Washing appliance with additive dispensing system

Abstract

A washing appliance with an additive dispensing system can include an additive dispenser and an additive tray with an additive conduit extending therebetween. The additive conduit can use a nozzle to deliver additives into a space between a wash drum and a wash basket without applying the additive directly to the exterior of the wash basket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash tub positioned in the cabinet and defining a wash chamber, the wash tub defining an interior surface;   a wash drum rotatably mounted within the wash chamber and configured for receiving articles for washing, the wash drum having an exterior surface, the wash drum and wash tub forming an annular space therebetween;   an additive dispenser positioned adjacent to the wash tub and configured for receipt of liquid additives to be applied to the articles; and   an additive conduit having a first end connected with the additive dispenser and extending vertically downward to a second end, the second end located between the wash drum and the wash tub and positioned to deliver liquid additives into the annular space from the additive dispenser.   
     
     
         2 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an additive nozzle positioned below the additive dispenser and supported by the wash tub, the additive nozzle connected with the second end of the additive conduit, the additive nozzle configured for releasing liquid additives from the additive conduit into the annular space.   
     
     
         3 . The washing appliance of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an additive tray positioned below the additive dispenser and configured for the receipt of liquid additives therefrom, the additive tray supporting the additive nozzle.   
     
     
         4 . The washing appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the additive nozzle extends vertically upward from the additive tray. 
     
     
         5 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub comprises a wash tub cover and a wash tub main body, and wherein the additive tray is defined by the wash tub cover. 
     
     
         6 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the additive dispenser is supported by the cabinet. 
     
     
         7 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the additive conduit comprises a flexible hose. 
     
     
         8 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the additive conduit is positioned wholly in the annular space between the wash drum and wash tub. 
     
     
         9 . The washing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub comprises a wash tub cover and a wash tub main body, and wherein the additive tray is defined by the wash tub cover, and wherein the wash tub cover defines a plurality of apertures positioned below the additive dispenser. 
     
     
         10 . A washing appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash tub positioned in the cabinet and defining a wash chamber, the wash tub defining an interior surface;   a wash drum rotatably mounted within the wash chamber and configured for receiving articles for washing, the wash drum having an exterior surface, the wash drum and wash tub forming an annular space therebetween;   an additive dispenser positioned on the cabinet and configured for receipt of liquid additives to be applied to the articles; and   an additive conduit having a first end connected with the additive dispenser and extending to a second end, the second end located between the wash drum and the wash tub and positioned to deliver liquid additives into the annular space from the additive dispenser.   
     
     
         11 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the additive conduit extends vertically between the additive dispenser and the additive conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an additive nozzle positioned below the additive dispenser and supported by the wash tub, the additive nozzle connected with the second end of the additive conduit, the additive nozzle configured for releasing liquid additives from the additive conduit into the annular space.   
     
     
         13 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an additive tray positioned below the additive dispenser and configured for the receipt of liquid additives therefrom, the additive tray supporting the additive nozzle.   
     
     
         14 . The washing appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the additive nozzle extends vertically upward from the additive tray. 
     
     
         15 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the wash tub comprises a wash tub cover and a wash tub main body, and wherein the additive tray is defined by the wash tub cover. 
     
     
         16 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the additive conduit comprises a flexible hose. 
     
     
         17 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the additive conduit is positioned wholly in the annular space between the wash drum and the wash tub. 
     
     
         18 . The washing appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the wash tub comprises a wash tub cover and a wash tub main body, and wherein the additive tray is integrally formed with the wash tub cover, and wherein the wash tub cover defines a plurality of apertures positioned below the additive dispenser. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising a door for selectively closing access to the additive dispenser.