Centralized laundry soap dispensing system

Abstract

A cabinet for a laundry soap dispensing system includes a first compartment, a second compartment, and a central compartment. The first compartment includes at least one first chemical reservoir and a first dispensing manifold. The second compartment includes at least one second chemical reservoir and a second dispensing manifold. The central compartment includes a central passageway extending through the cabinet.

Description

CENTRALIZED LAUNDRY SOAP DISPENSING SYSTEMCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 642,082, filed on May 3, 2024 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 758,728, filed on February 14, 2025. The disclosures of these prior applications are considered part of the disclosure of this application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to a centralized laundry soap dispensing system.BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Laundry systems, and particularly washers, conventionally include a cabinet within which a tumbler basket is disposed for processing laundry. During a wash cycle, chemicals such as soap or fabric softener are dispensed into the tub to clean the laundry within the tub.

[0005] In the context of commercial laundromats, facilities are equipped with multiple washing machines and dryers, designed to serve a high volume of customers who require access to laundry services. These establishments typically operate on a self-service basis, allowing users to select and operate machines independently. Customers are responsible for loading their laundry, selecting wash cycles, and adding detergents or other cleaning chemicals. To facilitate the washing process, laundromats frequently provide vending machines or retail counters where users can purchase single-use packets or small containers of detergents, fabric softeners, and other laundry additives.

[0006] In these conventional laundromat operations, the responsibility for dispensing cleaning chemicals is placed on the user, who must manually add the appropriate products to each individual washing machine before starting a cycle. Here, inconsistencies indosing, user error, and inefficiencies, particularly during busy periods when multiple machines are in use, may arise. Alternatively, centralizing soap dispensing offers significant advantages by automating the delivery of detergents and other chemicals from a single location to multiple washers. Such a system ensures precise and consistent dosing, reduces the need for users to handle chemicals, and streamlines the overall washing process. By centralizing chemical management, laundromats can improve operational efficiency, enhance user convenience, and maintain higher standards of cleanliness and safety throughout the facility. Moreover, the storage of these chemicals may be optimized to improve logistics, maintenance, ease of use, and customer visibility.SUMMARY

[0007] One aspect of the disclosure provides a cabinet for a laundry soap dispensing system including a first compartment, a second compartment, and a central compartment. The first compartment includes at least one first chemical reservoir and a first dispensing manifold. The second compartment includes at least one second chemical reservoir and a second dispensing manifold. The central compartment includes a central passageway extending through the cabinet.

[0008] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, cabinet further includes a control hub integrated within the central compartment. In these implementations, the control hub may be disposed on an access door of the central compartment. Additionally or alternatively, wherein the control hub executes a control system in communication with a remote laundry application.

[0009] In some examples, the cabinet further includes a maintenance control panel in communication with the control hub, the maintenance control panel disposed on an exterior surface of the cabinet. In some implementations, the first compartment further includes a first plurality of pumps fluidly connecting the at least one first chemical reservoir to the first dispensing manifold. In some examples, the second compartment further includes a second plurality of pumps fluidly connecting the at least one second chemical reservoir to the second dispensing manifold.

[0010] In some implementations, the cabinet further includes a central dispensing system configured to deliver chemicals from the at least one first chemical reservoir and the at least one second chemical reservoir to one or more washing machines. In these implementations, the central dispensing system may include a fluid delivery line extending from at least one of the first compartment, the second compartment, or the central compartment. In some examples, the central passageway extending through the cabinet is configured to allow access to a machine walkway behind at least one bay of washing machines.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a centralized laundry soap dispensing system including a central cabinet, a plurality of washing machines, and one or more fluid delivery lines. The central cabinet includes a central dispensing system. The one or more fluid delivery lines fluidly connect the central dispensing system to each washing machine of the plurality of washing machines.

[0012] This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the central dispensing system includes one or more chemical reservoirs fluidly connected to a dispensing manifold. In these implementations, each of the one or more chemical reservoirs may include a conventional jug including a quick-couple style spout selectively connected to a quick-couple supply line. Additionally or alternatively, the central dispensing system includes one or more reservoir pumps fluidly connecting the one or more chemical reservoirs to the dispensing manifold. Here, the central dispensing system may be configured to pre-coat an interior reservoir of the dispensing manifold with water before delivering a chemical from the one or more chemical reservoirs to the interior reservoir. The central dispensing system may be further configured to flush the interior reservoir of the dispensing manifold with water after dispensing the chemical from the interior reservoir.

[0013] In some examples, the central dispensing system further includes one or more delivery pumps fluidly connected to the one or more fluid delivery lines. In some implementations, the one or more fluid delivery lines include a venturi pump configured to inject a chemical into a fluid stream such that the chemical is encapsulated in the fluid stream. In these implementations, the chemical may be delivered to a target washingmachine of the plurality of washing machines via a delivery manifold fluidly coupled to the one or more fluid delivery lines. In some examples, the central dispensing system includes a first plurality of chemical reservoirs and a second plurality of chemical reservoirs, the first plurality of chemical reservoirs having the same chemicals as the second plurality of reservoirs.

[0014] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a dispensing manifold for a laundry soap dispensing system. The dispensing manifold includes a main housing and a cap attached to the main housing. The main housing defines an interior reservoir and a peripheral overflow basin. The cap includes a lower cover spaced apart form an upper cover to define a pan. The cap further includes one or more inlets in fluid communication with the interior reservoir, a water inlet in fluid communication with the pan, and a water feed channel providing fluid communication between the pan and the interior reservoir.

[0015] This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the peripheral overflow basin surrounds the interior reservoir. In some examples, the dispensing manifold further includes a level sensor configured to detect a fluid level of the interior reservoir. In some implementations, the lower cover, the upper cover, and the water feed channel cooperate to form a central opening in the cap. In these implementations, the one or more inlets may extend through the central opening.

[0016] In some examples, the water inlet is radially offset from the interior reservoir along a central longitudinal axis of the dispensing manifold. In some implementations, the water feed channel extends from a first end disposed at the pan to a distal end, the distal end forming an annular outlet. Here, the annular outlet may be directed towards an interior wall of the interior reservoir to deliver an annular curtain of water directed at the interior wall. The interior wall may include an upper interior wall portion defining a first volume of the interior reservoir and a first lower interior wall portion defining a second volume of the interior reservoir. In some examples, the interior reservoir includes an outlet connected to a venturi pump for drawing out chemicals delivered by the one or more inlets from the dispensing manifold.

[0017] The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a centralized laundry soap dispensing system according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of example components of the system of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of example components of the system of FIG. 1 .

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example of a fluidic architecture of the system of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of example components of the system of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of the example components of the system of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an example cabinet of the system of FIG.1.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 7.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged front view of the cabinet of FIG. 7.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 7.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged perspective view of example components of the cabinet of FIG. 7.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of example components of the cabinet of FIG. 7.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a dispensing manifold of the system of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIGS. 14A-C are side cross-sectional views of the dispensing manifold of FIG. 13, as taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 13.

[0032] FIG. 15 is perspective cross-sectional view of the dispensing manifold of FIG. 13, as taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 13.

[0033] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of another example of a fluidic architecture of the centralized laundry soap dispensing system according to the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of another example of a fluidic architecture of the centralized laundry soap dispensing system according to the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 18 is a schematic view of another example of a fluidic architecture of the centralized laundry soap dispensing system according to the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 19 is a schematic view of another example of a fluidic architecture of the centralized laundry soap dispensing system according to the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of another example cabinet of the centralized laundry soap dispensing system according to the present disclosure.

[0038] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, in some implementations, a dispensing system 100 (also referred to as a centralized laundry dispensing system 100 or a portable soap injection system 100) is provided within a laundromat environment and includes a plurality of washing machines 10, lOa-n, a central cabinet 20 housing a central dispensing system 400, and one or more delivery lines 50 (FIGS. 8 and 9) fluidly connecting the central dispensing system 400 to each washing machine 10 of the plurality of washing machines 10. The dispensing system 100 further includes a remote system 60 in communication with the central cabinet 20 and the plurality of washing machines 10 via a network 40.

[0041] The central dispensing system 400 and / or the remote system 60 may execute a control system 300 configured to instruct the central dispensing system 400 to dispense laundry chemicals 404 to the plurality of washing machines 10 and / or to flush the delivery lines 50 to avoid chemical buildup in the delivery lines 50. As described in further detail below, the control system 300 is configured to receive a request 302 for a chemical 404 and dispense the chemical 404 in the correct dose and at the correct time. The request 302 may be received from a washing machine 10 of the plurality of washing machines 10, the central dispensing system 400, a mobile device 70 in communication with the central dispensing system 400 via the network 40, and / or the remote system 60.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the control system 300 is implemented within a control hub 22 disposed in the central cabinet 20. However, the control system 300 can be implemented on other computing devices (e g., computing devices in communication with the control hub 22), such as, without limitation, a tablet, smart display, desktop / laptop, smart watch, and / or other smart appliance. In some examples, execution of the control system 300 is shared across the washing machines 10, the central dispensing system 400, the remote system 60, and / or the mobile device 70. The control hub 22 includes data processing hardware 24 and memory hardware 26 storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware 24 cause the data processing hardware 24 to perform operations.

[0043] The remote system 60 (e.g., server, cloud computing environment) also includes data processing hardware 62 and memory hardware 64 storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware 62 cause the data processing hardware 62 to perform operations. The mobile device 70 includes data processing hardware 72 and memory hardware 74 storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware 72 cause the data processing hardware 72 to perform operations. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the washing machines 10 in the plurality of washing machines lOa-lOn includes respective data processing hardware 12 and respective memory hardware 14 storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware 12 cause the data processing hardware 12 to perform operations.

[0044] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, each respective washing machine 10 of the plurality of washing machines 10 includes a washing control board 16 including or in communication with a washing user interface 18. The washing control board 16 includes the data processing hardware 12 and the memory hardware 14. The data processing hardware 12 can process instructions for execution within the washing control board 16, including instructions stored in the memory hardware 14 to display information in the washing user interface 18. The washing control board 16 may be compatible with 110V AC, AC pumps, and / or DC pumps, or any other voltages that may be compatible with the hub control board 26 of the central dispensing hub 20.

[0045] In some implementations, the washing user interface 18 is a graphical user interface rendered for display on a screen of the washing control board 16 and responds to any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, and input from a user can be received in any form including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Additionally or alternatively, the washing user interface 18 includes or communicates with one or more mechanical buttons and / or physical lights for a user to interact with. For example, the one or more mechanical buttons and / or lights may be disposed alongside the graphical user interface rendered on the screen of the washing control board 16. The washing user interface 18 may disposed on an outside surface of the washing machine 10 so that users of the washing machine 10 may select which chemicals 404 to inject into a wash tub of the washing machine 10 during a wash cycle. In some implementations, a user may use an application executing on a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 70) that is in communication with the washing control board 16 to select which chemicals 404 to inject into the wash tub of the washing machine 10 during the washing cycle. During dispensing of the chemical 404 during a wash cycle, the washing control board 16 may generate a signal indicating the chemical 404 is dispensing. For example, the signal indicating the chemical 404 is dispensing may be displayed in washing user interface 18 via LED lights, text, and / or via mechanical buttons.

[0046] In some implementations, the dispensing system 100 further includes electrical wiring 80 connecting the control hub 22 to the plurality of washing machines 10. For example, the electrical wiring 80 may connect the hub control board 28 to each respectivewashing control board 16. In these examples, the hub control board 28 communicates with each respective washing control board 16 via the electrical wiring 80. In other implementations, the hub control board 28 communicates with each respective washing control board 16 via the wireless communication (e.g., the network 40).

[0047] The fluid delivery lines 50 and the electrical wiring 80 may be grouped together and connected to the control hub 22 and the plurality of washing machines 10 via a quick disconnect mechanism for easy access to the plurality of washing machines 10 and / or the control hub 22. For example, the quick disconnect mechanism may be placed at the back of the central cabinet 20, or at the respective bulkheads of the washing machines 10. The quick disconnect may be enclosed with a cover that includes an access control or special tool that is necessary to disconnect the group of the fluid delivery lines 50 and the electrical wiring 80 to ensure only approved personnel may access the group of the fluid delivery lines 50 and the electrical wiring 80.

[0048] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 the control system 300 of the central dispensing system 400 may receive a first request 302a for a first chemical 404a for a first washing machine 10a of the plurality of washing machines 10. The request 302 may be generated based on a user of the first washing machine 10a selecting (e.g., via the washing user interface 18) a washing cycle that includes chemicals. Alternatively, the request 302 may be generated based on a user of the first washing machine 10a selecting (e.g., via an application on a user device such as the user device 70 connected to the control system 300 via the network 40) a washing cycle that includes chemicals 404.

[0049] The first request 302a for the first chemical 404a may include a chemical type 304, a dose amount 306, and a target cycle state 308. The chemical type 304 may correspond to any of the chemicals 404 stored in the chemical reservoirs 402 of the central dispensing system 400, such as, for example, a liquid detergent, a fabric softener, bleach, vinegar, etc. The dose amount 306 may be configured based on the particular washing cycle that the user selected. The target cycle state 308 may specify which segments of the washing cycle to dispense the chemicals 404. For example, a single washing cycle may include multiple segments that each require the central dispensing system 400 to dispense different chemicals 404 (e.g., from the chemical reservoirs 402). Thereafter, during eachtarget cycle state 308, the control system 300 instructs, via dispense instructions 314, the central dispensing system 400 to dispense the chemical type 304 and the dose amount 306 to the first washing machine 10a. For example, the chemical type 304 in the dose amount 306 may be pumped (via pumps 406) from the associated chemical reservoir 402 and through one or more delivery lines 50 that fluidly connect the central dispensing system 400 to the wash tub of the first washing machine 10a.

