# US 9,516,989 B2 · Dishwasher system with a reuse tank

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- Number: US 9,516,989 B2
- Document ID: US9516989B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/967,098
- Filed: 2010-12-14
- Published: 2012-06-14
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-14
- Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation
- Applicants: Josef A. Buser; Kristopher L. Delgado; Elliott V. Stowe
- Inventors: Josef A. Buser; Kristopher L. Delgado; Elliott V. Stowe
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9516989B2

## CPC

- A47L 15/0031: {Water discharge phases}
- A47L 15/0057: {Cleaning of machines parts, e.g. removal of deposits like lime scale or proteins from piping or tub}
- A47L 15/0084: {of drawer-type}
- A47L 15/0086: {In-sink dishwashers}
- A47L 15/14: with stationary crockery baskets and spraying devices within the cleaning chamber {(for drinking glasses A47L15/0065)}
- A47L 15/4236: {Arrangements to sterilize or disinfect dishes or washing liquids (A47L15/4234 takes precedence)}
- A47L 15/4285: {Water-heater arrangements (steam generating arrangements A47L15/4234)}
- A47L 15/4287: {Temperature measuring or regulating arrangements}
- A47L 15/4291: {Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water}
- A47L 15/4293: {Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels}
- A47L 15/4297: {Arrangements for detecting or measuring the condition of the washing water, e.g. turbidity}
- A47L 2401/11: Water hardness, acidity or basicity
- A47L 2401/18: Air temperature
- A47L 2401/20: Time, e.g. elapsed operating time
- A47L 2501/02: Water discharge, e.g. opening or closure of discharge valve
- A47L 2501/03: Water recirculation, e.g. control of distributing valves for redirection of water flow
- Y02B 40/00: Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
- Y10T 137/0324: With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method of operating a dishwasher having a wash tub and a reuse tank for storing liquid for subsequent reuse, wherein the condition of the water in the reuse tank may be monitored and/or acted upon to limit the likelihood of undesired effects associated with the growth of micro-organisms in the liquid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating a dishwasher comprising a tub forming a treating chamber and a reuse tank fluidly coupled to the tub for storing liquid from the treating chamber for subsequent reuse, the method comprising:
storing liquid in the reuse tank for use in a same or subsequent wash cycle in the dishwasher, wherein the liquid has a pH above 8.0 to limit the growth of micro-organisms;
monitoring the pH of liquid in the reuse tank; and
draining the liquid from the reuse tank when the pH decreases to less than or equal to a pH threshold.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pH threshold is greater than or equal to 8.0.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a solution for use as the liquid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising supplying the solution to the reuse tank.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the forming the solution comprises mixing water and detergent in the tub.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the storing liquid comprises supplying to the reuse tank liquid from the tub used in a previous phase of a treating cycle of operation.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring the pH of liquid comprises sensing the pH of the liquid.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises disposing the liquid through a drain conduit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises supplying the liquid from the reuse tank to the tub.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising draining the liquid from the tub.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising increasing the pH of the liquid in the tub after draining the liquid from the reuse tank to the tub.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein increasing the pH of the liquid comprises adding detergent to the tub.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising re-storing liquid in the reuse tank by supplying the liquid to the reuse tank after increasing the pH of the liquid without using the liquid in a same or subsequent wash cycle in the dishwasher.

### Claim 14

A method of operating a dishwasher comprising a reuse tank, a tub forming a treating chamber and fluidly coupled to the reuse tank, a temperature sensor, and a pH sensor coupled with the reuse tank, the method comprising:
storing liquid in the reuse tank for use in a same or subsequent cycle in the dishwasher, wherein the liquid has a pH above 8.0 to limit the growth of micro-organisms; and
monitoring the air temperature within the dishwasher and the pH of liquid in the reuse tank, the monitoring comprising outputting a signal indicative of the air temperature within the dishwasher using the temperature sensor and outputting a signal indicative of the pH of the liquid within the reuse tank using the pH sensor;
draining the liquid from the reuse tank upon first to occur of:
a) the air temperature within the dishwasher decreasing to less than or equal to a temperature threshold; or
b) the pH of the liquid within the reuse tank decreasing to less than or equal to a pH threshold.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein storing the liquid in the reuse tank comprises supplying liquid to the reuse tank from the tub.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the supplying the liquid comprises supplying liquid used in a previous cycle phase of a treating cycle of operation.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises disposing the liquid through a drain conduit.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the draining the liquid from the reuse tank comprises supplying the liquid from the reuse tank to the tub.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, further comprising draining the liquid from the tub.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the supplying the liquid to the tub comprises increasing one of the temperature and the pH of the liquid in the tub.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein increasing the pH of the liquid comprises adding detergent to the liquid.

### Claim 22 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the temperature threshold is less than or equal to about 3° C.

### Claim 23 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the pH threshold is greater than or equal to 8.0.