CLOTHES PRE-WASH COMPARTMENT FOR AN APPLIANCE

Abstract

The specification discloses a basin disposed in a top portion of a drying appliance, the basin having a fluid drain therein connected to a basin drain line. The appliance includes a water valve in fluid communication with a water source having an outlet in fluid communication with the basin and a tee connector disposed in a drain line of a washing appliance for draining fluid from the basin.

Claims

1. A system for treatment of an article, said system included in a drying appliance having a top surface comprising: a basin disposed in the top surface of said drying appliance, said basin having a fluid drain therein connected to a basin drain line; a water valve in fluid communication with a water source, said water valve having an outlet in fluid communication with said basin; and a tee connector disposed in a drain line of a washing appliance, said tee connector having an inlet in fluid communication with said basin drain line for removing water therefrom.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a first check valve disposed in said tee connector inlet and a second check valve disposed in said tee connector proximate said washing appliance drain line, thereby prohibiting fluid flow from said basin to said washing appliance.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a controller having a processor for executing instructions, a concomitant data memory, a communications interface for sending and receiving data, and a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving and providing electrical signals for said system; and wherein said water supply valve is an electrically actuated valve operatively coupled to an output of said controller.

4. The system as claimed in claim 4 comprising: a high fluid level sensor disposed in said basin having an output operatively connected to an input of said controller, wherein said controller prohibits actuation of said water supply valve when said fluid level sensor indicates a high water level in said basin.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4 comprising: an electrically actuated drain valve in said basin operatively coupled to an output of said controller for opening and closing said basin drain.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5 comprising: a second fluid level sensor disposed in said tee connector, said second fluid level sensor having a signal output operatively coupled to an input of said processor, whereby said processor prohibits actuation of said basin drain valve when said second fluid level sensor indicates the presence of fluid in said tee connector.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6 comprising: a communications interface operatively coupled to said processor for transmitting data representative of system operation to a remote user or processor.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7 comprising: a washing appliance controller having a processor for executing instructions, a concomitant data memory, a corarrrrunications interface tbr sending and receiving data, and a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving and providing electrical signals for said system, wherein said ashing appliance and said drying appliance communicate with each other.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said washing appliance processor communicates to said drying appliance processor a permission to operate said drying appliance drain.

10. A system for treatment of an article, said system included in a drying appliance having a top surface and a washing appliance, each of said appliances having a processor for executing instructions, a concomitant data memory, a communications interface for sending and receiving data, and a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving and providing electrical signals for said system, comprising: a basin disposed in the top surface of said drying appliance, said basin ing a fluid drain therein connected to a basin drain line; a watervalve in fluid communication with a water source, said watervalvehaving an outlet in fluid communication with said basin; and a tee connector disposed in a drain line of a washing appliance, said tee connector having an inlet in fluid communication with said basin drain line for removing water therefrom.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10 comprising: a first check valve disposed in said tee connector inlet and a second check valve disposed in said tee connector proximate said washing appliance drain line, thereby prohibiting fluid flow from said basin to said washing appliance.

12. The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said water supply valve is an electrically actuated valve operatively coupled to an output of said controller.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12 comprising: a high fluid level sensor disposed in said basin having an output operatively connected to an input of said drying appliance controller, wherein said controller prohibits actuation of said water supply valve when said fluid level sensor indicates a high water level in said basin.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13 comprising: an electrically actuated drain valve in said basin operatively coupled to an output of said drying appliance controller for opening and closing said basin drain.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14 comprising: a second fluid level sensor disposed in said tee connector, said second fluid level sensor having a signal output operatively coupled to an input of said washing appliance processor, whereby said processor prohibits actuation of said basin drain valve when said second fluid level sensor indicates the presence of fluid in said tee connector.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15 comprising: a plurality of user interface commands for actuating said water supply valve and said drain valve.

17. A method of providing a pre-wash compartment in a drying appliance comprising: providing a basin disposed in a top portion of said drying appliance, said basin having a fluid drain therein connected to a basin drain line; providing a water valve in fluid communication with a water source, said water valve having an outlet in fluid communication with said basin; and a tee connector disposed in a drain line of a washing appliance, said tee connector having an inlet in fluid communication with said basin drain line for removing water therefrom.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placedupon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 is an perspective view of a drying appliance, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a washing and drying appliance and drain system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a washing and drying appliance and drain system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

