Washing Machine Array

Abstract

A washing machine array is provided that includes a plurality of washing machines, each of the washing machines having an operating surface. A plurality of pump systems is provided, each of the washing machines being connected to two or more washing machines. For between 80% and 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from one another by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An array of washing machines that limits the possibility of adjacent washing machines requesting laundry treatment composition from the same pump system during the same time interval. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various situations in which multiple washing machines are dispensed with laundry treatment compositions by an automated system. For example, laundromats, apartment complexes, commercial laundry businesses, etc., have multiple washing machines at a single location. The multiple washing machines can be integrated with a single laundry treatment composition or multiple laundry treatment composition dispensing systems. The washing machines can be activated by coins, tokens, key cards, wired controller systems, wireless controller systems, cell phone applications, manually via an operator, etc.

[0003] Various pump systems exist for delivering laundry treatment compositions to multiple washing machines. For example, some pump systems employ a single pump and a valve control and valve actuation system that can selectively deliver one of ten different products to ten different washing machines, as required by each individual washing machine. For example, the ten different products may be individually designated Products 1 through 10. The washing machines may also be designated Washers A through J. Over discrete time intervals, the pump may deliver Product 1 to Washer A. Upon completion, the pump may deliver Product 3 to Washer H. A limitation of such systems is that a given pump system can deliver only one product to one washing machine at a time.

[0004] In locations where multiple washing machines are present, it is common for a single user to use multiple washing machines simultaneously. Furthermore, it is also common for a single user to start multiple such washing machines within a short time interval. For example, a user may separate laundry into two nearby machines, using one machine for whites and the other for colored clothes. The user may then start the nearby machines simultaneously or nearly simultaneously. When multiple washing machines are connected to the same pump system, queue delays can occur if multiple washing machines request product simultaneously, or if one washing machine requests product while the pump system is delivering product to another washing machine. Washing machines can be programmed to pause while waiting for the requested product. Such delays in a washing machine receiving the requested product can increase the washing machine's cycle time. As a result, users can become dissatisfied with the length of time it takes to complete a wash. If a washing machine is not programmed to pause and the laundry treatment cycle continues regardless of whether the requested product is delivered, the laundry treatment product may not be applied to the laundry in a timely manner. This can result in poor performance or damage to the laundry. For example, bleach applied to clothing at the wrong time can damage the laundry, and fabric softening compositions applied at the wrong time can result in stains on the laundry. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] With these limitations in mind, there continues to be an unmet need for a system of washing machines and pump systems that tend to reduce the time it takes for multiple washing machine users to do their laundry. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] 1. An array of washing machines, the array comprising: a plurality of washing machines, each washing machine having an operating surface by which the washing machine is operated; and a plurality of pump systems, each pump system in fluid communication with two or more washing machines, wherein for 80% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from each other by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram of a washing machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an array of washing machines. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an array of washing machines not according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram of an array of washing machines according to the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a pump system. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an array of washing machines. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 is a floor plan of a laundromat where data on washing machine usage was collected, and simulations were run on different groups of washing machines near each other, A, B, and C, to determine the percentage of overlapping load requests. [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 is a floor plan of a laundromat where data on washing machine usage was collected, and simulations were run on different groups of washing machines near each other, A, B, and C, to determine the percentage of overlapping load requests. [Figure 7C] FIG. 1 is a floor plan of a laundromat where data on washing machine usage was collected, and simulations were run on different groups of washing machines near each other, A, B, and C, to determine the percentage of overlapping load requests. [Figure 8A]FIG. 1 is a floor plan of a laundromat where data regarding washing machine usage was collected and simulations were run on different groups of spaced apart washing machines, designated A, B, and C, to determine the percentage of overlapping load requests. [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 is a floor plan of a laundromat where data regarding washing machine usage was collected and simulations were run on different groups of spaced apart washing machines, designated A, B, and C, to determine the percentage of overlapping load requests. [Figure 8C] FIG. 1 is a floor plan of a laundromat where data regarding washing machine usage was collected and simulations were run on different groups of spaced apart washing machines, designated A, B, and C, to determine the percentage of overlapping load requests. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Described herein is a system of washing machines and a pump system for supplying laundry treatment compositions to the washing machines that tends to reduce the time required for users who use multiple washing machines to wash their laundry during a single time interval. Careful attention must be paid to judiciously selecting which washing machines are connected to which pump system to provide the desired efficiency benefits.

