U.S. patent application number 11/143686 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for automatic dispensing device for laundry detergent composition with intermediate chamber.
This patent application is currently assigned to Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.. Invention is credited to Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Vincent Charles Mole, Sudhakar Puvvada.
Application Number | 20060272360 11/143686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36950761 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060272360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Feng-Lung Gordon ; et
al. |
December 7, 2006 |
Automatic dispensing device for laundry detergent composition with
intermediate chamber
Abstract
A non-intrusive device for automatically dispensing at least one
liquid laundry care composition to an automatic laundry washing
machine. The device employs a Venturi tube mechanism or a pump to
dose the laundry detergent care composition. The dosing is either
manually controlled or controlled by a machine-generic algorithm
capable of determining the actual cycle at any duration of wash for
various cycle designs from various washing machines, without the
input of precise cycle design; and dose the correct products
correctly and is capable of distinguishing between major water
addition and a water pulse.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Feng-Lung Gordon;
(Tenafty, NJ) ; Puvvada; Sudhakar; (Upton, GB)
; Mole; Vincent Charles; (Birkenhead, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
UNILEVER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
700 SYLVAN AVENUE,
BLDG C2 SOUTH
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS
NJ
07632-3100
US
|
Assignee: |
Unilever Home & Personal Care
USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36950761 |
Appl. No.: |
11/143686 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2103/22 20200201;
A47L 15/4427 20130101; D06F 33/37 20200201; A47L 15/4454 20130101;
D06F 2105/58 20200201; D06F 34/08 20200201; A47L 15/4472 20130101;
D06F 39/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/019 |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00 |
Claims
1. A non-intrusive device for automatically dispensing at least one
liquid laundry care composition to an automatic laundry washing
machine, the device located along water supply feed to the washing
machine with an incoming water supply feed to the device and
outgoing water supply feed out of the device, the device
comprising: a Venturi tube, the both ends of the tube protruding
externally to the housing of the device for connections to the
incoming and the outgoing water supply feed, a dosing container for
holding the laundry care composition, an intermediate dosing
chamber connected to the dosing container with an on/off valve, the
throat of the Venturi tube connected by a conduit to the
intermediate dosing chamber; a sensor for determining water flow
through the incoming water supply feed, the sensor located at the
incoming water supply feed and connected to an electronic circuit
containing a clock and a processing unit programmed with a
machine-generic algorithm to control a solenoid valve, coupled to
the same circuit and located within the conduit connecting the
Venturi tube and the intermediate dosing chamber, the valve opening
or closing the flow of the laundry care composition from the
intermediate dosing chamber.
2. The device of claim 1 comprising at least two dosing containers,
one for holding a laundry detergent and the other for holding a
fabric softener.
3. The device of claim 1 connected to two water supply feeds: hot
water and cold water.
4. The device of claim 3 comprising two Venturi tubes, one
connected to the hot water supply feed; the other connected to the
cold water supply feed.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the throats of the two Venturi
tubes are connected to each other by a connecting conduit, the
connecting conduit being in turn connected to the conduit to the
intermediate dosing chamber.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is selected from a
pressure transducer and a flow sensor.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the processing unit comprises a
clock.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the algorithm resets the clock at
the end of the total laundry cycle.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the algorithm differentiates
between various wash cycles based on the number of major water
additions.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the algorithm differentiates
between a water pulse and a major water addition.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the algorithm comprises the
instructions to open the solenoid valve which is connected to the
Venturi tube which has water flow through it on for longer than
about 5 to 90 seconds.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein the algorithm comprises
instructions to close the solenoid valve if water flow is off.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises two dosing
containers: a dosing container for a laundry detergent and for a
laundry softener and wherein the algorithm comprises the
instructions to open the solenoid valve to the laundry softener
dosing container at the point of the second major water
addition.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a
safety check assembly located in the conduit connecting the Venturi
tube and the dosing container, to prevent water flow into the
dosing container.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein the intermediate dosing chamber
is transparent.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein the intermediate dosing chamber
is independently connected to the main water line.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the algorithm comprises
instructions for flushing the intermediate dosing chamber with
water.
18. The device of claim 1 further comprising a control panel
comprising a selection for reset and for pre-wash.
19. The device of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the internal
diameter of the end of the Venturi tube to the internal diameter of
the throat of the Venturi tube is greater than 1.65.
20. The device of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the internal
diameter of a water supply feed hose to the internal diameter of
the throat of the Venturi tube is greater than 1.65.
21. The device of claim 1 wherein the dosing container is
removable.
22. The device of claim 1 wherein the laundry care composition is a
concentrated composition.
23. The device of claim 1 wherein the laundry care composition
comprises a peracid or chlorine bleach.
24. The device of claim 1 wherein the algorithm in the electronic
circuit is upgradable via switching a new ROM chip containing a new
algorithm or via flashing the ROM with a new algorithm.
25. The device of claim 1 wherein the algorithm doses laundry
products, measures and confirms the actual dosed quantity prior to
the dosing of the product from the intermediate chamber into the
water line.
26. A non-intrusive device for automatically dispensing at least
one liquid laundry care composition to an automatic laundry washing
machine, the device located along water supply feed to the washing
machine with an incoming water supply feed to the device and
outgoing water supply feed out of the device, the device
comprising: a water conduit tube, the both ends of the tube
protruding externally to the device for connections to the incoming
and outgoing water supply feed; a dosing container for holding the
laundry care composition, the container connected by a conduit to
an intermediate dosing chamber, a sensor for determining water flow
through the incoming water supply feed, the sensor located at the
incoming water supply feed and connected to an electronic circuit
containing a clock and a processing unit programmed with a
machine-generic algorithm to control a pump, coupled to the same
circuit, the suction end of the pump connected by a conduit to the
intermediate dosing chamber and the discharge end of the pump
connected to the water supply feed,
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Automatic dispensing device, with a choice of automatic,
electronically-controlled dosing or manual dosing, for dispensing
laundry care composition into an automatic laundry washing machine,
and methods for use thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Detergent compositions are provided in many forms, of which
granular and liquid compositions are the most prevalent. More
recently, unit dose forms of detergent have been proposed in the
form of compressed tablets of detergent powder or water-soluble
packages, which are consumed during a single cleaning application.
The unit dose forms are preferred by some consumers, in that the
dose is pre-measured and, consequently, the unit dose form is
faster, easier and less messy to use. The unit dose forms, however,
involve complexities in manufacture. Furthermore, unit dose
detergents do not allow for variations in dosing, depending on
water fill level in the machine.
[0003] Various devices for delivering ingredients in a controllable
way to washing machines have been described. See, for instance U.S.
Pat. No. 4,981,024, U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,666, U.S. Pat. No.
3,881,328, U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,520, U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,227, EP
0611,159, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,080, US 2003/0116177, U.S. Pat. No.
4,103,520, EP 1088927, WO 03/033804, US 2004/088796, WO 03/069043,
US 2003/0182732, and GB 2 134 078.
[0004] The need continues to exist, however, for an improved
automatic laundry care composition dispensing device. In addition,
it is desirable that a consumer be able to monitor and, if desired,
control, the dosing amount.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention includes, in its first embodiment, a
non-intrusive device for automatically dispensing at least one
liquid laundry care composition to an automatic laundry washing
machine, the device located along water supply feed to the washing
machine with an incoming water supply feed to the device and
outgoing water supply feed out of the device, the device
comprising: [0006] a Venturi tube, the both ends of the tube
protruding externally to the housing of the device for connections
to the incoming and the outgoing water supply feed, [0007] a dosing
container for holding the laundry care composition, [0008] an
intermediate dosing chamber connected to the dosing container with
an on/off valve, the throat of the Venturi tube connected by a
conduit to the intermediate dosing chamber; [0009] a sensor for
determining water flow through the incoming water supply feed, the
sensor located at the incoming water supply feed and connected to
[0010] an electronic circuit containing a clock and a processing
unit programmed with a machine-generic algorithm to control [0011]
a solenoid valve, coupled to the same circuit and located within
the conduit connecting the Venturi tube and the intermediate dosing
chamber, the valve opening or closing the flow of the laundry care
composition from the intermediate dosing chamber.
[0012] In its second embodiment, the invention includes the
variation wherein the mechanical pump is employed to dispense the
detergent, in place of a Venturi tube mechanism.
[0013] The inventive device is suitable for residential washing
machines, as well as industrial, or commercial washing machines.
The inventive device is suitable for use with front-loading or
top-loading washing machines.
[0014] The following detailed description and the drawings
illustrate some of the effects of the inventive compositions. The
invention and the claims, however, are not limited to the following
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive device
according to one of the embodiments of the invention, prior to
installation on a conventional laundry washing machine;
[0016] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of the part of the inventive
device containing an intermediate dosing chamber, with an optional
flushing connection;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a typical block diagrammatic view of the
electronic circuit board design of the inventive device according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the inventive
device in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the Venturi tube mechanism of
the device of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4A is an en enlarged view of the an alternative dosing
mechanism of the device of FIG. 1 (a single solenoid valve design
in place of two solenoid valves design in FIG. 4);
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for a single intermediate
chamber connected to multiple product care containers, with an
optional flushing connection;
[0022] FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged fragmentary views of the
inventive device according to other preferred embodiments of the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the Venturi tube mechanism of
the device of FIG. 6;
[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the inventive
device according to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
employing a pump mechanism, in place of the Venturi tube
mechanism;
[0025] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B are logic flow diagrams for
algorithms according to the preferred embodiments of the
invention.
[0026] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements are exaggerated relative to each other. Further, where
considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among
the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where
otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description
indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical
properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified
by the word "about."
[0028] It should be noted that in specifying any range of time or
physical conditions, any particular upper limit can be associated
with any particular lower limit.
[0029] For the avoidance of doubt the word "comprising" is intended
to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or
"composed of." In other words, the listed steps or options or
components need not be exhaustive.
[0030] "Liquid" as used herein means that a continuous phase or
predominant part of the composition is liquid and that a
composition is flowable at 20.degree. C. Solids (e.g., suspended or
other) may be included. Gels and pastes are included within the
liquids as used herein.
[0031] "Venturi tube" as used herein means a pipe with a
constricted inner surface (throat); fluid passing through the tube
speeds up as it enters the tube's throat, and generating a vacuum,
which causes the dosing of a laundry care composition from a
laundry care container to the washing machine.
[0032] "Non-intrusive" as used herein means external to the washing
machine; can be fitted to the washing machine by the user of the
machine, without having to invade the machine housing in any
way.
[0033] "Laundry care" as used herein means any and all compositions
that may be used for the cleaning and care of laundry, including
but not limited to detergents, bleach, softening, anti-wrinkling,
etc. and any mixtures thereof.
[0034] "Along water supply feed" means that the device is connected
to the washing machine via incoming and outgoing water supply
hoses, into and out of the device, the outgoing water supply hoses
then leading to the washing machine.
[0035] "Machine-generic algorithm" as used herein means an
algorithm that is capable of determining the actual cycle at any
duration of wash for various cycle designs from various washing
machines, without the input of precise cycle design; and dose the
correct products correctly.
[0036] "Major water addition" is the water fill with the amount
that is sufficient to pre-wash, wash or rinse the articles that to
be clean in one time.
[0037] "Incoming" and "outgoing" is used herein with reference to
the inventive device, to indicate flow to and out of the
device.
[0038] In the following detailed description of exemplary
embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, which illustrate specific exemplary embodiments in which
the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical,
mechanical, electrical, electronic and other changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined
only by the appended claims.
[0039] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.
However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail
in order not to obscure the invention.
[0040] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of
a preferred embodiment of the inventive device 1 prior to the
installation. Device 1 connects to the incoming (2, 4) and outgoing
(12, 14) water supply hoses. The outgoing hoses 12 and 14 connect
the device to the washing machine 6. Typically, a pair of hoses is
employed, with one connecting to hot water feed, and the other to
the cold water feed. The number of the Venturi tubes within the
device is generally the same as the number of water supply hoses.
With a single water supply hose, the inventive device with a single
Venturi tube is employed, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. Typically, when
installed, the device rests on top of the control panel 7 of the
washing machine, or on a shelf, or on a wall in proximity to the
washing machine, to allow easy access to the display panel of the
device, and for replacing/refilling the laundry care
containers.
[0041] FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic of the operation of the
intermediate dosing chamber according to the invention. The
intermediate chamber is added along the passage connecting the
laundry care dosing container and the Venturi tube or the pump to
provide a better control for a user. A check valve is located
between the chamber and the Venturi tube or the pump. The other end
of the chamber is connected to a product container with a built-in
on/off valve, which is used to control the flow of product from the
laundry care product container to the intermediate chamber. An
o-ring, as a seal, is located the in-take stem above the on-off
valve. The see-through chamber has various dosage lines for
different dosage.
[0042] The intermediate chamber is pre-filled by opening the on-off
valve between the product container and the intermediate chamber.
The on/off valve is manually controlled, followed by the operation
described in further detail hereinbelow.
[0043] In the alternative, the manual on-off valve can be also
replaced with a solenoid valve, which is controlled by the
algorithm to open the solenoid valve various time for various
dosage according to the combination of the selection of various of
load size and the degree of dirt in the wash load. A water line
connection (on the side of the chamber in FIG. 1A) may optionally
be added, upstream of the connection to the Venturi tube or pump,
for flushing (i.e. rinsing) the chamber. This option may be
particularly useful when the same chamber is connected to multiple
product containers.
[0044] For a full automatic device, there is a sensing element to
detect the actual amount of product has dosed in the intermediate
chamber. As shown in FIG. 1A, there are multiple electric nodes,
602, at the inner wall and a separate electric node, 601, at the
inner bottom of the intermediate chamber. The conductance or
resistance between various nodes 602 and node 601, correlated to
the actual amount of product has dosed into the intermediate
chamber. The measurement of conductance or resistance may be
measured by a conductance/resistance measurement circuit, which is
well known by the people skilled in the arts. The measurement can
also be a simple detection of close- or open-circuit between
various nodes 602 and node 601. Multiple nodes 602 may also be
replaced with an electric stripe. A connection from the
conductance/resistance device is connected to the top of the
electric stripe. The conductance/resistance between the stripe and
node 601 is correlated to the actual amount of the product in the
intermediate chamber.
[0045] The actual dosage in an intermediate chamber may also be
detected by a flowmeter located between a laundry product reservoir
and the intermediate chamber. The flowmeter are selected from
ultrasonic/Doppler, turbine, paddle wheel, vortex shedding and
magnetic flowmeters. The most preferable flowmeters are turbine and
paddle wheel type of flowmeters due to their low cost.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates the typical design of the electronic
circuit board 5 contained within the housing of the inventive
device. The circuit board has a connector to one or more sensors
(95 or 96); the sensor sends a signal to a control unit which
indicates the flow of the water (on or off). The control unit
contains a processing unit and a clock. In the illustrated
embodiment, the clock is contained within the control unit. The
control unit is further connected to the panel display and to one
or more solenoid valves within the conduits connecting Venturi
tubes, laundry care product containers, water line and intermediate
chamber. The processing unit can accept the input of dosages for
overwriting the default value for each product by consumers and
automatically doses the selected products to the corresponding
intermediate chamber at the correct time accordingly. The
processing unit is programmed with a machine-generic algorithm,
which processes the signal from the sensor, to control the opening
or closing of the solenoid valves, at appropriate time points
during the operation of the washing machine. The algorithm may be
coded into a single electronic chip or a print circuit board, which
is the major part of the processing unit.
[0047] The machine-generic algorithm is programmed to differentiate
between a major water addition and a water pulse and to
differentiate among various wash cycles. In the case of a major
water addition, the algorithm determines the state of the wash
process and passes the signal to open one or more of the solenoid
valves corresponding to the correct products. When the solenoid
valves between intermediate chambers and the Venturi tubes are
open, the vacuum provided by the flow of water through Venturi
tubes allows the flow of one or more of the laundry care
compositions to the water stream that is filling the wash machine.
The algorithm can also be programmed to open only the solenoid
valve which is connected to the Venturi tube with the water flowing
through it at that moment in order to prevent the
cross-contamination between hot and cold water lines (which happens
when both solenoid valves connected to both water lines are open).
In other words, only one water supply (hot or cold) might be on,
and that is the one that will prompt the appropriate solenoid valve
to open.
[0048] The machine-generic algorithm may also be programmed to fill
the intermediate chamber with the amount of laundry care products
according to the pre-set or the consumer-input value.
[0049] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the mechanism of the dosing of a
laundry care composition via a preferred embodiment of the
inventive device 1. If the algorithm processes the instruction to
mean that a major water addition is occurring via incoming hoses 2
and/or 4, the signal is sent from the control unit to the solenoid
valves 32, and/or 52 and/or 62 to open (the solenoid valves being
connected by wires 31 to the electronic circuit 5), which then
results, due to the vacuum in the throats 30 of the Venturi tubes
10 and 20, in the flow of a laundry care composition out of the
intermediate dosing chamber. The container 40 is shown elevated; in
use it snaps down within the slot 42, so that the spout 38 fits to
a conduit 38A, sealed by 0-ring 39. The laundry care composition
flows down the spout 38, then into the intermediate chamber, then
down the conduits 35, 34, 33 and 32 (FIG. 4), mixing with the
incoming water flow in the Venturi tubes, and exiting the dosing
device via the outgoing water hoses 12 and 14. The resulting
water/laundry care mix is carried into the washing machine via
hoses 12 and/or 14. The device in FIG. 3 contains three laundry
care containers 40, according to the most preferred embodiment of
the invention, fitting within container slots 42. Depending on the
instructions received from the algorithm (differentiating between
the wash cycles), different sets of solenoid valves--32, 52, or
62--are open to allow various laundry care compositions to flow.
Preferably, the inventive device contains a laundry detergent
container, a fabric softener/fabric care container, and/or a bleach
or a laundry booster container.
[0050] The device may contain an intermediate chamber for each of
the laundry care products, or the product may share the same
chamber.
[0051] The length of the throat portion of the Venturi tube is
preferably from 1 to 20 cm, more preferably less than 10 cm, most
preferably less than 5 cm. The multiple connections from the throat
to the containers of laundry products may be distributed along the
axial direction or/and the perimeter of the throat.
[0052] The preferred inventive devices contain a safety check
assembly within the conduit 35. The safety assembly may be
assembled in a variety of ways. One of the embodiments is shown in
detail in FIG. 4. The safety assembly prevents the flow of the
laundry care composition down the conduit 35, if the solenoid valve
is open (e.g. malfunctioning, stuck), but there is no water flow
through the Venturi tubes. The safety assembly contains spring 36,
upon which rests a ball 37. If there is no water flow through
throats 30 of the Venturi tubes, there is no vacuum to force the
flow of the laundry care composition down the conduit 35, the
spring 36 remains at rest, with the ball 37 blocking the flow of
the composition. The safety assembly also prevents the water flow
into the chamber through the conduit 35. An O-ring 39 is seated on
the outside of the conduit 38A, below the top rim, to ensure a
better seal between the spout 38 and the conduit 38A.
[0053] FIG. 4A illustrates another preferred embodiment (device
1A). The solenoid valve connecting water line 20 and the
intermediate chamber provides the flushing and cleaning of the
chamber after each dosing of products. Thus, one intermediate
chamber may be shared by multiple laundry care product containers.
