Kitchenware washers and methods of manufacturing the same

• US 20060237045A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Bigott, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,763,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/56.D
• 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 for holding fluid for washing kitchenware. The tank can include two wall portions, and an outlet positioned on each of the two wall portions. The kitchenware washing assembly can also include at least one inlet and at least two pumps for pumping the fluid from the inlet to the outlets. The kitchenware washing assembly can further include a control system with a consolidated removable control module. The consolidated removable control module may include a plurality of electronic components for substantially controlling at least one operation of the washing assembly.

Claims

1. A kitchenware washing assembly comprising a tank for holding fluid for washing kitchenware, the tank having two wall portions, an outlet positioned on each of the two wall portions, at least one inlet, and at least two pumps for pumping the fluid from the inlet to the outlets.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes fluid conduits for connecting each pump between the inlet and a respective outlet.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the fluid conduits is flexible.

4. The assembly of claim 1, where the assembly includes two inlets, and the assembly further includes fluid conduits for connecting one pump between an inlet and outlet and for connecting the other pump between the other inlet and outlet.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further including at least one intake chamber positioned on one of the tank surfaces, said intake chamber including the inlet.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further including at least one slidable shelf for mounting at least one of the two pumps.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each pump includes at least one drain positioned at or near a low point in each pump and being controlled by at least one of a manual valve or an actuator activated valve.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each pump is a variable speed pump, and each pump is separately operable at a different speed as compared to the other pump.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control system for controlling both pumps, wherein said control system includes at least one mode configured to operate one pump at a different speed than the other pump.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the control system includes at least one mode in which one pump is idle and the other pump is operational.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the control system includes a consolidated removable control module having a plurality of electronic components for substantially controlling operation of the washing assembly.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes more than two pumps.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the two wall portions are generally opposing wall portions.

14. A kitchenware washing assembly comprising a tank for holding fluid for washing kitchenware, at least one pump, at least one outlet for dispensing fluid into the tank, at least one inlet for receiving fluid from said tank, and a control system including a consolidated removable control module, said consolidated removable control module including a plurality of electronic components for substantially controlling at least one operation of the washing assembly.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the removable control module is a pluggable module.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the electronic components of the removable module includes at least one of a circuit breaker, a fuse, a motor starter, a relay, and a printed circuit board electronic circuitry.

17. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the control system includes at least one slot for receiving the removable control module and providing control connectivity to the pump.

18. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the control system includes a housing.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein a lower portion of the housing is positioned greater than about forty inches above a surface on which the assembly is positioned.

20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the housing includes a cover and a seal configured for providing a substantially water tight access to the control system.

21. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising at least one heater coupled to the control system, said control system providing control to the heater.

22. The assembly of claim 21, further comprising at least one temperature sensor coupled to the control system for providing a signal indicative of a sensed temperature to the control system.

23. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the control system is operable for monitoring tank water replacement.

24. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the control module is a first control module, and wherein the assembly further comprises a second control module, said second control module being interchangeable with the first control module.

25. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising a second pump, and wherein the control system is operable for controlling both pumps.