Multiple compartments wash additives auto-dispenser in washer or dryer pedestal

• US 8,056,374 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2007
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hoppe, Christopher Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLING, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US11/871,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20090095331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 68/121.8, 68/17.R, 134/99.2
• US Class Current: 68/12.18
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/125 Supporting arrangements for the casing, e.g. rollers or legs

Abstract

Systems and methods for delivering a first additive to an appliance are disclosed. The systems include a first storage container located in a pedestal, a first pump operatively connected to the first storage container and the appliance. A controller is configured to activate the first pump upon receiving an input. The first pump configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the appliance. The methods include receiving a first input. The first input specifying an amount of the first additive to be delivered to the appliance. The first additive is delivered by activating a first pump in response to receiving the first input. Activating the first pump causes the first additive to be delivered to the appliance.

Claims

1. A washing machine having a body and an interior section of the body, the washing machine comprising:

a pedestal located beneath the body and supporting the washing machine, the pedestal comprising a drawer operative to slide into and out of the pedestal;

a first storage container having a first float switch and a second storage container having a second float switch, the first storage container and the second storage container each located in the drawer, the first float switch and the second float switch each operatively connected to a controller, the controller being configured to provide an indication when either a first content of the first storage container or a second content of the second storage container is below a preset level;

a peristaltic pump located in the pedestal and operatively connected to the controller;

a manifold located in the pedestal and in fluid communication with the peristaltic pump, the first storage container, and the second storage container, the manifold having at least one valve operative to allow the peristaltic pump to pump the first content from the first storage container without delivering the second content from the second storage container, the peristaltic pump being operative to pump the first content from the first storage container includes the peristaltic pump being operative to pump the first content from the first storage container by application of a head by the peristaltic pump directly to the first content of the first storage container without causing an increase in a pressure inside the first storage container that would result in a flow of the first content from the first storage container, the first content of the first storage container comprising a fluid, the fluid comprising at least one cleaning additive;

a leak sensor operative to detect when either the first storage container or the second storage container contain has a leak, the leak sensor located in the drawer and operatively connected to the controller, the controller being configured to provide a leak indication upon receiving a signal from the leak sensor;

a piping system operatively connecting the first storage container, the second storage container, and the manifold to the peristaltic pump and the interior section.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein

the first storage container has a first specialized connection such that only a first replacement storage container similar to the first storage container will connect to the piping system where the first storage container connects to the piping system;

and

the second storage container has a second specialized connection such that only a second replacement storage container similar to the second storage container will connect to the piping system where the second storage container connects to the piping system.