SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR LAUNDRY TREATMENT COMPOSITION

Abstract

A laundry treatment composition supply system to supply laundry treatment composition to multiple washing machines. The system can include a first supply container and a second supply container. Each of the supply containers can be operably engaged with a level sensor. Upon a low liquid level signal from a sensor associated with a container, a controller system can switch supply of the laundry treatment composition from the container having a low level to another container. The laundry treatment composition can be pumped from one supply container or the other supply container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A supply system for supplying laundry treatment composition to a plurality of washing machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of circumstances in which a vendor desires to service multiple laundry washing machines. For example, laundromats, multiunit dwellings, commercial laundry and the like have multiple laundry washing machines in a single location. The multiple laundry washing machines can be integrated with a supply system for the laundry treatment composition or laundry treatment compositions. The laundry washing machines may be activated by coins, tokens, a key card, a wired controller system, a wireless controller system, manually via an operator the like.

When the laundry washing machines are integrated with a supply system, the system must be monitored to ensure that laundry treatment composition is available when needed by the user. When the laundry treatment composition stored in the supply system is nearly depleted or depleted, action must be taken to replenish the laundry treatment composition. Typically, an attendant must periodically check on the supply system to ensure that an adequate supply of laundry treatment composition is available to meet the expected demand If an adequate supply is not available, the attendant or someone else must take action to provide for additional laundry treatment composition for the integrated supply system.

Providing an attendant to operate a location that has multiple laundry washing machines installed can be expensive. Labor costs may be a significant fraction of the overall cost of operating a laundromat or a laundry facility that serves a multiunit dwelling or a commercial laundry facility. The more complex the tasks to be executed by an attendant are or the more time that an attendant is needed to be at the site of a laundromat or multiunit dwelling, the greater the cost will be to find an attendant who can perform the tasks. Resupplying additional laundry treatment composition to an integrated supply system may be a complex task that can require skills beyond what are typical of a customer service employee. As such, attending to and resupplying an integrated laundry treatment composition supply system may be expensive. If the system is resupplied on a regular schedule, there is the possibility that the system will be depleted prior to the next scheduled resupply or that there will be laundry treatment composition left over when the resupply visit occurs. Operators also prefer that all containers are depleted to the desire level to minimize waste. If the staffing level is low or nonexistent, service at the location may be disrupted because there is no person available to resupply additional laundry treatment composition.

The users of the laundry washing machines pay for the cost of operating the laundry washing machines. Therefore, users stand to benefit from any advances made in the operational efficiency of venues that have an integrated supply system for laundry treatment compositions to multiple laundry washing machines.

One approach for an integrated supply system for laundry treatment composition is to employ a process tank that stores enough volume of the laundry treatment composition so that there is a low likelihood of the tank being emptied between resupply visits. During a resupply visit, the technician can refill the tank with laundry treatment composition. A problem with this approach is that unless the tank is emptied and cleaned, there is a substantial possibility that the carried over laundry treatment composition will be fouled by biological growth or that the active in the carried over composition will degrade, both of which may result in a dissatisfied user.

Emptying and cleaning a tank may require extra time and may waste some volume of the laundry treatment composition and may result in the need for controlled disposal of the composition.

With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed need for systems and methods for improving operation of an array of laundry washing machines that are integrated with a supply system for the laundry treatment composition or laundry treatment compositions that reduces the need for attendance of the system, limits the possibility that the supply system will be depleted prior to a scheduled or invited visit, reduces waste of laundry treatment composition during periods of low use, and reduces the potential for fouling and degradation of the laundry treatment composition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A laundry treatment composition supply system comprising: a first supply container; a first supply container level sensor operably engaged with said first supply container; a first supply conduit downstream of said first supply container and in fluid communication with a main supply conduit; a second supply container; a second supply conduit downstream of said second supply container and in fluid communication with said main supply conduit; one or more automatic block valves, wherein said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with said one or more automatic block valves; one or more pumps in fluid communication with one or both of said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit; a controller system communicatively coupled with said first supply container level sensor and said one or more block valves, wherein said controller system is configured to signal said one or more automatic block valves to shut off flow from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit after receipt of a low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor and open said one or more automatic block valves to permit flow from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit; and a plurality of washing machines, wherein each said washing machine is in fluid communication with said main supply conduit.

A method of operating the laundry treatment composition supply system according to the preceding paragraph comprising the steps of: conveying a first laundry treatment composition from within said first supply container to said washing machines; receiving at said controller system a low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor; sending a shut off signal from said controller system to said one or more block valves to shut off flow from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit in response to said low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor; and sending an open up signal from said controller system to said one or more block valves to open said flow from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit in response to said open up signal from said controller system; and conveying a second laundry treatment composition from within said second supply container to said washing machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an alternative system.

FIG. 3 is a supply container that is exemplary of a first supply container, second supply container, and a replacement supply container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A laundry treatment composition supply system 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The system 10 can be installed in a laundromat setting. Optionally, the system 10 can be installed in a laundry room that services a multiunit dwelling, or a commercial laundry operation. The system 10 can be a multiple laundry washing machine laundry treatment composition supply system 10. The system 10 can be installed in a secure area of the laundromat or laundry room so that users of the multiple laundry washing machines 20 do not have access to the appurtenances associated with the system beyond the typical consumer or household use of the washing machines 20.

The system 10 can comprise a first supply container 30 and a second supply container 40. The first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40 can contain the laundry treatment composition 50, 50a with respect to the first supply container 30 and 50b with respect to the second supply container 40. The system 10 can further comprise a first supply container level sensor 60, 60a that is operably engaged with the first supply container 30. During operation of the system 10, laundry treatment composition 50 from one of the first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40 is delivered downstream towards the laundry washing machines 20. Laundry treatment composition 50 can flow from within the first supply container 30 into the first supply conduit 90. Likewise, laundry treatment composition 50 can flow from within the second supply container 40 into the second supply conduit 100.

A depletion wand can be employed as part of the respective supply conduit to transport the contents from within a supply container, for example the first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40, downstream. Each supply conduit can comprise a check valve to help prevent the respective supply conduit from losing its prime or spilling during change over when a supply container is changed out.

The direction of flow of the laundry treatment composition 50 is from one of the first supply container 30 and second supply container 40 downstream towards and to the washing machines 20. The laundry treatment composition 50 can be provided to the washing machines 20 through a main supply conduit 70. The main supply conduit 70 can be connected to the laundry treatment composition inlet port 80 of each laundry washing machine 20. Each laundry washing machine 20 can have controls and appurtenances therein to controllably dose the desired quantity of laundry treatment composition 50 to the tub of the laundry washing machine 20 at the desired time. Each washing machine 20 can comprise a frame 22, a tub 23 housed within the cabinet frame, a rotatable drum 24 within the tub 23, a door 26 providing access to the rotatable drum 24, and an inlet port 80 in fluid communication with the tub 23.

The first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40 can be exterior to the frame 22. The first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40 can more than about 1 meter away from the frame 22 or any of the parts of the washing machine 20 within the frame.

The washing machines 20 can be ELECTROLUX 6000 professional washing machines. The washing machines 20 can comprise software and controllers that can communication with the controller system 130 or directly with the pump or pumps 120 and or the block valves 110.

The system 10 can include a first supply conduit 90 downstream of the first supply container 30. The first supply conduit 90 can be in fluid communication with the main supply conduit 70. The laundry treatment composition 50 can be transported from the first supply container 30 downstream through the first supply conduit 90 and further downstream to the main supply conduit 70 and ultimately to a laundry washing machine 20.

The system 10 can further comprise a second supply conduit 100 downstream of the second supply container 40 that is in fluid communication with the main supply conduit 70. The laundry treatment composition 50 can be transported from the second supply container 40 downstream through the second supply conduit 100 and further downstream to the main supply conduit 70 and ultimately to a laundry washing machine 90.

The system 10 can comprise one or more automatic block valves 110. The first supply conduit 90 and second supply conduit 100 can be in fluid communication with the one or more automatic block valves 110. The one or more block valves 110 can control from which of the first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40 the laundry treatment composition 50 is pumped. Each of the first supply conduit 90 and the second supply conduit 100 can have block valve 110 that can permit or block flow from the supply conduit with which the block valve 110 is in line with. A block valve 110 can be a two-way valve having an open and a closed position.

The first supply conduit 90 and the second supply conduit 100 can both be connected to a single block valve 110. That single block valve 110 can permit or block flow from the first supply conduit 90 and permit or block flow from the second supply conduit 100 and be configured so that in operation flow can occur from only one supply conduit but not the other. Such an arrangement is may be provided with a three-way block valve 110.

The first supply conduit 90, second supply conduit 90, and the main supply conduit 70 can be metal or plastic piping. The piping can have an inside diameter of from about 0.5 cm to about 10 cm.

The system 10 can further comprise one or more pumps 120 in fluid communication with one or both of the first supply conduit 90 and the second supply conduit 100. The one or more pumps 120 can provide the driving energy to transport laundry treatment composition 50 from one of the first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40 into the respective supply conduit. The one or more pumps 120 can also provide the driving energy to transport the laundry treatment composition 50 in and through main supply conduit 70 to the inlet port 80 of each laundry washing machine 20. The one or more pumps 120 can be a single pump 120 in-line with the main supply conduit 70. Optionally, each of the first supply conduit 90 and the second supply conduit 100 can comprise a pump 120 in-line with the respective supply conduit to pump laundry treatment composition to the main supply conduit 70.

The pump 120 can be a HYDSPD0026, 8P, 10WE, 1CH, 241, NEU,V pump available from Hydro Systems, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America. The pump 120 can be a

DOSITEC MULTITEC10 pump distributed by Hydro Systems, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America. The pump can be a multi-solenoid pump controlled by a programmer logic controller. Multiple chemistries, for example 2 to 10 chemistries, may feed into and be part of the system 10 and water may comprise a portion of any chemistry or chemistries. The washing machine 20 can call for a certain amount of chemistry at a certain time. The multi-solenoid pump block can open and allow the pump to draw the chemistry called for. The pump can be an electro-diaphragm pump or an air pump. There can be a flow meter right immediately downstream of the pump 120. The chemistry can be routed to a specific machine by another solenoid block. The chemistry can be conveyed to a machine 20 or machines 20 by water, or optionally air.

The system 10 can comprise a controller system 130. The controller system 130 can be communicatively coupled with the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a and the one or more block valves 110. The controller system 130 can be configured to signal the one or more automatic block valves 110 to shut off flow from the first supply conduit 90 to the main supply conduit 70 after receipt of a low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a and open the one or more automatic block valves 110 to permit flow from the second supply conduit 100 to the main supply conduit 70. The low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a and optional second supply container level sensor 60,60b can be generated by a flow sensor in the first supply conduit 90 or second supply conduit 100. The controller system 130 can be an integrated controller system 130 that controls operation of the block valves 110 and pump 120. The controller system 130 can comprise one controller that controls one or more of the block valves and another controller that controls the pump 120, there being some connection between the controllers, master controller, or distributed controller system 130 operable with or between multiple washing machines 20 having on-board controllers so that individual components of the system 10 to operate in concert with one another.

The block valves 110 can be pneumatic solenoid valves or solenoid valves. The block valves 110 can be of a type fabricated from materials that are chemically compatible with the laundry treatment composition 50, 50a, 50b.

The system 10 can be operated by a controller 130 implementing the method of operating the system 10. The steps of the method can comprise conveying a first laundry treatment composition 50a from within the first supply container 30 towards or to the laundry washing machines 20. While operating the system 10, the controller system 130 can receive a low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a. After receiving the low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a, the controller system 130 can send a shut off signal from the controller system 130 to the one or more block valves 110 to shut off flow from the first supply conduit 90 to the main supply conduit 70 in response to the low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a. Likewise, after receiving the low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a, the controller system 130 can send a signal to the one or more block valves 110 to open the flow from the second supply conduit 100 to the main supply conduit 70 in response to the open up signal from the controller system 130. After the open up signal is received by the block valve 110 associated with the second supply conduit 100, the second laundry treatment composition 50b can be conveyed from within the second supply container 40 towards or to the laundry washing machines 20.

After supply of the laundry treatment composition 50 is switched from the first supply container 30 to the second supply container 40, the first supply container 30 can be replaced with another container of the laundry treatment composition 50, the replacement supply container 140. The need for a replacement supply container 140 can be managed by the operator periodically checking the first supply container 30 and or second supply container 40 and determining that if the quantity of laundry treatment composition 50, 50a, 50b is below some threshold volume, the replacement supply container 140 is substituted in place of the supply container having a below the threshold volume of laundry treatment composition 50, 50a, 50b. The system 10 can generate a human perceptible alarm in response to the container level sensor low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a. The human perceptible alarm can prompt the human attendant for the system 10 to replace the spent first supply container 30 with replacement supply container 140 of laundry treatment composition 50. The first supply container 40 can be removed from the system 10 and the replacement supply container 140 can be obtained in a closed condition. The replacement supply container 140 containing replacement laundry treatment composition 50 can be opened. The first supply conduit 90 can be place in fluid communication with the replacement laundry treatment composition 50c. Optionally, the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a can be engaged with the replacement supply container 140.

Using replacement supply containers 140 as described herein presents a number of advantages over systems in which a single reservoir tank is used to store laundry treatment composition and that same reservoir tank is periodically replenished. Periodically opening and replenishing the laundry treatment composition in a single reservoir tank may be technically challenging for a system attendant and the system attendant may need to follow complicated instructions to properly replenish the reservoir tank and possibly flush components of the system 10. Periodically replenishing a single reservoir tank also presents the risk that some volume of the laundry treatment composition may have aged and deteriorated. Laundry treatment composition actives may have some shelf-life during which the actives provide the desired or anticipated level of performance, after which the actives become less functional or even nonfunctional. Periodically opening and replenishing the laundry treatment composition in a single reservoir tank also opens up the potential that biological actives will enter the reservoir tank and foul the laundry treatment composition or parts of the system downstream of the reservoir tank. To overcome some of the aforesaid challenges, the reservoir tank may be cleaned out as part of the replenishment procedure, either every time the reservoir tank is replenished or occasionally. Cleaning out the reservoir tank will result in downtime for the system and may require the system attendant to perform a complicated clean out procedure. Moreover, the system 10 described herein may not require an available attendant during operational hours. The volume of the laundry treatment composition 50, 50b within the second supply container 40 can be sufficient to permit operation of the system 10 for some time before the second supply container 40 is functionally depleted. The replacement supply container 140 needs only to be substituted in place of the first supply container 30 before the second supply container 40 is depleted to maintain operation of the system 10.

In the system 10 described herein, replacement supply containers 140 can be delivered to the site at which the system 10 is installed. The replacement supply container 140 can be a in closed condition. The replacement supply container 140 can include a security seal or tag or other mechanism, such as one or more tamper-proof or tamper-evident seals, that is indicative of the replacement supply container 140 having been properly prepared for receipt at the site of the system 10. Receiving closed replacement supply container 140 can help ensure that the contents of the replacement supply container 140 are of the desired composition and meet the desired technical specifications so that users of the system 10 are not disappointed in the performance of the system 10 with respect to laundering their clothes.

The system 10 can comprise additional supply containers that supply laundry treatment compositions having a composition that differs from the first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40. For example, the additional supply containers can supply fabric softener, color rejuvenator, bleach, brightener, and the like. Such additional supply containers may be part of the system 10 and be connected to the main supply conduit 70 upstream of the pump 120.

The human perceptible alarm can be any signal that an attendant can perceive. For example, the human perceptible alarm can be a light, a sound, a mobile text, an alert on a wearable device, a telephone call (mobile, landline, or satellite, by way of nonlimiting example), a wireless signal to a receiver associated with the attendant, or the like. The human perceptible alarm may be proximally associated with the first supply container 30 and or second supply container 40, for example in the same room or space in which the nonuser facing portion of the system 10 is present.

The method of operating the system 10 can further comprise the steps of receiving the first supply container 30 in a closed condition and the second supply container 40 in a closed condition. The first supply container 30 can be opened and first supply conduit 90 can be placed in fluid communication with the first laundry treatment composition 50, 50a. The second supply container 40 can be opened and the second supply conduit 100 can be placed in fluid communication with the second laundry treatment composition 50, 50b.

The system 10 can be operated step-wise in which an initial state of operation provides for a first supply container 30 and a second supply container 40, both of which are filled with laundry treatment composition 50, 50a and 50b to the desired fill level, which may be not entirely full so as to leave some practical head space in the containers. In operation, the first laundry treatment composition 50a may be consumed by users of the system 10. When the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a signals that the first laundry treatment composition 50a is depleted, or functionally depleted so that the composition may not be conveniently pumped from the container, the controller system 130 can switch supply of the laundry treatment composition from the first supply container 30 to the second supply container 40 by signaling the one or more block valves 110 to close the pathway for flow from the first supply container 30 and open the pathway for flow from the second supply container 40. The low liquid level signal from the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a can trigger the controller system 130 to instigate a human perceptible alarm. The attendant, alerted by the human perceptible alarm, can arrive at the first supply container 30, optionally remove or disassociate the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a from the first supply container 30, and disassociate the first supply conduit 90 from the first supply container 30. The spent first supply container 30 can then be removed from the system. A replacement supply container 140 can then be installed into the system 10 by connecting the first supply conduit 90 and optionally the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a to the replacement supply container 140. A system 10 that further comprises a second supply container level sensor 60, 60b can be practical. The second supply container level sensor 60, 60b can be operably engaged with the second supply container 40 and communicatively coupled with the controller system 130. The second supply container level sensor 60, 60b can operate in the same manner as the first supply container level sensor 60, 60a and trigger the controller system 130 to instigate a human perceptible alarm. The attendant, upon being informed by the human perceptible alarm that the second supply container 40 is spent, can then remove the second supply container 40 from the system 10 in the same or similar manner in which the first supply container 30 is removed from the system 10. The attendant can then install a replacement supply container 140 into the system 10 in the same or similar manner in which the first supply container 30 is replaced. The system 10 can be serially operated as above in that once laundry treatment composition 50, 50a in the first supply container 30 is spent, laundry treatment composition 50, 50b in the second supply container 40 can supply for the needs of the system 10. In the interim, the first supply container 30 can be replaced. When the second supply container 40 is spent, the system 10 can switch to the replacement supply container 140 in the position formerly occupied by the first supply container 30. The spent second supply container 40 can then be replaced. The serial operation can proceed ad infinitum.

The first supply conduit 90 and the second supply conduit 100 can be fluid communication with the same block valve 110 (FIG. 2). The block valve 110 can be a three-way block valve 110 having a first valve position open from the first supply conduit 90 to the main supply conduit 70 and closed from the second supply conduit 100 to the main supply conduit 70 and a second position closed from the first supply conduit 90 to the main supply conduit 70 and open from the second supply conduit 100 to the main supply conduit 70. Such a three-way block valve 110 permits flow from one supply conduit but not the other and flow can be switched from one supply conduit to the other. The first supply container level sensor 60, 60a and the second supply container level sensor 60, 60b can be a float switch. A float switch operates on the principle that a change in alignment of the float switch connects a circuit in the float switch. The controller system 130 can detect the completed circuit and the program logic can follow to produce the desired response to the completed circuit. The float switch can be suspended in respective supply container with slack such that as the level of the laundry treatment composition decreases the orientation of the float switch changes.

The first supply container level sensor 60, 60a and the second supply container level sensor 60, 60b can be a device selected from a float switch, a liquid pressure transducer, a load cell, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, flow rate sensor, and an optical sensor.

The first supply container 30, second supply container 40, and replacement supply container 140 can comprise a top bunghole 150 (FIG. 3). To prepare the respective container for installation into the system 10, the plug 160 of the bunghole 150 can be removed from the respective container. The appropriate level sensor 60 can be inserted into the respective container through the bunghole 150. The containers, as described herein, can each have one or more bungholes 150. The appropriate supply conduit can also be inserted into the respective container. The portion of the supply conduit inserted into the container may be rigid so that the open end of the supply conduit is at or near the bottom of the interior of the container.

Optionally, the portion of the supply conduit inserted into the container may be flexible tubing and may include a sinker weight to sink the open end of the supply conduit to be at or near the bottom of the interior of the container. The containers can be provided with a vent so that a vacuum does not build up within the container as the level of the laundry detergent composition decreases within the container. The vent can have an air filter on it so that lint and other unwanted air particles do not contaminate the chemistry.

Each of the first supply container 30 and the second supply container 40 can contain a laundry treatment composition 50, 50a, 50b. The laundry treatment composition 50, 50a, 50b can each have the same composition. That is, each of the first supply container 30 and second supply container 40 can contain the same laundry treatment composition 50. For example, the laundry treatment composition 50a in the first supply container 30 and the laundry treatment composition 50b in the second supply container 40 can have the same level of the same surfactant. The laundry treatment composition 50a in the first supply container 30 and the laundry treatment composition 50b in the second supply container 40 can each be a detergent composition. The laundry treatment composition 50a in the first supply container 30 and the laundry treatment composition 50b in the second supply container 40 can each be a fabric softener composition. The laundry treatment composition 50, 50a, 50b can be a liquid laundry treatment composition such as bleach, brightener, color rejuvenator, degreaser, stain remover, and the like.

Combinations

• An example is below:
• A. A laundry treatment composition supply system (10) comprising:

a first supply container (30);

a first supply container level sensor (60, 60a) operably engaged with said first supply container;

a first supply conduit (90) downstream of said first supply container and in fluid communication with a main supply conduit (70);

a second supply container (40);

a second supply conduit (100) downstream of said second supply container and in fluid communication with said main supply conduit;

one or more automatic block valves (110), wherein said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with said one or more automatic block valves; one or more pumps (120) in fluid communication with one or both of said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit;

a controller system communicatively coupled with said first supply container level sensor and said one or more block valves, wherein said controller system is configured to signal said one or more automatic block valves to shut off flow from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit after receipt of a low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor and open said one or more automatic block valves to permit flow from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit; and

a plurality of washing machines (20), wherein each said washing machine is in fluid communication with said main supply conduit.

• B. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to Paragraph A, wherein both said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with the same block valve, wherein said block valve is a three-way block valve having a first valve position open from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and closed from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit and a second position closed from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and open from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit.
• C. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to Paragraph A or B, wherein said pump is in-line with said main supply conduit.
• D. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to any of Paragraphs A to C, wherein said laundry treatment composition supply system further comprises a second supply container level sensor operably engaged with said second supply container and communicatively coupled with said controller system.
• E. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to any of Paragraphs A to D, wherein said first supply container level sensor is a float switch.
• F. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to any of Paragraphs A to E, wherein said first supply container level sensor is a device selected from a float switch, a liquid pressure transducer, a load cell, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, and an optical sensor.
• G. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to any of Paragraphs A to F, wherein each of said first supply container and said second supply container comprise a top bunghole, wherein said first supply conduit is inserted through said top bunghole of said first supply container and said second supply conduit is inserted through said top bunghole of said second supply container
• H. A method of operating the laundry treatment composition supply system of any of Paragraphs A to G comprising the steps of:

conveying a first laundry treatment composition (50a) from within said first supply container to said washing machines;

receiving at said controller system a low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor;

sending a shut off signal from said controller system to said one or more block valves to shut off flow from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit in response to said low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor; and

sending an open up signal from said controller system to said one or more block valves to open said flow from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit in response to said open up signal from said controller system; and

conveying a second laundry treatment composition from within said second supply container to said washing machines.

• I. The method of Paragraph H further comprising the steps of:

receiving said first supply container in a closed condition; receiving said second supply container in a closed condition;

opening said first supply container and placing said first supply conduit in fluid communication with said first laundry treatment composition; and

opening said second supply container and placing said second supply conduit in fluid communication with said second laundry treatment composition.

• J. The method according to Paragraph H or I further comprising the steps of:

generating a human perceptible alarm in response to said container level sensor low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor;

removing said first supply container from said laundry treatment composition supply system; obtaining a replacement supply container (140) in a closed condition; opening said replacement supply container containing replacement laundry treatment composition (50c); and

placing said first supply conduit in fluid communication with said replacement laundry treatment composition.

• K. The method of Paragraph J, further comprising the step of engaging said first supply container level sensor with said replacement supply container.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm ”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A laundry treatment composition supply system comprising:

a first supply container;

a first supply container level sensor operably engaged with said first supply container;

a first supply conduit downstream of said first supply container and in fluid communication with a main supply conduit;

a second supply container;

a second supply conduit downstream of said second supply container and in fluid communication with said main supply conduit;

one or more automatic block valves, wherein said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with said one or more automatic block valves;

one or more pumps in fluid communication with one or both of said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit;

a controller system communicatively coupled with said first supply container level sensor and said one or more block valves, wherein said controller system is configured to signal said one or more automatic block valves to shut off flow from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit after receipt of a low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor and open said one or more automatic block valves to permit flow from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit; and

a plurality of washing machines, wherein each said washing machine is in fluid communication with said main supply conduit.

2. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein both said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with the same block valve, wherein said block valve is a three-way block valve having a first valve position open from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and closed from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit and a second position closed from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and open from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit.

3. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein said pump is in-line with said main supply conduit.

4. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein said laundry treatment composition supply system further comprises a second supply container level sensor operably engaged with said second supply container and communicatively coupled with said controller system.

5. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein said first supply container level sensor is a float switch.

6. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein said first supply container level sensor is a device selected from a float switch, a liquid pressure transducer, a load cell, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, and an optical sensor.

7. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first supply container and said second supply container comprise a top bunghole, wherein said first supply conduit is inserted through said top bunghole of said first supply container and said second supply conduit is inserted through said top bunghole of said second supply container.

8. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein both said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with the same block valve, wherein said block valve is a three-way block valve having a first valve position open from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and closed from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit and a second position closed from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and open from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit, wherein each of said first supply container and said second supply container comprise a top bunghole, wherein said first supply conduit is inserted through said top bunghole of said first supply container and said second supply conduit is inserted through said top bunghole of said second supply container.

9. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 8, wherein said laundry treatment composition supply system further comprises a second supply container level sensor operably engaged with said second supply container and communicatively coupled with said controller system.

10. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein both said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with the same block valve, wherein said block valve is a three-way block valve having a first valve position open from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and closed from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit and a second position closed from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and open from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit, wherein said pump is in-line with said main supply conduit.

11. The laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1, wherein both said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with the same block valve, wherein said block valve is a three-way block valve having a first valve position open from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and closed from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit and a second position closed from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and open from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit, wherein said first supply container level sensor is a device selected from a float switch, a liquid pressure transducer, a load cell, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, and an optical sensor.

12. A method of operating the laundry treatment composition supply system according to claim 1 comprising the steps of:

conveying a first laundry treatment composition from within said first supply container to said washing machines;

receiving at said controller system a low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor;

sending a shut off signal from said controller system to said one or more block valves to shut off flow from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit in response to said low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor; and

sending an open up signal from said controller system to said one or more block valves to open said flow from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit in response to said open up signal from said controller system; and

conveying a second laundry treatment composition from within said second supply container to said washing machines.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

receiving said first supply container in a closed condition;

receiving said second supply container in a closed condition;

opening said first supply container and placing said first supply conduit in fluid communication with said first laundry treatment composition; and

opening said second supply container and placing said second supply conduit in fluid communication with said second laundry treatment composition.

14. The method according to claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

generating a human perceptible alarm in response to said container level sensor low liquid level signal from said first supply container level sensor;

removing said first supply container from said laundry treatment composition supply system;

obtaining a replacement supply container in a closed condition;

opening said replacement supply container containing replacement laundry treatment composition; and

placing said first supply conduit in fluid communication with said replacement laundry treatment composition.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of engaging said first supply container level sensor with said replacement supply container.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein both said first supply conduit and said second supply conduit are in fluid communication with the same block valve, wherein said block valve is a three-way block valve having a first valve position open from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and closed from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit and a second position closed from said first supply conduit to said main supply conduit and open from said second supply conduit to said main supply conduit.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said laundry treatment composition supply system further comprises a second supply container level sensor operably engaged with said second supply container and communicatively coupled with said controller system.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first supply container level sensor is a device selected from a float switch, a liquid pressure transducer, a load cell, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, and an optical sensor.