Pot and pan washing machine

Abstract

A non-welded field joint for connecting two portions of a pot and pan washing machine together as a single unit is provided.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a first sink portion to a second sink portion to form a single unit, the first sink portion having a generally flat side to be generally adjacent to a generally flat side of the second sink portion, said method comprising the steps of: providing an edge of the generally flat side of the first sink portion; forming a lip in an edge of the generally flat side of the second sink portion, the lip of the second sink portion being configured to be positioned over the edge of the first sink portion; and moving at least one of the first and second sink portions such that the first and second sink portions are brought together in close engagement with one another until the lip of the second sink portion is positioned over the edge of the first sink portion, thereby causing the lip of the second sink portion to support the second sink portion with respect to the first sink portion.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of placing a decorative trim piece between the first sink portion and the second sink portion.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising the step of securing said decorative trim piece to at least one of said first or second sink portions with tape.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising the step of filling any gaps between said decorative trim piece and said first and second sink portions with a sealant.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sealant comprises silicon.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of forming an inwardly extending jog in the generally flat side of one of the first or second sink portions.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of filling said lip with a sealant to eliminate any gap between the generally flat side of the first sink portion and the generally flat side of the second sink portion created by said inwardly extending jog.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said sealant comprises silicon.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of filling any gaps between said first and second sink portions with a sealant.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said sealant comprises silicon.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a prior art pot and pan washing machine with a portion of the front and one side wall of the wash tank cut away to better illustrate certain interior construction details.

(3) FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view from above of the pot and pan washing machine of the instant invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective elevation view taken from the left hand side of the pot and pan washing machine shown in FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of the pot and pan washing machine of the instant invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an inventive pump for the pot and pan washing machine of the instant invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken from above of the housing of the pump shown in FIG. 5, showing the interior of the pump housing.

(8) FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view taken from the side of a flush mounted jet nozzle for the pot and pan washing machine shown in FIG. 2, showing the outlet manifold and rear wall of the washing machine in section and partial cutaway.

(9) FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a non-welded field joint for connecting multiple portions of a pot and pan washing machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) Referring to the drawing figures, therein is shown an optimum form of the subject pot and pan washing machine with essentially all features usable to increase performance, versatility and efficiency therewithin. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(11) The operation of the pot and pan washing machine described hereinafter is substantially similar to the operation of the prior art machine described above. The instant invention provides significant features that increase the performance, versatility and efficiency of the pot and pan washing machine.

(12) Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the wash tank of the inventive pot and pan washing machine is shown. The wash tank/basin of the instant invention is constructed in essentially the same manner as the wash tanks of the prior art. Wash tank 110 includes left side wall 112, right side wall 114, rear wall 116, front wall 118 and bottom wall 119 constructed in the same or similar manner, and of the same or similar materials as the wash tank of the prior art. FIG. 2 shows the unique components of the pot and pan washing machine as they are located in association with wash tank 110. Parallel flow pump 150 is attached to left side wall 112 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. As has been discussed with respect to the prior art, pump 150 can be attached to either left side wall 112 or right side wall 114 of wash tank 110. Flush mounted jet nozzles 120 are mounted along rear wall in essentially the same location as the jet nozzles of the prior art discussed above. Intake manifold 130 is mounted within wash tank 110 along the bottom portion of rear wall 116, below nozzles 120.

Parallel Flow Pump

(13) FIGS. 3 and 4 show pump 150 mounted to the exterior of wash tank 110. Although pump 150 of the preferred embodiment is constructed entirely of stainless steel; any suitable material can be used. Pump inlet 152 associates with and connects to an intake port (not shown) passing through right side wall 112. Pump outlet 154 associates with and connects to outlet manifold 160. Outlet manifold 160 comprises a generally straight tube that extends across the exterior side of rear wall 116 to connect pump outlet 154 to jet nozzles 120. The outlet manifold of the disclosed embodiment comprises a square or rectangular cross-section; however, the tubing of the outlet manifold can comprise a cross-section of virtually any shape. Pump motor 156 protrudes axially from the pump housing in a direction generally parallel to right side wall 112.

(14) Fluid is drawn into pump inlet 152 in a first inlet direction that is generally orthogonal to side wall 112. The fluid is then discharged from pump outlet 154 in a second direction that is generally parallel to the inlet direction. The fluid is discharged directly into outlet manifold 160 which extends in the direction of the fluid path. Because the fluid is not diverted by the outlet manifold, the efficiency of the pump is greatly increased.

(15) FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of pump 150 assembly of the instant invention. Rotatable shaft 158 extends axially from the inner end of pump motor 156. Generally annular seal plate 180 fits over shaft 158 for engagement with the inner end of pump motor 156. The seal plate is bolted or otherwise fastened to the inner end of pump motor 156. After seal plate 180 is associated with the pump motor, annular shaft seal 184 is positioned along shaft 158 in close engagement with seal plate 180. Impeller 186 is positioned on the end of shaft 158 in contact with seal 184, and bolt 188 is inserted through the center of impeller 186 and into threaded engagement with interior threads of shaft 158. The bolt is torqued to provides tight engagement of the impeller with the shaft and seal 184 resulting in a water-tight enclosure surrounding shaft 158.

(16) Once the impeller, seal and seal plate are properly connected to motor 156, the entire assembly (motor, seal plate, seal and impeller) can be connected to the pump housing. Pump housing 155 is a generally helical housing including intake chamber 192 and raised volute 194. A cylindrical passage extends axially through both chamber 192 and volute 194 of housing 155. Volute 194 is in an axially raised position relative to chamber 192. The motor assembly is inserted, impeller first, into cylindrical passage 190 of housing 155. Impeller 186 will extend into volute 194. Anti-rotational cross-member 182 extends from seal plate 180 into chamber 192 in a direction generally perpendicular to the seal plate. Seal plate 180 is bolted or otherwise attached to housing 155 to provide a water tight seal between the housing and motor 156.

(17) As is shown in FIG. 6, drainage passage 196 extends from the lower most portion of volute 194 into chamber 192. The lower most wall of the chamber angles downward toward inlet 152. As is shown in FIG. 4, the pump is mounted to the wash tank such that the bottom portion of intake port 152 is the lower most position of pump housing 155. Therefore, when the pump motor is not operating, gravitational forces will drive all water within volute 194 through drainage passage 196, into chamber 192, down the lower wall of chamber 192 and out pump inlet 152 into the wash tank. Thus the pump of the preferred embodiment is self-draining when not in use. This provides for improved sanitary conditions and increased pump life.

(18) In operation, A/C motor 156 is energized to rotate shaft 158. Shaft 158 rotates impeller 186. The impeller has an enclosed face which results in shaft-side suction for the impeller. Water is drawn into chamber 192 from the shaft side of impeller 186. The impeller creates a rotational movement of fluid within chamber 192. Anti-rotation member 182 directs the rotating fluid from the chamber into volute 194. The fluid is thrust into volute 194 through the vanes of the rotating impeller. Volute 194 directs the fluid outward where it is discharged into outlet manifold 160.

(19) The motor, seal plate, shaft seal and impeller can be removed as a single unit for easy servicing. Because the pump motor extends axially from the housing, and parallel to the side of the wash tank, the motor assembly can be easily removed and replaced regardless of space limitations to the side of the wash tank.

Intake Manifold and Flush Mounted Jet Nozzles

(20) Intake manifold 130 is shown installed within wash tank 110 in FIG. 2. Intake manifold 130 includes an upper portion 132 extending outwardly from rear wall 116 toward front wall 118, and lower portion 134 extending from the front end of upper portion 132. In the preferred embodiment, the upper portion of intake manifold 130 is angled downward from rear wall 116. The downward angle of the upper portion of intake manifold 130 corresponds to the downward angle of jet nozzle 120 which directs a fluid path toward the front portion of bottom wall 119 as described above with respect to the prior art washing machine.

(21) Portions of the intake manifold are perforated to allow fluid to be drawn into manifold 130 by the pump. The amount of perforations can vary depending upon the amount of vacuum desired and the flow rate of the pump. Increasing the number and size of the perforations will result in a decreased vacuum and increased efficiency. Perforations can be located only on upper portion 132, only on lower portion 134, or on both upper portion 132 and lower portion 134.

(22) The jet nozzles of the preferred embodiment are flush mounted to rear wall 116 of the wash tank. An annular outer ring 122 is mounted to rear wall 116 on the inner side of the wash tank. Directing tube 126 extends from an inner circumference of outer ring 122, through a hole in rear wall 116 and into outlet manifold 160. The directing tube diverts the fluid path moving through the outlet manifold into a jet stream. The directing tube has a predetermined angle to direct the jet stream toward the front portion of bottom wall 119. Semi-circular splash shield 124 extends in a generally orthogonal direction from outer ring 122. The outer ring can be mounted to rear wall 116 with any suitable means, including bolts or screws. In the preferred embodiment, threaded shafts 128 extend from outer ring 122 in a generally perpendicular direction through rear wall 116. Bolts can be threaded onto threaded shafts 128 from the outer side of rear wall 116, leaving jet nozzle 120 with a clean, unobstructed surface inside the wash tank. In an alternate embodiment, directing tube 126 can be mounted directly to the rear wall of the wash tank by welding or any other suitable means of connection.

(23) In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, upper portion 132 of the intake manifold is positioned within the fluid path of nozzle 120. The jet stream from flush mounted nozzle 120 impacts the intake manifold at a position generally near rear wall 116 and skims across the surface of the upper portion of intake manifold 130. Intake manifold 130 is thereby self-cleaning in that jet nozzle 120 blows any debris away from the perforations of the intake manifold. The preferred embodiment of the intake manifold includes the upper and lower portions that are connected to rear wall 116 and bottom wall 119, respectively to form an inclosure within the intake manifold. Additional walls can be utilized if it is not desired to have the intake manifold connected to both the rear and bottom walls. The intake manifold can be made removable in a manner similar to that of the prior art; however, since the preferred embodiment is self-cleaning (described above), the inventive intake manifold can be permanently connect within the wash tank using any means known in the art. A heater can be positioned within the intake inclosure for safety and protection.

(24) In operation, wash tank 110 is filled full of water, soap and pots and pans to a level above jet nozzles 120. The soapy water, or fluid is drawn through the perforations in intake manifold 130 by pump 150. The fluid enters pump 150 through inlet 152 in a first direction that is generally parallel to rear wall 116. The fluid is discharged from the pump through outlet 154 into outlet manifold 160. Jet nozzle 120 diverts the fluid from the outlet manifold into a jet stream directed toward the front portion of bottom wall 119. The jet stream skims across the upper portion of intake manifold 130 as it travels from the jet nozzle to the bottom wall of the wash tank. The jet stream is deflected from bottom wall into a wash action in a manner substantially similar to that of the prior art.

(25) The pot and pan washing machine of the instant invention and its components are all preferably constructed of stainless steel to increase the life of the machine; however, any other suitable material known in the art may also be utilized.

Non-Welded Field Joint

(26) FIG. 8 shows the non-welded field joint of the instant invention. Field joint 200 is utilized to connect two separate sink portions of a pot and pan washing machine system together as a single unit. The sink portions that can be connected by the inventive field joint include but are not limited to sink basin to sink basin, sink basin to counter top, and counter top to counter top.

(27) In FIG. 8, field joint 200 is used to provide a sink basin to sink basin connection. Hemmed edge 214 is formed along an edge of a generally flat side, 212, of first sink basin 210. Lip 224 is formed along an edge of a generally flat side, 222, of second sink basin 220. Jog 230 is located generally near the edge of side 222 and extends inwardly, towards the inside of sink basin 220 and positions lip 224 generally inward of side 222. (alternatively, the inwardly extending jog could be located near the edge of side 212 to position hemmed edge 214 generally inward of side 212).

(28) During an installation, the two sink basins are brought together into close engagement with one another. Lip 224 is positioned over hemmed edge 214 such that lip 224 surrounds hemmed edge 214. The displacement caused by inwardly extending jog 230 will result in forcing side 212 and side 222 into tight engagement with one another.

(29) No gaps will be present where the generally flat portions of sides 212 and 222 are brought into engagement. Nevertheless, gap 240 will be present between the inwardly extended portion of jog 230 and the generally flat portion of side 212. This gap can be filled with silicon or some other suitable sealant during installation. Other gaps may exist where surfaces that are not flat coincide with the flat portions of sides 212 and 222. For example, gap 250 is formed where the bottom side of sink basing 220 coincides with sides 212 and 222. This gap can also be filled with silicon. Additionally, trim piece 260 can be attached to sink basin 220 using 3M VHB tape, or any other suitable adhesive that is known in the art. Additional trim pieces may be utilized to conceal the field joint and thus increase the aesthetic appearance of the assembly.

(30) In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

(31) Certain changes may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not meant in a limiting sense.

(32) Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the inventive pot and pan washing machine is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.

(33) It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.