Dishwasher system with a reuse tank

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9516989-B2
Application number	US-96709810-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2010
Priority date	Dec 14, 2010
Publication date	Dec 13, 2016
Grant date	Dec 13, 2016

Abstract

A method of operating a dishwasher having a wash tub and a reuse tank for storing liquid for subsequent reuse, wherein the condition of the water in the reuse tank may be monitored and/or acted upon to limit the likelihood of undesired effects associated with the growth of micro-organisms in the liquid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a dishwasher comprising a tub forming a treating chamber and a reuse tank fluidly coupled to the tub for storing liquid from the treating chamber for subsequent reuse, the method comprising:
storing liquid in the reuse tank for use in a same or subsequent wash cycle in the dishwasher, wherein the liquid has a pH above 8.0 to limit the growth of micro-organisms;
monitoring the pH of liquid in the reuse tank; and
draining the liquid from the reuse tank when the pH decreases to less than or equal to a pH threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pH threshold is greater than or equal to 8.0.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a solution for use as the liquid.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising supplying the solution to the reuse tank.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the forming the solution comprises mixing water and detergent in the tub.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storing liquid comprises supplying to the reuse tank liquid from the tub used in a previous phase of a treating cycle of operation.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring the pH of liquid comprises sensing the pH of the liquid.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises disposing the liquid through a drain conduit.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises supplying the liquid from the reuse tank to the tub.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising draining the liquid from the tub.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising increasing the pH of the liquid in the tub after draining the liquid from the reuse tank to the tub.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein increasing the pH of the liquid comprises adding detergent to the tub.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising re-storing liquid in the reuse tank by supplying the liquid to the reuse tank after increasing the pH of the liquid without using the liquid in a same or subsequent wash cycle in the dishwasher.

14. A method of operating a dishwasher comprising a reuse tank, a tub forming a treating chamber and fluidly coupled to the reuse tank, a temperature sensor, and a pH sensor coupled with the reuse tank, the method comprising:
storing liquid in the reuse tank for use in a same or subsequent cycle in the dishwasher, wherein the liquid has a pH above 8.0 to limit the growth of micro-organisms; and
monitoring the air temperature within the dishwasher and the pH of liquid in the reuse tank, the monitoring comprising outputting a signal indicative of the air temperature within the dishwasher using the temperature sensor and outputting a signal indicative of the pH of the liquid within the reuse tank using the pH sensor;
draining the liquid from the reuse tank upon first to occur of:
a) the air temperature within the dishwasher decreasing to less than or equal to a temperature threshold; or
b) the pH of the liquid within the reuse tank decreasing to less than or equal to a pH threshold.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein storing the liquid in the reuse tank comprises supplying liquid to the reuse tank from the tub.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the supplying the liquid comprises supplying liquid used in a previous cycle phase of a treating cycle of operation.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises disposing the liquid through a drain conduit.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises supplying the liquid from the reuse tank to the tub.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising draining the liquid from the tub.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the supplying the liquid to the tub comprises increasing one of the temperature and the pH of the liquid in the tub.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein increasing the pH of the liquid comprises adding detergent to the liquid.

22. The method of claim 14 , wherein the temperature threshold is less than or equal to about 3° C.

23. The method of claim 14 , wherein the pH threshold is greater than or equal to 8.0.

Assignees

• Buser Josef A
• Delgado Kristopher L
• Stowe Elliott V
• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Buser Josef A
• Delgado Kristopher L
• Stowe Elliott V

Classifications

• A47L2401/20

  Time, e.g. elapsed operating time · CPC title

• A47L2401/11

  Water hardness, acidity or basicity · CPC title

• A47L15/4236

  Arrangements to sterilize or disinfect dishes or washing liquids (A47L15/4234 takes precedence) · CPC title

• Y10T137/0324

  With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid · CPC title

• A47L2501/02

  Water discharge, e.g. opening or closure of discharge valve · CPC title