Foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system

• US 6,662,600 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Field, Bruce F., Krueger, Joseph K., Christensen, Bryan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/213,849
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 682/07, 815/8, 134/100.1, 134/102.1, 134/102.2, 222/129, 261/19, 261/24, 261/29, 261/72.1
• US Class Current: 68/17.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

A foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system for use in a washing machine includes a cleaning liquid dispenser and a foaming device. The cleaning liquid dispenser includes an output flow of cleaning liquid, which is received by the foaming device. The foaming device includes an input flow of air and a mixing member, in which the flows of air and the cleaning liquid are combined to form an output flow of foamed cleaning liquid that is directed to a washing chamber of the washing machine.

Claims

1. A foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system for use with a washing machine having a washing chamber in which soiled articles are cleaned, the system comprising:

a cleaning liquid dispenser including a supply of cleaning liquid, conduit in fluid communication with the supply of cleaning liquid, and a pump in line with the conduit and driving an output flow of cleaning liquid therethrough; and

a foaming device receiving the output flow of cleaning liquid and having an input flow of air, a mixing member combining the flows of air and cleaning liquid to thereby form an output flow of foamed cleaning liquid that is directed into the washing chamber.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid flow control device includes a flow restriction member generating a pressure drop in the conduit thereby restricting a flow rate of the output flow of cleaning liquid.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow restriction member includes an orifice plate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid flow control device includes a controller having a control signal that is electrically coupled to the pump, the pump driving the output flow of cleaning liquid in response to the control signal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the pump is powered by the control signal.

6. The system of claim 1, including:

a supply of cleaning agent;

a flow of primary cleaning liquid component;

a cleaning agent flow control device fluidically coupled to the supply of cleaning agent and having an output flow of cleaning agent; and

a fluid mixing member combining the flows of cleaning agent and primary cleaning liquid component to form the supply of cleaning liquid.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the cleaning agent flow control device includes a pump driving the output flow of cleaning agent.

8. The system of claim 7, including a controller having a control signal that is electrically coupled to the pump, wherein the pump drives the output flow of cleaning agent in response to the control signal.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the flow control device includes a flow restriction member having an upstream high pressure inlet and a downstream low pressure outlet.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the flow restriction member includes a labyrinthine fluid flow path through which the output flow cleaning agent travels.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the cleaning agent includes an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and/or a cationic surfactant.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the cleaning liquid dispenser includes a cleaner cartridge comprising:

a container having an interior cavity in which the supply of cleaning agent is contained; and

conduit having a first end fluidically coupled to the interior cavity and a second end connectable to an inlet of the cleaning agent flow control device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid dispenser includes:

a plurality of cleaning agent supplies;

a flow of primary cleaning liquid component;

a plurality of cleaning agent flow control devices, each fluidically coupled to one of the cleaning agent supplies and having an output flow of the corresponding cleaning agent; and

a fluid mixing member selectively combining at least one of the output flows of cleaning agent with the flow of primary cleaning liquid component to form the supply of cleaning liquid.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the foaming device includes a foam generating nozzle.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the foaming device includes:

an air pump generating the input flow of air;

a mixing element combining the flows of air and cleaning liquid to form an output flow of aerated cleaning liquid; and

a foam generating member including a housing having an inlet port receiving the output flow of aerated cleaning liquid, an outlet port fluidically coupled to the washing chamber, and a diffusion medium contained in the housing, wherein foamed cleaning liquid is generated within the housing through interaction between the aerated cleaning liquid and the diffusion medium and is dispensed through the outlet port.

16. A washing machine comprising:

a supply of cleaning agent;

a flow of primary cleaning liquid component;

a cleaning agent flow control device fluidically coupled to the supply of cleaning agent and having an output flow of cleaning agent;

a fluid mixing member combining the flows of cleaning agent and primary cleaning liquid component to form a supply of cleaning liquid;

conduit in fluid communication with the supply of cleaning liquid;

a cleaning liquid flow control device in line with the conduit and having an output flow of cleaning liquid;

a foaming device receiving the output flow of cleaning liquid and having an input flow of air, a mixing member combining the air with the cleaning liquid, and an output flow of foamed cleaning liquid;

a washing chamber receiving the output flow of foamed cleaning liquid; and

a washing device contained in the washing chamber and adapted to agitate laundry articles within the washing chamber.