US2236791A

US2236791A - Dishwashing machine

Info

Publication number: US2236791A
Application number: US191940A
Authority: US
Inventors: Forsberg Erik August
Original assignee: De Laval Separator Co
Current assignee: De Laval Separator Co
Priority date: 1937-03-02
Filing date: 1938-02-23
Publication date: 1941-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 1958-04-01
Also published as: GB490913A

Description

April 1, 1941. FORSBERG 2,236,791

DISHWASHING MACHINE 7 Filed Feb. 23, 1938 Patented Apr. 1, 1941 DISHWASHING MACHINE v Erik August Forsberg, Nockeby, Sweden, assignor to The 'De Laval Separator Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 23, 1938, Serial No. 191,940

In Sweden March 2 1937 17 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved'type of dishwashing machine.

Various dishwashing machines are known in which the plates and other utensils to be washed are placed on a stand arranged in a container and then washed by one or more jets of water directed on them from above. The nozzle for forming and directing the jet or jets of wateris usually arrangedin a slot provided in the lid which covers the container, and is moved to and fro in this -slot during the washing. In this type of construction the water must, of course, be fed to the nozzle either througha flexible conduit or through one provided with movable joints, either of which types of construction involves certain inconveniences or difliculties, as, for example, the risk of leakage, theshort life of the conduit (if it is a flexible hose), and the fact that the conduit is usually in the way when other work is to be done.

The present invention is directed to a dishwashing machine in which a jet or jets of water, preferably a broad, thin jet or sheet, is directed upon the dishes and caused to move to and fro without the necessity of using a movable nozzle or a flexible conduit. In accordance with this invention a forceful jet of water is directed from one side of the container for the dishes adjacent its upper rim in a horizontal direction over the dishes. This J'et, which advantageously is round in cross-section, accordingly does not hit the dishes directly. Instead, a deflector plate is positioned in the path of the jet, which deflects the jet downwardly, or obliquely downwardly, and simultaneously spreads the round jet into a fiat, fan-shaped one. The deflector plate is movable to and fro, preferably axially of the jet from the nozzle, and accordingly the deflected jet is caused to strike all the dishes or other utensils in the container. The deflector plates in accordance with this invention may, of course, have any desired shape, and thus give the deflected, downwardly directed jet a shape other than, and perhaps more suitable than, the fanlike shape described; or it may cause the jet from the nozzle to be divided into a number of more or less separated, downwardly directed jets.

The movement of the deflector plate to and fro within the container may be accomplished either manually by means of a handle extending outside the container and connected to the deflector plate, or more or less automatically by using the force of the jet of water from the nozzle to effect the movements of the deflector mentof. the deflector plate it is advantageous to make use of two jets directed from nozzles on opposite sides of the container and thus exert opposing forces on the deflector plate.

Other means of effecting or controlling movement of the deflector plate are apparent. Thus, the plate may be arranged to move to and 'fro under the influence of a water-driven motor enclosed in the container. Where only a single jet is used to effect movement of the deflector plate by reason of the force of its impact thereon, it is desirable to regulate the rate of movement by some suitable brake device. Thus, the deflector plate may, for example, run on one or more wheels, which drive a centrifugal regulator, which in turn acts on a brake, or the wheel may drive a wing wheel, against which the air exerts a resistance rapidly increasing with the speed of revolution.

Movement of the deflector plate toward the nozzle, in the case where only a single jet is used, may be by gravity, as, for example, where the track is inclined, or a counterweight may be employed. In place of a counterweight a spring may be used to accomplish the same result.

In any of these types of construction the operation may be made fullyv automatic by causing the deflector plate to open or close valves controlling the water jet or jets as it reaches its respective limits of travel.

In the accompanying drawing, which shows several embodiments of this invention:

Figure 1 is a cross section through a disliwashing machine in accordance with this invention using a single jet of water in its operation. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a modified type of dishwashing machine in which two opposing jets of water are used, and in which the movement of the deflector plate is controlled automatically.

Figure 3 is a detail view, partly in section, of a deflector plate andits mounting in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of the deflector plate shown in Figure 3, and

'Figure 5 is a detail View, partly in section, of

. a difi'erent type of deflector plate.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a container I provided with an outlet 3. In the container a plurality of plates 5 are positioned (being held in place by conventional stacking means,

' not a part of the present invention and therefore not shown). At one side of the container 3, adjacent the top thereof, is a nozzle 1 conplate. In using the nozzle jets to effect movetrollable by valve 9 and provided with a wire or cloth strainer l I, which, in known manner, serves the purpose of eliminating turbulence in the jet of water directed from the nozzle. The container is closed by a cover IS in which is provided a slot l5 parallel with the jet emitted by the nozzle I. Mounted in the cover It and adapted to moveto. and fro in the slot II is the deflector assembly comprising a deflector plate ll positioned below the cover and in the line of the jet from thenozzle I, and a handle l9 positioned above the cover. A spring 2| extends from the handle I! to a bracket 23 mounted on top of the cover l3.

In operation a jet of liquid 8 is directed from the nozzle 1 against the deflector plate H, by means of which it is deflected obliquely downwardly and simultaneously spread out into a fanlike jet III, which strikes the plates 5. As the deflector plate I! is moved across the container the jet l strikes each of the dishes in turn. Movement of the deflector plate I! may be accomplished manually by means of the handle l9, or may be accomplished ina more automatic fashion by control of the valve 9. Thus, as the force of the jet 8 leaving the nozzle I is increased by opening the valve 9, the deflector plate M will be caused to move from left to right against the action of the spring 2|, while when the valve 9 is partly closed to diminish the force of the jet 8, the deflector plate ll will move from right to left under the influence of the spring 2|.

In the structure shown in Figure 2 the container l is provided with two opposed nozzles l and 1' arranged on opposite sides thereof adjacent the top, and the deflector-plate I1 is provided with two opposed deflecting surfaces upon.

which the jets 8 and 8' from the two nozzles impinge and are deflected downwardly and combined to form the jet 19.

The deflector plate I1 is mounted on a holder 25 adapted to travel within the slot I5 on rollers 21 which rest upon the cover l3. Mounted above the cover 13 is a rod 29 which is connected at one end by means of arm 3| to the valve 9' controlling nozzle 1' and is guided at its other end in a fixed support 30. Two adjustable stops 33 are positioned upon the rod 29, and are adapted to be engaged by the holder 25 as the deflector plate ll" approaches its extreme limit of travel in each direction. The range of movement of the rod 29 may be limited by an adjustable set screw 35 set in the support 30.

In the structure shown in Figure 2 the jet 9' from the nozzle 1' is somewhat larger in crosssection than the jet 8. Moreover, as shown, the jet 8' is deflected more sharply by the deflector plate I I than is jet 8. As a result of these two factors the force exerted on the deflector plate H by the jet 8' is greater than that exerted by the jet 8, and the deflector plate tends to move from right to left. However, when the deflector plate ll has nearly reachedits extreme leftward position the holder 25 engages one of the stops 33, and continued movement of the deflector plate l1 results in movement of the rod 29 to partly close the valve 9'. The force exerted by jet I now is in excess of that exerted by the throttled jet 9, and the deflector plate I1 will move from left to right until the holder 25 engages the other of the stops 33 and thus moves the rod 29 to open the valve 9' again.

Of course, the requisite difference in the force exerted by the twb opposed jets on the deflector plate may be accomplished in other ways. Thus, one jet may have a normal velocity of flow lower than that of the other jet; or the difference may be accomplished solely by having one jet larger in cross section than the other, or solely by deflecting two jets at different angles. any of these factors may be combined in any desired manner, and the backward and forward movement of the deflector plate may be accomplished either by throttling only the stronger of the two jets or by alternately throttlingand unthrottling both of the jets simultaneously.

In the structures just described it will'be-noted that the deflector plate extends below the lower edge of the cover assembly. Consequently there is danger that when the cover is removed and placed upon, for example, a table, the deflector plate may be damaged by being scratched or deformed, so that the deflected jet formed thereby will have an undesirable direction or shape. To avoid this danger resort may be had to the type of construction shown in Figures 3 to 5.

In Figure 3 there is shown a deflector plate assembly in which the holder 31 for the deflector plate is provided with a pair of ears 39 in which the portion ll of the deflector plate 43 is secured so as to have the deflector plate tiltably connected to the holder 31. A plate spring 45 contacts the portion ll of the deflector plate, and is provided in its center with a boss 41 which engages a recess inthe portion ll to thereby secure the deflector plate l3 in its operating position as shown in Figure 4. The deflector plate 43 can, however, be tilted up to a protected position against the action of the spring 45, which then keeps the plate in this position by means of friction between the spring and the portion 4|. Of course, the portion ll may, if desired, be provided with a second recess into which the boss 41 enters when the deflector plate is in its protected position.

