Method of indicating operational information for a dispensing system having both single use and bulk dispensing

• US 7,950,088 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Dalton, Michael T., McAllister, Karl D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US12/166,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20100000025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 682/07
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/44 Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

A user interface of a cleaning appliance and the method of operation for a cleaning appliance having a single dose treating chemistry dispenser and a bulk dispensing system.

Claims

1. A method of operating a cleaning appliance having a dispensing system configured to operate in at least one of a single use dispensing mode and a bulk dispensing mode, which is operably coupled to a controller having a user interface through which a user may select a cycle of operation to be implemented by the controller, the method comprising:

automatically determining, by the controller, which one of the single use dispensing system and the bulk dispensing system will dispense treating chemistry during the cycle of operation; and

providing an indication of the determination on the user interface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing an indication comprises providing at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator on the user interface.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein providing an indication comprises providing both a visual indicator and an audible indicator.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the visual indicator comprises displaying on the user interface at least one of an icon, an alpha-numeric character, and a light.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises receiving an input from the user through the user interface.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the receiving an input comprises the user selecting an input on the user interface.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising displaying on the user interface the single use dispensing mode and the bulk dispensing mode.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the receiving an input comprises receiving an override to the determination.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination comprises determining a presence of treating chemistry in the single use dispensing system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the determination is the single use dispensing mode when treating chemistry is present in the single use dispensing system.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the determination is the single use dispensing mode when treating chemistry is present in both the single use dispensing system and the bulk dispensing system.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the determination is the bulk dispensing mode when treating chemistry is not present in the single use dispensing system.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination comprises automatically determining a presence of treating chemistry in the bulk dispensing system.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the determination is the bulk dispensing mode when treating chemistry is present in the bulk dispensing system.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an indication on the user interface of an amount of treating chemistry in the bulk dispensing system.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an indication on the user interface of a dose amount of the treating chemistry from the automatically determined one of the single use dispensing system and the bulk dispensing system.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an indication on the user interface when the treating chemistry is dosed.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising providing an indication on the user interface of a type of treating chemistry being dosed.

19. A cleaning apparatus configured to dose a treating chemistry, comprising:

a single use dispensing system configured to operate in a single dose dispensing mode;

a bulk dispensing system configured to operate in a bulk dispensing mode;

a user interface configured to provide an indication to the user; and

a controller coupled with the user interface, the single use dispensing system, and the bulk dispensing system and configured to automatically determine which of the single use dispensing system and bulk dispensing system will dispense for an operating cycle and to control the user interface such that the user interface provides an indication of which of the bulk dispensing system and the single use dispensing system will be used to dispense the treating chemistry.

20. The cleaning apparatus of claim 19 wherein the single use dispensing system and the bulk dispensing system are separate systems.

21. The cleaning apparatus of claim 19 wherein the single use dispensing system and the bulk dispensing system comprise at least one common component.

22. The cleaning apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a sensor operably coupled to the controller and configured to sense a presence of treating chemistry in at least one of the single use dispensing system and the bulk dispensing system and provide a signal to the control indicative of the presence of treating chemistry and the controller uses the signal to determine which of the single use dispensing system or bulk dispensing system will be used to dispense the treating chemistry.

23. The cleaning apparatus of claim 19 wherein the user interface comprises at least one of a visual indicator and audible indicator to provide the indication.