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Automatic system and method for removing mineral deposits from a dishwasher

  • US 6,551,414 B2
  • Filed: 01/19/2001
  • Issued: 04/22/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for automatically removing mineral deposits from an interior of a dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher has a water valve, a drain valve, and a wash pump, said apparatus comprising:

  • a mechanism which determines when to commence a descaling operation, wherein the mechanism comprises either a clock apparatus which produces a descaling indication upon a given amount of time elapsing since a previous removal mineral deposits from the dishwasher or a counter which produces the descaling indication upon the occurrence of a predefined number of operating cycles of the dishwasher;

    a reservoir for containing a chemical which cleanses mineral deposits from surfaces of objects;

    a flow control device which couples the reservoir to the dishwasher and controls a flow of the chemical into the dishwasher; and

    a controller connected to the water valve, the drain valve, the wash pump and the control device, wherein the controller responds to the descaling indication by operating the water valve and the control device to introduce water and the chemical into the dishwasher, activates the wash pump to circulate a mixture of water and the chemical inside the dishwasher, and thereafter opens thc drain valve to remove the mixture from the dishwasher.

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