A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber is described wherein the device can connect to various household cleaning appliances of different makes and models and can learn the flow of water and detergent during various stages of operation and then perform the dispensing itself.

A conveyor dishwasher includes at least one wash zone and at least one final rinse zone, wherein the at least one wash zone is designed to spray wash liquid, wherein the wash liquid is, at least proportionally, liquid which has already been used for final rinsing in the at least one final rinse zone and to which a wash chemical is added in a metered manner or is fresh water to which a wash chemical is added in a metered manner, wherein the conveyor dishwasher has a metering pump for adding the wash chemical in a metered manner to the liquid to be sprayed in the at least one wash zone, and wherein a controller is associated with the conveyor dishwasher in order to actuate the metering pump and a wash pump or final rinse pump of the dishwasher.

A method for cleaning items to be cleaned is disclosed. A cleaning device is used that has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one applicator for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber. A desired hygiene value is prespecified. The method further includes time-resolved recording of at least two influencing variables which influence hygienization of the items to be cleaned. Hygiene share values are determined from the influencing variables using a prespecified relationship between each influencing variable and the respective hygiene value share of said influencing variable. An expected actual hygiene value at the end of the cleaning from the hygiene value shares is ascertained and compared with the desired hygiene value. At least one of the influencing variables is changed based on the comparison. An inventive cleaning device is also disclosed.

A dish washer effectively identifies a viscosity of a detergent stored in a detergent supply based on the number of revolutions of a roller sensed via a roller sensor and an operating time of a pump motor, thereby simplifying a structure, improving space utilization, and reducing a manufacturing cost as a separate electrode sensor or level sensor for identifying the viscosity of the detergent is eliminated.

Provided herein are systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products relating to a dynamic dispensing system. Embodiments may include a dishwasher including a washing chamber, a water supply, an additive supply, and a plurality of fluid supply lines that provide fluid communication between the water supply and the washing chamber and the additive supply and the washing chamber. The dishwasher includes one or more pumps that direct additives stored in the additive supply to the washing chamber and water from the water supply to the washing chamber. The dishwasher further includes a tank sensor within the washing chamber and a controller communicably coupled to the controller. The controller may receive and analyze signals from the tank sensor to determine an additive concentration within the washing chamber and cause additive or water to be added to the washing chamber in response to the signal.

A dispensing assembly including at least one treating chemistry container configured to store a treating chemistry and selectively fluidly coupled to the treating chamber, a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the dispensing assembly and output a first signal based thereon, an illumination detector outputting a second signal indicative of ambient illumination and an indicator outputting a human-detectable signal.

An information processing method performed with a processor includes determining whether a second dispensing amount of detergent to be dispensed in a washing apparatus in a scheduled first washing event falls below a threshold based on a remaining amount of the detergent in a detergent container of the washing apparatus and a first dispensing amount set for one washing event for washing a washing target, changing a third dispensing amount determined based on the first dispensing amount to be dispensed into the washing apparatus in a second washing event preceding the first washing event to a fourth dispensing amount equaling or exceeding the threshold when the second dispensing amount is determined to fall below the threshold, outputting information representing the fourth dispensing amount, and causing the washing apparatus to dispense the fourth dispensing amount of the detergent in the second washing event.

An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance is provided. The appliance, system, and method are configured to execute operations including determining when a dispensing device for a detergent meets or exceeds a detergent level threshold, determining if a first wash mode corresponding to a performance wash mode is activated, and changing operation from the first wash mode to a second wash mode corresponding to an efficiency wash mode when the dispensing device meets or exceeds the detergent level threshold and the first wash mode is activated.

A condition warning system for an apparatus such as a pot and pan washing machine, a control system and control methods for a pot and pan washing machine are provided. The condition warning system includes a control system that monitors operational, safety or compliance parameters of an apparatus, and a light that illuminates a location below (or above) an operator's direct line of sight, and which is outside of the operator's direct line of sight. The control system and control methods include a punitive wash action lockout, an extended wash cycle time, and a deep clean wash cycle.

Systems, methods, and software program products for dispensing chemical products to a washing machine. A dispenser receives a conductivity signal from a conductivity circuit having input terminals coupled to a probe in a tank of the washing machine. The dispenser may compare the conductivity signal to a threshold indicative of a low level of conductivity between input terminals of the conductivity circuit. In response to the conductivity signal breaching the threshold, the dispenser may determine the tank of the washing machine is being drained of a washing solution. In response to the conductivity signal subsequently breaching another threshold indicative of a high level of conductivity between the input terminals, the dispenser may determine the tank is being filled, and dispense a predetermined amount of the chemical product into the tank.