US3177095A - Method for washing articles - Google Patents

Description

April 1965 G. M. GIBSON 3,177,095

METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES Filed Jan. 23, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR:

660 96 M Gibson firdle fi 12?.

April 6, 1965 s. M. GIBSON 3,177,095

METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES Filed Jan. 23, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 6, 1965 G. M. GIBSON METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 23, 1961 INYENTOR: GGOg'QM Gabso/z/ M April 1965 G. M. GIBSON 3,177,095

METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES Filed Jan. 23. 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR? April 6, 1965 G. M. GIB'SON 3,177,095

METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES Filed Jan. 23, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR:

6290596 M Gibson BY W6.

April 6, 1965 G. M. GIBSON 3,177,095

METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES Filed Jan. 23, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR:

660596 M Gibson MKQ/W April 6, 1965 G. M. GIBSON 7 METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 23. 1961 INVENTOR. 6 .M GbSO/b Aprilfi, 1965 G. M. GIBSON 3,177,095

METHOD FOR WASHING ARTICLES Filed Jan. 23. 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR:

Gea /396 M Gzlbsow i the spent wash water from such an area.

United States Patent 3,177,095 METHQD F012 WASImJ G ARTECLES George M. Gibson, G. M. Gibson Corp, Bellevue, Iowa Filed Jan. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 84,036 it Cls. ((11. 134-25) This invention teaches a new and novel method of washing articles of similar or varied characteristics and shapes and it is directed to certain new and novel structures for practicing the method involved.

More specifically, the invention has to do with a method for washing dishes or various multiple articles arranged within an enclosure or cabinet and to the controlled development of a resultant water activity and to establish a predetermined pattern of Washing activity within such an Wash Water pattern of operation of a machine of this gen.

eral nature.

The method herein taught has been developed to follow a controlled pattern of operation wherein large volume quantities of Washing fluid are kept under control for terminal contact directly with the dishes in a given plannedmanner. Not only is the method herein disclosed concerned with supplying comparatively heavy wash Water impact against the dishes, but considerable regulation has been given to the actual performance of the wash water to establish a water sheet or wall providing a pulsating wavelike discharge to engaged, for example, in undulating fashion both sides of the plates or to make opposite angular contact against other articles arranged for cleaning within the space of the wash water activity. I

The water sheet or wall is controlled to not only follow an angular discharge pattern with respect to its point or origin or area of generation, but the sheet or Wall also is made to follow a 360 degree swirl pattern about an axis lying between the dish group or cluster so as to develop a fanlike wave of swirling water that impinges generally edgewise over a givenradial zonal area to Wash and clean the dishes or articles lodged within the zoned area served by the swirling undulating pattern described.

In furtherance to the projected method herein practiced,

the location point or area of jet spray origin is so activated as to move along a given path of travel to thereby create.

a washing means that effectively serves fractional portions of a complete washing space holding and/ or confining the articles being Washed and cleaned. Not only is the method concerned with fractional or segregated portional cleaning zones, but the point of deflected wash water origin is made to change location and to move back and forth or to and fro along a given path of travel whereby the effective washing action is made to'vary over segregated dish groups to successively and repeatedly contact the various dish groups in different directions to.interpose or bring about cyclic virtual non-washing intervals or phases of lessened washing activity in an area to permit drainage of The swirling undulating sheet of water is made to originate at successively changing points of generation lying generally along the path of the supply stream or jet.

It has been found that continuous Water impingement upon an article or a dish without certain allowances for I drainageclearance tends to build up a film or quantity of k "ice insulating liquid, so to speak, which must be dispersed or penetrated before active wash water impact may do its most efficient work in the cleaning of a dish. The establishment of certain virtual nonwash intervals is considered an advantageous solution to some of the objectionable factors that actually interfere with efiicient effective cleansing action.

Since it is one of the prime considerations of the method herein taught to supply a heavy stream or jet of wash water under pressure to an immediate source point of water distribution, the method contemplates using a concentrated wash water stream directed across the cleaning space free and clear of the grouped or clustered dishes directly and precisely to a point of origin for the Wash water deflection to create a swirling undulating heavy Water sheet that is made to strike the dishes. A rotatable surface means is placed at the origin point to develop a pulsating wavelike deflected water sheet and, as in this case, the supply water kinetically activates the rotatable surface means to carry on the compound water pattern sought, and rotation of this surface means provides the activation whereby to move this origin point toward and away from the supply point or origin of the discharge of the supply stream. Thus the supply stream causes the rotation of and the bodily movement of the wash water dispersion means. Obviously the method may be practiced or executed by various mechanical means producing like results, but the use of the wash water under controlled reactions and diversions is considered to be one of the simplest ways in which to carry out the inventive concept.

The method herein devised has the end'r'esult of causing heavy volume water in swirling undulating activity to directly strike or impinge upon the surfaces of the dishes or other articles and from points relatively near to the dishes being processed. It has been determined that present day and former apparatuses or combined mechanisms now in use for washing dishes lack in real effective heavy volumetric Water striking elfectiveness and in establishing controlled heavy forceful wash water impingement results. The objection is that too much mist or finely divided washing fluid is created for the final impingement on reaching the articles being washed, the fault becoming exceedingly more noticeable in regard to such action upon the more remote articles. In parallel with the above described result, the water sprays greatly lose their kinetic power in passing through various conduits, ducts and nozzles, as well as-in operating the distribution instrumentalities, so that when it comes to the final cleansing impact action required, the actual water action is both weak and comparatively ineffective. While it may appear that great wash water activity exists, the

real end result hoped for is not actually attained and a good deal of the wash water not only misses the articles, but merely comes into wetting contact with the articles or with the limiting enclosure walls which are not part of the article load requiring cleaning. The method herein disclosed is considered as a solution that will correct plemented by the virtual inactive drainintervals for'thepurposes previously mentioned.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to washand clean dishes orother articles'by teaching a method that generates a constant supply stream of washa =3 ing fluid for aerial discharge underpressure conditions and into a path across a dish holding and/or confining enclosure toward a predetermined point for deflective dispersion into a sheet or wall of undulating swirling abundant wash water distribution for heavy impingement over relatively short travelimpact action to efl'lcieritly andv effectively wash dishes or articles arranged Within such an enclosure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method of washing dishes or other articles wherein a concen trated wash water supply stream or jet is directed along an open lane between dishes and across an enclosure holding and/or confining dishes, and wherein such stream is reshaped and converted intoa wash water Wall formed into a radiatingpattern created about the path of travel of the main stream, such water wall being rotated bodily to serve all dishes in that radial area about the stream,

' and to simultaneously cause the point of wash water wall creation to bodily change its location along the line of travel of the supply stream.

Another object is to wash articles or dishes with a circular swirling water pattern that is bodily movable from side to side, to and fro or up and down across an article or dish holding cabinet to successively and repeatedly wash certain of the articles or dishes of the entire group in said cabinet, while providing dish drainingintervals.

of lessened or no activity between the cyclic washing periods.

Another object is to provide a method of Washing dishesor articles which includes the provision of a pulsat' ing: wave form of wash water to create a film like water pattern radiating about a given axis, but in a wave form of radial edgewise impingement actionengagin'g a 360 degree area inagiven zonal plane, causing the impinging. water to be directed in advance to and to the rear of such a zonal reference plane as wellas adjacent to or directly medially coincident with that zonal plane.

A still further object is to provide a method of washing articles or dishes by the wave form of water action expressed in the previous paragraph, but with the added combination of an action that causes the source .or point of origination of the wave form water action to move bodily back and forth, or to and fro along a given path.

between the dishes or-articles in agroup or cluster surrounding the jet1or supply point of origin.

As another object, this invention provides a .method of washing dishes or the like by a concentrated wash water supply madeavailable at a given point from which it is dispersed bya rotatable surface into a deflected diversion pattern and wherein such a formed water pattern; is continuallyrotated about a given axis of action and wherein the original stream of washwaterimparts the motivation to induce rotative actuation to therotatable surface to carry out the rotary water slinging or water diversion and:undulating action herein developed;

of .a variable volumetric water distribution and impingestream travel of the movable Another object of this method is to teach a washing method wherein the water pattern is controlled in the open and within the open area of the-washing enclosure from the point of discharge to the point of impact or impingement by aerial manipulation and deflection. This promotes freedom of kinetic action With'a minimum amount of hydraulic friction, churning or eddy current action. This'is also of vital advantage over' systems that resort to piping, conduits, small discharge openings and to other analogous structures of like character, not to mention the ditliculties encountered-by clogging of such devices and the openings therein by foodp article's. and

the like by recirculation .of the wash water.

Other objects and advantages relating to the method of washing dishes or other articles shall hereinafter appear in or become evident from the following detailed description having reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings: 7

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a dishwasliing machine providing 'one exemplary construction of a device adapted to wash dishes according to the present new and novel controlled washing method of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical cross sectional view of the washing machine takensubstantially along the plane of the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 to generally illustrate certain details of the one form of apparatus adapted to carry out the washing processunder the method herein disclosed; 7

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse cross sectional view of the machine as taken substantially along the plane of the 'line 33 in FIG l to show other details of construction of the operative mechanisms of the dishwashing machine;

' FIG. 4 is anenlarged inner face View of the hub side 7 water assuming a fanlike pattern under a circular wavelike pulsating undulating sequence all carried out and developed under the active rotation of said rotary means;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are radial cross sectional views taken along the planes of the lines 5+5 and 66 respectively as shownin FIG. 4 to illustrate certain of thedetails of construction of the rotatable vaned fluid deflector;

' FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a fragmentary por-- tion of a doublefthreaded screw that supports the deflector and upon which'screw-such deflector revolves under] water action and travels bodily back and forth along thescrew under the kineticaction .of the supply fluid stream that is redirected upon such deflector;

FIG; 8 is a detailed fragmentary sectional view of the driving key means on the deflector that is adapted for screw connection; 7 v t FIG; 9 is a generaldiagrammatic view of the deflector action and function to cause the jet spray diversion into a givenundulating rotating sheet. of water accordingto' ment within the 360 extent of this rebounding water activity'zone or enclosure. Thus, without changing the discharge vquantity ofthe. jet stream, its cross sectional area" may be'made to follow given shapes conforming, for example, to the cross. sectional nozzle exitfishape from whichzpoint thejet is generated and directed. nydevelopinga stream'having a -predetermin'ed cross sectional shape bearing a configuration similar to or in variance withthe .crosssectional shape or area of a dish'co'nfining enclosure;.water deflection follows a given'flo'w pattern,

so to speak, serving certain enclosure portions with greater or lesser planned water volume impingement activity.

the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a face view of a deflector providing certain modified structure, to createssome controlled water action. to obtain the objectives of the method'disclosed;

FIGS; 11 and 12 are front end and side elevational views-vinrsection to diagrammatically illustrate the principles underlying the method of this invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates anotherwashing machine arrangement in'corporatingthe methodto serve anotherfadaptation of the same principles;

. FIGS. .14 and; l5 showra special type-ofrotatabledeflector and the water pattern developedthereby; fi

FiGS. 16 and 17 show another variationin a rotatable deflector and the resultantlwatcr pattern developed therefrom;

thereof as they apply to the methodof this invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic side elevational View of a modified deflector and water dispersion unit;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged face view of the water action side of the deflector unit shown in FIG. 26; 7

FIG. 28 is an enlarged edge view of the deflector unit with parts thereof being shown in cross section;

FIGS. 29 and 30 are face and edge views of a modified water shield member for use with a deflector of the kind illustrated in FIGS. 26 to 28.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified construction of the washing mechanism of a dishwashing machine which provides a sheet metal form of deflector having a deflecting shield and performing much in the same manner as the arrangement shown and described in FIGS. 26 to 30;

FIG. 32 is a front face view partially broken away and in section of the deflector of FIG. 31, enlarged somewhat to better illustrate certain details of construction thereof, the deflector being shown as removed from its supporting guide rod carrying the thread structure;

FIG. 33 is a rear face view of the same deflector partly broken away to better illustrate the relationship of the deflecting shield and the deflecting areas, each being defined by walls that cooperate to establish a hollow chamber deflector including vanes for inducing rotation under water action;

FIG. 34 is a face view of the front part of a deflector, in elevation, employing multiple vanes as division members to divide the deflector into spiral or curved water flow chambers;

FIG. 35 is a vertical cross sectional view of the deflector of FIG. 34 taken through the hollow chamber portion thereof and in a plane situated parallel to the front and rear faces of the deflector.

FIG. 36 illustrates a side elevational view of a modified dish water impingement mechanism providing a cup and spout assembly as a deflector for the purpose of gather ing the entire water stream and diverting the stream into areas that funnel the water into at least one discharge spout for washing action, the shape of the spout also imparting rotation to the deflector under water flow action;

FIG. 37 is a side elevational View of the deflector of FIG. 36 as viewed from the upper edge in the latter figure;

FIG. 38 is a face view of the deflector from the receiving cup part thereof on an enlarged scale to better show certain structural details thereof;

FIG. 39 is a similar front face view of a deflector of the kind shown in FIG. 38, with the cup part diverting the stream into areas contiguous with at least two discharge spouts to provide multiple radial water discharge jets or the like from a deflectorof this type;

FIG. 40 is a rear face view of the deflector of FIG. 39 to show the spout arrangement more clearly and the general water pattern developed thereby as indicated diagram- 7 matically by the arrows and broken lines.

dishes can be held and confined for cleaning purposes,

the cabinet being suitably supported upon an auxiliary base or housing 3 which confines drain structure, motor, pump and other operating mechanisms of the machine.

A combination dish supporting assembly is provided comprising a closure door 4, a drawer 5 to carry dishes 9 and glasses 1%, as well as cutlery baskets or racks 62, etc. ent the dishes in the most convenient loading positions commensurate with the most eflicient reception of wash water impingement. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred placing of the dishes leaving a clear avenue or open lane at 11 that ranges across the cabinet 2 from front to back which will provide a clearance area for the washing fluid mechanism herein disclosed. The plates such as 7 and 8 are, however, best accommodated in the cabinet 2 in closely spaced vertical positions to assemble a good load, the plates being arranged in transverse positions to most efliciently accept the controlled wash water action of the undulating wheel of water which acts to sweep or strike against and between the plates in angular radial and fore and aft directions thus contacting both the faces and the bottoms of the plates during the machine washing operatron.

