Domestic dishwasher and dishwashing method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11337579-B2
Application number	US-201615567357-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 29, 2016
Priority date	Apr 29, 2015
Publication date	May 24, 2022
Grant date	May 24, 2022

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of automatic dishwashing in a dishwasher having a wash tank, comprising: in a first step, delivering a first composition to dishware in the tank in the form of a mist; and afterwards, in a second step, delivering a second composition to the dishware in the tank in the form of a jet; wherein the first and second compositions are different, the first composition comprises a bleach, and the second composition is alkaline and comprises a builder. The invention also provides a dishwasher adapted to carry out the inventive method.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of automatic dishwashing in a dishwasher having a wash tank consisting of:
delivering a first composition to dishware in the wash tank in the form of a mist, the first composition comprising a percarbonate and one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of a percarbonate activator, a percarbonate catalyst, a builder, and an alkalizer, the first composition further being substantially protease-free and amylase-free, wherein a maximum temperature reached during this step is no more than 52° C., but at least 48° C., wherein the length of this step is no more than 2 minutes, but at least 1 minute, wherein the volume of wash water used in this step is no more than 0.7 liters;
maintaining residual wash water from the first step in wash tank;
subsequently delivering a second composition to the dishware in the wash tank in the form of a jet, the second composition being alkaline and comprising a builder and one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of a co-builder and a surfactant, the second composition further being substantially protease-free, amylase-free, and bleach-free, wherein a maximum temperature reached during this step is no more than 52° C., but at least 48° C., wherein the length of this step is no more than 10 minutes, but at least 8 minutes, wherein the volume of wash water used in this step is no more than 2.7 liters;
subsequently delivering a third composition comprising a non-ionic surfactant to the dishware in the wash tank in the form of a mist, wherein a maximum temperature reached during this step is no more than 68° C., but at least 62° C., wherein the volume of wash water used in this step is no more than 0.7 liters;
subsequently delivering a fourth composition comprising deionized water but no active detergent ingredients to the dishware in the wash tank in the form of a mist, wherein a maximum temperature reached during this step is no more than 68° C., but at least 62° C., wherein the volume of wash water used in this step is no more than 0.7 liters; drying the dishware after the fourth step, and/or rinsing the dishware with rinse water before the first step, between the first and/or second steps; and
wherein the total length of the method is no more than 20 minutes;
wherein at least one of the first composition, the third composition, and the fourth composition is delivered with a mean particle size of 5 to 500 microns;
wherein about 50% of the particles have a diameter of less than 60 microns; and
wherein the first and second compositions are substantially amylase-free and protease-free.

2. A method of automatic dishwashing in a dishwasher having a wash tank consisting of:
in a first step, delivering a first composition to dishware in the wash tank in the form of a mist;
afterwards, in a second step, delivering a second composition to the dishware in the wash tank in the form of a jet;
in a third step occurring after the second step, delivering a third composition to the dishware in the wash tank; and
in a fourth step occurring after the third step, delivering a fourth composition to the dishware in the wash tank; maintaining residual wash water from the wash tank in between the first and second steps, drying the dishware after the fourth step, and/or rinsing the dishware with rinse water before the first step, and/or between the first and second steps; and
wherein the third composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant;
wherein the fourth composition comprises water but no active detergent ingredients; and
wherein at least one of the third and fourth compositions are delivered to the dishware in the wash tank in the form of a mist,
wherein the first and second compositions are different;
wherein the first composition comprises a bleach;
wherein the second composition is alkaline, bleach-free, and comprises a builder;
wherein the first composition is delivered with a mean particle size of 5 to 500 microns;
wherein about 50% of the particles have a diameter of less than 60 microns; and
wherein the first and second compositions are substantially amylase-free and protease-free.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the first composition comprises one or more further ingredients selected from the group consisting of a bleach activator, a bleach catalyst, a builder, and an alkalizer.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the water comprises deionized water.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein:
the maximum temperature reached during one or both of the first and second steps is in a range of from 30° C. to 70° C.

6. The method according to claim 2 , wherein:
the length of the first step is in the range of from 30 seconds to 10 minutes;
the length of the second step in the range of from 5 to 20 minutes; and
the total length of the method is no more than 30 minutes.

7. The method according to claim 2 , wherein:
the volume of wash water used in the first step—is no more than 3 liters; and
the volume of wash water used in the second step is no more than 5 liters.

8. An automatic dishwasher comprising a wash tank configured to carry out a method of automatic dishwashing, the method consisting of:
in a first step, delivering a first composition to dishware in the wash tank in the form of a mist;
afterwards, in a second step, delivering a second composition to the dishware in the wash tank in the form of a jet;
in a third step occurring after the second step, delivering a third composition to the dishware in the wash tank;
in a fourth step occurring after the second step, delivering a fourth composition to the dishware in the wash tank; maintaining residual wash water from the wash tank in between the first and second steps, drying the dishware after the fourth step, and/or rinsing the dishware with rinse water before the first step, and/or between the first and second steps; and
wherein the third composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant;
wherein the fourth composition comprises water but no active detergent ingredients; and
wherein at least one of the third and fourth compositions are delivered to the dishware in the wash tank in the form of a mist,
wherein the first and second compositions are different;
wherein the first composition comprises a bleach;
wherein the second composition is alkaline, bleach-free, and comprises a builder;
wherein the first composition is delivered with a mean particle size of 5 to 500 microns;
wherein about 50% of the particles have a diameter of less than 60 microns; and
wherein the first and second compositions are substantially amylase-free and protease-free.

9. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 8 comprising a nozzle which is adjustable between a first configuration for delivering the mist and a second configuration for delivering the jet.

10. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 8 comprising:
a spray arm for delivering the jet; and
a separate delivery mechanism for delivering the mist.

11. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 10 , wherein the delivery mechanism for delivering the mist comprises an atomizer.

Assignees

• Reckitt Benckiser Brands Ltd

Inventors

• Campbell Stuart
• Dierkes Frank
• Mohrhard Karl-Heinz
• Rigobert Caroline
• Seitz Boris
• Van Loyen Dietmar

Classifications

• Y02B40/00

  Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers · CPC title

• A47L2601/03

  Pressurised, gaseous medium, also used for delivering of cleaning liquid · CPC title

• A47L15/0007 Primary

  Washing phases · CPC title

• C11D3/361

  Phosphonates, phosphinates or phosphonites · CPC title

• C11D3/08

  Silicates · CPC title