Kitchenware washers and methods of manufacturing the same

• US 7,763,119 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Steelkor, LLC
• Inventors: Bigott, James W
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US11/113,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20060237045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.R, 134/56.D, 134/110, 134/111, 134/184, 134/189, 134/190, 134/191, 134/199, 134/193, 134/195, 134/196
• US Class Current: 134/57.00D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/08 by application of a pressure effect produced by pumps

Abstract

A kitchenware washing assembly in one embodiment generally includes a tank for holding fluid for washing kitchenware. The tank can include two wall portions, and an outlet positioned on each of the two wall portions. The kitchenware washing assembly can also include at least one inlet and at least two pumps for pumping the fluid from the inlet to the outlets. The kitchenware washing assembly can further include a control system with a consolidated removable control module. The consolidated removable control module may include a plurality of electronic components for substantially controlling at least one operation of the washing assembly.

Claims

1. A kitchenware washing assembly comprising:

a tank for holding kitchenware and fluid for washing the kitchenware;

at least one pump disposed outside the tank and operable for generating a turbulent fluid flow within the tank;

at least one outlet for dispensing fluid into the tank;

at least one inlet for receiving fluid from said tank, the pump being operable to cause fluid flow from the at least one inlet, through the pump, and to the at least one outlet;

a control system including a consolidated removable control module;

a temperature sensor operably coupled to the consolidated removable control module for monitoring the temperature of the fluid; and

a heater operably coupled to the consolidated removable control module for adjusting the temperature of the fluid;

wherein said consolidated removable control module is configured to adjust the temperature of the fluid, via the heater, based on the monitored temperature of the fluid, if the monitored temperature of the fluid deviates from a set point temperature; and

wherein the consolidated removable control module is a pluggable module such that the consolidated removable control module can be unplugged from the control system for removal from the control system and can be plugged into the control system for installation to the control system, and wherein the consolidated removable control module includes a control panel for allowing a user to input information to the control module regarding the at least one operational parameter and/or a display for displaying information regarding the at least one operational parameter.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the consolidated removable control module includes at least one of a circuit breaker, a fuse, a motor starter, a relay, and a printed circuit board electronic circuitry.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the control system includes at least one slot for receiving the consolidated removable control module and providing control connectivity to the pump.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the control system includes a housing.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein a lower portion of the housing is positioned greater than about forty inches above a surface on which the assembly is positioned.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the housing includes a cover and a seal configured for providing a substantially water tight access to the control system.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the control system is operable for monitoring tank water replacement.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the consolidated removable control module is a first control module, and wherein the assembly further comprises a second control module, said second control module being interchangeable with the first control module.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second pump, and wherein the control system is operable for controlling both pumps.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the consolidated removable control module is configured to adjust the temperature of the fluid based on a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control methodology.