Use of recycled wash and rinse water for the pre-rinse operation of dishes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9603501-B2
Application number	US-201113224991-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 2, 2011
Priority date	Sep 2, 2011
Publication date	Mar 28, 2017
Grant date	Mar 28, 2017

Abstract

A dishwashing machine is used for pre-rinse operation of soiled dishes. A cavity is configured and arranged to contain the soiled dishes. A nozzle is proximate the cavity and is in fluid communication with the cavity. An accumulator pan accumulates wash and rinse water including cleaning chemicals used in a previous cycle of the dishwashing machine. A fluid passageway interconnects the nozzle and the accumulator pan. A pump directs the accumulated wash and rinse water from the accumulator pan to the nozzle via the fluid passageway for pre-rinse operation of the soiled dishes in the cavity, and the nozzle directs the accumulated wash and rinse water into the cavity with the soiled dishes to assist in removing soil from the soiled dishes prior to a wash cycle of the dishwashing machine. The wash cycle utilizes fresh wash water.

First claim

I claim:

1. A dishwashing machine for pre-rinse operation of soiled dishes, comprising:
a) a cavity configured and arranged to contain the soiled dishes;
b) a nozzle proximate the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity;
c) an accumulator pan for accumulating wash and rinse water including cleaning chemicals used in a previous cycle of the dishwashing machine;
d) a fluid passageway interconnecting the nozzle and the accumulator pan;
e) a pump for pumping the accumulated wash and rinse water from the accumulator pan to the nozzle via the fluid passageway for pre-rinse operation of the soiled dishes in the cavity, the nozzle directing the accumulated wash and rinse water into the cavity with the soiled dishes to assist in removing soil from the soiled dishes prior to a wash cycle of the dishwashing machine, the wash cycle utilizing fresh wash water; and
f) a control configured to selectively activate the pump to selectively pump the accumulated wash and rinse water from the accumulator pan prior to the wash cycle of the dishwashing machine.

2. The dishwashing machine of claim 1 , further comprising an overflow drain in fluid communication with the accumulator pan, the overflow drain being positioned at a desired height to maintain a desired level of wash and rinse water in the accumulator pan, wherein wash and rinse water is added to the accumulator pan and excess wash and rinse water flows out of the accumulator pan through the overflow drain.

3. The dishwashing machine of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is contained within the dishwashing machine, the cavity being integral with the dishwashing machine.

4. A dishwashing machine for pre-rinse operation of soiled dishes, comprising:
a) a cavity configured and arranged to contain the soiled dishes;
b) a first nozzle and a second nozzle proximate the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity;
c) a sump configured and arranged to contain wash water;
d) an accumulator pan for accumulating wash and rinse water including chemicals used in at least one previous wash cycle of the dishwashing machine, the sump being in fluid communication with the accumulator pan;
e) a first fluid passageway interconnecting the first nozzle and the accumulator pan;
f) a first pump for pumping the accumulated wash and rinse water from the accumulator pan to the first nozzle via the first fluid passageway for pre-rinse operation of the soiled dishes in the cavity, the first nozzle directing the accumulated wash and rinse water into the cavity with the soiled dishes to assist in removing soil from the soiled dishes prior to a wash cycle of the dishwashing machine;
g) a control configured to selectively activate the first pump to pump the accumulated wash and rinse water from the accumulator pan prior to the wash cycle;
h) a second fluid passageway interconnecting the second nozzle and the sump;
i) a second pump for directing the wash water from the sump to the second nozzle via the second fluid passageway, the wash cycle utilizing fresh wash water; and
j) wherein the wash water used in the wash cycle is emptied from the sump into the accumulator pan.

Assignees

• Hartz Adrian E
• Ecolab Usa Inc

Inventors

• Hartz Adrian E

Classifications

• A47L15/4291 Primary

  Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water · CPC title

• A47L15/0081 Primary

  with vertical sliding closing doors, e.g. hood-type dishwashers · CPC title

• A47L15/0076

  of non-domestic use type, e.g. commercial dishwashers for bars, hotels, restaurants, canteens or hospitals (machines specially adapted for drinking glasses A47L15/0065; drawer-type dishwashers A47L15/0084; in-sink dishwashers A47L15/0086; miniature dishwashers A47L15/0089; conveyor-type dishwashers A47L15/24; machines with crockery cleaned by brushes A47L15/37) · CPC title

• A47L15/4219

  Water recirculation (A47L15/0078 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47L15/0005

  Rinsing phases, e.g. pre-rinsing, intermediate rinsing, final rinsing · CPC title