Water conserving cleaning system, apparatus, and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with a water source for cleaning utensils, comprising:
- a primary vessel defining an open top dipping aperture above a soaking level, the primary vessel comprising a drain having a recirculation outlet and a drainage opening;
a secondary vessel insertable within said primary vessel essentially raising the drain opening level to above the soaking level;
said secondary vessel defining at least one aperture above said soaking level, said aperture flowably connected to the drain;
a water source flow path merging into a recirculation water flow path connecting a water source inlet with said recirculation outlet, said flow path further comprising a water pump, a turbidity sensor sensing the turbidity of water exiting said recirculation outlet, and a valve controlling the flow of the water source;
a water level sensor for sensing the water level within the vessel at the soaking level and signaling said controller;
a controller controlling the opening and closing of said water source valve, and controlling the starting and stopping of the pump; and
wherein activation of said controller signals said water source valve to open and water to flow from a fresh water inlet until filling said vessel to said soaking level, whereupon said water level sensor signals said controller to close said water source valve and to activate said pump to pump water through said recirculation flow path and exit said outlet; and
wherein, when said turbidity sensor senses the turbidity of recirculation water above a predetermined first threshold, said turbidity sensor signals said controller to open said water source valve for water to flow out a fresh water output causing said water level to increase and overflow until said turbidity sensor senses the turbidity of recirculation water is below a predetermined second threshold, whereupon said controller is signaled to close said water supply valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for rinsing and disinfecting utensils, on demand, with a controller operating the components that deliver a pre-determined volume or timed flow of water, and exposure time of sanitizer(s) to the intended objects. The spray embodiment has high performance conical spray nozzle(s) controlled by a controller that reduces water usage and that may vary depending on the viscosity of the material to be eliminated. The recirculating embodiment has a recirculating water system, with a controller operating the components that recirculate water throughout the system until the turbidity exceeds a chosen threshold, and displace with fresh water until the turbidity returns to a lower threshold. The water resumes recirculation until it again exceeds the chose turbidity threshold and the water in the system is again displaced by fresh water. Both spray and recirculating embodiments can contain multiple rinse stations.
19 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a water source for cleaning utensils, comprising:
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a primary vessel defining an open top dipping aperture above a soaking level, the primary vessel comprising a drain having a recirculation outlet and a drainage opening; a secondary vessel insertable within said primary vessel essentially raising the drain opening level to above the soaking level;
said secondary vessel defining at least one aperture above said soaking level, said aperture flowably connected to the drain;a water source flow path merging into a recirculation water flow path connecting a water source inlet with said recirculation outlet, said flow path further comprising a water pump, a turbidity sensor sensing the turbidity of water exiting said recirculation outlet, and a valve controlling the flow of the water source; a water level sensor for sensing the water level within the vessel at the soaking level and signaling said controller; a controller controlling the opening and closing of said water source valve, and controlling the starting and stopping of the pump; and wherein activation of said controller signals said water source valve to open and water to flow from a fresh water inlet until filling said vessel to said soaking level, whereupon said water level sensor signals said controller to close said water source valve and to activate said pump to pump water through said recirculation flow path and exit said outlet; and wherein, when said turbidity sensor senses the turbidity of recirculation water above a predetermined first threshold, said turbidity sensor signals said controller to open said water source valve for water to flow out a fresh water output causing said water level to increase and overflow until said turbidity sensor senses the turbidity of recirculation water is below a predetermined second threshold, whereupon said controller is signaled to close said water supply valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification