Kitchenware washers and related methods

• US 20050257810A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Steelkor, LLC
• Inventors: Bigott, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,578,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/19
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0092 specially adapted to wash large items like pots, trays, baking trays, cooking grids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/08 by application of a pressure effect produced by pumps

Abstract

A kitchenware washing assembly in one embodiment generally includes a tank having an inside for holding fluid for washing kitchenware, and a heater for heating fluid within the inside of the tank. At least one securing device releasably secures the heater within the tank. The securing device has a releasing portion located within the tank that allows the securing device to be released solely from within the tank. In this embodiment, the heater can thus be removed from and/or installed within the tank without having to crawl under the tank.

Claims

1. A kitchenware washing assembly comprising a tank having an inside for holding fluid for washing kitchenware, a heater for heating fluid within the inside of the tank, and at least one securing device to releasably secure the heater within the tank, the securing device having a releasing portion located within the tank that allows the securing device to be released solely from within the tank.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein no tools are required to disengage the securing device.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the securing device comprises a clamp.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater includes a temperature sensor.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control system electrically connected to the heater, and wherein the heater includes wiring that extends through an opening defined by the tank for electrically connecting the heater to the control system outside the tank.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one intake chamber for receiving fluid from the tank, and wherein the heater, when releasably secured within the inside of the tank, is at least partially within the intake chamber.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising at least one removable intake cover for separating the intake chamber from the tank.

8. A method for installing a heater in a kitchenware washing assembly, the kitchenware washing assembly including a tank having an inside for holding fluid for washing kitchenware, the method comprising releasably securing the heater within the tank solely from within the tank.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein releasably securing the heater within the tank includes using at least one securing device having a releasing portion located within the tank.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein releasably securing the heater within the inside of the tank includes using a clamp.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the heater is releasably securable within the tank without using a tool.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the heater includes wiring, and wherein the method includes running the wiring through an opening in the tank and electrically connecting the wiring to a control system outside the tank.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the assembly includes an intake chamber for receiving fluid from the tank, and wherein the method includes placing the heater within the intake chamber.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the assembly includes a removable intake cover separating the intake chamber from the tank, and wherein the method includes removably attaching the intake cover to the tank after placing the heater within the intake chamber.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the method includes plugging the heater into a connector adjacent the tank.

16. A method for replacing a heater in a kitchenware washing assembly, the kitchenware washing assembly including a tank having an inside for holding fluid for washing kitchenware, a heater mounted for heating fluid within the inside of the tank, and a control system electrically connected to the heater, the method comprising:

solely from within the tank, detaching the heater from its mounting; and

solely from within the tank, disconnecting the electrical connection between the heater and the control system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the heater is detachable from its mounting without using a tool.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes electrically connecting a replacement heater to the control system, and solely from within the tank, releasably securing the replacement heater within the tank.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the replacement heater is releasably securable within the tank without using a tool.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the heater comprises wiring that extends through an opening in the tank and electrically connects to the control system outside the tank, and wherein disconnecting the electrical connection comprises pulling wiring through the opening to the inside of the tank, and disconnecting the electrical connection between the wiring and the control system.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein disconnecting the electrical connection comprises unplugging the heater from a connector adjacent the tank.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method includes plugging a replacement heater into the connector, and solely from within the tank, releasably securing the replacement heater within the tank.

23. A method for detaching a heater from within a tank of a kitchenware washing assembly without the use of a tool, the method comprising disengaging a releasing portion of at least one securing device releasably securing the heater within the tank.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising disconnecting the electrical connection between the heater and a control system of the kitchenware washing assembly.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one securing device comprises a clamp.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the releasing portion is located within the tank.

27. A method for replacing a temperature sensor in a kitchenware washing assembly, the kitchenware washing assembly comprising a tank having an inside for holding fluid for washing kitchenware, a temperature sensor mounted within the tank, and a control system electrically connected to the temperature sensor, the method comprising:

solely from within the tank, detaching the temperature sensor from its mounting; and

solely from within the tank, disconnecting the electrical connection between the temperature sensor and the control system.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the temperature sensor is detachable from within the tank without using a tool.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the method includes electrically connecting a replacement temperature sensor to the control system, and solely from within the tank and without using a tool, releasably securing the replacement temperature sensor within the tank.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the temperature sensor comprises wiring that extends through an opening in the tank and electrically connects to the control system outside the tank, and wherein disconnecting the electrical connection comprises pulling wiring through the opening to the inside of the tank, and disconnecting the electrical connection between the wiring and the control system.