# US 2021/0277578 A1 · Spray system for an appliance having a flexible spray membrane having a separable seam > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0277578 A1 - Document ID: US20210277578A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/811,544 - Filed: 2020-03-06 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-06 - Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation - Applicants: Whirlpool Corporation - Inventors: Carlo Chiorino; Mauro Mancini - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210277578A1 ## CPC - D06F 39/088: {Liquid supply arrangements} - B05B 15/525: by increasing the cross section of the discharge openings - B05B 15/528: by resilient deformation of the nozzle - D06F 37/266: {Gaskets mounted between tub and casing around the loading opening} - D06F 37/267: {Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups (D06F37/206 takes precedence)} - D06F 39/083: {Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements} - D06F 39/085: {Arrangements or adaptations of pumps} - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A laundry appliance comprising: a fluid pump that delivers process fluid through a fluid path; a tub disposed within a cabinet and a drum that is rotationally operable within the tub, wherein the tub and the drum define a portion of the fluid path; a sprayer assembly coupled with the tub for directing the process fluid into the drum; and a flexible spray head that includes spray nozzles, wherein an operable seam extends through the spray head and bisects each of the spray nozzles, wherein the operable seam separates to define a release opening when a blockage within the process fluid is disposed within at least one of the spray nozzles. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The laundry appliance of claim 1, further comprising a bellows that extends between the tub and the cabinet, wherein the sprayer assembly is disposed within a portion of the bellows. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The laundry appliance of claim 2, wherein the sprayer assembly includes a rigid housing that is seated within the bellows. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The laundry appliance of claim 3, wherein the rigid housing includes a light fixture that selectively illuminates a processing space defined within the drum. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The laundry appliance of claim 1, wherein the fluid path is configured to recirculate process fluid through the drum and the sprayer assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The laundry appliance of claim 5, 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. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The laundry appliance of claim 1, wherein the operable seam is biased toward a closed position that encloses and area of the operable seam between the spray nozzles. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The laundry appliance of claim 3, wherein the flexible spray head includes a base that is seated within an aperture of the rigid housing. ### Claim 9 A recirculating fluid flow system for an appliance, the fluid flow system comprising: a fluid pump that delivers process fluid through a fluid path; a tub disposed within a cabinet and that defines a processing space, wherein the fluid path includes at least a portion of the processing space, the tub having an outlet that directs the process fluid toward the fluid pump; and a sprayer assembly coupled with the tub for directing the process fluid into the processing space, the sprayer assembly including 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, wherein the operable seam is selectively separable to define a release opening that includes at least two spray nozzles of the plurality of spray nozzles. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 9, 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of spray nozzles is disposed within a flexible spray head that is operably positioned within a rigid housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 9, further comprising a bellows that extends between the tub and the cabinet, wherein the sprayer assembly is disposed within a portion of the bellows. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 11, wherein the rigid housing includes a light fixture that selectively illuminates a portion of the processing space. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 9, wherein the fluid path is configured to recirculate process fluid through the sprayer assembly and the tub. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 9, 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 9, wherein the operable seam is biased toward a closed position that encloses and area of the operable seam between the plurality of spray nozzles. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 11, wherein the flexible spray head includes a base that is seated within an aperture of the rigid housing. ### Claim 18 A recirculating fluid flow system for an appliance, the fluid flow system comprising: a fluid pump that delivers process fluid and particulate material through a fluid path; a tub disposed within a cabinet and that defines a processing space, wherein the fluid path includes at least a portion of the processing space, the tub having an outlet that directs the process fluid and the particulate material toward the fluid pump; and a sprayer assembly coupled with the tub for directing the process fluid and particulate material from the fluid pump and into the processing space, the sprayer assembly including a spray head having spray nozzles and an operable seam that extends through each of the spray nozzles, wherein the operable seam is selectively separable to enlarge an aperture of any of the spray nozzles to define a release opening, wherein the operable seam defines the release opening when a portion of the particulate material is larger than a corresponding aperture of the spray nozzles. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 18, wherein the spray nozzles are disposed within a flexible spray head that is operably positioned within a rigid housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The recirculating fluid flow system of claim 18, further comprising a bellows that extends between the tub and the cabinet, wherein the sprayer assembly is disposed within a portion of the bellows.