Method and monitoring device for monitoring a wash process

• US 6,536,060 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA (Unilever PLC)
• Original Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Lloyd, John, Janssens, Jean Paul, Leeuwis, Henk, Van Der Mark, Petrus Jacobus, Poos, Arie Michiel
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/625,683
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.R, 134/57.R, 134/58.R, 134/113, 134/18, 68/120.2, 68/13.R, 682/13, 682/35.R, 815/8, 815/9
• US Class Current: 8/159
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0055 Metering or indication of used products, e.g. type or quantity of detergent, rinse aid or salt; for measuring or controlling the product concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/006 using wireless communication between internal components of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/247 Details specific to conveyor-type machines, e.g. curtains
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/46 Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning ; Controlling devices A47L15/449 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/10 Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/11 Water hardness, acidity or basicity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/12 Water temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/30 Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/20 Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/42 Detergent or additive supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/22 Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/024 mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and monitoring device for monitoring a wash process inside a washing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of introducing into the washing apparatus a monitoring device suitable for measuring physical and/or mechanical parameters of the wash process and recording the measured parameters within the monitoring device. A self-contained and wireless monitoring device is used.

Claims

1. Method for monitoring a wash process inside a washing apparatus, wherein said process comprises:

(1) introducing into the washing apparatus a monitoring device suitable for measuring physical and/or mechanical parameters of the wash process;

(2) recording the measured parameters within the monitoring device;

and

(3) using the recorded parameters such that the wash process can be controlled and/or analyzed;

wherein said monitoring device is self-contained and wireless.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the wash process is a domestic laundry wash process, wherein the monitoring device is introduced into a revolving drum of a washing machine.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the wash process is an industrial laundry wash process, wherein the monitoring device is introduced into a tunnel washing machine.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the wash process is a domestic dish wash process, wherein the monitoring device is introduced into a dishwasher.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the wash process is an industrial dish wash process, wherein the monitoring device is introduced onto, and moves along with a conveyor belt of an industrial dishwasher.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the wash process is a hand wash process, wherein the monitoring device is introduced into a washtub.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterised by the additional step of reading out the recorded parameters.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the step of reading out the recorded parameters comprises connecting the monitoring device with appropriate reading means.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that previous to reading out the monitoring device is removed from within the washing apparatus.

10. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that the reading means are connected to, or provided with processing means for processing the read-out parameters.

11. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that the connection between the monitoring device and the reading means is wireless.

12. Method according to claim 1, characterised by the step of dosing a cleaning agent as based upon the measured physical and/or mechanical parameters.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that the dosing of the cleaning agent is carried out by the monitoring device.

14. In combination:

(1) a washing apparatus; and

(2) a monitoring device for monitoring a wash process inside said washing apparatus, wherein said monitoring device comprises means for measuring physical and/or mechanical parameters of the wash process and means for recording the measured parameters within the monitoring device;

wherein said monitoring device is self-contained and wireless.

15. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterised by means for exchanging the recorded parameters with an external device.

16. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterised by means for processing the recorded parameters.

17. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterised by means for dosing a cleaning agent as based upon the measured physical and/or mechanical parameters.

18. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterised by an internal energy source, such as a battery, rechargeable battery or alike.

19. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterised in that the measuring means comprise at least one sensor for measuring one of the following parameters:

pH, conductivity, pCa, pNa, temperature, motion, turbidity and EC.

20. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterised by a centrally located funnel-shaped entry channel for conducting washing liquid to be monitored to the measuring means.

21. Monitoring device according to claim 20, characterised in that the measuring means are provided in a sample reservoir at the end of the entry channel.