Automatic dispensing apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically dispensing an additive into a machine, comprising:
- means for conveying the additive to the machine;
means for detecting when a predetermined amount of electrical current is drawn by the machine and for transmitting a signal, in response to the detection of the predetermined amount of electrical current, indicating that the conveying means should commence conveyance of the additive;
means for delaying commencement of the conveyance of the additive; and
means for controlling the amount of additive that is conveyed by the conveying means to the machine.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus for automatically dispensing detergent into a laundry machine. The electrical current drawn by the laundry machine is monitored by a detecting device to detect when the electrical current exceeds a predetermined threshold current. When the electrical current exceeds the threshold current, the detecting device transmits a signal indicating that detergent should be conveyed from the detergent supply to the washtub of the laundry machine by a conveying device. The signal is delayed for a predetermined period of time by a delay timer. After the delay, the conveying device is controlled to convey the detergent. If the washing process is interrupted for less than a predetermined period of time, a dwell timer prevents multiple conveyance of detergent into the washtub.
44 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically dispensing an additive into a machine, comprising:
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means for conveying the additive to the machine; means for detecting when a predetermined amount of electrical current is drawn by the machine and for transmitting a signal, in response to the detection of the predetermined amount of electrical current, indicating that the conveying means should commence conveyance of the additive; means for delaying commencement of the conveyance of the additive; and means for controlling the amount of additive that is conveyed by the conveying means to the machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for dispensing an additive into a machine having an external power line that is to be connected to an external power source to power the machine, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
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means for conveying the additive to the machine; and means for monitoring the external power line to detect when a predetermined amount of electrical current is drawn by the machine and for transmitting a signal, in response to the detection of the predetermined amount of electrical current, indicating that the conveying means should commence conveyance of the additive. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for dispensing an additive into a machine having a housing and an external power line that extends outside the housing and that is to be connected to an external power source to power the machine, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
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means for conveying the additive to the machine; a receptacle for receiving the external power line of the machine; a dispensing apparatus power line for connection to the external power source, the dispensing apparatus power line providing electrical current to both the dispensing apparatus and the machine when the power line of the machine is connected to the receptacle and the dispensing apparatus power line is connected to the power source; and means for detecting when a predetermined amount of electrical current is drawn by the machine and for transmitting a signal, in response to the detection of the predetermined amount of electrical current, indicating that the conveying means should commence conveyance of the additive. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for dispensing detergent into a laundry machine, the laundry machine including an external power line, the system comprising:
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an enclosure, the enclosure having a receptacle for receiving the external power line of the laundry machine; a power line for connection to an external power source; means for conveying the detergent to the laundry machine; means for detecting when a predetermined amount of electrical current is drawn by the machine and for transmitting a signal, in response to the detection of the predetermined amount of electrical current, indicating that the conveying means should commence conveyance of the detergent; means for delaying commencement of the conveyance of the detergent; and means for controlling the amount of detergent that is conveyed to the laundry machine. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification