric softener). While shown and described as being disposed within and/or formed integrally with thepulsator116, it is to be understood and appreciated that the submersible dispensers of the subject disclosure could be used on any washing machine agitator element. Thus, the agitator element need not be a pulsator, but could instead be a conventional agitator or a cross between a conventional agitator and the illustrated pulsator116 (e.g., a short agitator) with the dispenser (e.g., dispenser180) vertically positioned so as to become submersed during the wash cycle.
• With additional reference toFIG. 5, thedispenser180 includes aninner cup182 defining aninner chamber184 for receiving an additive (e.g., fabric softener, etc.) that is to be dispensed, such as during a wash cycle of thepulsator washing machine50. Thedispenser180 also includes anouter cup186 defining anouter chamber188 annularly disposed about theinner cup182. Theouter cup186 can be disposed within or formed integrally with thepulsator116, or some other agitator element at a submersible location thereon (i.e., a vertical position that becomes submerged during the wash cycle), and theinner cup186 can be disposed in theouter cup186. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 4A-5, theouter cup186 is formed integrally with thepulsator116 of thepulsator washing machine50 and theinner cup182 is removably received in theouter cup186 and thus theinner cup182 is removable from theouter cup186. In addition to the outer cup being formed integrally with thepulsator116, the inner andouter cups182,186 of the illustrated embodiment are disposed within thepulsator hub152 of thepulsator washing machine50.
• As shown, thedispenser180 can include a cap orcap assembly190 closing an open end of theouter cup186. Thecap190 of the illustrated embodiment includes a main body orportion192 that closes the open end of theouter cup186 and defines anaperture194 therethrough, and further includes anopenable lid196 pivotally mounted to the main body orportion192. Thelid196 is pivotally movable from a closed position (illustrated in FIGS.3A and4A-B) and an open position (illustrated inFIGS. 3B and 4C) in which a receivingchamber198 is accessible. Theaperture194 fluidly connects the receivingchamber198 with theinner chamber184. However, when thelid196 is in its closed position, a downward dependingportion200 of the lid closes theaperture194 preventing fluid communication from the receivingchamber198 to theinner chamber184. As shown, the dependingportion200 can include aseal structure201 and aseal202 that is received in theaperture194 for closing and sealing thereof when thelid196 is in its closed position.
• As best shown inFIG. 4B, thecap190 closing the open end of theouter cup186, even with thelid196 in its closed position, allows fluid communication between theinner chamber184 and theouter chamber188 over aradial side wall204 defining theinner cup182. This arrangement is facilitated by the depth of theouter cup186 being greater than theinner cup182, which allows theinner chamber184 of theinner cup182 to communicate with theouter chamber188 of theouter cup186 with thecap190 closing the open end of theouter cup186.
• Theouter cup186 includes abase portion206 and a radial side wall orside wall portion208 extending from the base portion orbase wall206. In the illustrated embodiment, the outercup base portion206 and the outer cupradial side wall208 are formed integrally with thepulsator116, and particularly thepulsator hub152. That is, the wall defining thepulsator hub152 also forms the radialside wall portion208. In the illustrated embodiment, thebase wall206 has a raisedcentral portion210 that is configured to mount around theshaft172 and includes anaperture212 through which thefastener176 secures thepulsator116 to theshaft172, though this configuration is not required. When so configured, a base wall orbase wall portion214 of theinner cup182 likewise includes a raisedportion216, though again such a configuration is not required.
• As best shown inFIG. 4C, thedispenser180 can include one or more drain holes220 that allow an additive of the dispenser to drain into thewash tub64 of thepulsator washing machine50 from theouter chamber188, as will be described in more detail below. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, thedispenser180 includes a plurality of drain holes220, which extend axially and radially through thepulsator hub152. Specifically, eachdrain hole220 includes a first end or opening222 defined in thebase wall206 of theouter cup186 and a second end or opening224 defined as an aperture in the pulsator116 (seeFIGS. 3A and 3B). Theinner cup182 defines a weephole228 for admitting water into theinner chamber184 from theouter chamber188 when filled through the drain holes220 to mix with an additive received in theinner chamber184 as wash water fills in thewash tub64. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the weephole228 is formed more adjacent (i.e., closer to) the open end of theinner cup182 than to thebase wall214, though the weephole228 is disposed axially below the open end of theinner cup182.
• With additional reference toFIGS. 6A and 6B, themain body192 of thecap190 is shown. More particularly, as shown, themain body192 defines anorifice230 along atop side232. Theorifice230 communicates with theinner chamber184 of theinner cup182. More specifically, thecap190, and particularly themain body192 thereof, includes adip tube234 depending downwardly from thetop side232 into or toward theinner chamber184 from theorifice230. The first end of thedip tube234 is theorifice230 and asecond end236 is formed as an aperture spaced apart from theorifice230 in a direction of theinner chamber184. As best shown inFIG. 6A, thedip tube234 can include atapered passage238 extending between theends230,236, and particularly increasing in size from theend230 toward theend236. As will be described in more detail below, thedip tube234 extends down into or toward theinner chamber184 of theinner cup182 to prevent water entering theinner chamber184 through the weephole228 from filling theinner cup182 to its open end (i.e., the distal end204aof radial wall204).
