Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 11/871,726 titled “Multiple Compartments Wash Additives Auto-Dispenser in Washer or Dryer Pedestal” filed Oct. 12, 2007 having and U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 11/871,750 titled “Bulk Dispense User Adjustable Controls” filed Oct. 12, 2007 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to additive storage. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for storage tanks locatable within a pedestal located beneath an appliance for use with an automatic dispensing system that houses additive in volumes greater than the amounts required for a single wash cycle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Current systems for adding additives (e.g. soap, fabric softener, etc.) to an appliance (e.g. washing machine, dryer, etc.) utilize pumps to force air into a container housing the additive thereby increasing the pressure within the container, use a gravity feed to deliver the additive to the appliance, or use positive displacement pumps to draw the additive from either a rigid or flexible container. Currently, the containers are located inside an appliance cabinet and are not accessible to a user without disassembling the appliance, or are separated from the appliance and taking up additional floor and wall space. For example, if the internal container develops a leak, a homeowner or service person would be required to disassemble the washing machine to replace or repair the container. 
     Having the containers and other hardware (e.g. pumps, circuitry, and other connections) located inside the appliance cabinet also hinders routine maintenance such as cleaning the containers. In addition, having the containers located inside the appliance cabinet does not allow a user to alter the additive capacity. For example, the homeowner may want to load two gallons of soap and a half a gallon of fabric softener, but if the appliance only has two one-gallon containers, then the homeowner&#39;s wishes cannot be accommodated. 
     Having the above problems in mind, there exist a need for systems and methods for having removable storage tanks that occupy minimal additional space for use in delivering additives to appliances. The systems and methods should facilitate easy access to the containers, and customization based on user preferences, and easy maintenance. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, systems for providing removable storage tanks in an appliance having a pedestal are disclosed. The systems include a storage container located in the pedestal and configured to house an additive. In addition, a cover may be positioned within the pedestal to secure the container within the pedestal. 
     Still consistent with embodiments of the present invention, methods for providing removable storage tanks in an appliance having a pedestal may include manufacturing the pedestal such that when a storage container is placed in the pedestal, the storage container will fit in a predetermined orientation. The storage container may be manufactured such that when the storage container is placed in the pedestal the storage container may be secured in the pedestal with a cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a process of removing storage tanks from a pedestal; 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded assembly of removable storage tanks configured to be secured in a tub; and 
         FIG. 3  depicts a removable storage tank. 
     
    
    
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
     Reference may be made throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” “an aspect,” or “aspects” meaning that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, usage of such phrases may refer to more than just one embodiment or aspect. In addition, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, reference to a single item may mean a single item or a plurality of items, just as reference to a plurality of items may mean a single item. Throughout this specification a washing machine or a dryer may be used as an example appliance. Moreover, use of the term “and” when incorporated into a list is intended to imply that all the elements of the list, a single item of the list, or any combination of items in the list has been contemplated. It is contemplated that embodiments of the invention may be used with other appliances such as a dishwasher, refrigerator, trash compactor, ice machine, etc. 
     Embodiments of the present invention utilize at least one removable storage container that may be located within a pedestal situated beneath an appliance (e.g. washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, etc.). The removable storage container may house an additive to be delivered to the appliance. 
     Other aspects of the invention may include having sensors to monitor the amount of additives stored in the removable storage container. The removable storage container may be configured such that they may only be installed in the pedestal in a predetermined manner or may be secured in childproof manners. In addition, various embodiment of the invention may include sensors to alert a user to leaks within the system, low levels of additives or other maintenance/service related issues. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a process of removing storage tanks from a pedestal. In stage  130 , drawer  104  may be extended from pedestal  102  by pulling on pedestal face  106 . Extending drawer  104  from pedestal  102  may expose a cover  108 . Cover  108  may be attached directly to drawer  104  or to a tub  116  located in drawer  104 . 
     In stage  140 , cover  108  may be removed exposing caps  304 . While cover  108  as illustrated is pivotally attached to drawer  104 , it is contemplated that cover  108  may be completely removable or attached so as to pivot in other fashions. Caps  304  may be removed from removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  in order to illustrate the contents of removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  as well as allow a user to refill removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114 . 
     In stage  150 , removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be removed from pedestal  102 . Removing removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may facilitate maintenance and replacement of removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114 . Removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be removed independently of one another. For example, storage tank  110  may be removed without the removal of storage tanks  112  and  114 . 
     While drawer  104  has been described as a “sliding drawer,” it is contemplated that drawer  104  may be stationary and a pedestal face  106  may be operatively hinged to tub  116 . For example, pedestal face  106  may be operatively hinged to tub  116  to allow access to removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114 . 
     Referring now to the  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  depicts an exploded assembly of removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  configured to be secured in tub  116 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be keyed to tub  116 . Keying removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may entail configuring removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  such that they may be able to fit within tub  116  in a single orientation and configuration, such as having them be differing shapes (e.g. differing heights, widths, depths, rectangular, and spherical) such that the differing shapes designate a particular location for each of removable storage containers  110 ,  112 , and  114 . For example, in one embodiment, removable storage tank  112  may be shorter than removable storage tanks  110  and  114 . Therefore, indentation  118  prevents removable storage tanks  110  and  114  from being installed in the center position. In addition, the shape of removable storage tanks  110  and  114  in conjunction with the shape of indentation  118  prevents removable storage tank  110  from being installed in the position intended for removable storage tank  114 . 
     Furthermore, the tanks&#39; shape may interact with each other in a way that prohibits removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  from being installed in an incorrect orientation without relying on the design of pedestal  102 , drawer  104 , and tub  116 . For example, removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may act as a puzzle between one another such that removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  have a predetermined orientation or manner of use established by the shape of removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114 . 
     Tub  116  may be manufactured and configured such that removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may only be installed in tub  116  in a predetermined fashion. For example, removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be manufactured of varying shapes and sizes and tub  116  may be configured such that removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  can be positioned in tub  116  in a predetermined manner. As show in  FIG. 2 , tub  116  may be configured to contain an indentation  118  such that removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may only fit in one way. In addition, removable storage tank  112  may not be the same size as tanks  110  and  114 . In one embodiment, removable storage tank  112  may be a half-gallon container, as indicated by its size, and removable storage tanks  110  and  114  may be a one-gallon containers, as indicated by their size. 
     Having removable storage tanks of various shapes may be used to indicate the additive contained in the removable storage tank. For example, removable storage tank  112  may contain fabric softener and removable storage tanks  110  and  114  may contain the same or different detergents. 
     In addition, removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be disposable. Alternatively, removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may also be refillable (i.e., new additives may be added without removing removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  from drawer  104 ). It is contemplated however, that removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be removable, refillable, disposable, and washable. For example, removable storage tank  114  may be removed periodically by the user and washed. After a certain time or if removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  become damaged, removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be replaced. 
     Cover  108  may be used to secure removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  into tub  116  or pedestal  102 . Cover  108  may include a securing feature  120  used to secure cover  108  in place. For example, securing feature  120  may be a spring loaded clip, a plastic clip, a pin, or other configurations that may be used to secure cover  108  in place. In addition, cover  108  may be configured to facilitate complete detachment of cover  108  from tub  116  or pedestal  102 . 
     Cover  108  may also be configured to include “childproof” or “child safety” features. Cover  108  being configured such that it includes childproof features is a configuration that would hinder the removal of removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  or the exposure of caps  304  to the point that a child would have difficulty accessing caps  304  or removing removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114 . For example, securing feature  120  may be one or more spring loaded clips wherein compression of the spring loaded clip requires a force or distance between clips most children cannot overcome. In addition, the childproof feature may be incorporated in the caps themselves. 
     In addition, tub  116  may include various piping manifolds or other hardware necessary in order to connect removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114  to one or more positive displacement pumps (e.g. peristaltic pumps) or the appliance. For example, if a single pump is connected to removable storage tanks  110 ,  112 , and  114 , a manifold utilizing valves (e.g. solenoid valves, etc.) may be needed to facilitate delivery of an additive from removable storage tank  110  to the washing machine without delivering an additive from removable storage tanks  112  and  114 . In addition, the manifold may be configured to deliver two or more additives via a single pump. Furthermore, a plurality of pumps can be enclosed in a single removable, serviceable, protective housing. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  depicts removable storage tank  110 . Removable storage tank  110  may include a cap  304 , a sensor housing  306 , a handle  314 , and a built in funnel  316 . Features such as handle  314  and the built in funnel  316  may be molded into removable storage tank  110 . While  FIG. 3 , shows handle  314  as integrated into removable storage tank  110 , handle  314  may be a separate part as well. In addition, removable storage tank  110  may be transparent. Viewing additive level or checking for additive clogging within removable storage tank  110  may be facilitated if removable storage tank  110  is transparent. 
     Sensor housing  306  may be a molded into removable storage tank  110  or, as shown, may be a removable fixture. Sensor housing  306  houses a sensor  310 . Sensor  310  may be used to indicate the additive amount remaining in removable storage tank  110 . Sensor housing  306  may be removable from removable storage tank  110 . Removing sensor housing  306  may facilitate removing sensor  310 . Removing sensor  310  may be necessary to perform maintenance such as cleaning or replacing sensor  310 . Sensor housing  306  may contain clips  308 . Clips  308  may be childproof and/or used to securely fasten sensor housing  306  to removable storage tank  110 . 
     In addition, sensor housing  306  may be permanently connected to tub  116 , pedestal  102 , or appliance via fitting  312 . Sensor housing  306  may be operatively used in conjunction with disposable removable storage tanks. For example, removable storage tank  110  may be a one-time use tank. A consumer may purchase detergent in a one-time use tank. The consumer may remove a portion of the one-time use tank such that sensor housing  306  may be inserted. Once the contents of the one-time use tank are depleted, the consumer simply replaces the one-time use tank. 
     During operation of a washing machine a user may select a predetermined mode. This predetermined mode may, for example, consist of washing whites, darks, delicates, full loads or fractional loads, amongst other options. When selecting this particular mode, the user may press a button on a washing machine controller. Upon pressing the button on the washing machine controller, a pump may add detergent from removable storage tank  110 . Additionally, the washing machine controller may be programmed with various modes. For example, the washing machine controller may be programmed such that during a first stage of a wash cycle a single additive from removable storage tank  110  may be added. During a second stage of the wash cycle, the washing machine controller may add a second additive from removable storage tank  112 . For example, during a first cycle, the items in the washing machine may be washed using laundry detergent. During the second stage of the wash cycle, a fabric softener may be added. Other examples may include, adding a rinsing agent, or predetermined amounts of additives base on the laundry load size, etc. In addition, the washing machine controller may be configured to facilitate the delivery of a continuous amount of additive to the washing machine while the user continuously depresses a button. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Technology Category: 1