For convenience, the door 4 may'depend or extend downwardly as. at 12 to provide a hand hold for pulling the drawer assembly with its dish load out of the machine. The door preferably has a viewing window 13. In general, the entire door and drawer construction and cabinet may include suitable rails and wheels to guide and support the dish holding assembly, plus sealing gaskets on the door and cabinet and suitable latch means may be used to hold the parts in their required working positions. The trays and/ or racks may also vary, but in general, FIG. 3 portrays one good arrangement for the articles being washed. As previously stated, the plates should be carried on end or upright and are best cleaned when arranged as shown in the drawings in practicing the method herein taught in producing the controlled water action to clean the dishes.

The washing mechanism comprises a pump 14 driven by a motor 15, the pump receiving its water supply from a reservoir or drain pan 16 and discharging the water through a head 24} having a nozzle 17 carried upon a discharge standpipe 18, the nozzle being directed horizontally across the cabinet and through the lane 11 previously described and without dish contact. A sturdy reverse threaded screw 19 is supported at one end in the pump nozzle standpipe head 2% and the screw extends in suspended fashion to a terminal position adjacent the cabinet door 4. The screw 19 can be light in weight and rigid for fairly stable support as shown, but if necessary or desirable, a small hanger 21 may be suspended from the cabinet to hold a bearing 22 to stabilize the outboard end of the reverse threaded screw 19.

A wash water deflector 23 is mounted upon the screw 19 for free rotation thereon. The deflector 23 is made to securely carry a swiveling driving key or lug 24 in projected relation within the hub 25 to ride freely in the line of the screw threaded sections of the screw 19. For purposes of explanation, the threads 26 are slanted in one direction to advance the deflector toward the door 4 and the threads 27 are slanted to return the deflector toward the nozzle 17 which provides the point of origin of the stream of wash water supply. The threads 26 and 27 are continuous and connected at their ends on the screw 19 to reverse the travel of the deflector by its swivel key back and forth along screw 19 as the deflector is made to revolve on the screw, the tion suggested. p

The deflector 23 per se provides the means instrumental to redirect and to convert the main supply water stream, the latter being diagrammatically indicated at 28 in FIGS. 2 and 9 in the drawings. It is this rotatable unit 23 that provides a rotatable surface in the path of the supply stream to intercept the movement of such a stream'and to redirect the same in a fanned out Wavelike sheet such as 29 which expands radially-into the cabinet away from the axis of screw 19 and away from the general axis or stream 28.

Suitable tray arrangements may be employed to orilatter being fixed in the construcvanes 37 on deflector 23 The deflector structure 23; is best shown and, described in connection with FIGS. '4, Sand 6. Its hub side face" hub thereof, thestream 28-converts into the water sheet 29, some of which beingdirected angularly in the. ad-

vanc-ing direction of-the rotating deflector as at 33, and

some of which is directed reversely'angularly away from the rotating deflector as at 34', all shown in FIG. 2. Obviously, some of the undulating sheet of water 29 will be directed in less severe angular directions between the twoextremes of the hub face configurations shown at 30a and 38b asthe sheet or wall approaches the right angledischarge surface portions 31 and 32 of the deflector. The water sheetwill'assume a wave form having the same general configuration of its forming surfaces on the deflector 23 only in radially expanded form fordish impingement.

Considering this above noted action wherein the water wall or sheet is carried back and forth upon rotation between a depth of radial zonal area bounded bylines 35 and 36 in FIGS. 2 and 9 for one givenposition of the':

rotatabledeflector 23, a circular pulsating wave action results which carries the controlled water sheet 29 back and forth into a fractional or divisional area of the total dish washing space in cabinet 2.

By revolving deflector23. at a selected rate, this active" swirling wavewater sheet advances and retracts bodily in relation to the source point of the supply stream 28,

causing repeated active washing impingement of water,

on dishes that are lodged in the advancing andretracting zonal'areas, allowing cyclic intervals of drainage to pertain between the successive swirling-water passes over the dishes. The passes of diverted waterhave pulsating to and fro" action in bodily progression in either direction through the machine asabove noted. a

'As a further means to rotate the deflector 23 to follow the processof'washing herein disclosed, the deflector has curved low height vanes such;as 37 located on the hub face side of the deflector to react under the impingement of stream 28 as it strikes the deflector.

the deflector to. establish the wavelike undulating water condition setting up the water pulsations and radial water expansion, and to also cause the deflector to bodily adthe successive: and repeated radialand progressive zonal action back and forth within the cabinet. prevails in the path of the water supply stream moving toward and away from the point of origin of the supply stream for propagating thewashing operation. FIG. 9 is used to demonstrate thegeneral action developed in a given zoneto create a fanned out water sheet or wall with V the general configuration shown in broken lines.-v Theid'eflector 23 previously described establishes one form of water sheet'across the cabinet or enclosure supplemented initsother movements by the rotary action causing-bodily displacementg'acquired from the supply spout or water streamcoming into contact with the deflector. FIG; '10 illustratesia-modifieddeflector 40 hav-' contour'may be similar to that found on deflector 23. To impart rotation to deflector), certain curved recesses 7 Thus the same supply, stream provides the activating medium to revolve And the action 'vance and retract along the screw 19 thereby establishing V i send on an impingementcwater pattern having a maxi-- ing a given facial contour on-the side" of the hub 41 which such asAZ and 43, may be employed in place of the raised 5.

If greater turning action is required, openings 4 and 145can be formed through the face area of the deflector 4-0, the openings receding diagonally in similar directions about the axis of the deflector. Some of the water striking the face of the deflector will enter openings' d and 45 passing freely therethrough andimparting rotary action to the deflector.

The .same deflect-or'can further be provided with openings :such as 46 that merely permit water to pass throughthe deflecting surface to theother side 'of the deflector to be discharged into the air under the pressure of the water that is built up on the area surrounding hub 41 by the supply stream. V V

For purposes of better understanding the entire action of-the water and its control .in carrying out the method explained, FIGS. ,-l1 and 12 are representative of what happens in the washing enclosure. The cabinet 47 is shown as a cylindrical-unit, which could be square as indicated in broken lines,'wherein dishesare grouped as schematically shown; A" deflector 48 rotates upon a screw shaft 49 carried by the head 50 of nozzle 51 and by a bracket 52. Nozzle. 51 delivers a spout or stream of wash water 53 against the central face area of the deflector 4d, the face area-being hereshown as flat in contour to develop a flat radiating disc of redirected wash water shown at'54. a

Suitable vanes 55 impart water driven rotation to the deflector 48 to revolve or swirl the. sheet of disc water which actually wobbles as shown in stations A'and C, in broken lines, for-a 180 turn of the deflector. Upon rotation, the deflector 48 moves bodily and the water disc shown in station B positionin full lines will wobbleto follow-an undulating action 'for the-impingement water and the disc will'move bodily uptouand betweenrthe respective posit-ions shown in stations A and If a cabinet of different configuration is used asin. F1632 and 3,101 a square cabinet as outlined inFIG. 11,

the Water disc'54 would fill out'the corner' areas to the wobble limit linesof the station E, which, is a matter'of contour of the peripheral limits of the enclosure.

FIG. 11 Well illustrates the angularapproach of the waterwheel disc in being able to enterthe spaces between theplates in oppositely directed angles for servicing one face or side of one plate and the othersideor face of an adjacent plate. Other dishware such as'cups'or glasses are also serviced by a back and forth sweep oft-he water disc which supplies good concentrated water volume in a repeatedand progressive fashion to successive areas in the cabinet, first in one. direction and then in the opposite direction' considered with respect to theapproaching stream or spout of supplywater 53: I

In FIG. 13, a dishwasher is ;shown that provides a vertically arranged cabinet 56 havinga dish'basket 57" serviced by'a water disc 58 that travels bodily up. and

down vertically in this instance.:. a 1

The pump nozzle 59 establishes a ,vertical water spout or streamaimed at the deflector 60. "that travels. on an upright reversing screw member 61 in like manner as V mum water engaging-path 67 about an axis 68 in a cabinet 69'. FIGS. 16 and l7-ishow the-same arrangement except that the deflector is, made with its'lefle'ctive median surface plane disposed on an angle with respectto the screw axis to develop 'a'com'pou nd wavy'wobble pattern as shown in FIG.'1'7.

cross sectional shapes. In :FIG. 18, theuhead 70 has 7 around discharge nozzle7l whichis of the character shown in. the forms hereinbefore described. In FIG. 19; dual round dischargejnozzles 7 2fand 73 are used on a.

9 head to carry the water into laterally concentrated areas on the deflectors.

FIG. 20 has a head 74 with a square nozzle opening 75, while FIG. 21 shows a head 76 having an oblong nozzle opening 77. Each of the described nozzle projected streams forms an impact pattern upon a deflector to develop a controlled conversion pattern in a wall or sheet of Water having volumetric distributive values to obtain resulting wash water impact variations, which are controlled within a dishwashing enclosure.

To illustrate, FIG. 22 diagrammatically demonstrates how a square wash water stream 8t? can be propelled to strike a square area 81 on a deflector 82. The circle 83 shows how a round stream will hit the deflector, so that in contrast, the excess corner portions 84 of a square stream furnish excess water in the regions shown to be redirected by the deflector. With a square enclosure as diagrammatically portrayed by the cabinet 85, the excess water quantity portions 84 will be radiated in the general directions of arrows 86 toward the corner areas 87 of the cabinet, supplying heavier water distribution or pen tration to the farther reaches of the cabinet $5, while providing proportionately less water discharge to the nearer enclosure limits.

While FIG. 22 places the water spout or stream 30 centrally of the cabinet, this location may be shifted to additionally vary the impact pattern in relation to the cabinet walls or in relation to the grouping of the articles in a cabinet. One example of such a variation in the spout or stream location appears in FIG. 3. A nozzle of the character shown in FIG. 20 is the type of Water generating means that will develop the stream 39 of the FIG. 22 arrangement.

In FIG. 23, by employing a nozzle such as 77 in FIG. 21, an oblong or rectangular stream 90 is developed to act in an enclosure of rectangular configuration such as cabinet 91. The general spout impact area @2 is indicated on the deflection surface of the deflector 93. It should be observed that the spout is with its long dimension in a lateral direction providing excess water quantitles at 94 and 95 to each side of the axis of the spout. The resulting pattern will cause greater water sheet deflection by spout portion 94 in the radial area confined generally to the space between lines% and 97, while spout portion 95 serves the general area between lines 98 and 99. Both areas are in the direction of the greatest width of the cabinet 91. In FIG. 23, spout 9t can also be shifted into certain desired locations in the cabinet from the midpoint location shown.

To further illustrate other changes in spout sections, FIG. 24 has a head ltltl with a nozzle 161 of a configuration to place the greatest wash water volurne toward the upper side for deflector contact on its upper area.

FIG. 25 provides a head 162 with a rotatably adjustable elongated nozzle 103 thatmay'be angularly shifted to suit conditions and the nozzle is secured in a selected position by a thumb screw 1% on the head arm 105.

. To further supplement the hereinbefore expressed fundamental concept of Washing dishes, FIGS. 26 to 28 portray an apparatus and means to enhance the general efiiciency and operation of a dishwashing machine of the kind previously described and under certain conditions of operation. r I

It is understandable, that the spout or water supply stream will expand radially as it moves away from the discharge end of the pump and nozzle means. The amount of spread of the stream can, to a great extent,

' be controlled by the nozzle and by the pressure action'of Another way to accommodate the expanded stream as" it moves to a remote area away from the nozzle would be to enlarge the diameter of the deflector. However, this it adds weight and necessitates heavier parts for the entire water action equipment and also robs the dishwashing cabinet of valuable dish carrying space to accommodate the enlarged deflector as it travels to and fro through the cabinet.

FIG. 26 represents a structure that will operate with efficient pump and nozzle discharge performance and still permit the effective use of a water conversion deflector of relatively small diameter. The structure noted comprises a pump supply nozzle 10? to project a stream or water spout 110, generally outlined by the broken lines 111 and 112, that expands radially outwardly as the distance from the nozzle increases. A reversible screw 113 is fixed in relation to the nozzle and is suitably supported at some outward point while the screw 113 freely carries the water deflecting unit 114a for rotation on the screw. As in the hereinbefore described deflectors, the unit 114a has a deflector 114 similar in design and operation as the described deflectors including a hub 115 with curved expanding surfaces 116 that divert the water stream in expanded funnel fashion onto contiguous radially arranged surfaces 117 which develop a water pattern discharge in radial direction to screw 113. Surfaces 117 include vanes 118 that react to the impingement water to impart to rotation to the deflector.

Obviously, by holding the supply stream close to the central or hub portion of the deflector 114, the Water smoothly follows its intended efficient flow path on the deflector. But when the stream expands too greatly, the outer peripheral impingement portions thereof strike the radial surface portions 117 of the deflector 114 too squarely causing interference with the portion of the stream being diverted from the hub surfaces 116. This tends to reduce efficient water reaction on the vanes 11% lessening turning effort.

As shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, the use of a stream deflecting auxiliary shield or stream divider 120 mounted by suitable means such as stays 121 upon the hub 115 provides an ideal control means to enhance the efficiency and operation of the washing device. This shield 12% establishes a central stream inlet throat 122 and forms an annular auxiliary deflector to divert the peripheral outer portions of the supply stream away from contact with the deflector surfaces 117 and diverts the intercepted portion of the stream radially with respect to the screw 113. Thus a smaller diameter portion of stream 1M enters throat 122 of deflector 114 about its hub and functions in uninterrupted fashion to develop the designed wash water pattern and to smoothly actuate the deflector into rotation on screw 113 by free and effective contact with vanes 118 without interference.

Under actual operation, the rate of motion of the deflector 114 does vary somewhat during its bodily travel across the cabinet, slowing down somewhat in the more remote areas away from the nozzle than in areas adjacent the nozzle. This, however, is a beneficial result in a device of this character using a spinning deflector. While the impact water activity is somewhat lessened remote from the nozzle the total impact time of Water impingement against the dishes in the more remote portions. of,

the cabinet is increased. While there are numerous variables'that contribute to the final results in a washing device of this character, the above explanation does introduce a concept shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 that is advantageous as well as new and novel in a dishwashing machine.

As one other suggested modification in the deflector unit 114a, it is to be understood that the diverted water stream coming off of the shield 120 also contributes to the total effort of washing the dishes. For that reason, FIGS. 29 and 30 are added to indicate that a shield such as'125 can beprovided with surface configurations 126 for certain water discharge patterns or results, including.

certain specific vane type deformations 127 that will react underthe supply stream 110 to further contribute to the rotation of a deflector assembly such as illustrated in FIG. 26.

The deformed'surface auxiliary deflector or shield 125 has an intake throat 128 and support stays 129 suspending a central sleeve 130 that can be secured over. the hub 115 of a deflector such as 114.

One other matter of further importance and explanation, the general description has been more or. less confined to the formation of a radial sheet of impact water as has been previously discussedunder the development in theimpingement concept. It is also possible to reduce the stream water outlet supply from the nozzle or to lower the water level in the reservoir by different structural means or through normal operation,'so as to develop a condition of lesser radial distributive water force and/ or water supply todevelop a somewhat different pattern from a sheetor wall of Water.

With a reduced water supply or under a reduced 'force, the spout orvstream will strike the deflector in its central area to deflect the water into a sheet, but the sheet only partially tends to hold its form for a given or limited radial distance and breaks up or divides into individual water portions as jets or sprays as the outer circular or peripheral expanse-becomes larger.

With this sortof an action, the water pattern still follows the various angular and rotary impingement phases described and the bodily transpositions noted, except that the impingement pattern does vary somewhat from the solid sheet form hereinbefore described. The pattern may, therefore, follow a combination of a solid central portion converting into a spray edged wheel shape somewhat on the order illustrated in'FIG. 13 of the drawings.

The general construction last described and directed to the forms of the invention in FIGS.A26 to 30 may be are radially arranged and installed between walls 132 and 133 to establish divisional water flow chambers and to introducereactive means that will impart rotation to the assembly 131 under water flow'action.

The wall 133 is secured to a sleeve or hub 136 that.

includes a swivel key assembly 137 to engage within the grooves of threads 138 on the guide rod 139, the threads 138 being continuous and reversible to cause bodily back and fore actuation of the assembly 131 upon rotation of the latter.

A pump standard 146 has the .water dischargenozzle 141'which impels a stream of water axially of the ma 139 toward the assembly 131. As the water stream enlarges, it spreads somewhat radially to cause some initial radial water diversion asper arrows 142 and 143 onthe frontwall deflector 132 and the balance of the stream outlined by the arrows 144 and 145, all in FIG: 31, enters the throat portion 146 of the wall deflector 132 to change course from axialwatermotion to radial I water flow. The water then moves out of the periphery of the assembly 131 with a proportionate amount thereof moving toward thevanes 135 to rotate the assembly1131 prior to peripheral discharge. p

' Thus the wash water pattern in the FIG. .31 device follows the principles herein discussed, and more. specifically, theaction parallels the action of the devices' illustratedin FIGS. 26 to30. I r Y v FIGSI34 and 35 portray an assembly 1500f the general design shown in FIG. 31, but providing more vanes 151 in the radial outer portion of the unit, the vanes hav: ing their radial inner terminal ends 152 originating in the;area ot the throat 153. of theannula'r shield'154 to divert more water into the vane divided chambers-155,

In FIGS.

along a given line of travel among the articles, 'converting said stream of wash, water ata predetermined zone 1.2 of the assembly before radial discharge or diversion from the peripheral portion of assembly-1 50.

Another modification of a wall diversionassembly is illustrated in FIGS. 36' to 38. In this'arrangement, a nozzle directs a water stream outlined by the arrows 151 and 162 along the axis of a continuous reversibly threaded rod 163 toward thewater deflector'164. 'Deflector 164 includes a hub 165 with a swivel key means- 166 that coacts with the threads on rod 163'to cause bodily fore and aft motion, of the deflector 164 along the rod under the rotative action of the deflector.

In this arrangement, the deflectorf164 is a composite cupand spout unit comprising a cup 167 'to receive the entire water stream and to divert'the same into a radial discharge spout-1168." With'this deflector the stream isgathered or funnelled into a discharge area in the form of-a radial discharge spout which is also turned to cause rotation of the deflector under water reaction. Thus the deflector 164 eliminates theannular shield in this particular, suggested construction.

FIGS. 39 and 40 illustrate the use of one or more diversionary discharge instrumentalities. The deflector 17th in the lattermeans provides the stream receiving cup 171 asa funnelling unitto divert an axially projected stream of wash water over the curved areas thereor into at least two discharge spouts 172 and 173 developed intospiral flow members to cause rotation of deflector under the water flow action.

The deflector 170 has the hub or bearingsleeve-174 having the swivel key means 175 for mounting'the deflector upon a reversibly-threaded guide rod as shown in the other describeddish washing constructions with the swivel key meansv providing the bodily propulsion of the deflector along the rod.

sidercd as limitingstructures thereof or as limiting they practice of the method disclosed. It is the ,langauge in the following claimed subject matter that is to be construed in defining the breadth "and scope, of the concept of this invention. e

What I claim is: a

1. The method of washing articles which comprises projecting an initial concentrated stream of wash water out of its line of travel'into' a continuous rotating sheet of wash water radiating about'the line of travel of said initial stream for cleaning contact. with the articles, and

redirecting the radiating portion of: said wash water sheet toimpart thereto a wavelike pattern directed both fore and aft with respect to the zone of wash water conver-.

sion to sweep alternatelybackand forth .across the articles.v

2. In the method plane of the sheet; I p

3. In the. method of claim- -1 further augmented by shifting :said zonemfwash water conversion toirnpart' bodily translatory motion to saidicontinuous rotating i sheet of wash water to carry, the active wavelike washing ward at leastione given point among the articles, deflecting and converting said. spout radially out of its initial path 'of travel into arr angularly disposed sheetradiating:

away from said spoutrin fanlike-fashion, causing the surface-contour of said sheet to undu'late -to"assun1e a wave pattern to impinge; overa segregated portronof Oren-1111.1 with the addition at imparting swirling, motion to the bodyjof said radially developed sheet of washwater and within the general a said given space, inducing bodily rotary motion of said tivity thereof into successive divisional portions of the,

entire given space.

5. In the method of claim 4, wherein said bodily transposition of the rotational waving sheet of fluid is caused to move in a reciprocal manner to induce motion to said active washing sheet in directions both into and away from the discharging end of the fluid spout.

6. The method of washing dishes comprising confining said dishes within a given space, directing a stream of wash water along an open path between the dishes and along a definite path ofv travel, converting said stream of Wash water-into a radially formed wall of water bearing an angular relation to the path of travel of said stream, imparting a controlled undulating deflection to said wall of water to establish a wavelike impingement pattern relative to the median plane of the wall of water, causing said wall of water to rotate about the path of travel of said stream to circularly cause the wavelike wall to continually sweep the dish confining space within the plane of activity of said Wall of water, and causing bodily displacement of said wall of water lineally along the path of travel of said stream of wash water.

7. A method of washing dishes lodged in a group within a cabinet which comprises generating a sheet of water radially from a point within and between said group of dishes in an angular manner across the entire cabinet space edgewise to the peripheral walls thereof, moving the water forming said sheet in a continuous radial flow in the sheet, and causing said sheet of water to be bodily actuated back and forth through said cabinet to sweep the peripheral cabinet walls with said sheet of water in a direction along the extent of such cabinet.

8. The method of claim 7 which includes compounding the action noted by further inducing said sheet of water to undulate in a peripheral direction.

9. The method of washing articles which comprises projecting a concentrated stream of wash water into an 14 article confining enclosure, interrupting said stream with an unbroken impact surface moving across the stream path, controlling the stream in form to provide a predetermined cross sectional shape other than round to dispose greater and lesser feed water quantities in segregated areas of said stream, and converting said projected stream by impingement against said unbroken moving impact surface into a radially fanned out sheet of water generally varying in its radial water flow pattern in the discharge quantities thereof as the water is propelled against saidunbroken moving impact surface in proportion to said predetermined cross sectional supply areas of the initial concentrated stream.

10. The method of claim 9 including the further compounding of the motions of said fanned out radial sheet with supplemental impingement deformation provided upon said unbroken moving impact surface to distribute portions of said fanned out radial sheet in. directions considered generally normal to a transverse plane located upright with respect to the point where the originally created fanned out water sheet is developed from the point of stream interruption by said unbroken impact surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,747,168 2/30 Holmstrom 134-183 2,021,710 11/35 Wilson 239-231 2,065,549 12/36 Balensiefer 134-l82 X 2,090,406 8/37 Thompson 239-23 1 2,155,220 4/39 Ehret. 2,236,791 4/41 Forsberg l34-183 2,385,264 9/45 Ferris. 2,596,653 5/52 Clague 134199 2,704,084 3/55 James 134-183 2,830,311 4/58 Vizdos 134-123 X 3,051,184 8/62 Gibson l34183 FOREIGN PATENTS 95,093 3/39 Sweden.

CHARLES A. WILLMUIH, Primary Examiner. S. JAMES, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. THE METHOD OF WASHING ARTICLES WHICH COMPRISES PROJECTING AN INITIAL CONCENTRATED STREAM OF WASH WATER ALONG A GIVEN LINE OF TRAVEL AMONG THE ARTICLES, CONVERTING SAID STREAM OF WASH WATER AT A PREDETERMINED ZONE OUT OF ITS LINE OF TRAVEL INTO A CONTINUOUS ROTATING SHEET OF WASH WATER RADIATING ABOUT THE LINE OF TRAVEL OF SAID INITIAL STREAM FOR CLEANING CONTACT WITH THE ARTICLES, AND REDIRECTING THE RADIATING PORTION OF SAID WASH WATER SHEET TO IMPART THERETO A WAVELIKE PATTERN DIRECTED BOTH FORE AND AFT WITH RESPECT TO THE ZONE OF WASH WATER CONVERSION TO SWEEP ALTERNATELY BACK AND FORTH ACOSS THE ARTICLES.

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