MXPA98006725A - Continuous-flow ware washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A continuous-flow pot and pan washing system (10) comprising a frame (11);a substantially rectangular tub (16) mounted on the frame (11), where the side walls (36, 38) of the tub (16) are shorter in length than the front and back walls (34, 40) of the tub (16);a pump (42) mounted to the frame (11);a tub outlet channel (48) coupled between the back wall (40) of the tub (16) and the pump (42), providing fluid communication between the tub (16) interior and the pump (42);a manifold (50) mounted to one of the side walls (36, 38), having a manifold inlet coupled to and in fluid communication with thepump (42);and an array of outlet nozzles (54) extending from the manifold (50), through the side wall and into the tub (16) interior, where a substantial portion of the outlet nozzles (54) are angled towards one of the front or back walls (34, 40) such that the nozzles (54) are adapted to jet fluid in a whirlpool-like manner substantially about the perimeter of the tub (16).

Description

LAVA APPARATUS CONVERT FLOW DISHWASHERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains generally to a continuous flow dishwasher, and more particularly, to a continuous flow pot and pan dishwasher adapted to create a substantial amount of swirl-like turbulence in the wash fluid maintained in the tub of washing the appliance. Multi-station pot and pot washing systems for use in restaurant or fast food service environments typically include a carving station, a washing station that has a wash tub, a rinse station that has a tub of rinse, and a sterilization station that has a sterilization station. The stations and tubs are typically coupled together in a frame and aligned against a distant wall, where a worker or workers will manually transport the pots and pans from one station to the next. Dirty pots and pans, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "kitchen items"), after being used for cooking / baking, frying / etc ... will typically be corroded and covered by layers of food byproduct and grease. After carving the food particles in excess of the kitchen items in the milling station, the kitchen articles are placed inside the washing tub. In the wash tub, it is desirable to loosen the cooked by-product and the grease particles from the kitchen items using a continuous flow system that creates a high degree of turbulence within the wash fluids. There are several well-known washing tubs for washing kitchenware, machinery, etc. , which are designed to create turbulence in the washing fluids present in the wash tub. Those prior art systems typically include a pump for continuously circulating wash fluids from a tub exit port and back into the tub through a nozzle arrangement or dispersion tube assembly. Examples of such prior art systems can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,773,436 to Cantrell et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,020,918 to Alberston et al. , U.S. Patent No. 2, 651, 31 1 to Rule, or U.S. Patent No. 1, 545,979 to Rosenberg. A disadvantage with many of the continuous flow wash tubs of the prior art is that the arrangement of the outlet nozzles, filters and heating elements, etc. , reduces the effective area inside the wash tub that can be used to hold kitchen items. Another disadvantage with many of the continuous flow wash tubs of the prior art is that the outlet nozzles or dispersion assemblies are positioned along a wall of the tub, at a vertical level and are directly oriented on the articles. inside the tub. Consequently, there is little opportunity for turbulent wash fluids to make contact with all articles contained within the tub. The turbulence of the wash fluid inside the tub will be affected, significantly and possibly adversely, by the presence of the articles inside the tub. Therefore, when the nozzles and dispersion assemblies are oriented to direct the wash fluids directly into the articles within the tub, the articles closest to the nozzles or dispersion assemblies will immediately alter the flow of the washing fluids within. from the vat, possibly eliminating the significant flow of turbulent wash fluids to other parts of the vat. Even another disadvantage with the continuous flow washing tubs of the prior art is that the pump and the pump motor are typically assembled so that the maintenance of those components is difficult and inconvenient to execute. The placement of the pumps of the prior art requires on frequency that the entire system be moved from the wall of the kitchen before said maintenance. Therefore, there is a need for a continuous flow pot and pans washing tub that provides a maximum effective retention and working area inside the tub, creates a turbulent wash fluid movement in the tub that is likely to be effected by the presence of items inside the tub, and provide easy access for pump maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system for washing pots and pans of continuous flow comprising a frame; a substantially rectangular tub mounted on the frame, where the side walls of the tub are shorter in length than the rear and front walls of the tub; a pump mounted on the frame; an outlet channel of the tub coupled between the rear wall of the tub and the inlet port of the pump, providing fluid communication between the interior of the tub and the pump; a manifold mounted to a first of the side walls, having a manifold inlet coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the outlet port of the pump; and an outlet nozzle arrangement extending from the manifold, through the side wall and into the interior of the tub, where a substantial portion of the outlet nozzles is angled towards one of the rear or front walls so that the nozzles are adapted to squirt the fluid in a manner similar to swirling around substantially the perimeter of the tub. Preferably the nozzle arrangement includes nozzles positioned on at least two vertical levels. This ensures that at least two vertical portions of the interior of the tub undergo turbulence similar to swirl. It is also preferred that the nozzle arrangement includes at least two vertical columns of nozzles and that the lower rows of nozzles in the arrangement be positioned substantially horizontally with respect to the floor. The higher nozzles are preferably angled down with respect to the floor at an angle ranging from about 0 ° to 30 °; and all the nozzles are preferably angled towards the front and rear wall at an angle ranging from about 5 ° to 45 °.

The manifold is preferably integral with and recessed with respect to the first side wall, so that the nozzles do not extend within the effective area of the tub as defined by the area within the intersecting planes of the front walls, back and sides of the tub. Therefore, because the outlet nozzles are recessed with respect to the effective area of the tub, the outflow jets of the wash fluid are less likely to be affected immediately by the presence of articles within the tub. This placement of the nozzles is also safer for the user, since it is less likely that the user will come into contact with the nozzles while they are working in the tub. The washing tub preferably also includes the rectangular recess that extends into one of the walls of the tub to provide a substantially turbulence free hole within the interior of the tub. A fluid level sensor and a heating element that extends into the gap and operates without significant interference from the turbulence created by the nozzles. Because the heating element is recessed from, and filtered from, the effective area of the tub, a safer and larger effective wash area is provided. Finally, the preferred embodiment of the system includes a centrifugal pump mounted on the first side wall of the dishwashing machine. The pump includes a motor, a driving shaft rotatably driven by the motor, and an impeller mounted to the driving shaft. The pump is oriented so that the driving shaft extends substantially parallel to the first corresponding side wall. The impeller is positioned adjacent to the rear wall and the motor is positioned adjacent to the front wall. Therefore, the pump motor is easily accessible and maintained from the front of the dishwasher. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pot and pan washing machine that maximizes the effective wash area within the wash tub; which provides turbulent wash fluid for each article contained within the wash tub, and which is easy to maintain and operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a top view of a multiple station pot and pans washing apparatus for use with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the multiple station pot and pans washing apparatus for use with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple station pot and pans washing apparatus taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1, and showing the internal wall of the manifold and the nozzle arrangement of output that extends from the manifold; Fig. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention as it was incorporated into a multi-station pot and pans washing apparatus; Fig. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the manifold for use with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the swirling flow of wash fluids within the wash tub; FIG. 7 is a prospective side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrating the swirling flow of wash fluids within a large wash tub; Fig. 8a is a front view of a side panel for covering the recess and recessed nozzles of the present invention; Fig. 8b is a top view of the side panel; Fig. 8c is a side view of the side panel; Fig. 9a is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a filter for covering the outlet of the washing tub; Fig. 9b is a top view of an alternative filter mode; Y Fig. 9c is a side view of the alternate filter mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the typical multiple station washing apparatus 10 will consist of a frame 1 1, a carving station 12, a washing station 14 having a washing tub 16, a rinsing station 18, having a rinsing tub 20, a sterilization station 22 having a sterilization tub 24 and a stacking or drying station 26. Such a washing system can be used as follows: in the carving station 12, the dirty kitchenware is carved to remove the particles of large and loose food by-products from them. Next, the user places the kitchenware inside the washing tub 16, which is filled with a soapy fluid circulating around the perimeter of a tub in a swirling flow similar to what will be described below. Once the soiled kitchenware has been soaked into the turbulent soapy fluid of the washing tub 16 for a predetermined amount of time, sufficient for the particles of cooked or fried or fat by-product food to be softened or released from the particular items , the user can then use a brush or a cleaning pad to remove the remaining food byproduct or grease particles from the kitchenware. Once the kitchen items are sufficiently clean, they are rinsed into the rinse tub 20 (filled with a rinse fluid such as water) and sterilized in the sterilization tub 24 (filled with a sterilization agent). Once properly sterilized, the clean kitchenware is stacked or dried in the drying station 26. The front 28 of the washing apparatus 10 is typically where the user remains while working, and the back 30 of the appliance Washing, which includes a splash guard 32, is typically placed against a wall of the room to provide efficient use of space within the room. Although the washing apparatus 10 is shown having the particular stations positioned in a left-to-right manner, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the particular stations may be positioned in a right-to-left manner.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the washing tub 16 includes a front wall 34, two confronting side walls in the opposite direction 36, 38 and a rear wall 40. The side walls 36, 38 are typically shorter than the front and rear walls 34, 40. This is because the user must always be able to reach the back of the tub, limiting the available length for the side walls. A pump 42 is mounted on the frame 1 1 adjacent to the side wall 36 (the outermost side wall of this embodiment) of the washing tub and has an inlet port 44 and an outlet port 46. The pump acts to pump the washing fluids continuously from the tub 16, through an external channel 48, through the pump 42, into a manifold 50 and back into the tub 16 by means of the nozzles 54 that extend from the manifold 50 as described in detail below. The outlet channel of the tub 48 has an output peak 52 to provide fluid communication between the interior of the tub and the exit channel 48, and the external peak 52 is covered by a filter53 mounted to the rear wall. The tub also includes the floor 56, which has a drain 55 centrally placed on the floor to drain the washing fluids from the tub. As mentioned before, the manifold 50 includes an array of nozzles 54 for jetting the wash fluid into the tub 16 at high speeds causing turbulence similar to swirling within the tub 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzles 54 are angled towards the front wall 34 at an angle A which is preferably approximately 30 °; and as shown in Fig. 2, the nozzles 54 are also preferably angled down towards the floor 56 of the tub at an angle B which is preferably around 15 °. It is also within the scope of the invention that angle A can vary from 5 ° to 45 °; and angle B can vary from 0 ° to 30 °. As shown in fig. 6, the orientation of the nozzles 54 causes a swirl-like flow within the wash tub 16 as shown by the arrows I and I I. Because initially this flow begins as indicated from the side wall 36 towards the front wall 34, and is not directed directly into the tub, the initial flow of nozzle washing fluid probably does not initially contact the kitchenware present inside the tub, and therefore to a better chance that the flow similar to swirl is established. The swirl-like flow around the perimeter of the tub, as defined by the front, rear and side walls, acts to provide a turbulent flow of wash fluid for each article contained within the tub. As the flow passes through an article, the characteristics of the swirl-like flow allow many smaller eddies to separate or diminish from the main eddy flow as it flows around the perimeter of the tub. These eddies provide the turbulent flows of the washing fluids to the portions of the tub and to the washing articles not placed near the main eddy flow.

