Process to operate coin or card-payment laundry tumble drier and extend period of operation

摘要

Claimed is a process to manage the operation of a group of card-operated laundry washing machines and tumble driers in accordance with a set of charges. In the process information is logged by a card reader on payment made, followed by the washing or drying operation. On payment and logging of a supplementary charge, the period of tumble drier operation is extended. Further claimed is a coin-operated tumble drier for commercial use with a communications interface identifying the individual machine, payment information and operating parameters, together with the ability for the user to make supplementary payments via a second interface.