[0050] In some implementations, before initializing the pumps 406 to pump the chemical 404 from the associated chemical reservoir 402, the control system 300 may instruct the central dispensing system 400 to initiate a pre-wetting of a dispensing manifold 408 associated with the chemical reservoir 402 to ensure the complete volume of the requested chemical 404 passes fully through the dispensing manifold 408. Optionally, after the central dispensing system 400 delivers the chemical 404 to the fluid delivery lines 50, the control system 300 instructs the central dispensing system 400 to initiate a flush cycle to rinse the dispensing manifold 408 and limit cross contamination between chemicals 404 that share the dispensing manifold 408.

[0051] In some implementations, the control hub 22 receives periodic updates from the washing machine 10 (e.g., via the washer control board 16). For example, the washing machine 10 may generate cycle updates 310 indicating which segment of the washing cycle the washing machine 10 is in to prompt the control hub 22 to initiate (i.e., via the control system 300) dispensing of the chemicals 404 from the chemical reservoirs 402 at the corresponding target cycle state 308 of the washing cycle. Here, the cycle update 310 may indicate that the target cycle state 308 of a rinse cycle is starting, which prompts the control hub 22 to dispense a softener chemical type 304 in an appropriate dose amount 306.

[0052] The control system 300 may receive more than one request 302, 302a-302c for a chemical. For example, the control system 300 may receive a second request 302b for a second chemical 404b for the first washing machine 10a. The second request 302b for the second chemical 404b may be different from the first request 302a for the first chemical 404a, where the first chemical 404a is laundry detergent and the second chemical 404b is fabric softener. Because the control hub 22 is connected to more than one washing machine 10, the hub control board 28 may further include a queuing logic in the control system 300to handle competing requests 302 from more than one washing machine 10 that are received at the same time. For example, the control system 300 may receive a third request 302c for a third chemical 404c from a second washing machine 10b of the plurality of washing machines 10. The third chemical 404c may be the same as the first chemical 404a (e g., both liquid detergent) or the third chemical 404c may be different than the first chemical 404a (e.g., one bleach, one liquid detergent, or two different types of liquid detergent).

[0053] In some implementations, the central dispensing system 200 initiates a flush cycle in the central dispensing system 400 that is fluidly connected to the plurality of washing machines 10. The control system 300 may receive a flush request 312 requesting that the control system 300 generate flush instructions 316 that instruct the central dispensing system 400 to clear chemicals 404 from the fluid delivery lines 50. The control system 300 may receive the flush request 312 from the hub control board 28 in response to an error notification indicating that the one or more fluid delivery lines 50 of the central dispensing system 400 are clogged or blocked. Alternatively, the control system 300 receives the flush request 312 from the remote system 60. In some examples, the control system 300 may initiate the flush cycle after every injection of chemicals 404, after each wash cycle of the washing machine 10, or on a time-based schedule (i.e., for preventative maintenance) such as every few hours, every day, etc. depending on the needs of the particular model of the washing machine 10 and / or the needs of the laundromat. In other examples, the control system 300 may continuously, or near continuously, flush the central dispensing system 400 to keep the dispensing manifolds 408 and / or fluid delivery lines 50 clear.

[0054] The remote system 60 may monitor the central dispensing system 400, the fluid delivery lines 50, and the washing machines 10, receive status and error notifications, and initiate the flush request 312 in response to status or error notifications. For example, the control system 300 may generate a system status 318 indicating any errors or upcoming maintenance. Such as, for example, when the fluid delivery lines 50 are clogged, when the chemical reservoirs 402 are low, etc. Here, the control system 300 may detect that the fluid delivery lines 50 are clogged by determining that a motor electrical current of one or more of the pumps 206 associated with a respective one of the fluid delivery lines 50 hasincreased above a normal operating threshold. Optionally, flow meters may be incorporated with the delivery lines 50 to detect whether the fluid delivery lines 50 are clogged. In some implementations, the remote system 60 initiates the flush request 312 on a predetermined schedule (e.g., daily, hourly, after each cycle) to prevent buildup of chemicals within the fluid delivery lines 50.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1, and 5-9, the central cabinet 20 may be defined by exterior panels 204, including a first, front panel 204a, a second, rear panel 204b, a third, side panel 204c, and a fourth, side panel 204d. The central cabinet 202 may be further divided into one or more compartments 206, 206a-c. For instance, as shown, the central cabinet 202 includes a first lateral compartment 206a, a second lateral compartment 206b, and a central compartment 206c disposed between the lateral compartments 206a, 206b. Each of the compartments 206 may include a respective door 208, 208a-c in the front panel 204a for accessing the compartments 206. Further, the central compartment 206c may include an opening 210 formed through the rear panel 204b. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the central compartment 206c may include a central passageway 212 extending through the central cabinet 202 from the door opening of the front panel 204a and through the opening 210 in the rear panel 204b. The central passageway 212 allows access to a machine walkway 214 behind at least one bay of washing machines 10. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the machine walkway 28 may extend between a first bay of washing machines 10i and a second bay of washing machines IO2, where the central passageway 212 may be used by a maintenance worker or other operator to access the washing machines 10 for repairs and / or updates to the dispensing system 100.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, each of the doors 206 may be locked by respective locking systems 216, 216a-c that require access control in the form of a physical or digital lock to control access to the respective compartment 206 of the central cabinet 20. Each locking system 216 may include an access key to unlock the door 206 and access the respective compartment 206 of the central cabinet. For example, the access key may be a physical key, a key card, a keypad combination, a digital key, and / or a biometric key.

[0057] In some implementations, the central cabinet 20 includes dimensions (i.e., height, width) similar to a standard laundromat washing machine, or any similar dimension thatfits at the end of a row of washing machines 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the central cabinet 20 may be placed at the end of a bay of washing machines 10, and provide chemicals to the washing machines 10 in the bay. Here, the central cabinet 20 has a width W20 wide enough to extend the depth Dw of two (2) washing machines 10 while leaving room for the machine walkway 214 having a width W214 suitable for accommodating the electrical and plumbing, as well as space for an operator to maneuver between the washing machines 10. Each bay of washing machines 10 may include, for example, two washing machines 10, twenty washing machines 10, or any number that may be supported by the central dispensing system 400. In some instances, a top surface of the central cabinet 20 defines a folding surface that may be used by customers of the laundromat to sort and / or fold their laundry or other personal items. Here, the central cabinet 20 is configured such that the top surface 208 is positioned at a height (measured from the floor) configured to provide an ergonomic folding surface for a user in a standing position, such as a height ranging from 32 inches to 39 inches (81 cm to 99 cm), and more preferably, from 34 inches to 36 inches. The central cabinet 20 may be positionally fixed to limit the movement of the central dispensing system 400 within the central cabinet 20. In other implementations, the central cabinet 20 may include casters to easily move or wheel the central cabinet 20 to service other rows of washing machines 10 within the laundromat.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the control hub 22 is integrated within the central compartment 206c. Here, the control hub 22 may be disposed on the access door 208c of the central compartment 206c, and may include a hub control board 28 including or communicating with a maintenance control panel 30. The hub control board 28 includes the data processing hardware 24 and the memory hardware 26. The data processing hardware 24 can process instructions for execution within the hub control board 28, including instructions stored in the memory hardware 26 to display information in the maintenance control panel 30. The hub control board 28 may be compatible with 110V AC, AC pumps, and / or DC pumps, or any other voltages that may be compatible with the respective control boards 16 of the washing machines 10.

[0059] In some instances, the maintenance control panel 30 is disposed on an exterior surface of the central cabinet 20. For instance, the maintenance control panel 30 may bedisposed on the front panel 204a above the door 208c of the central compartment 206c, providing ease of access for a user to interact with the control hub 22. The maintenance control panel 30 includes a graphical user interface rendered for display on a screen 32 of the maintenance control panel 30 and responds to any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, and input from a user can be received in any form including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Optionally, the maintenance control panel 30 includes one or more mechanical buttons 34 and / or physical lights 36 for the user to interact with. For example, the one or more mechanical buttons 34 and / or lights 36 may be disposed alongside the graphical user interface rendered on the screen 32 of the maintenance control panel 30. The maintenance control panel 30 may display any error indicators such as low / no chemicals, clogged lines, no water line connection, or other needed maintenance tasks. In some cases, the maintenance control panel 30 may be disposed inside the central cabinet 20 such that only an operator that has access to open the central cabinet 20 may view the maintenance control panel 30.

[0060] With particular reference to FIGS. 10-13, the central dispensing system 400 is shown disposed within the compartments 206 of the central cabinet 20. The first lateral compartment 206a includes one or more chemical reservoirs 402, 402a-h each holding a different chemical 404, 404a-h, a plurality of pumps 406, and one or more dispensing manifolds 408, 408a-c. Each chemical reservoir 402 of the one or more chemical reservoirs 402 is fluidly connected to a respective dispensing manifold 408 of the one or more dispensing manifolds 408 via fluid lines 410. Each of the pumps 406 may be fluidly connected with the fluid lines 410 to draw the chemicals 404 from the respective chemical reservoirs 402 to feed the chemicals 404 to the dispensing manifold 408. In some implementations, each chemical reservoir 402 includes a fill sensor 403 configured to detect a level of the chemical 404 in the respective chemical reservoir 214 and, when one or more of the chemicals 404 are low, communicate with the hub control board 28 to generate an indicator of low / no chemicals for display in the maintenance control board 30. As shown, the central dispensing system 400 further includes a plurality of flow sensors 412 that may be incorporated with the fluid lines 410 to monitor the amount of chemical404 being delivered to the dispensing manifold 408 to ensure the correct volume of the chemical 404 is being delivered into the dispensing manifold 408.

[0061] Like the first lateral compartment 206a, the second lateral compartment 206b includes one or more chemical reservoirs 402, 402i-p each holding a different chemical 404, 404i-p, a plurality of pumps 406, and one or more dispensing manifolds 408, 408d-f. Each chemical reservoir 402 of the one or more chemical reservoirs 402 is fluidly connected to a respective dispensing manifold 408 of the one or more dispensing manifolds 408 via fluid lines 410. Each of the pumps 406 may be fluidly connected with the fluid lines 410 to draw the chemicals 404 from the respective chemical reservoirs 402 to feed the chemicals 404 to the dispensing manifold 408. In some implementations, each chemical reservoir 402 includes a fill sensor 403 configured to detect a level of the chemical 404 in the respective chemical reservoir 214 and, when one or more of the chemicals 404 are low, communicate with the hub control board 26 to generate an indicator of low / no chemicals for display in the hub user interface 28. As shown, the central dispensing system 400 further includes a plurality of flow sensors 412 that may be incorporated with the fluid lines 410 to monitor the amount of chemical 404 being delivered to the dispensing manifold 408 to ensure the correct volume of the chemical 404 is being delivered into the dispensing manifold 408.

[0062] It should be understood that these examples are not limiting, and the central dispensing system 400 may include any variation of chemical reservoirs 402 and pumps 406 such as, for example, one (1) pump 406 for every two (2) chemical reservoirs 402, one (1) pump 406 for every three (3) chemical reservoirs 402, one (1) pump 406 for every four (4) chemical reservoirs 402, etc. Moreover, as should be apparent, the central dispensing system 400 may be expanded to accommodate any number of washing machines 10. For instance, the central cabinet 20 may be expanded to include additional compartments 206 each housing respective chemical reservoirs 402, pumps 406, and dispensing manifolds 408 for delivering accurate doses of chemicals 404 from the chemical reservoirs 402 to the fluid delivery lines 50 fluidly connected to the washing machines 10.

[0063] In some implementations, the plurality of chemical reservoirs 402a-402h disposed in the first compartment 206a include the same chemicals 404a-404h as theplurality of chemical reservoirs 402i-402p in the second compartment 206b. Notably, by replicating the same chemicals 404a-404h in both the first compartment 206a and the second compartment 206b, the central dispensing system 400 may simultaneously does the same chemical 404 in each of the compartments 206a, 206b to decrease queue times for dosing the chemicals 404 for individual washing machines 10. Moreover, in instances where a chemical reservoir 402 in a first compartment 206a, 206b may not contain sufficient quantities of the chemical 404 to fulfill a particular chemical request 302, the control system 300 may instruct the other compartment 206a, 206b to dispense the balance of the chemical 404 to meet the particular chemical request 300. This configuration solves a known problem relating to insufficient availability of chemicals in systems having a single reservoir. For example, in systems having a single reservoir for a particular chemical, if the controller requests a greater dosage of the chemical than is available in the reservoir and the controller is unable to fulfil the requested dosage, the controller will typically terminate the current segment of the wash cycle until the reservoir is filled. In these cases, the controller may instruct the washing system to discard the chemicals that were provided in the initial request, which results in wasting the dispensed chemical. By providing redundant chemical reservoirs 402, the chemical 404 from the first chemical reservoir 402 can be supplemented with the same chemical 404 from a second reservoir 402 rather than being discarded.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, each chemical reservoir 402 may be uniform. As shown, each chemical reservoir 402 may include a conventional jug 414 having a quickcouple style spout 416 selectively connected to a quick-couple supply line 418. The conventional jug 414 may be shipped with a disposable cap (not shown) covering the quick-couple style spout 416 that is removed before selectively connecting the quickcouple supply line 418 to the quick-couple style spout 416. The conventional jug 414 may contain any volume of chemical 404, such as volumes ranging from 16 ounces to five gallons, and more preferably, 2.5 gallons.

[0065] Optionally, the chemical reservoirs 402 are variable. For example, the chemical reservoirs 214 may include larger chemical reservoirs 214 for high throughput chemicals 404 and smaller chemical reservoirs 402 for lower throughput chemicals 404. In someexamples, the size and shape of the chemical reservoirs 402 is selected based on shipping and handling constraints. The chemical reservoirs 402 may include the original container of the chemical 404, where the pumps 406 include a quick connect / disconnect attachment placed on the container outlet for ease of replacement when the chemical reservoir 402 is empty. Alternatively, a tube extending into a top of the original container of the chemical 404 may be placed in the chemical reservoir 402 to draw the chemical 404 from the bottom of the container. In other implementations, the chemical reservoirs 402 include dedicated chemical containers for the central cabinet 20 that receive the respective chemicals 404 from the original container of the chemical 404.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 12-15, the central dispensing system 400 includes a first water supply line 420, 420a, a waste line 422, and a fluid delivery line 50 each fluidly coupled to each of the dispensing manifolds 408. Each of the water supply line 420a, the waste line 422, and the fluid delivery line 50 may extend through panels separating the lateral compartments 206a, 206b from the central compartment 206c, and into the central compartment 206c.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 13-15, each dispensing manifold 408 includes a main housing 424 defining an interior reservoir 426 and an outer overflow basin 428 surrounding the interior reservoir 426. The dispensing manifold 408 further includes a cap 430 configured to enclose the interior reservoir 426 and the outer overflow basin 428, which includes a lower cover 434 spaced apart from an upper cover 436 to define a pan 438.

[0068] The interior reservoir 426 includes a reservoir chamber 427 configured to receive and contain a volume of the chemical 404 and a chamber outlet 454 disposed at a bottom portion of the reservoir chamber 427 that is configured to be connected to a fluid delivery line 50. In the illustrated example the reservoir chamber 427 is defined by an interior wall 456 of the main housing 424 of the dispensing manifold 408. As shown, the interior wall 456 includes an upper interior wall portion 456a defining a first volume of the reservoir chamber 427 and a first lower interior wall portion 456b defining a second volume of the reservoir chamber 427. As shown, a portion of the reservoir chamber 427 defined by the upper interior wall portion 456a has a constant width or diameter while the portion of the reservoir chamber 427 defined by the first lower interior wall portion 456b has as taperingwidth or diameter. For example, the upper wall portion 456a of the illustrated example is cylindrical and the first lower wall portion 456b is conical, whereby the lower interior wall portion 456b tapers to the chamber outlet 454. In other configuration, the upper and lower interior wall portions 456a, 456b may have other geometries, such as polygonal.

[0069] The outer overflow basin 428 at least partially surrounds the interior reservoir and is configured to capture any overflow of fluids when fluid levels within the reservoir chamber 427 rise above the interior wall 456. In the illustrated example, the outer overflow basin 428 includes an overflow chamber 429 defined by (i) the upper interior wall portion 456a and a second lower interior wall portion 456c, (ii) an outer wall 457 spaced outwardly from the interior wall portions 456a, 456c, and a bottom wall 459 extending between the outer wall 457 and the second lower interior wall portion 456c. As shown, the second lower interior wall portion 456c is formed continuously with the upper interior wall portion 456a to provide a cylindrical interior wall of the overflow basin 428. The outer wall 457 may also be cylindrical and is spaced radially outwardly from the interior wall portions 456a, 456c to define a width of the overflow chamber 429. As shown, an upper edge of the outer wall 457 extends above the upper edge of the upper interior wall portion 456a, whereby the outer wall 457 is configured to capture excessive fluids that may flow over the upper edge of the upper interior wall portion 456a. The bottom wall 459 includes an overflow outlet 452 fluidly configured to be connected to the waste line 422.

[0070] As set forth above, the cap 430 is configured to be attached to the main housing 424 to at least partially enclose the reservoir chamber 427 and / or the overflow chamber 429. The cap includes the lower cover 434 and the upper cover 436 cooperate to define the pan 438. Particularly, the lower cover 434 includes a lower wall 435a, an inner sidewall 435b extending from a top side of the lower wall 434a, and a peripheral sidewall 435c spaced radially outwardly from the inner sidewall 435b to define a lower portion of a pan chamber 439.

[0071] The cap 430 further includes a water inlet 440 in fluid communication with the pan 438. In the illustrated example, the water inlet 440 extends from the lower wall 435a of the lower cover 434 and is radially offset from the interior reservoir 426 along a central longitudinal axis A of the dispensing manifold 408. Thus, water 405 is fed into the panchamber 439 via the water inlet 440, which then flows from the pan 438 to a water feed channel 442 in communication with the interior reservoir 426.

[0072] As shown, the water feed channel 442 extends downward from a first end 444 disposed at the lower wall 435a of the lower cover 434 to a distal end 446 forming an annular outlet 448 into the interior reservoir. In the illustrated example, the water feed channel 442 is defined by an interior channel wall 443a and an outer channel wall 443b that is spaced outwardly from the inner channel wall 443a. The annular outlet 448 is formed between respective distal ends of the channel walls 443a, 443b. In the illustrated example, the inner channel wall 443a and the outer channel wall 443b may cooperate to define an annular nozzle 447 at the distal end 446 of the water feed channel 442, which includes the annular outlet 448 oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central axis A408 in a direction towards an interior wall 456 of the interior reservoir 426. As shown in FIGS. 14A-15, the nozzle 447 may be defined in part by a distal portion of the inner channel wall 443a that converges with the outer channel wall 443b to define reduced width at the annular outlet 448. Thus, when water is provided to the water feed channel 442 at a positive pressure, the restricted flow caused by the annular outlet 448 results in an increased flow rate of the water 405 through the nozzle 447.

[0073] The water feed channel 442, the upper cover 436, and the lower cover 434 cooperate to form a central opening 450 disposed above the interior reservoir 426. Here, chemical inlets 432 (also referred to as inlets 432) that connect respective fluid lines 410 from the chemical reservoirs 404 to the dispensing manifold 408 may extend through the lower cover 434 and the central opening 450 to deliver the chemical 404 to the interior reservoir 426. The dispensing manifold 408 may further include a level sensor 458 configured to detect a fluid level of the interior reservoir 426. As shown in FIG. 15, the level sensor 458 may be disposed on the interior wall 456 of the interior reservoir 426.

[0074] The pan 438 may be sealed and enclosed by the lower cover 434 and the upper cover 436 such that the pan 438 can be provided with water 405 from the first water line 420a at a positive pressure. Thus, when water 405 is provided to the pan 438 from the water line 420a, the water 405 flows into water inlet 440, through the water feed channel 442 and is forced out of the annular outlet 448 by the pressure, thereby forming an annular curtainof water 405 directed at the interior wall 456 of the interior reservoir 426. Here, the annular curtain of water 405 may wet the interior reservoir by pre-coating the interior wall 456 of the interior reservoir 426 with water 405 before the chemical 404 is pumped into the interior reservoir 426, and thereafter the water 405 may be used to dilute and / or mix with the chemical 404. By pre-wetting the sidewalls (FIG. 14A) of the interior reservoir 426, chemicals 404 are prevented from adhering to or collecting along the interior wall 456, thereby improving dilution within the interior reservoir 426 and preventing chemical buildup or clogs within the manifold 408. Thus, the control system 300 may provide a first instruction for dispensing water 405 into the interior reservoir 426 (FIG. 14A), a subsequent second instruction for dispensing the chemical 404 (FIG. 14B) into the interior reservoir 426, and a subsequent third instruction for dispensing water 405 into the interior reservoir 426 (FIG. 14C) to rinse the interior reservoir 426. Optionally, the control system 300 may be configured such that water 405 is fed to the pan 438 and the annular outlet 448 at a first pressure for pre-wetting (FIG. 14A) the interior wall 456 and at a second pressure for rinsing (FIG. 14C) the interior wall 456 of the interior reservoir 426 after dosing. In these instances, the second pressure may be greater than the first pressure. Advantageously, mixing water 405 dispensed in the pre-coat cycle with the chemical 404 dilutes the chemical to limit the incidence of cross-contamination between chemicals 404. As described below, the chamber outlet 454 of the interior reservoir 426 is connected to a venturi pump 464 for drawing the diluted chemical 404 from the interior reservoir 426 and into the fluid delivery line 50. However, it should be appreciated that the central dispensing system 400 may use alternative pumps to the venturi pump, for example, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, a magnetic drive pump, a syringe pump, a pneumatic pump, or any other style pump configured to draw a liquid through the fluid delivery line 50.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 4, a fluid architecture of the centralized laundry dispensing system 100 is shown. As described in further detail below, the operations carried out by the centralized laundry dispensing system 100 may be carried out by the control system 300. The centralized laundry dispensing system 100 includes the central dispensing system 400, the plurality of washing machines 10, and the one or more fluid delivery lines 50 that fluidly connect the central dispensing system 400 to each washing machine 10 of theplurality of washing machines 10. Here, the central dispensing system 400 includes a first plurality of chemical reservoirs 402a-402h each in fluid communication (i.e., via fluid lines 210) with a first plurality of dispensing manifolds 408a-408c. Specifically, chemical reservoirs 402a-402c are in fluid communication with a first manifold 408a, chemical reservoirs 402d, 402e are in fluid communication with a second manifold 408b, and chemical reservoirs 402f-402h are in fluid communication with a third manifold 408c. Additionally, the central dispensing system 400 includes a second plurality of chemical reservoirs 402i-402p each in communication with a second plurality of dispensing manifolds 408d-408f. Here, the chemical reservoirs 402i-402k are in fluid communication with a fourth manifold 408d, chemical reservoirs 4021, 402m are in fluid communication with a fifth manifold 408e, and chemical reservoirs 402n-402p are in fluid communication with a sixth manifold 408f. As noted above, the first plurality of chemical reservoirs 402a- 402h and the second plurality of chemical reservoirs 402i-402p may include redundant chemicals 402a-402h. Here, the central dispensing system 400 may dispense competing chemical requests 302 for the same chemical 404 by dispensing the chemical 404 from each of the first plurality of chemical reservoirs 402a-402h and the second plurality of chemical reservoirs 402i-402p.

[0076] Each of the dispensing manifolds 408 are further in fluid communication with a first water source 460a routed to the dispensing manifolds 408 via the first water line 420a. For each chemical request 302 received by the control system 300, the central dispensing system 400 may prime / pre-coat the dispensing manifold 408 with water 405 from the first water source 460a to prevent chemicals 404 from sticking or caking to the interior reservoir 404. Thereafter, a pump 406 for the chemical 404 pumps the chemical 404 through the flow meter 412 and into the dispensing manifold 408, where it mixes with the water 405 used to prime the dispensing manifold 408. While different chemicals 404 behave differently when introduced to water (e.g., dilute, coagulate, sink), pre-wetting the dispensing manifold ensures that the entirety of the chemical 404 is passed through the collection manifold 408 rather than caking or clinging to the interior of the collection manifold 408.

[0077] Each of the dispensing manifolds 408 are additionally in fluid communication with the fluid delivery lines 50 that fluidly couple the dispensing manifolds 408 to one or more delivery manifolds 462. Here, the fluid delivery lines 50 may include a venturi pump 464 that receives the output from the dispensing manifolds 408 and encapsulates the output. For instance, once the delivery manifold 408 is filled with the correct dose of the chemical 404 mixed with water 405, a second water source 460b fluidly connected to the venturi pump 464 via a second water line 420b is opened to create a negative pressure that draws all of the chemical 404 and water 405 from the delivery manifold 408 and into the fluid delivery lines 50. Once the chemical 404 reaches the venturi pump 464, the venturi pump 464 may encapsulate the chemical 404 in the water 405 from the second water source 460b as it moves through the fluid delivery lines 50. As shown, water 405 from the second water source 460b enters an inlet of the venturi pump 464 under pressure, which is then directed through a converging nozzle section and into a reduced pressure area that draws the chemical 404 into the water 405 to fully encapsulate or mix with the chemical 404 and prevent the chemical 404 from sticking to and / or clogging the fluid delivery lines 50.

[0078] Thereafter the chemical 404 is delivered to a target washing machine 10 via the delivery manifold 462. The delivery manifold 462 may include a series of three-way valves 463 that allow continuous pass through of contents of the fluid delivery lines 50 until one a single one of the valves is switched to divert flow (i.e., containing a chemical 404) to a target washing machine 10 requesting the chemical 404. After the chemical 404 is delivered to the target washing machine 10, the respective valve 463 returns to a pass- through configuration and a flow of water 405 is routed through the delivery manifold 462 to a delivery manifold outlet 465 to flush the central dispensing system 400. Here, the delivery manifold outlet 465 may form a flush and / or purge line connected to a drain or water collection point of the central dispensing system 400. For instance, when operating a flush or purge cycle, water 405 may be pumped in through one of the water sources 460a, 460b, through one or more of the manifold 408 and fluid delivery lines 50, and out through the delivery manifold outlet 465 to prevent clogging of the manifold 408, the fluid delivery lines 50, and / or the delivery manifold 462. Thus, unlike manifolds where the entire manifold is fdled the entire time, the delivery manifold 462 allows the fluid in the fluiddelivery lines 50 to be continuously flushed while ensuring that the entirety of the chemical 404 is diverted to the target washing machine 10.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 16, a dispensing system 100a includes a plurality of the chemical reservoirs 402 each in independent communication with a single dispensing manifold 408. Each of the reservoirs 402 is associated with a respective dosing pump 206, which may be controlled by the control hub 22 and / or the washing control board 16. The dispensing manifold 408 includes an outlet connected to a delivery pump 406, which communicates with each washing machine 10 of the dispensing system 100a via a respective supply valve.

[0080] FIG. 17 provides another example of the dispensing system 100b, whereby separate families of chemical reservoirs 402 are each in communication with a corresponding dispensing manifold 408. For example, FIG. 17 shows two families of chemical reservoirs 402 and two dispensing manifolds 408. Outlets of the dispensing manifolds 408 feed to a single delivery pump 406. Here, the dispensing manifolds 408 provide redundancy, whereby a first one of the families of chemical reservoirs 402 can be “live” while the other family of chemical reservoirs 402 is provided as a back-up. This provides for continuous operation by allowing one family to be changed over while the first family of chemical reservoirs 402 is actively feeding the dispensing system 100b.

[0081] FIG. 18 provides yet another example of the dispensing system 100c, whereby the separate families of the chemical reservoirs 402 each communicate with respective collection manifolds 408, and each of the collection manifolds 408 is connected to the washing machines 10 via a respective delivery pump 406. This system 100c allows for active mixing of chemicals 404 at the washing machine 10 by providing a first mixture of chemical 404 via the first family of chemical reservoirs 402 and first delivery pump 406 and a second mixture of chemicals 404 via the second family of chemical reservoirs 402 and the second delivery pump 406.

[0082] FIG. 19 provides another example of a dispensing system lOOd that is similar to the dispensing system 100c, but further includes an intermediate family of chemical reservoirs 402 for bleach chemicals 404. Thus, the bleach chemical reservoirs 402 supplybleach to a separate collection manifold 408 from the detergents and softeners to minimize the risk of cross-contamination between chemical types.

[0083] FIG. 20 provides an alternative example of a central cabinet 20a including a central dispensing system 400a. In this example, the central cabinet 20a is configured such that the dispensing manifolds 408 and flow meters 412 are disposed on the door 208c to the central compartment 206c, while the chemical reservoirs 402 are stored separately in the lateral compartments 206a, 206b. Additionally, the control hub 22 is integrated as a bulkhead to the opening 210 in the rear panel 204b of the central cabinet 20a. However, it should be understood that any combination of the chemical reservoirs 402, pumps 406, dispensing manifolds 208, and / or flow meters 412 provided herein may be incorporated into the central cabinet 20a.

[0084] With particular reference to FIGS. 21-24, another example of a dispensing manifold 408a is provided and includes a main housing 424a and a cap 430a attached to the main housing 424a. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the dispensing manifold 408 with respect to the dispensing manifold 408, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

[0085] Referring to FIGS. 21-24, the dispensing manifold 408a includes the main housing 424a defining an interior reservoir 426a and an outer overflow basin 428a surrounding the interior reservoir 426a. The dispensing manifold 408a further includes a cap 430a configured to enclose the interior reservoir 426 and the outer overflow basin 428. In contrast to the previous example of the cover 430a, which included the pan, the present example of the cap 430a is formed without a pan. Instead, a water inlet 440a is provided directly into the cap 430a for direct communication with a water feed channel 442a of the cap 430a, as discussed in greater detail below.

[0086] The interior reservoir 426a includes a reservoir chamber 427a configured to receive and contain a volume of the chemical 404 and a chamber outlet 454 disposed at a bottom portion of the reservoir chamber 427a that is configured to be connected to a fluid delivery line 50. In the illustrated example the reservoir chamber 427a is defined by aninterior wall 466 of the main housing 424a of the dispensing manifold 408a. As shown, the interior wall 466 includes an upper interior wall portion 466a defining a first volume of the reservoir chamber 427a and a first lower interior wall portion 466b defining a second volume of the reservoir chamber 427. Optionally, a portion of the upper interior wall portion 466a may include one or more overflow ports 467 formed in the upper interior wall portion 466a, which provide communication between the interior reservoir 426a and the outer overflow basin 428a.

[0087] As shown, a portion of the reservoir chamber 427a defined by the upper interior wall portion 466a has a first tapering width or diameter while the portion of the reservoir chamber 427a defined by the first lower interior wall portion 456b has as second tapering width or diameter. For example, the upper wall portion 466a defines a first conical profile that tapers at a first rate from top to bottom and the lower wall portion 466b defines a second conical profile that tapers at a second rate from the upper wall portion 466a to the outlet 454a. As shown, the second rate of taper is greater than the first rate of taper such that the portion of the reservoir chamber 427a defined by the lower wall portion 466b tapers at a greater rate than the portion of the reservoir chamber 427b defined by the upper wall portion 466a. Optionally, the upper wall portion 466a may be cylindrical, similar to the dispensing manifold 408. In other configuration, the upper and lower interior wall portions 466a, 466b may have other geometries, such as polygonal.

[0088] The outer overflow basin 428a at least partially surrounds the interior reservoir 426a and is configured to capture any overflow of fluids when fluid levels within the reservoir chamber 427a rise above the interior wall 466 and / or the overflow port 467. In the illustrated example, the outer overflow basin 428a includes an overflow chamber 429a defined by (i) the upper interior wall portion 466a and a second lower interior wall portion 466c, (ii) an outer wall 457a spaced outwardly from the interior wall portions 466a, 466c, and a bottom wall 459a extending between the outer wall 457a and the second lower interior wall portion 466c. As shown, the second lower interior wall portion 466c is formed adjacent to the upper interior wall portion 466a to provide a cylindrical interior wall of the overflow basin 428a. The outer wall 457a may also be cylindrical and is spaced radially outwardly from the interior wall portions 466a, 466c to define a width of the overflowchamber 429a. As shown, an upper edge of the outer wall 457 extends above the overflow port 467, whereby the outer wall 457a is configured to capture excessive fluids that may flow through the overflow port 467.

[0089] The bottom wall 459 includes an overflow outlet 452a fluidly configured to be connected to the waste line 422. In the illustrated example, the outer overflow basin 428a generally surrounds the interior reservoir 426a, whereby bottom wall 459a of the outer overflow basin 428a extends around the dispensing manifold 408a from a first side including the overflow outlet 452 to a second side opposite the overflow outlet 452a. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the bottom wall 459a may be sloped to provide a decline in a direction towards the overflow outlet 452a. Thus, the sloped bottom wall 459a ensures complete drainage of the outer overflow basin 428a.

[0090] As set forth above, the cap 430a is configured to be attached to the main housing 424a to at least partially enclose the reservoir chamber 427a and / or the overflow chamber 429a. The cap 430a includes a central manifold 450a that includes one or more of the chemical inlets 432a, (also referred to as inlets 432a) that connect respective fluid lines 410 from the chemical reservoirs 404 to the dispensing manifold 408a may extend through the cap 430a to deliver the chemical 404 to the interior reservoir 426a. The dispensing manifold 408a may further include a level sensor 458 configured to detect a fluid level of the interior reservoir 426. As shown in FIG. 24, the level sensor 458 may be disposed on the interior wall 466 of the interior reservoir 426a.

[0091] The cap 430a further includes the water inlet 440a. In the illustrated example, the water inlet 440a extends directly through the cap 430a and includes an outlet in direct communication with the water feed channel 442a. As shown, the water feed channel 442a extends downward from a first end 444a disposed on a bottom side of the cap 430a to a distal end 446a forming an annular outlet 448a into the interior reservoir. In the illustrated example, the water feed channel 442a is defined by an interior channel wall 463a and an outer channel wall 463b that is spaced outwardly from the inner channel wall 463a. The annular outlet 448a is formed between respective distal ends of the channel walls 463a, 463b. In the illustrated example, the inner channel wall 463a and the outer channel wall 463b may cooperate to define an annular nozzle 447 at the distal end 446a of the water feedchannel 442a, which includes the annular outlet 448a oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central axis A4osa in a direction towards an interior wall 466 of the interior reservoir 426. As shown in FIGS. 21-24, the nozzle 447 may be defined in part by a distal portion of the inner channel wall 463a that converges with the outer channel wall 463b to define reduced width at the annular outlet 448a. Thus, when water is provided to the water feed channel 442 at a positive pressure, the restricted flow caused by the annular outlet 448 results in an increased flow rate of the water 405 through the nozzle 447.

[0092] When water 405 is provided to the dispensing manifold 408a through a water line 420a, the water 405 flows into water inlet 440a, through the water feed channel 442a and is forced out of the annular outlet 448a by the pressure, thereby forming an annular curtain of water 405 directed at the interior wall 466 of the interior reservoir 426a. Here, the annular curtain of water 405 may wet the interior reservoir 426a by pre-coating the interior wall 466 of the interior reservoir 426 with water 405 before the chemical 404 is pumped into the interior reservoir 426a, and thereafter the water 405 may be used to dilute and / or mix with the chemical 404. By pre-wetting the sidewalls (similar to FIG. 14A) of the interior reservoir 426a, chemicals 404 are prevented from adhering to or collecting along the interior wall 466, thereby improving dilution within the interior reservoir 426a and preventing chemical buildup or clogs within the manifold 408a. Thus, the control system 300 may provide a first instruction for dispensing water 405 into the interior reservoir 426a (similar to FIG. 14A), a subsequent second instruction for dispensing the chemical 404 (similar to FIG. 14B) into the interior reservoir 426a, and a subsequent third instruction for dispensing water 405 into the interior reservoir 426 (similar to FIG. 14C) to rinse the interior reservoir 426a. Optionally, the control system 300 may be configured such that water 405 is fed to water inlet 440 and the annular outlet 448 at a first pressure for prewetting the interior wall 466 and at a second pressure for rinsing the interior wall 466 of the interior reservoir 426a after dosing. In these instances, the second pressure may be different from the first pressure. Advantageously, mixing water 405 dispensed in the precoat cycle with the chemical 404 dilutes the chemical to limit the incidence of crosscontamination between chemicals 404. As described below, the chamber outlet 454a of the interior reservoir 426a is connected to a venturi pump 464 for drawing the dilutedchemical 404 from the interior reservoir 426a and into the fluid delivery line 50. However, it should be appreciated that the central dispensing system 400 may use alternative pumps to the venturi pump, for example, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, a magnetic drive pump, a syringe pump, a pneumatic pump, or any other style pump configured to draw a liquid through the fluid delivery line 50.

[0093] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0094] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0095] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a likefashion (e ., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0096] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cabinet for a laundry soap dispensing system, the cabinet comprising: a first compartment including at least one first chemical reservoir and a first dispensing manifold; a second compartment including at least one second chemical reservoir and a second dispensing manifold; and a central compartment including a central passageway extending through the cabinet.

2. The cabinet of Claim 1, wherein the cabinet further includes a control hub integrated within the central compartment.

3. The cabinet of Claim 2, wherein the control hub is disposed on an access door of the central compartment.

4. The cabinet of Claims 2 or 3, wherein the control hub executes a control system in communication with a remote laundry application.

5. The cabinet of any of Claims 2-4, further comprising a maintenance control panel in communication with the control hub, the maintenance control panel disposed on an exterior surface of the cabinet.

6. The cabinet of any of Claims 1-5, wherein the first compartment further includes a first plurality of pumps fluidly connecting the at least one first chemical reservoir to the first dispensing manifold.

7. The cabinet of any of Claims 1-6, wherein the second compartment further includes a second plurality of pumps fluidly connecting the at least one second chemical reservoir to the second dispensing manifold.

8. The cabinet of any of Claims 1 -7, further comprising a central dispensing system configured to deliver chemicals from the at least one first chemical reservoir and the at least one second chemical reservoir to one or more washing machines.

9. The cabinet of Claim 8, wherein the central dispensing system includes a fluid delivery line extending from at least one of the first compartment, the second compartment, or the central compartment.

10. The cabinet of any of Claims 1-9, wherein the central passageway extending through the cabinet is configured to allow access to a machine walkway behind at least one bay of washing machines.

11. A centralized laundry soap dispensing system comprising: a central cabinet including a central dispensing system; a plurality of washing machines; one or more fluid delivery lines fluidly connecting the central dispensing system to each washing machine of the plurality of washing machines.

12. The centralized laundry system of Claim 11, wherein the central dispensing system includes one or more chemical reservoirs fluidly connected to a dispensing manifold.

13. The centralized laundry system of Claim 12, wherein each of the one or more chemical reservoirs includes a conventional jug including a quick-couple style spout selectively connected to a quick-couple supply line.

14. The centralized laundry system of Claims 12 or 13, wherein the central dispensing system includes one or more reservoir pumps fluidly connecting the one or more chemical reservoirs to the dispensing manifold.

15. The centralized laundry system of Claim 14, wherein the central dispensing system is configured to pre-coat an interior reservoir of the dispensing manifold with water before delivering a chemical from the one or more chemical reservoirs to the interior reservoir.

16. The centralized laundry system of Claim 15, where the central dispensing system is configured to flush the interior reservoir of the dispensing manifold with water after dispensing the chemical from the interior reservoir.

17. The centralized laundry system of any of Claims 11-16, wherein the central dispensing system further includes one or more delivery pumps fluidly connected to the one or more fluid delivery lines.

18. The centralized laundry system of any of Claim 11-16, wherein the one or more fluid delivery lines include a venturi pump configured to inject a chemical into a fluid stream such that the chemical is encapsulated in the fluid stream.

19. The centralized laundry system of Claim 16, wherein the chemical is delivered to a target washing machine of the plurality of washing machines via a delivery manifold fluidly coupled to the one or more fluid delivery lines.

20. The centralized laundry system of any of Claims 11-19, wherein the central dispensing system includes a first plurality of chemical reservoirs and a second plurality of chemical reservoirs, the first plurality of chemical reservoirs having the same chemicals as the second plurality of reservoirs.

21. A dispensing manifold for a laundry soap dispensing system, the dispensing manifold comprising: a main housing defining an interior reservoir and a peripheral overflow basin; anda cap attached to the main housing and including a lower cover spaced apart from an upper cover to define a pan, the cap including one or more inlets in fluid communication with the interior reservoir, a water inlet in fluid communication with the pan, and a water feed channel providing fluid communication between the pan and the interior reservoir.

22. The dispensing manifold of Claim 21, wherein the peripheral overflow basin surrounds the interior reservoir.

23. The dispensing manifold of Claims 21 or 22, further comprising a level sensor configured to detect a fluid level of the interior reservoir.

24. The dispensing manifold of any of Claims 21-23, wherein the lower cover, the upper cover, and the water feed channel cooperate to form a central opening in the cap.

25. The dispensing manifold of Claim 24, wherein the one or more inlets extend through the central opening.

26. The dispensing manifold of any of Claims 21-25, wherein the water inlet is radially offset from the interior reservoir along a central longitudinal axis of the dispensing manifold.

27. The dispensing manifold of any of Claims 21-26, wherein the water feed channel extends from a first end disposed at the pan to a distal end, the distal end forming an annular outlet.

28. The dispensing manifold of Claim 27, wherein the annular outlet is directed towards an interior wall of the interior reservoir to deliver an annular curtain of water directed at the interior wall.

29. The dispensing manifold of Claim 28, wherein the interior wall includes an upper interior wall portion defining a first volume of the interior reservoir and a first lower interior wall portion defining a second volume of the interior reservoir.

30. The dispensing manifold of any of Claims 21-29, wherein the interior reservoir includes an outlet connected to a venturi pump for drawing out chemicals delivered by the one or more inlets from the dispensing manifold.

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