Laundry appliance having automatic start feature based on selected stain

US7516629B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Jan D. Behrens · Kellogg, US
• Nedra A. Herr · Newton, US
• Kimberly Hood · Mitchellville, US
• Kristi R. Lafrenz · Newton, US
• Brian L. Ness · Newton, US
• Brett C. Oleson · Newton, US
• Stephen D. Schober · Newton, US
• Lashelle D. Woods · Newton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 7, 2003
• Grant date: Apr 14, 2009
• Expiry date: Nov 8, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D06F2105/00
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A laundry appliance can be selectively operated in either manual or automatic modes of operation. In the automatic mode, a laundering operation is initiated upon receiving a single cycle input parameter from the user, preferably through a LCD touch screen display, while relying on additional operating cycle parameters established by factory preset settings or prior consumer established preferences. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a consumer need merely select a single cycle parameter, such as a type of stain adapted to be removed, and the appliance will start based on temperature and other setting parameters taken from memory. However, even with the automatic start feature activated, the user will still be able to adjust pre-established cycle parameters by changing default values after the cycle has started.