Device for monitoring a wash process

• US 7,322,370 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diversey Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc
• Inventors: Aulbers, Antonius Paulus, Volanschi, Alexandru, Nieuwkoop, Evert, Van Der Werff, Johannes Jeichienus, Flendrig, Leonard Marcus, Reinhoudt, Hank Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US11/536,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20070023071A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 134/113, 134/56.R, 68/122.7
• US Class Current: 134/56.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0049 Detection or prevention of malfunction, including accident prevention arrangements to prevent clogging of filters A47L15/4208; safety arrangements for preventing water damage A47L15/421
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/006 using wireless communication between internal components of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/22 Rotary spraying devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/247 Details specific to conveyor-type machines, e.g. curtains
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4297 Arrangements for detecting or measuring the condition of the washing water, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/023 Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/10 Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/11 Water hardness, acidity or basicity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/12 Water temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/30 Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam B08B9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/20 by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought washing or rinsing crockery or tableware A47L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/20 Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/22 Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity

Abstract

A device is provided for monitoring a wash process inside a mechanical washing apparatus, comprising sensor means for measuring physical and/or mechanical parameters of the wash process and recording means for recording the measured parameters within the device. This device comprises means for conducting a washing liquor past the sensor means and means for determining a certain contact time between the washing liquor and the sensor means.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring a wash process inside a mechanical ware washing apparatus, the device comprising:

a housing that can be received within a washing chamber of the ware washing apparatus during a wash cycle, the housing configured to conduct washing fluid through a flow path having a shape that is similar to a bottle, the flow path having an entry positioned at a mouth of the bottle shape, an exit positioned at a base of the bottle shape, the exit having a cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of the entry to control the flow rate of washing fluid through the flow path;

a sensor coupled to the housing and positioned within the flow path to measure physical and/or mechanical parameters within a bottle being washed by the ware wash apparatus; and

a recording device coupled to the housing and in communication with the sensor to record measured parameters.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is located in a central cavity of the device and wherein an entry connects the surroundings with the central cavity.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the entry extends substantially centrally of the device, whereas the exit comprises a circumferential slot extending radially outward from the central cavity.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the entry is provided with an entry funnel.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the entry is covered by a filter.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein an obstruction means is provided at the exit.

7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment means for attaching the device to the mechanical washing apparatus.

8. A device for monitoring a wash process inside a mechanical laundry washing apparatus, the device comprising:

a housing that can be received within a washing chamber of the laundry washing apparatus during a wash cycle, the housing configured to conduct washing fluid through a flow path having an entry, an exit, and a meandering flow path between the entry and the exit, the exit having a cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of the entry to control the flow rate of washing fluid through the flow path;

a sensor coupled to the housing and positioned within the flow path to measure physical and/or mechanical parameters within the laundry wash apparatus; and

a recording device coupled to the housing and in communication with the sensor to record measured parameters.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is located in a central cavity of the device and wherein an entry connects the surroundings with the central cavity.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the entry extends substantially centrally of the device, whereas the exit comprises a circumferential slot extending radially outward from the central cavity.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the central cavity is surrounded by a ledge partially separating the central cavity from the exit channel.

12. A device according to claim 8, wherein the entry is provided with an entry funnel.

13. A device according to claim 8, wherein the entry is covered by a filter.

14. A device according to claim 8, wherein an obstruction means is provided at the exit.