Automatic washing machine or dishwasher

• US 4,402,197 A
• Filed: 08/06/1981
• Issued: 09/06/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1979
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Tournier, Herve, Porta, Augusto, Groult, Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/293,635
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 68/12 R, 68/13 A, 68/207, 204/95, 204/275, 204/272, 134/57 D
• US Class Current: 68/12.21
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4236 Arrangements to sterilize or disinfect dishes or washing liquids A47L15/4234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/44 Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4674 with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4612 Controlling or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46125 Electrical variables
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46145 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46155 Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4618 Supplying or removing reactants or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/003 using electrochemical cells
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/004 using chlorine generators

Abstract

This washing machine is provided with an electro chemical cell (4) having a brine tank (9) provided with a metering piston (16a, b 16b) actuated by an electro magnet (21) and connected by an electro valve (14) controlling a connection conduit (3) to a water supply conduit (1). The inlet opening of such connection conduit into the cell (4) is controlled by a float valve (11). The electro valve is a two-way valve (14, 14a) and controls simultaneously the outlet conduit (13) which opens into the washing tub of the washing machine. The power supply of the cell (4) is controlled by the program selector (8) of the machine.

Claims

1. A fabric- or dish-washing machine comprising:

a receptacle for receiving articles to be washed;

a first conduit connected between a source of washing water and said receptacle for delivering washing water to said receptacle;

a second conduit connected to said receptacle for discharging used washing water therefrom;

a cell enclosing at least one anode and at least one cathode;

a third conduit connected between a source of water and said cell;

a fourth conduit connected between said cell and said receptacle for delivering hypochlorite solution formed in said cell to said receptacle;

first, second, third and fourth valves respectively providing in said first, second, third and fourth conduits for respectively controlling the flow therethrough;

a programmer connected to all of said valves for controlling the flow of water to and from said receptacle, the flow of water to said cell, and the flow of hypochlorite solution to said receptacle for washing of said articles;

a reservoir containing a supply of sodium chloride;

a metering device connected between said reservoir and said cell for feeding, upon operation of said metering device, sodium chloride to said cell; and

control means responsive to said programmer for operating said metering device and controlling the electrical energization of said anode and said cathode whereby said anode and said cathode are energized and said sodium chloride is delivered to said cell at predetermined times in the cycle of operation of said machine for delivery of hypochlorite solution to said receptacle.

2. The machine defined in claim 1 wherein said metering device communicates with said third conduit at a location between said third valve and said cell.

3. The machine defined in claim 1, further comprising a cooling circuit having at least one heat exchanger connected by conduit branches with said first and second conduits.

4. The machine defined in claim 1, further comprising a cooling circuit having at least one heat exchanger connected by conduit branches to said receptacle.

5. The machine defined in claim 1, further comprising means in said third conduit for interrupting the flow of water into said cell upon the filling thereof to a predetermined level.