Washing machine rinse water recycling apparatus

• Main Author: MERTZ; JOHN C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.05.1994
• Edition: 5
• Subjects: FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; LAUNDERING; LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILEARTICLES; TEXTILES; TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE

This invention in its most basic form is a reservoir container that is adapted to hold the rinse water from the final rinse cycle of a washing machine and a means for conveying the rinse water after being used in the final rinse cycle of the washing machine into the reservoir and the means for returning that water to the wash machine for the beginning of the wash cycle of the next load. The reservoir in the preferred embodiment for a household wash machine holds approximately twenty-five gallons. It is hooked to the washer drain through a two way valve. During the wash cycle this two way valve allows the water to flow out of the washer and into the drain. But for the final rinse cycle the valve directs the water from the washer into the reservoir. The reservoir is also hooked to the incoming water source of the washer by a two way valve. When the reservoir is filled with the rinse water from a previous wash and the washer started for a new wash, this incoming two way valve allows the water from the reservoir to flow into the washer. When the washer again calls for water for the rinse cycle, the valve allows the water from the household water supply to flow into the washer.