Timing control and timed wash cycle for an automatic washer

Abstract

A control for an automatic washer to operate the washer through a wash cycle determined based upon various soils and stains in the substrate load to be washed with a wash liquor in a wash zone of the washer. The control has a plurality of stain/soil type entrées, which can be at least one of selected and detected, and cleaned with a particular wash cycle. The control has dispensing control over at least one wash liquor additive. The control has a user input to permit the user to customize the operation of the control with regard to the dispensing of the various wash liquor additive and a timing mechanism. The control has operational control over the particular wash cycles using the dispensing control to dispense additives to the wash liquor at selected times during the wash cycle.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A wash cycle comprising the steps:
 loading a wash machine with a substrate load for cleaning,   selecting a wash cycle based on at least a stain/soil in the substrate load,   contacting the substrate load with a wash liquor,   after a first predetermined time, dispensing a first wash liquor additive into the wash liquor, from the group consisting of detergents, chlorine bleaches, color safe bleaches, cleaning boosters, oxidizing agents, pre-wash stain removers, pre-wash chemistries, switchable or tunable surfactants, wrinkle guard, color finishes, water repellency, stain guard, functional finishes, fabric softeners, water softeners, fragrances, anti-static agents, drying aids, de-wrinkling chemistries, deodorizers, surfactants, emulsifiers, enzyme activated stain removers, sudsing agents, builders, anti-redeposition polymers, in-wash stain removers and perfumes, and   after a predetermined time following the dispensing of the first wash liquor additive, dispensing a second wash liquor additive from the same group.   
     
     
         13 . The wash cycle according to  claim 12 , wherein the selecting step includes a user inputting a stain/soil type into a control of the washer. 
     
     
         14 . The wash cycle according to  claim 12 , wherein the first predetermined time is based on a selection made by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The wash cycle according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined time following the dispensing of the first wash liquor additive is dependent upon one of the type of stain/soil in the substrate load and the temperature of the wash liquor. 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled)