MULTIPLE COMPARTMENTS WASH ADDITIVES AUTO-DISPENSER IN WASHER OR DRYER PEDESTAL

• US 20090095331A1
• Filed: 10/12/2007
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hoppe, Christopher Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 8,056,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/99.2
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/125 Supporting arrangements for the casing, e.g. rollers or legs

Abstract

Systems and methods for delivering a first additive to an appliance are disclosed. The systems include a first storage container located in a pedestal, a first pump operatively connected to the first storage container and the appliance. A controller is configured to activate the first pump upon receiving an input. The first pump configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the appliance. The methods include receiving a first input. The first input specifying an amount of the first additive to be delivered to the appliance. The first additive is delivered by activating a first pump in response to receiving the first input. Activating the first pump causes the first additive to be delivered to the appliance.

Claims

1. A system for delivering a first additive to an appliance, the appliance including a pedestal, the system comprising:

a first storage container located in the pedestal and configured to house the first additive;

a first pump operatively connected to the first storage container and the appliance, the first pump being configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the appliance; and

a controller configured to activate the first pump upon receiving an input.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the input comprises a user depressing a button, wherein the first pump delivers the first additive continuously while the button is depressed.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the input comprises a user selecting a mode of operation, the mode of operation being preconfigured mode configured to deliver a preset amount of the first additive.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second storage container configured to house a second additive, wherein the controller is further configured to coordinate delivery of the second additive to the appliance.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a second pump, wherein the controller is configured to coordinate delivery of the second additive via the second pump.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first storage container is at least one of the following:

refillable, removable, and disposable.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second storage container, wherein the first storage container is configured to be connected to only a first connection and the second storage container is configured to be connected to only a second connection.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second storage container configured to house a second additive; and

a manifold having a first and a second valve, the manifold operatively connected to the first pump, the first storage container, and the second storage container,

wherein the controller is configured to;

open and close the first valve to deliver the first additive via the first pump, and

open and close the second valve to deliver the second additive via the first pump.

9. A system for delivering a first additive to a washing machine, the washing machine comprising a pedestal, a controller, the system comprising:

a first storage container located in the pedestal and configured to house the first additive; and

a first pump located in the pedestal and operatively connected to the first storage container and the washing machine, the first pump being configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the washing machine upon receiving a first input from the controller.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first pump being configured to deliver the first additive comprises the first pump being configured to siphon the first additive from the first storage container.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first pump being configured to deliver the first additive comprises the first pump being configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the washing machine without causing a substantial pressure change within the first storage container.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first pump being configured to deliver the first additive comprises a user depressing a button for a period of time, wherein the first additive is delivered to the washing machine during the period of time.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the first pump being configured to deliver the first additive comprises a user selecting a mode of operation, the mode of operation being preconfigured to deliver a preset amount of the first additive at a preset stage of a washing cycle.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a second storage container for storing a second additive; and

a second pump configured to deliver the second additive to the washing machine upon receiving a second input from the controller, wherein the second pump being configured to deliver the second additive from the second storage container to the washing machine upon receiving the second input from the controller comprises the preset mode being configured to deliver the second additive at a second stage of the washing cycle.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first storage container is configured to be at least one of the following:

removable, refillable, and disposable.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second storage container, wherein the first storage container is configured to be connected to only a first connection and the second storage container is configured to be connected to only a second connection.

17. A method for delivering a first additive to an appliance, the appliance sitting on a pedestal, the method comprising:

receiving a first input, the first input indicating an amount of the first additive to be delivered to the appliance; and

activating a first pump in response to receiving the first input;

pumping the first additive from a first storage container in a manner that does not cause a substantial pressure change within the first storage container.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving the first input comprises receiving a preset mode, and wherein delivering the first additive comprises delivering a preset amount of the first additive defined by the preset mode.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

activating a second pump in response to receiving the input; and

pumping a second additive from a second storage container to the appliance,

wherein pumping the first additive comprises delivering a first preset amount of the first additive, and

wherein pumping the second additive comprises delivering a second preset amount of the second additive defined by the preset mode.

20. The method of claim 17,

wherein activating the first pump further comprises:

actuating a first valve, wherein the first valve is configured to restrict the flow of the first additive, and

delivering a second present amount of a second additive to the appliance, wherein the first present amount is defined by a preset mode,

wherein pumping the first additive comprises;

actuating a second valve, the first valve restricting flow of the second additive, and

delivering a first preset amount of the first additive, the first preset amount being defined by the preset mode,

wherein the first and the second additive are delivered by the first pump.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein pumping the first additive from the first container comprises siphoning the first additive from the first container.