Flatware washing machine
OwnerDonald E. Robertsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Flatware apparatus comprises a support platform, mechanical arrangements for mounting the platform, and respective washing and rinsing sprays. The platform is adapted to receive a cylindrical cup or holder for grouping a plurality of flatware pieces in a shock; and a drive arrangement is provided for causing rotation of the platform, or the cup or holder, so that the flatware pieces experience agitated movement. The wash spray is positioned to direct jets of washing and sanitizing fluid into the path of the churning flatware pieces. Mechanical arrangements are also provided for selectively lifting the flatware pieces in the cup in order to fully expose the food-contact surfaces thereof to the washing action.
Claims18
Flatware washing apparatus comprising:
- rotatable platform means adapted to receive and support a cylindrical cup for holding a plurality of flatware pieces in loosely shocked, substantially upright condition;
- mounting means for disposing said platform means at an angle inclined from the horizontal whereby the flatware pieces tend to cascade under gravitational influence upon rotation of said cup;
- drive means for causing rotation of said cup about its own individual axis;
- first spray means including first nozzle means positioned to direct jets of washing and sanitizing fluid into the path of the cascading flatware pieces generally downhill from the apogee of their orbiting transit;
- and second spray means including second nozzle means positioned to direct jets of rinse fluid into the path of the orbiting flatware pieces apart from the path of the jets of washing fluid.
Flatware washing apparatus comprising:
- processing means for supporting a cylindrical, flatware-holding cup at an angle inclined from the horizontal and for rotating said cup about its own individual axis to cause the flatware pieces to cascade freely under the influence of gravity;
- and spray means for directing jets of washing fluid into the path of the cascading flatware pieces generally downhill from the apogee of their orbiting transit.
Flatware washing apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical, flatware-holding cup;
- processing means for supporting said cup at an angle inclined from the horizontal;
- means for rotating said cup about its own individual axis to cause flatware pieces contained therein to cascade freely under the influence of gravity;
- spray means for directing jets of washing fluid into the path of the cascading flatware pieces;
- lifter platform means disposed within said cup for movement between a first, retracted position for the flatware pieces and a second, elevated position raising the food-contact surfaces of the flatware pieces above the lip of said cup and fully into exposure to said jets;
- and selectively operable, platform actuating means for relocating said lifter platform means from one to the other of said first and second positions.
Flatware washing apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical, flatware-holding cup;
- means for rotating said cup;
- spray means for directing jets of washing fluid into the path of the flatware pieces;
- lifter platform means disposed within said cup for movement between a first, retracted position for the flatware pieces and a second, elevated position raising the food-contact surfaces of the flatware pieces above the lip of said cup and fully into exposure to said jets;
- and selectively operable, platform actuating means for relocating said lifter platform means from one to the other of said first and second positions.
Flatware washing apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical flatware-holding cup;
- processing means for supporting said cup at an angle inclined from the horizontal;
- means for rotating said cup about its own individual axis to cause flatware pieces contained therein to cascade under the influence of gravity;
- and spray means for directing jets of washing fluid into the path of the circulating flatware pieces, said spray means including a first spray device focused toward said cup in a first direction and a second spray device focused toward said cup in a second direction rotationally spaced subsequent to said first direction whereby to coact with the cascading motions of the flatware pieces to enhance the relative motion of the flatware pieces with respect to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.