US3323159A

US3323159A - Dishwasher with particle reclaiming

Info

Publication number: US3323159A
Application number: US417268A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard L Ummel; William E Koeppen
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1964-12-10
Filing date: 1964-12-10
Publication date: 1967-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-06

Description

June 6, 1967 R. 1.. UMMEL ETAL 3,323,159

DISHWASHER WITH PARTICLE RECLAIMING Filed Dec. 10, 1964 2 Sheets-$heet 1 V //V VE N 70/?3 RICHARD L. UMMEL WILL/AM E. KOEPPEN I48 BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,323,159 DISHWASHER WITH PARTICLE RECLAlMIN G Richard L. Ummel, Trotwood, and William E. Koeppen,

Eellhrook, Ohio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 10, 1%4, Ser. No. 417,268 8 Claims. (Cl. 15-3) This invention relates to dishwashing apparatus and more particularly to dishwashing apparatus having articles therein simultaneously subjected to a combination scouring and washing action by means of an abrasive material in the washing fluid.

One characteristic of present-day domestic dishwashing apparatus is that elaborate fluid distributing systems are included for producing a very complete washing spray pattern within a washing compartment in the device. Another characteristic is that the devices include a heating element in the sump region of the washing compartment to effect a drying cycle of operation following desired washing and rinsing cycles of operation. One problem with most dishwashing apparatus of this type, however, is that it fails to adequately clean heavily soiled or scorched cookware generally designated as pots and pans.

In the past, several proposals have been suggested for including a hard abrasive material in a washing fluid to obtain a scouring action in dishwashing machines. None of these proposals, however, includes such abrasive particles in a dishwashing apparatus having the elaborate fluid distributing systems and heater elements mentioned above. The problem of combining abrasive pellets or particles in dishwashing apparatus of the above-described type is that the particles either tend to clog the elaborate fluid distributing systems or, in many cases, are adversely affected by the heat output from the drying cycle heater.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an automatic pots and pans washer using abrasive plastic beads for removing soil from severely scorched cookware.

A further object of the present invention is to improve a dishwashing apparatus by means of an improved system in association with a dishwashing compartment for selectively directing abrasive plastic particles into the washing compartment of the apparatus during its washing cycle of operation for causing them to be directly distributed against the articles to be cleaned by an impeller located in the sump region of the washing compartment and wherein the impeller is driven by a reversible motor for driving an eXteriorly mounted pump for selectively draining the washing fluid and abrasive particles from the washing compartment upon rotation in one direction and for backwashing the particles in the sump during rotation thereof in an opposite direction.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view in front elevation of a dishwashing apparatus including the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view in horizontal section taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of a fluid distributing system for a dishwasher including the present invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of an electric circuit in the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIGURE 1, a dishwashing apparatus 10 is illustrated of the freestanding, unitary, structural type that is adapted to have the appearance of a built-in appliance when properly arranged within a kitchen layout. The apparatus 10', more particularly, includes an upper dishwashing unit 12 and a lower pots and pans washing unit 14. In the illustrated arrangement, the upper dishwashing unit 12 is characterized by its high, wide and shallow configuration as defined by an outer shell or cabinet 16 that surrounds both of the

washing units

12, 14. The outer shell 16 also includes a front shelf 18 located above the lower washing unit 14 and forwardly of the upper unit 12. Below the shelf 18 is located a divider strip or control panel 20' for the

units

12, 14. In the illustrated arrangement, the upper unit 12 has an access opening 22 thereof closed by a. pair of

doors

24, 26. The assembly of the

washing units

12, 14 is, more particularly, set forth in the copending United States application, Ser. No. 408,232, of James W. Jacobs for Domestic Appliance, filed Nov, 2, 1964. For purposes of the present invention, however, the above description will suflice as to structural details of the unit. Additionally, it is necessary to point out that both of the

units

12, 14 are operatively associated with a garbage disposer or comminnter 28 that receives waste from a waste disposal sink region formed by the door 26 through an inlet chute 30 to the garbage disposer unit 28 when the door is opened. The upper washing unit 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, includes a rotary fluid distributing tube 32 for directing fluid into an upper washing compartment 34 of the unit 12 and an upper rotary spray distributor head 36 is located therein to supplement the spraying action of tube 32. In the schematic arrangement of FIGURE '6, fluid is circulated through the upper dishwashing compantment by a pump 38 which is connected by a line 39 to the sump region of compartment 34 and arranged to discharge fluid under the control of a selector valve 40 into a distribution system 42 connected to the tube 32 and the distributing head 36 or through a line 44 of a household drain. In the illustrated assembly, the dis-poser 28 has an outlet 46 therefrom connected to the line 44.

