Patent Publication Number: US-2021188667-A1

Title: Household appliance with coagulant dosing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/952,633, filed Dec. 23, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Laundry treatment appliances for use in a typical household appliance include a tub that has an opening to provide access to the interior and at least partially defines a treating chamber or holds a container, such as a drum or basket, which at least partially defines the treating chamber. Fabric items such as clothes, towels, or linens can be placed in the treating chamber where they are subjected to a treating operation, such as a washing refresh, or de-wrinkle cycle of operation, to name a few. 
     Clean water that is suitable for these cycles of operations is a limited resource in many places; therefore, appliances that can recycle wash water are advantageous. Previous commercial attempts to re-use water have focused on re-using the water from the cycle of operation that is essentially clean, such as water used during a final rinse cycle, where there are almost no soils or chemicals left in the treating chamber and fabric items. 
     This disclosure takes a different approach from prior commercial attempts at re-use and focuses on clarifying the water by chemical treatments followed by physical processes to separate solid impurities from the water. Such a clarifying process has the technical benefit of being able to re-use water with soils and chemistry, resulting in recycling of most of the water in the cycle of operation as compared to only already essentially clean water. This disclosure further focuses on a system for delivering the chemical treatment to clarify and process wash water. Consequently, a system for recirculating wash liquid through the appliance can be beneficial to the user by reducing overall water consumption. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Household appliances, such as clothes washers and dish washers can have a configuration with a coagulant dosing system for treating water for recycling, which can be stored in a dedicated recycling tank or in a traditional water holding part of the appliance, such as the tub. The coagulant dosing system can be a single-use system or a bulk system. The single-use system contains a single charge of coagulant, typically provided by the user for each cycle of operation, and the bulk system contains multiple charges of coagulant. Whichever type of coagulant dosing system is used, the coagulant can be fluidly coupled to the water by a supply device, such as a gravity-fed or pressurized supply device, which can include a pump. To provide an airtight system, which reduces the likelihood of solidification of the coagulant, the supply device can be configured to supply the coagulant directly into the recycling water. 
     In one possible implementation of the appliance with a coagulant system, the coagulant can be stored in a user-replaceable cartridge, which is fluidly coupled to a water recycling tank by a dosing pump. The output from the dosing pump is immersed within the recycling water to provide part of an airtight system. The cartridge is also airtight to provide another part of the airtight system. The cartridge can have a pressure equalizer or a variable volume housing to prevent a low backpressure from forming in the cartridge. The pressure equalizer can be a check valve. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, when the water recycling system includes the tank, the tank can take on various forms and have different functionalities. The tank can have at least one tank inlet, at least one outlet and at least one pump for removing fluids or particles from the tank. The outlet can be fluidly connected to a clean liquid reservoir. The tank can include an internal partition located between the two outlets and the tank partition can include a passage from a first side of the tank partition to a second side of the tank partition. An outlet can be the opening of a hose attached to a float that is movably fastened to a shaft such that the float moves with the water level, and such that the opening of the hose is held below the level of the water. The pump can move water through the hose to the reservoir. Further a soil sensor can be included between the hose and the reservoir. The water recycling system can include a motor that activates a system of rollers to rotate a separation layer within the tank between two positions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a household washing appliance having multiple systems, including a water recycling system for treating and recycling wash water. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary implementation of the water recycling system, which includes a water recycling tank, a user-replaceable cartridge holding a coagulant, and a pump fluidly coupling the cartridge to the tank. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the consumable coagulant cartridge. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge housing without the cartridge inserted. 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the cartridge aligned with and ready for insertion into a cartridge housing. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of  FIG. 3A  inside the cartridge housing in a first pre-coupling position where the cartridge is in contact with the cartridge housing. 
         FIG. 5B  a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of  FIG. 3A  inside the cartridge housing in a second pre-coupling position where the fluid channel of the cartridge is in contact with the fluid coupling system. 
         FIG. 5C  a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of  FIG. 3A  inside the cartridge housing of  FIG. 3B  in a coupled position. The cartridge is rotated 160 degrees from the first pre-coupling position and the fluid pathway is fully open. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a push-rotate cartridge inside a cartridge housing in a closed first position. The plunger in the cartridge is in contact with the plunger in the fluid coupling system and the fluid pathways are blocked and sealed. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the plungers that form the push-rotate coupling mechanism in the cartridge of  FIG. 6  in a first position where the plungers are pushed together. 
         FIG. 7B  a perspective view of the plungers that form the push-rotate coupling mechanism of the cartridge of  FIG. 6  in a second position where the plungers are partially pushed apart due to rotation of the cartridge and the fluid pathways are partially opened. 
         FIG. 7C  a perspective view of the plungers of the push-rotate cartridge of  FIG. 6  in an open third position where the plungers are fully separated due to rotation of the cartridge and the fluid pathways are fully open. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a wash water treatment tank with a single inlet and a single outlet, which is fluidly coupled to a diverter valve. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a wash water treatment tank with an inlet and two outlets, one of the outlets located higher in the tank than the other, whereby sediment can be removed via the lower outlet and clarified water can be removed from the higher outlet. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the wash water treatment tank of  FIG. 9 , with the higher outlet being fluidly coupled to a reservoir. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a wash water treatment tank with an internal partition, which divides the interior of the tank into a treating portion and a reservoir portion. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic of a wash water treatment tank with a float. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic of a wash water treatment tank with a motorized barrier. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a laundry appliance  100  according to aspects of the present disclosure. The laundry appliance  100  can be any suitable household laundry appliance, including, but not limited to, a clothes washing machine, a stand-alone washer, a multi-tub-type washer, a drawer washer, a combination washing machine and dryer, a non-aqueous washing apparatus, a clothes refresher, a revitalizing machine, etc., all of which can have varying widths, sizes, and capacities. All of these examples of household laundry appliances can receive one or more items in a treating chamber and then perform a cycle of operation on the article. The cycle of operation can include, by way of non-limiting examples: clothes washing or clothes treating. As used in this description, the term “items” is intended to be generic to any item, single or plural, that can be treated in the laundry appliance  100 , including, without limitation, laundry items, clothes, bedding, towels, and linens. 
     The laundry appliance  100  of  FIG. 1  includes a cabinet  10  with an interior  11 , in which is provided a water holding container, such as a tub  12 . A laundry holding container, such as a basket  14 , can be provided in the tub  12 . At least one of the tub  12  or basket  14  at least partially defines a treatment chamber  16 . A liquid sump  18  is fluidly coupled to the tub  12  and can at least partially be formed by the tub  12 , or alternatively can be provided adjacent to or otherwise fluidly coupled with the tub  12 . Alternatively, the liquid sump  18  can be a separate module that is coupled to the tub  12 . 
     The laundry appliance  100  further includes a fresh water supply or a household water supply  20  and a treating chemistry dispenser  22 , with a treating chamber inlet  24 . The water supply  20  can fluidly couple directly to at least one of the tub  12  or basket  14 . Additionally, or alternatively, the water supply  20  can be fluidly coupled to the dispenser  22 . A water recirculation conduit  26  fluidly couples the liquid sump  18  to the treating chamber inlet  24  by way of a water treatment system  500  with a sediment tank or a water treatment tank  110  to provide a water recirculation path through the treatment chamber  16 . A recirculation valve  28 , a valve  29 , and a recirculation pump  50  can be fluidly coupled to the recirculation conduit  26  to control the recirculation of water through the recirculation conduit  26 . The dispenser  22  is fluidly connected to the household water supply  20 , the treating chamber inlet  24  and also to the water recirculation conduit  26 . The water recirculation conduit  26  fluidly connects the water treatment tank  110  with the dispenser  22 . Alternatively, the water recirculation conduit  26  can connect the water treatment tank  110  directly to the treatment chamber  16  by way of the treating chamber inlet  24 . The valve  29  directs the recirculating water directly to the treatment chamber  16  through the treatment chamber inlet  24  or the valve  29  directs the recirculating water to the treatment chamber via the dispenser  22 . 
     The laundry appliance shown in  FIG. 1  additionally contains a water recycling system for treating the used water or wash water with a liquid coagulant, separating the impurities, and recycling the clarified water in a cycle of operation. The water treatment system  500  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a water treatment tank  110  and a coagulant dosing system  200 . The water treatment tank  110  can optionally include an agitator  122 . The water treatment tank  110  is fluidly coupled to the liquid sump  18  and a controlled inlet  112 . The controlled inlet  112  can be the household water supply  20  or a valved branch from water supply  20 . The water treatment tank  110  has at least one tank inlet  120  and at least one tank outlet  130 . Further examples of the water recycling system are described in further detail below. 
     The coagulant dosing system  200  includes a coagulant cartridge  210 , which is received within a cartridge housing  270 . The coagulant cartridge  210  can be user-replaceable. The coagulant cartridge  210  can contain a single or multiple doses or charges of coagulant. 
     A fluid coupling system  300  fluidly couples the coagulant cartridge  210  to the water treatment tank  110  by way of the cartridge housing  270  and includes a dosing pump  388  fluidly coupling the coagulant cartridge  210  to the tank via a line  386 , which terminates within the water treatment tank  110  with a check valve  390 . The dosing pump  388  can be a metering pump, which can deliver accurate doses of coagulant. The check valve  390  can be located within the water treatment tank  110  such that it is below the anticipated water level to prevent air from contacting the coagulant exiting the line  386  or from air entering the line  386 , when the check valve  390  is open. 
     To implement the cycles of operation, a controller  55  can also be included in the laundry appliance  100  that operably couples with and controls the various components of laundry appliance  100  including the household water supply  20 , the recirculation valve  28 , and the recirculation pump  50 . The controller  55  operably couples with and controls components of the coagulant dosing system  200  such as cartridge housing sensors and switches, and the dosing pump  388 . The controller  55  can be located within the cabinet as illustrated, or it can alternatively be located within a closure, such as a door, of the appliance. 
     In a cycle of operation, water can be supplied to the treatment chamber  16  from the household water supply  20  entering the treating chamber through the dispenser  22  and the treatment chamber inlet  24 . Once a wash or rinse operation is complete, the wash water can be supplied from the liquid sump  18  to the water treatment tank  110  for clarification. The dosing pump  388  is activated to pump coagulant from the coagulant cartridge  210  through the line  386  into the water treatment tank  110 . The check valve  390  on the line  386  opens during the operation of the dosing pump  388  such that the coagulant is emitted into the water treatment tank  110 . If the agitator  122  is present, the agitator  122  is activated to mix the coagulant with the wash water. The coagulant combines with fibers, debris, and soils from the laundry to form coagulated solids that settle or precipitate out providing a layer of sludge at the bottom of the water treatment tank  110  with a layer of clarified water above the sludge. The recirculation pump  50  moves the clarified water from above the sludge through the water recirculation conduit  26  and the dispenser  22  into the tub  12  for recycling. The clarified water can be stored in the water treatment tank  110  for reuse in the current cycle of operation. Alternatively, and additionally, the clarified water can be stored for use in a subsequent cycle of operation. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one specific implementation of the water treatment system  500  with the water treatment tank  110  and the coagulant dosing system  200 , located within a pedestal  58  that can be positioned beneath the appliance or integrated with the appliance. The cartridge housing  270  is preferably located in a position that is easily accessible to the user, for example at the front of the pedestal  58  such that the user can conveniently insert the coagulant cartridge  210 . The fluid coupling system  300  connects the cartridge housing to the water treatment tank  110  where the agitator  122  can assist mixing of coagulant with the wash water. The water treatment tank  110  can optionally have a slanted floor to promote separation of the coagulated solids from the clarified water. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3A , components of the coagulant cartridge  210  are shown. The coagulant cartridge  210  can hold the liquid coagulant in a sealed manner and is capable of releasing the liquid coagulant, such that it is introduced to the wash water to clarify the wash water for recycling. The coagulant cartridge  210  includes a top portion  216  and a bottom portion  224 . The top portion  216  has a duckbill valve  222 . The top portion  216  is affixed to the bottom portion  224  such that together, they define an interior chamber  218 . The bottom portion  224  has a first end  230 , a tapered portion  234 , and a second end  236  that define a fluid channel  228 . The second end  236  is fitted with at least two exterior O-rings  239 . The bottom portion  224  has a floor  240  the partially defines the interior chamber  218 . The floor  240  has an opening  242  that connects the interior chamber  218  to the fluid channel  228 . The floor  240  has at least one projection  244 . The interior of the fluid channel  228  has tracks  248 . The bottom portion  224  can have exterior tabs  226 . 
     The bottom portion  224  further includes a plunger holder  250  with a first side  251 , a second side  252 , and fluid holes (not shown). A spring shaft  256  extends from the center of the plunger holder  250  on the second side  252 . At least one hook  258  extends from the second side  252 . The hook  258  engages with the projection  244  to hold the plunger holder  250  in place over the opening  242  such that the spring shaft  256  extends through the opening  242  into the fluid channel  228 . 
     In one example, the coagulant cartridge  210  has a first plunger  260  that can move in an axial direction (coaxial with the fluid channel) to contain or release the liquid coagulant. The first plunger  260  has a rear shaft  262 , a forward shaft  263  and a wing base  265 . The first plunger  260  further has wings  264  that attach to and extend from the wing base  265 . The forward shaft  263  further includes an O-ring seat  266  fitted with a first plunger O-ring  268  located adjacent the wing base  265 . The first plunger  260  is seated inside the fluid channel  228  such that the wings  264  are in the tracks  248  in the tapered portion  234 . A first spring  269  sleeves the spring shaft  256  and the rear shaft  262 . The first spring  269  abuts the wing base  265 . 
     The fluid coupling system  300  engages with the cartridge housing  270  as shown in  FIG. 3B  and has a second plunger  360  that can move in an axial direction, coaxial with a central fluid passage  340  to release the liquid coagulant. The cartridge housing  270  includes a receiving cup  271 , a housing bracket  280 , a switch bracket  290 , and a switch  294 . The fluid coupling system  300  comprises a retainer  320 , a holder  330 , a second plunger  360 , a second plunger O-ring  368 , and a second spring  369 . The retainer  320  has a first side  321  and a second side  322  with a central opening  323 . The retainer  320  further consists of the following concentric rings: a central ring  324 , a receiving ring  325 , a first fastening ring  326 . The first fastening ring extends radially from the central opening  323 . The central ring  324  and receiving ring  325  are joined and spaced apart to form a recess  328 . The central ring  324  and receiving ring  325  surround the central opening  323  are on the first side  321  and extend in a direction normal to the plane of the central opening  323  and to the first fastening ring  326 . 
     The holder  330  has a first side  331  and a second side  332  and the central fluid passage  340 . The holder  330  consists of a holder ring  334  that extends perpendicularly away from the first side  331 , and a second fastening ring  336  that extends radially from the central fluid passage  340 . The holder  330  can have support ribs  338  on the second side  332 . The central fluid passage  340  extends away from the holder ring  334  on the second side  332  and ends with a hose barb  342 . The interior of the central fluid passage  340  has at least one plunger track  344  that extends at least part of the length of the central fluid passage  340 . The interior of the central fluid passage  340  further includes a stopper face  346  and a spring shaft tube  348  surrounding the central fluid passage  340 . 
     Similar in structure to the first plunger  260 , the second plunger  360  has a rear shaft  362 , forward shaft  363 , wings  364 , base  365 , and O-ring seat  366 . The wings  364  are attached to the rear shaft  362  at a base  365 . The second O-ring  368  on the O-ring seat  366  is held between the retainer  320  and the second plunger  360 . A second spring  369  sleeves the rear shaft  362  and the spring shaft tube  348 . 
     When the cartridge housing  270  and fluid coupling system  300  are assembled, the first fastening ring  326  abuts the channel lip  285  and the second fastening ring  336  abuts the first fastening ring  326 . The recess  328  between the central ring  324  and receiving ring  325  of the retainer  320  is complementary in shape to the holder ring  334  of the holder  330 . A retainer O-ring  350  is seated in the recess  328  between the retainer  320  and the holder  330 . The wings  364  engage the plunger track  344  inside the central fluid passage  340 . Alignment of the channel lip  285 , first fastening ring  326 , and the second fastening ring  336  allow fasteners to be employed. 
     It will be understood that there at least two ways that the fluid coupling system  300  actuates flow between the coagulant cartridge  210  and the cartridge housing  270 . In both, the first and second plungers  260 ,  360  are normally biased closed by the first and second springs  269 ,  369 , respectively. Axial movement of the first and second plungers  260 ,  360  relative to each other causes them to open such that fluid flow is enabled between them. In a first non-limiting example, axial movement of the first and second plungers  260 ,  360  relative to each other is caused by insertion of the coagulant cartridge  210  into the cartridge housing  270 , causing the first and second plungers  260 ,  360  to contact each other and move axially to open. Rotation of the coagulant cartridge  210  within the cartridge housing  270  locks the cartridge in place. In a second non-limiting example, axial movement of the plungers is caused by rotation of the coagulant cartridge  210  within the cartridge housing  270  after it is fully inserted. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the pre-insertion alignment position of the coagulant cartridge  210 , cartridge housing  270  and the fluid coupling system  300  is shown. The interior surface  272  of the receiving cup  271  has a guide groove  274  that extends part of the length of the receiving cup  271 . Near the bottom of the receiving cup  271  the guide groove  274  connects to a slot  276  that extends less than halfway around the interior surface  272 . The exterior surface can have fastening tabs  275  and ribs  279 . The housing bracket  280  has a U-shape and is bridged by a base surface  282 . In the base surface  282  is an opening that connects to a channel  284  with a channel lip  285 . Further, the housing bracket  280  has fastening tabs  286  and the mouth of the U-shaped housing bracket  280  is spanned by the switch bracket  290 . The switch bracket  290  holds the switch  294 . 
     With the cartridge housing  270  preferably located at the front of the appliance, the user can more easily install the coagulant cartridge  210 . The installation of the cartridge begins with reference to  FIG. 4 , where the coagulant cartridge  210  is shown exteriorly of and aligned with the cartridge housing  270  in a pre-insertion position. In this position, it is easy to see that the coagulant coagulant cartridge  210  includes a cap  212  that can be imprinted or textured with text or symbols  213  to instruct the user, and the cap may also have a grip  214 . Tabs  226  of the coagulant cartridge  210  align with guide grooves  274  in the cartridge housing  270 . When the tabs  226  are within the guide grooves  274 , the coagulant cartridge  210  is indexed relative to the housing and ready for insertion. Further, the first end  230  has a wedge-shaped switch arm  232  extending away from the fluid channel  228 . When the coagulant cartridge  210  is fully inserted and rotated into position within the cartridge housing  270 , the switch arm  232  interacts with the limit switch  294  to signal the controller  55  that the coagulant cartridge  210  is present. 
     The coagulant cartridge  210  can be configured to prevent a low back pressure forming as the cartridge is emptied. To accomplish this, the cartridge can have a pressure relief, such as a check valve, or it can have a variable volume, which reduces in volume as the coagulant is dispensed, such as with collapsible container. For example, the top portion  216  can be a flexible material. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , the installation of the coagulant cartridge  210  with the cartridge housing  270  and fluid coupling system  300  is illustrated. In a first pre-coupled position as shown in  FIG. 5A , the coagulant cartridge  210  is inserted into the receiving cup  271  when the tabs  226  are engaged with the guide grooves  274 . In this configuration shown in  FIG. 5A , the fluid channel  228  and central fluid passage  340  are sealed and the liquid coagulant is sealed inside the coagulant cartridge  210 . The first spring  269  is compressed between the plunger holder  250  and the first plunger  260 , and the second spring  369  is compressed between the second plunger  360  and the base of the spring shaft tube  348 . The first plunger  260  and the second plunger  360  have first and second plunger O-rings  268  and  368  that abut and seal the fluid channels when in the closed position. The first plunger O-ring  268  abuts the interior of the fluid channel  228 . The forward shaft  263  of the first plunger  260  abuts the forward shaft  363  of the second plunger  360 . The second plunger O-ring  368  abuts the edge of the fluid passage opening  327  in the retainer  320 . In this position, the fluid channel  228  is blocked by the first plunger  260  sealed by the first plunger O-ring  268 . The central fluid passage  340  is blocked by the second plunger  360 , and sealed by the second plunger O-ring  368 . The first plunger  260  and the second plunger  360  are held in a closed position by the first spring  269  and the second spring  369 , respectively. 
     In a second pre-coupled position as shown in  FIG. 5B , the coagulant cartridge  210  is moved further into the cartridge housing  270  The first and second plungers  260  and  360  are pressed together, the first and second springs  269 ,  369  are compressed, and the first and second plunger O-rings  268 ,  368  move away from the interior projections within the fluid channel, thereby unsealing the fluid channel. The first spring  269  is compressed and the first plunger O-ring  268  is separated from the tapered portion  234  of the fluid channel  228  such that the fluid channel  228  is no longer blocked or sealed. The second plunger O-ring  368  is also separated from the fluid passage opening  327  such that the central fluid passage  340  is no longer blocked or sealed. 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates a fully inserted position of the coagulant cartridge  210  when the tabs  226  are in the slot  276 . The coagulant cartridge  210  is rotated to the configuration shown in  FIG. 5C , which can be any number of degrees, but is illustrated as 160 degrees. In this stop position, the forward shaft  263  abuts the forward shaft  363 , and the first spring  269  and the second spring  369  are compressed relative to the configuration shown in  FIG. 5A . The wings  364  of the second plunger  360  abut the stopper face  346 . The switch arm  232  is in contact with the switch  294 . The stopper face  346  is designed in such a way as to stop the second plunger  360  from moving too far. Once the coagulant cartridge  210  is inserted completely and rotated 160 degrees relative to the initial position, the switch arm  232  contacts the switch  294 . 
     A second version of a coagulant cartridge  210 , cartridge housing  270 , and fluid coupling system  300  is shown in  FIG. 6 . This “push-and-turn” cartridge, the cartridge, once indexed, is pushed into the housing and then rotated to place the coagulant cartridge  210  in the operational position. In this case, the coagulant cartridge  210  has a first cammed plunger  370  that rotates within the cartridge to open the fluid channel  228  to allow the coagulant to flow out. The cammed plunger  370  has a rear shaft  371 , forward shaft  372 , wings  373 , base  374  and O-ring seat  375 . The fluid coupling system  300  has a second cammed plunger  376  with a rear shaft  377 , a forward shaft  378 , wings  379 , base  380 , and O-ring seat  381 . In this case the forward shaft  372  of the first cammed plunger  370  and the forward shaft  378  of the second cammed plunger  376  have complementary curved profiles that are wedge shaped cammed surfaces. 
     The first cammed plunger  370  is held by spring action force similarly to the previous example, and seals the fluid channel  228  in a similar way. Similarly, the second cammed plunger  376  is held in place inside the fluid coupling system  300 .  FIG. 7A  shows the interaction of the first cammed plunger  370  with the second cammed plunger  376  when the coagulant cartridge  210  is inserted in the cartridge housing  270 . The curved profiles of the forward shaft  378  and the second cammed plunger  376  match and fit together in the closed position 
       FIG. 7B  shows the positions of the first cammed plunger  370  and second cammed plunger  376  after a partial rotation of the coagulant cartridge  210 . The plungers push against each other due to the curved profile and due to the spring action.  FIG. 7C  shows the positions of the first and second cammed plungers  370 ,  376  when the cartridge has been inserted completely and rotated. The fluid channel  228  and central fluid passage  340  are open to allow liquid coagulant to flow. The wings  373  and wings  379  are fixed inside their respective tracks  248 ,  344  so the first cammed plunger  370  will not rotate inside the coagulant cartridge  210  and second cammed plunger  376  will not rotate inside the cartridge housing  270 . 
     The water treatment system receives the liquid coagulant and the wash water and the water treatment system is configured to separate the clarified water for recycling. Any of the examples of the coagulant cartridge  210  described here can be used in combination with any of the following examples of water treatment system. One non-limiting example of the water treatment system  500  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 8 . The water treatment system  500  includes a water treatment tank  510 , a recirculation valve  528 , a pump  550 , and a controller  555 . The water treatment tank  510  includes a wash water inlet  520  and a sediment outlet or an outlet  530 . The water treatment tank  510  is fluidly connected with the liquid sump  18  and the coagulant dosing system  200 . 
     Wash water enters the water treatment tank  510  and a dose of coagulant is added by the coagulant dosing system  200 . A time, T 1 , passes to allow the coagulated solids to settle to the bottom of the water treatment tank  510 . The pump  550  is activated and the coagulated solids are removed from the water treatment tank  510  through the outlet  530 . A time T 2  passes such that the coagulated solids have been removed and only clarified water remains in the water treatment tank  510 . At this time, the recirculation valve  528  is activated and the clarified water is returned to the treatment chamber  16  ( FIG. 1 ) for re-use. Alternatively, and additionally, the clarified water can be stored in tank  510  for use in a subsequent cycle of operation. The outlet  530  may include a sensor that detects the clarity of the water and is coupled to the controller such that the outlet  530  is open to valve  528  while clarified water is moved out and open to a drain while the coagulated solids pass through. Alternatively the outlet  530  may be opened to a drain by the controller  555  according to a preset timed program for draining, rinsing, or washing the water treatment tank  510 . The expected water level is designated A and the expected depth of the coagulated solids is designated B. 
     The water treatment system  600  is another example of a water treatment system  500  and includes like parts where the part numbers have increased by 100. In this case, besides the waste outlet  630 , a clarified water outlet or a water outlet  640  for clarified water is also present and is separate from the waste outlet  630 . The water outlet  640  is located at a height C in the water treatment tank  610  such that that the final expected height B of the coagulated solids is smaller than the outlet height C. Both B and C are less than the expected height of the water level A. Additionally, the water treatment system  600  includes wash water inlet  620 , pump  650  and controller  655 . 
     Wash water enters the water treatment tank  610  from the liquid sump  18  and a dose of coagulant is added by the coagulant dosing system  200 . A time T 1  passes to allow the coagulated solids to settle to the bottom of the water treatment tank  610 . The pump  650  is activated and recirculation valve  628  is opened such that the clarified water exits the water treatment tank  610  through the water outlet  640  and is returned to the treatment chamber  16  ( FIG. 1 ). The coagulated solids are removed from the water treatment tank  610  through the waste outlet  630 . Alternatively, after a time T 1  the coagulated solids are drained by opening the waste outlet  630  and the remaining clarified water is subsequently pumped out of the water treatment tank  610 . The clarified water can be stored in the water treatment tank  610  until needed for reuse in the current cycle of operation. Alternatively, and additionally, the clarified water can be stored for use in a subsequent cycle of operation. 
     The water treatment system  700  is another example of water treatment system  600  and includes like parts where the part numbers have increased by 100 and where a reservoir  760  has been added. Additionally, the water treatment system  700  includes wash water inlet  720 , pump  750  and controller  755 . 
     Wash water enters the water treatment tank  710  and a dose of coagulant is added by the coagulant dosing system  200 . A time T 1  passes to allow the coagulated solids to settle to the bottom of the water treatment tank  710 . The clarified water moves from the water treatment tank  710  to a reservoir  760  through the water outlet  740  by action of gravity. After a further settling time T 2  has passed to allow any remaining solids to settle in the reservoir  760 , the pump  750  and valve  728  are activated and the clarified water exits the reservoir  760  and is returned to the treatment chamber  16  ( FIG. 1 ). The clarified water can be stored in the reservoir  760  until needed for reuse in the current cycle of operation. Alternatively, and additionally, the clarified water can be stored for use in a subsequent cycle of operation. 
     Coagulated solids are removed from the water treatment tank  710  by opening the waste outlet  730  to drain. The water outlet  740  is located at a height C in the water treatment tank  710  such that that the final expected depth B of the coagulated solids is smaller than the height C. Both A and B are less than the expected height of the water level C. 
     The water treatment system  800  is another example of water treatment system  600  and includes like parts where the part numbers have increased by 200 and where a partition  870  with a passage  872  has been added. The partition  870  is a rigid impermeable wall that extends the full length and width of the water treatment tank  810  and extends a partial height of the water treatment tank  810 . The partition  870  separates the tank interior  811  into a first side  874  and a second side  876 . The passage  872  is a valve that can open or close a fluid connection between the first side  874  and the second side  876  of the tank. The passage  872  is positioned at a height C in the partition  870  such that the final expected depth B of the coagulated solids will be smaller than the height C, and both A and B are less than the expected height of the water level C. Additionally, the water treatment system  700  includes wash water inlet  820 , pump  850  and controller  855 . 
     Wash water enters the water treatment tank  810  on the first side  874  of the tank through the wash water inlet  820  and a dose of coagulant is added by the coagulant dosing system  200 . After a time T 1  passes, the wash water and coagulated solids stratify. After a time T 2  passes, the passage  872  is opened to allow the clarified water to pass from the first side  874  to the second side  876  of the water treatment tank  810  by the action of gravity. The water outlet  840  and the pump  850  are activated to move the clarified water from the second side  876  of the water treatment tank  810  through and the valve  828  is opened so the clarified water can be returned to the treatment chamber  16  ( FIG. 1 ). The coagulated solids can be drained, rinsed, or washed through the waste outlet  830 . The clarified water can be stored in either the first side  874  or the second side  876  of the water treatment tank  810  until moved for reuse in the current cycle of operation. Alternatively, and additionally, the clarified water can be stored in either the first side  874  or the second side  876  or both for use in a subsequent cycle of operation. 
     The water treatment system  900  is similar to water treatment system  700  and includes like parts where the part numbers have increased by 200 and where a shaft  980 , a float  982 , a float attachment  984 , a hose or a line  986 , and a sensor  988  have been added. The shaft  980  extends the height of the water treatment tank  910  and is rigidly anchored to the top and bottom of the water treatment tank  910 . The float  982  is moveably attached to the shaft  980  by the float attachment  984 . The line  986  is fixed to the float  982 . The opening of the line  986  constitutes the water outlet  940 . Further, the line  986  is fluidly connected to the reservoir  960 . The sensor  988  is configured such that the clarified water passes within the sensing range of the sensor  988  before it enters the reservoir  960 . Additionally, the water treatment system  900  includes wash water inlet  920 , pump  950  and controller  955 . 
     Wash water enters the water treatment tank  910  and a dose of coagulant is added by the coagulant dosing system  200 . A time T 1  passes to allow the coagulated solids to settle to the bottom of the water treatment tank  910 . The pump  950  is activated to move the clarified water from the water treatment tank  910  through the water outlet  940  and the line  986  to a reservoir  960 . The sensor  988  detects the transition of clarified water to impure water and can send a shut-off signal to the controller  955  such that the controller  955  stops the pump  950  to prevent solids or other impurities from entering the reservoir  960 . After a further settling time T 2  has passed to allow any remaining solids to settle in the reservoir  960 , the valve  928  is activated and the clarified water exits the reservoir  960  and is returned to the treatment chamber  16  ( FIG. 1 ). Coagulated solids are removed from the water treatment tank  910  by opening the waste outlet  930 . The clarified water can be stored in the reservoir for reuse in the current cycle of operation. Alternatively, and additionally, the clarified water can be stored the reservoir  960  for use in a subsequent cycle of operation. 
     The water treatment system  1000  is similar to water treatment system  600  and includes like parts where the part numbers have increased by 400 and where an impermeable separation layer  1090 , a motor  1092 , and a rachet system  1094  have been added. The motor  1092  is located outside the water treatment tank  1010 . The impermeable separation layer  1090  is attached to the rachet system  1094  and can be moved by the motor  1092  between a first position (e.g., vertical) and a second position (e.g., horizontal). The water outlet  1040  is located at a height C that is larger than the expected height B of the settled, coagulated solids. Additionally, the water treatment system  1000  includes wash water inlet  1020 , pump  1050  and controller  1055 . 
     Wash water enters the water treatment tank  1010  and a dose of coagulant is added by the coagulant dosing system  200 . A time T 1  passes to allow the coagulated solids to settle to the bottom of the water treatment tank  1010 . During this time, the impermeable separation layer  1090  is in a first position (e.g. vertical position). After a time T 1  has passed, the motor  1092  activates the rachet system  1094  to lower the separation layer  1090  to a second position (e.g., horizontal) such that the separation barrier sits over the settled layer of coagulated solids at an expected height B. Once the impermeable separation layer  1090  is in place, the pump  1050  is activated to move clarified water out of the water treatment tank  1010  through the water outlet  1040 . The valve  1028  is activated and the clarified water is returned to the treatment chamber  16  ( FIG. 1 ). Coagulated solids are removed from the water treatment tank  1010  by opening the waste outlet  1030 . The clarified water can be stored in the water treatment tank  1010  until moved for reuse in the current cycle of operation. Alternatively, and additionally, the clarified water can be stored in the water treatment tank  1010  to be used in a subsequent cycle of operation. 
     The aspects described herein can be used to provide an appliance with a water treatment system capable of treating, separating, and recycling wash water. Once separated, the flocculant, sludge, and solids are drained away from the tank. It is contemplated that the solids can be drained to a household drain. Additionally, and alternatively, the solids can be drained to a separate area for removal by the consumer. 
     It will also be understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. By way of non-limiting example, although the present disclosure is described for use with a laundry treatment appliance, it will be recognized that the coagulant dosing system can be employed with various constructions, including dishwashers and other appliances. 
     To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature is not illustrated in all of the aspects is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose aspects of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice aspects of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. While aspects of the disclosure have been specifically described in connection with certain specific details thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, which is defined in the appended claims.