Dishwasher utilizing pump impeller suction for feeding detergent, sanitizing agent and rinse aid in timed sequences

• US 4,218,264 A
• Filed: 03/09/1979
• Issued: 08/19/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Stero Company
• Original Assignee: George B. Federighi, George J. Federighi
• Inventors: Federighi, George J., Federighi, George B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bleutge, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US06/018,994
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 134/58 D, 134/94-95, 134/100-101, 68/17 R, 68/207, 222/136, 222/382
• US Class Current: 134/95.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4418 in the form of liquids A47L15/4409, A47L15/4436, A47L15/4445 take precedence

Abstract

A commercial dishwasher having a wash/rinse compartment for receiving dishes and a tank below the compartment for receiving wash or rinse water after a motor driven impeller has circulated the water from the tank and has forced it through spray arms in the compartment employs the suction created by the impeller for removing a detergent from a container in timed sequence by an entraining action during the wash cycle and mixing the detergent with the wash water during the dishwashing cycle. This same suction created by the impeller is employed for simultaneously removing a sanitizing liquid from a container and a rinse aid liquid from another container and mixing these two liquids with a rinse water during the rinsing and sterilizing cycle in timed sequence.

Claims

1. In a dishwasher:

(a) a wash/rinse compartment for receiving dishes and having spray arms therein for spraying wash or rinse water onto the dishes;

(b) a tank underlying said compartment for receiving wash or rinse water therefrom;

(c) a motor driven impeller for receiving wash or rinse water from said tank and forcing it through said spray arms and onto the dishes;

(d) a container for holding a liquid detergent;

(e) a valve controlled conduit leading from said container, the conduit having an open end disposed adjacent to the center of said impeller where the greatest suction is created, this suction being the sole means for removing the detergent from said container and delivering it to the area surrounding the impeller where the detergent is mixed with the wash water as it passes from the tank and is forced through said spray arms for washing the dishes; and

(f) means for timing the opening and closing of the valve for delivering the proper volume of detergent into the wash water at the proper time.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 further defined by

(a) means for draining the wash water at the end of the wash cycle and delivering rinse water to said tank;

(b) a container for holding a sanitizing liquid with a rinse sanitizing control valve leading therefrom and communicating with the conduit whose open end is disposed adjacent to the impeller where the greatest suction is created for entraining the sanitizing liquid and mixing it with the rinse water; and

(c) means for timing the opening and closing of the rinse valve for delivering the proper volume of sanitizing liquid into the rinse water at the proper time.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 further defined by

(a) a container for holding a rinse aid liquid and having a rinse aid conveying tube controlled by a rinse aid valve leading therefrom and communicating with the conduit whose open end is disposed adjacent to the impeller where the greatest suction is created for entraining the rinse aid liquid amd mixing it with the rinse water;

and

(b) means for timing the opening and closing of the rinse aid valve for delivering a predetermined volume of rinse aid liquid into the rinse water at a predetermined time.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 further defined by

(a) adjustable means associated with the rinse aid conveying tube for restricting the passage in the tube to an adjustable extent so that said predetermined amount of the rinse aid liquid flows through the tube while the rinse aid valve is open.