Rinse water reuse system and methods of use

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses and methods for reusing rinse water and recirculating wash water as well as spraying wash water and/or cleaning compositions onto textiles in order to optimize water usage, wash temperature, and composition dosage are provided. An apparatus comprising a water reservoir tank, a drain water pump, a reservoir tank water transfer pump, a control circuit box, at least one diverter drain valve, and a nozzle system comprising a spray nozzle, a valve, and connectors together with a replacement door window, pump, and tubing are further provided for use in the water reuse system. The water reuse system is beneficially combined with a customized cleaning composition to provide improved cleaning performance and effective soil removal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reusing water from a wash tank of a laundry wash machine, comprising:
 introducing a supply of water to a wash tank, wherein the wash machine tank contains one or more soiled articles;   washing the one or more soiled articles in the wash machine tank, wherein the one or more soiled articles comprise laundry textiles;   rinsing the one or more soiled articles in the wash machine tank;   delivering the supply of water to a drain water pump and at least one reservoir tank;   providing the water to a reservoir tank water transfer pump; and   delivering the supply of water back to the wash tank.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding a cleaning composition to the wash machine tank. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning composition is added to the wash machine tank through a dispenser in fluid communication with the wash machine tank. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cleaning composition is provided as a concentrate which is diluted to form a use solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claims 2 , wherein the cleaning composition comprises:
 a source of alkalinity;   at least one surfactant;   at least one anti-redeposition agent; and   at least one chelant.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more soiled articles comprise laundry textiles. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of delivering the supply of water to at least one filter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising adding the use solution for a predetermined amount of time such that the solution comprises a desired concentration. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising adding the use solution to a predetermined volume to create a desired concentration. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of delivering the supply of water back to the wash tank comprises pumping the supply of water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is conducted at a temperature of between about 40° C. to about 70° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of dumping the reservoir tank. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reservoir tank is dumped if the temperature of the reservoir tank falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reservoir tank is dumped if the reservoir tank is idle for a period longer than a predetermined time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of dumping the reservoir tank is activated manually. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of dumping the reservoir tank is by a programmable controller. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method provides for removal of proteinaceous, oily, greasy or chlorophyll soils. 
     
     
         18 . A method for reusing water in a wash machine comprising:
 dispensing a cleaning composition into wash water of a wash tank;   removing the wash water from a wash tank with a drain water transfer pump;   moving the removed wash water to at least one reservoir tank in fluid communication with the wash tank with the drain water transfer pump; and   transferring water from the at least one reservoir tank back to the wash tank with a reservoir tank water pump, wherein the at least one reservoir tank comprises an inner and outer chamber, the inner and outer chambers slope towards at least one reservoir tank water trap, and the at least one reservoir tank water trap moves water from the at least one reservoir tank to the drain or moves water from the at least one reservoir tank to the reservoir tank water transfer pump.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising modulating water levels in the wash tank modulated by a dead end valve, a piston, a shrink sump, a water fall, an external tank, a pinch valve, or a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         20 . A method for reusing water in a wash machine comprising:
 preparing a chelating or sequestering agent and detersive ingredients in an aqueous pre-mix;   mixing the aqueous pre-mix with water from a water supply during at least one wash cycle of the wash machine;   removing ions from hard water that is a byproduct of the at least one wash cycle of the wash machine;   binding metal ions in the hard water to prevent the metal ions from interfering with the action of the detersive ingredients other than the chelating or sequestering agent;   removing wash water from a wash tank with a drain water transfer pump;   transferring a recycled, about-0 grain water producing from using the water softening device and the chelating or sequestering agent from the reservoir tank into the wash tank using the reservoir tank water pump.