Method and apparatus for delivering liquid fabric treatment compositions in washing machines

Abstract

A method and apparatus for delivering and transferring a liquid fabric treating composition to saturated clothing within a clothes washing machine during the course of a laundering operation comprises operating the washing machine in the conventional fashion to perform a washing cycle and a rinse cycle. A liquid fabric treating composition is introduced into the washing machine with the saturated clothing after completion of the rinse cycle but in advance of the spin cycle. The liquid fabric treating composition and the saturated clothing are tumbled together so that an effective amount of the liquid fabric treating composition may be transferred to the clothing as a result of contact of the liquid fabric treating composition with water that is contained in the clothing after completion of the rinse cycle. The spin cycle in then initiated, after which time the clothing may be removed from the washing machine for drying.

1 . A method of transferring a liquid fabric treating composition to clothing in a washing machine during the course of a laundering operation, comprising:
 (a) introducing clothing into the washing machine;   (b) performing a washing cycle;   (c) performing a rinse cycle following the washing cycle, the clothing containing at least some water at the conclusion of the rinse cycle;   (d) contacting the clothing with a liquid fabric treating composition following the completion of the rinse cycle;   (e) tumbling the clothing so that an effective amount of the liquid fabric treating composition is transferred to the clothing as a result of contact of the liquid fabric treating composition with water contained within the clothing; and   (f) thereafter performing a spin cycle.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  in which steps (d) and (e) are performed substantially simultaneously. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  in which step (d) is performed and thereafter step (e) is performed. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the clothing is tumbled prior to contacting the clothing with a liquid fabric treating composition. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  in which step (d) comprises emitting liquid fabric treating composition supplied from a reservoir from a dispenser and onto clothing located within the washing machine. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  in which step (e) comprises rotating a drum within which the clothing is located at a speed that allows the clothing to tumble substantially without loss of the water that is present in the clothing after completion of the rinse cycle. 
   
   
       7 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a housing;   a tub located within said housing;   a drum located within said tub, said drum being adapted to receive clothing to be laundered;   a drive mechanism coupled to said drum, said drive mechanism being effective to rotate said drum within said tub;   a reservoir containing a detergent and a liquid fabric treating composition, said reservoir being coupled to a dispenser that communicates with said drum;   a controller coupled to said drive mechanism and to said reservoir, said controller being effective to operate said drive mechanism and said reservoir to perform a washing cycle followed by a rinse cycle, said controller operating said reservoir after completion of said rinse cycle so that liquid fabric treating composition is emitted from said dispenser and into contact with clothing located within said drum, said controller causing said drum to tumble the clothing with said liquid fabric treating composition so that an effective amount of the liquid fabric treating composition is transferred to the clothing as a result of contact of the liquid fabric treating composition with water that is present in the clothing after the completion of the rinse cycle, said controller being effective to thereafter initiate a spin cycle.   
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 7  in which said controller simultaneously causes the liquid fabric treating composition to be emitted from said dispenser and into contact with the clothing and causes the clothing to tumble within said drum. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 7  in which said controller initially causes the liquid fabric treating composition to be emitted from said dispenser and into contact with the clothing, and then causes the clothing to tumble within said drum. 
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 7  in which said controller initially causes the clothing to tumble within said drum and then causes the liquid fabric treating composition to be emitted from said dispenser. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 7  in which said controller causes said drum to rotate at a speed so that the clothing is tumbled substantially without loss of the water that is present within the clothing after completion of the rinse cycle. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine of  claim 7  in which said dispenser is a spray nozzle.