Liquid detergent dispensing system for automatic washer

• US 20060117811A1
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Roger E. Kinnetz
• Original Assignee: Roger E. Kinnetz
• Inventors: Kinnetz, Roger E.
• Application Number:
  US11/214,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20060117811A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/17.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence

Abstract

A liquid laundry detergent dispenser for an automatic washing machine employs a reservoir that holds a quantity of the detergent sufficient for numerous wash cycles. An air/fluid chamber fills through a check valve from the base of the reservoir. To commence a dispense cycle, a timer circuit is actuated to run an air pump that supplies air under pressure through an air hose to the air/fluid chamber, and this displaces the detergent from the chamber and through a detergent dispense hose into the tub or drum of the washing machine. At the end of the dispense cycle, a bleed valve opens to relieve pressure on the air hose and the air/fluid chamber. The automatic detergent dispenser can be attached to existing washers or built in. A multiple arrangement can be used with a bank of washers at a commercial laundry.

Claims

1. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement for dispensing a controlled amount of detergent during a dispense cycle into an automatic washing machine, comprising

a reservoir tank for storing a quantity of liquid detergent sufficient for a multiplicity of wash cycles of the automatic washing machine;

an air/fluid chamber adapted for holding an amount of detergent sufficient for at least one detergent dispense cycle;

one-way valve means for admitting detergent from said reservoir tank into said air/fluid chamber;

a detergent discharge hose extending from the air/fluid chamber to a discharge means for discharging the liquid detergent from the air/fluid chamber into the washing machine;

air pump means for applying air under pressure to the air/fluid chamber so as to drive the liquid detergent in said air-fluid chamber through said discharge hose; and

control means coupled to said air pump means for selectively energizing the air pump means, including a switch for initiating a detergent discharge cycle.

2. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said control means also includes a selector for selecting the volume of detergent to be discharged during such cycle.

3. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said control means includes a variable timer circuit having a manually adjustable arrangement for selecting a length of time of operation of said air pump means during said detergent discharge cycle.

4. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said variable timer circuit includes an RC discharge circuit including a variable resistor serving as said manually adjustable arrangement.

5. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said air pump means includes a low volume air pump capable of delivering about 2 liters/minute of air at about 5 to 10 psi.

6. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said air/fluid chamber is disposed within said reservoir tank at a bottom thereof.

7. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said an air hose extends from said air pump means to said captive air/fluid chamber, and further comprising a solenoid valve on said air hose which is normally open to vent said air hose when said air pump means is not actuated, and which closes to shut off venting of said air hose when the air pump means is actuated.

8. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said reservoir tank includes a cylinder oriented vertically and having a capacity sufficient to hold at least one gallon of said liquid detergent.

9. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said one way valve means includes a check valve disposed at a lower end of said captive air/fluid chamber and having a first port to receive said fluid detergent from said tank reservoir, a second port onto which said discharge hose is attached, and a third port that connects with said air/fluid chamber for filling said chamber after a detergent discharge cycle and for transmitting said detergent from the air/fluid chamber to said discharge hose.

10. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said reservoir tank is situated within a cabinet of said washing machine.

11. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said reservoir tank is mounted onto a back side of said washing machine, and said detergent discharge hose passes through a port on a back side of a cabinet of said washing machine.

12. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 11 wherein said discharge means includes a portion of said hose that extends over a tub of said washing machine.

13. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said reservoir tank is mounted onto a back side of said washing machine, and said detergent discharge hose passes outside a cabinet of said washing machine, and said discharge means includes a flat flexible hose portion that extends under a lid of said washing machine.

14. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 13 further comprising a cosmetic cover disposed over said flat flexible hose portion.

15. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said one-way valve means admits said detergent from said reservoir tank into said air/fluid chamber by gravity flow.

16. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 1 comprising a sensor in said tank for detecting low detergent level, and an indicator on said control means actuated by said sensor.

17. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement for use with a plurality of automatic washing machines and adapted for dispensing a controlled amount of detergent during a dispense cycle into a selected one of said automatic washing machines, comprising

a reservoir tank for storing a quantity of liquid detergent sufficient for a multiplicity of wash cycles of the automatic washing machines;

a plurality of air/fluid chambers, each adapted for holding an amount of detergent sufficient for at least one detergent dispense cycle;

a plurality of one-way valve means, each associated with a respective one of said air/fluid chambers, for admitting detergent from said reservoir tank into the associated captive air/fluid chamber by gravity flow;

a plurality of detergent discharge hose, each extending from a respective one of said air/fluid chambers to a discharge means for dispensing the liquid detergent from the air/fluid chamber into a respective one of said washing machines;

air pump means for selectively pressurizing one or another of said air/fluid chambers with air under pressure so as to drive the liquid detergent in said air-fluid chambers through the associated discharge hose; and

control means coupled to said air pump means for selectively energizing the air pump means, including means for initiating a detergent discharge cycle.

18. An automatic liquid detergent dispensing arrangement according to claim 17, said control means further comprising a selector for selecting the volume of detergent to be discharged during such cycle.

19. A process of automatically injecting a measured amount of liquid detergent into an automatic washing machine including

filling a detergent tank with a supply of liquid detergent sufficient for a multiplicity of wash cycles;

permitting gravity flow of the liquid detergent from said tank into an air/fluid chamber to fill said chamber;

supplying compressed air to said air/fluid chamber during a detergent dispense cycle, such that the compressed air drives the detergent from said air/fluid chamber through a detergent dispense hose into a wash chamber of said washing machine; and

relieving air pressure in said air/fluid chamber after a dispense cycle to permit the air/fluid chamber to refill with said detergent.

20. A process according to claim 19, wherein said supplying of compressed air includes powering an air pump for a timed interval.