Adaptor for automated laundry system
First Claim
1. In a laundry system which includes a washer having means operative to effect a cycle of operation during which the washer undergoes a plurality of operating stages, said washer further having means for establishing a recurring impulse signal at predetermined time periods during said cycle of operation, said system including injector means adapted to inject a quantity of at least one laundry additive into said washer in response to a command signal, said injector means including timer means operative to receive said command signal and establish the time duration of each additive injection, the combination therewith comprising adaptor means separate from but operatively associated with said washer and said injector means for controlling the injection of said laundry additives into said washer in direct relation to establishment of said recurring impulse signals, said adaptor means including primary electrical power supply means separate from said washer, first means connected in circuit to said primary supply means and operable to establish a plurality of command signals in selected sequence, each of said command signals having operative association with said timer means in a manner to control injection of a selected laundry additive into said washer, said adaptor means including second means adapted to receive each impulse signal from said washer and being operative in response to receipt of each impulse signal to actuate said first means to establish a command signal so as to effect injection of a selected laundry additive into said washer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated laundry system is disclosed which includes a washer operative to advance through a plurality of operating cycle stages, an injector having a plurality of liquid additive reservoirs and associated timed control valves operative to selectively inject liquid additives into the washer, and an adaptor connected to the washer and injector for controlling injection of the additives into the washer in predetermined sequence throughout each operating cycle of the washer. The adaptor establishes sequential program signals to the injector for a washer which does not have a built-in programmed signal producing means for the injector.
58 Citations
23 Claims
- 1. In a laundry system which includes a washer having means operative to effect a cycle of operation during which the washer undergoes a plurality of operating stages, said washer further having means for establishing a recurring impulse signal at predetermined time periods during said cycle of operation, said system including injector means adapted to inject a quantity of at least one laundry additive into said washer in response to a command signal, said injector means including timer means operative to receive said command signal and establish the time duration of each additive injection, the combination therewith comprising adaptor means separate from but operatively associated with said washer and said injector means for controlling the injection of said laundry additives into said washer in direct relation to establishment of said recurring impulse signals, said adaptor means including primary electrical power supply means separate from said washer, first means connected in circuit to said primary supply means and operable to establish a plurality of command signals in selected sequence, each of said command signals having operative association with said timer means in a manner to control injection of a selected laundry additive into said washer, said adaptor means including second means adapted to receive each impulse signal from said washer and being operative in response to receipt of each impulse signal to actuate said first means to establish a command signal so as to effect injection of a selected laundry additive into said washer.
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14. An adaptor for use in a laundry system which includes a washer having means operative to effect a cycle of operation during which the washer undergoes a plurality of operating stages, said washer further having means for establishing a recurring impulse signal at predetermined time periods during each cycle of operation, and injector means adapted to inject a quantity of at least one laundry additive into said washer in response to a command signal;
- said adaptor comprising primary electric power supply means separate from said washer, first switch means connected in circuit to said primary power supply means and operable to establish a plurality of command signals in selected sequence, each of said command signals being adapted for operative association with the injector means in a manner to control injection of a selected laundry additive into said washer, said adaptor means including second switch means adapted to receive said recurring impulse signals from the washer and being operative in response to receipt of said impulse signals to actuate said first switch means to establish successive command signals in response to receipt of successive impulse signals from said washer during a cycle of operation of said washer, whereby said adaptor is adapted to control the injection of laundry additives into the washer from the injector means in direct relation to establishment of impulse signals by the washer.
- View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Specification