System for conserving energy and washing agents in a dishwasher

A system for conserving energy, water and washing compound in a commercial, electrically energized dishwasher machine having one or more washing sections followed by a rinse section and having a conveyor for conveying dishes through the various sections in sequence from an entrance into the machine to an exit from the machine, comprising:

• pre-settable timing means for setting a predetermined time period slightly longer than the length of time required for the conveyor to convey a given food service utensil from the entrance through the respective sections of the machine to the exit of the machine,
• said timing means being connected to be responsive to a part of the dishwasher which is actuated whenever the dishwasher is turned on for starting the measurement of such a time period whenever the machine is manually turned on,
• said timing means being connected to the electrical energizing circuit for the machine for automatically shutting off the machine at the expiration of such a time period, and
• said timing means also being connected to a sensing means responsive to the presence of a food serving utensil within said rinse section of the machine for re-starting the measurement of a new such time period whenever the presence of a food service utensil is sensed in the rinse section of the machine,
• thereby keeping the machine running until such new time period has elapsed for assuring that the machine will fully complete the washing and rinsing of any food service utensil in the machine while advantageously automatically shutting off the machine soon after it has become empty.