Detergent storage container and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A detergent storage container for a laundry treating apparatus includes a detergent storage member that defines a storage space configured to store laundry detergent, and a residual amount detecting unit disposed at the detergent storage member and configured to detect a residual amount of laundry detergent stored in the detergent storage member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detergent supply device for a laundry treating apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a detergent storage container installed in the housing and configured to store laundry detergent; and   a detecting unit disposed at the detergent storage container and configured to detect an amount of the laundry detergent stored in the detergent storage container,   wherein the detecting unit comprises an electrode that is installed to one surface of the detergent storage container and configured to contact the laundry detergent stored in the detergent storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the electrode is located on the one surface of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         3 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising a detergent blocking rib that protrudes from the one surface of the detergent storage container and has a shape surrounding one side of the electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the electrode is exposed to an inside of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         5 . The detergent supply device of  claim 4 , further comprising a blocking portion that protrudes from the one surface of the detergent storage container and is located above the exposed portion of the electrode to limit the laundry detergent from moving toward the exposed portion of the electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The detergent supply device of  claim 5 , wherein the blocking portion is inclined in a vertical direction to guide a movement of the laundry detergent that drops from the one surface of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         7 . The detergent supply device of  claim 5 , wherein the electrode is one of electrodes that have different heights from each other from a lower surface of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         8 . The detergent supply device of  claim 7 , wherein the blocking portion is one of blocking portions that are located above the electrodes, respectively, and that have different heights from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The detergent supply device of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting unit comprises a support bracket that is coupled to the one surface of the detergent storage container and that defines a portion of the one surface of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         10 . The detergent supply device of  claim 9 , wherein the detergent storage container comprises a coupling portion disposed at the one surface of the detergent storage container, and the support bracket is installed at the coupling portion. 
     
     
         11 . The detergent supply device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrode is installed to the support bracket, and a portion of the electrode is exposed to an inside of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         12 . The detergent supply device of  claim 11 , wherein the exposed portion of the electrode extends downwardly from the support bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The detergent supply device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrode includes (i) a horizontal portion protruding to an outside of the support bracket and (ii) a vertical portion extending from the horizontal portion to an inside of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         14 . The detergent supply device of  claim 13 , wherein a free end of the vertical portion is exposed to the inside of the detergent storage container. 
     
     
         15 . The detergent supply device of  claim 14 , wherein the support bracket comprises a blocking portion that protrudes from an inner surface of the support bracket and is located above the exposed portion of the electrode. 
     
     
         16 . The detergent supply device of  claim 9 , further comprising a detergent blocking rib that protrudes from an inner surface of the support bracket and has a shape surrounding one side of the electrode to limit the laundry detergent from moving toward the electrode.