Control for an automatic washer with spray pretreatment
First Claim
1. A washing machine apparatus for washing a textile wash load having a wash tub for receiving a wash liquid within which there is a rotatable wash zone including a peripheral wall, a motor for rotating said peripheral wall and said wash load in said wash zone about a predetermined axis and a recirculating wash liquid apparatus for recirculating wash liquid from said wash tub to said wash load comprising:
- A detection device for detecting the suds condition of said wash liquid and outputting a signal;
A control for receiving said signal and outputting predetermined commands for washing said fabric items, Said control including a predetermined command for providing a pretreatment step for said wash load, all or a portion of said pretreatment step being alterable or terminable by said control upon said control receiving a signal indicating a existing or potential suds lock condition.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates a control for an automatic washer incorporating a spray pretreatment or stain care cycle. In order to manage the occurrence of the condition of suds lock, the state of the washing machine related to the suds lock condition during spray pretreatment is determined by one or more of a number of methods. With this information concerning the state of the spray pretreatment process, the occurrence of suds lock can be ascertained and the cycle can be controlled accordingly to minimize negative effects resulting from a prolonged suds lock condition. Additionally, with certain information related to the occurrence of suds lock, steps can be taken during the spray pretreatment portion of the cycle to avoid the condition of suds lock altogether. Using the same primary process for measuring suds lock, load size can also be ascertained. Information about load size can be used to control the wash cycle.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A washing machine apparatus for washing a textile wash load having a wash tub for receiving a wash liquid within which there is a rotatable wash zone including a peripheral wall, a motor for rotating said peripheral wall and said wash load in said wash zone about a predetermined axis and a recirculating wash liquid apparatus for recirculating wash liquid from said wash tub to said wash load comprising:
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A detection device for detecting the suds condition of said wash liquid and outputting a signal;
A control for receiving said signal and outputting predetermined commands for washing said fabric items, Said control including a predetermined command for providing a pretreatment step for said wash load, all or a portion of said pretreatment step being alterable or terminable by said control upon said control receiving a signal indicating a existing or potential suds lock condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A washing machine comprising:
an imperforate wash tub, a wash basket positioned within said wash tub defining a wash zone, a fresh water inlet and a recirculation system comprising a collection zone for receiving wash liquid from said wash zone and being spaced below said wash basket, a pump having a suction inlet communicating via a first fluid conduit with said collection zone and a discharge outlet communicating with a recirculation nozzle via a second fluid conduit, said nozzle being positioned to direct wash fluid into said wash zone, a pressure dome located in fluid connection with said pump discharge outlet and having a pressure detection device for detecting the suds condition of said wash liquid by determining the pressure level of the wash liquid within the second fluid conduit and outputting a pressure detection signal and a control for receiving said pressure detection signal and outputting predetermined commands for washing fabric items. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
Specification