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

• Current Assignee: Beverage Works, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beverage Works, Inc.
• Inventors: Crisp, Harry Lee III
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/930,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20050022848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 134/113, 134/56.R, 134/57.R, 134/57.D, 134/58.D, 134/93, 68/120.2, 68/17.R, 68/121.8, 68/13.R
• US Class Current: 134/56.00D
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0057 Carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0858 using compression systems
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/082 arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00036 for use with or in refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/06 Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/209 Specified transaction journal output feature, e.g. printed receipt or voice output

Abstract

An appliance supply distribution and dispensing system and method for distributing appliance supplies to a home or business and which involves a computerized system which facilitates dispensing or using one or more supplies from an appliance. The computerized system monitors the supply level(s) and, when necessary, automatically orders and delivers additional supplies. In addition, the computerized system automatically detects dispensing, use or appliance problems and orders and arranges for repair service.

Claims

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.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the dish washing supply has a form selected from the group consisting of a liquid form and a solid form.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the dish washing supply includes a supply selected from the group consisting of a wash supply and a rinse supply.

4. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the housing has at least one housing wall including;

(i) an exterior side which is the exterior of the housing; and

(ii) an interior side defining at least part of the space; and

(b) the door has at least one door wall including;

(i) an exterior side which is the exterior of the door; and

(ii) an interior side defining at least part of the space when the door is closed.

5. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the sensing device has a level sensor operable to gather data related to what level of dishwashing supply remains in the installed replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply container.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the supply mechanism includes a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a mechanism including at least one actuator, a mechanism including at least one pump and a mechanism including at least one supply line.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1, which includes:

(a) an input device operable with the processor to enable a user to input an order for a quantity of filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher; and

(b) at least one instruction stored by the memory device, said instruction executable by the processor to;

(i) receive an input signal from the input device, the input signal associated with the user'"'"'s order for the quantity of filled dish washing supply containers; and

(ii) send data associated with the user'"'"'s order to the order processing system, thereby causing the ordered quantity of the filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher.

8. The dishwasher of claim 1, which includes a supply level indicator under control of the processor, the supply level indicator producing an output when the installed dish washing supply container is empty or when the amount of the dish washing supply in the installed dish washing supply container reaches the designated amount.

9. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the memory device stores a condition associated with a problem with the dishwasher, wherein a plurality of the instructions are executable by the processor to:

(a) determine when said condition is met; and

(b) send data to the order processing system after said condition is met, thereby transmitting an order for a repair visit to the dishwasher.

10. 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 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;

an input device operable with the processor to enable a user to input an order for a quantity of filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher; 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) receive an input signal from the input device, the input signal associated with the user'"'"'s order for the quantity of filled dish washing supply containers;

(c) send data associated with the user'"'"'s order to the order processing system, thereby causing the ordered quantity of filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher;

(d) 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;

(e) determine when the condition is met; and

(f) send data to the order processing system after the condition is met, said data associated with an order for a quantity of filled dish washing supply containers, thereby causing said ordered dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher.

11. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the dish washing supply has a form selected from the group consisting of a liquid form and a solid form.

12. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the dish washing supply includes a supply selected from the group consisting of a wash supply and a rinse supply.

13. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein:

(a) the housing has at least one housing wall including;

(i) an exterior side which is the exterior of the housing; and

(ii) an interior side defining at least part of the space; and

(b) the door has at least one door wall including;

(i) an exterior side which is the exterior of the door; and

(ii) an interior side defining at least part of the space when the door is closed.

14. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the sensing device has a level sensor operable to gather data related to what level of dishwashing supply remains in the installed replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply container.

15. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the supply mechanism includes a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a mechanism including at least one actuator, a mechanism including at least one pump and a mechanism including at least one supply line.

16. The dishwasher of claim 10, which includes a supply level indicator under control of the processor, the supply level indicator producing an output when the installed dish washing supply container is empty or when the amount of the dish washing supply in the installed dish washing supply container reaches the designated amount.

17. The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the memory device stores a condition associated with a problem with the dishwasher, wherein a plurality of the instructions are executable by the processor to:

(a) determine when said condition is met; and

(b) send data to the order processing system after said condition is met, thereby transmitting an order for a repair visit to the dishwasher.

18. 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;

at least one container holder connected to the housing, the container holder configured to removably hold a plurality of replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply containers so that, when the door is closed, each one of the pre-filled washing supply containers 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, one of the replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply containers configured to contain wash supply and another one of the replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply containers configured to contain rinse supply, the container holder having a plurality of portions, each one of the portions configured to contact a portion of a different one of the replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply containers when said dish washing supply containers are installed in the dishwashers, each one of the pre-filled dish washing supply containers having a dish washing supply outlet valve operable between an open position and a closed position, each one of the dish washing supply outlet valves having a movable engagement member;

a supply mechanism connected to the housing, the supply mechanism having a plurality of valve engagers positionable adjacent to the engagement members of the dish washing supply outlet valves when the pre-filled dish washing supply containers are installed and the door is closed, the supply mechanism operable to cause portions of the wash supply and the rinse supply to flow toward the space of the dishes during a plurality of wash cycles of the dishwasher, each one of the flows occurring at a flow rate over a time period during each of the wash cycles;

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

an input device operable with the processor to enable a user to input an order for a quantity of filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher, the ordered dish washing supply containers including at least one dishwashing supply container filled with wash supply or rinse supply; and

at least one memory device accessible by the processor, the memory device storing a plurality of conditions, one of the conditions relating to a designated amount of the wash supply remaining in one of the installed dish washing supply containers and another one of the conditions relating to a designated amount of the rinse supply remaining in another one of the installed dish washing supply containers, the memory device storing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to;

(a) cause a first one of the valve engagers, on one or more occasions, to engage a first one of the engagement members to thereby cause a first one of the dish washing supply outlet valves to open for a period of time after a designated event occurs;

(b) cause a second one of the valve engagers, on one or more occasions, to engage a second one of the engagement members to thereby cause a second one of the dish washing supply outlet valves to open for a period of time after a designated event occurs;

(c) receive an input signal from the input device, the input signal associated with the user'"'"'s order for the quantity of filled dish washing supply containers;

(d) send data associated with the user'"'"'s order to the order processing system, thereby causing the ordered quantity of the filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher;

(e) determine how much of the wash supply and rinse supply are dispensed by or remaining in the installed dish washing supply containers based on the time periods and the flow rates;

(f) determine, for each of the installed dish washing supply containers , when the condition relating to said installed dish washing supply container is met;

(g) send data to the order processing system after one of the conditions is met, said data associated with an order for a quantity of filled dish washing supply containers relating to said condition, thereby causing said quantity of said filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher; and

(h) send data, independent of step (g), to the order processing system after another one of the conditions is met, said data associated with an order for a quantity of filled dish washing supply containers relating to said other condition, thereby causing said quantity of said filled dish washing supply containers to be delivered to the address of the dishwasher.

19. The dishwasher of claim 18, wherein the housing has an exterior and the door has an exterior, the container holder being configured to removably hold the replaceable pre-filled dish washing supply container so that said container has a position within the exterior of the housing and within the exterior of the door.

20. The dishwasher of claim 18, wherein the supply mechanism includes a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a mechanism including at least one actuator, a mechanism including at least one pump and a mechanism including at least one supply line.