US2681843A - Washing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 22, I954 .F. A. WALKER WASHING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Ma 14', 194s INVENTOR Forrest A. Walker FIG. 1.

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F. A. WALKER WASHING APPARATUS June 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 14, 1948 00 mm m- INVENTOR. Forrest A. Walker BY M, MM

June 22, 1954 A, WALKER WASHING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May 14, 1948 INVENTOR. Forrest A. Walker F. A. WALKER WASHING APPARATUS June 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed May 14, 1948 INVENTOR. Forrest A. Walker Patented June 22,1954

WASHING APPARATUS Forrest Alander Walker,

to General Electric Co New York Original application May 14,

Wheaton, Ill., assignor mpany, a corporation of 1948, Serial No.

Divided and this application March 2, 1951, Serial No. 218,138

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to washing apparatus, and more particularly to improved dishwashing apparatus of the general character of that disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,425,620, granted on August 12, 1947, to Leslie A. Kempton. This application is a division of the copending application of Forrest A. Walker, Serial No. 27,002, filed May 14, 1948, now Patent No. 2,620,811.

The dishwashing apparatus disclosed in the Kempton patent mentioned is of the timed washing cycle type that performs automatically and in predetermined sequence given steps including spraying, washing, rinsing and drying of the dishes and other utensils contained therein. This apparatus comprises a cabinet housing a substantially vertically disposed vat including a front opening and a door for closing the opening, the door loeing mounted for movement between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position. Also, this apparatus comprises an open wire-work dish supporting rack of the general character disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,290,653, granted on July 21, 1942, to Edgar S. Stoddard; which rack is mounted for movement through the front opening into and out of the vat when the door occupies its open position. Further, this apparatus comprises detergent cup mechanism of the general character disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,276,801, granted on March 17, 1942, to Edgar S. Stoddard; which mechanism is operated following an initial spraying step and at the beginning of a first washing step in order to introduce a charge of detergent contained therein into the associated vat.

While this dishwashing apparatus is entirely satisfactory and efficient in operation, it is somewhat more expensive to manufacture with reference to certain particulars than is desirable.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide improved dishwashing apparatus of the timed washing cycle type, which is positive and efficient in operation, and that is simple and economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide in dishwashing apparatus of the character noted improved mechanism for mounting the dish carrying rack for movement through the front opening into and out of the vat.

A further object of the invention is to provide in washing apparatus of the character noted an improved arrangement for supporting the rack for movement upon the door when the door occupies its open position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in washing apparatus of the front opening type improved and exceedingly simple mechanism for mounting a receptacle for movement through the opening into and out of the associated chamber over the associated door when the door occupies its open position.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the washing apparatus, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of dishwashing apparatus provided with a front opening door and emoodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a reduced perspective view of the dishwashing apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with the door in its open position, illustrating the interior of a vat incorporated in the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a reduced perspective view of the dishwashing apparatus, similar to Fig. 2, with the door in its open position, illustrating a movable dish supporting rack incorporated in the apparatus and occupying its normal fully pushed-in position; Fig. 4 is a reduced perspective view of the dishwashing apparatus, similar to Figs. 2 and 3, with the door in its open position, illustrating the rack in its normal fully pulled-out position; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dishwashing apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with the door in its closed position and the rack in its normal fully pushed-in position, illustrating the structural detail of the door; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dishwashing apparatus, similar to Fig. 5, with the door in its open position, illustrating in full lines the normal fully pushed-in position of the rack and illustrating in dotted lines the normal fully pulled-put position of the rack; Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a rack support incorporated in the apparatus, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line l-'] in Fig. 5; and Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional View of the rack support, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the dishwashing apparatus Ill there illustrated, and embodying the features of the present invention, is of the general character of that disclosed in the previously mentioned Kempton patent and comprising a vat ll that is supported in a substantially vertical position in an outer casing having side walls 12 and a top wall It which is provided with a backsplasher Hi. The vat ii is of the front opening type and this opening is closed by a door I5 that is hinged at its lower edge to move between a lower substantially horizontal open position and an upper substantially vertical closed position, and is latched in its closed position by a latch bar operated by a rotatable handle l6 carried on the outside of the door adjacent to the upper edge thereof. A ventilating louver I? is provided adjacent to the center of the door I5 below the handle it and communicates through a passage formed in the door 55 with the interior of the vat Ii. Also, an open-work removable rack is provided in the vat II in order to support the articles to be washed, such as dishes, glasses and silverware.

In the lower portion of the vat ii there is provided a substantially centrally disposed impeller it which is provided with blades i9 that may have any suitable shape, the important feature being that the blades are given a shape such that the cleansing fluid supplied to the vat H and allowed to accumulate in the lower portion thereof will be thrown upwardly and outwardly in an eflcient through the adjacent supporting rack. The impeller 13 may be formed oi any suitable material and the lower portion thereof is surrounded by an upstanding substantially cylindrical reticulated screen 2G carried by a casting 2| removably secured to the bottom of the vat H to close an opening formed therein. The casting it carries an electric motor 22 provided with a substantially vertically disposed operating shaft, not shown. The operating shaft of the motor 22 projects through a sealed opening or gland provided in the casting 2! into the lower portion of the vat ii and the hub of the impeller E8 is directly secured thereto. Accordingly, the operating shaft of the motor 22 rotates the impeller it about a substantially vertical axis, the rotation of the impeller it being in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top of the vat l 1.

Provided in the space in the casing of the dishwashing apparatus 55 below the vat H is a suitable fiuid supply pipe 23 which is adapted to be connected to a source of supply of cleansing or. washing fluid, not shown, by a coupling, union, or the like, not shown. Forexample, in the event the cleansing or washing fluid is water, the source of suppl may be a hot water tank, or the like. The cleansing fluid is piped from the bottom of the casing up the back wall or" the vat ii by a flexible conduit E i and into the top of the vat ll. Specifically, a spraying device 25 is carried by the lower surface of the top wall of the vat l l in a substantially centrally disposed position and is connected to the conduit 25 so that the cleansing fluid may be sprayed downwardly through the rack provided in the vat H and allowed to accumulate in the lower portion thereof. Specifically, the fluid supply pipe 23 is suitably connected to an inlet valve strainer device Qtl that, in turn, is connected to an inlet valve mechanism 2! of the solenoid type, arranged to discharge into the conduit 2%. inlet valve mechanism 2? is normally biased to its closed position in order to disconnect the fluid supply pipe 23 fromthe conduit 24, but is operated to its open position when the associated solenoid is energized in order that cleansing fluid The the inlet valve strainer device 26, the casing of the inlet valve mechanism 21, the conduit 24 and the spraying device 25, into the upper portion of the interior of the vat l l. Subsequently, when the solenoid of the inlet valve mechanism 2! is deenergized, the inlet valve mechanism 21 is returned to its closed position, closing the communication between the fluid supply pipe 23 and the spraying device 25.

Also, provided in the lower portion of the casing of the dishwashing apparatus Hi, below the vat ll, is a drain pipe 28 that is connected 7 through a suitable trap 29 to a drain connection 3! Provided in the drain pipe 28 is an elbow 3| terminating in a drain .valve mechanism .32 that is suitably connected to a drain conduit 35 carried by the casting 2i and communicating through an opening formed therein with the bottom portion of the vat ii. The drain valve mechanism 32 is normally biased to its open position in order to connect the bottom of the vat ll via the opening in the casting 2|, the drain conduit 33, the casing of the drain valve mechanism 32, the elbow 3 l, the drain pipe 28 and the trap 29 to the drain connection 30. In order to operate the drain valve mechanism 32 there i mounted on the elbow 3| a platform 34 carrying an electromagnetic device 35 which has an armature 36 that is actuated in response to energization or an associated solenoid ill. Connected to the armature 36- through a suitable spring 38 is a lever 38 which, in turn, is connected to a shaft til extending into the interior of the drain valve mechanism 32 and operatively connected to the valve element, not shown, thereof, Specifically, the shaft it! is normally biased by a coil spring i i in order to cause the drain valve mechanism 32 to occupy its open position, as previously noted. When the solenoid 3! is energized, the armatiu'e 35 of the electromagnetic device 35 is actuated so as to rotate through the spring 38 the shaft 3%] in a clockwise direction against the bias of the coil spring ii, whereby the drain valve mechanism 32 is operated to its closed position, closing the communication between the bottom of the vat H and the drain connection 39. Subsequently, when the solenoid 31 of the electromagnetic device 35 is deenergized, the armature as is released, whereby the coil spring ll rotates the shaft 38 in a counterclockwise direction, again operating the drain valve mechanism 32 to its open position in order again to place the bottom of the vat ll into communication with the drain connection 39.

Mounted within the lower portion of the vat H and surrounding the impeller i8 is a suitable electric heater d2 which is preferably of the sheathed resistance conductor type; which heater 42 is employed for the purpose of drying the dishes after the have been washed and rinsed as explained more fully hereinafter. Also, an electric control panel as is arranged in the lower portion of the casing of the dishwashing apparatus 59 below the bottom of the vat H and carried by the casting 2i. The control panel d3 is preferably disposed in front of th electric motor 22 so as to be readily accessible from the front of the casing of the dishwashing apparatus iii and comprises a removable cover 34. The control panel 43 supports the electrical apparatus that is connected and arranged substantially in the manner disclosed in the previously mentioned Kempton patent for the purpose of controlling the electric motor 22, the electro-responsive inlet valve mechanism 2?, the electro-rGSPonsive device associated with the drain valve mechanism 3 2 and the heater 42. Specifically, this electric circuit network includes a start switch, not shown, that is controlled by a push button 55 carried by the front of the casing of the dishwashing apparatus it) adjacent to the left-hand side wall l2 and below the top wall 13, as well as an interlock switch, not shown, that is controlled by the latch bar governed by the handle it. Also this electric control network comprises a pickup relay, not shown, and an electromagnetic timer, not shown. The electric circuit network is so connected and arranged that when the door i5 is closed and the latch bar is 01 erated by the handle -.I .6 in order securely to latch the door in its closed position, the interlock switch is closed to prepare the start switch. At this time when the push button is operated, the start switch is closed in order to effect operation of the pickup relay, whereby operation of the electromagnetic timer is initiated. At this time the timer brings about a timed cycle of operation of the dishwashing apparatus It in order to efiect spraying, washing, rinsing and drying of th dishes supported by the rack in the vat H and is then reset at the conclusion of the cycle, reconditioning itself for another cycle or" operation. During the cycle of operation of the dishwashing apparatus H3 should the handle ill be operated in order to unlatch the door l5,

the pickup relay is restored in order to arrest operation of the timer and to cause it to be returned to its initial position.

The details of the electrical apparatus incor porated in. the dishwashing apparatus ill have been omitted in the interest of brevity, but are fully disclosed in the Kempton patent as previously mentioned; however, the complete timed washing cycle of the dishwashing apparatus ii] may be understood from the following outline.

After the dishes to be washed have been loaded into the rack and the rack has been moved into its normal fully pushed-in position in the vat l l, the door It is closed and latched in place by the handle it, whereupon the push button it is operated in order to initiate the timed washing cycle. At this time the pickup relay and the timer are operated, whereby a first spray step is initiated. Specifically, operation of the electric motor 22 is initiated and the inlet valve mechanism fzi is operated to its open position while the drain valve mechanism 32 occupies its open position. Accordingly, the impeller .13 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and cleansing fluid is supplied from the fluid supply pipe .23 to the spraying device 25. The cleansing fluid sprays down through the dishes supported by the rack and into the bottom of the vat II. This cleansing fluid passes through the reticulated screen 2d below the blades IQ of the impeller it and thence through the drain valve mechanism .32 into the drain connection 36. Some of the cleansing fluid passing through the reticulated screen 2i) may be caught and flung upwardly 6 cupies its open position and the electric motor 22 is running. At this time the cleansing fluid sprayed through the dishes supported by the rack from the spraying device 25 accumulates in the bottom of the vat i l since thedrain valve mechanism 32 occupies its closed position. Ill-1e cleansing fluid accumulating in the bottom of the vat i! passes through the reticulated screen 20 and is caught by the blades it of the impeller iii and is flung upwardl and outwardly through the rack and the dishes supported thereby, against the walls of the vat .l i, and again returns to the bottom of the vat ii. The supply of cleansing fluid from the spraying device 25 continues until a predetermined quantity or cleansing fluid accumulates in the bottom of the vat H, imposing a predetermined load upon the impeller it and consequently upon the electric motor The electric circuit network is re- I sponsive to this increased load imposed upon the electric motor 22 and operates in order to deenergize the solenoid of the inlet valve mecha nism 2?, whereby the inlet value mechanism 2'? is operated to its closed position to shut oft the supply pipe 23 from the spraying device 25. also, the electric control network comprises an arrangement for deenergizing the solenoid of the inlet valve mechanism 2? in order to shut oh the fluid supply pipe 23 from the spraying device after an elapsed time of forty-five secends, in the event this operation has not already been effected by the previously mentioned arrangement responsive to the increased load upon the electric motor 22. After a predetermined quantity of cleansing iiuid has accumulated in the bottom of the vat H, a given charge of detergent is introduced into the cleansing fluid in order that the washing cycle may be eiiective to remove grease and other foreign materials from the dishes supported by the rack in the vat ii. The arrangement for introducing the detergent into the cleansing fluid accumulated in the bottom of the vat ii during the first washing step is described more fully hereinafter.

. Preferably the detergent mentioned is of the type sold under the trade name Calgonite that com pri es about 40 per cent sodium hexametaphosphoto and 69 per cent sodium metasilicate. This first washing is carried out through a time interval of approximately five minutes under the control of the timer, whereupon the timer operates to eil'ect operation of the electromagnetic device whereby the drain valve mechanism 32? operated to its open position while the inlet valve mechanism El occupies its closed position and the electric motor 22 is running. The cleansing fluid accumulated in the bottom of the vat ii is then drained into the drainconnection 35. which takes place in less than fortyive seconds. The timer then operates at the conclusion of forty-five seconds in order again to effect operation or" the inlet valve mechanism 2? to its open position while the drain valve mechanism 32 occupies its open position and the electric motor .2 is running, thereby to initiate a second spray step.

Cleansing fluid is again supplied from the fluid supply pipe to the spraying device whereby the dishes supported by the rack are again sprayed, the cleansing fluid in the bottom of the vat El passing through the drain valve mechanism into the drain connection til. This sec- 0nd spray step is carried out under the control or the timer through a time interval of approximately ten seconds, whereupon the .timer again operates the electromagnetic device 35 in order to effect closure of the drain valve mechanism 32 and the consequent initiation of a second washing step.

The second washing step proceeds in the manner of the first washing step described above, whereby the inlet valve mechanism 21 is operated to its closed position dependent upon the load upon the electric motor 22, or at the conclusion of forty-five seconds. The second washing step continues for a time interval of five minutes under the control of the timer, whereupon the electromagnetic device 35 is again op-- erated in order to open the drain valve mechanism 32 while the inlet valve 2? occupies its closed position and the electric motor 22 is running. The cleansing fluid accumulated in the bottom of the vat H is drained through the drain connection so, and after forty-five seconds the timer again operates to effect operation of the inlet valve mechanism 27 to its open position while the drain valve mechanism 32 occupies its open position and the electric motor 22 is running, thereby to initiate a third spray step. The cleansing fluid supplied from the fluid supply pipe 23 to the spraying device 25 sprays through the dishes supported by the rack and accumulates in the bottom of the vat H and is drained through the drain valve mechanism 32 into the drain connection 36. This spray step continues throughout a time interval of ten seconds under the control of the timer, whereupon the timer effects reoperation of the electromagnetic device 35 and the consequent reclosure of the drain valve mechanism 32 in order to initiate a first rinse step.

Cleansing fluid is supplied from the spraying device 25 into the vat I! and accumulates in the bottom thereof, and thereafter the inlet valve mechanism 2? is operated to its closed position, depending upon the load upon the electric motor 22 or upon the elapsed time interval of fortyflve seconds, as previously explained. This rinse step continues through a time interval of one minute, whereupon the timer releases the electromagnetic device 35 causing the drain valve mechanism 32 to be operated to its open position. The cleansing fluid accumulated in the bottom of the vat M is then drained through the drain valve mechanism 32, into the drain connection 36.

