The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 22, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 19, 2008
Brooke L. Lau, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Julio C. Moreira, Stevensville, MI (US);
Michelle L. Oakes, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Ryan K. Roth, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Brooke L. Lau, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Julio C. Moreira, Stevensville, MI (US);
Michelle L. Oakes, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Ryan K. Roth, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An overall dishwasher operation cycle includes a washing cycle and a final rinse cycle including steam generation. During the final rinse cycle, a dishwasher tub is filled with fluid, heated and utilized to rinse dishware within the dishwasher. After partially draining the tub, a heating element is actuated so as to transform fluid in the tub into steam for cleansing dishware within the dishwasher. After the steam cycle, the final rinse cycle is completed, with the dishwasher being drained. Optionally, when a heated dry cycle is actuated, the heating element continues to operate to provide drying heat to dishware for a period of time before being deactivated. With this arrangement, a single heating element is utilized for heating washing fluid for washing, rinsing and steam generation, as well as for the heated dry cycle.