[0009] In most spaces, multiple washing machine systems are arranged in rows. In facilities with many washing machines, the washing machines may be arranged in rows and columns. The washing machine 10 may have an operating surface 20 (FIG. 1). The operating surface 20 is the surface on which the washing machine 10 is intended to be operated by a user. In the case of a front-loading washing machine 10, the operating surface 20 is the surface having the door 30. In the case of a top-loading washing machine 10, the operating surface 20 is the surface opposite the location where a user stands when loading or unloading laundry from the washing machine 10. The location where a user stands when operating a particular washing machine 10 is the operating position 40. The washing machine 10 may have a width 12. The washing machine 10 may be an ELECTROLUX 6000 commercial washing machine. The washing machine 10 may include software and a controller that may communicate with the controller or may communicate directly with pumps and valves.

[0010] An array 1 of multiple washing machines 10 is shown in FIG. 2. Such an arrangement may be used in a retail laundromat, an apartment laundry room, or a commercial laundry operation. The operating surfaces 20 of the washing machines 10 may be offset by less than 90 degrees from one another. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in a row of washing machines 10, the operating surfaces 20 are offset by 0 degrees from one another, as shown in machine rows R1, R2, and R3. That is, in a row of washing machines 10, the operating surfaces 20 face the same direction. If the washing machines 10 in a row of machines are front-loading washing machines 10, the doors 30 of each washing machine 10 in the row face the same direction. The washing machines 10 may be positioned in a row of washing machines 10, e.g., machine rows R1, R2, and R3, such that the operating surfaces 20 are aligned with one another. Optionally, the operating surfaces 20 of adjacent machines can be set forward or backward relative to each other, and the operating surfaces 20 can be offset from each other by 0 degrees, as shown in machine row R2. Optionally, the operating surfaces can be offset from each other by an angle less than 90 degrees, optionally less than 50 degrees, optionally less than 30 degrees, optionally less than 10 degrees, and optionally less than 5 degrees, as in machine row R4 of FIG. 2 . Such an arrangement can help encourage use of a particular pair of washing machines 10 by one user. The washing machines 10 can be equipped with an operation indicator 25.

[0011] Traditionally, users 60 were responsible for loading laundry detergent or other treatment compositions into washing machines 10. Users were not entirely satisfied with such arrangements because they had to carry laundry detergent, and possibly other products such as fabric softeners, fragrance enhancers, bleaches, and stain removal compositions, along with the load or laundry to be washed. For coin-operated laundry users, this meant they had to transport their laundry and laundry detergent and other compositions from their homes to the laundromat or purchase such compositions on-site, often at a premium. Furthermore, requiring users to measure and load laundry treatment products at the laundry facility can be time-consuming for users and cumbersome for store operators, as users may accidentally drip or spill the product throughout the store. In commercial environments, operators are similarly required to deliver laundry detergent or other compositions to the washing machines 10 that they are responsible for operating. The advent of pump systems for delivering individual laundry treatment compositions to individual washing machines 10 has helped overcome some of the above-mentioned frustrations in both apartment complexes, retail stores, and commercial environments.

[0012] 3 is a plan view of an array 1 of washing machines 10 that do not meet the claims of the present invention as defined herein. Each of the pump systems 50 has the ability to selectively pump selected laundry treatment compositions contained in selected containers 100 to selected washing machines 10 connected to the pump system 50. For example, the pump system 50 may be capable of pumping from a container 100 of a laundry detergent composition, a container of a fabric softening composition, and a container of a bleach composition.

[0013] Each pump system 50 can be in fluid communication with multiple containers 100. Each container 100 can contain a unique laundry treatment composition. A single container 100 of laundry treatment composition can be in fluid communication with multiple pump systems 50. To increase the number of doses of a particular laundry treatment composition that can be provided without replacing or refilling the container 100, duplicate containers 100 of a single laundry treatment composition can be provided, e.g., 100a and 100b (and similarly, 100c and 100d, 100e and 100f, etc. (100g, 100h, 100i) for each different type of laundry treatment composition provided). Such an arrangement can help reduce the time required for maintenance and servicing of the array 1.

[0014] From a piping layout perspective, it may be most convenient to lay out the string of conduits 15 connecting pump system 50 to washing machines 10 in the spatial order of the machine's location, as shown, for example, in Figure 3. The conduits 15 connecting pump system 50 to washing machines 10 may be routed in a common tray in a trunk path that exits the space in which the washing machines 10 are located, and the side of the conduits 15 off the trunk path may be routed to the washing machines 10. The washing machines 10 may be positioned back-to-back with a space between them, with their operating faces 20 facing away from each other, and the side of the conduits 15 may be routed to the washing machines under the floor or ceiling of the laundromat or laundry facility.

[0015] For example, if the pumping system 50 has the capacity to connect four washing machines 10, one pumping system 50 (50a) may be connected to each washing machine 10 in machine row R1. Another pumping system 50 (50b) may be connected to machine row R2. If the pumping system 50 has the capacity to connect fewer or more washing machines 10 in a particular machine row, once the pumping system 50's capacity is reached, another pumping system 50 is connected to the next washing machine 10 in the layout. This approach can reduce the overall length of conduit 15 required to connect a group of washing machines 10 and provide a simpler layout for wiring connections between the washing machines 10 and the pumping system 50. With these piping arrangements, it is likely that two adjacent machines will be connected to the same pumping system 50.

[0016] This aforementioned approach for connecting the pump system 50 to the washing machine 10 can result in an unsatisfactory experience for the user 60. When a user selects and uses two side-by-side washing machines 10, it is likely that the two adjacent washing machines 10 are connected to the same pump system 50. This can cause queueing issues if both washing machines 10 require laundry treatment composition simultaneously or overlapping with each other while the washing machines 10 are in use. Because the pump system has only a single pump, the pump system 50 can only deliver one laundry treatment composition to one washing machine 10 at a time. Thus, one washing machine 10 or the other must wait for the desired laundry treatment composition to be delivered to the washing machine 10. Alternatively, if the washing machine 10 is not programmed to wait, the laundry treatment composition may be delivered at the wrong time in the cycle, potentially resulting in damage to laundry or poor performance of the laundry treatment cycle.

[0017] The queueing problem can be particularly severe when a user starts two washing machines simultaneously or close in time to each other. Most laundry processing cycles begin with a wash cycle in which the washing machine drum is filled with water to a desired level, a detergent composition is added to the drum, and the drum is agitated. During the initial stages of a typical laundry processing cycle, detergent is requested by the washing machine 10 after or while water is being filled into the drum. The step of filling the washing machine 10 can take more than a minute. Pumping the requested amount of detergent into the pump system and delivering the detergent to the washing machine 10 by pumping or flushing with water can take more than a minute.

[0018] When laundry loads are started at approximately the same time, both machines may request or have requested laundry detergent within a common time window. That is, the later-requesting washing machine 10 must wait to begin receiving laundry detergent until the earlier-requesting washing machine 10 has received the appropriate dose of laundry detergent. Depending on the configuration of array 1, the later-requesting washing machine 10 may also have to wait to begin filling with water. These delays add time to the cycle of the later-requesting washing machine 10. When washing machines 10 that are close to each other are connected to the same pump system 50, queuing delays tend to occur in array 1 when two or more washing machines 10 are needed by a user 60 because the user 60 tends to select washing machines 10 that are close to each other. Thus, a user 60 is likely to select two or more washing machines 10 that are connected to the same pump system 50. This, in turn, increases the likelihood that two or more washing machines 10 will request laundry treatment composition from the same pump system 50 at the same time.

[0019] In FIG. 3 , each of the pump systems 50 is connected to multiple washing machines 10. The pump systems 50, shown as rectangles with a single crosshatch, are in individual fluid communication with each of the washing machines 10, shown as squares with a single crosshatch. In FIG. 3 , not all of the conduits 15 connecting the pump systems 50 to the washing machines 10 are shown due to the excessive number of lines required to show each connection. For example, in FIG. 3 , only three of the ten conduits 15 connecting the pump systems 50, shown as rectangles with a single crosshatch, to the individual washing machines 10, shown as squares with a single crosshatch, are shown. In FIG. 3 , each of the pump systems 50 is connected to ten washing machines 10.

[0020] The pump system 50, shown as a rectangle with a single circle, is in individual fluid communication with each of the washing machines 10, shown as a square with a single circle. The pump system 50, shown as a rectangle with a single triangle, is in individual fluid communication with each of the washing machines 10, shown as a square with a single triangle. The pump system 50, shown as a rectangle with a single diamond, is in individual fluid communication with each of the washing machines 10, shown as a square with a single diamond.

[0021] The array 1 shown in FIG. 3 is plumbed so that adjacent or nearby washing machines 10 tend to be connected to the same pumping system 50. A single pumping system 50 (50a), shown as a rectangle with a single crosshatch, is connected to washing machines 10, starting with machine row R1, passing through machine columns C1, C2, C3, and C4, then in machine row R2, passing through machine columns C1, C2, C3, and C4, and then in machine row R3, passing through machine columns C1 and C2. Similarly, another single pumping system 50 (50b), shown as a rectangle with a single circle, is connected to individual washing machines 10, starting with machine row R3 and machine column C3, then passing through machine columns C1-C4 in machine row R4, and then in machine row R5, passing through machine column C4. Similarly, the remaining pumping systems 50 are connected to individual washing machines, proceeding first column by column, then row by row, until a pumping system 50 is connected to each washing machine 10.

[0022] A user 60 is shown in FIG. 3 . Positioned in this manner, the user 60 can conveniently select to use three washing machines 10, as indicated by the arrows. The user 60 may select one washing machine 10 to wash white laundry, another washing machine 10 to wash colored laundry, and another washing machine 10 to wash dark laundry. Some users 60 may not separate laundry by laundry category. Rather, they may need to wash a large amount of laundry that would be too much for a single washing machine 10. Thus, the user 60 may separate the laundry among multiple washing machines 10. Users seeking efficiency tend to select washing machines 10 that are adjacent to each other. For example, the washing machines 10 may be adjacent to each other in a side-by-side relationship, or adjacent to each other such that the operating surfaces 20 of the washing machines 10 face each other across an aisle 2 between the washing machines 10. This may be typical behavior of a user 60 in a laundromat or a laundry facility in an apartment complex. In a commercial laundry facility, it may be labor-efficient for workers managing multiple loads to use the washing machines 10 in a similar manner to minimize the time spent moving around the facility.

[0023] Consider a user 60, represented by an asterisk, located as shown in FIG. 3 and having two laundry loads: one colored laundry load and one athletic wear load. For the colored laundry load, the user 60 may want the laundry to be washed with a high-quality detergent composition, a fabric softening composition, and a fragrance enhancing composition. For the athletic wear load, the user 60 may want the laundry to be washed with a high-quality detergent composition, a malodor treatment composition, and a fragrance enhancing composition. If the user 60 selects two adjacent washing machines 10 in machine row R2, each of those washing machines 10 will be connected to the same pump system 50 (50a). If the users start the washing machines at or near the same time, both machines may request the pump system 50 (50a) for a fill and a high-quality detergent composition during the same time interval. Thus, the later-requesting washing machine 10 must wait until the earlier-requesting washing machine 10 has been filled and received a dose of high-quality laundry detergent before it can fill and receive a separate dose of the same laundry treatment composition. Depending on the cycle architecture of the two washing machines 10 and the priority of dispensing each chemical composition programmed into the pump system 50, similar overlapping requests may occur when fragrance-enhancing compositions are requested by the washing machines 10. The same or similar delays may occur if a user 60 selects two adjacent washing machines 10 with their operating surfaces 20 facing each other, a washing machine 10 located in machine row R2, machine column C2, and a washing machine 10 located in machine row R3, machine column C2. The result of requests to the pump system 50 for loading or the same or different laundry treatment compositions being requested simultaneously by two different washing machines 10 may result in an extension of the total operating time of each washing machine 10.

[0024] An improved approach to laying out the piping from pump system 50 to washing machines 10 is shown in Figure 4. In such an arrangement, adjacent washing machines 10 tend to be connected to different pump systems 50. As a result, the likelihood of two or more washing machines 10 requiring the same pump system 50 within the same time interval tends to decrease.

[0025] It may be practical for 80%-100%, optionally 90%-100%, optionally 95%-100%, optionally 100% of the washing machines 10 in the array 1 that adjacent washing machines 10 whose operating surfaces 20 are offset by less than 90 degrees from one another are not connected to the same pumping system 50. If 80%-100% of the washing machines 10 meet the aforementioned criteria, then a sufficiently large proportion of the array 1 is operable to sufficiently reduce the likelihood that two or more washing machines 10 being used by the same user 60 will request the same pumping system 50 for operations such as dispensing laundry treatment composition or filling or rinsing within the same time interval. The more adjacent washing machines 10 that meet the aforementioned criteria, the less likely there will be overlapping requests to the same pumping system 50. It may be practical for 80% to 100%, optionally 90% to 100%, optionally 95% to 100%, optionally 100% of the washing machines 10 to satisfy the condition that adjacent washing machines 10 having operating faces oriented in the same direction are not connected to the same pump system 50.

[0026] In FIG. 4 , in each row R1, R2, R3, and R4 of machines, the operating surfaces 20 are offset from one another by 0 degrees, which is less than 90 degrees. This means that the operating surfaces 20 of the washing machines 10 are aligned with one another and face the same direction. Aligning the operating surfaces 20 of the washing machines 10 is a particularly practical and space-efficient arrangement. The operating surfaces 20 of the washing machines 10 located in machine row R1 and machine column C1 are arranged back-to-back with the operating surfaces 20 of the washing machines 10 located in machine row R2 and machine column C1. That is, the operating surfaces 20 are facing away from one another and are therefore offset from one another by 180 degrees.

[0027] Adjacent washing machines 10 are washing machines 10 that are relatively close together, with no other washing machines 10 between them. Relatively close may be characterized by a distance within four times the width 12 of the operating surface 20 of the washing machines 10, optionally within 3.5 times the width 12, optionally within 3 times the width 12, or optionally within 2 times the width 12, where the width 12 is measured as the largest dimension of the operating surface 20 of the washing machine 10 measured parallel to the surface on which the washing machine 10 is placed. The washing machines 10 may be in a side-by-side relationship, with the washing machines 10 spaced apart by less than 25% of the width of the operating surface 20. The side-by-side washing machines 10 may be touching each other, spaced apart, spaced apart by a frame or molding between adjacent washing machines 10, or in any other functionally and aesthetically acceptable arrangement.

[0028] Adjacent washing machines 10 may have their operating surfaces 20 facing each other. For example, washing machines 10 facing each other across an aisle 2 are considered adjacent to each other because there is no other washing machine 10 between them (i.e., adjacent in the sense that there is no identical item between the two items being considered). Such washing machines 10 have their operating surfaces 20 offset by 180 degrees from each other. An array 1 of washing machines 10 may be configured such that, for 80% to 100% of the washing machines 10 in the array 1, no two adjacent washing machines 10 with at least a portion of their operating surfaces 20 facing each other are connected to the same pump system 50.

[0029] For a user 60, indicated by a star in the same location as in FIG. 3, but using the array 1 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4, the washing machines 10 in machine row R2 are each connected to a different pumping system 50. Furthermore, washing machines 10 that are located in the same aisle but facing each other are each connected to a different pumping system 50. This reduces the likelihood that a user 60 using two or more washing machines 10 simultaneously will require the same pumping system 50 during overlapping time intervals. This tends to reduce the total operating time of the washing machines 10 used by the user 60. The reduced operating time is beneficial to the user 60 because it reduces the time the user must spend performing laundry. Furthermore, the reduced operating time increases the productivity of the array 1 for the operator. That is, more laundry can be passed through the array 1 of the present invention per unit time than in an array 1 in which adjacent washing machines 10 tend to be connected to the same pumping system 50. The array 1 of the present invention is beneficial in that fewer washing machines 10 are required to satisfactorily serve the laundry facility users 60, as compared to a laundry facility in which adjacent washing machines 10 are connected to the same pumping system 50, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0030] Array 1 may include multiple pump systems 50, as shown, for example, in FIG. 5 . Each pump system 50 may be in fluid communication with two or more washing machines 10. Optionally, each pump system 50 may be in fluid communication with three or more, optionally more than five, optionally six or more, optionally eight or more, optionally ten or more washing machines 10. Pump system 50 may include a collection manifold 70, a pump 80 downstream from collection manifold 70, and a distribution manifold 90 downstream from pump 80.

[0031] The collection manifold 70 may be in fluid communication with a plurality of different, individually contained laundry treatment compositions. The collection manifold 70 collects the laundry treatment compositions to be delivered to the washing machine 10. Each of the individually contained laundry treatment compositions may be contained in a container 100 separate from the other containers 100. Optionally, a temporary holding tank or junction 105 may be provided to deliver two or more containers 100 of the same laundry treatment composition. Such an arrangement may reduce the frequency of maintenance of the array 1 and may provide a continuously available supply of a particular laundry treatment composition while empty containers 100 are replaced or refilled.

[0032] Pump 80 pumps the laundry treatment composition to distribution manifold 90, which operates to supply the laundry treatment composition to washing machines 10 downstream of distribution manifold 90 and in need of the laundry treatment composition.

[0033] A controller 110 controls the operation of the pump system 50. The controller 110 can be communicatively coupled to multiple washing machines 10 to which the pump system 50 provides laundry treatment composition. The controller 110 controls the opening and closing of valves 120 forming part of the collection manifold 70. By selectively opening the valves 120 in the collection manifold 70, the pump 80 can pump or withdraw the requested laundry treatment composition contained in a particular container 100 or in or contained in a holding tank or junction 105. Similarly, the controller 110 controls the opening and closing of valves 120 forming part of the distribution manifold 90. By selectively opening the valves 120 in the distribution manifold 90, the pump 80 can pump the requested laundry treatment composition to the requesting washing machine 10. Multiple washing machines 10 can be communicatively coupled to the pump system 50 so that when a washing machine 10 requests a particular laundry treatment composition, the pump system 50 can selectively open the valves 120 to pump the desired laundry treatment composition from the container 100. The pump system 50 can also selectively open a valve 120 in the distribution manifold 90 that is in fluid communication with the washing machine 10. The valve 120 can be a three-way valve. The washing machine 10 can also request a specific amount of laundry treatment composition, which is an input to the controller 110 that determines the volume of laundry treatment composition to be pumped to the washing machine 10. The pump system 50 can include a flow meter that enables the controller 110 to determine the volume pumped.

[0034] During operation, washing machine 10 may request a particular laundry treatment composition. In response to the request, controller 110 may open valve 120 in collection manifold 70, which is connected to container 100 or holding tank or junction 105 containing the requested laundry treatment composition. Controller 110 may also open valve 120 on distribution manifold 90, which connects distribution manifold 90 to washing machine 10, to request the laundry treatment composition. Pump 80 may then pump a desired amount of laundry treatment composition from container 100 or holding tank or junction 105 to a location downstream of collection manifold 70. Valve 120 on collection manifold 70 may then be closed. After the laundry treatment composition has been pumped to a location downstream of collection manifold 70, valve 120 on collection manifold 70, which connects container 100 of the requested laundry treatment composition, may then be closed. Valve 120 on collection manifold 70, which is connected to a water source, may then be opened, and water may flush the laundry treatment composition from pump system 50 to washing machine 10 requiring the laundry treatment composition. The valve 120 connected to the water source can then be closed and the pump system 50 is ready to be called upon again to deliver laundry treatment composition to another or the same washing machine 10 .

[0035] The pump system 50 may be a system such as the MULTITEC 3, MULTITEC 6, or MULTITEC 10 available from Dositec Sistemas of Barcelona, Spain. The pump system 50 may be a system such as the MULTI-WASHER 6000 or MULTI-WASHER 10000 available from Hydro Systems of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The pump 80 may be, by way of non-limiting example, a diaphragm pump, a Venturi pump, or a peristaltic pump. The pump system 50 may dispense multiple laundry treatment compositions into multiple washing machines 10. For example, the pump system 50 may dispense six different laundry treatment compositions into ten different washing machines 10.

[0036] The pump system 50 can have the ability to selectively obtain multiple laundry treatment compositions from multiple containers 100 and selectively dispense the multiple laundry treatment compositions to individual washing machines 10 via pumps 80. In the array 1 disclosed herein, multiple pump systems 50 are provided.

[0037] The array 1 can be used to wash laundry in adjacent washing machines 10 as follows: overlapping laundry treatment composition dispense requests can be initiated in a first washing machine and a second washing machine adjacent to the first washing machine. In response to the laundry treatment composition dispense requests, a first pump system 50 (e.g., 50a) can deliver a first amount of laundry treatment composition to the first washing machine. A second pump system 50 (e.g., 50b) can deliver a second amount of laundry treatment composition to the second washing machine.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the washing machines 10 can be positioned so that the operating surfaces of adjacent washing machines 10 are offset from each other by less than 90 degrees, optionally less than 50 degrees, optionally less than 30 degrees, optionally less than 10 degrees, and optionally less than 5 degrees (e.g., machine rows R1, R2, and R3). The alignment angle α of the operating surfaces 20 is shown in Figure 6. When α is zero (machine rows R2 and R3), the operating surfaces 20 can be aligned with each other or oriented in the same direction as each other.

[0039] To quantify the benefits associated with configuring the array 1 so that a high percentage of adjacent washing machines 10 are not connected to the same pumping system 50, as claimed, data was collected regarding the use of washing machines 10 at a coin laundry. Floor plans of the coin laundry are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the coin laundry, each washing machine 10 was provided with its own dedicated pumping system 50, i.e., one pumping system 50 supplying only one washing machine 10. Over a period of approximately 14 months, the start time of each washing machine 10 with a known location within the coin laundry was recorded. Over this period, over 100,000 wash cycles were started at the coin laundry. Individual washing machines 10 in the coin laundry were used between 500 and 3,900 times, depending on the location of the washing machine 10.

[0040] For a dosing system 50 supplying 10 washing machines 10, to identify the frequency of potential overlapping requests to the pump system 50 for laundry treatment product, a simulation was constructed in which a group of 10 washing machines was connected to the pump system 50. The simulation was constructed such that dosing of the detergent composition began 15 seconds after the washing machines 10 were started, took 90 seconds to complete dosing, and the standard deviation of the time to complete dosing was 5 seconds.

[0041] Three layouts for connecting pump systems 50 to washing machines 10 were modeled, with each pump system 50 connected to a group of washing machines 10 in close proximity to one another (FIG. 7). In one group of washing machines 10, ten washing machines 10 in the same aisle across from one another are designated to be connected to the same pump system 50, and this group is shown in FIG. 7A surrounded by a thick dashed line. In another grouping of washing machines 10, ten washing machines 10 are designated to be connected to the same pump system 50, and are spaced apart and back-to-back, and this group is shown in FIG. 7B surrounded by a thick dashed line. In another group of washing machines 10, ten washing machines 10 are designated to be connected to the same pump system 50, with six of the washing machines 10 spaced apart and back-to-back, and the remaining four washing machines 10 are in the same row as three of the six washing machines 10 (FIG. 7C).

[0042] The layouts of grouped washing machines 10 shown in Figures 7A-7C resulted in 29% to 35% overlap of simulated load requests. Of the three modeled layouts, the highest overlap was for washing machines 10 in the same aisle facing each other (Figure 7A, 35% of 29,905 wash cycles, maximum queue of 8 machines). Washing machines 10 spaced apart and placed back-to-back had a 29% overlap (Figure 7B, 27,195 wash cycles, maximum queue of 8 machines). In the layout marked in Figure 7C, the overlap was 32% (22,147 wash cycles, maximum queue of 7 machines). The difference between the groups shown in Figures 7B and 7C is that the group shown in Figure 7C has fewer side-by-side washing machines 10 than the group shown in Figure 7B.

[0043] As claimed, layouts in which washing machines 10 in a group of 10 washing machines 10 are arranged so that adjacent washing machines 10 are not connected to the same pump system 50 are shown in Figures 8A-8C. Each group of washing machines 10 is formed by an individual washing machine 10, each surrounded by a thick dashed line. In the layouts shown in Figures 8A-8C, only 14% (Figure 8A, 24,008 wash cycles, maximum queue of 4 machines) to 19% (Figure 8C, 30,194 wash cycles, maximum queue of 5 machines) of simulated input requests overlapped. In the layout shown in Figure 8B, the simulated overlap rate was 16% (27,389 wash cycles, maximum queue of 6 machines). In the layout shown in Figure 8A, each closed-end aisle contains only two washing machines 10 connected to the same pump system 50. The remaining washing machines 10 are separated by a large distance from each other or face away from each other, making them unlikely to be started by the same user 60 within a short time interval. In the layouts shown in Figures 8B and 8C, some of the laundry processing machines 10 supplied by the same pump system 50 tend to be in the same aisle as each other, but spaced apart from each other along the aisle.

[0044] Another set of simulations was performed for the layout shown in Figures 8A-8C, showing that dispense of detergent composition began 15 seconds after the washing machine 10 was started and took 60 seconds to complete dispense, with a standard deviation of 2 seconds for the time to complete dispense. The simulated overlap percentages for the layouts of Figures 8A-8C were 9%, 11%, and 13%, respectively. Decreasing the amount of time to complete dispense tended to decrease the simulated overlap percentages.

[0045] The reduction in the simulated rate of overlapping requests for a group of washing machines 10 in which a high percentage of adjacent washing machines 10 are not connected to the same pump system 50 is believed to provide at least two advantages. First, users 60 of the washing machines 10 are more likely to achieve shorter wash cycle times because they spend less time waiting in line to load their laundry. Second, the array 1 is believed to operate more efficiently, meaning that the same number of loads of laundry can be processed by fewer machines over the same period of time compared to an otherwise configured group.

[0046] combination An example is shown below. A. An array of washing machines (1), the array comprising: a plurality of washing machines (10), each having an operating surface (20) on which the washing machine is operated; a plurality of pump systems (50), each pump system being in fluid communication with two or more of the washing machines; An array of washing machines, wherein for 80% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from each other by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

[0047] B. An array of washing machines as described in paragraph A, wherein for 80% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, no two adjacent washing machines having at least a portion of their operating surfaces facing each other are connected to the same pump system.

[0048] C. An array of washing machines as described in paragraph A, wherein for 80% to 100% of the washing machines, adjacent washing machines having operating surfaces oriented in the same direction as each other are not connected to the same pump system.

[0049] D. The array of washing machines described in any of paragraphs A-C, wherein each such pump system is in fluid communication with three or more washing machines.

[0050] E. An array of washing machines described in any of paragraphs A through D, wherein for 90% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines having operating surfaces oriented in the same direction as each other are not connected to the same pump system.

[0051] F. An array of washing machines described in any of paragraphs A through D, wherein for 95% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines having operating surfaces oriented in the same direction as each other are not connected to the same pump system.

[0052] G. An array of washing machines described in any of paragraphs A through D, wherein, for 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines having operating faces oriented in the same direction as each other are not connected to the same pump system.

[0053] H. An array of washing machines described in any of paragraphs A through D, wherein for 90% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from each other by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

[0054] I. An array of washing machines described in any of paragraphs A through D, wherein for 95% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from each other by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

[0055] J. An array of washing machines described in any of paragraphs A-D, wherein for 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from each other by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

[0056] K. Each such pump system: a collection manifold (70) in fluid communication with a plurality of distinct, individually contained laundry treatment compositions; a pump (80) downstream of the collection manifold; The washing machine array of any of paragraphs A-J, comprising a distribution manifold (90) downstream of the pump.

[0057] L. A method for washing laundry using the adjacent washing machine described in any one of paragraphs A to K, initiating overlapping laundry treatment composition dispense requests at a first washing machine and a second washing machine adjacent to the first washing machine; and in response to the laundry treatment composition dispense request, simultaneously supplying a first amount of the laundry treatment composition to the first washing machine by a first pump system and a second amount of the laundry treatment composition to the second washing machine by a second pump system.

Claims

1. An array of washing machines (1), said array comprising: A plurality of washing machines (10), each having an operating surface (20) on which the washing machine is operated; a plurality of pump systems (50), each pump system being in fluid communication with two or more of the washing machines; An array of washing machines, wherein for 80% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from one another by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

2. 2. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 80% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, two adjacent washing machines with at least a portion of the operating surface facing each other are not connected to the same pump system.

3. 2. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 80% to 100% of the washing machines, adjacent washing machines having the operating surfaces oriented in the same direction are not connected to the same pump system.

4. 4. The array of washing machines of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each pump system is in fluid communication with three or more washing machines.

5. 2. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 90% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines having the operating surfaces oriented in the same direction as each other are not connected to the same pump system.

6. 2. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 95% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines having the operating surfaces oriented in the same direction as each other are not connected to the same pump system.

7. 2. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines having the operating faces oriented in the same direction as each other are not connected to the same pump system.

8. 10. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 90% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from one another by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

9. 10. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 95% to 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from one another by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

10. 2. The array of washing machines of claim 1, wherein for 100% of the washing machines in the array, adjacent washing machines whose operating surfaces are offset from one another by less than 90 degrees are not connected to the same pump system.

11. Each of said pump systems comprises: a collection manifold (70) in fluid communication with a plurality of distinct, individually contained laundry treatment compositions; a pump (80) downstream of said collection manifold; 2. The washing machine array of claim 1, further comprising: a distribution manifold (90) downstream of said pump.

12. 10. A method of washing laundry using adjacent washing machines in an array of adjacent washing machines according to claim 1, comprising: initiating overlapping laundry treatment composition dispense requests at a first washing machine and a second washing machine adjacent to the first washing machine; and in response to the laundry treatment composition dispense request, simultaneously supplying a first amount of the laundry treatment composition to the first washing machine by a first pump system and supplying a second amount of the laundry treatment composition to the second washing machine by a second pump system.

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