Whirlpool Corporation

Ralph E Christman

Ryan Kevin Roth

Rud J Lauer

Arnold L Denne

Duane M Kobos

Kenneth N Whah

Pamela Sue Rogers

Ernst Grunewald

Tony L Ellis

A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid throughout the wash chamber. A drain conduit can be provided, alone or in combination with the recirculation system, for draining liquid from the wash chamber when the drain is closed. A fill control system is provided to ensure that the dishwashing cycle is not started with liquid in the wash chamber and that the sink drain is properly closed. One or more sensors can be provided for enabling the fill control system. The sensors can be located within the drain above the location where the drain is plugged.

Fill control system for an in sink dishwasher

In-sink dishwasher

A method for cleaning a dish-cleaning appliance having a removable basket that carries a spray arm. The method comprises: uncoupling the liquid supply from the sprayer, spraying liquid against the peripheral side wall from the liquid supply, and draining the sprayed liquid from the wash chamber.

Method for cleaning an in-sink dishwasher

A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid onto the dish rack to effect the cleaning of any dishes along the rack. A basket with a sprayer is disposed within the wash chamber. A self-aligning coupling fluidly connects a liquid conduit to the sprayer when the basket is seated.

In-sink dishwater with self-aligning liquid feed system

A method for operating an automatic dishwasher in a manner to minimize the deposition of contaminants or filming on the dishes is provided. The present invention contemplates that objectionable filming on washed dishes or dishware items may occur if residual water left on the dishes at the end of the final drain step is not given a chance to drip off or drain from the dishware. The present invention provides for a drip period following the final drain step in the dishwashing cycle. The drip period provides an opportunity for gravity assisted draining or 'drip-off' of residual water from the dishware items prior to evaporation such that the minute particles which are suspended in the residual water are not deposited onto the dishes. During the drip period, rapid evaporation of residual liquid from the dishware items is prevented. This is accomplished, in part, by keeping a vent aperture in the dishwasher door closed for a predetermined time after the final rinse such that the relative humidity remains high in the dishwasher tub and by delaying the energization of the heater such that evaporation is not promoted by the introduction of heat into the dishwasher tub. The present invention further contemplates the use of a purge operation prior to the rinse step wherein a small amount of liquid is supplied into the dishwasher, briefly recirculated and then discharged to drain. The combination of the purge operation with a drip period after the final drain minimizes filming on the dishware items within the dishwasher.

Cycle for a dishwasher to reduce filming

A silverware basket for use in a dishwashing machine, the basket having a bottom wall disposed along the basket bottom. The bottom wall being an offset grid type structure formed by a plurality of parallel longitudinal ribs extending lengthwise across the basket bottom in a first plane and a plurality of parallel, transverse ribs extending across the width of the basket bottom in second plane spaced a predetermined distance below and parallel to the first plane. A plurality of connecting ribs connect the longitudinal ribs and the transverse ribs at the projected intersection points between the longitudinal ribs and the transverse ribs. A plurality of projections extend from the transverse ribs downwardly away from the longitudinal ribs for providing drip off tips for the bottom wall. The plurality of projections align with the plurality of connecting ribs and each of the projections comprise a generally inverted frustoconical body having a fully radiused bottom tip.

Growing community of inventors

St. Joseph, MI, United States of America

Ralph E Christman