Cleaning method and dishwasher using same

• US 20050224098A1
• Filed: 04/04/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Fujii, Hiroyuki, Ota, Fumio, Omura, Yuko, Nukina, Yasuyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,938 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/26
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0007 Washing phases
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0055 Metering or indication of used products, e.g. type or quantity of detergent, rinse aid or salt; for measuring or controlling the product concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/44 Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2601/02 Pressurised cleaning liquid delivered by a pump

Abstract

A cleaning method includes a first operation step of allowing a mist of a first cleaning fluid atomized in the order of microns to permeate into and remain in a food debris stuck on a to-be-cleaned item for a predetermined period of time; and a second operation step of removing the food debris on the to-be-cleaned item by using a second cleaning fluid. The second operation step is to be performed after the first operation step.

Claims

1. A cleaning method comprising:

a first operation step of allowing a mist of a first cleaning fluid atomized in the order of microns to permeate into and remain in a food debris stuck on a to-be-cleaned item for a predetermined period of time; and

a second operation step of removing the food debris on the to-be-cleaned item by using a second cleaning fluid, wherein the second operation step is to be performed after the first operation step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cleaning fluid is obtained by dissolving at least one of an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent in water.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second cleaning fluid is fresh water.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second cleaning fluid is fresh water.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second cleaning fluid is obtained by dissolving at least one of an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent in water.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the second cleaning fluid is obtained by dissolving at least one of an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent in water.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the atomized first cleaning fluid is allowed to permeate into the food debris on the to-be-cleaned item after being heated by a heating unit.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the atomized first cleaning fluid is allowed to permeate into the food debris on the to-be-cleaned item after being heated by a heating unit.

9. A dishwasher comprising a washer tub for accommodating therein a to-be-cleaned item and a wash nozzle for spraying a cleaning fluid to the to-be-cleaned item, wherein the dishwasher performs a first operation step of allowing a mist of a first cleaning fluid atomized in the order of microns to permeate into and remain in a food debris stuck on the to-be-cleaned item for a predetermined period of time;

and a second operation step of removing the food debris on the to-be-cleaned item by using a second cleaning fluid, wherein the second operation step is to be performed after the first operation step.

10. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the first cleaning fluid is obtained by dissolving at least one of an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent in water.

11. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the second cleaning fluid is fresh water.

12. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the second cleaning fluid is fresh water.

13. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the second cleaning fluid is obtained by dissolving at least one of an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent in water.

14. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the second cleaning fluid is obtained by dissolving at least one of an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme and a bleaching agent in water.

15. The dishwasher of claim 9, further comprising a heating unit for heating wash water, wherein the atomized first cleaning fluid is allowed to permeate into the food debris on the to-be-cleaned item after being heated by the heating unit in the first operation step.

16. The dishwasher of claim 10, further comprising a heating unit for heating wash water, wherein the atomized first cleaning fluid is allowed to permeate into the food debris on the to-be-cleaned item after being heated by the heating unit in the first operation step.