WO2023113746A2

WO2023113746A2 - A dishwasher with a fruit and vegetable washing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023113746A2
Application number: PCT/TR2022/051474
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ugur Dogan Can DALBUDAK; Gurkan OZNAZLI; Omer Faruk GAZI
Original assignee: Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2021-12-14
Filing date: 2022-12-12
Publication date: 2023-06-22
Also published as: WO2023113746A3

Abstract

The dishwasher according to the present invention comprises a body (G); a washing compartment (1) located in the body (G); a first sump (11) provided at the bottom of the washing compartment (1) for collecting the washing water to be used in the dishwashing process and the wastewater generated after the dishwashing process; a washing apparatus (2) in the form of a closed chamber, which is located in the washing compartment (1) and is configured to wash fruits and vegetables therein; an inlet line (3), which is connected on one side with a water source and on the other side with the washing apparatus (2); a first outlet line (5), which is connected on one side with the first sump (11) for directing the wastewater collected in the first sump (11) to a drain; a drain pump (10) located at the first outlet line (5); a second outlet line (6), which is connected on one side with the washing apparatus (2) for directing the wastewater in the washing apparatus (2) to the drain; and a third outlet line (7), which is connected on a first side thereof with the drain, and on a second side thereof with the first outlet line (5), wherein the third outlet line (7) is further connected on the second side thereof with the second outlet line (6) such that the drain pump (10) remains between the first sump (11) and the second outlet line (6).

Description

A DISHWASHER WITH A FRUIT AND VEGETABLE WASHING APPARATUS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dishwasher with a fruit and vegetable washing apparatus, for washing vegetables and fruits with less water and minimum energy usage.

Background of the Invention

In order for people to continue their lives in a healthy way, they need to consume vegetables and fruits as well as protein-containing foods. Although most of the vegetables can be consumed by cooking, some of the vegetables, e.g. the ones used in salads, and the majority of the fruits are consumed raw without cooking. Therefore, effective cleaning of vegetables and fruits, even if they are to be cooked, is crucial for human health. For this reason, vegetables and fruits are washed manually by using a large amount of water, before consumption.

However, ever-changing natural conditions and the increase in environmental pollution make clean water resources less accessible day by day. Therefore, paying attention to water consumption has become an important situation for the future of living things. However, since the poor cleaning of vegetables and fruits carries serious risks in terms of health, users find it difficult to save on water consumption for washing vegetables and fruits.

In this context, the known art provides dishwashers for washing fruits and vegetables as well, an example of which is disclosed in EP0842614A2. The dishwasher disclosed in said document comprises an operating mode for washing vegetables and fruits. Fruits and vegetables are placed in a rack of the dishwasher, and a mode for washing fruits and vegetables is selected to operate the dishwasher accordingly, thereby cleaning fruits and vegetables effectively with less water and energy consumption. However, in said application, items leached from fruits and vegetables, e.g. stone particles, mud, soil, pesticide residues, etc., may cause clogging and/or malfunction of the parts in the dishwasher that are used for the wastewater discharge (for example, the sump, the drain pipe, the drain pump). In addition, according to said document, since the fruits and vegetables are placed directly into the machine, residues of cleaning agents (detergent, rinse aid, etc.) left in the machine due to a previous dishwashing processes carried out in the machine, may remain on the washed fruits and vegetables, thus preventing the efficient cleaning of fruits and vegetables, leading to the emergence of conditions that adversely affect the health of living things.

Brief Description of the Invention

The dishwasher according to the present invention comprises at least one body; at least one washing compartment located in the body, which is configured to wash dishes; at least a first sump provided at the bottom of the washing compartment for collecting the washing water to be used in the dishwashing process and the wastewater generated after the dishwashing process; at least one washing apparatus in the form of a closed chamber, which is located in the washing compartment and is configured to wash fruits and vegetables therein; at least one inlet line, which is connected on one side with a water source and on the other side with the washing apparatus, so as to convey the water received from the water source to the washing apparatus; at least a first outlet line, which is connected on one side with the first sump for directing the wastewater collected in the first sump to a drain; at least one drain pump located at the first outlet line for conveying the wastewater from the first sump to the drain via the first outlet line; at least a second outlet line, which is connected on one side with the washing apparatus for directing the wastewater resulting from the fruit and vegetable washing process carried out in the washing apparatus to the drain; and at least a third outlet line, which is connected on a first side thereof with the drain, and on a second side thereof with the first outlet line so that the wastewater from the first sump reaches the drain, wherein the third outlet line is further connected on the second side thereof with the second outlet line such that the wastewater from the washing apparatus reaches the drain and said drain pump remains between the first sump and the second outlet line.

Thanks to the dishwasher according to the present invention, fruits and vegetables can be washed independently of the washing compartment in which the dishwashing process is carried out. In addition, the wastewater generated after the fruit and vegetable washing process can be discharged independently of the equipment used in the discharge of the wastewater generated in the dishwashing process. In this way, the fruit and vegetable washing process is carried out effectively, saving time and energy, while at the same time preventing problems such as clogging and malfunction of the equipment in the dishwasher due to the unwanted substances in the wastewater generated as a result of the fruit and vegetable washing process. Thus, an easy-to-use, practical, reliable and long-lasting dishwasher can be obtained.

Object of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher with a fruit and vegetable washing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher for washing fruits and vegetables independently of the dishwashing environment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that minimizes the possibility of malfunction due to residues generated during the fruit and vegetable washing process.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use, practical, reliable and long-lasting dishwasher.

An exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher according to the present invention is illustrated in the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side schematic view of the dishwasher according to the invention.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

Body (G) Washing compartment (1)

Washing apparatus (2)

Cleaning chamber (2a)

Second sump (2b)

Second spraying assembly (2c)

Inlet line (3)

First valve (4)

First outlet line (5)

Second outlet line (6)

Third outlet line (7)

Connecting element (8)

Second valve (9)

Drain pump (10)

First sump (11)

First circulation pump (12)

First spraying assembly (13)

First connecting line (14)

Second connecting line (15)

Directing element (16)

Description of the Invention

The process of washing and cleaning fresh food items such as fruits and vegetables is usually carried out by washing the food items manually one by one under running water. However, such a manual washing process takes a very long time and causes a lot of water to be consumed during the washing process. Today, there are dishwashers provided to wash fruits and vegetables. These dishwashers generally save time for the fruit and vegetable washing process and reduce water consumption. However, the residues removed from the vegetables and fruits washed in said dishwashers can lead to clogging/malfunction of the discharge units in the dishwasher. In addition, since vegetables and fruits are washed in the same environment in said dishwashers together with plates and bowls, the cleaning agent residues from the dishwashing process may remain on the fruits and vegetables while washing fruits and vegetables, causing health problems. Therefore, the present invention provides a dishwasher with a washing apparatus for washing fruits and vegetables, which solves the aforementioned problems.