In the illustrated arrangement washing fluid passes through a fill line 48 that has a first branch 50 for directing fluid flow under the control of a valve 52 into the washing compartment 34 and a second line 54 for directin g fluid under the control of valve 55 into the lower washing unit 14. In the structural view of FIGURE 2, the fill line 54 is shown as discharging into a sump region 56 formed by a lower bulkhead 58 of an enclosure 60 that forms a bottom washing compartment 62 having a rack 64 therein for supportingly receiving pots and pans to be cleaned. In this embodiment of the invention, access to the compartment 62 is provided through an opening 66 formed by the enclosure 60 forwardly thereof. The opening 66 has a continuous, resilient seal element 68 formed at the top and sides thereof that sealingly engages the inner surface 70 of a downwardly and forwardly pivoting door 72.

Within the sump region 56 is located. a rotary impeller 74- having blades 76 thereon for distributing fluid in the sump region 56 against the article supported by the rack 64. Surrounding the impeller 74 is an electrical resistance element 78 for providing heat in the compartment 62 during a predetermined drying cycle of operation. Also, within the sump region 56 is located a pressure switch 80 terminating water fill through the line 54 once a predetermined amount of fluid is within the sump region 56.

A drain outlet 82 is connected to the lowest part of the bulkhead 58 for directing fluid therefrom through a drain line 84 to a centrifugal pump 86 that is representatively shown as being driven by a reversible electric motor 88 that also serves to drive the impeller 74. To adequately remove carbonized soil from the articles supported on rack 64, a predetermined quantity of abrasive particles are dumped into the compartment 62 from a bead or particle dispenser 90 supported on top of the enclosure 60. These abrasive particles are driven by the impeller 74 along with the washing fluid against articles to be cleaned to effect a combination washing and scouring action. During washing the pump 86 is driven in a direction to backwash fluid through the drain outlet 82 whereby the abrasive beads are maintained in suspension for cleaning distribution throughout the washing cycle. One feature of the present invention is in the use of small plastic beads as abrasive particles to scour. Such beads produce a particularly good removal of scorched or carbonized material or other soil of a hard nature from the outer surface of pots and pans being cleaned. Plastic particles most preferred are presently made from a polymerized methyl methacrylate and have a nominal dimension of X A x A,. Such material is found to have a hardness that withstands several scouring operations without unduly damaging the articles being cleaned.

Following a washing cycle of operation, it is necessary to remove the abrasive beads from the compartment 62 so that they will not be damaged by the heater 78 during a drying cycle. Thus, another feature of the present invention is the provision of a drain and reclaiming system for selectively returning beads to the dispenser 90 and discharging dirty washing fluid to the drain line 44. More particularly, the outlet of pump 86 is connected by a conduit 92 to a selector valve 94 that serves to selectively direct fluid and beads from the sump region 56 either through a return line 96 or a waste line 98 that is connected through the disposer 28 to the drain line as representatively shown in FIGURE 6.

The return line 96 is connected to an inlet 99 into the dispenser 90 shown as having an elongated, semicircularly-shaped outer housing 100 supported around an opening 101 formed in the top 102 of the enclosure 60. The housing 100 is opened at the bottom and has a rectangularly-shaped screen 104 supportingly received on the

side members

106, 107 of a rotatably mounted dispenser and support member 108. The support member 108, more particularly, is carried on a shaft 110 having one end thereof rotatably supported in a bearing 112 on the housing 100 and at the opposite end thereof rotatably supported in a bearing 114 at the opposite end of the housing 100. The shaft 110 at the outermost end thereof is connected to a crank element 116 which has an offset extension 118 connected to a rotary solenoid actuator 122 on bracket 120. Upon energization of the solenoid actuator 122, the crank member 116 is rotated so as to cause the support 108 to move from the position shown in FIGURE into a vertical dumping position wherein abrasive beads supported thereon are dispensed through the open bottom of the housing 100 and the opening 101 interiorly of the compartment 62. The support 108 is returned into its bead supporting position following dumping by means of a return spring element 124.

For better understanding of the operation of the aforedescribed assembly, reference is now made to FIGURE 7 wherein an electrical circuit 126 is illustrated as being connected across line L L of a residential source of power. Following loading compartment 62 by placing soiled articles on the rack 64 therein and closing of the door 72, a door switch 128 is closed so that when a timer control knob 130 on the front of the control panel 20 is pushed in, a switch 132 is closed to complete a circuit between L L through a dishwasher timer motor 134. The timer motor 134 advances to close a cam operated timer switch 136 to complete a fill valve circuit from L through closed

switches

128, 132, a conductor 138, thence through a conductor 140 including the coil 142 of the fill valve to line L Following a predetermined fill cycle of operation, a cam operated switch 144 is closed to engergize a coil 145 of solenoid actuator 122 to cause the support member 108 to be rotated into a vertical position to thereby cause plastic beads supported thereon to be ejected into the sump region 56. Then a switch 146 is closed to energize the motor 88 to thereby cause the impeller 74 to rotate in a predetermined direction to cause the washing fluid in the sump region 56 along with the supplemental cleaning pellets or beads to impact against the articles supported on the rack 64 for removing waste and soil therefrom.

Following the washing cycle of operation, the motor 88 is energized by the reversing switch 148 for reverse rotation to thereby cause the pump 86 to draw fluid and beads from the sump region 56. Concurrently, a switch 150 closes to energize a coil 152 that conditions the valve 94 to dire-ct the fluid and beads back into the dispenser unit 90 where the beads are collected on screen 104 and fluid discharged through the line 96 is returned back into the washing compartment 62 for collection in the sump region 56. Following a predetermined period of time, most, or all, of the particles are deposited within the dispenser unit 90. Then the valve switch 150 opens and the solenoid coil 152 is de-energized to condition the valve 94 to direct fluid fro-m the outlet line 92 from pump 86 through the line 98 back into the disposer 28 for removal through the drain line 44. Following the initial wash cycle of operation, the fill circuits and drain circuits can be opened and closed to effect one or more fill, rinse and bead recovery operations following which time a cam operated switch 154 is closed to energize the heater 78 to carry out a desired dry cycle of operation.

By virtue of the aforedescribed structure and sequential control operation, the user of the apparatus 10 can automatically wash pots and pans types of articles and then recover supplemental cleaning particles or beads for use in a subsequent washing operation. The provision of an open-type impeller 74 prevents clogging of fluid distribution systems in the device, for example, those of the type used to distribute washing fluid in the upper dishwasher unit 12 and the provision of the centrifugal pump 86 enables the plastic beads to be kept in a desired state of suspension in the fluid within the sump 56 during the washing cycle of operation and also enables such pellets to be rapidly pumped or drained from the sump region 56 during a drain cycle of operation and selectivity discharged either through a return line to the dispenser unit or through a line to the garbage disposal unit for eventual discharge into an exteriorly located drain pipe.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A pots and pans cleaning device comprising, an enclosure forming .a washing compartment, an opening in said enclosure for access to said washing compartment, impeller means located in said compartment for discharging fluid against articles supported therein, dispenser means for directing abrasive scouring particles within said enclosure for distribution by said impeller means against the articles during the washing cycle of operation, a pump for draining washing fluid and the abrasive scouring particles exteriorly of said enclosure following a washing cycle of operation, means for separating said beads from the washing fluid during draining, and fluid distributing means for selectively directing a particlefluid mix from said pump means to said separator means or to drain.

2. A pots and pans cleaning device comprising, an enclosure forming a washing compartment, an opening in said enclosure for access to said washing compartment, impeller means located in the bottom of said compartment for discharging fluid therefrom against articles sup ported thereabove, plastic beads within said enclosure adapted to be distributed by said impeller means against the articles located thereabove during the washing cycle of operation, a pump for draining wash-ing fluid and the beads exteriorly of said enclosure following a washing cycle of operation, means for separating said beads from said washing fluid, and fluid distributing means for selectively directing fluid and beads from said pump means to said separating means or to drain whereby a predetermined reclaim and drain cycle of operation are effected during the sequential operation of the cleaning device.

3. A pots and pans cleaning device comprising, an enclosure for-ming a Washing compartment, an opening in said enclosure for access to said washing compartment, impeller means located in the bottom of said compartment for discharging fluid abrasive beads therefrom against articles supported thereabove, a pump for draining washing fluid and the beads exteriorly of said enclosure following a washing cycle of operation, a bead dispenser located on the top of said washing compartment exteriorly thereof having an opening therein communicating with the interior of said compartment for distributing abrasive scouring beads thereto, fluid distributing means for selectively connecting the outlet of said pump means to the interior of said bead dispenser or a drain pipe, and separator means within said head dispenser for trapping the beads therein prior to entry into said compartment while allowing the return of the flow of fluid circulated thereto back into the interior of said washing enclosure, said fluid circulation means being conditionable following reclamation of said abrasive beads to direct fluid discharge from said pump to a drain.

