US3826113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Additive control and injection system useful in laundry machine operations
Assignee: Ecolab Inc
•
Filing: 1973-05-07
•
Granted: 1974-07-30
•
Expires: 1993-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A system for selectively adding a plurality of liquid chemicals to a laundry machine in response to triggering signals from the machine is disclosed. Pumps are provided for pumping chemicals from their shipping drums through conduit means to the washing machine. Control means are associated with this system allowing the operator to remotely vary the chemical mix pumped to the washer by making control switch selections. The selections correspond to the soil levels of the laundry load, the presence of greasy soils, the need for bleach and the presence of permanent press fabrics. This injection process is controlled by a plurality of sequentially activated electrical timers that energize relays to in turn energize the pumps in selected groups. Means are provided for limited remote monitoring of the function of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 S Boraas
- 👤 M Nystuen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:34
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/02; D06F39/022; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/85978; Y10T137/86131; Y10T137/86163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
An additive control and injection system for selectively introducing liquid chemicals into a laundry machine, said system comprising in combination: a. a plurality of supply containers for liquid chemicals; b. a plurality of conduit means for separately connecting said containers to the laundry machine; c. pump means in each of said conduit means for pumping the liquid chemicals when energized; d. switching means connected to said pump means for energizing said pump means in pre-determined groups with at least one of said groups including more than one pump means, said switching means comprising a plurality of relays each having one or more switches, with each relay controlling the operation of one of said groups; e. circuit means including said switches for connecting said pump means to an electrical source and for connecting preselected ones of said pump means into more than one of said groups; f. signal generating means associated with the laundry machine for generating a sequence of triggering signals at selected points in the wash cycle; g. a plurality of electrical timers energizable in sequence by said sequential triggering signals to provide sequential output signals of predetermined duration; h. circuit means for connecting each of said relays to one of said electrical timers to permit energization of said relays by said output signals to control the duration of operation of said switching means to thereby control the quantity of liquid chemicals pumped by said pump means; and i. means for adjusting the duration of said electrical timer output signals to change the amount of liquid chemicals being pumped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
An additive control and injection system for selectively introducing liquid chemicals into a laundry machine, said system comprising in combination: a. a plurality of supply containers for liquid chemicals; b. a plurality of conduit means for separately connecting said containers to the laundry machine; c. pump means in each of said conduit means for pumping the liquid chemicals when energized; d. switching means connected to said pump means for energizing said pump means in pre-determined groups with at least one of said groups including more than one pump means, said switching means comprising a plurality of relays each having one or more switches, with each relay controlling the operation of one of said groups; e. circuit means including said switches for connecting said pump means to an electrical source and for connecting preselected ones of said pump means into more than one of said groups; f. signal generating means associated with the laundry machine for generating a sequence of triggering signals at selected points in the wash cycle; g. a plurality of electrical timers energizable in sequence by said sequential triggering signals to provide sequential output signals of predetermined duration; h. circuit means for connecting each of said relays to one of said electrical timers to permit energization of said relays by said output signals to control the duration of operation of said switching means to thereby control the quantity of liquid chemicals pumped by said pump means; and i. means for adjusting the duration of said electrical timer output signals to change the amount of liquid chemicals being pumped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including additional circuit means and switching means for reversing the switch connections between two of said relays and the two groups controlled thereby to reverse the duration of operation of the pump means in said groups.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a manually operable, normally closed switch in the circuit means connecting a selected relay to its associated timer to break said circuit means when opened, and means for automatically resetting said switch in response to a subsequent triggering signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
212 words
In an additive control and injection system of the type used for selectively introducing liquid laundry products into a laundry machine in response to a sequence of triggering signals generated by the laundry machine at selected points in the wash cycle, the improvement which comprises: a. a plurality of supply containers for liquid laundry products; b. a plurality of conduit means for separately connecting said containers to the laundry machine; c. injection means in each of said conduit means for injecting the laundry products into the laundry machine when energized; d. switching means including a plurality of relays each having one or more switches; e. circuit means includiNg said switches for connecting said injection means in selected groups with each group being controlled by a relay, and for connecting pre-selected ones of said injection means into more than one of said groups; f. a plurality of electrical timers energizable in sequence by the sequential triggering signals to provide output signals of predetermined duration; and g. circuit means for connecting each of said relays to one of said electrical timers to permit energization of said relays by said output signals to control the duration of operation of said switching means to thereby control the quantity of liquid chemicals pumped by said pump means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
212 words
In an additive control and injection system of the type used for selectively introducing liquid laundry products into a laundry machine in response to a sequence of triggering signals generated by the laundry machine at selected points in the wash cycle, the improvement which comprises: a. a plurality of supply containers for liquid laundry products; b. a plurality of conduit means for separately connecting said containers to the laundry machine; c. injection means in each of said conduit means for injecting the laundry products into the laundry machine when energized; d. switching means including a plurality of relays each having one or more switches; e. circuit means includiNg said switches for connecting said injection means in selected groups with each group being controlled by a relay, and for connecting pre-selected ones of said injection means into more than one of said groups; f. a plurality of electrical timers energizable in sequence by the sequential triggering signals to provide output signals of predetermined duration; and g. circuit means for connecting each of said relays to one of said electrical timers to permit energization of said relays by said output signals to control the duration of operation of said switching means to thereby control the quantity of liquid chemicals pumped by said pump means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including means for adjusting the duration of said electrical timer output signals to change the amount of liquid chemicals being pumped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |