US3709732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic dishwasher
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-12
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-08-12
Abstract
Abstract Piezoelectric transducers are attached to the bottom wall of an upwardly open tub of austenitic stainless steel equipped with a valved inlet in a side wall near the bottom wall, a valved outlet in the bottom wall, a removable cover provided with a receptacle for washing compositions, and a vertical row of contacts on the side wall. After the washer cycle is started by pressing a button, the washer is further controlled automatically by the opening or closing of circuits between the contacts and the grounded tub through the rising or receding liquid in the tub. A safety switch on the outer tank wall is kept closed by a permanent magnet as long as the cover is in position, and the receptacle is dropped to release the washing composition upon retraction of a latch by an electromagnet on the outer face of the tub side wall.
Inventors
- 👤 M Thomen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:39
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/50; A47L15/0076; A47L15/02; A47L15/13; B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/04; B08B3/10; B08B3/12; D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/08; D06F39/087; A47L2601/00; A47L2601/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
355 words
A dishwasher comprising: a. a stainless steel tub having an upright side wall, a bottom wall, and an open top opposite said bottom wall; b. a cover movable toward and away from an operative position in which said cover closes the open top of said tub; c. transducer means mounted on the outer face of said bottom wall for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to a liquid in said tub; d. a plurality of contact elements fixedly mounted on said side wall and vertically spaced from each other, 1. said contact elements being exposed in said tub for electrical contact with said liquid, 2. the lowermost of said contact elements being closely adjacent said bottom wall; e. a tubular inlet member mounted on said side wall adjacent said bottom wall and having an axis approximately parallel to said bottom wall; f. a receptacle mounted on said cover for movement between a first position in which said receptacle is capable of retaining a particulate washing composition and a second position in which said composition is dropped from said receptacle into said tub; g. latch means for retaining said receptacle in said first position against the force of gravity; h. electrically operated latch releasing means for releasing said latch means and for thereby permitting said receptacle to move into said second position thereof, 1. said latch releasing means including an electromagnet mounted on an outer face of said tub, and 2. said latch means including a ferromagnetic latch member arranged on said cover for movement in the field of said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized; (i). a tubular drain member on said bottom wall; (j). electrically operated valve means in each of said tubular members for opening and closing the associated tubular member; (k). control means conductively connected to said transducer means, to said contact elements, to said latch releasing means, and to said valve means for operating said transducer means, said latch releasing means, and said valve means in response to conductive contact between said liquid and said contact elements in timed sequence; and 1. support means for holding tableware in a predetermined position in said tub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
355 words
A dishwasher comprising: a. a stainless steel tub having an upright side wall, a bottom wall, and an open top opposite said bottom wall; b. a cover movable toward and away from an operative position in which said cover closes the open top of said tub; c. transducer means mounted on the outer face of said bottom wall for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to a liquid in said tub; d. a plurality of contact elements fixedly mounted on said side wall and vertically spaced from each other, 1. said contact elements being exposed in said tub for electrical contact with said liquid, 2. the lowermost of said contact elements being closely adjacent said bottom wall; e. a tubular inlet member mounted on said side wall adjacent said bottom wall and having an axis approximately parallel to said bottom wall; f. a receptacle mounted on said cover for movement between a first position in which said receptacle is capable of retaining a particulate washing composition and a second position in which said composition is dropped from said receptacle into said tub; g. latch means for retaining said receptacle in said first position against the force of gravity; h. electrically operated latch releasing means for releasing said latch means and for thereby permitting said receptacle to move into said second position thereof, 1. said latch releasing means including an electromagnet mounted on an outer face of said tub, and 2. said latch means including a ferromagnetic latch member arranged on said cover for movement in the field of said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized; (i). a tubular drain member on said bottom wall; (j). electrically operated valve means in each of said tubular members for opening and closing the associated tubular member; (k). control means conductively connected to said transducer means, to said contact elements, to said latch releasing means, and to said valve means for operating said transducer means, said latch releasing means, and said valve means in response to conductive contact between said liquid and said contact elements in timed sequence; and 1. support means for holding tableware in a predetermined position in said tub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
the lowermost of said contact elements being closely adjacent said bottom wall; e. a tubular inlet member mounted on said side wall adjacent said bottom wall and having an axis approximately parallel to said bottom wall; f. a receptacle mounted on said cover for movement between a first position in which said receptacle is capable of retaining a particulate washing composition and a second position in which said composition is dropped from said receptacle into said tub; g. latch means for retaining said receptacle in said first position against the force of gravity; h. electrically operated latch releasing means for releasing said latch means and for thereby permitting said receptacle to move into said second position thereof,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
the lowermost of said contact elements being closely adjacent said bottom wall; e. a tubular inlet member mounted on said side wall adjacent said bottom wall and having an axis approximately parallel to said bottom wall; f. a receptacle mounted on said cover for movement between a first position in which said receptacle is capable of retaining a particulate washing composition and a second position in which said composition is dropped from said receptacle into said tub; g. latch means for retaining said receptacle in said first position against the force of gravity; h. electrically operated latch releasing means for releasing said latch means and for thereby permitting said receptacle to move into said second position thereof,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
said latch means including a ferromagnetic latch member arranged on said cover for movement in the field of said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized; (i). a tubular drain member on said bottom wall; (j). electrically operated valve means in each of said tubular members for opening and closing the associated tubular member; (k). control means conductively connected to said transducer means, to said contact elements, to said latch releasing means, and to said valve means for operating said transducer means, said latch releasing means, and said valve means in response to conductive contact between said liquid and said contact elements in timed sequence; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
said latch means including a ferromagnetic latch member arranged on said cover for movement in the field of said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized; (i). a tubular drain member on said bottom wall; (j). electrically operated valve means in each of said tubular members for opening and closing the associated tubular member; (k). control means conductively connected to said transducer means, to said contact elements, to said latch releasing means, and to said valve means for operating said transducer means, said latch releasing means, and said valve means in response to conductive contact between said liquid and said contact elements in timed sequence; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A dishwasher as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said valve means includes a valve member movable between an opening position and a closing position, an armature member secured to said valve member for simultaneous movement, and two electromagnets oppositely spaced from said armature member in the direction of movement of the armature member and conductively connected to said control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A dishwasher as set forth in claim 1, further comprising selector switch means in circuit with two contact elements upwardly spaced from said lowermost contact element for selectively inactivating said two contact elements respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
A dishwasher as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means include a switch mounted on an outer face of said tub and including a ferromagnetic contact member movable between a circuit closing and a circuit opening position and yieldably biased toward one of said positions thereof, said cover carrying a permanent magnet, said magnet attracting said movable contact member and holding the same in the other position thereof when said cover is in the operating position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A dishwasher as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support means include a support member, a carrier adapted to fixedly hold a cup-shaped piece of tableware, said carrier being movable on said support member between a first position in which said cup-shaped piece is upwardly open and a second position in which said cup-shaped piece is downwardly open, and operating means responsive to a change in the level of liquid in said tub for moving said carrier between said positions thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A dishwasher as set forth in claim 5, wherein said carrier includes a wire frame pivotally secured to said support member for pivotal movement between said positions thereof, and said operating means include a float attached to said carrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |