Patent Abstract:
A plurality of washing machines each include a washing tub and a chemical tank therein. Each of the chemical tanks is linked by an equalizing conduit at the lower end thereof so as to maintain the same level of fluid within each of the tanks.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to a chemical sharing system and method for washing appliances.  
           [0002]    Commercial laundries include a number of washing appliances that must be supplied with chemical additives. In presently known systems, each washing appliance must be filled independently. This necessitates visiting each unit one at a time to resupply its chemical reservoirs.  
           [0003]    Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved chemical sharing system and method for using that system in washing appliances.  
           [0004]    A further object of the present invention is the provision of a chemical sharing system that requires chemical fluid to be added to only one washing appliance, and distributes that chemical fluid equally to the remaining washing appliances.  
           [0005]    A further object of the present invention is the provision of a sharing system and method which lengthens the duration for replenishing the various appliances, and which also requires that chemical additive be added to only one machine.  
           [0006]    A further object of the present invention is the provision of a chemical sharing system and method for using same which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The foregoing objects may be achieved by a combination including a plurality of washing appliances, each of which includes a washing tub and a chemical tank therein. Each of the chemical tanks comprises an upper end, a lower end, and a chemical chamber contained therein. Each of the tanks includes an inlet opening spaced above the lower end of the tank and providing fluid communication into the chemical chamber. A plurality of inlet conduits are each connected to one of the inlet openings of one of the tanks and each inlet conduit comprises an intake end for receiving fluid chemical. Each of the chemical tanks includes first and second outlet openings adjacent the lower end thereof and providing fluid communication with the chemical chamber. A plurality of equalizing conduits each have a first end connected end to the first outlet of one of the tanks and a second end connected to the second outlet of another of the tanks. This permits the fluid chemical within each of the tanks to be free to flow to all of the tanks so as to equalize the fluid level within all of the tanks. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three washing appliances utilizing the present chemical sharing system.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the interrelationship of the chemical fluid tanks and the conduits which interconnect them. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    Referring to the drawings the numerals  10 ,  12  and  14  designate three washing appliances in a typical arrangement that might be found in a commercial laundry. Each washing appliance  10 ,  12 ,  14  includes a cabinet  16 . Each cabinet includes at its upper end a fill spout  18  for adding chemical additives such as liquid soap or other chemical additives. Fill spout  18  is connected to a fill conduit  20  which extends downwardly at the rear of the washing appliance. At the bottom of each washing appliance is an equalizing conduit  22  which will be connected in a manner described in more detail hereafter. Also within each washing appliance  10 ,  12 ,  14  is a washing tub  24  which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 2.  
         [0011]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the fill spout  18  is connected to fill conduit  20  which at its lower end is connected to an inlet boss  34  providing fluid communication into a chemical fluid tank  26  contained within each washing appliance  10 ,  12 ,  14 . Each chemical tank  26  encloses a chemical chamber  28  having a chemical  30  therein.  
         [0012]    At the bottom of each chemical tank  26  are a first outlet boss  36  and a second outlet boss  38  which provide communication into the interior of the chemical chamber  28 . The first outlet boss  36  of appliance  10  is closed by a cap, and the second outlet boss  38  is connected to one end of an equalizing conduit  22 . The other end of the equalizing conduit  22  is connected to the first outlet boss  36  of the adjacent washing machine  12 , thereby providing fluid communication between the two tanks  26  of the washing appliances  10 ,  12 . Similarly, a second fluid conduit  22  has one of its ends connected to the second outlet boss  38  of appliance  12  and to the first outlet boss  36  of appliance  14 . The second outlet boss  38  of appliance  14  is capped.  
         [0013]    Thus, when chemical fluid is introduced into the fill spout  18  of any one of the appliances  10 ,  12 ,  14 , it passes by gravity down through fill conduit  20  into the fluid chemical chamber  28 . It then flows through equalizing conduits  22  so as to equalize the fluid level within each of the tanks  26  within washing appliances  10 ,  12  and  14 .  
         [0014]    A delivery conduit  40  is connected at its lower end  42  to the bottom of the chemical fluid tank  26  and extends upwardly to a pump  44  and then to a discharge end  46 . The pump  44  is controlled by the washing appliance and is used to introduce chemical fluid  30  through discharge end  46  into the washing tub  24 .  
         [0015]    Each of the fluid tanks  26  includes a plurality of bosses  48  which are used to attach the fluid tanks within the cabinets of the washing appliances  10 ,  12 ,  14 .  
         [0016]    The diameters of tubes  20  and  22  are relatively large so that they can easily transmit fluids of higher viscosity such as would be the case with liquid soaps.  
         [0017]    One benefit realized with the present invention is that all units are connected in the network to share each others volume. Previously if a unit was being used more frequently than others in the area, the operator would be required to fill that individual unit more often just to resupply that one unit. With chemical sharing the operator does not have to visit all the locations, but merely needs to replenish at one of the locations when the level of all of the tanks becomes low.  
         [0018]    In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3