The dishwasher according to the present invention, as illustrated in figure 1 , comprises at least one body (G); at least one washing compartment (1) located in the body (G), which is configured to wash dishes; at least a first sump (11) provided at the bottom of the washing compartment (1) for collecting the washing water to be used in the dishwashing process and the wastewater generated after the dishwashing process; at least one washing apparatus (2) in the form of a closed chamber, which is located in the washing compartment (1) and is configured to wash fruits and vegetables therein; at least one inlet line (3) (e.g. a pipe, a hose, etc.), which is connected on one side with a water source (e.g. mains) and on the other side with the washing apparatus (2), so as to convey the water received from the water source to the washing apparatus (2); at least a first outlet line (5) (e.g. a pipe, a hose, etc.), which is connected on one side with the first sump (11) for directing the wastewater collected in the first sump (11) to a drain; and at least one drain pump (10) located at the first outlet line (5) for conveying the wastewater from the first sump (11) to the drain via the first outlet line (5). The dishwasher according to the invention further comprises at least a second outlet line (6) (e.g. a pipe, a hose, etc.), which is connected on one side with the washing apparatus (2) for directing the wastewater resulting from the fruit and vegetable washing process carried out in the washing apparatus (2) to the drain; and at least a third outlet line (7) (e.g. a pipe, a hose, etc.), which is connected on a first side thereof with the drain, and on a second side thereof with the first outlet line (5) so that the wastewater from the first sump (11) reaches the drain, wherein the third outlet line (7) is further connected on the second side thereof with the second outlet line (6) such that the wastewater from the washing apparatus (2) reaches the drain and said drain pump (10) remains between the first sump (11) and the second outlet line (6). In other words, the second side of the third outlet line (7) is connected both to a side of the first outlet line (5) that is not connected to the first sump (11), and to a side of the second outlet line (6) that is not connected to the washing apparatus (2), and said drain pump (10) remains between the first sump (11) and the second side of the third outlet line (7) (i.e. the part where the third outlet line (7) and the second outlet line (6) are connected to each other). In an exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, when the user wants to wash the dishes, he/she places the dishes to be washed into the washing compartment (1), preferably by means of a rack. The first sump (11) is provided with water by means of the water source, and the water is conveyed by means of at least a first circulation pump (12) to at least a first spraying assembly (13) (e.g. a sprinkler, a propeller etc.) which is located in the washing compartment (1) rotatably around an axis. The first spraying assembly (13) rotates with the pressure of the incoming water and ensures that the water is sprayed onto the dishes. The sprayed water is collected again in the first sump (11), so that the water is circulated in the washing compartment (1) to wash the dishes. When the washing process is completed, the wastewater collected in the first sump (11) is moved by means of the drain pump (10) to the first outlet line (5), and from there to the third outlet line (7) so as to reach the drain. When the user wants to wash vegetables and fruits, he/she places the fruits and vegetables to be washed inside the washing apparatus (2). When the dishwasher is operated for the washing process, water is received from the source via said inlet line (3) into the washing apparatus (2) in the form of a closed chamber, such that the washing process is carried out, and when the washing process is completed, the wastewater generated is moved to the second outlet line (6), and from there to the third outlet line (7) preferably by operating the drain pump (10), so as to reach the drain. Thanks to the dishwasher according to the invention, the wastewater generated during the fruit and vegetable washing process can be discharged independently of the equipment that discharge the wastewater generated during the dishwashing process. Therefore, undesirable problems such as clogging and malfunction in the equipment that discharges the wastewater generated during the dishwashing process can be prevented, and a reliable and long-lasting dishwasher can be obtained. Moreover, since the fruits and vegetables are washed independently of the cycle for the dishwashing process, cleaning agent residues in the washing compartment (1) and/or the first sump (11) resulting from the dishwashing process can be prevented from contaminating the fruits and vegetables.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing apparatus (2) comprises at least one cleaning chamber (2a) in which the fruits and vegetables to be washed are placed and washed; at least a second sump (2b) located at the bottom of the cleaning chamber (2a) and connected to the inlet line (3) and the second outlet line (6), wherein the washing water to be used in the fruit and vegetable washing process, which is received from said source via the inlet line (3), and the wastewater generated during the fruit and vegetable washing process, which is to be discharged with the second outlet line (6), are collected in the second sump (2b); at least a second spraying assembly (2c) (for example, a sprinkler, a propeller, etc.) which is located in the cleaning chamber (2a) rotatably around an axis for spraying the washing water collected in the second sump (2b) onto the fruits and vegetables in the cleaning chamber (2a); and at least a second circulation pump for conveying the washing water in the second sump (11) to the second spraying assembly (2c). In this embodiment, the washing water for the fruit and vegetable washing process that is received from the source via the inlet line (3) is collected in the second sump (2b) and conveyed to the second spraying assembly (2c) by the operation of the second circulation pump. With the pressure of the washing water, the second spraying assembly (2c) rotates around said axis and sprays the washing water onto the fruits and vegetables. The sprayed water filtered from the fruits and vegetables is collected again in the second sump (2b), thus washing the fruits and vegetables with the circulation of the water in the second sump (2b). When the washing process is completed, the wastewater collected in the second sump (2b) is moved to the second outlet line (6), and from there to the third outlet line (7) so as to reach the drain. In this way, when the fruit and vegetable washing process is completed, the wastewater generated in the dishwasher can be discharged from the dishwasher without reaching the equipment that provide the discharge of the wastewater generated as a result of the dishwashing process. In this embodiment, the second circulation pump is a hydraulic pump. In this case, the dishwasher also preferably comprises at least a first connecting line (14) connecting the first circulation pump (12) and the second circulation pump; at least a second connecting line (15) connecting the first circulation pump (12) and the first spraying assembly (13); and at least one directing element (16) (for example, a 3-way valve) for conveying the water from the first circulation pump (12) to the second circulation pump or the first spraying assembly (13). In this embodiment, when the user wants to wash the dishes, the water collected in the first sump (11) and received from the source is directed to the second connecting line (15) by means of the first circulation pump (12) and the directing element (16). When the fruit and vegetable washing process is to be carried out, the water received from the source is filled into both the first sump (11) and the second sump (2b), the water collected in the first sump (11) is sent to the first connecting line (14) and from there to the second circulation pump by means of the first circulation pump (12) and the directing element (16), so that the second circulation pump is operated. With the operation of the second circulation pump, the water collected in the second sump (2b) is sent to the second spraying assembly (2c). The water in the first sump (11) reaching the second circulation pump from the first connecting line (14) is returned to the first sump (11) without mixing with the water collected in the second sump (2b) (for example, by means of a return line). In this embodiment, the second circulation pump has at least two separate sections, one fluidly connected to the first connecting line (14) and the other to the second sump (2b). In this way, water in both sumps can be preventing from mixing even in the second circulation pump.

In another alternative embodiment, the dishwasher according to the invention preferably comprises at least a first valve (4) located in the inlet line (3), which is configured to control the passage of water from the source through the inlet line (3). When the user operates the dishwasher to wash fruits and vegetables, the first valve (4) is opened such that the water coming from the source passes through the inlet line (3) and fills the washing apparatus (2). When sufficient water is received into the washing apparatus (2), the first valve (4) is closed, thus preventing the passage of water through the inlet line (3). In this embodiment, the dishwasher also preferably comprises at least one control unit for controlling the first valve (4), wherein the control unit also preferably controls the washing programs of the dishwasher and the equipment to be used for these programs (circulation pumps, spraying assemblies, drain pumps, etc.).

In a further embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher according to the invention preferably comprises at least a second valve (9) located in the second outlet line (6), which is configured to control the passage of wastewater from the washing apparatus (2) through the second outlet line (6). When the fruit and vegetable washing process is completed, the second valve (9) is opened such that the wastewater in the washing apparatus (2) passes through the second outlet line (6) and is directed to the drain via the third outlet line (7). When the discharge of the wastewater in the washing apparatus (2) is completed, the second valve (9) is closed, preventing the passage of water through the second outlet line (6). In this embodiment, the dishwasher also preferably comprises at least one control unit for controlling the second valve (9), wherein the control unit preferably controls the washing programs of the dishwasher and the equipment to be used for these programs (circulation pumps, spraying assemblies, drain pumps, etc.). In a different embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher according to the invention comprises at least one connecting element (8) (for example, a “T” connector) for connecting the first outlet line (5) and the second outlet line (6) to the third outlet line (7). Thus, an easy and practical connection can be ensured.

Thanks to the dishwasher according to the present invention, fruits and vegetables can be washed independently of the washing compartment (1) in which the dishwashing process is carried out. In addition, the wastewater generated after the fruit and vegetable washing process can be discharged independently of the equipment used in the discharge of the wastewater generated in the dishwashing process. In this way, the fruit and vegetable washing process is carried out effectively, saving time and energy, while at the same time preventing problems such as clogging and malfunction of the equipment in the dishwasher due to the unwanted substances in the wastewater generated as a result of the fruit and vegetable washing process. Thus, an easy-to-use, practical, reliable and long-lasting dishwasher can be obtained.

Claims

CLAIMS A dishwasher comprising at least one body (G); at least one washing compartment

(I) located in the body (G), which is configured to wash dishes; at least a first sump (11) provided at the bottom of the washing compartment (1) for collecting the washing water to be used in the dishwashing process and the wastewater generated after the dishwashing process; at least one washing apparatus (2) in the form of a closed chamber, which is located in the washing compartment (1) and is configured to wash fruits and vegetables therein; at least one inlet line (3), which is connected on one side with a water source and on the other side with the washing apparatus (2), so as to convey the water received from the water source to the washing apparatus (2); at least a first outlet line (5), which is connected on one side with the first sump (11) for directing the wastewater collected in the first sump

(I I) to a drain; and at least one drain pump (10) located at the first outlet line (5) for conveying the wastewater from the first sump (11) to the drain via the first outlet line (5), characterized by comprising at least a second outlet line (6), which is connected on one side with the washing apparatus (2) for directing the wastewater resulting from the fruit and vegetable washing process carried out in the washing apparatus (2) to the drain; and at least a third outlet line (7), which is connected on a first side thereof to the drain, and on a second side thereof to the first outlet line (5) so that the wastewater from the first sump (11) reaches the drain, wherein the third outlet line (7) is further connected on the second side thereof with the second outlet line (6) such that the wastewater from the washing apparatus (2) reaches the drain and said drain pump (10) remains between the first sump (11) and the second outlet line (6). A dishwasher according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least a first spraying assembly (13) located in the washing compartment (1) rotatably around an axis, for spraying the water received from the water source to the first sump (11) for the dishwashing process into the washing apparatus (2); and at least a first circulation pump (12) that conveys the water in the first sump (11) to the first spraying assembly (13).

3. A dishwasher according to claim 2, characterized in that the washing apparatus

(2) comprises at least one cleaning chamber (2a) in which the fruits and vegetables to be washed are placed and washed; at least a second sump (2b) located at the bottom of the cleaning chamber (2a) and connected to the inlet line

(3) and the second outlet line (6), wherein the washing water to be used in the fruit and vegetable washing process, which is received from said source via the inlet line (3), and the wastewater generated during the fruit and vegetable washing process, which is to be discharged with the second outlet line (6), are collected in the second sump (2b); at least a second spraying assembly (2c) which is located in the cleaning chamber (2a) rotatably around an axis for spraying the washing water collected in the second sump (2b) onto the fruits and vegetables in the cleaning chamber (2a); and at least a second circulation pump for conveying the washing water in the second sump (11) to the second spraying assembly (2c).

4. A dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that the second circulation pump is a hydraulic pump.

5. A dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises at least a first connecting line (14) connecting the first circulation pump (12) and the second circulation pump; at least a second connecting line (15) connecting the first circulation pump (12) and the first spraying assembly (13); and at least one directing element (16) for conveying the water from the first circulation pump (12) to the second circulation pump or the first spraying assembly (13).

6. A dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a first valve (4) located in the inlet line (3), which is configured to control the passage of water from the source through the inlet line (3).

7. A dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a second valve (9) located in the second outlet line (6), which is configured to control the passage of wastewater from the washing apparatus (2) through the second outlet line (6). A dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one connecting element (8) for connecting the first outlet line (5) and the second outlet line (6) to the third outlet line (7).