Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a dishwasher assembly. In preferred embodiments this assembly may be installed within an interior housing of a table.

Background of the Invention

Crockery, glassware and cutlery are widely used for food and beverage handling and consumption. For ease of reference these articles are referred to throughout this specification generally as dining utensils. These dining utensils need to be thoroughly cleaned after each and every use.

Dining utensils can be washed by hand in a sink containing hot soapy water and then placed on a bench surface, preferably in a rack, to drain and be manually dried and then stored in a cupboard or drawer. Hand washing dining utensils is a time consuming repetitive monotonous task which few people enjoy. The washing process requires the exclusive use of a sink while dishes are being washed as well as a portion of an adjacent bench surface to drain washed dishes. Dining utensils can also build up in a sink or on an adjacent bench space until a sufficient number has collected to warrant undertaking a manual wash.

Dish washing machines have been developed as an alternative to the manual washing of dishes. These machines employ a cabinet sealed with a door and plumbed with a supply of water and a drain to remove used wash water. High-pressure heated water is supplied to a rotary sprayer arm which directs wash water on to utensils arranged in racks and baskets within the dishwashing machine cabinet.

These rotary spray arms commonly incorporate nozzles orientated with a single or common angle of attack, and rely on the rotary motion imparted to the arm to distribute water throughout the cabinet interior. This results in variable performance based on where utensils are located within the cabinet and how full the cabinet is when a wash cycle is completed. Commonly used rotary spray arms are also rotated using the pressure of the wash water they are supplied. The speed at which the arm rotates is controlled by the pressure of this water, limiting both user control of the washing process and resulting in dining utensils only being exposed to periodic short duration jets of wash water. This again impacts on the performance of the washing assembly, limiting the ability to remove solids stuck to the surface of a dining utensil.

Dirty dining utensils must be transported from a dining area to the location of the dishwasher and then manually loaded into the machine's racks and baskets. It is also common for dishwasher users to scrape solid food waste from dining utensils and optionally pre-rinse such utensils prior to them being loaded into the dishwashing machine. Users of these machines must wait for a relatively long wash cycle to be completed by the machine before they are called upon to again to manually unload the dishwasher contents into storage shelves and drawers. Furthermore if dining utensils are not diligently pre-rinsed to remove solid food wastes a user of the machine must periodically act to clear a filter trap in the bottom of the cabinet.

It would be of advantage to have improvements in the field of dishwasher assemblies which addressed any or all of the above issues or at least provided the public with an alternative choice. It would be of advantage to have a dishwasher assembly with the capacity to thoroughly and quickly wash dishes and which had the potential to adjust how the assembly performed or operated. An improved dishwasher assembly which also facilitated integration into the interior of a table would be of particular advantage.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dishwasher assembly arranged to perform a washing operation on dining utensils located within a washing volume, the dishwasher assembly including a spray conduit having a substantially horizontal orientation with a length greater than the conduit width, the length of the conduit being greater than the distance extended in the same direction as the length axis of the conduit by dining utensils located in the washing volume, a transit drive assembly arranged to impart a linear motion to the spray conduit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the conduit, the spray conduit being connected to and configured to receive wash water from a wash water supply, the spray conduit defining a plurality of nozzles configured to spray wash water on to utensils located within the washing volume, wherein operation of the transit drive assembly and supply of wash water to the spray conduit performs a washing operation on dining utensils located within the washing volume.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a dishwasher assembly characterised by the steps of:

1. locating a plurality of dining utensils within a washing volume,

2. supplying wash water to a spray conduit to spray wash water on to at least one dining utensil located within the washing volume,

3. operating a transit drive assembly to impart linear motion to the spray conduit in a direction perpendicular to the length axis of the conduit while continuing to supply wash water to the spray conduit to spray wash water on to at least one further dining utensil located within the washing volume.

In various aspects of the present invention provides a dishwasher assembly and a method of operating a dishwasher assembly. Reference in general throughout this specification will predominantly be made to the invention providing a dishwasher assembly, although those skilled in the will also appreciate that a method of operating such an assembly is also within the scope of the invention. In various further embodiments reference will also be made to the dishwasher assembly being configured for installation within the interior of a housing or cabinet with its upper surface or region closed by a table top. Again those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the invention may also be used in other applications.

The dishwasher assembly provided is arranged to perform a washing operation on dining utensils. This washing operation aims to clean dining utensils after use. In additional embodiments the invention may also perform a sterilisation or sanitation role depending on the temperatures of wash water used with the invention and also any additives employed within this wash water.

In a preferred embodiment the dishwasher assembly may be located within a washing volume which also contains the dining utensils to be washed. This washing volume may preferably be formed by the interior of a sealed or closed cabinet which contains any wash water utilised by the invention. The washing volume will exhibit various dimensions such as a maximum length, width and height. The dining utensils contained will therefore extend to various degrees over the length, width and height dimensions of this volume.

As indicated above in some embodiments this washing volume may be defined by the interior of a cabinet or housing which also presents a table top to users. In such embodiments the invention may facilitate the washing of dishes previously used or supported on this table top. However in other embodiments the invention may be used in more conventional forms of dish washing machines which again define a cabinet of some form used to retain wash water.

In a preferred embodiment the spray conduit may have a substantially horizontal orientation. In such embodiments this arrangement will deploy the conduit with a substantially flat configuration with all parts of the conduit at approximately the same height as each other within the washing volume.

The invention includes a spray conduit with a length spanning at least a portion of one dimension of the washing volume. Preferably the length of the spray conduit is equal to or greater than the extent of the dining utensils in the dimension at least partially spanned by the spray conduit. For example, in some embodiments the length of the spray conduit provided may span the majority of the length dimension of the washing volume and will extend past the extent or boundary of any dining utensils in this dimension.

Preferably the spray conduit has a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension. This arrangement allows for the efficient use of materials to transport fluids from one end of the conduit to its opposite end. The conduit will therefore define a length axis extending longitudinally along the path defined for wash water by the conduit.

Preferably the length of the conduit is greater than the distance extended in the same direction as the length axis of the conduit by dining utensils located in washing volume.

The invention includes a transit drive assembly arranged to impart linear motion to the spray conduit. This linear motion can be imparted in the direction perpendicular to the length axis of the spray conduit. For example in embodiments where the length of the spray conduit extends over the majority of the length dimension of the washing volume, the transit drive assembly may impart linear motion along the width dimension of the volume.

In a preferred embodiment the transit drive may be configured to move the spray conduit through a distance equal to or greater than the extent of the dining utensils in the direction perpendicular to the length axis of the conduit. For example in embodiments where the length of the spray conduit extends over the majority of the length dimension of the washing volume, the transit drive assembly may move the spray conduit through the width of the wash volume and through the area over which the dining utensils extend.

Therefore in preferred embodiments the spray conduit may have a length which is greater than the extent of the dining utensils in one dimension - being defined by the length axis of the conduit - and may be moved by the transit drive in a perpendicular direction to travel through the area spanned by the dining utensils.

In a preferred embodiment a transit drive assembly may include a rotating helical or threaded shaft engaged with the spray conduit and a drive motor which when activated rotates this threaded shaft. The spray conduit maybe engage with this rotating threaded shaft to induce linear motion of the conduit through the washing volume. Furthermore the spray conduit may reciprocate back and forth through the area in which dining utensils extend during a washing operation. In embodiments which incorporate a rotating threaded shaft within the transit drive assembly the shaft need only be rotated in one direction only to result in the reciprocal motion of the associated spray conduit.

In a preferred embodiment the dishwasher assembly may include at least one guide rail arranged to at least partially support the weight of the spray conduit as it moves linearly within the washing volume. In a further preferred embodiment a guide rail may be located adjacent to each end of the spray conduit to support both ends and the weight of the conduit as it moves.

Preferably the spray conduit is connected to and configured to receive wash water from a wash water supply. Wash water utilised by the invention may preferably be preheated to a desired temperature prior to supply to a spray conduit. Wash water utilised by the invention may also be supplied to a spray conduit with a desired hydraulic pressure. In various embodiments additional additive chemicals or compound such as detergent, rinsing aid compounds or sanitising agents may also be added to wash water prior to supply to a spray conduit.

In a preferred embodiment a wash water supply may incorporate a water tank or reservoir, water pump and supply pipe connected to the spray conduit. In such embodiments the provision of a water tank allows for preheating of wash water and also the potential to recirculate used wash water during a washing operation. However those skilled in the art will also appreciate that a wash water supply may be provided by a utility water supply connection, or through the combination of both a utility water supply connection and the water tank, pump and supply pipe referenced above.

The spray conduit provided with the invention defines a plurality of nozzles configured to spray wash water on to dining utensils located within the washing volume. Preferably the characteristics of the wash water - such as its temperature and chemical composition - combined with the flow rate and pressure of the spray provided by the spray conduit can act to perform the washing operation on any dining utensils impacted by this spray of washing water. In a preferred embodiment a spray conduit may be formed by a single straight or linear length of conduit with an array of nozzles defined along the length of this conduit. However in other embodiments the spray conduit may alternatively have a curved or sinusoidal form with a main longitudinal axis which still spans at least a portion of one dimension of the washing volume.

Reference throughout this specification will be made to a spray conduit being formed from a single linear length of conduit material, although those skilled in the art should appreciate that other arrangements or formats are also within the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the spray conduit may include nozzles with different orientations or angles of attack. Using a plurality of nozzles which can direct a spray of wash water in a range of directions can improve the effectiveness of the washing operation completed by the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the spray conduit may include nozzles which exhibit different flow rates. In a further preferred embodiment a spray conduit may include nozzles which have both different orientations and exhibit different flow rates. In such embodiments higher flow rate characteristics may be used with specific nozzle orientations, and lower flow rate characteristics with other orientations.

In a preferred embodiment the bottom or lower area of the washing volume may define a waste collection trough, located preferably adjacent to a side wall or end of a cabinet used to contain wash water. This waste collection trough can be used to collect and subsequently remove solid and liquid wastes deposited into the washing volume from dining utensils during washing operations.

In a further preferred embodiment the waste collection trough may be defined with a trapezoidal, inverted pyramid or conical shape which defines a low region for the collection of waste material. In such embodiments this low region will therefore accumulate solid waste material with liquid waste accumulating above these solids. In a preferred embodiment a waste flush water supply may be provided adjacent to a waste collection trough as described above. This flushing water supply can be positioned so as to deliver of a supply of water which flushes waste products collected in the base or bottom of the washing volume into the waste collection trough.

In a preferred embodiment the invention may include a waste shuttle associated with a waste shuttle drive assembly. This waste shuttle may be formed by a component which spans the same side or end of the washing volume as a waste collection trough, and in use may be moved along the bottom or base of the washing volume to collect and urge waste materials into the waste collection trough. For example, in various preferred embodiments this waste shuttle may be initially located on the opposite end or side of the washing volume to the waste collection trough. Its associated waste shuttle drive mechanism may then operate to move the shuttle along the base of the washing volume to collect solid and liquid waste which is then delivered to the washing trough at the end of this movement. The related drive assembly can then return the waste shuttle back to its original position for repeated use.

In a preferred embodiment the dishwasher assembly may include a solid waste macerator assembly configured to act on used wash water and collected waste materials. This waste macerator assembly make mechanically grind, cut or otherwise process solid wastes and deliver a stream of combined used wash water and macerated solid waste to a drain engaged with the dishwasher assembly.

In a preferred embodiment a solid waste macerator may include an inlet port which receives waste materials, where this port is covered or gated by a filter element. This filter element can be used to limit the size of solid waste materials which can enter into the waste macerator, preferably trapping or preventing the entry of solids which could damage the waste macerator, such as animal bones or the like. For example in one preferred embodiment a filter element may be formed by a metal plate with a grid or array of holes drilled through it of a size which limits the entry of large solid waste materials through the inlet port of the waste macerator. In a preferred embodiment a solid waste macerator assembly may be located within or adjacent to the bottom lower surface of a waste collection trough. In a further preferred embodiment where a waste collection trough is formed with an inverted conical or trapezoidal shape, the inlet port to the solid waste macerator may be located in the base or bottom lower region of the trough. In such embodiments the solid waste macerator assembly will therefore be supplied with solid and dense waste materials which are shuttled into the waste collection trough.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention may include a waste packaging assembly, preferably located in or adjacent to a waste collection trough and also preferably adjacent to the inlet port of a solid waste macerator. In such embodiments the waste packaging assembly may be formed from a housing used to contain a removable packaging bag or similar container which is to collect solid waste materials rejected block or gated by a filter element associated with the inlet port of a solid waste macerator assembly. Entry to this housing may be controlled by an inlet valve assembly, preferably providing access to the waste collection trough adjacent to the solid waste macerator assembly. This valve assembly can block access to the interior of the waste packaging housing journal during normal washing operations and also preferably while the waste macerator assembly is operated to dispose of suitably sized solid waste materials. The inlet valve to the waste packaging assembly can be opened to receive the remaining large solid waste materials which were not disposed of by the waste macerator.

In a further preferred embodiment the waste macerator assembly may include a movable filter element used to control the size of solid waste material which can enter the waste macerator. In such embodiments the filter element may be movable between a covering position which controls access to the interior of the macerator assembly to a transfer position which shifts solid wastes collected on the upper surface of the filter towards and through the inlet of an adjacent waste packaging assembly. For example in some preferred embodiments a drive system may be provided to pivot this filter element between its two positions, controlling access to the interior of the waste macerator assembly while also acting to shift large solid waste materials into the interior of the waste packaging assembly. In such embodiments the inlet to the waste packaging assembly may be positioned or located slightly above the inlet port of the waste macerator to limit the distance large solid waste has to travel to improve the likelihood of this waste being delivered into the interior of the waste packaging assembly.

In a preferred embodiment the interior housing of a waste packaging assembly may be connected to or engaged with a vacuum supply line. This vacuum supply line may be used to allow a connected vacuum pump to suck air from the interior of the waste packaging assembly housing while the inlet valve of the assembly is closed. Applying a vacuum or partial vacuum to the interior of the housing acts to draw the sides of any removable waste packaging bag in on any solid waste materials deposited into this bag.

In a preferred embodiment the interior housing of a waste packaging assembly may include a waste packaging bag closure element. This element can operate to seal or otherwise close the open upper region of a bag once solid waste material has been deposited into the bag. In further preferred embodiments the bag closure element may be operated in combination with the use of a vacuum supply to the associated housing, closing an evacuated bag on and around solid waste materials and preventing the entry of air back into the bag.

In a further preferred embodiment a waste packaging bag closure element may be formed by a heat seal bar and bracket assembly. This assembly may engage with the open top of a bag to close its opposed side walls together in contact with one another, then apply heat to the bag to melt the surfaces closed.

In a preferred embodiment the dishwasher assembly may include a microprocessor or controller configured to receive inputs from various sensors and to issue control instructions to various components of the dishwasher assembly. For example in a range of embodiments such a controller may receive input commands from a user by a control panel system, operate a water pump associated with the wash water supply to adjust wash water pressures, control the operation of the transit drive assembly and/or control the operation of a solid waste macerator assembly and an associated waste packaging assembly. The present invention may provide many potential advantages over the prior art. In various embodiments the invention.

The present invention provides an alternative to dishwasher assemblies which incorporate rotating spray arms. By providing a transit guide which imparts linear motion to a spray conduit the invention may be configured to adjust the time which a particular dining utensil is exposed to a spray or sprays of wash water. Further potential performance improvements may also be provided in various embodiments through the use of nozzles with different flow rates and/or orientations.

In additional embodiments the provision of a solid waste macerator assembly and/or a waste packaging assembly removes the need for a user to periodically clear a solid food waste filter trap by hand. In particular, with the use of a solid waste macerator no manual intervention is required, while a waste packaging assembly can provide a clean, closed bag of packaged solid waste for removal and disposal.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional and further aspects of the present invention will be apparent to the reader from the following description of embodiments, given in by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dishwasher table incorporating a dishwasher assembly as provided in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,

• Figure 2 shows a perspective transparent view of table incorporating the dishwasher assembly shown in figure 1,

• Figure 3 a perspective transparent view of the washing volume and dishwasher assembly of figure 2,

• Figure 4 shows a side cross section modular view of internal components of the dishwasher assembly of figures 1 to 3, and

• Figures 5 shows a schematic view of liquid circulation components engaged with the wash volume of figures 1 to 3, and

• Figure 6 shows sensor and control signal connections provided with a microcomputer control system integrated into the dishwasher table of figures 1 and 2, and • Figure 7 shows a perspective transparent view of the waste packaging assembly of figures 2 and 3.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is given by way of example only of particular embodiments.

Best modes for carrying out the Invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dishwasher table incorporating a dishwasher assembly as provided in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective transparent view of the same dishwasher table.

In the embodiment shown the dishwasher table 1 incorporates a housing 2 where the upper surface of this housing is connected to a frame 3 and panel 4. The housing defines an interior volume which defines a washing volume and locates various internal components of a washing assembly (not shown), as discussed further with respect to figures 2 through 7.

Figure 2 illustrates the action of a pivot assembly 5 provided as part of the dishwasher table. In this embodiment the pivot assembly incorporates a pair of lifting arms 6 linked to axles (not shown) engaged with the centre axis of the panel. A drive motor 7 is connected between one of these lifting arms and an axle so that activation of the motor causes the panel to pivot and ultimately be inverted relative to the arrangement shown with respect to figure 1.

As can be seen from figure 2 each lifting arm is used to lift the panel above and out of the frame away from the housing prior to the panel being pivoted. Raising the panel in this manner increases clearance between the interior volume of the housing and the edges of the panel as these edges are rotated through this volume.

Figure 2 also illustrates various parts of a washing assembly 8 provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention with portions of the washing assembly being located within the washing volume 9 and portions located underneath this volume. In the embodiment shown the washing volume 9 accommodates a vacuum pump 10, vacuum connection lines 11, 12, hot water tank 13 and drains 14, 15 as discussed in further detail below.

Figure 3 shows a perspective transparent view of the washing volume 9 and components of the dishwasher assembly 8 shown with respect to figure 2. The dishwasher assembly 8 includes a single linear spray conduit 16 with a longitudinal axis extending along the length dimension of the washing volume 9. As seen from figure 3 the spray conduit extends almost the entire length of the washing volume, and defines an array of nozzles 17 along its length. Wash water is supplied to the conduit and nozzles 17 using a supply pipe 18 which forms part of a wash water supply system.

The spray conduit is connected by a motor 19 to a threaded helical shaft 20. The helical shaft forms part of a transit drive assembly which operates to move the spray conduit through the width dimension of the washing volume when the helical shaft 20 is rotated. The motor 19 incorporated into this transit drive assembly only needs to rotate the helical shaft in one direction to result in a linear reciprocal back and forth motion in the spray conduit. The ends of the spray conduit are also supported during this motion by a pair of guide rails 21 which allow the spray conduit to move back and forth over substantially all of the width dimension of the washing volume.

Figure 3 also shows the construction of a number of systems used to handle solid and liquid waste materials deposited on the base of the washing volume during washing operations.

As can be seen from figure 3 a waste collection trough 22 is formed at one end of the housing 2, this trough spanning most of the width of the housing. The trough has an inverted trapezoid or conical shape, defining a bottom or lower region 23 which is filled first with liquid waste and which collects solid waste.

A waste flush water supply 24 is also provided next to the trough to supply water which flushes or washes waste into the trough. Also provided is a waste shuttle element 25 which is engaged with its own drive system motor 26 and reciprocation screw 27 to collect and deposit waste from the base of the housing into the trough. As can be seen from the lower inserts of figures the waste shuttle can move across the floor of the housing to drive waste into the trough. A warm water drain port 28 is provided adjacent to a solid waste baffle filter 29. These elements allow warm water to be returned to the hot water tank 13 without contamination by solid waste materials.

Figure 3 also shows elements of a solid waste macerator assembly 30 and waste packaging assembly 31 located next to the bottom 23 of the waste collection trough 22. The macerator includes a pivoting filter cover 32 controlling access to its inlet port 33 and waste shredding blades 34. These components allow liquid and small solid waste materials to be shredded together and then delivered as a liquid to a drain 14 below the shredding blades 34.

The waste packaging assembly 31 contains a removable bag 35 which has waste materials delivered into it through an assembly inlet 36 controlled by an inlet valve 37. During normal washing operations the inlet valve 37 remains dosed, and also stays closed when the solid waste macerator assembly is operating. This valve can then be opened to receive large solid waste materials when the pivoting filter cover 32 of the macerator assembly moves towards the packaging assembly. This will then fill the bag 35, which can be removed through access plate 38 when full.

Figure 7 also provides further details of the waste packaging assembly when incorporating a waste packaging closure element.

Figure 4 shows a side cross section modular view of internal components of the dishwasher table of figures 1 and 2. As can be seen from figure 4 the interior volume of the housing is used to locate additional components of the dishwasher table and the washing assembly below the washing volume 9. These include a microcomputer control system 39, washing table vacuum pump 10, and a hot water tank 13 and water pump 40 which form part of a wash water supply. Figures 5 show a schematic view of liquid circulation components integrated into the interior volume of the dishwasher table of figures 1 and 2. In particular figure 5 shows the interconnections provided between the water pump 40, washing volume 9 and hot water tank 13. As can be seen from this figure the water tank includes a heating wire 41 connected to and controlled by a microcomputer control system (not shown) to adjust the temperature of water pumped into the washing volume. The water tank 13 is also linked to a drain outlet 15 with an associated drain valve 42, again controlled by the microcomputer control system.

Figure 6 shows sensor and control signal connections provided with a microcomputer control system integrated into the dishwasher assembly of figures 1 to 5. The microcontroller receives various input signals from each of the components illustrated and is capable of issuing control signals to these components to operate the dishwasher table provided.

As can be seen from figure 6 connections are provided to a transit drive motor, drain valve, wash water pump and water tank heating wire. The microcomputer is also connected to an operation panel which displays information to the users of the invention about the operation of the dishwasher assembly and allows for user adjustments of how the assembly operates. Connections are also provided to a solid waste macerator and vacuum pump used in conjunction with the dishwasher table panel 4.

Figure 7 shows a perspective transparent view of the waste packaging assembly of figures 2 and 3. In particular figure 7 shows the positioning of the inlet valve 36 below the entry inlet port 37 of the housing of the assembly. This arrangement can allow a vacuum supply line 11 to withdraw air from the housing and the bag 35 once large solid waste materials have been delivered into the interior of the bag. This will draw the sides of the bag inwards and into close contact with the waste it contains.

Once air has been removed a bag closure element can be operated to seal the open top of the bag closed. A heating bar and bracket 43 are moved into contact with each other to close the mouth of the bag. Heating element 44 is then activated to heat the bar and bracket 43 to melt the material of the bag and seal it closed. In the preceding description and the following claims the word "comprise" or equivalent variations thereof is used in an inclusive sense to specify the presence of the stated feature or features. This term does not preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and further and additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled reader from the examples illustrated with reference to the drawings. In particular, the invention may reside in any combination of features described herein, or may reside in alternative embodiments or combinations of these features with known equivalents to given features. Modifications and variations of the example embodiments of the invention discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departure of the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.