# US 10,117,560 B2 · Condition warning system, control system and method for pot and pan washing machine

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- Number: US 10,117,560 B2
- Document ID: US10117560B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/043,918
- Filed: 2016-02-15
- Published: 2016-06-09
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2008-10-05
- Assignees: Unified Brands, Inc.
- Applicants: Unified Brands, Inc.
- Inventors: John Cantrell; Mark Churchill
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117560B2

## CPC

- A47L 15/0028: {Washing phases}
- A47L 15/0007: {Washing phases}
- A47L 15/0018: {Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control (for control of water softening or water softener regeneration A47L15/4229; for control of water level A47L15/4244; for control of bad smells or odours A47L15/4276; for control of water temperature A47L15/4287; for control of water pressure A47L15/4289; for control of condition of crockery or tableware A47L15/4295; for control of condition of washing water A47L15/4297)}
- A47L 15/0047: {Energy or water consumption, e.g. by saving energy or water}
- A47L 15/0076: {of non-domestic use type, e.g. commercial dishwashers for bars, hotels, restaurants, canteens or hospitals (machines specially adapted for drinking glasses A47L15/0065; drawer-type dishwashers A47L15/0084; in-sink dishwashers A47L15/0086; miniature dishwashers A47L15/0089; conveyor-type dishwashers A47L15/24; machines with crockery cleaned by brushes A47L15/37)}
- A47L 15/0092: {specially adapted to wash large items like pots, trays, baking trays, cooking grids}
- A47L 15/02: with circulation and agitation of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning chamber containing a stationary basket {(for drinking glasses A47L15/0065)}
- A47L 15/08: by application of a pressure effect produced by pumps
- A47L 15/4287: {Temperature measuring or regulating arrangements}
- A47L 15/4293: {Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels}
- A47L 2301/04: Operation mode, e.g. delicate washing, economy washing, reduced time, sterilizing, water softener regenerating, odor eliminating or service
- A47L 2401/023: Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
- A47L 2401/06: Water supply, circulation or discharge information
- A47L 2401/08: Drain or recirculation pump parameters, e.g. pump rotational speed or current absorbed by the motor
- A47L 2401/09: Water level
- A47L 2401/12: Water temperature
- A47L 2401/20: Time, e.g. elapsed operating time
- A47L 2501/01: Water supply, e.g. opening or closure of the water inlet valve
- A47L 2501/02: Water discharge, e.g. opening or closure of discharge valve
- A47L 2501/03: Water recirculation, e.g. control of distributing valves for redirection of water flow
- A47L 2501/05: Drain or recirculation pump, e.g. regulation of the pump rotational speed or flow direction
- A47L 2501/06: Water heaters
- A47L 2501/07: Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
- A47L 2501/26: Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user
- A47L 2501/30: Regulation of machine operational steps within the washing process, e.g. performing an additional rinsing phase, shortening or stopping of the drying phase, washing at decreased noise operation conditions
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)

## Abstract

A condition warning system for an apparatus such as a pot and pan washing machine, a control system and control methods for a pot and pan washing machine are provided. The condition warning system includes a control system that monitors operational, safety or compliance parameters of an apparatus, and a light that illuminates a location below (or above) an operator's direct line of sight, and which is outside of the operator's direct line of sight. The control system and control methods include a punitive wash action lockout, an extended wash cycle time, and a deep clean wash cycle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of washing wares in a continuous motion style washing machine, said method comprising the steps of:
providing by a control system selection options of at least two different wash modes, said at least two different wash modes including at least a standard wash mode and a deep cleaning wash mode; and either
initiating a standard washing cycle upon selection of said standard wash mode, said first washing cycle including the steps of:
activating a wash pump by said control system to circulate a fluid within a wash tank;
maintaining a temperature of said fluid within a standard temperature range during said standard washing cycle; and
locking out said wash pump upon completion of said standard washing cycle; or
initiating a deep cleaning washing cycle upon selection of said deep cleaning wash mode, said deep cleaning washing cycle including the steps of:
operating continuously a wash pump by said control system to circulate a fluid within said wash tank during a first segment of said deep cleaning washing cycle;
maintaining a temperature of said fluid within a deep cleaning temperature range during said first segment of said deep cleaning washing cycle, an upper limit of said deep cleaning temperature range being higher than an upper limit of said standard temperature range;
deactivating and subsequently reactivating said wash pump for periodic intervals during an energy saving idle mode segment of said deep cleaning washing cycle after completion of said first segment, thereby creating a plurality of respective deactivated and reactivated periods; and
maintaining a temperature of said fluid within a lower deep cleaning temperature range during said energy saving idle mode segment of said deep cleaning washing cycle, a lower limit of said lower deep cleaning temperature range being lower than a lower limit of said deep cleaning temperature range.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said deactivated periods are generally longer than said reactivated periods.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein deactivated and reactivated periods are defined by respective time intervals, each time interval being several minutes or more.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said steps of maintaining temperatures of said fluid include the step of energizing a heating element solely during operation of said wash pump.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said steps of maintaining temperatures of said fluid include the step of energizing a heating element both during operation and during deactivation of said wash pump.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said deactivated and reactivated periods are defined by respective first time intervals while the temperature of said fluid is above said lower deep cleaning temperature range, and wherein said deactivated and reactivated periods are defined by respective second time intervals after the temperature of said fluid is lowered to a temperature within said lower deep cleaning temperature range.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein each of said first and second time intervals defining each of said deactivated and reactivated periods is several minutes or more.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said first and second time intervals are 10 and 15 minutes, respectively, for each deactivated period.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said first and second time intervals are 10 and 5 minutes, respectively, for each reactivated period.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said first and second time intervals are 10 and 5 minutes, respectively, for each reactivated period.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein deactivated and reactivated periods are defined by respective time intervals, each time interval being several minutes or more.