It is preferred because only one solenoid valve or pump is
employed. The other reason is that the safety valve is not open for
the line which is without water flow. If the algorithm processes
the instruction to mean that a major water addition is occurring
via incoming hoses 2 and/or 4, the signal is sent from the control
unit to the solenoid valve 32, which is located in the conduit 35,
to open (the solenoid valve being connected by wires 31 to the
electronic circuit 5), which then results in the flow of a laundry
care composition out of the intermediate chamber, then down the
conduits 35, 34, and 33. The check valve assemblies (spring 36 and
ball 37) are located at the conduits 33, which are directly
connected to each of hot and cold water lines. The safety valves
are open due to the vacuum in the throat 30 generated by the water
flow in the Venturi tubes 10 and/or 20, correspondingly. The flow
of product then is mixing with the incoming water flow in the
Venturi tubes, and exiting the dosing device via the outgoing water
hoses 12 and 14. The resulting water/laundry care mix is carried
into the washing machine via hoses 12 and/or 14. An O-ring 39 is
seated on the outside of the conduit 38A to ensure a better seal
between the spout 38 and the conduit 38A.
[0054] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
ratio of the diameter of the end of the Venturi tube (d.sub.1) to
the diameter of the throat of the Venturi tube (d.sub.2) is greater
than 1.65, most preferably greater than 2.5, in order to attain the
required vacuum for dosing the products. If the internal diameter
of water hoses is less than the diameter of the end of the Venturi
tube (d.sub.1), then the preferred ratio should be based on the
ratio of the internal diameter of water hose to the diameter of the
throat of the Venturi tube (d.sub.2).
[0055] FIG. 5 schematically demonstrates a single intermediate
chamber shared by three laundry care product containers. Solenoid
valves 501, 502, and 503 are open according to the selection of
laundry products to fill the intermediate chamber either when the
device is initiated by a consumer or self-senses the initial fill
of water. The solenoid valves shut off once the required amount is
filled. The solenoid valve 505 is then open and the products are
sucked into the Venturi tube and added into the washing machine.
Typically, depending on the selected dosage, solenoid valve 504
opens 5-90 seconds, preferably 20-60 seconds, after the opening of
the solenoid valve 505, to flush the intermediate chamber. The
opening of the solenoid valve 504 may last for 5 to 10 seconds. The
cleaning water (water used for flushing) for the intermediate
chamber is sucked into the Venturi tube through the solenoid valve
505. The flushing may be repeated 2-5 times. When water fill is
stopped, the solenoid valve closes.
[0056] Optionally, an additional solenoid valve, 506, is added
between the top portion of an intermediate chamber and the Venturi
tube as Shown in FIG. 5. During the filling of a product into an
intermediate chamber, solenoid valve 505 is closed and solenoid
valve 506 is opened to assist the fill rate. Once the fill reached
the preset dosage level, then solenoid 506 is closed and remains
closed until another fill.
[0057] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate yet other embodiments of the
inventive devices 100 and 110 wherein a single water supply and a
single Venturi tube are employed. The Venturi tube 11 in FIG. 6 or
15 in FIG. 7 is connected to the incoming water supply hose 3 and
the outgoing water supply hose 13 via couplings 16 and 22. The
mechanism of dosing action is the same as described above for FIGS.
3, 4, and 5, except that when a single Venturi tube 11 or 15 is
employed, it connects directly through the conduit 47 to the
intermediate chamber (contrasted to a series of conduits 33, 34,
and 35 in FIG. 4 for a double Venturi tube device).
[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates a single Venturi tube/single laundry care
container embodiment of the inventive device 100, while FIG. 7
illustrates a single Venturi tube/three laundry care containers
embodiment of the device 110. The Venturi tube 11 in FIG. 6
connects to a single intermediate chamber via a single conduit 47.
The Venturi tube 15 in FIG. 7 connects to three intermediate
chambers directly via conduits 47, 48, and 49.
[0059] FIG. 8 illustrates the example of the safety assembly for
the single Venturi tube embodiment of the device, operating as
described above with reference to FIG. 4.
[0060] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
invention. The inventive device 120 operates substantially the same
as described above in connection with FIGS. 3-5, except that a pump
210 is employed in place of a Venturi mechanism. The device with
pump is highly preferred for washing machines which are placed at a
low water pressure locations. Otherwise, according to the present
invention, the Venturi mechanism is preferred, since it has no
moving parts, as in the pump. In addition, the Venturi-based device
does not require an external power supply, only a battery to run
the electronic circuit to control the solenoid valves. The
pump-based device in FIG. 9 employs simple tubes 230 in place of
the Venturi tubes. Similarly to the Venturi-based inventive
devices, it may include single or dual water supply, either one in
combination with a variety of dosing containers.
[0061] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, laundry care
containers visibly protrude above the top surface of the device,
and most preferably, the containers are transparent, so that the
user may monitor the level of the remaining detergent, and refill
or replace the containers at an appropriate time.
[0062] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B are examples of the logic flow
diagrams for the machine-generic algorithm for programming the
processing unit. The following nomenclature is used in the
figures:
[0063] Value=0, the device/statue is off [0064] 1, the
device/statues is on
[0065] V.sub.d=valve between detergent intermediate chamber and
Venturi tube
[0066] V.sub.s=valve between softener intermediate chamber and
Venturi tube
[0067] V.sub.c=valve between common intermediate chamber and
Venturi tube
[0068] V.sub.DW=valve between the flush water to detergent
intermediate chamber
[0069] V.sub.SW=valve between the flush water to softener
intermediate chamber
[0070] V.sub.CW=valve between the flush water to the common
intermediate chamber
[0071] V.sub.DC=valve between detergent reservoir to intermediate
chamber
[0072] V.sub.SC=valve between softener reservoir to intermediate
chamber
[0073] W=water flow
[0074] t=master time
[0075] t.sub.i=time of each process
[0076] P=Pre-wash
[0077] t.sub.s=sum of time up to i-1
[0078] D=amount of detergent in the intermediate chamber
[0079] S=amount of softener in the intermediate chamber
[0080] D.sub.def=default or previous defined dosage of
detergent
[0081] S.sub.def=default or previous defined dosage of softener
[0082] D.sub.dos=consumer defined dosage of detergent
[0083] S.sub.dos=consumer defined dosage of softener
[0084] F=number of major water addition
[0085] FIGS. 10a and 10b are typical algorithms for two
intermediate chambers with the option of "Pre-Wash" selection. Once
the device is turned on, the algorithm pre-set the all variables to
zero, i.e. off status, and retrieves the stored values of default
or previous-set dosages of laundry products, e.g. detergent and
softener. A consumer may input the desired dosage and overwrite the
default value for both products. In addition, the algorithm allows
a consumer to select the "Pre-Wash" cycle or "Soak" cycle. The
algorithm automatically compensates the "Soak" process. Once starts
the process, the valves, V.sub.DC and V.sub.SC, between product
reservoirs and their corresponding intermediate chambers open.
These valves close after each intermediate chamber filled with the
corresponding product to the desired dosage. The clock starts when
the algorithm senses the sign of water addition as a major water
fill. The valve, V.sub.d, between first laundry product, said
detergent, intermediate chamber and the dosing apparatus, such as a
Venturi tube or a pump, is set to open, once the dosing of the
product into the intermediate chamber is complete. Consequently,
the first laundry product added into and dispersed in the water
flow and onto the wash machine. At the stop of water flow, the
valve, V.sub.d, closed. If the "Pre-Wash" was selected, then the
valve, V.sub.DC, opened and filled the corresponding intermediate
chamber to the desired dosage then closed. At the detection of the
water flow and the flow was last more than 10 seconds, the
algorithm then sent a signal to open the valve, V.sub.d, for dosing
the second laundry products. The valve, V.sub.d, closed once the
water flow stopped. For the case of "no Pre-wash" or the second
wash was over for the "Pre-wash" selection, the valve, V.sub.S,
opened to inject the second laundry product, when the water flow
and last for more than 10 seconds. At the end of water flow, the
valve, V.sub.S, closed and the device system shut down. A typical
algorithm for one Intermediate Chambers with Pre-Wash selection is
shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Due to a single intermediate chamber
design, the algorithm has modified to fill the intermediate chamber
one at the time and has to be flush washed after the dosing of each
product. The algorithm for filling the intermediate chamber and
dosing is the same as described in the algorithm for two
intermediate chambers with pre-wash selection design. After the
each fill of the product, the algorithm waits for 5-90 seconds,
preferably from 20 to 60 seconds, to ensure the dosing of the
product into the water stream then open the valve, V.sub.CW, for 1
minute to clean the chamber.