At the conclusion of forty-five seconds the timer again operates the inlet valve mechanism 2! to its open position in order to initiate another spray step in the manner previously explained. After ten seconds the timer reoperates the electromagnetic device 35 in order to efiect operation of the drain valve mechanism 32 to its closed position, whereby cleansing fluid is again accumulated in the bottom of the vat H initiating a second rinse step. Subsequently, the inlet valve mechanism 21 is operated to its closed position depending upon the load upon the electric motor 22 or at the expiration of forty-five seconds, as previously explained. This second rinse step continues through a time interval of one minute, and thereafter the timer releases the electromagnetic device 35 in order to cause the drain valve mechanism 32 to be operated to its open position. The cleansing fluid accumulated in the bottom of the vat H is drained through the drain valve mechanism 32 into the drain connection 36..

heater 42 while the inlet valve mechanism 21 occupies its closed position and the drain valve mechanism 32 occupies its open position. At this time operation of the electric motor 22 is continued and when the heater 42 is heated the air circulated in the vat l I by the blades [9 of the impeller it passes over the heater 42 and is directed into contact with the dishes supported by the rack in the vat M. This initial drying step is continued for twenty minutes under the control of the timer, with the heater 42 being supplied with heating current and the electric motor 22 running. After the expiration of twenty minutes the timer opens the circuit to the electric motor 22 while retaining closed the circuit for supplying heating current to the heater 32. Accordingly, the motor 22 stops and operation of the impeller I3 is arrested. Drying of the dishes supported by the rack in the vat H continues after operation of the impeller I8 has been arrested, for an additional ten minutes, under the control of the timer. After the expiration of this additional ten minutes the timer interrupts the supply of heating current to the heater d2, completing the timed cycle, and restores the pickup relay. At this time the timer is returned to its initial position resetting the circuit network for another timed cycle of operation of the dishwashing apparatus H3.

During the operation of the dishwashing apparatus it through the timed cycle above described, it is pointed out that the interior of the vat H is at all times vented to the exterior through the door it: via the ventilating louver ll. Also during the various wash and rinse steps when considerable cleansing fluid is accumulated in the bottom of the vat II it is pointed out that the reticulated screen 20 prevents any large particles of foreign matter such, for example, as lettuce leaves, or the like, accumulating in the bottom of the vat H, from being caught in the blades l9 of the impeller l8 and again flung upwardly and outwardly thereby into the rack and the dishes supported in the vat H. Finally, at the conclusion of the timed cycle the dishes supported by the rack in the vat I i have not only been thoroughly washed and rinsed, but they have been completely dried, so that they are immediately available for reuse at the conclusion of the timed cycle. At the conclusion of the timed cycle the handle is may be operated in order to unlatch the door it, Whereupon the door is may be moved from its closed position to its open position. At this time the rack may be moved from its fully pushed-in position to its fully pulled-out position and the supported dishes removed therefrom and replaced in a kitchen cabinet, or the like, if desired.

Considering now in greater detail the construction of the door it, and referring to Figs. 2. to 6, inclusive, it will be observed that the door [5 comprises a substantially rectangular metal outer shell 55 terminating in an inwardly directed and turned marginal flange 52, the opposite sides of the flange 52 adjacent to the lower ends thereof being supported upon pivot pins 53 carried by the side walls l2 of the casing of the dishwashing apparatus Ill. Also, the door I5 comprises counterbalancing and limiting mechanism, a portion of which is indicated at 54, in order to cause the door I 5 to be moved into its fully closed position after'it has been moved substantially thereto; and in order to limit final movement of the door into its fully open position. As: previously noted, the rotatable handle 16 carried by the door I5 is provided with a latch bar 55 that cooperates with a latch element 56 carried 'by the casing of the dishwashing apparatus I9 adjacent to the top center of the front opening formed therein and just below the top wall I3. Specifically, the topcentral portion of the marginal flange 52 has an opening 51 formed therein into which the latch element 56 projects when the door I5 occupies its closed position. At this time when the handle I6 is rotated to a substantially horizontal position, the latch bar 55 is projected into a slot 58 formed in the latch element 56 in order securely to latch the door I5 in its closed position.

Further, the door I5 occupies a substantially rectangular metal inner shell 59 provided with a surrounding marginal flange 99. The principal body of the inner shell 59 is spaced from the outer shell 5| by the surrounding marginal flange 99 and these parts are suitably secured together to form a unitary structure. More particularly the marginal flange 69 comprises an inwardly offset substantially rectangular rib 6| defining a shoulder 62 extending about the top and sides of the marginal flange 69. A cooperating gasket 63 is carried by the vat I I within the front opening formed in the casing of the dishwashing apparatus I ll and is arranged to engage the shoulder 62 exteriorly of the rib 6| when the door I5 occupies its closed position in order positively to seal the top and sides of the door I5 with respect to the topand. sides of the front opening formed in the cabinet, thereby to prevent the escaping of cleansing fluid from the vat II.

The central portion of the inner shell 59 is outwardly dished toward the outer shell 5|, as indicated at 64, in order to define a cavity 65 within the door I5. The dished portion 64 of the inner shell 59 has an opening 66 formed therein that is arranged in alignment with a corresponding opening 6'! formed in the outer shel1 5|. Further, a substantially rectangular dish shaped plate 68 is arranged in the opening 6'! formed in the outer shell 5I, which plate 68 has the louver openings I I formed therein. Specifically, the plate 68 comprises a marginal flange 69 disposed between a marginal flange I formed about the opening 6! provided in the outer shell and the dished portion 64 of the inner shell 59; and the parts mentioned are rigidly secured together by cooperating bolts 1| extending therethrough. Accordingly, the chamber 65 formed in the door I5 communicates through the opening 66 formed in the inner shell 59 and the louver openings I! formed in the plate 68 with the exterior. i

The lower edge of the marginal flange 6!] disposed about the inner shell 59 projects inwardly and terminates in a downwardly projecting apron I2. The front edge of the lower wall of the vat II projects upwardly and terminates in 2:. rolled flange l3 adjacent to the bottom of the opening provided in the cabinet of the dishwashing apparatus I9. An intermediate sheet I4 is arranged between the outer shell 5I and the inner shell 59 and has a large centrally disposed opening I5 formed therein surrounding the plate 58. A downwardly extending sheet I6 is suitably secured to the intermediate sheet 1-4 and terminates closely adjacent to the bottom edge of the marginal flange 52 of the outer shell 5|; which sheet I6 cooperates withand engages the rolled flange I3 provided on the front edge of the vat I I adjacent to the bottom of the opening provided in the casing of the dishwashing apparatus III. Further, a soft rubber gasket TI is clamped between a fiixture I8 and the rear of the apron l2 and arranged to engage and to seal the front edge of the vat I I below the rolled flange I3 when the door I5 occupies its closed position in order positively to prevent cleansing fluid contained in the bottom of the vat I I from escaping over the rolled flange I3.

