Non-integrated bulk dispenser and method of operating a dishwasher having same

• US 8,337,628 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Beshears, Paul E. Jr., Sundaram, Sathish A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carrillo, Bibi
• Application Number:
  US12/952,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20120125366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 134/18, 134/42, 134/56.R, 134/57.R, 134/57.D, 134/56.D, 134/58.R, 134/58.D, 134/93, 134/94.1, 134/113, 250/214.AL, 250/205, 436/164, 356/213, 356/246, 68/17.R
• US Class Current: 134/18
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0047 Energy or water consumption, e.g. by saving energy or water
• 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 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/44 Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4463 Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/449 Metering controlling devices A47L15/4229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/023 Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/20 Time, e.g. elapsed operating time
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/26 Loading door status, e.g. door latch opened or closed state
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/26 Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user

Abstract

A removable non-integrated treating chemistry dispensing cartridge assembly may emit a signal in response to a predetermined amount of treating chemistry being detected and in response to a predetermined amount of illumination being detected.

Claims

1. A method of operating a dishwasher comprising a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber with an open face, a cover for selectively opening/closing the open face, a liquid system for supplying and recirculating liquid within the treating chamber, and a removable dispensing cartridge provided in the treating chamber, the method comprising:

detecting an amount of treating chemistry in the removable dispensing cartridge provided in the treating chamber;

detecting an amount of illumination in the treating chamber; and

emitting a human-detectable signal from the removable dispensing cartridge when the detected amount of treating chemistry is less than or equal to a predetermined amount and the detected amount of illumination is indicative of the open face being at least partially opened.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the amount of treating chemistry comprises detecting a level of the treating chemistry in the removable dispensing cartridge.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of illumination is detected with a photo-detector.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the detected amount of illumination is compared to a reference value.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the emitting a human-detectable signal comprises emitting at least one of a visible signal and an audible signal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising ceasing the emitting of the human-detectable signal after a predetermined time.