Washing machine dispenser cup

Abstract

A dispenser cup for a washing machine appliance is provided that may more effectively clean a container provided therein. The container includes a side wall and a bottom wall, and defines a compartment configured to receive a wash material. A wash liquid inlet is positioned on the side wall of the container to provide a flow of wash liquid to the compartment. Additionally, features for redirecting the flow of wash liquid from the wash liquid inlet towards the bottom wall of the container is provided such that the wash liquid more effectively cleans the bottom wall of the dispenser cup container during operation of the washing machine appliance.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A dispenser cup for a washing machine appliance comprising:
 a container having a side wall and a bottom wall, the container defining a compartment configured to receive a wash material;   a wash liquid inlet positioned on the side wall of the container configured to provide a flow of wash liquid to the compartment; and   a deflector plate positioned at least partially within the compartment adjacent to the inlet, the deflector plate positioned such that the flow of wash liquid from the wash liquid inlet contacts the deflector plate and is redirected towards the bottom wall of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet defines a flow direction and wherein the deflector plate defines a convex shape relative to the flow direction. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , wherein the wash liquid inlet is configured to provide the flow of wash liquid as a cylindrical flow, and wherein the deflector plate is configured to spread the cylindrical flow of wash liquid across a width of the bottom wall of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser cup of  claim 3 , wherein the deflector plate is configured to spread the cylindrical flow of the wash liquid across a width of the bottom wall of the container in a flat flow pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector plate defines a tapered portion, the deflector plate positioned such that the flow of wash liquid from the wash liquid inlet contacts the tapered portion when the flow of wash liquid is provided by the wash liquid inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser cup of  claim 5 , wherein the wash liquid inlet defines a flow direction and wherein the tapered portion defines an acute angle relative to the flow direction. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser cup of  claim 5 , wherein the deflector plate further defines a rim extending downwardly from the tapered portion, the rim defining a shape that is complementary to the side wall of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , wherein the wash liquid inlet is made integrally with the container. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , further comprising
 an outlet positioned on the bottom wall of the container for receiving wash liquid and wash material.   
     
     
         10 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector plate is attached to the container at a top end of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine appliance defines a vertical direction, wherein side wall extends substantially along the vertical direction, and wherein the bottom wall extends inwardly from the side wall. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser cup of  claim 1 , wherein the wash liquid inlet defines a flow direction that is approximately perpendicular to the side wall of the container. 
     
     
         13 . A washing machine appliance comprising:
 a wash tub;   a wash drum rotatably positioned in the wash tub; and   a dispenser cup configured to provide a mixture of wash material and wash liquid to one or both of the wash tub and the wash drum, the dispenser cup comprising
 a container having a side wall and a bottom wall, the container defining the compartment configured to receive the wash material; 
 a wash liquid inlet positioned on the side wall of the container configured to provide a flow of wash liquid to the compartment; and 
 a deflector plate positioned at least partially within the compartment adjacent to the inlet, the deflector plate positioned such that the flow of wash liquid from the wash liquid inlet contacts the deflector plate and is redirected towards the bottom wall of the container. 
   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the washing machine appliance defines a vertical direction, wherein side wall of the container extends substantially along the vertical direction, and wherein the bottom wall of the container extends inwardly from the side wall. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the inlet defines a flow direction and wherein the deflector plate defines a convex shape relative to the flow direction. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the inlet is configured to provide the flow of wash liquid as a cylindrical flow, and wherein the deflector plate is configured to spread the cylindrical flow of wash liquid across a width of the bottom wall of the container. 
     
     
         17 . A dispenser cup for a washing machine appliance comprising:
 a container having a side wall and a bottom wall, the container defining a compartment configured to receive a wash material;   a wash liquid inlet positioned on the side wall of the container configured to provide a flow of wash liquid to the compartment; and   means for redirecting the flow of wash liquid from the wash liquid inlet towards the bottom wall of the container.   
     
     
         18 . The dispenser cup of  claim 17 , wherein the means for redirecting the flow of wash liquid from the wash liquid inlet towards the bottom wall of the container comprises a deflector plate positioned at least partially within the compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser cup of  claim 17 , wherein the wash liquid inlet defines a flow direction that is inwardly from the side wall of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser cup of  claim 17 , wherein the washing machine appliance defines a vertical direction, wherein side wall of the container extends substantially along the vertical direction, and wherein the bottom wall of the container extends inwardly from the side wall.