Method for automatically flushing a bulk dispensing system in a cleaning appliance

• US 8,052,805 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Hendrickson, Michael Stephen, Dalton, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLING, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US12/165,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20100000578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,225 Days
• Field of Search: 134/57.R, 134/58.R
• US Class Current: 134/57.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/028 Arrangements for selectively supplying water to detergent compartments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0424 Liquid cleaning or flushing

Abstract

A method for flushing at least a portion of a bulk dispensing system in a household cleaning appliance.

Claims

1. A household cleaning appliance, comprising:

a treating chamber;

a bulk dispensing system coupled with the treating chamber and configured to receive a removable cartridge containing multiple doses of a treating chemistry, the bulk dispensing system further configured to deliver a charge of treating chemistry from the cartridge to the treating chamber through a first flowpath;

a water supply configured to be selectively coupled to the bulk dispensing system;

a sensor outputting a signal indicative of a presence of the bulk dispensing cartridge in the bulk dispensing system; and

a controller coupled with the water supply and sensor and configured to supply water to flush the bulk dispensing system in response to the controller determining an absence of the cartridge based on the signal from the sensor.

2. The household cleaning appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a diverter for directing water from the water supply through a second flowpath in the bulk dispensing system.

3. The household cleaning appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a valve to couple the water supply with the bulk dispensing system wherein the controller controls the valve to selectively couple the water supply to the bulk dispensing system.

4. A household cleaning appliance, comprising:

a treating chamber;

a bulk dispensing system coupled with the treating chamber and configured to receive a removable cartridge containing multiple doses of a treating chemistry, the bulk dispensing system further configured to deliver a charge of treating chemistry from the cartridge to the treating chamber through a first flowpath;

a water supply configured to be selectively coupled to the bulk dispensing system;

a sensor outputting a signal indicative of a presence of the bulk dispensing cartridge in the bulk dispensing system; and

means for flushing the bulk dispensing system with water in response to an absence of the cartridge.

5. A household cleaning appliance, comprising:

a treating chamber;

a bulk dispensing system coupled with the treating chamber and configured to receive a removable cartridge containing multiple doses of a treating chemistry, the bulk dispensing system further configured to deliver a charge of treating chemistry from the cartridge to the treating chamber through a first flowpath;

a water supply configured to be selectively coupled to the bulk dispensing system;

a sensor outputting a signal indicative of an emptiness of the bulk dispensing cartridge; and

a controller coupled with the water supply and sensor and configured to supply water to flush the bulk dispensing system in response to the controller determining the emptiness of the bulk dispensing cartridge based on the signal from the sensor.

6. The household cleaning appliance according to claim 5, further comprising a diverter for directing water from the water supply through a second flowpath in the bulk dispensing system.

7. The household cleaning appliance according to claim 5, further comprising a valve to couple the water supply with the bulk dispensing system wherein the controller controls the valve to selectively couple the water supply to the bulk dispensing system.

8. A household cleaning appliance, comprising:

a treating chamber;

a bulk dispensing system coupled with the treating chamber and configured to receive a removable cartridge containing multiple doses of a treating chemistry, the bulk dispensing system further configured to deliver a charge of treating chemistry from the cartridge to the treating chamber through a first flowpath;

a water supply configured to be selectively coupled to the bulk dispensing system;

a sensor outputting a signal indicative of an emptiness of the bulk dispensing cartridge; and

means for flushing the bulk dispensing system with water in response to the emptiness of the bulk dispensing cartridge.