[0022] The embodiments discussed herein will focus on the implementation of the described techniques and apparatuses for a residential appliance such as a washing or drying appliance. While the embod ments described herein will refer generally to implementation within a drying appliance having a front-loading door, one of ordinary skill will recognize that the invention may be practiced with a broad array of appliances without departing from the scope thereof.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the system 10 of the invention employed in the context of an exemplary drying appliance, specifically a conventional clothes dryer 100 having a front loading door 110 providing access to a drum 120 for drying clothes or other textiles 1. Dryer 100 may further be provided with a lid or top surface 130 that may be pivotally secured to a dryer 100 top portion 140, for example through hinges 132 secured or disposed along a back edge of top portion 140 that permits top surface 130 to be pivoted upwardly into an open position or lowered into a closed position. In some aspects top surface 130 is capable of being opened to expose top portion 140 of dryer 100 or closed to provide a generally flat top surface 130 that securely covers top portion of dryer 100.

[0024] In various aspects and embodiments dryer 100 is provided with a basin or sink 160 disposed in top portion 140 above drum 120 that in various embodiments is capable of being exposed for use when top surface 130 is in its open position. In some embodiments basin 160 is equipped with a drain 162 positioned in a bottom portion 164 of basin 160. Drain 162 is in fluid communication with a drain line 170 for removing fluid from basin 160 and may further be equipped with a stopper 167 or shutoff valve 166 for closing drain 160 to prohibit water from flowing into drain line 170. Basin 160 may further include a supply water port or tap 180 that is in fluid communication with a water supply source 2 through a valve 190. Valve 190 may be in some enibodiments a petcock or spigot while in some aspects valve 190 may be a solenoid actuated valve activated by a switch or user interface command, as will be discussed in further detail herein below.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, and in accordance with some embodiments and exemplary aspects of the invention, dryer drain line 170 may be plumbed to be in fluid communication with an existing washer 200 drain line 210 via a tee 199 that is disposed in washer drain line 210. Tee 199 may include a first check valve 212 therein disposed proximate the point where the dryer drain line 170 enters tee 199 to prohibit waste water being removed from the washer 200 (and thus in washer drain line 210 from entering the dryer 100 drain line 170. Furthermore, tee 199 may additionally include a second check valve 214 disposed proximate the point where the washer drain line 210 enters tee 199 and below the point where dryer drain line 170 enters tee 199 to prohibit waste water flowing in dryer drain line 170 from entering washer 200 drain line 210. This arrangement of check valves 212, 214 and tee 199 provides a system that implements protection for both dryer 100 and washer 200 when the drain of the other appliance is being utilized.

[0026] Referring again to FIG. 1 and in accordance with sonic embodiments of the invention a controller 300 may be provided, having a processor 302 and concomitant data memory 304, capable of storing an instruction set for operation of processor 302. Processor 302 may also include a plurality of signal outputs 310 and signal inputs 320 that may be operatively connected to a plurality of system 10 components to monitor and direct system 10 operation. Furthermore, in some embodiments controller 300 may include a wireless or hard-wired communications interface 330 that enables controller 300 to communicate with external devices that may be integrated into system 10.

[0027] Additionally, controller 300 may be equipped with an operator interface 340 to provide audible or visual feedback to a user as well as provide a user the ability to provide instructions or commands to controller 300. Exemplary but non-limiting user interfaces that may be employed include a mouse, keypads, touch-screens, keyboards, switches andlor touch pads. Any user interface may be employed for use in the invention without departing from the scope thereof.

[0028] In some aspects of the invention as depicted in FIG. 3, basin 160 may be equipped with a water level sensor 172 proximate the top edge of basin 160. Level sensor 172 may be operatively connected to an input 320 of controller 300 to provide an indication to controller of a high water level in basin 160. When basin level sensor 172 detects a high water level in basin 160 an input 320 is provided to controller 320 indicative of high basin water level. Basin water level sensor 172 may be one of many known fluid level sensors, such as a float switch or ultrasonic level detector without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0029] Additionally, in some embodiments water valve 190 may be operated by an output 310 of controller 300 such that a user may provide a command to turn water valve 190 on through user interface 340, or alternatively through operation of a switch that is operatively connected to an input 320 of controller 300. In an exemplary but non-limiting embodiment water valve 190 may be a solenoid operated valve.

[0030] In further embodiments controller 300 is provided with instructions that prohibit a user from operating water supply valve 190 When a high water level has been detected in basin 160 by water level sensor 172 This feature of the invention prevents basin 160 overflows when the drain 162 is closed or alternatively when the top of basin 160 is at an elevation below the highest elevation of the washer drain line 210. In other embodiments the washer basin 160 drain line 170 may be connected such that the highest elevation of the washer drain line 210 is below the elevation of the top of basin 160. In this aspect, the basin cannot overflow as long as the drain is not stoppered.

[0031] Referring again to FIG. 3 and in accordance with various embodiments a washer drain line 210 level sensor 220 is provided proximate tee 199 Level sensor 220 may be a conventional float switch and further may include an output 222 that is operatively connected to an input 320 of controller 300. Output 222 provides an indication to controller 300 that water is present in the washer 200 drain line 210. Furthermore, in some aspects and embodiments washer basin 160 drain 162 may be provided with a drain valve 166, for c ample a solenoid operated valve 166 that is actuated by an output 310 of controller 300 by use of a command provided through user interface 340. Alternatively, valve 166 may be a stop-cock or conventional drain openiclose mechanism. In operation, where valve 192 is actuated by controller 300, instructions are provided to controller 300 to prohibit the operation of valve 166 when level sensor 220 output 222 indicates that water in present in the washer 200 drain line 210. In this embodiment, the user command supplied through user interface 340 to open drain valve 166 is ignored by controller 300 until level sensor 220 indicates no water in the washer drain line 210. Alternatively, where valve 166 is a manually operated valve, controller 300 may provide and audible and/or visual indication through user interface 340 that there is water present in the washer drain line 210, to alert a user not to open the basin drain valve 166.

[0032] In some aspects and embodiments of the invention dryer drain line 170 drains into tee 199 and thus washer drain line 210 by operation of gravity. In other aspects as depicted in FIG. 3 dryer 100 is provided with a pump 196 actuated by operation of an output 310 from controller 300. In these embodiments, controller 300 only allows operation of pump 196 when level sensor 220 indicates no water in the washer drain line 210.

[0033] In vet further embodiments both washer 200 and dryer 100 at each equipped with a controller 300 having a processor 302 and concomitant data memory 304, capable of storing an instruction set for operation of processor 302. Processor 302 may also include a plurality of signal outputs 310 and signal inputs 320 that may be operatively connected to a plurality of system 10 components to monitor and direct system 10 operation. As disclosed herein above, controllers 300 may include a wireless or hard-wired communications interface 330 that enables controller 300 to communicate with external devices that may be integrated into system 10. In one exemplary but non-limiting embodiment communications interlace 330 includes a wireless or hard-wired Internet connection thereby enabling washer 200 controller and dryer 100 controller to communicate. In other exemplary but non-limiting embodiments washer 200 controller 300 and dryer 100 controller 300 may have a Bluetooth, Zigbee or other equivalent wireless short-range communications interface 330 to permit washer 200 and dryer 100 to transmit data directly to and from each other without the necessity of Internet connectivity. A wide variety of communications interfaces may be employed to permit washer 200 and dryer 100 to communicate with each other without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0034] In additional aspects and embodiments dryer 100 controller 300 may transmit a signal to washer 200 controller 300 when a user provides a command to dryer operator interface 340 to actuate the basin 160 drain 162 and thus remove all the water from basin 160 In this embodiment washer 200 controller may operate the washer's integral drain pump to remove water from both dryer drain line 170 and washer drain line 210. These embodiments provide a system 10 that only utilizes the expense of a single pump that is already provided integral to washer 200 but does not require the dryer drain line 170 to be plumbed to drain by operation of gravity.

[0035] In other aspects and embodiments, washer 200 controller may monitor fluid level sensor 220 to operate washer 200 drain pump whenever water is sensed in the washer drain line and when the washer drain/spin cycle is ready to operate. In other words, the washer 200 would operate its drain pump as long as it wasn't in the middle of a wash cycle and the drain pump is capable of being operated without interrupting the washer's current cycle process.

[0036] While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or confiprations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art. will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0038] The indefinite articles a and an, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary,should be understood to mean at least one.

[0039] The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with and/or should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., one or more of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the and/or clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to A and/or B, when used in Conjunction with open-ended language such as comprising can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0040] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, or should be understood to have the same meaning as and/or as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, or or and/or shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as only one of or exactly one of, or, when used in the claims, consisting of, will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term or as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. one or the other but not both) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as either, one of, only one of, or exactly one of. Consisting essentially of, when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0041] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase at least one, referencein to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase at least one refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, at least one of A and B (or, equivalently, at least one of A or B, or, equivalently at least one of A and/or B) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0042] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0043] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as comprising, including, carrying, having, containing, involving, holding, composed of, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentially of shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0044] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms connected, coupled, in communication with, and mounted, and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms connected and coupled and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0045] The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.