Flatware Washer Push-Pull Flow for Nested Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing systems, such as pot and pan washing machines and commercial dishwashers, are inefficient in cleaning smaller, heavy, or nested silverware/flatware due to fluid deflection and lack of mechanical wash action, leading to incomplete cleaning and soil bake-on issues.
Innovation Solution
A washing system utilizing a fluid-push/pull system with manifolding to direct fluid flow through a cavity, ensuring it passes through the entire mass of silverware/flatware, eliminating deflection and requiring minimal post-wash treatment, and being compact and energy-efficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spray washing machines use high-temperature spray to disinfect flatware, then sanitation is improved, but soil bakes onto the ware making it harder to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs mechanical washing action with fluid flow through the flatware mass BEFORE the high-temperature sanitizing rinse is applied. This preliminary mechanical action removes loose soil and debris, preventing it from baking onto surfaces during the subsequent high-temperature sanitizing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional spray mechanical action with a fluid push-pull system that forces fluid through the entire mass of flatware using pressure differentials created by submerged pumps. This creates more effective mechanical washing action that penetrates nested flatware better than spray systems.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If flatware is pre-soaked in soapy water to prevent soil bake-on, then soil removal is improved, but additional handling time and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the washing and rinsing functions into a single integrated fluid push-pull cycle. The same fluid circulation system that provides mechanical washing action also delivers the sanitizing rinse, eliminating the need for separate pre-soaking and post-rinsing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circulation system operates continuously throughout the wash cycle, maintaining constant fluid flow through the flatware mass. This continuous action eliminates idle handling time between separate washing and rinsing operations, as the system transitions seamlessly between functions.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple racks of flatware are run through spray washing machines multiple times to achieve full cleaning, then cleaning completeness is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic principles with submerged pumps that create pressure differentials to force fluid through the flatware mass. This hydraulic action penetrates nested flatware more effectively than spray systems, achieving complete cleaning in a single pass and eliminating the need for multiple cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from surface-level spray washing to three-dimensional fluid penetration through the entire volume of the flatware mass. By forcing fluid through all layers of nested flatware simultaneously, the system achieves complete cleaning coverage in one cycle rather than requiring multiple surface sprays.
4Force
If wash tanks are filled with water/detergent to create jet stream washing action, then mechanical wash action is improved, but device complexity and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential function of creating fluid flow (mechanical wash action) from the complex wash tank environment and implements it through simple submerged pumps that generate pressure differentials. This eliminates the need for large wash tanks, jet streams, and complex fluid circulation systems while maintaining effective washing force.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively removes debris from all surfaces of silverware/flatware, reducing the need for additional handling or polishing, conserving water, and minimizing operator time while maintaining a small footprint.
Implementation Method 1
A pumping system (including a propeller, impellor or other suitable pumping method, as well as appropriate manifolding) moves the fluid through the pumping system (including appropriate manifolding) to create a substantial flow of fluid through generally the entire cavity (cavities)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method of washing (or pre-washing) silverware/flatware, or one or more other objects/parts is provided. The apparatus and method utilizes a fluid-push/pull system and method in which generally an entire volume of fluid is pushed or pulled through a cavity in which the silverware/flatware or other objects/parts are located. A cavity is filled with fluid, a mass of silverware or other parts is located within the cavity, generally an entire volume of fluid is pumped out of the cavity, and the pumped fluid is directed back into the cavity to create a generally continuous flow of generally an entire volume of fluid through the cavity.