System and method for low temperature hydration of food soils
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsRobert Alan Elick, Rodney M. Welch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of spraying devices are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the spraying devices, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
Claims20
A method for hydrating food soils on soiled dishware, loaded in a washing chamber of a dishwasher, between washing cycles of the dishwasher comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying fluid from a fluid supply line to a fluid spraying device located in the washing chamber between washing cycles of the dishwasher without heating of the fluid;
- (b) distributing the fluid, through the fluid spraying device and without heating, within the washing chamber to moisten food soils on the dishware between washing cycles;
- and
- (c) cutting off the supply of fluid to the fluid spraying device, wherein steps a-c are conducted separate from and between washing cycles of the dishwasher based on receiving a direct user control input for food soil hydration.
A method for hydrating food soils on soiled dishware, loaded in a washing chamber of a dishwasher provided with a heating element, between washing cycles of the dishwasher comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying water from a water source to a spraying device located in the washing chamber between washing cycles of the dishwasher without heating of the water by the heating element;
- (b) distributing the water, through the spraying device and without heating with the heating element, within the washing chamber to moisten food soils on the dishware;
- and
- (c) cutting off the supply of water to the spraying device,
- wherein steps a-c are conducted only when the dishwasher is not performing or has not recently completed a washing operation.
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a washing chamber into which dishware having food soils to be cleaned during a washing cycle are loaded;
- a heating element for heating washing fluid during the washing cycle;
- at least one spray arm for directing washing fluid onto dishware in the washing chamber during the washing cycle;
- and
- a food soil hydration system for hydrating food soils on loaded dishware between washing cycles including:
- a fluid spraying device positioned in the washing chamber;
- a fluid supply fluidly connected to the fluid spraying device for supplying fluid from a fluid supply to the fluid spraying device without heating of the fluid by the heating element;
- a valve for controlling a supply of fluid from the fluid supply to the fluid spraying device;
- and
- means for actuating a food soil hydration operation for the dishwasher wherein fluid from the fluid supply is delivered to the fluid spraying device, without being heated by the heating element, to prevent food soils on dishware loaded in the washing chamber from becoming dry and hard before initiation of the washing cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.