Patent Application
20080276655
The present invention relates to clothes washers and washer controls.
In the washing of fabrics, it is known to use bleaching agents to remove different types of stains. The bleaching agents may be combined with the detergent chemistries, such as being already combined in the detergent liquid or powder sold to the appliance user. In such situations, the bleaching agent is incorporated into the wash liquor at the same time as other cleaning chemistries, such as enzymes, and the two types of chemistries may counteract or lessen the effectiveness of the other, thereby reducing the potential cleaning ability of the detergent.
Where the bleaching agents and the detergent are introduced separately, only rudimentary washer controls have been provided to automatically dispense the bleaching agent additive at a certain predetermined point in the wash cycle, regardless of the type of stain or soil present in the wash load. Even though different stains and soils are removed more effectively with different types of detergents or bleaching agents, or combinations of the two provided at varying times during the wash cycle, controls for washers have not been provided to take advantage of the more effective combinations or times of delivery.
In an embodiment of the invention, a control is provided for an automatic washer to operate the washer through a wash cycle selected based upon a range of conditions of a fabric load to be washed. In an embodiment of the invention, the control has a plurality of selectable stain type entrées, each with a particular dedicated wash cycle. The control also has dispensing control over at least two wash liquor additives, one being a detergent and the other being a bleach in the form of an oxidizing agent. The control operates the dedicated wash cycles, as selected, using both the detergent and the oxidizing agent, however, the detergent and the oxidizing agent may be dispensed in different orders and at different times and in different amounts, depending on the stain type selected.
The stain types which may be provided by the control could include at least two of grass, blood, cocoa, carbon, red wine, tea, coffee, perspiration, dirt, mud and oily soils.
In an embodiment, the control could also include selectable water level entrées. The water level entrées could comprise high, low and regular water levels.
In an embodiment, the control could also include a selection for recirculation of the wash liquor.
In an embodiment, the control could also include selectable agitation time entrées. For example, the agitation time entrées could comprise short, extended and regular agitation times.
In an embodiment, the control could also include selectable water temperature entrées. For example, the water temperature entrées could comprise hot, warm, cold and any temperature.
In an embodiment, the control could be arranged to dispense the oxidizing agent either instantaneously in bulk or at a controlled rate.
In an embodiment, the control could include a user input for selecting at least one of the stain type entrées.
In an embodiment, the control could include an electronic input for receiving a signal indicative of at least one of the stain type entrées.
In an embodiment of the invention, an automatic washer is provided for cleaning a load of fabric. The washer includes a wash zone for receiving the load of fabric, a first chamber for receiving a detergent additive, a second chamber for receiving an oxidizing agent additive, and a control arranged to operate the washer through a wash cycle selected based upon a range of conditions of the fabric load to be washed. The control has a plurality of selectable stain type entrées, each with a particular dedicated wash cycle. The control has dispensing control over the first chamber and the second chamber for selectively dispensing the detergent and the oxidizing agent during the wash cycle. The control operates the dedicated wash cycles, as selected, using both the detergent and the oxidizing agent, however, dispensing the detergent and the oxidizing agent in different orders and at different times, depending on the stain type selected.
In an embodiment of the invention, a control for an automatic washer is provided to operate the washer through a wash cycle selected based upon a range of conditions of the fabric load to be washed and upon a range of operating parameters selected. The control has a plurality of selectable stain type entrées, each with a particular dedicated wash cycle. The control has dispensing control over at least two wash liquor additives, comprising a detergent and an oxidizing agent. The control has dispensing control over hot water and cold water inlet valves and has a timer. The control operates the dedicated wash cycles, as selected, using both the detergent and the oxidizing agent, however, dispensing the detergent and the oxidizing agent in different orders and at different times, depending on the stain type selected.
In an embodiment, the control could also include selectable water level entrées.
In an embodiment, the control could also include selectable agitation time entrées.
In an embodiment, the control could also include selectable water temperature entrées.
In an embodiment of the invention, an automatic washer 20 is provided for cleaning a load of fabric 22. The washer includes a wash zone 24 for receiving the load of fabric 22, a first chamber 26 for receiving a detergent additive, a second chamber 28 for receiving an oxidizing agent additive, and a control 30 arranged to operate the washer 20 through a wash cycle selected based upon a range of conditions of the fabric load 22 to be washed. The control 30 has a plurality of selectable stain type entrées, each with a particular dedicated wash cycle. The control 30 has dispensing control over the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 28 for selectively dispensing the detergent and the oxidizing agent during the wash cycle. The control 30 operates the dedicated wash cycles, as selected, using both the detergent and the oxidizing agent, however, dispensing the detergent and the oxidizing agent in different orders and at different times, depending on the stain type selected.
The washer 20 could also include other chambers controlled by the control 30 for dispensing other additives or chemistries, such as fabric softeners and non-oxidizing bleaches. Each of the additives or chemistries, including the detergent and oxidizing agent, could be provided in liquid or powder form. A mixing chamber could also be provided wherein one or more of the additives or chemistries could be introduced to a portion of the wash liquor, and diluted therein, before being introduced to the fabric load.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control 30 is provided for the automatic washer 20 to operate the washer through a series of steps in a wash cycle selected based upon a range of conditions of the fabric load 22 to be washed and perhaps also based upon other conditions or parameters that may be selected or detected. The control 30 has a plurality of selectable stain type entrées, each with a particular dedicated wash cycle. For example, the stain types which may be listed by the control could include grass, blood, cocoa, carbon, red wine, tea, coffee and oily soils.
The stain types could be identified adjacent to rotatable selector switches, on or near push buttons, on individual key pad entries, or could be electronically displayed in a control menu. Other known types of display and selection modes could also be used. The stain types might also be maintained in a memory of the control, whether that memory is part of software, firmware or is hard wired. The stain types could be selected by a user through a control interface. Also, the control could include an electronic input for receiving a signal indicative of at least one of the stain type entrées. In this way, the stain types could be selected based upon a detection of the stains present prior to or during the wash cycle, such as by a reflectivity or emissivity reading of the fabric load, or a sensing of the presence of particular stain attributes during the wash cycle, such as the presence of proteins being released into the wash liquor.
The control 30 has dispensing control over at least two wash liquor additives, one being a detergent and the other being an oxidizing agent.
The detergent may include additives or detergent chemistries including surfactants, emulsifiers, enzyme activated stain removers, sudsing agents, builders, anti-redeposition polymers and perfumes, and may be an aqueous or non-aqueous solution or mixture.
The oxidizing agents to be added to the wash zone are active oxygen releasing compounds, e.g., peroxides (peroxygen compounds) such as perborate, percarbonates, perphosphates, persilicates, persulfates, their sodium, ammonium, potassium and lithium analogs, calcium peroxide, zinc peroxide, sodium peroxide, carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and the like. These agents also include peroxy acids and organic peroxides and various mixtures thereof.
A peroxy acid is an acid in which an acidic —OH group has been replaced by an —OOH group. They are formed chiefly by elements in groups 14, 15 and 16 of the periodic table, but boron and certain transition elements are also known to form peroxy acids. Sulfur and phosphorus form the largest range of peroxy acids, including some condensed forms such as peroxydiphosphoric acid, H4P2O8 and peroxydisulfuric acid, H2S2O8. This term also includes compounds such as peroxy-carboxylic acids and meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA).
Organic peroxides are organic compounds containing the peroxide functional group (ROOR′). If the R′ is hydrogen, the compound is called an organic hydroperoxide. Peresters have general structure RC(O)OOR. The O—O bond easily breaks and forms free radicals of the form RO•. This makes organic peroxides useful for cleaning purposes.
There are four possible descriptions of the oxidizing agent product composition based on concentration. “Ultra concentrated” means that 80 to 100% of the bleach is active. “Concentrated” means that 40 to 79% of the bleach is active. “Bleach with additive” means that 20-40% of the bleach is active. “Cleaning product with bleach” means that less than 25% of the bleach is active.
Oxidizing agents may be combined within a mixture that has a selection of other material, such as one or more of the following: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, water soluble polymers, water swellable polymers and mixtures thereof.
A particular oxidizing agent to be added to form the oxidizing agent wash liquor could comprise a combination of water with one or more of sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, surfactants and enzymes.
The control 30 operates the dedicated wash cycles, as selected, using both the detergent and the oxidizing agent, however, the detergent and the oxidizing agent may be dispensed in different orders and at different times and in different amounts, as detailed below, depending on the stain type selected.
The control 30 may also have dispensing control over other types of chemistries including pre-wash chemistries, fabric softeners, water softeners, fragrances, anti-static agents, drying aids, de-wrinkling chemistries, deodorizers, etc.
In an embodiment, the control 30 could also include selectable water level entrées or wash liquor entrées. In this embodiment, the control 30 would have dispensing control over hot water and cold water inlet valves or other inlet valves for dispensing a wash liquor into the wash zone 24. The water level or wash liquor entrées could comprise high, low and regular levels. A sensor in the wash tub, or in the inlet lines could be used to determine the volume of water or wash liquor that had been introduced into the wash zone 24. These selections could be made by the user through the control interface, or could be selected automatically by the control 30 based on other selected parameters or based on sensed parameters of the fabric load 26.
In an embodiment, the control 30 could also include a selection for recirculation of the wash liquor. This selection could be made by the user through the control interface, or could be selected automatically by the control 30 based on other selected parameters or based on sensed parameters of the fabric load 26.
In an embodiment, the control 30 could also include selectable agitation time entrées. The control 30 could include a timer for controlling the agitation times. For example, the agitation time entrées could comprise short, extended and regular agitation times. These selections could be made by the user through the control interface, or could be selected automatically by the control 30 based on other selected parameters or based on sensed parameters of the fabric load 26.
In an embodiment, the control 30 could also include selectable water temperature entrées. For example, the water temperature entrées could comprise hot, warm, cold, tap cold and any temperature. These selections could be made by the user through the control interface, or could be selected automatically by the control 30 based on other selected parameters or based on sensed parameters of the fabric load 26.
In an embodiment, the control 30 could be arranged to dispense the oxidizing agent either instantaneously in bulk or at a controlled rate. This control feature could be selected by the user through the control interface, or could be selected automatically by the control based on other selected parameters or based on sensed parameters of the fabric load 26.
Specific wash cycles are illustrated in
In
If in step 46 it is determined that a fabric load 26 is present, then the control dispenses an oxidizing agent in step 52 in an amount of 1 to 2 times the recommended amount and the fabric load is permitted to soak in the mixture of the oxidizing agent and water, in step 54, for a time period, such as up to about 80 minutes. The soaking step 54 can be carried out in a range of temperatures and is intended to be a prewash cycle, to be followed by one of the other wash cycles.
If in step 44 the selected water level is determined to be low, then in step 56 a recommended amount of oxidizing agent is added by the control 30. A determination is then made in step 58 regarding the phase that the wash liquor (here water and oxidizing agent) is to be applied to the fabric load 26. For example, the wash liquor could be applied in a foam phase, as shown in step 60, a steam phase as shown in step 62, or a concentrated wash liquor phase (low water volume) as shown in step 64. The fabric load 26 is then permitted to soak in the wash liquor, in step 66, for a time period, such as up to about 80 minutes. The soaking step 66 can be carried out in a range of temperatures and is intended to be a prewash cycle, to be followed by one of the other wash cycles. This particular soaking cycle requires less water than the previously described soaking cycle, and thus consumes less water resources.
In
A determination is then made in step 76 regarding the method for dispensing the oxidizing agent. If a determination is made to add the oxidizing agent in bulk, then in step 78, the entirety of the charge of oxidizing agent is added during a second time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types indicated. For some types of stains, it is more effective to allow the fabric load to be in contact with a detergent based wash liquor alone for a period of time before introducing an oxidizing agent. For other types of stains, it is more effective to introduce the oxidizing agent sooner, or together with the detergent. The wash liquor is then applied against the fabric load 26 via a spray or other known introduction methods including via a waterfall, through perforations in a wall of the wash zone, etc., in the recirculation mode, during step 80.
If the determination in step 76 is to meter the oxidizing agent into the wash liquor, then in step 82, the oxidizing agents are dispensed by the control 30 at a controlled rate during the second time period. For some types of stains or oxidizing agents, it is preferable to meter the oxidizing agent into the wash liquor over time, rather than dispensing it in bulk. Again, the wash liquor is then applied against the fabric load 26 by spraying in the recirculation mode, in step 80.
If the determination in step 72 was to not utilize recirculation of the wash liquor, then a determination is made in step 84 regarding the phase that the wash liquor is to be applied to the fabric load 26. For example, the wash liquor could be applied in a foam phase, as shown in step 86, a steam phase as shown in step 88, or a concentrated wash liquor phase (low water volume) as shown in step 90. A determination is then made in step 92 regarding the first additive to be dispensed into the wash liquor. If the determination is to first add detergent, then in step 94, the control 30 causes the detergent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types indicated as described above with respect to step 74. During a second time period in step 96, ranging between 0 and 20 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the oxidizing agents are dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle provides a low water usage wash cycle.
If in step 92 the first additive is determined to be an oxidizing agent, then in step 98, the control 30 causes the oxidizing agent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types. For some types of stains, it is more effective to first apply a wash liquor and oxidizing agent before introducing a detergent. During a second time in step 100, ranging between 0 and 20 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the detergent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle also provides a low water wash cycle which can be performed through a wide range of water temperatures.
In
If in step 104 the first additive is determined to be an oxidizing agent, then in step 110, the control 30 causes the oxidizing agent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types. During a second time in step 112, ranging between 0 and 15 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the detergent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle also provides a quick wash cycle.
If a regular agitation time is selected in step 102, a determination is then made in step 114 regarding a temperature for the wash liquor. If any temperature other than specifically cold is selected, then in step 116 is made regarding the first additive to be dispensed into the wash liquor. If the determination is to first add the oxidizing agent, then in step 118, the control 30 causes the oxidizing agent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types. During a second time period in step 120, ranging between 0 and 20 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the detergent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle provides a wash cycle particularly suited to remove oily soils and protein stains, such as blood or grass stains.
If in step 116 the first additive is determined to be a detergent, then in step 122, the control 30 causes the detergent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types. A determination is then made in step 124 whether the oxidizing agent is to be dispensed early or later. If the determination is early, then during a second time period in step 126, ranging between 0 and 15 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the oxidizing agent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle is suited for color safe bleachable soil removal.
If the determination in step 124 is to add the oxidizing agent later, then during a second time period in step 128, ranging between 0 and 20 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the oxidizing agent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle is suited for removing enzyme sensitive soils, which is why the oxidizing agent is dispensed into the wash liquor later, to allow the enzyme based detergent a longer contact time with the fabric load 26.
If a determination is made in step 114 specifically for a cold wash temperature, then in step 116, the control 30 causes the detergent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types indicated as described above with respect to step 74. During a second time period in step 132, ranging between 0 and 20 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the oxidizing agents are dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle provides a cold water wash cycle (reduced energy usage). It has been determined, using cleaning scores, that a wash cycle using detergent and an oxidizing agent, at temperatures between 15 and 25 C provides results as good as or better than a wash cycle using only a detergent at 40 C.
The various times listed for each of the steps are merely illustrative, and can be lengthened or shortened as desired to improve performance or other characteristics of the wash cycle.
In
If the temperature selected in step 134 is warm or cold, then in step 140 a determination is made regarding the first additive to be dispensed into the wash liquor. If the determination is to first add the oxidizing agent, then in step 142, the control 30 causes the oxidizing agent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types. During a second time period in step 144, ranging between 0 and 30 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the detergent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle provides a wash cycle that sanitizes and provides improved cleaning due to the extended period of time the fabric load is exposed to oxidizing agents.
If in step 140 the first additive is determined to be a detergent, then in step 148, the control 30 causes the detergent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types. During a second time period in step 148, ranging between 0 and 30 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the oxidizing agent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle also provides a wash cycle that sanitizes and provides improved cleaning due to the extended period of time the fabric load is exposed to oxidizing agents.
If a determination is made in step 70 for a high water level, a determination is made in step 150 regarding a wash temperature. If warm or hot temperatures have been selected, then in step 152, the control 30 causes the detergent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types indicated as described above with respect to step 74. During a second time period in step 154, ranging between 0 and 20 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the oxidizing agents are dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle provides a mechanical/thermal/enzyme sensitive wash cycle which is particularly suited for removing carbon and cocoa based soils and stains.
If the temperature selected in step 150 is cold, then in step 156, the control 30 causes the detergent to be dispensed into the wash liquor during a first time period, ranging between 0 and 10 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, depending on the stain and soil types. During a second time period in step 158, ranging between 0 and 20 minutes from the start of this wash cycle, the oxidizing agent is dispensed into the wash liquor. This cycle provides a mechanical action sensitive cycle (high water volume) with a lower energy usage (due to the cold water selection) than the previous wash cycle.
Various features and steps of the washer and washer control have been described which may be incorporated singly or in various combinations into a desired washer and washer control, even though only certain combinations are described herein. The described combinations should not be viewed in a limiting way, but only as illustrative examples of particular possible combinations of features.
As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. It should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.
