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Dishwasher operable with supply distribution, dispensing and use system method

  • US 7,204,259 B2
  • Filed: 08/31/2004
  • Issued: 04/17/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A dishwasher locatable at an address, the dishwasher comprising:

  • a housing defining at least part of a space with a central point, the housing having an exterior;

    a support member connected to the housing, the support member configured to support a plurality of dishes in the space;

    at least one door coupled to the housing, the door defining at least part of the space when the door is closed, the door having an exterior;

    a container holder connected to the housing, the container holder configured to removably hold at least one replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply container so that, when the door is closed, the pre-filled dish washing supply container has a position which is;

    (a) between the exterior of the housing and the central point of the space;

    or (b) between the exterior of the door and the central point of the space, the replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply container configured to contain dish washing supply, a portion of the container holder configured to contact a portion of the replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply container when the replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply container is installed in the dishwasher, the pre-filled dish washing supply container having a dish washing supply outlet valve operable between an open position and a closed position, the dish washing supply outlet valve having a movable engagement member;

    a supply mechanism connected to the housing, the supply mechanism having a valve engager positionable adjacent to the engagement member of the dish washing supply outlet valve when the pre-filled dish washing supply container is installed and the door is closed, the supply mechanism operable to cause portions of the dish washing supply to be moved toward the space of the dishes during a plurality of wash cycles of the dishwasher;

    a sensing device supported by the housing, the sensing device operable to gather data related to how much of the dish washing supply is dispensed by or remains in the installed dish washing supply container;

    a processor operatively coupled to the supply mechanism and the sensing device, the processor operable to communicate with an order processing system; and

    at least one memory device accessible by the processor, the memory device storing a condition relating to a designated amount of the dish washing supply remaining in the installed dish washing supply container, the memory device storing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to;

    (a) cause the valve engager, on one or more occasions, to engage the engagement member to thereby cause the dish washing supply outlet valve to have the open position for a period of time after a designated event occurs;

    (b) determine, on one or more occasions, the amount of the dish washing supply remaining in the installed dish washing supply container based on the data gathered by the sensing device;

    (c) determine when the condition is met; and

    (d) send data to the order processing system after the condition is met, said data associated with an order for at least one additional dish washing supply container, thereby causing the additional dish washing supply container to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher.

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