Washing appliance

Abstract

 A dispensing system (400) for use in a washing apparatus is disclosed. The system comprising at least one reservoir (402) for holding a number of doses of a washing substance (404), a regulating means (410) for selectively opening said reservoir (402) to release a pre-determined quantity of said washing substance (404) held therein in response to a control signal, said control signal defining said predetermined quantity and causing said regulating means (410) to open said reservoir (402) for a period of time sufficient to release said predetermined quantity of said washing substance (404).

Description

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a washing apparatus, and more specifically a laundry appliance.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to dispensing apparatus for a washing appliance, and more particularly, to an automatic dispensing apparatus for liquid substances, such as detergent and fabric softener, used in washing appliances including washing machines and dishwashers.

[0003] The drawer of a washing appliance, such as a washing machine, is designed to accept consumable substances such as washing powder, tablets or liquid detergent, as well as liquid fabric softener. When pouring liquid or particulate substances into the above-mentioned draw, it is possible to dispense too much or too little or to spill the substance and mix detergent and softener. When using a consumable in a form other than tablet, such that the user has to gauge a dosage of the substance to be introduced to the wash, it is often difficult to determine the correct amount that is required relative to the amount and type of laundry being performed, which can lead to an inadequate wash, or unnecessary wastage.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus for automatically dispensing a suitable quantity of a washing substance so as to alleviate at least some of the problems outlined above.

[0005] In accordance with the present invention there is provided, a dispensing system for use in a washing apparatus, the system comprising at least one reservoir for holding a number of doses of a washing substance, regulating means for selectively opening said reservoir to release a pre-determined quantity of said washing substance held therein in response to a control signal, said control signal defining said predetermined quantity and causing said regulating means to open said reservoir for a period of time sufficient to release said predetermined quantity of said washing substance.

[0006] The system preferably further comprises means to determine the weight of the contents of the drum, such that said predetermined quantity of washing substance is calculated based on the weight of the contents of the drum. The predetermined quantity of washing substance is preferably additionally dependent on the washing program selected.

[0007] Preferably, the dispensing system comprises a plurality of reservoirs, for holding respective different types of washing substance.

[0008] Beneficially, said regulating means comprises a valve, or more preferably, a plurality of valves, the state of which are actuated by a control signal.

[0009] Preferably, said control signal is generated by a control program.

[0010] Said at least one reservoir may be supplied with a pump for pumping a washing substance from within said reservoir to said regulating means, said pump preferably being controlled by a control program. The control program is preferably arranged and configured to control the parameters of a cycle of said washing apparatus, said parameters being at least partially definitive of said predetermined quantity of said washing substance. Alternatively, a gravity-controlled feed system may be used instead of a pump.

[0011] Preferably, said at least one reservoir has a re-sealable hatch, for allowing the ingress of liquid, said at least one reservoir which maybe of a transparent or translucent material, and preferably being removable and replaceable, to allow for cleaning of said reservoir, possibly by hand or in a dishwasher, for example, m a different embodiment, said at least one reservoir may be disposable and may be removed and discarded for bio-degrading, to be replaced by a further disposable reservoir. There is preferably further provided a receptacle for receiving a washing substance, said receptacle being in fluidic communication with said reservoir and said pump. This feature provides the benefit that the pump will not empty of washing substance thereby preventing the pump having to be purged every time the reservoir is emptied.

[0012] The present invention further extends to a washing apparatus having a receptacle for receiving a load of laundry and a dispensing system as defined above, wherein means are provided for causing said predetermined quantity of said washing substance released from said reservoir to be introduced into said receptacle.

[0013] Thus, the above mentioned object is achieved by providing at least one, and more preferably two reservoirs for disposal in or on a washing apparatus, wherein electronic dosage regulation means, beneficially linked into the main control program of a washing apparatus and the laundry weight determining means, determines a quantity of liquid or particulate detergent and/or liquid fabric softener required for a particular size and/or type of laundry load, and automatically administers the substance accordingly during a laundry cycle. In addition, this arrangement eliminates the need for a user to manually administer detergent(s) in respect of every laundry cycle.

[0014] Embodiments of the aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a representation of the system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a representation of the system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a representation of the system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, being characterised by removable pods; and

Figure 4 is a representation of the system of the third embodiment of the present invention including further beneficial features.

[0015] Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a dispensing system 400 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, comprises a detergent pod 402 containing liquid detergent 404 and a liquid fabric softener pod 406 containing liquid fabric softener 108. The two pods 402, 406 maybe made of a rigid, light weight polymer, however any similar material, resistant to the intended contents would be suitable and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard. The pods 402, 406 are mounted in or on a washing machine at a suitable location. The size of the pods 402, 406 are limited by the free space available, but beneficially, each pod 402, 406 might be large enough to hold enough of the respective substance for several washes. The two pods 402, 406 are commonly connected to a regulating means 410 by way of a detergent transfer pipe 412 and a softener transfer pipe 414 respectively. A respective motor 416, 418 (in communication with an internal pump (not shown)) at the back of each reservoir 402, 406 enables the contents of each to be introduced to the drum 420 in accordance with a control signal generated by the regulating means 410.

[0016] The regulating means 410 is a valve that is, by default, closed such that neither the detergent 404 or the softener 408 flow. The regulating means 410 has a first input to which the detergent transfer pipe is connected and a second input to which the softener transfer pipe 414 is connected, as well as an outlet channel 422 leading into the drum 420 of the washing machine. The regulating means 410 may be an actuated valve or any other means for ensuring that the respective substances 404, 408 do not enter the drum 420 when it is not desired. The regulating means 410, in the case of it being an actuated valve, is connected to and controlled by the programming system 424 that signals when and for how long the valve 410 should be open and accordingly, how long the motors 416, 418 should be driven to dispense a desired quantity of consumable 404, 408, based on the specific size and/or type of load to be washed (as indicated by the program selected by the user and/or any additional information input by the user and/or the weight of the load to be washed). In a preferred embodiment, information provided on the weight of the laundry and program selected are used by the system 424 to determine the optimum quantity of detergent and/or conditioner required. Voice recognition means may be provided for this purpose, so that a user who may be visually impaired or otherwise disabled may provide the required information to the programming system controlling the regulating means 410.

[0017] Feedback means is present both at a software and hardware level, with an integral computer program that checks the state of components, such as the valve 410 and motors 416, 418 to ensure compliance with the program states, and buoyant means may be provided inside the pods 402, 406 that can register a decrease in the level of the respective substances 404, 408, as well as signal the programming system 424 when a pod is nearly empty, so that a warning signal, such as an indicator light visible to the user, can be switched on.

[0018] The system 400 dispenses the correct quantity of liquid detergent 404 and/or liquid softener 408 directly into the wash at the correct times in accordance with the programming system 424 that operates the underlying components 416, 418, 410. Means are provided 425 to measure or otherwise input the weight of the load to be washed, and it is this weight that the programming system uses to determine the quantity of laundry substance to be dispensed.

[0019] The weight of the washing may be determined by a variety of means 425, such as displacement of the damper (not shown) which provides support to the drum, or alternatively displacement of the drum itself. The weight of the contents of the drum may then be calculated. Without such a measurement and calculation, the system cannot be fully automatic and as such would require an additional input value, most commonly at a user interface. This measurement and the value derived dictates the volume of water (and inadvertently the quantity of energy required to heat the water), the volume of detergent, the volume of conditioner and the amount of any other washing substances required to be added to the wash. It will therefore be appreciated that efficiency is optimised, whilst additionally the optimum quantities of additives to be wash maybe used, increasing economy and improving the quality of the wash. Information received from the measuring device by the programming system 424 is then fed to the regulating means 410 (for example the internal pump (not shown)) to administer the correct quantities. Information embedded in the system 400 at manufacture stage, or at least before sale to an end user, and selectable during a special "set up" program allows for the quantities to be manipulated depending on geographical location regarding hardening of the water.

[0020] Referring now to Figure 2, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention shows a similar system 400 to that described in Figure 1. The system 400 again comprises two pods 402, 406, containing consumable substances 404, 408 as in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, however, no motors are used to convey the respective substances 404, 408 into the drum 420. The detergent transfer pipe 412 and a softener transfer pipe 414 each terminate in an actuated valve 430, 432 , controlled by a signal generated by the programming system 424 that signals when they should open and for how long. Both valves 430, 432 are closed by default, therefore allowing no substance 404, 408 to pass into the drum 420. When a signal is sent by the programming system 424, in relation to an input derived from the weighing means 425, the relevant valves 430, 432 will open, resulting in a quantity of substance 404, 408 flowing, by way of gravity, through the open valve and into the drum. The quantity dispensed is determined by the viscosity of the substance and the duration that the valve is open. The programming system 424 will have information relating to the viscosity of the substances 404, 408, and thereby stipulates the correct time for the valve(s) to remain in an open state again dependent on the program cycle, weight of the laundry etc. The programming system may have a range of such values so that different types of substance 404, 408 can be used and the user is not restricted in this regard to one particular type/brand. The user may manually identify the type of substance 404, 408 is being used to fill the pods 402, 406 at the time of doing so.

[0021] Feedback means is again included, both at a software and hardware level, with an integral computer program that checks the state of the valves 430, 432 to ensure compliance with the program states, and buoyant means may be provided inside the pods 402, 406 that can register a decrease in the level of the respective substances 404, 408, as well as signal the programming system 424 when a pod is nearly empty, so that a warning signal, such as an indicator light visible to the user, can be switched on. As there are no motors included in this embodiment, the integral computer program receives signals from the buoyant means as a check that the levels are indeed decreasing as the valves 430, 432 are open to ensure an alarm is sounded if 'no flow' is detected.

[0022] Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, a system is shown according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The system in this embodiment is essentially the same as that of embodiment 1 (and also applicable to embodiment 2) with the exception that the pods 406, 402, in this instance, are not fixed within the machine. The pods 406, 402 here are designed to be removable from the washing machine with a view to allowing them to be washed out before refilling to prevent the substance within congealing and hindering the dispensing capability. The pods 406, 402 are accepted into an orifice in the body of the washing machine (not shown) which is of similar dimension to the circumference, or general outer dimensions, of the pods 406, 402, such that they are comfortably accepted therein. The orifice in the body of the washing machine is located on the front face of the machine in a preferred embodiment. This enables the machine to be either free-standing or located under worktops. A dispensing nozzle at one end of the pod 406, 402 interfaces with a housing 440 (within the orifice in the exterior of the washing machine) that has a further to be supplied to the system pumps 416, 418 and valve 410 as well as signalling the programming system 424 that a pod is in place. An alternative embodiment of this specific arrangement is described with reference to figure 4. The nozzle at one end of the pod 406, 402 may incorporate a special valve arranged and configured such that free flow of washing substances are enabled when installed, however washing substances do not leak out on removal and installation. The pods 406, 402 can be of different shape to one another so that there is no confusion when filling them with substance, as it is known that when liquid detergent and fabric softener are mixed it provides a solution extremely habitable for bacterial growth. If this is the case then the respective orifices in the washing machine body for accepting the pods 406, 402 will be of corresponding shape. It is preferable that the pods 406, 402 comprise of a clear or transparent material to aid a user to see the colour of the substance inside, to further reduce the chance of confusion when re-filling. To additionally avoid confusion, these pods also reside on different sides of the machine. In a preferred alternative embodiment, the system pumps 416, 418 may be metering pumps that actually meter the amount of respective substance being dispensed. In this case, the valve could be omitted and there may be two dispensing tubes to avoid cross-contamination between laundry substances, or a separating valve maybe provided for the same purpose, thereby reducing bacterial growth, dirt and congealing. Additionally, after the washing substance is administered through the valve 410 and into the system, water which may or may not be heated is flushed through under pressure to wash the substance into the drum.

[0023] Referring to Figure 4, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described which may be utilised in conjunction with or excluding features of the first to third embodiment, and in particular provides additional beneficial features to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Water enters the drum through hot and cold water channels 450, 452, and inlets to channels 450, 452 are provided to enable detergent and/or conditioner to pass there through. It will be appreciated that alternatively a single channel may be utilised. The pump 416, 418 pumps the required volume of detergent or conditioner into the channel 450, 452 dependent on the information received from the programming system 424, which in turn receives information including the weight of laundry in the drum thereby ensuring the correct volume of detergent and / or conditioner is administered, in this embodiment of the present invention, an additional docking module 454 is provided between the pods 406, 402 and pump 416, 418. This docking module 454 is a fixed reservoir located at the rear of the washing apparatus behind, and in communication with, pods 406, 402. The docking module 454 contains a female mating valve 456 having an automatic opening and closing device when linked to pods 406, 402. When in use, the docking module 454 always contains a quantity of washing fluid (detergent/conditioner) when the pods 406, 402 are empty. This enables pods 406, 402 to be removed and cleared by a user, and also ensures that the pump 416, 418 never dries out thereby preventing the pump having to be purged every time the pod 406, 402 is empty. This therefore removes the mismatch of quantity of laundry substance delivered compared to the quantity required based on the program selected and weight of laundry. The docking module 454 can further detect when the pod 406, 402 is out of laundry substance and provides and indication of this fact to a user, and additionally allows for a fully automated operation.

[0025] The pods may be off the shelf items that are disposable once empty, removing the need for any cleaning and also reducing the probability of cross-contamination. Again, these pods may be of a different shape to one another to further reduce the possibility of confusion between them, and are sealed after filling on production to avoid drying out. These may be disposed of to be biodegraded.

[0026] Although the above-described embodiments include two pods, it will be appreciated that any number of pods may be provided, depending on the type and number of substances, required to be administered during a laundry cycle. In conclusion, each of the embodiments described may optionally provide the significant benefit that the optimum amount of washing substances such as detergent and softener at the correct time are provided in the wash cycle according to the weight of the clothes and the wash program selected. This enables optimal amount of detergent and softener to be used at the optimal time, thereby maximising wash performance minimising waste, and negating the need to fill the washing apparatus with liquids each time a program is run.

[0027] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments of the various aspects of the present invention illustrates rather than limits the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A dispensing system (400) for use in a washing apparatus, the system comprising at least one reservoir (402) for holding a number of doses of a washing substance (404), regulating means (410) for selectively opening said reservoir (402) to release a pre-determined quantity of said washing substance (404) held therein in response to a control signal, said control signal defining said predetermined quantity and causing said regulating means (410) to open said reservoir (402) for a period of time sufficient to release said predetermined quantity of said washing substance (404).

2. A dispensing system (400) according to claim 1, further comprising means to determine the weight of the contents of the drum(420), such that said predetermined quantity of washing substance (404) is calculated based on said weight of the contents of the drum (420).

3. A dispensing system(400) according to either of claims 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of reservoirs (402,406), for holding respective different types of washing substance (404).

4. A dispensing system (400) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said regulating means (410) comprises one or more valves, the state of which is actuated by a control signal.

5. A dispensing system (400) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control signal is generated by a control program.

6. A dispensing system (400) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one reservoir (402) is supplied with a pump for pumping a washing substance (404) from within said reservoir (402) to said regulating means(410).

7. A dispensing system (400) according to claim 6, wherein said pump is controlled by a control program.

8. A dispensing system (400) according to claim 7, wherein said control program arranged and configured to control the parameters of a cycle of said washing apparatus, said parameters being at least partially definitive of said predetermined quantity of said washing substance (404).

9. A dispensing system (400) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said at least one reservoir (402) has a re-sealable hatch, for allowing the ingress of liquid.

10. A dispensing system (400) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said at least one reservoir (402) is removable and/or replaceable, to allow for cleaning of said reservoir (402).

11. A dispensing system (400) according to claim 10, wherein said at least one reservoir (402) comprises a valve arranged and configured to prevent release of washing substance (404) when remote from said system.

12. A dispensing system (400) according to any of claims1 to 7, wherein said at least one reservoir (402) is disposable and may be removed and discarded, to be replaced by a further disposable reservoir (402).

13. A dispensing system (400) according to any of claims 5 or 6 further comprising a receptacle for receiving a washing substance (404), said receptacle being in fluidic communication with said reservoir (402) and said pump.

14. A Washing machine having a receptacle for a load of laundry and a dispensing system (400) as defined in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein means are provided for causing said predetermined quantity of said washing substance released from said reservoir to be introduced into said receptacle.

15. A washing substance reservoir according to any of claims 10 to 12 for use in a washing machine or a dishwasher.

Drawing