Washing machine for glassware

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The currently available commercial machines for washing glasses in hotels, bars and the like require at least 3 ½ minutes of operation with an overall water consumption of about 4 % gallons for a complete washing cycle. These machines are complicated, require costly plumbing installation expenses and are of a size which demands a special area for such installations. A further disadvantage of such complicated machines is that they require the services of trained personnel to service them and such personnel are not usually employed on the staff of the user. A still further disadvantage, and, of course, one that concerns the public interest, is that because of the foregoing the small commercial establishment (small bar, hotel, motel, restaurant, etc.) cannot economically justify the capital outlay or maintenance costs.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the foregoing disadvantages by providing a glass washing machine which:

a is simple and compact in construction so that it does not require a “special” but can be set into a cutout in a counter;

b requires, because of its simplicity , a minimum of services and is a low cost item;

c will carry out a complete washing cycle in 60 seconds with a smaller water consumption;

d will completely wash, sterilize and remove all traces of lipstick and other stains from the glass;

e eliminates the requirement for “towelling” after washing; and f will provide a cold rinse after the hot-washing operation.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following disclosure.

The drinking-glass machine of this invention comprises:

a a tub structure having a fluid outlet;

b co ver means for said tub structure;

c a glassware tray mounted for rotation in said tub structure; d drive means operable to rotate said tray;

e a spray means fixedly mounted below the tray and adapted to direct a spray pattern of fluid onto items carried in said tray;

/fluid conduit means connected to the spray means and extending through the tub structure for connection with a plurality of sources of pressure fluid, and g means operable to cyclically control flow of fluid to said spray means and to actuate the tray driving means.

All mechanisms used in operating the machine are compactly arranged below the tub base and include a driving motor for the tray; fluid pressure-responsive means to activate the motor and injector mechanisms for injecting detergents, sterilizing materials etc. The last mentioned detergents and materials form no part of the present invention and therefore require no discussion herein. The machine will operate with any of the known, suitable detergents etc. presently on the market.

The device as a whole is actuated solely by water pressure from a main source, the water flow being controlled by means of suitable valves. The unit may be of a manual or automated type depending upon individual requirements and desires. However, the automated unit is still of an extremely simple construction and is the essence of simplicity as regards use and operation.

The invention will now be more fully described by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrated embodiment drafted in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of the machine built in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic representation of the plumbing and control system.

With particular reference to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the invention basically, calls for a simple, uniquely interrelated combination of elements. In general, the machine comprises a coverable sink or tub structure 10 in which a rotatably mounted glassware tray 12, the contents of which are sprayed, as the tray rotates, by a substantially fixed, offcenter spray arm assembly 14. A driving shaft assembly 16 for the tray 12 and the spray arm assembly 14 are mounted on substantially centrally located mounting plate 18, bolted to the base of the tub 10. Gasket elements 20 are, of course; provided in surrounding relationship with the mounting plate bolts to prevent leakage. All plumbing and control devices are compactly located immediately below the tub 10 and will be more fully described hereinafter.

Tub structure 10, as shown in the illustrative example of FIG. 1, comprises a corrosion resistant, substantially square sink having, at its upper periphery, an outwardly projecting continuous flange 22 whereby the entire unit may be mounted as a “drop-in” unit in a bar-top, counter opening or the like. Drain means 24 are provided, such drain means being hooked into the establishment facilities as is well known.

Naturally, to avoid splashing during operation, a cover 26 is provided, such cover being foldable by means of a double hinging arrangement. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 1, one end of the cover 26 is hingedly secured to one side or end of the tub structure 10. The cover, in the closed position as indicated in solid lines in FIG. 1, partially rests on an internal peripheral flange 28 but takes up a position, again at rest, in which respective portions 30 and 31 of the cover diverge downwardly from one another from pivot axis 32. This ensures that any liquid or condensation forming on the inside of the cover will tend to run down the cover to the sides thereof rather than dropping vertically onto the cleaned and drained glassware in the tray.

As shown in phantom, the cover can be pushed into a folded, open-position for ready access to the tub.

The glassware tray 12 may be manufactured of any suitable perforated material and, as shown, for illustrative purposes, is circular in plan view. Expanded high-impact plastic or expanded, corrosion-resistant, metallic trays can be used. Such materials are well known to the art and therefore require no specific discussion or description herein.

Tray 12 carries suitable bracing elements which, in addition to providing strength and rigidity to the tray, assist in supporting a central, downwardly depending housing 34, closed at the top end, 34α, and open at the bottom.

Housing 34 receives the headed drive shaft 36 and a ballrace 38 or other suitable antifriction means, the latter being supported on a sleeve 40 fixidly connected on mounting plate 18 in any known suitable manner and in communication with aperture 42 formed in said plate 18. Drive shaft 36 depends downwardly through aperture 42 for driving connection with a motor 44 as will be later described.

It will be apparent from the illustrated structure that substantially no water or cleaning fluid is permitted to contact the ball-race 38 by reason of the protective covering afforded by housing 34 such that efficient and noiseless operation of the tray is effected.

A spray arm assembly 14, as shown, consists of a manifold 46 carrying a plurality of detachable nozzle units 48, angled to eject the most efficient spray configuration in relation to the normal washing load in the tray. Apart from the fact that the spray arm is fixed and forms part of an unique assembly, there is nothing structurally new in the arm per se.

It will be understood that the longitudinal extent of the spray area must substantially equal the diameter of the tray in order to ensure that all contents of the latter are exposed to the spray. If desired, and if found to be economically expedient, a circular or different spray manifold can be employed.

Turning to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the plumbing and operational control features of the novel machine will now be described.

3,548,844

4

The machine is connected at two points, 50 and 52, to water sources of different temperatures. It has been found that a water temperature of approximately 140° F is suitable for washing the usual types of glasses as used in most bars. Rinsing is effected with 180° F water. 5

It should be noted that washing and/or rinsing can be carried out at any temperature between 125° F and 140° F. By using 180° F water for final rinsing, the extremely high temperature, of itself, provides sufficient sterilization to meet the requirements of some authorities. However, when used in 10 combination with a sterilizing agent, the highest necessary degree of sterilization is effected.

Furthermore,'when the rack or tray containing glasses rinsed at 180° F is removed from the machine, quick air-drying of the glasses takes place obviating the necessity for 15 towelling. Where glasses are required for the serving of chilled drinks, such as beer, etc. a cold rinse can be used such that the glasses are ready for substantially immediate use upon removal from the washer

Located downstream of points 50 arid 52 are two flow con- 20 trol valves 54 and 56 respectively. In a purely manual installation, these last mentioned valves can be of the type such as those used in shower installations. However, in an automatic embodiment, the valves could be, for example, solenoid operated types.? 25

Separate conduits 58 and 60 extend from valves 54 and 56 respectively and each include conventional Venturi injection devices 62 and 64 from which the water flow picks up a substantially exactly metered amount of detergent and/or sterilizer material; This unit can be adjusted to deliver the exact 30 amount of detergent and/or sterilizing agent required, such amount then automatically being delivered upon each cycle of the unit.

Immediately downstream of each injector is located a oneway check valve, the purpose of such being defined herein- 35 below.

From the check valves, each conduit extends to a T-unit 66 and said conduits “merge” into a single conduit 68 which has a pressure switch 70 connected thereto. Conduit 68, at its terminal end is connected to the manifold of spray arm assembly 40 14.

In a manually operated embodiment of the machine, the operation of the same is as follows. The tray is first loaded with dirty glassware and the cover is closed. The operator turns a selected one of valves 54 or 56 permitting a flow of water to 45 pass along its respective conduit 58 or 60. Decrease of pressure in the Venturi of the injector sucks detergent into the main water flow, such flow passing through the check valve and up the conduit 68 to the spray arm assembly 14.

Pressure buildup in switch 70 actuates the driving motor 50 and the tray and contacts are rotated through the spray emitted from the nozzles 48.

The check valve in the other conduit prevents flow of water to the other injector device as will be readily appreciated.

After a period of about 40 seconds, the first flow control 55 valve is closed and second flow control valve is opened. In this way, and in exactly the same manner as described in the above, the glassware is rotated in the tray and subjected to a rinsing operation for about 20 seconds.

To automate the illustrated embodiment it is merely neces- 60 sary to control the actuation of the flow control valves by means of a well known type of cam-actuated microswitch timer. In an automated unit, pressure switch 70 could be omitted, the motor then being controlled by means of the electrical timer. As aforementioned solenoid valves or the like 65 would replace the manual “tap” valves of the unit depicted in the appended drawings.

To those skilled in this art, many changes and modifications will become apparent from the foregoing disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the said invention is therefore to be construed from the following claims.

The words “glass” and “glassware” as used herein and in the claims mean drinking vessels such as cups, mugs and similar dishes, made of plastic, glass, chinaware or other I materials which are used in the manufacture of dishes for use by human beings.