Control system and method for supplying detergent and other fluids to multiple washing machines
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling the operation of a pay-as-you-go laundry facility that includes multiple washing machines using at least one working fluid, comprising:
- a centralized fluid distribution system for dispensing a metered amount of working fluid to each of said multiple washing machines;
a dispensing controller for controlling said centralized fluid distribution system according to a predetermined dispensing sequence;
a washing sequence controller at each of said washing machines, connected to independently operate a washing machine according to a selected washing sequence;
a payment processor constructed to receive and approve a payment medium presented by the user according to a predetermined payment sequence;
a system controller connected to said payment processor, said washing sequence controller, and said dispensing controller to receive inputs therefrom and to generate and control signals thereto according to a predetermined control sequence.
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Abstract
A washing machine control system is combined with a working fluid dispensing system and a payment processing system to provide a merged system for automatically providing detergents, bleach, softeners and the like in a pay-as-you-go laundry environment, such as public laundry facilities in Laundromats, dormitories, apartment complexes and the like.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the operation of a pay-as-you-go laundry facility that includes multiple washing machines using at least one working fluid, comprising:
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a centralized fluid distribution system for dispensing a metered amount of working fluid to each of said multiple washing machines;
a dispensing controller for controlling said centralized fluid distribution system according to a predetermined dispensing sequence;
a washing sequence controller at each of said washing machines, connected to independently operate a washing machine according to a selected washing sequence;
a payment processor constructed to receive and approve a payment medium presented by the user according to a predetermined payment sequence;
a system controller connected to said payment processor, said washing sequence controller, and said dispensing controller to receive inputs therefrom and to generate and control signals thereto according to a predetermined control sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. In a system for controlling the operation of a pay-as-you-go laundry facility that includes multiple washing machines using at least one working fluid, a method for dispensing working fluid comprising the steps of:
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prompting the user to present a payment medium;
prompting the user to select a washing machine and verifying the available status thereof;
activate the selected washing machine;
sensing the availability of working fluid for dispensing in a reservoir for said working fluid;
prompting the user to select a working fluid;
processing a transaction according to the selections made by the user to verify authenticity of the payment medium and authorize payment; and
dispensing a metered dosage of the selected working fluid to the selected washing machine; and
- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A system for controlling the operation of a pay-as-you-go laundry facility that includes multiple washing machines using at least one working fluid, comprising:
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a centralized fluid distribution system for dispensing a metered amount of working fluid to each of said multiple washing machines;
a dispensing controller for controlling said centralized fluid distribution system according to a predetermined dispensing sequence;
a washing sequence controller at each of said washing machines, connected to independently operate a washing machine according to a selected washing sequence;
a system controller at each of said washing machines, connected to said washing sequence controller, and said dispensing controller to receive inputs therefrom and to generate and control signals thereto according to a predetermined control sequence; and
further wherein said centralized fluid distribution system comprises;
at least one tank for holding a working fluid;
a pump for moving working fluid downstream from said tank under pressure into a distribution conduit;
a distribution manifold connected to receive working fluid pumped from said tank and distribute said fluid to multiple conduits connected to said multiple washing machines;
a valve connected in each of said washing machine conduits to control the flow of working fluid therein; and
wherein said pump and said valve are controlled by signals from said dispensing controller to dispense a metered amount of working fluid according to a predetermined dosage. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification