Method for delayed start laundry washing with liquid detergent

• US 6,363,562 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Bruntz, Jordan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): COE, PHILIP R
• Application Number:
  US09/613,001
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 815/8, 68/121.2, 68/121.8
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/14 Time settings
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/005 Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence

Abstract

A delay start method of washing laundry allows laundry to be placed in the spin basket of a washing machine, with liquid detergent added to the fabric softener dispenser. After a selected time delay has expired, the basket is spun so as to discharge the detergent onto the laundry. A wash cycle is then started and operated in a normal manner.

Claims

1. A method of washing laundry in a vertical axis washing machine having a rotatable basket for holding laundry, a fabric softener dispenser, and control circuitry for controlling operations of the machine, the method comprising:

placing laundry in the basket;

adding liquid laundry detergent to the fabric softener dispenser;

setting a time delay on the control circuitry;

spinning the basket after the time delay has expired so as to discharge the detergent from the dispenser into the basket; and

operating a wash cycle for the machine.

2. A method of washing laundry in a vertical axis washing machine having a rotatable basket for holding laundry, a fabric softener dispenser, and control circuitry for controlling operations of the machine, the method comprising:

placing laundry in the basket;

adding liquid laundry detergent to the fabric softener dispenser; and

actuating a timer in the control circuitry to delay start of a wash cycle.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising spinning the basket after the time delay has expired so as to discharge the detergent from the dispenser into the basket.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising operating a wash cycle for the machine.

5. A method of washing laundry in a washing machine having a rotatable basket for holding laundry and control circuitry for controlling operation of the machine, the method comprising:

placing laundry in the basket;

putting laundry detergent in a container in the machine; and

actuating a timer in the control circuitry to delay start of a wash cycle.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising dispensing the detergent into the basket after the time delay has expired.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising operating a wash cycle.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the detergent is a liquid.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein the detergent is a particulate material.

10. The method of claim 5 wherein the machine is a vertical axis machine.

11. The method of claim 5 wherein the container is a fabric softener dispenser.