[0086] Sensor
[0087] The sensor senses the flow of water converting a flow signal
therefrom into an electronic impulse, and sending the signal that
the water flow is on to the processing unit inside the control
unit. The preferred sensor is selected from a pressure transducer
or a flow or motion sensing devices, or combinations thereof.
[0088] The sensor can be placed at a water supply feed, whether the
incoming or outgoing feed from the device. The sensor combined with
the algorithm may additionally detect other parameters, e.g. water
inflow pattern, total water consumed for each cycle. By the use of
the sensors, signals can be obtained (and combined with one
another) which monitor the wash cycle and the cycle time and
provide a trigger for the inventive dispensing device. Other
suitable sensors include but are not limited to devices sensing
electrical current, sound, temperature, vibration, etc.
[0089] Laundry Care Containers
[0090] Generally, any laundry care container may be used as long as
its spout fits snugly into the conduit leading to the Venturi tube.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, however, special
cartridges, most preferably removable and replaceable, are
employed.
[0091] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, to prevent user
mistakes in inserting wrong containers into the slot, the slots
and/or containers are clearly labeled and may have an encoded set
of information about the container's contents and its use
instructions affixed to it, the device further comprising means for
retrieving and, optionally, storing said information, and means for
executing instructions either received directly from the retrieved
information or from the stored information. The instructions may be
in the form of a bar code, a magnetic strip, a microchip or any
other suitable machine-readable attachment. In another embodiment
of the invention, the shape of the containers and the corresponding
interlocking slots are shaped differently to prevent misplaced
installation of products. Another way of preventing misplaced
installation is via color or shape or size differention with common
interlocks.
[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the container
(containing the spout) is bevelled to enhance the draining of the
composition.
[0093] Laundry Care Compositions
[0094] Any laundry care compositions are suitable for use with the
inventive device. The particular advantage of the inventive device
is that it pre-mixes the laundry care composition with water, thus
diluting the laundry care composition prior to its introduction
into the washing machine. Thus, in a particularly preferred
embodiment of the invention the laundry care composition is a
concentrate. For a laundry detergent composition, it generally
means that the composition comprises at least 20%, by weight of the
composition, preferably from 40 to 100%, most preferably from 60 to
100% of a surfactant. Generally, concentrate compositions contain
little if any water, generally from 0 to 50%, preferably less than
20%, most preferably less than 10%.
[0095] Another particularly preferred composition for use with the
inventive device is a bleach composition; by virtue of pre-dilution
associated with the use of the inventive device such composition
may be introduced into the washing machine, without causing the
pinpoint damage to the fabrics. The most preferred bleach is a
peracid, such as imidoperacid, diperoxydodecanoic acid (DPDA),
perlauric acid, perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids. Especially
preferred peracid is phthalimido-percaproic acid (PAP). In another
embodiment, the inventive device may dose sodium hypochlorite
solution, which is generally referred to as chlorine beach. The
concentration of hypochlorite solution is in the range between 1.5%
to 10%, preferably between 3 to 7%.
[0096] In another embodiment, the inventive device may sequentially
dose bleach precursors and peroxygen bleach sources. The
nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and tetraacetyl ethylene
diamine (TAED) are typical bleach precursors. Other classes of
bleach precursors comprise acylated citrate ester, benzoxazin-type
and amido derived precusors. Suitable peroxygen bleach bleach
sources to be used herein are hydrogen peroxide, percarbonates,
persilicates, perborates, peroxyacids, hydroperoxides, and diacyl
peroxide. As used herein a peroxygen bleach source refers to any
compound, which produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is in
contact with water.
* * * * *