4. In a dishwashing apparatus suitable for cleaning pots and pans, the combination of, an enclosure forming a washing compartment, means for directing a predetermined amount of washing fluid interiorly of said Washing compartment, impeller means located within said washing compartment for directing fluid therein through out the interior of said compartment, dispenser means on top of said enclosure for releasing abrasive beads interiorly thereof following the initial fill period, said abrasive beads being distributed by said impeller with the washing fluid to accomplish a combined washing and scouring action on articles within the interior of said enclosure, means forming a sump region in the bottom of said enclosure for removing washing fluid therefrom, a pump for draining fluid from said sump following a washing cycle of operation, and fluid distributing means for selectively directing pressurized fluid flow from said pump back to said dispenser means and to a drain for removing washing fluid from the system.

5. In the combination of claim 4, reversible motor means for driving said pump means whereby during the cleaning cycle of operation a fluid backwash is efiected in the sump to maintain said beads in fluid suspension during the washing cycle of operation.

6. In a dishwashing apparatus suitable for cleaning pots and pans, the combination of, enclosure means forming a washing compartment, said enclosure means including means forming a sump region within said washing compartment, means for directing a predetermined amount of washing fluid interiorly of said washing compartment to be contained within the sump region therein, an impeller disposed within said sump region, dispenser means for discharging abrasive scouring beads interiorly of said washing compartment following the fill period including a screen member for supportingly receiving the beads and movable into a position for releasing the beads into the interior of the washing compartment, said washing fluid and beads being directed by said impeller against the articles to be cleaned during a predetermined washing cycle of operation, pump means for draining the washing fluid and beads from the sump region, fluid distributing means for directing the beads and washing fluid from the pump back to the dispenser means during a bead reclaiming cycle wherein the screen member is arranged to supportingly receive the beads and to allow the return flow of washing fluid back into the washing compartment, said fiuid distributing means including means for blocking fluid flow to the dispenser means and to direct fluid flow from the pump to a drain following the reclaiming cycle of operation.

'7. In the combination of claim 6, reversible motor means for driving said pump means whereby during the cleaning cycle of operation a fluid backwash is eifected in the sump to maintain said beads in fluid suspension during the washing cycle of operation.

8. In a dishwashing apparatus suitable for cleaning pots and pans, the combination of, enclosure means for forming a washing compartment including a sump region, means for directing a predetermined amount of washing fluid interiorly of said washing compartment during a predetermined fill period of operation, a rotary impeller located within said sump region for distributing washing fluid therefrom against articles .in the washing compartment, reversible electric motor means for driving said impeller to eifect the fluid distributing action thereof, dispenser means supported on the top of said enclosure means for directing abrasive scouring particles interiorly of said washing compartment to be distributed along with washing fluid by said impeller during predetermined cycle of operation, a drain in said sump region, pump means having the inlet thereof connected to said drain, said pump means being driven by said reversible electric motor whereby upon the washing cycle of operation there is a backwash of fluid in the region of the sump drain to prevent the collection of abrasive particles therein, said pump upon operation of said motor in a reverse direction drawing fluid from said sump region for discharge exteriorly thereof, and fluid distributing means for connecting the outlet of said pump to the dispenser means during a predetermined reclaiming cycle of operation wherein the abrasive scouring particles are selectively removed from the washing fluid which is then returned back to the washing compartment, said fluid distributing means including means operative following a predetermined reclaiming cycle of operation for discharging fluid from the washing compartment into an exteriorly located drain.

FOREIGN PATENTS 449,822 7/1948 Canada.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. L. G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A POTS AND PANS CLEANING DEVICE COMPRISING, AN ENCLOSURE FORMING A WASHING COMPARTMENT, AN OPENING IN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR ACCESS TO SAID WASHING COMPARTMENT, IMPELLER MEANS LOCATED IN SAID COMPARTMENT FOR DISCHARGING FLUID AGAINST ARTICLES SUPPORTED THEREIN, DISPENSER MEANS FOR DIRECTING ABRASIVE SCOURING PARTICLES WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR DISTRIBUTION BY SAID IMPELLER MEANS AGAINST THE ARTICLES DURING THE WASHING CYCLE OF OPERATION, A PUMP FOR DRAINING WASHING FLUID AND THE ABRASIVE SCOURING PARTICLES EXTERIORLY OF SAID ENCLOSURE FOLLOWING A WASHING CYCLE OF OPERATION, MEANS FOR SEPARATING SAID BEADS FROM THE WASHING FLUID DURING DRAINING, AND FLUID DISTRIBUTING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY DIRECTING A PARTICLEFLUID MIX FROM SAID PUMP MEANS TO SAID SEPARATOR MEANS OR TO DRAIN.