• Turning now toFIGS. 7A-7F, a dispensing method for a pulsator washing machine, such as themachine50, will now be described. First, an additive A (e.g., fabric softener, etc.) is added to theinner chamber184 of the dispenserinner cup182, which is disposed within thepulsator hub152 of a pulsator washing machine. In the illustrated embodiment, adding the additive A to theinner chamber184 includes opening thelid196 to its open position (FIG. 3B) and pouring (or otherwise adding) the additive A into the receivingchamber198. For reasons that will become more apparent upon reading the description below, the additive A need not be prediluted (e.g. mixed with water) at this time.
• From the receivingchamber198, the additive A flows through theaperture194 into theinner chamber184 of theinner cup182. Once the additive A is added to theinner chamber184, thelid196 can be closed and then themachine50 can be operated through its normal wash cycles. More particularly, thewash tub64 of themachine50 is next filled with water W for washing and thus water begins rising up thepulsator116 as shown inFIG. 7A. As the water W rises past theapertures224 of the drain holes220 (seeFIGS. 3A-B and4C), the water W enters theouter chamber188 of theouter cup186 and begins filling (i.e., rises within) the outer chamber as shown inFIG. 7B. Theradial side wall204 of theinner cup182 precludes, at least for a time, the water W in theouter chamber188 from entering theinner chamber184.
• As the water W continues to rise in thewash tub64 and in theouter chamber188, a predetermined amount of the water W from theouter cup186 is permitted to enter theinner chamber184 of theinner cup182 to pre-dilute the additive A as shown inFIG. 7C. In particular, the water W of theouter chamber188 enters theinner chamber184 through the weephole228. The water W from theouter chamber188 enters theinner chamber184 through the weephole228 until the water fills theinner cup182 to a level of a distal end of thedip tube234. That is, the water fills theinner cup182 until its level reaches thesecond end236 of thedip tube234 thereby prediluting the additive A. Meanwhile, the water W surrounding thepulsator116 rises thereabove to submerse thepulsator116 and thedispenser190 as shown. Thedip tube234 creates an air pocket AP within thedispenser190 that continues to preclude the water level of theinner cup182 from rising past thedistal end236 of thedip tube234 even as thedispenser190 becomes submersed.
• Next, with thedispenser190 submerged, themachine50 is operated to wash any articles received therein. During the wash cycle, the water W in theinner cup182 and the additive A mix to form a prediluted additive mixture PA. Thedip tube234 can extend into theinner chamber184 of the inner cup186 a sufficient distance so that the mixing of the additive A and the water W during the wash cycle results in little or no splashing or spilling into theouter chamber186. After completion of the wash cycle, the water W is drained from thewash tub64 and themachine50 is operated in a wash spin cycle. During this spin cycle, the prediluted additive PA vacates theinner chamber184 of theinner cup182. More particularly, the prediluted additive PA is centrifugally forced from theinner chamber184 over theradial side wall204 and into theouter chamber184 as illustrated inFIG. 7D. The centrifugal force causes the prediluted additive PA to reside against the outer cupradial wall208 and not drain through the drain holes220 as urged by gravity.
• At the end of the spin cycle, however, the centrifugal force on the pre-diluted additive PA ends and from theouter cup186 it is gravitationally forced to flow into thewash tub64 through the drain holes220 fluidly connecting theouter chamber188 to thewash tub64. Thus, the pre-diluted additive PA is dispensed from theinner cup182 into thewash tub64. Next, after dispensing, thewash tub64 is again filled with water W for the rinse cycle. The water W again enters and rises within theouter chamber188 and enters theinner chamber184 through the weephole228 to automatically rinse any residual additive remaining in theinner chamber184 of the inner cup182 (seeFIGS. 7E and7F). This water entering theinner cup182 for a second time evacuates from thedispenser190 during the rinse spin cycle in the same manner as described above in reference to the pre-diluted additive PA evacuating theouter chamber188.
• Turning toFIG. 8, adispenser1800 is shown according to an alternate embodiment. More particularly, thedispenser1800 includes aninner cup1820 that is similar to theinner cup182. Thedispenser1800 also includes an outer cup1860 however, the outer cup is formed bypulsator1160 andcap1900. More particularly, abase wall2060 of the outer cup1860 is formed by thepulsator1160, butradial side wall2040 is formed by thecap1900. In operation, thecap1900 is removed from thepulsator1160 and theinner cup1820 filled with an additive. Thereafter, thecap1900 is replaced on thepulsator1160. In most other respects, thealternate dispenser1800 operates as described above in reference to thedispenser190.
• Advantageously, the dispensers described herein, including thedispenser180 and thedispenser1800, provide a means by which a centrifugal-type dispenser can perform an automatic dilution of an additive, such as a fabric softener, and is self cleaning. Such automatic dilution eliminates the need for pre-diluting an additive prior to adding the same to a dispenser of a washing machine. The self-cleaning feature eliminates or at least reduces the need to periodically clean the dispenser due to additive build-up (e.g., repeat accumulations of residual additive). The dispensers described herein are also advantageous in that they are low cost, simple and reliable, and of course usable with a pulsator-type washing system, such assystem50. As water and energy usage regulations become more stringent, the inherently efficient pulsator wash system, such assystem50, will likely be required or encouraged for vertical axis washing machines. While high-end or more sophisticated washers with pulsators may be able to afford a more costly flow-through dispenser, lower end, cost competitive washers may not be able to afford such complex and expensive flow-through dispensers.
• The exemplary embodiment or embodiments have been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims (23)

1. A dispenser for a pulsator washing machine, comprising:

an inner cup defining an inner chamber for receiving an additive; and

an outer cup defining an outer chamber annularly disposed about said inner cup, said inner and outer cups are disposed within a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine.

2. The dispenser ofclaim 1 further including:

a cap closing an open end of said outer cup while allowing communication between said inner chamber and said outer chamber over a radial sidewall defining said inner cup.

3. The dispenser ofclaim 1 wherein said outer cup includes a base portion defining a bottom of said outer chamber and a radial sidewall portion extending from said base portion.

4. The dispenser ofclaim 3 wherein said base portion and said radial sidewall portion of said outer cup are formed integrally with said pulsator hub.

5. The dispenser ofclaim 3 wherein said base portion is formed integrally with said pulsator hub and said radial sidewall is formed integrally with said cap.

6. The dispenser ofclaim 1 wherein said inner cup is removable from said outer cup.

7. The dispenser ofclaim 1 wherein said outer cup includes drain holes that allow said additive to drain into a wash tub of the pulsator washing machine from said outer chamber.

8. The dispenser ofclaim 7 wherein said outer cup includes a base portion formed integrally with said pulsator hub and said drain holes extend axially and radially through said pulsator hub.

9. The dispenser ofclaim 1 wherein said inner cup includes a weep hole for admitting water into said inner chamber to mix with said additive.

10. The dispenser ofclaim 9 further including:

a cap closing an open end of said outer cup while allowing communication between said inner chamber and said outer chamber over a radial sidewall defining said inner cup, an orifice defined through at least one of said cap and said pulsator that communicates with said inner chamber.

11. The dispenser ofclaim 10 further including a dip tube extending into said inner chamber from said orifice.

12. A dispensing method for a pulsator washing machine, comprising:

adding an additive to an inner chamber of a dispenser inner cup disposed within a distal end of a pulsator hub of the pulsator washing machine;

filling a wash tub of the pulsator washing machine with water, said water entering and rising within an outer chamber defined about said inner cup by an outer cup; and

permitting a predetermined amount of said water in said outer cup to enter said inner chamber of said inner cup to predilute said additive.

13. The dispensing method ofclaim 12 further including:

opening a lid over said inner chamber prior to adding said additive; and

closing said lid after adding said additive and allowing said additive to enter said inner chamber prior to filling said wash tub.

14. The dispensing method ofclaim 12 wherein said water entering and rising within said outer chamber occurs by said water passing from said wash tub to said outer cup through drain holes defined in said pulsator that fluidly connect said wash tub and said outer cup.

15. The dispensing method ofclaim 12 wherein said permitting said predetermined amount of said water in said outer cup to enter said inner chamber includes:

providing a weep hole through a radial sidewall of said inner cup disposed axially below an open end of said inner cup; and

providing a dip tube depending downwardly into said inner cup from a cap disposed over said inner and outer cups, said water from said outer chamber entering said inner chamber through said weep hole until said water fills said inner cup to a level of a distal end of said dip tube.

16. The dispensing method ofclaim 12 further including:

dispensing said prediluted additive from said inner cup into said wash tub.

17. The dispensing method ofclaim 16 wherein said dispensing includes:

centrifugally forcing said prediluted additive in said inner chamber over a radial sidewall of said inner cup and into said outer chamber; and

gravitationally forcing said prediluted additive of said outer chamber to flow into said wash tub through drain holes fluidly connecting said outer chamber to said wash tub.

18. The dispensing method ofclaim 17 further including:

after dispensing, again filling said wash tub with water for a rinse cycle, said water again entering and rising within an outer chamber and entering said inner chamber to automatically rinse any residual additive remaining in said inner chamber.

19. A submersible dispenser for a washing machine, comprising:

an outer cup disposed within or formed integrally with an agitator element of the washing machine at a submersible location thereon; and

an inner cup disposed in said outer cup for receiving an additive to be dispensed during a wash cycle of the washing machine.

20. The dispenser ofclaim 19 further including:

a cap closing an open end of said outer cup while allowing fluid communication between an inner chamber of said inner cup with an outer chamber of said outer cup when said cap closes said open end of said outer cup.

21. The dispenser ofclaim 19 wherein said inner cup defines a weep hole along a radial sidewall thereof to allow water filling said outer chamber to enter said inner chamber.

22. The dispenser ofclaim 20 wherein at least one of said cap and said pulsator includes a dip tube extending down into said inner chamber of said inner cup to prevent water entering said inner chamber through said weep hole from filling said inner cup above a distal end of said dip tube.

23. The dispenser ofclaim 20 wherein said outer cup is formed by said cap.

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