In Figure 5 there is shown a somewhat modifled structure in which the plate spring is replaced by a spiral spring 49 which acts to force a a pin 5| into engagement with recesses 53 in the portion ll of the deflector plate. By means of the handle 55 the pin 5| may be lifted upward against the action of the spring 49 to permit movement of the deflector plate 43 from one po sition to another.

What I=claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a flxed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, and a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the container determined by the position of the deflector plate, said deflector plate being bodily movable axially of said initial jet to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container.

2. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a flxed home associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned ,in the path of said jet and adapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the container determined by the position of the deflector plate, and means for moving said deflector plate bodily axially of the, initial jet to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container.

Obviously v 3. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, a cover for said container provided with a slot extending substantially the entire width thereof and parallel to the said jet, a carrier mounted in said cover for movement along said slot, and a deflector plate secured to said carrier and positioned in the path of'said jet so as to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet upon the dishes.

4. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes tobe washed, and adeflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflected .jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the container de-- der the force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container.

5. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with'the. dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adapted in any one position to defl'ect the jet and direct the deflected jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the container determined by the position of the deflector plate, said deflector plate being bodily movable axially of the initial jet and away from said nozzle under the force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container, and means resisting said movement of the deflector plate. I

6. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the container determined by the position of the deflector plate, said deflector plate being bodily movable, axially of the initial jet and away from said nozzle under. the-force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container, and means resisting said movement of the deflector plate and tending to move it toward said nozzle when the force exerted by said initial jet is sufiiciently diminishedf 7. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a. fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to dlrecta jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be 'washed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the container determined by the position of the deflector plate, said deflector plate being bodily movable axially of the initial jet and away from'said nozzle under the force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container, means resisting said movement of the deflector plate and tending to move it toward said nozzle when the force exerted by said initial jet is sufiiciently diminished, and means for periodically varying the force exerted on said deflector plate by the initial jet to cause the deflector plate to move to and fro.

8. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adapted to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet upon the dishes, saiddefiector plate being movable axially of the initial jet and away from said nozzle under the force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflected jet'to contact all the dishes in 'the container, means resisting said movement of the deflector plate and tending to move it toward said nozzle when the force exerted by said initial jet is sufilciently diminished, and

Y tainer'for the dishes to be Washed, a pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted to direct two opposed initial jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, and a deflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets, adapted to deflect and combine the two jets and direct thedeflected jet so formed upon the dishes, said deflector plate' being movable axially of said initial jets to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container.

10. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, 9. pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted to di-- rect two opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the two jets and direct the deflected jet so dishes to be washed, and a deflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets adapted to deflect and combine the "two jets and direct the deflected jet so formed upon the dishes, said deflector plate being movable axially of said initial jets to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container.

12. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a con-' tainer for the dishes to be washed, a pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted to direct two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the two jets and direct the deflected jet so formed upon the dishes, and means for moving said deflector plate axially of said jets to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in the. container.

13. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for' the dishes to be washed, a pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted to direct two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, and a deflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the two jets and direct the deflected jet so formed upon the dishes, said deflector plate being movable axially of the initial jets under the influence of the resultant force due to difference in the forces exerted on said deflector plate by the respective jets. I

14. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a pair of flxed nozzles associated therewith and adapted to direct two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the two jets and direct the de- Iflected jet so formed upon the dishes, said deflector plate being movable axially of the initial jets under the influence of the resultant force due to difference in the forces exerted on said deflector .plate by the respective jets, and means for periodically varying the force exerted on said deflector plate by at least one of said initial jets to cause the deflector plate to move to and fro.

15. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to be washed, a pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted to direct two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, 9. deflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the two jets and direct the deflected jet so formed upon the dishes, said deflector plate being movable axially of the initial jets under the influence of the resultant force due to difference in the forces exerted on said deflector plate by the respective jets, and means for periodically varying the force exerted on said deflector plate by at least one of said initial jets to cause the deflector plate to move to and fro, said last named means being actuated by move-1 ment of the deflector plate.

16. Dishwashing apparatus in accordance with, claim 1, additionally characterized by the fact that the deflector plate is tiltably mounted so that it may be swung from operative to an inoperative position. I

17. Dishwashing apparatus in accordance with claim 3, additionally characterized by the fact that the deflector plate is tiltably mounted so that it may be swung from operative to an inoperative position.

ERIK AUGUST FORSBERG.