Dishwashing machine and method
AssigneeTCA, Inc.
InventorRussell L. Payzant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conveyor dishwashing machine in which racks of dishes are conveyed from a loading surface through a hood which presents washing and rinsing zones and onto a discharge surface. In the washing zone, wash spray is applied to the dishes from a spray system which is easily removed for cleaning and easily replaced in the proper position. In the rinsing zone, a rinse curtain applies an initial rinse and creates a barrier against the wash spray. A final rinse of clean city water is applied subsequent to the rinse curtain. Automatic controls operate the machine with a minimum of human intervention.
Claims3
In a dish washing machine, a spray arm construction comprising:
- a spray arm having plural outlets for discharging washing liquid toward the dishes in a spray, said spray arm having an open inlet end and an end opposite the inlet end;
- an end cap mounted on said spray arm for pivotal movement between an open position wherein the opposite end of the arm is exposed for cleaning and a closed position wherein the end cap closes said opposite end, said end cap remaining attached to the spray arm in both the open and closed positions;
- and
- a latch pivotally mounted on said spray arm for pivoting in a single first direction to a latching position at which said latch engages said end cap and latches the end cap in said closed position, said latch pivoting in a single second direction, opposite to said first direction, to a releasing position at which said latch disengages said end cap and releases said end cap to said open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.