Finally, the door I5 comprises a central inner plate I9 spaced inwardly from the dished portion 64 of the inner shell 59 and substantially flush with the surrounding principal body portion of the inner shell 59; which inner plate I9 is removably secured in place to the dished portion 54 of the inner shell 59 by a plurality of screws 89 and cooperating lugs 8| carried by the dished portion 64. The inner plate I9 cooperates with the dished portion 64 to define the chamber 65 communicating with the louver openings H, which inner plate 59 comprises a centrally disposed and inwardly ofiset rib or track-way 92 that is utilized for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter. The lower portions of the inner plate I9 disposed on opposite sides of the rib 82 terminate above the rib 6| disposed about the inner shell 59 in order to provide two pockets or openings 83 and 64 communicating between the interior of the vat II and the chamber 65 formed in the door I5. Specifically, the pocket 83 is disposed on the left-hand side of the center of the door I5 and constitutes a detergent receiving pocket, while the opening 64 is disposed on the right-hand side of the center of the door I5and constitutes a detergent wash-out opening.

Also, two inwardly oflset and downwardly sloping deflecting ribs 85 and 86 are formed in the inner plate I9 on opposite sides of the trackway 82 and spaced therefrom and respectively disposed above the pocket 83 and the opening 84. Moreover, two inwardly offset and downwardly sloping deflecting ribs 81 and 88 are formed in the inner plate I9 on opposite sides of the lower end of the track-way 82 and spaced therefrom and respectively disposed below the ribs 35 and 96 and respectively adjacent to the inner edges of the pocket 83 and the opening 84. More particularly, the upper end of the track-way 92 slopes outwardly toward the main body portion of the inner shell 59 adjacent to the upper edge thereof, as indicated at 89; while the lower end of the track-way 82 slopes outwardly toward the main body portion of the inner shell 59 adjacent to the lower edge thereof to define a saddle or recess 90 disposed between the ribs 8! and 88. Further, the central portion of the lower edge of the rib 6| disposed about the inner shell 59 has a depression or recess 9| V formed therein that merges with the recess 9|] formed. in the lower end of the track-way 82. Accordingly, it will be understood that when the door l5 occupies its closed position, two channels are formed for draining cleansing fluid from the upper portion of the inner plate I9 back into the bottom of the vat II, which channels defleet the cleansing fluid around the pocket 83 and the opening 34. Cleansing fluid in one of these channels travels downwardly along the left-hand side of the track-way 82 onto the rib 85 and thence behind the rib 8! into the recess and finally through the recess 9| back into the bottom of the vat lI. Likewise, cleansing fluid in the other of these channels travels downwardly along the right-hand side of the trackway 82 onto the rib 86 and thence behind the rib 88 into the recess 96 and finally through the recessti back into the bottom of the vat H. Accordingly, it will be understood that the arrangement described including the channels disposed. on opposite sides of the track-way 82 prevent cleansing fluid washing down the inner shell 59 and the inner plate is from entering the pocket 83 and the opening 84, which arrangement is utilized for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

The pocket t3 and the opening M are further protected from the entrance of cleansing fluid thereinto by two upstanding ribs 92 and 93 respectively disposed adjacent to the outside edges thereof and projecting upwardly from the ribs 65 toward the bottom of the inner plate 79. Adjacent to the top of the left-hand rib 92 a recess 94 is formed in the inner shell 59 exteriorly of the adjacent edge of the inner plate 79 for the purpose of draining cleansing fluid entering the crack between the inner shell 59 and the inner plate '59 onto the lower edge of the rib 6E and for deflecting this cleansing fluid out of the pocket 83. Similarly, adjacent to the top of the right-hand rib 93 a recess 95 is formed in the inner shell 59 exteriorly of the adjacent edge of the inner plate 753 for the purpose of draining cleansing fluid entering the crack between the inner shell 59 and the inner plate 19 onto the lower edge of the rib El and for deflecting this cleansing fluid out of the opening at.

In view of the foregoing description of the constructional arrangement'of the door 55 it will be understood that the pocket 83 and the opening 84 directly communicate with the chamber 65 formed in the door I between the dished portion M of the inner shell 59 and the inner plate 19 and, consequently, with each other, defining a passage through the door between the detergent receiving pocket 83 and the detergent wash-out opening B l. Moreover, when the door it occupies its closed position the pocket 83 and the opening 84 are disposed considerably above the bottom of the vat ll. Further, the detergent receiving pocket 83 has a considerable depth and the bottom wall thereof defined by the man ginal flange fill disposed about the inner shell 59 occupies a substantially horizontal position when the door i5 occupies its closed position. Accordingly, there is little tendency for a charge of detergent placed in the detergent receiving ing apparatus 10 after the dishes have been loadt ed into the rack and the rack has been moved into its fully pushed-in position with respect to the vat i i a predetermined quantity or charge of detergent is placed in the detergent receiving pocket 83 and the door [5 is moved from its open position to its closed position and latched in place by means of the handle it. Even though the door is moved rather rapidly into its closed position, no substantial quantity of the charge of detergent placed in the detergent receiving pocket 83 is jarred out of the pocket 83 into the vat ll, since the pocket 83 has considerable depth and the bottom wall thereof occupies a substantially horizontal position at this time. Moreover, the door check mechanism 54 associated with the door !5 prevents slamming the door l5 into its closed position with great force.

At this time the timed cycle of operation of the dishwashing apparatus I0 is initiated by opcrating the push button 45 in the manner previously explained, whereby the first spray step is initiated. More particularly cleansing fluid is sprayed from the spraying device 25 downwardly through the dishes supported by the rack arranged in the vat l i while the drain valve mechanism 32 occupies its open position and the electric motor 22 is running. Accordingly, some of the cleansing fluid from the spraying device 25 strikes the inner shell 5'9 of the door it and some of the cleansing fluid may be flung up from the bottom of the vat H by the blades it of the impeller is upon the inner shell 59 of the door l5. However, this cleansing fluid runs down the inner shell 59 and the inner plate 19 and is deflected from the pocket 83 and the opening 84 by the previously described arrangement including the track-way 82, the ribs 85 and 85, the cooperating ribs 8'! and 88, and the ribs 92 and 93, whereby the cleansing fluid is returned to the bottom of the vat l Thus during the spray step of the timed cycle no substantial quantity of cleansing fluid enters the pocket 83 or the opening 34, whereby the charge or detergent placed in the detergent receiving pocket 83 remains therein substantially undisturbed during the spray step.

Subsequently, at the beginning of the first washing step when the drain valve mechanism 32 is operated to its closed position, cleansing fluid begins to accumulate in the bottom of the vat i l and is recirculated through the rack and the supported dishes therein by the blades [9 of the impeller 18. As the quantity of cleansing fluid accumulating in the bottom of the vat ll increases, the level thereof rises with respect to the pocket 83 and the opening 8 5 and before the inlet valve mechanism 21 is operated to its closed position a suflicient quantity of cleansing fluid has accumulated in the bottom of the vat H in order to raise the level thereof up toward the pocket 83 since the impeller is is operating at this time. Subsequently, the inlet valve mechanism 21 is operated to its closed position and the first washing step continues as previously explained. a

When the level of the cleansing fluid accumulating in the bottom of the vat H is raised up toward the pocket 83 during the initial part of the washing step, the cleansing fluid is washed into the detergent receiving pocket 83 and out of the detergent wash-out opening 84. This action is obtained in the dishwashing apparatus H) by virtue of the fact that the impeller 18 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top of the vat ll, whereby the cleansing fluid is recirculated from the interior of the vat Ii into the detergent receiving pocket 83 and thence out of the detergent wash-out opening 84 back into the vat II. This recirculation of the cleansing fluid through the passage formed in the door I5 positively insures that all of the charge of detergent contained in the detergent receiving pocket 83 is washed out of the opening 84 and introduced into the quantity of cleansing fluid contained in the bottom of the vat II. of course,'the detergent is placed in solution and the solution is flung upwardly and outwardly by the blades [9 of the impeller l8 through the rack and the supported dishes in order to obtain the washing action upon the dishes in the manner previously explained.

The arrangement described is very advantageous in view of the fact'that the charge of detergent placed in the detergent receiving pocket 83 is automatically introduced into the quantity of cleansing fluid during the initial portion of the first washing step merely by the normal operation of the impeller I8, and accordingly requires no externally operated detergent cup at the required point in the first washing step. Moreover, the deflecting arrangement previously described positively prevents any substantial quantity of cleansing fluid from entering the detergent receiving pocket 83 during the preceding first spray step. The above-described arrangement for introducing the charge of detergent into the washing fluid contained in the vat is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Forrest A. Walker, Serial No. 27,002, filed May 14, 1948, now Patent No. 2,620,811, granted December 9, 1952.

Considering now the construction of the rack incorporated in the dishwashing apparatus, and referring generally to Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive, it will be observed that the rack I there illustrated is of the general construction and arrange ment of that disclosed in the previously mentioned Stoddard Patent No. 2,290,653. Specifically, the rack I00 is of the open wire-work type comprising a substantially rectangular frame IIII suspending a lower basket I02 and removably supporting an upper basket I03. The lower basket I02 is provided with a centrally disposed perforated silverware receiving cup I04 and structure expressly adapted to receive and to support dishes in an upstanding position surrounding the cup I 04. Also, the bottom of the lower basket I02 carries a reticulated screen I05 that prevents any small articles from falling therethrough into the bottom of the vat II. The upper basket I03 is removable in its entirety with respect to the frame I 0I and comprises a main outer section for supporting cups and saucers, as well as an independently removable center section I06 constituting a glassware support. When the rack I00 occupies its normal fully pulled-out position the center section I06 of the upper basket I03 may be removed, permitting ready placement of silverware into the cup I 04 and dishes in the lower basket I02. Of course, the upper basket I03 as a whole may be removed from the frame II for the purpose noted. After the silverware has been placed in the cup I 04 and the dishes have been placed in the lower basket I02, the center section I06 is replaced with respect to the remainder of the upper basket I 03 or the upper basket I03 as a whole is replaced with respect to the frame I 0!. At this time the cups, saucers and glassware are placed in the upper basket I03. Thereafter the rack I 00 may be returned from its normal fully pulledout position to its normal fully pushed-in position with respect to the vat I I.

In order to facilitate movement of the rack I00 between its normal fully pushed-in position and its normal fully pullecl-0ut position, roller mechanism is provided that cooperates between the sides of the frame IOI and the side walls of the vat I I. More particularly two laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending guide rails I I I are respectively carried by the side walls of the vat II. Specifically, a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart brackets H2 are secured to each side wall of the vat II by pairs of bolts H3 and associated nuts I I4; and to each pair of brackets II2 the associated one of the guide rails III is secured by a pair of screws I I5. Each of the guide rails III is substantially Z-shaped in cross section including an inwardly directed lower flange I I6 and a web I I1 spaced inwardly with respect to the adjacent side wall of the vat II. The sides of the frame IOI carried by the rack I 00 terminate in outwardly and then downwardly directed rims I18 positioned above the flange IIS when the rack I00 occupies its normal fully pushed-in position. Two laterally spaced apart rollers III] are secured to the webs II? of the guide rails III adjacent to the opening in the front of the casing of the dishwashing apparatus I0 and are mounted for rotation; which rollers I I9 normally engage the outwardly directed rims IIIi carried by sides of the frame I0 I. Also, two laterally spaced-apart rollers I20 are secured to the opposite sides of the frame IOI adjacent to the rear of the rack I00 and are mounted for rotation; which rollers I20 normally engage the inwardly directed flanges H6 carried by the guide rails I II. Further, a centrally disposed roller I2! is carried by the lower portion of the lower basket I02 and is mounted for rotation; which roller I2I is adapted to cooperate with the trackway 82 carried by the inner plate IQ of the door I5 when the door I5 occupies its open position.

The two longitudinally extending guide rails III carried by the side walls of the vat II are slightly sloped downwardly or rearwardly toward the rear wall of the vat II so that the of rollers Iii disposed at the front ends of the guide rails I I I are positioned slightly higher than the pair of rollers I20 disposed at the rear of the frame I0! in order to bias the rack I00 into its normal fully pushed-in position with respect to the vat II. At this time when the rack I00 occupies its normal fully pushed-in position with respect to the vat II, the pair of rollers H9 disposed adjacent to the front ends of the guide rails III engage and support the rims Iii! carried by the opposite sides of the frame I0! and the rollers I20 carried by the opposite sides of the frame IOI adjacent to the rear thereof engage and are supported by the flange IIE of the guide rails III while the roller I2! completely disengages the track-way 82 and is positioned ontirely within the vat II. Accordingly, when the rack I00 occupies its normal fully pushed-in position the door I5 may be opened and closed at will,

When the door I5 is moved from its closed position to its opened position the track-way 02 is moved into a substantially horizontal position and in substantial alignment with the roller I2I carried by the lower front central portion of the lower basket I02 of the rack I00. At this time the rack I00 may be moved from its normal fully, pusheohin position outwardly with respect to the vat II. During initial travel of the rack I00 the rollers H8 support the rims II8 and the rollers I20 are supported by the flanges lit in the manner previously explained. As the rack 200 is moved forwardly out of the vat II the roller I2! passes through the recess HI formed in the rib 6i disposed about the inner shell of the door I5 and into the saddle or recess 30. As forward movement of the rack I00 continues the roller I 2i engages the upwardly sloping lower end of the track-way 82 and then moves forwardly upon the principal body portion of the track-way 82 in order completely to support the front of the rack I00 upon the door I5. As forward movement of the rack I00 continues the front end of the frame I01 tilts downwardly about the rollers H9 as a consequence of the shifting of the weight of the rack I 00 and its contents out of the vat II, whereby the rollers I29 carried by the sides of the frame lIlI adjacent to the rear ends thereof completely disengage the flanges I I6. Accordingly, at this time the weight of the rack I06 is carried by the pair of rollers H9 and the front lower roller 12!, the pair of rollers i I 9 transferring the carried weight to the side walls of the vat II and the roller E21 transferring the carried weight to the door 55. As further forward movement of the rack Hill continues the front lower roller I2I rides over the downwardly sloping portion Bil of the trackway 82, whereby the rack I00 is biased into its normally fully pulled-out position. When the rack IllEi reaches its normal fully pulled-out po sition two outwardly directed pins I22 carried on the opposite sides of the flange lei engage the front rollers H9 in order to arrest further outward movement of the rack IIlil beyond its fully pulled-out position.

At this time the rack Illil occupi s its fully pulled-out position and the principal weight thereof is carried through the front lower roller i2i by the door I5, the door it: being restrained in its substantially horizontal open position by the door check mechanism lid. When the rack Iiit occupies its normal fully pulled-out position, dishes may be readily loaded or unloaded with respect thereto. Also, at this time the rack Itiii be completely removed with respect to the cabinet of the dishwashing apparatus it by lifting up upon the rear of the frame nu in order to cause the stop pins I22 to disengage the front rollers i it, whereupon the rack it?) may be moved further forwardly, the front lower roller I25 riding upon the door I 5, and then the rack we may be ultimately removed from the door I5.

Subsequently, the rack I Eli] may be replaced with respect to the door I5 and the guide rails ill and then returned from its normal fully pulled-out position to its normal fully pushedin position. In order to move the rack Illll from its normal fully pulled-out position, the front edge of the frame I III is pushed, causing the front lower roller I2! to ride upwardly upon the sloping portion 89 of the track-way 82 and rearwardly along the track-way 82, As rearward motion of the rack lflll continues, the rack lilfl tilts about the front rollers H9 causing the rear rollers I23 again to engage the flanges H6. As further rearward movement of the rack Hill continues, the front lower roller IZI disengages the track-way 82 and the rack Hill is moved into its normal fully pushed-in position. When the rack we reaches its normal fully pushed-in position two laterally spaced-apart stops I 23, formed of soft rubber, or the like, and carried on the extreme inturned ends of the webs I I? of the guide rails III, engage the rear rollers I26 carried by the frame IOI in order to arrest further inward movement of the rack IllIl toward the rear wall. of the vat I I beyond its fully pushed-in position. In view of the foregoing it will be understood that the rack Hill is biased in its normal fully pushed-in position by the inclination of the guide rails III and is biased into its normal fully pulled-out postion by the inclination of the front end 89 of the track-way 82. Further, forward movement of the rack Illil out of the vat II is limited by the stop pins I22, although the arrangement of the stop pins I22 permits complete removal of the rack IIlIl from the casing of the washing apparatus Ill when such is desired. Finally, rearward movement of the rack I98 into the vat I I is limited by the stops I23. Hence, the rack IE0 is biased into its fully pushed-in posilaterally spaced-apart side walls tion When it is moved in proximity thereto and is biased into its fully pulled-out position when it is moved in proximity thereto. The guide arrangement for the movable rack ifit above described is very advantageous in view of the fact that it permits the rack IElfl to be moved to a fully pulled-out position wherein it is positioned substantially entirely out of the vat II. This extreme movement of the rack lei} substantially entirely out of the vat I I into its fully pulled-out position is possible since the weight of the rack Hill is transferred primarily from the guide rails Hi to the door I5 as the rack Hill is moved into its fully pulled-out position.

In View of the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided washing apparatus incorporating an improved arrangement for guiding the dish supporting rack between a normal fully pushed-in position in the vat and supported by the side walls thereof, and a normal fully pulled-out position disposed substantially entirely exteriorly of the vat and supported principally by the associated door in its open position.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In dishwashing apparatus, cabinet structure including a pair of oppositely disposed and defining a chamber having a front opening, a door associated with said opening and mounted for movements with respect thereto between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart and aligned guide elements respectively carried by said side walls, a dishrack adapted to be moved longitudinally through said opening into and out of said chamber over said door when said door occupies its open position, a first pair of laterally spacedapart and aligned rollers respectively carried by said side walls adjacent to said opening and re speotively engaging the opposite sides of said dishraok for supporting the front of said dishraok when it is moved substantially into said chamber and for supporting the rear of said dishrack when it is moved substantially out of said chamber, a second pair of laterally spaced-apart and aligned rollers respectively carried by the opposite sides of said dishrack at the rear thereof and respectively engaging said guide elements for supporting the rear of said dishrack when it is moved substantially into said chamber, a centrally disposed trackway carried on the inner surface of said door and extending longitudinally when said door occupies its open position, and a third roller carried by the lower front of said dishrack at the center thereof and engaging said trackway for supporting the front of said dishrack when it is moved substantially out of said chamber, said centrally disposed trackway being spaced below said third roller when said third roller is within said chamber and said door is in the open position, the rear of said dishrack tilt ing downwardly about said first pair of rollers when said dishraek is moved substantially into said chamber so as to cause said second pair of rollers respectively to engage said guide elements and to cause said third roller to disengage said trackway, and the front of said dishrack tilting downwardly about said first pair of rollers when said dishrack is moved substantially out of said chamber so as to cause said third roller to engage said trackway and to cause said second pair of rollers respectively to disengage said guide elements.

2. In dishwashing apparatus, cabinet structure including a pair of oppositely disposed and laterally spaced-apart walls defining a chamber having a front opening, a door associated with said opening and mounted for movements with respect thereto between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart and aligned guide elements respectively carried by said side walls, a dishrack adapted to be moved longitudinally through said opening into and out of said chamber over said door when said door occupies its open position, said dishrack having a full in position disposed entirely within said chamber and a full out position disposed considerably out of said chamber and over said door, a first pair of laterally spaced-apart and aligned rollers respectively carried by said side Walls adjacent to said opening and respectively engaging the opposite sides of said dishrack for supporting the front of said dishrack when it is moved substantially into said chamber and for supporting the rear of said dishrack when it is moved substantially out of said chamber, a second pair of laterally spacedapart and aligned rollers respectively carried by the opposite sides of said dishrack at the rear thereof and respectively engaging said guide elements for supporting the rear of said dishracl: when it is moved substantially into said chamber, said pair of guide elements biasing said dishrack into its full in position when it is moved substantially thereto, a centrally disposed trackway carried on the inner surface of said door and extending longitudinally when said door occupies its open position, and a third roller carried by the lower front of said dishrack at the center thereof and engaging said trackway for supporting the front of said dishrack when it moved substantially out of said chamber, said centrally disposed trackway being spaced below said third roller when said third roller is within said chamber and said door is in the open position, said trackway biasing said dishrack into its full out position when it is moved substantially thereto, the rear of said dishrack tilting downwardly about said first pair of rollers when said dishrack is moved substantially into said chamber so as to cause said second pair of rollers respectively to engage said guide elements and to cause said third roller to disengage said trackway, and the front of said dishrack tilting downwardly about said first pair of rollers when said dishrack is moved substantially out of said chamber so as to cause said third roller to engage said trackway and to cause said second pair of rollers respectively to disengage said guide elements.

3. In dishwashing apparatus, a vat including a pair of oppositely disposed and laterally spacedapart side walls and having a front opening, a door associated with said front opening and mounted for movements with respect thereto between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart and aligned guide elements respectively carried by said side walls, a dishracls adapted to be moved longitudinally through said front opening into and out of said vat over said door when said door occupies its open position, a four-point support for said dishrack when it is arranged within said vat, said four-point support including a pair of laterally spaced-apart and aligned rollers respectively carried by the opposite sides of said dishrack at the rear thereof and respectively engaging said pair of guide elements, a three-point support for said dishrack when it is arranged over said door in its open position, said three-point support including a third roller carried by the front of said dishracl; at the center thereof and engaging a centrally disposed trackway carried on the inner surface of said door and extending longitudinally when said door occupies its open position, said third roller being disposed below said pair of rollers and said centrally disposed trackway being spaced below said third roller when said third roller is within said chamber and said door is in the open position, and means including said pair of rollers respectively engaging said pair of guide elements and said third roller engaging said trackway for mounting said dishrack for said longitudinal movements through said front opening when said door occupies its open position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 660,538 Brown Oct. 23, 1900 1,782,523 Warren Nov. 25, 1930 2,290,653 Stoddard July 21, 1942 2,295,368 Suomala Sept. 8, 19 l2

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