# US 11,304,587 B2 · Apparatus for separating chemistries in a door-type dishmachine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,587 B2 - Document ID: US11304587B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/151,933 - Filed: 2021-01-19 - Published: 2021-07-15 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-13 - Assignees: Ecolab USA Inc. - Applicants: Ecolab USA Inc. - Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud; Jeffrey P. Ellingson; Brian P. Carlson; Louis M. Holzman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304587B2 ## CPC - A47L 15/4248: {Arrangements for dividing the tub compartment, e.g. for simultaneous washing of delicate and normal crockery} - A47L 15/0028: {Washing phases} - A47L 15/0055: {Metering or indication of used products, e.g. type or quantity of detergent, rinse aid or salt; for measuring or controlling the product concentration} - 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 15/4214: {Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor} - A47L 15/4221: {Arrangements for redirection of washing water, e.g. water diverters to selectively supply the spray arms (A47L15/0078 takes precedence)} - B08B 3/04: Cleaning involving contact with liquid - A47L 15/0026: {Rinsing phases} - 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 2501/07: Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt - 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) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a dishmachine that includes at least two tanks and methods of using the tanks to isolate, substantially isolate, or incrementally isolate different chemistries from each other during a cycle. The disclosed dishmachine design and method allows for the use of two different, and potentially incompatible, reactive, or offsetting chemistries to be used in the same dishmachine cycle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dishmachine comprising: (A) a wash chamber having wash arms mounted therein; (B) a first tank; (C) a first pump operatively connected to the first tank and the wash chamber through a first conduit, wherein the first tank is in fluid communication with the wash arms; (D) a second tank; (E) a second pump operatively connected to the second tank and the wash chamber through a second conduit, wherein the second tank is in fluid communication with the wash arms; (F) a diverter plate selectively movable between a first position and a second position wherein the first position causes the diverter plate to be in fluid communication with the first tank and the second position causes the diverter plate to be in fluid communication with the second tank; (G) a gutter plate located above the diverter plate; and (H) a removable strainer located on top of the gutter plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the first tank and the second tank have a combined fluid capacity of no more than 1 gallon. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the first tank further comprises a top cover, an opening in the cover, and a valve in communication with the opening and configured to open and allow fluid to flow into the first tank. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the gutter plate includes a central opening and at least two walls on opposite sides of the central opening each forming a recess. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dishmachine of claim 4, wherein the gutter plate comprises four walls along the sides of the central opening each forming a portion of the recess. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The dishmachine of claim 5, wherein the gutter plate comprises an outlet port forming a flow path from the recess to the opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The dishmachine of claim 6, wherein the outlet port is positioned at a corner of the central opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The dishmachine of claim 6, wherein the outlet port is positioned along a side of the central opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The dishmachine of claim 6, wherein the outlet port is sized to permit leakage into a single tank at a rate greater than flow expected to enter the gutter plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The dishmachine of claim 6, wherein the outlet port is sized to permit leakage into a single tank at a rate of about 0.4 ounces/s to about 1.0 ounce. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the diverter plate is moved from the first position to the second position electronically. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the diverter plate is moved from the first position to the second position mechanically. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the diverter plate is at least 99.9% effective at directing water to the intended tank. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, further comprising a strainer above the diverter plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the diverter plate comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a pivot axis extending laterally between the first end and the second end. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The dishmachine of claim 15, wherein the diverter plate comprises a first float at the first end and a second float at the second end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The dishmachine of claim 16, wherein the first float is movably positioned at least partially inside the first tank and the second float is movably positioned at least partially inside the second tank. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The dishmachine of claim 16, wherein the first end is pivotably coupled with the first tank and the second end is pivotably coupled with the second tank. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The dishmachine of claim 16, wherein the first float and/or the second float have an upper position and a lower position, and wherein movement of the first or second float from one position to another causes the diverter plate to pivotably move between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the diverter plate is removable. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the strainer has a perimeter and comprises a seal around the perimeter. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the strainer is self-centering. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The dishmachine of claim 1, wherein the first tank and the second tank are separated by a wall.