As shown in Fig. 6, the placement of the outer peak 52, near the side wall 36 and the floor 56 of the tub, further facilitates the swirling flow within the tub. The pump is preferably pumping liquids at approximately 1334 liters per minute, causing a substantial suction to be created in the outlet spout 52. The location of this suction, at the end of the swirl flow cycle, keeps the flow similar to swirling inside. from the tub. The embodiment of this invention as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 includes two vertical columns of four nozzles 54; the nozzles that are vertically separated in each column to provide swirl-like turbulence in the wash tub at the corresponding vertical levels within the wash tub. It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that while two vertical columns are described in the present invention, there are numerous nozzle arrangements that can provide the desired flow similar to swirling the wash fluid within the wash tub. However, it is preferable that there are at least two vertical levels, corresponding to at least two vertical levels of the swirl-like flow created by the nozzles inside the wash tub. In addition, it is not necessary that each nozzle be angled downwards. Although it is preferable that at least the higher nozzles are angled down towards the floor to help prevent the Washing Fluid from splashing out of the tub during use. For example, as shown in fig. 5, one embodiment of manifold 50"includes two vertical upper rows of nozzles 54a angled down towards the floor 56 of the tub at an angle B, and two rows of lower nozzles 54b angulated substantially horizontally with respect to the floor 56 of the tub As shown in Figures 1-3 and 6, a bar 58 is mounted to the side wall 36 and the rear wall 40. The bar extends horizontally from the side wall 36, through the filter 53, and horizontally along a substantial length of the rear wall of the rear wall 40. The bar 58 curves within the rear wall at its distal end.This bar 58 preferably extends horizontally about 66.04 cm from the rear wall. so that it is longer than any article that is going to be placed inside the wash tub, bar 58 operates to prevent the formation of cavities in the pump by preventing the items inside the tub from being sucked directly against the filter 53 and block the output peak 52. As shown in Figs. 9a-9c, an alternative embodiment of the filter 53 'includes an array of five hop-on extending bars 58' mounted directly towards the filter in an alternating formation. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the tub 16 includes a rectangular recessed portion 60 which is recessed with respect to the side wall 36 to form a recess area 62 within the tub (this recessed portion is not shown in Fig. 2 so that the manifold and the nozzle arrangement can be clearly displayed). Since the hollow area 62 is recessed with respect to the effective area of the tub (as defined by the four walls of the tub) it creates a substantially turbulence-free zone, inside the tub interior-consequently, a heating element 64 and a pair of fluid level sensors 66 and 64 extend into the gap area 62. The lower fluid level sensor 66 is positioned on the heating element and determines when the fluid level extends over the fluid element. heating 64, thus providing a fluid level signal for a control mechanism (not shown) which in response to the fluid level signal, knows that the heating element 64 can be activated in a safe manner. The second fluid sensor 68 is placed on the vertical level of the nozzles 54 and determines when the fluid level extends over the nozzles 54, thus providing a second fluid level signal for the control mechanism, which in response to the second fluid level signal knows that the pump 42 can be activated safely. Preferably the fluid level sensors 66, 68 are "floats". As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, a filter 70 is mounted to the side wall 36 on the hollow area 62 formed by the recess 60, and prevents the hands of the user from contacting the heating element 64 (the filter 70 is not shown in FIG. Fig. 3 to provide a clear view of the heating element 64 and the fluid level sensors 66, 68). As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, the manifold 50 has an inner wall 72 from which the nozzles 54 extend. The internal wall 72 of the manifold is preferably recessed with respect to the side wall 36., so that the nozzles 54 do not extend past the vertical plane defined by the side wall 36. Since the external nozzles 54 are recessed with respect to the effective area of the tub, it is less likely that the washing fluid outlet jets they are immediately affected by the presence of the items inside the tub 16. This placement of the nozzles is also safer for the user, since the user is less likely to come in contact with the nozzles while they are working in the tub. As shown in Figs. 8a-c, a panel 80 