Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-22
2004-09-28
Fischetti, Joseph A. (Department: 3627)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C700S231000, C700S239000, C222S146600, C062S003640, C705S028000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06799085
ABSTRACT:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates in general to a system and method for distributing and dispensing or using appliance supplies or products, and in particular to a distribution and dispensing system which facilitates dispensing or using one or more supplies by an appliance, which tracks supply use, which automatically orders supplies as necessary, which facilitates the delivery of supplies to the users, which enables the users to determine supply usage, which enables users to change the supplies, and which reduces the need to store conventional supply containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many households in the United States and throughout the world use supplies or appliance supplies on a daily basis in connection with appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, clothing dryers, dishwashing machines, water filters, furnaces and humidifiers. Typical appliance supplies include consumable products such as laundry detergents, dish washing detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, drying sheets, beverages, food products and filters. To maintain an adequate supply of such appliance supplies, consumers must continuously supply their homes with various packaged products. This task can be relatively burdensome for families which experience a large consumption of such products or appliance supplies, in part because the appliance supply containers are often somewhat heavy and the appliance supply containers occupy substantial space in or near the appliances. Additionally, the cost in dollars and the time spent in purchasing such appliance supplies on an annual basis can be significant. Accordingly, there is a need for an appliance supply distribution and dispensing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an appliance supply distribution and dispensing system which solves the above problems by enabling users to obtain one or more supplies for an appliance, and which tracks, automatically orders and delivers or distributes the products or supplies used or dispensed by the appliances to the homes of the users of the present system. The appliance supply distribution and dispensing system of the present invention is referred to herein for brevity alternatively as the “system,” “distribution system,” “dispensing system” or the “appliance supply dispensing system.” However, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited by such abbreviated terms or the use of any other abbreviated terms used herein to describe the present invention or components, steps or processes thereof.
Generally, the system of the present invention includes a plurality of appliance supply dispensing apparatuses housed in a plurality of appliances, at least one order processing system which communicates with the appliance supply dispensing apparatuses through a suitable communication channel and one or more supplier systems which communicate with the order processing system through a suitable communication channel. For purposes of this application, the present invention in part will be described in relation to one appliance supply dispensing apparatus, one ordering processing system and one supplier system. It should be appreciated that the system of the present invention includes a plurality of dispensing apparatuses in the appliances of multiple users, a plurality of order processing systems and a plurality of supplier systems which are preferably, but not necessarily, located in the geographic vicinity of the users to facilitate rapid and less expensive delivery of the ordered appliance supply containers to users of the system. Delivery by local suppliers or distributors will also conform to current business agreements between certain distributors and suppliers.
The appliance supply dispensing apparatus in the appliance is adapted to dispense or use at least one, and depending on the appliance, a plurality of appliance supplies pre-selected by the user. The appliance supply dispensing apparatus preferably includes an appliance supply dispensing or use computer, processor or appliance computer, a user interface panel or terminal (if necessary) connected to the dispensing processor, a dispenser or appliance supply mixing mechanism (if necessary) connected to the appliance supply dispensing processor, and one or more appliance supply mechanisms or apparatuses connected to the dispenser. The appliance supply mechanism preferably includes one or more housings for storing one or more appliance supply containers or the supply itself, and one or more actuators such as pumps or other suitable mechanisms (if necessary) for drawing or otherwise directing the appliance supply from the appliance supply containers or housing. The system of the present invention may be implemented in any appliance which dispenses or uses a consumable product or supply such as a consumable packageable product or supply.
One example of an appliance which may be used in conjunction with the present invention is a washing machine. The washing machine includes a detergent supply mechanism. The detergent supply mechanism includes a housing for storing detergent and preferably one or more detergent supply containers or canisters and a suitable mechanism for releasing the detergent supply from the detergent supply container or housing. The washing machine preferably includes one user readily accessible housing adapted to hold the detergent supply containers. This enables the user to easily change the detergent supply containers. The detergent supply containers are also preferably suitably sized to fit within the housing and are suitably sized for shipment via conventional delivery services.
The detergent dispensing apparatus in the washing machine dispenses the detergent as necessary for each wash or washing cycle. The supply dispensing computer in the washing machine preferably tracks (by timing, number of washes or dispenses or other suitable tracking events) the volume of detergent supply dispensed by the dispenser from each detergent supply container. When the supply levels decrease below a predetermined level (i.e., preferably within three days of depletion based on normal or average usage), the dispensing computer automatically sends an order for one or more new detergent supply containers to the order processing system. When the new detergent supply containers are delivered to the consumer's home, the consumer replaces the used detergent supply containers with the new detergent supply containers, preferably when the dispensing computer and interface inform the user that the detergent supply or supply is empty. It should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates any suitable supply level indicator such as a light, to inform the user to replace the supply container.
It should also be appreciated that the washing machine (or any appliance in accordance with the present invention) could include multiple dispensing mechanisms (and one or more indicators) for different supplies or products such as different detergents or different types of products (i.e., detergents, bleaches and fabric softeners). The dispensing computer or appliance computer could monitor all of these products or appliance supplies and make the appropriate orders as necessary.
In another example, the system of the present invention may be implemented in a refrigerator where appliance supplies are preferably mixed or combined to form a final product such as a ready to drink beverage. The refrigerator includes a CO
2
gas supply mechanism, a drink supply mechanism and a water supply mechanism connected to a dispenser. The CO
2
supply mechanism includes a housing for storing one or more CO
2
supply containers
Bell Boyd & Lloyd LLC
Beverage Works, Inc.
Fischetti Joseph A.
LandOfFree
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