Whirlpool Patents Color Sensor for Washing Machines

Imagine a washing machine that can stop the dreaded red sock from ruining a load of white laundry.

Whirlpool Corporation has been awarded a US patent (No. 11,578,448 B2) for a washing machine that has a sensor that detects the color of cloth prior to passing the cloth through the door opening. The patent also covers a controller that is electrically coupled with the sensor that is programmed to identify color of the cloth and determine if the cloth is compatible to be washed in a preselected washing program. There is also alarm indicating when a color cloth has been added to the drum and tub assembly.