Water treatment device for an article washer
OwnerGregory Gaultinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water treatment device for an article washer is configured to selectively treat a water supply for an article washer. In one example, the water treatment device can selectively pretreat a water supply for an article washer for subsequent introduction of the treated water into the wash area of a cabinet of the article washer. In another example, an article washer includes a cartridge configured to selectively treat a water supply for the article washer. The cartridge is configured to be removably coupled to a cartridge interface from outside a wash area while a closure is positioned to close an entrance to the wash area. Methods of cleaning articles are also provided.
Claims20
A water treatment device for an article washer comprising:
- a housing defining an interior area;
- a cartridge configured to be removably received by the interior area of the housing, the cartridge comprising at least one component including a first component configured to selectively pretreat a water supply for an article washer;
- and
- a switch allowing the water treatment device to selectively operate in at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein the first mode of operation prevents at least one component of the cartridge from pretreating a water supply for an article washer and the second mode of operation allows at least the first component of the cartridge to pretreat a water supply for an article washer.
An article washer comprising:
- a cabinet including a wash area, an entrance for inserting articles into the wash area, and a cartridge interface;
- a closure configured to selectively close the entrance;
- and
- a cartridge configured to selectively treat a water supply for the article washer, wherein the cartridge is configured to be removably coupled to the cartridge interface from outside the wash area while the closure is positioned to close the entrance.
An article washer comprising:
- a cabinet including a wash area for receiving water from a water supply for the article washer;
- and
- a water treatment device comprising at least one component including a first component configured to selectively pretreat a water supply for an article washer for subsequent introduction of the treated water into the wash area of the cabinet, wherein the water treatment device is configured to selectively operate in at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein the first mode of operation prevents at least one component of the water treatment device from pretreating a water supply for the article washer and the second mode of operation allows at least the first component to pretreat a water supply for the article washer.
A method of cleaning articles with an article washer comprising a water treatment device and a cabinet including a wash area with a water supply in communication with the wash area, the method comprising the steps of:
- introducing articles into the wash area of the cabinet;
- introducing a first quantity of water into the wash area;
- conducting a wash cycle on the articles with the first quantity of water;
- introducing a second quantity of water into the wash area;
- conducting a rinse cycle on the articles with the second quantity of water;
- and
- applying a selected water treatment to one of the first quantity of water and the second quantity of water with the water treatment device and then subsequently introducing the corresponding treated quantity of water into the wash area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.