can be used in place of the filter 70. The panel 80 includes a filter portion 82, to cover the gap area 62 (as shown in Fig. 3). The panel also includes a nozzle panel portion 84, having nozzle outlet openings 86, for covering manifold 50 and recessed nozzles 54 (as shown in Fig. 3). The length of the front and rear walls 34, 40 of the tub 16, as shown in Figs. 1-3 and 6, is between 76.2 and 106.68 cm. Further, in this embodiment, the nozzles 54 are approximately 2.06 cm in diameter, the input peak 52 is approximately 948.38 cm2, and the pump 42 pumps the flushing fluid to approximately 1134 liters per minute. An alternate embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 4, uses a different nozzle arrangement for a larger wash tub 16"; that is, the rear wall 40 'and the front wall 34' are larger. In this embodiment, the nozzle arrangements have nozzles 54 'that are angled back towards the rear wall 40 at an angle C that is approximately 15 °. The capacity and power of the pump 42 remains the same preferably and the output peak 52 preferably has the same dimensions. Although the diameter of the nozzles 54 'is smaller, approximately 1.58 cm, so that the velocity of the water that is jetted from them is significantly greater than in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the higher velocity water fluid which is jetted from the nozzles 54 'is jetted at a velocity such that flow deviates from the peak 52 without a significant portion being deflected from the swirling path. As shown in Fig. 7, the nozzle arrangement in this alternating mode produces a swirling flow within the tub 16 'as shown by arrows II I and IV. Because this flow initially starts as indicated from the side wall 36 towards the rear wall 40 'and not directed directly into the tub, it is unlikely that the initial flow of the wash fluid from the nozzles will immediately contact none of the kitchen items present inside the tub, and therefore there is a better chance of establishing the flow similar to whirlpool. The swirl-like flow around the perimeter of the tub, as defined by the front, back and side walls, acts to provide a turbulent flow of the wash fluid to each article contained within the tub. As the flow passes through an article, the characteristics of the swirl-like flow allow many smaller eddies to separate or diminish from the main eddy flow as it flows around the perimeter of the tub. These small vortices provide turbulent flows of washing fluids to portions of the tub and to kitchen items not placed near the main vortex flow. As shown in Fig. 7, the placement of the outlet spout 52, near the side wall 36 and the floor 56 of the tub, further facilitates swirling flow within the tub. The pump is preferably pumped the fluids at approximately 1134 liters per minute, causing a substantial suction to be created in the outlet spout 52. The location of this suction, at the end of the swirl flow cycle, keeps the flow similar to swirling inside. from the tub. In each embodiment, the pump 42 is preferably a centrifugal pump having a motor 74 that rably drives a propelling arrow 76, the propelling arrow which is coupled to, and in turn rionally drives an impeller 78. The pump 42 is preferably mounted on the frame 1 1 so that the propelling arrow 76 extends substantially parallel to the side wall 36, so that the motor 74 is positioned near the front 28 of the dishwashing apparatus 10 and so that the impeller is positioned near the rear part 30 of the dishwasher Therefore, the assembly of the pump 42 facilitates easy access and maintenance of the pump 42 from the front part 28 of the dishwashing appliance. Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the drawings, it will be apparent that any modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. A continuous flow dishwasher apparatus, comprising: a frame; a substantially rectangular tub mounted to the frame, having a tub interior, and including a rear wall, a front wall, a pair of side walls and a floor, the side walls being shorter in length than the rear and front pairs, the rear, front and side walls that form a tub perimeter; a pump mounted on said frame, which includes an inlet port and an outlet port; a tub exit channel coupled between the rear wall of the tub and the inlet port of said tub to provide fluid communication between the interior of the tub and the pump, the outlet channel of the tub having a peak opening inside the tub; a manifold mounted to one of the side walls, having a manifold inlet coupled to, and in fluid communication with, said outlet port of said pump; and an outlet nozzle arrangement coupled to said manifold and extending from a side wall within the interior of the tub; a substantial portion of the outlet nozzles pointing towards one of the front wall or the rear wall so that the nozzles are adapted to squirt the fluid in a similar manner to swirl around said perimeter of the tub.

2. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout of the vat outlet channel is positioned in the rear wall substantially adjacent to said floor and said side wall.

3. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a filter mounted to the rear wall on the top of the tub outlet.

4. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one bar mounted within the tub and extending over a portion of the peak and the filter, adapted to prevent the occurrence of cavities in said chamber. pump by substantially preventing items in said tub interior from blocking said filter.

The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 4, wherein said bar extends from said one side wall, horizontally through the peak and the filter, and horizontally along at least 66.04 cm from the rear wall.

The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a recess extending within a side wall to provide a substantially turbulence free hole within the interior of the tub; and a fluid level sensor that extends into said gap.

7. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a heating element extending within said recess.

8. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a filter mounted to said side wall on said recess.

The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one half of said nozzles in said arrangement are angled downwardly.

The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 9, wherein the nozzle arrangement includes nozzles positioned in at least two vertical levels.

The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 10, wherein said manifold includes an internal wall that is integral with said a side wall of the tub and wherein the disposition of the outlet nozzles extends from the internal wall of the tub. multiple inside the tub.

12. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal wall of the manifold is recessed with respect to said side wall of the tub.

The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lower nozzles in said arrangement are directed substantially horizontally with respect to said floor.

14. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 10, wherein the nozzle arrangement includes at least two vertical columns of nozzles.

15. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 10, wherein the substantial portion of the nozzles is directed toward one of the front wall or said rear wall at an angle ranging from about 5 ° to 45 °.

16. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 15, wherein said at least half of the nozzles in said arrangement are angled downwardly at an angle ranging from about 0 ° to 30 °.

17. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 10, wherein the spout of the tub exit channel is positioned in the rear wall substantially adjacent to said floor and said side wall.

18. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a recess extending within said side wall to provide a substantially turbulence free hole within the interior of the tub; a fluid level sensor that extends within said gap; and a heating element extending within said gap.

19. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a first filter mounted to the rear wall on said vase outlet; a second filter mounted to said side wall on the recess; and at least one bar mounted within the tub that extends over a portion of the peak and the first filter, adapted to prevent the formation of cavities in said pump by substantially preventing articles in said tub interior from blocking the first filter.

20. The continuous flow dishwasher apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the pump is a centrifugal pump including a motor, a drive shaft rotatably driven by said motor, and an impeller mounted to the drive shaft; and the pump is mounted to said frame and oriented so that the propelling arrow extends substantially parallel to said side wall, so that the impeller is positioned adjacent to the rear wall and so that the motor is positioned adjacent to the wall frontal; so that said pump motor is easily accessible and maintained from the front of the dishwasher.