WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCES AND METHODS FOR WASHING ARTICLES THEREIN

• US 20170022648A1
• Filed: 07/22/2015
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Roetker, John Joseph
• Application Number:
  US14/805,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20170022648A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/005 Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/083 Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements

Abstract

Washing machine appliances and methods for washing articles in washing machine appliances are provided. A method includes flowing a hot water volume into a tub, wherein the hot water volume is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub, and performing an agitation cycle after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after a detergent and an additive have been added to the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after performing the agitation cycle, and flowing a cold water volume into the tub after draining the water from the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub, and performing an extraction cycle after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

Claims

1. A method for washing articles in a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance having a drum positioned within a tub, the drum defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the method comprising:

flowing a hot water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level, wherein the hot water volume is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub;

performing an agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after a detergent and an additive have been added to the tub;

draining water from the tub after performing the agitation cycle;

flowing a cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after draining the water from the tub;

draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub; and

performing an extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the agitation cycle comprises rotating the drum in the agitation cycle and wherein performing the extraction cycle comprises rotating the drum in the extraction cycle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hot water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 110 and approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period for performing the agitation cycle is between approximately 15 and approximately 30 minutes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cold water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 50 and approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

flowing a cold water volume into the tub after performing the agitation cycle and before draining the water; and

performing a subsequent agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and before draining the water.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the predetermined time period for performing the subsequent agitation cycle is between approximately 5 and approximately 15 minutes.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

flowing a subsequent cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after performing the extraction cycle;

draining water from the tub after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub; and

performing a subsequent extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the additive comprises an oxidizing agent.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the oxidizing agent is greater than or equal to 0.3 grams per liter of wash fluid within the tub.

11. A method for washing articles in a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance having a drum positioned within a tub, the drum defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the method comprising:

flowing a hot water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level, wherein the hot water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 110 and approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit and is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub;

performing an agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after a detergent and an additive have been added to the tub, the additive comprising an oxidizing agent;

flowing a cold water volume into the tub after performing the agitation cycle, wherein the cold water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 50 and approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit;

performing a subsequent agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub;

draining water from the tub after performing the agitation cycle and the subsequent agitation cycle;

flowing a cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after draining the water from the tub;

draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub; and

performing an extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the agitation cycle comprises rotating the drum in the agitation cycle and wherein performing the extraction cycle comprises rotating the drum in the extraction cycle.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined time period for performing the agitation cycle is between approximately 15 and approximately 30 minutes.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined time period for performing the subsequent agitation cycle is between approximately 5 and approximately 15 minutes.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

flowing a subsequent cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after performing the extraction cycle;

draining water from the tub after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub; and

performing a subsequent extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the oxidizing agent is greater than or equal to 0.3 grams per liter of wash fluid within the tub.

17. A washing machine appliance, comprising:

a cabinet;

a tub positioned within the cabinet;

a drum rotatably mounted within the tub, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of items for washing;

a motor in mechanical communication with the drum in order to selectively rotate the drum; and

a controller in communication with the motor and the water inlet, the controller configured for;

flowing a hot water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level, wherein the hot water volume is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub;

performing an agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after a detergent and an additive have been added to the tub;

draining water from the tub after performing the agitation cycle;

flowing a cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after draining the water from the tub;

draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub; and

performing an extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

18. The washing machine appliance of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured for:

flowing a cold water volume into the tub after performing the agitation cycle and before draining the water; and

performing a subsequent agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and before draining the water.

19. The washing machine appliance of claim 18, wherein the predetermined time period for performing the agitation cycle is between approximately 15 and approximately 30 minutes and wherein the predetermined time period for performing the subsequent agitation cycle is between approximately 5 and approximately 15 minutes.

20. The washing machine appliance of claim 17, wherein the hot water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 110 and approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit and wherein the cold water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 50 and approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit.