Liquid detergent dispensing system for automatic washer
First Claim
1. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement for dispensing a controlled amount of detergent during a dispense cycle into an automatic washing machine, comprising a reservoir tank for storing a quantity of liquid detergent sufficient for a multiplicity of wash cycles of the automatic washing machine;
- an air/fluid chamber adapted for holding an amount of detergent sufficient for at least one detergent dispense cycle;
one-way valve means for admitting detergent from said reservoir tank into said air/fluid chamber;
a detergent discharge hose extending from the air/fluid chamber to a discharge means for discharging the liquid detergent from the air/fluid chamber into the washing machine;
air pump means for applying air under pressure to the air/fluid chamber so as to drive the liquid detergent in said air-fluid chamber through said discharge hose; and
control means coupled to said air pump means for selectively energizing the air pump means, including a switch for initiating a detergent discharge cycle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid laundry detergent dispenser for an automatic washing machine employs a reservoir that holds a quantity of the detergent sufficient for numerous wash cycles. An air/fluid chamber fills through a check valve from the base of the reservoir. To commence a dispense cycle, a timer circuit is actuated to run an air pump that supplies air under pressure through an air hose to the air/fluid chamber, and this displaces the detergent from the chamber and through a detergent dispense hose into the tub or drum of the washing machine. At the end of the dispense cycle, a bleed valve opens to relieve pressure on the air hose and the air/fluid chamber. The automatic detergent dispenser can be attached to existing washers or built in. A multiple arrangement can be used with a bank of washers at a commercial laundry.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement for dispensing a controlled amount of detergent during a dispense cycle into an automatic washing machine, comprising
a reservoir tank for storing a quantity of liquid detergent sufficient for a multiplicity of wash cycles of the automatic washing machine; -
an air/fluid chamber adapted for holding an amount of detergent sufficient for at least one detergent dispense cycle;
one-way valve means for admitting detergent from said reservoir tank into said air/fluid chamber;
a detergent discharge hose extending from the air/fluid chamber to a discharge means for discharging the liquid detergent from the air/fluid chamber into the washing machine;
air pump means for applying air under pressure to the air/fluid chamber so as to drive the liquid detergent in said air-fluid chamber through said discharge hose; and
control means coupled to said air pump means for selectively energizing the air pump means, including a switch for initiating a detergent discharge cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement for use with a plurality of automatic washing machines and adapted for dispensing a controlled amount of detergent during a dispense cycle into a selected one of said automatic washing machines, comprising
a reservoir tank for storing a quantity of liquid detergent sufficient for a multiplicity of wash cycles of the automatic washing machines; -
a plurality of air/fluid chambers, each adapted for holding an amount of detergent sufficient for at least one detergent dispense cycle;
a plurality of one-way valve means, each associated with a respective one of said air/fluid chambers, for admitting detergent from said reservoir tank into the associated captive air/fluid chamber by gravity flow;
a plurality of detergent discharge hose, each extending from a respective one of said air/fluid chambers to a discharge means for dispensing the liquid detergent from the air/fluid chamber into a respective one of said washing machines;
air pump means for selectively pressurizing one or another of said air/fluid chambers with air under pressure so as to drive the liquid detergent in said air-fluid chambers through the associated discharge hose; and
control means coupled to said air pump means for selectively energizing the air pump means, including means for initiating a detergent discharge cycle. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A process of automatically injecting a measured amount of liquid detergent into an automatic washing machine including
filling a detergent tank with a supply of liquid detergent sufficient for a multiplicity of wash cycles; -
permitting gravity flow of the liquid detergent from said tank into an air/fluid chamber to fill said chamber;
supplying compressed air to said air/fluid chamber during a detergent dispense cycle, such that the compressed air drives the detergent from said air/fluid chamber through a detergent dispense hose into a wash chamber of said washing machine; and
relieving air pressure in said air/fluid chamber after a dispense cycle to permit the air/fluid chamber to refill with said detergent. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification