Claims:
We claim:

1. A washing machine (100) comprising
at least one heating element (103);
a temperature sensor (104);
a controller (101) configured for
heating water in a tub (102) using the at least one heating element (103) to or above a pre-defined temperature, on determining that water in the tub (102) has reached a pre-defined water level;
maintaining the water using the at least one heating element (103) at or above the pre-defined temperature for a pre-defined time period, wherein the temperature sensor (104) is used for monitoring the temperature of the water;
performing a wash cycle using a motor (107) and a detergent dispenser (106), on the timer expiring; and
initiating a rinse cycle using the motor (107), on completing the wash cycle.

2. The washing machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a water level sensor (105) is configured for monitoring the level of water in the tub (102).

3. The washing machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating element (103) is configured to maintain temperature of the water in the tub (102).

4. The washing machine, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heating element (103) is a resistive heater.

5. The washing machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washing machine is configured to eliminate at least one of at least one allergen and at least one bacteria.

6. A method for providing an anti-microbial wash in a washing machine (100), the method comprising the steps of:
heating water in a tub (102) by a controller (101) using at least one heating element (103) to or above a pre-defined temperature, on determining that water in the tub (102) has reached a pre-defined water level;
maintaining the water by the controller (101) using the at least one heating element (103) at or above the pre-defined temperature for a pre-defined time period, wherein a temperature sensor (104) is used for monitoring the temperature of the water;
performing a wash cycle by the controller (101) using a motor (107) and a detergent dispenser (106), on the timer expiring; and
initiating a rinse cycle by the controller (101) using the motor (107), on completing the wash cycle.

7. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein level of the water in the tub (102) is monitored by a water level sensor (105).

8. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature of the water in the tub (102) is maintained by the heating element (103).

9. The method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the anti-microbial wash eliminates at least one of at least one allergen and at least one bacteria.

Dated this 21st day of July 2020

Ajai Kumar Jain
For Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd

To,
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office, Mumbai , Description:FORM 2
The Patents Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“Methods and a Washing Machine for Providing an Anti-Microbial Wash”

APPLICANTS:

Name : Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd

Nationality : An Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1913

Address : Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 400079

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to washing machines, and more particularly to an anti-microbial wash cycle for washing machines.

BACKGROUND
[002] Currently, washing machines use cleaning cycles which are typically restricted to cleaning the clothes present in the washing machine. Cleaning is restricted to cleaning visible dirt from the clothes. This can however result in the clothes still retaining allergens, microbes and bacteria, such as, but not limited to, pollen, e-coli, dust mites, pet dander, staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus saprophyticus, and so on. This can result in the wearers of the clothes developing diseases and allergies.

OBJECTS
[003] The principal object of embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for providing an anti-microbial wash cycle for a washing machine.
[004] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating at least one embodiment and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[005] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[006] FIGURES. 1 depicts the components of a washing machine, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and

[007] FIGURES. 2 is a flowchart depicting an anti-microbial wash cycle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[008] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[009] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for providing an anti-microbial wash cycle for a washing machine. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

[0010] Embodiments herein provide an anti-microbial wash cycle for a washing machine, wherein the wash cycle comprises a heating cycle (hereinafter referred to as a sanitizing cycle) and a rinse cycle. Embodiments herein enable the clothes to be free of allergens, microbes and bacteria, such as, but not limited to, pollen, e-coli, dust mites, pet dander, staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus saprophyticus, and so on.

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts the components of a washing machine. In an embodiment herein, the washing machine 100 is a top loaded washing machine. In an embodiment herein, the washing machine 100 is a side loaded washing machine. The washing machine 100 comprises a controller 101, at least one heating element 103, a temperature sensor 104, a water level sensor 105, a detergent dispenser 106, and a motor 107.

[0012] The controller 101, on detecting that a wash cycle has been initiated, monitors the water level in a tub 102 (i.e., the container in the washing machine where the clothes are placed in the washing machine). The water level sensor 105 can monitor the level of the water in the tub 102. The water level sensor 105 can check if the water has reached a pre-defined water level. The pre-defined water level can depend on factors such as the load in the tub 102, user settings, and so on. Examples of user settings can be, but not limited to, type of wash cycle, load in the tub 102, nature of clothes present in the tub 102, and so on. On the water level sensor 105 determining that the water level has reached the pre-defined water level, the water level sensor 105 communicates to the controller 101 that the water level has reached the pre-defined water level.

[0013] On receiving the communication from the water level sensor 105 that the water level has reached the pre-defined water level, the controller 101 can initiate heating of the water present in the tub 102 using the heating element 103. In an embodiment herein, the heating element 103 is a resistive heater (i.e., a water immersion heater). In an example herein, the heating element 103 is an induction heater. The temperature sensor 104 can monitor the temperature of the water present in the tub 102 and communicate the monitored temperature to the controller 101 in real-time. The controller 101 can check if the current temperature of the water is above a pre-defined temperature threshold. The pre-defined temperature can depend on factors such as, but not limited to, initial water temperature, washing load, and so on. In an example herein, the pre-defined temperature can be 60oC. The controller 101 can initiate a timer, on the pre-defined temperature being reached. The timer can be configured for a pre-determined time period, wherein the pre-defined time period depends on the water levels, load in the tub 102, user settings, and so on.

[0014] The controller 101 can continue to monitor the temperature of the water in the tub 102, using the temperature sensor 104. On determining that the temperature of the water is not above the pre-defined threshold, the controller 101 can use the heating element 103 to maintain the water at or above the pre-defined temperature.

[0015] In an embodiment herein, the controller 101 can modulate the heating element 103 to maintain the temperature of the water. The modulation can comprise of turning off the heating element 103, turning on the heating element 103, reducing the degree of heating of the heating element 103, increasing the degree of heating of the heating element 103, and so on.

[0016] On the timer expiring, the controller 101 can initiate the wash cycle, by performing additional steps such as dispensing detergent from the detergent dispenser 106, performing a normal number of rinse and wash cycles using the motor. The controller 101 can initiate an additional rinse cycle using the motor 107, on detecting that the normal wash cycle has been completed, before initiating the drying cycle.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting an anti-microbial wash cycle. On detecting that a wash cycle has been initiated (201) and the water level in the tub 102 has reached (202) the pre-defined water level, the heating element heats (203) the water present in the tub 102. The controller 101 checks (204) if the temperature of the water is at or above the pre-defined temperature. In an example herein, the pre-defined temperature can be 60oC. The controller 101 initiates (205) the timer, on the pre-defined temperature being reached. On the timer expiring, the controller 101 initiates (206) the wash cycle, by performing additional steps such as dispensing detergent from the detergent dispenser 106, and so on, depending on the user settings. The controller 101 initiates (207) the rinse cycle, on detecting that the normal wash cycle has been completed, before initiating the drying cycle. The various actions in method 200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.

[0018] With the combination of above mentioned cleaning cycle, embodiments herein can eliminate allergens (such as, but not limited to, mite group 2, Der f1, Der p1, S.tropomyosin, Fel d1, Can f1, Mus m1, Rat n1, Bla g2, Alt a1, Asp f1, Phl p5, and so on) & bacteria (such as, but not limited to, E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella aerogenes, and so on).

[0019] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein.