June 22, 1954 D. A.

MEEKER ET AL 2,681,658
DISHWASHER
Filed Oct. ll, 949 3. Sheets-Sheet l

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 Patented June 22, 1954 2,681,658

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,681,658
OSHWASHER
David A. Meeker and Russeli C. Geiger, Troy,
Ohio, assignors to The Hobart Manufacturing
Company, Troy, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio
Application October 11, 1949, Serial No. 120,655
5 Cairns. (C. 134-1)
g
a.
This invention relates to dish Washers and nore production of the dishes in a clean condition, as
particularly to such machines which are adapted Well as greatly facilitating the maintenance of
for household use and for use in Smaller coil the dishwasher itself in a clean and sanitary con
mercial installations. dition.
innachines of this character, the Soiled dishes 5 Maintenance of Sanitary conditions is further
or other articles are placed in a Washing chan facilitated by reason of the fact that the strainar
ber and subjected to the action of Washing SprayS. aSSembly and the drain valve structure are
The Wash Water is recirculated for a period of readily renovable from the sump and may be
time Sufficient to loosen and remove the food lifted directly out of the Sump through the door
particles on the articles, such food particles being O Opening. The Wash arrin lifts off of its support
carried along with the Wash fluid. While it is On the pump housing, and following removal of
inportant to provide for Such fluid recirculation, these partS the pump housing itself may be di
it is undesirable to allow the food particles then rectly removed exposing the pump innipeller. In
Selves to be recirculated, particularly the larger this way full and complete cleaning of all of the
sized particles thereof. the partS is greatly facilitated, those which are
In accordance with the present invention, removed being readily cleaned outside the chain
therefore, a simple and effective Strainer Con ber and the pump impeller which remains being
struction is provided which is arranged to Overlie directly and readily accessible through the large
a Sump in the lower part of the chaniber into door Opening So that it may likewise he readily
which the liquid drains, the strainer being such and easily kept in a thoroughly clean and sani
as to collect the food particles. On its Surface tary condition.
While allowing the fluid. With at most Only the It is accordingly the principal object of the
Smaller particles entrained thereWith to pass invention to provide a dishwasher of this char'-
freely therethrough. The strainer is formed with acter which is simple to operate, easy to main
a recessed annular portion which extends down tain in a clean and Sanitary condition, and which
Wardly forming an enclosing screen entirely Sur is highly advantageous and satisfactory, in use.
rounding and enclosing the drain outlet so that Other objects and advantages of the invention
the food particles which collect upon the Screen Will be apparent from the following description,
surface are retained within the screen and the accompanying drawings and the appended
are forced to collect at the bottom of this 30 claims.
recessed area, immediately adjacent the drain In the drawingS
outlet. The Wash liquid meanwhile has been Fig. 1 is a Side elevation of a dishwasher in
allowed to flow freely into the remainder of the accordance with the invention for domestic use,
,
Sump, lying OutWardly of this screen chamber, With portions of the cabinet and other parts
and the pump which recirculates the wash fluid 35 broken away to illustrate details of internal con
has its inlet in this outer area, so that it picks struction;
up the fluid itself with only the Smaller entrained Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dishwasher
materials, but with the larger sized particles be With the door opened and the racks fled with
ing effectively removed therefrom. The central dishes;
recessed area of the strainer may have a coarse 40 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view look
screen mounted above it to collect still larger ing at the bottom of the washing chamber
food particles and prevent the flushing of such through the opened door;
materials down the drain, but these perforations Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale
are preferably of such size as to allow the pas taken in vertical central section through the
Sage of practically all particles of normal size. strainer and pump assembly and the drain outlet
In the course of the washing operation, there and Showing the drain outlet closed;
fore, the food particles are continuously with Fig. 5 is a fragmentary exploded view of the
drawn from the circulating fluid and collected parts shown in Fig. 4;
in this inner Screen chanber, innediately above
the drain opening. Thereafter, at the end of Fig.6 is a fragmentary view taken as indicated
the Washing cycle, the operation of the pump is by the line 6-6 in Fig. 1 and showing the front
stopped and the drain outlet is opened, providing Of the pump housing with a portion thereof
for immediate flushing of the collected food par broken away to expose the impeller;
ticles down the drain. This provides a self-clean Fig. 7 is a fragmentary Sectional view show
ing strainer assembly. Which contributes to the 55 ing the drain outlet opened;
 2,681,658
3. 4.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary Section. On extending forwardly from the bracket, 5 and
the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and provided With wing nuts , , a suitable gasket
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 9-9 72 being positioned between the rear edge of the
of Fig. 8. housing and the front face of bracket, 5.
Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a The drain outlet unit 25 is shown in detail
preferred embodiment of the invention, the dish in FigS. 4 and 7 to 9. It includes a generally bowl
Washer includes an outer cabinet shell 5 pro shaped valve body is which is clamped to the
vided with a supporting base 6 and a top botton of shell 23 by means of a fanged collar
having a splasher back 8 preferably formed A and gasket 8, locating pins 9 being provided
integral therewith. An inner shell or casing 2 () to a SSure that the body Will remain in proper
encloses the washing chamber 22 for receiving angular position, and the lower end of the body
the dishes to be washed, and a lower shell or is tapped for connection to a drain tube 30. The
casing 23 forms a sump portion 24 of the chann drain valve 85 is a collar force fitted on the
ber 22 which is provided with a drain outlet as lower end of the overfiow tube 86 and provided
Sealy indicated generally at 25. Access to the With a rubber O-ring 82 adapted to seat on the
dish chamber 22 for loading and unloading dishes tapered inner surface 38 of collar to close
is provided through a door 28 at the front of the drain.
the cabinet hinged on a horizontal axis as shown The valve 85 is mounted for vertical move
in Fig. 2 and provided with a handle 2 and ment to open and close the drain. Referring to
Spring counterbalance 28, and it will be noted : Figs. 7 to 9, the valve 85 includes a pair of op
that shell 23 extends upwardly above and out positely disposed arms 90 extending inwardly and
Wardly of the lower end of the inner liner 29 downwardly to an integral sleeve 9 slidably
of door 26. The starting Switch handle and an nouinted on a vertical pin 92 set in an internal
indicator light are shown at 30 and 32, respec bOSS portion 93 of the body S, leaving open.
tively, at the front of the cabinet, and a se passages 94 on either side of arras 30 for free
quence tinner control has a knob shown at 33. drainage from the overflow tube 86 to drain tube
in Fig. 2, cross reference being made in this con 88. When valve 85 is in closed position. The sleeve
nection to our co-pending application, Serial 9 is provided on opposite sides with fiats 95 hav
No. 120,656, filed of even date herewith. ing Shoulders $6 at their lower endis and a cir
WO Separate and independent racks are shown : cumferential shoulder 92 above then, and the
for suppoiting the dishes and other articles to lower end of sleeve Si is tapered at 39 on its other
be Washed in chamber 22. The lower rack 35 pair of opposite sides.
is inoLited just above the level of the door hinge A lever rod () is mounted for pivotal move
line by means of rollers 36 carried by brackets ment in a flexible mounting comprising a ring
3 on the sides of the rack and riding on tracks iG: Set in a peripheral groove on the rod and
38 at the sides of inner shell 28. The upper . held between a pair of rubber Washers 482 in an
rack is is mounted independently of rack 35 by open-ended cap 3 threaded on an extension
lineans of inverted channel-shaped tracks se portion 4 of body 5, these Washers thus seal
cured on either side thereof and riding on rollers ing this part of the body against escape of lig
A carried by the sides of the shell 29. As shown 40 luid. Two resilient yoke arms 5 are riveted to
in Fig. 2, the lower rack 35 is adapted to carry the inner end of lever 22 and are adapted to
plates and Cooking utensils, and it is also pro be received in the flats 35 between the shoulders
vided With a basket portion 4 at the front for 96 and 9 as shown in Fig. 8. Thus when the
silverWare. The upper rack C is intended to lever 38 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the
receive glasses, cups and the like. 45 yoke arms bear against the shoulders 96 and
ihe Washing aindrinsing fluid enters the wash draw the sleeve 9; and valve 85 downwardly into
ing Chaimber 22 at 45 (Fig. 1) by way of a suit drain closing position, and when the lever arm
able Vaive controlled conduit (not shown) oper tilts to the position shown in Fig. 7, the yoke arms
ated by the tinner to admit the desired amount bear against the shoulder $7 and lift the sleeve
of fluid. This fitid is then recirculated over 50 3; and valve 85 to open the drain, the overfiow
the articles by means of a pump assembly in tube 85 being raised and lowered with valve 35.
the Sunap as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The pump. It will also be noted that the shoulders 36 and
notor 53 is provided with a front bracket, 5 S are rounded to permit yoke arms G5 to rock
which extends into the Sump from the rear Snoothly over then during movement of the
through a suitable opening in the lower shell 23 ES valve 35.
and is clamped in position by means of a ring A Spring 6 inorinally biases the ever go to
32, gaskets 83 and bolts 54. An impeller 55, hay valve opening position. As shown in Figs. 4, and
ing multiple curved blades 58 is secured to the 5, this Spring is generally U-shaped as viewed
end of the notor shaft 57, and a packing 58 froin above, and it includes coiled portions
is girovided along the motor shaft to prevent 60 I: Clinted on cylindrical bosses 2 and With their
leakage. ends received in apertured lugs 3 at either side
A single casting 6 forms the housing for in of valve body 75. This arrangement, thus pro
peller 65 and includes a funnel-shaped lower por vides a downward pull on the middle part of the
tion providing an intake Sf from the sump to Spring Which seats on the lever (eg near its
the impeller. The upper end of the pump hous 85 outer end. The lever 60 is moved in the oppo
ing 88 forms a discharge outlet, 62 to a wash site direction to valve closing position by means
airin 64 of the reaction type having multiple dis cf a Solenoid 5 mounted in the front portion
charge slots 65. The wash arm is rotatably Of the cabinet and having its plunger yieldably
mounted by means of a bushing 66 on a studs - connected with the outer end of lever
Set in an internal boss portion 68 of housing through a spring 6. The solenoid is energized
6, and the lower end of the wash arm is flared and deemergized through the timer, in proper
at 69 to ride on the tapered upper end portion relation with the washing and rinsing cycles to
of housing 68 and provide a liguid tight seal. permit spring 8 to open the drain valve for
The housing 60 is removably secured in position discinarge of the washing and rinsing liquids
over the impeller by means of a pair. of bolts as desired. -
 2,681,658
5 6
The strainer assembly is arranged to trap food
particles from the dishes and prevent such
particles from reaching the pump assembly. The
main or upper unit of the strainer assembly com
prises a centrally dished and generally Square
perforate upper section 20 having rounded
corners and adapted to seat in the complemen
tary recessed portion 2 of the inner shell 23 to
Separate the dish chamber 22 from the Sump
24. This upper strainer section 20 is so formed
as to slope toward an opening 22 so located
as to be approximately concentric with the drain
outlet of the Sump. It is also formed adjacent
one side with an opening 23 to receive the up
ward portion 62 of the pump housing 60. A
middle perforate strainer section 24 is welded at
its upper end in the opening 23 and is in turn
Welded in its lower end to a lower frusto-conical
perforate section 25 which forms a funnel ex
tending at its lower end into the valve collar
T. All of these strainer sections have relatively
fine perforations for preventing the passage of
food particles of such size as to be capable of
clogging or otherwise interfering with the action
of the impeller or the proper washing and rins
ing operations, perforations of the order of is
inch in diameter having been found satisfactory.
A separate inner strainer 30 includes an up
wardly extending central portion 3 which
forms a handle adapted to telescope over the
upper end of overflow tube 86, and the lower
portion of this which is provided with a curved
outer rim 32 adapted to seat removably on
the complementary curved portion of the inter
mediate strainer section 24 and to form an an
nular trough. The strainer 30 is provided With
a series of relatively large holes 33 in its lower
portion and a similar ring of holes 34 in its
handleportion 3 at approximately the level of
the upper end of the overflow tube 86 when valve
85 is in closed position, Satisfactory results hav
ing been obtained with the holes 33 and 34
approximately is inch in diameter.
In operation, after the racks have been loaded
with dishes in the desired quantity and a suit
able detergent placed in the Washing compart
ment, the machine is started by means of Switch
30 to actuate the timer, which first effects closing
of the drain valve and opening of the fill valve
to supply wash liquid through the inlet 45 to
the level in Sump. 24 of the top of the overflow
tube 86. The timer then starts the pump motor
50 to drive the pump, and the liquid is drawn
up into the intake passage 6 by impeller 55
and forced upwardly through outlet passage 62
and wash arm 64 for discharge through the slots
65. As this action continues, the liquid flows
down into the Sump through the strainer unit
for recirculation, carrying with it - the food
particles removed from the dishes, and with
the upper strainer portion f20 concave as shown,
food particles washed from the dishes are carried
down toward the strainer funnel portion. 25.
The food particles which are too large to pass
through the perforations of the strainer assem
bly are retained upon the upper surface of
strainer section 20 and follow the path of the
fluid in moving downwardly, passing through
the larger perforations 33 of the strainer 30
and into the lower section 25, where they col
lect immediately above the drain outlet. Mean
while the washing fluid with only the finely en
trained food particles is allowed to flow into the
sumpportion outwardly of the strainer, and
it is in this area that the pump inlet 60 is located,
thus effectively segregating the food particles
from the recirculating fluid. The strainer itself
thus tends to be Self-cleaning with the collected
material being located immediately adjacent
the drain outlet and in position where it will be
flushed out upon the opening thereof. If there
are any unusually large sized particles which
should not be allowed to flush out through the
drain, or if an article of silverware should fall
into the Sump, it will be caught upon the strainer
t30 and can be removed by the operator at the
end of the cycle, this being accomplished simply
by the lifting out of the strainer portion 3).
It Will thus be Seen that during the washing
Operation, any food particles present on the
dishes are effectively removed and trapped for
ready disposal without being recirculated, the
Wash liquid being strained each time before it
again reaches the intake 6 of the pump. Then
20 after the Washing cycle is completed and the
Wash liquid discharged, similar rinsing opera
tions follow as controlled by the timer, the rinse
Water being repeatedly sprayed over the dishes
and then strained before further recirculation.
25 Thus not only is proper cleansing of the dishes
assured, but also with solid particles disposed of
as described, the interior of the cabinet is main
tained clean and Sanitary.
The construction and arrangement of the
30 strainer and pump units greatly facilitates main
tenance of the dishwasher by making possible
quick and easy disassembly of these parts. Re
ferring particularly to Fig. 5, the wash arm can
be removed by simply lifting it off stud 67, and
3.5 the strainers 30 and 29 can be similarly lifted
out. Next, the overflow tube and drain valve
can be removed by first twisting them through
90 to release the yoke arms 05 from between
shoulders 96 and 97, after which this unit can
be lifted out as indicated in Fig. 5. The pump
housing 60 will then be fully accessible as shown
in Fig. 6, and it can be quickly removed by re
leasing Wing nuts if to expose the impeller 55.
Direct and easy access is thus provided through
the large door opening so that the cleaning and
repair of the pump impeller are greatly facili
tated while the other parts of the pump and the
entire strainer assembly are directly removable.
Reassembly of these parts is equally simple
by following the reverse sequence of steps, and
it will be noted that the tapered sides 99 on the
drain valve sleeve 9 guide the lower end of this
sleeve between yoke arms 05 until the shoulder
97 engages the upper edges of the yoke arms, after
which the overflow tube 86 may again be twisted
through 90° to lock flats 95 between the yoke
arms. It Will thus be seen that if any of these
parts require inspection, cleaning or replace
ment, they can be quickly and easily removed
(50 from the interior of the cabinet through the
opened door 26, without disconnecting any part
of the mechanism or otherwise dismantling the
dishwasher, thus assuring desired ease of main
tenance.
While the form of apparatus herein described
constitutes a preferred embodiment of the in
vention, it is to be understood that the inven
tion is not limited to this precise form of ap
paratus, and that changes may be made therein
without departing from the scope of the inven
tion which is defined in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A dish washer having a washing chamber
adapted to receive articles to be washed, a sump
75 at the lower part of said chamber provided with
 2,681,658
7 8
a drain outlet in the lower portion, thereof, a
drain valve located at the bottom of Said Sump.
for controlling said outlet, operating means for
raising and lowering said valve to open and close.
said outlet, means in said outlet below said valve.
for Connecting Said valve to Said operating
means, said connecting means. being releasable
upon rotational movement of Said valve, a
straine' including a portion extending down
Wardly within said sump and completely enclos
ing said drain outlet to effect collection of food
particles immediately adjacent said outlet for
discharge therethrough upon the opening of Said
valve, means in said sump for recirculating wash
fiuid through said chamber, a housing for Said
recirculating means located in Said Sump, means
accessible in Said Sump for renovably Securing
Said housing in position to facilitate ready re
moval thereof through said chamber to expose
said recirculating means, an overflow tube lo
cated in said Sump and extending downwardly
through said drain valve to provide an open con
nection to Said outlet, means Supporting Said
Strainer for ready removal to expose. Said hous
ing and said housing Securing means, and means
Securing said overflow tube to Said drain valve
to form a handle for rotating Said drain valve
to release said connecting, means for removal of
said tube, and drain valve as...a.. unit.
2. A dish washer having a washing chamber
adapted to receive articles to be washed, a
Sump at the lower part of Said chamber pro
vided with a drain outlet in the lower portion
thereof, a drain valve located at the bottom of
said Sump for controlling Said outlet, operating
means for raising and lowering said valve to open
and close said outlet, means in said outlet below
Said valve for connecting Said valve to Said Op
erating means, said connecting means being re
leasable upon rotational movement of said valve,
means in Said Sump for recirculating wash fluid
through said chamber, a... housing for said re
circulating lineans located in Said Sump, means
accessible in said sump for removably securing
Said housing in position to facilitate ready re
Inova, thereof through said chamber to expose
Said recirculating means, an overflow tube lo
cated in Said Sump and extending downwardly
through said drain valve to provide an open
connection to said outlet, and means securing.
Said overflow tube to said drain valve to form a
handle for rotating said drain valve to release
Said connecting means for removal of said tube.
and drain valve as a unit. 5 charge through Said outlet.
3. A dishwasher of the character described 5
comprising a cabinet, a casing mounted in said
cabinet and forming a washing chamber having
an opening in the front, thereof and adapted to.
receive articles to be washed, a door for said 80
opening, Said casing including a portion defining.
a Sump extending... below said chamber bottom
and located forwardly of the center of said
chamber to form a space in said cabinet below.
said chamber and rearwardly of said sump, an
impeller in Said Sump for recirculating Wash
fluid through Said chamber, drive means for
Said irripelier located in said space and including
a portion extending through said casing to form
a driving Support for said impeller adjacent the
back of Said Sump, a housing for, said impeller
including a portion forming an intake: passage
thereto, means - accessible in said Sump through
said opening for removably securing, said housing
to said casing, said housing including an up
wardly extending portion forming a discharge
passage from said impeller; and located Substan
tially centrally of Said chamber, means in the
bottom of Said Sump forming a drain outlet
5 from said chamber spaced forwardly from said
impeller, a strainer adapted to be positioned be
tween said. Sump and said chamber and includ
ing a depending perforate portion adapted to
extend into Said drain outlet to retain food par
1) ticles for discharge through said outlet and to
Screen Said particles from Said housing intake
paSSage, Said strainer having an opening therein
for receiving said upwardly extending housing
portion, and means on Said casing Supporting.
said strainer for ready removal through said
opening to provide access to said Sump and Said
impeller.
4. A dishwasher of the character described
comprising a cabinet, a casing mounted in said
20 cabinet and forming a washing chamber having
an opening in the front thereof aid adapted to
receive articles to be washed, a door for said
opening, said casing including a portior defining
a sump extending below said chamber bottom
and located forwardly of the center of said cham
ber to form a space in said cabine below said
chamber and rearwardly of Said sump, an in
peller in said surnp for recirculating wash fluid
through said chamber, drive means for said in
30 peller located in Said, Space and including a por
tion extending through said Casing to form a
driving support for said impeller adjacent the
back of said Sump, a housing for Said impeller
including a portion forning an intake passage
thereto, means accessible in said sunpthrough
said opening for renovably Securing said housing:
to Said casing, Said housing including an upward
ly extending portion forming 2 discharge pas
sage from said impeller and located substantially
40 centrally of said chamber, means in the bottom
of said sump forming a drain outlet from said
chainber spaced forwardly from said impeller,
a strainer including an upper portion adapted to
be seated on said casing adjace;at the top of said
sunap and including also a depending perforate
portion adapted to extend into said drain outlet
to retain food particles for discharge through
said outlet, said strainer having relatively small
perforations to strain said particles from said
housing intake passage, and a Screen adapted to
be removably seated in said strainer adjacent the
top of said depending portion thereof and having
relatively, large sized openings therethrough pro
portioned to retain material too large for dis
5. A disliwasher coin prising a cabinet, a casing
mounted in said cabinet and forming a washing
chamber having an opening in the front thereof,
said casing including a portion defining a sump.
located below and forwardly of the center of said.
chamber to form a space in said cabinet below
said chamber and rearwardly of Said suinp, an
impeller in said stamp for recirculating wash
fiuid through Said chainber, drive means for said
65 impeller located in said space and including a
portion extending through said casing to form
a driving support for said impeller adjacent the
back of said sump, a housing for said impeller
mounted in said sump and having an intake pas
sage thereto, means in the bottom of said sump.
forming a drain outlet from said chamber spaced
forwardly from said.iimpeller, a strainer includ
ing an upper portion adapted to be seated on
said casing adjacent, the top of said sump and
S, including also a depending: perforate portion:
 2,681,658
9 10
adapted to extend into said drain outlet and hav References Cited in the file of this patent
ing relatively small perforations to strain food
particles from said impeller and retain said par UNITED STATES PATENTS
ticles for discharge through said outlet, Said Number Name Date
housing including an upward extension forming 1,123,260 Dusseau ------------ Jan. 5, 1915
a discharge passage from said impeller and lo 1,382,117 Opocensky -------- June 21, 1921
cated substantially centrally of said chamber, 1,485,796 Merseles et al. ------- Mar. 4, 1924
said strainer having an opening for receiving said 1,528,069 Merseles ----------- Mar. 3, 1925
housing extension, a wash arm, means forming 1,597,361 Hazard et al. ------ Aug. 24, 1926
a removable support for said wash arm on Said 0. 1,620,671 Merseles ---------- Mar. 15, 1927
housing extension providing for rotation thereof 1,637,376 Gibney ------------ Aug. 2, 1927
in said chamber and for removal from Said cham 1,690,974 Hazard et al. -------- Nov. 6, 1928
ber to permit removal of said strainer, and a 1,711,221 Blakeslee ---------- Apr. 30, 1929
Screen adapted to be removably seated in Said 2,044,132 Stoddard ---------- June 16, 1936
strainer adjacent the top of said depending por 2,075,034 Grace et al. ------- Mar. 30, 1937
tion thereof and having large openings there 2,276,670 Reifenberg et al. - Mar. 17, 1942
through proportioned to retain material too large 2,287,628 McMahan -------- June 23, 1942
for discharge through said outlet, said Screen 2,492,288 Hollerith ---------- Dec. 27, 1949
being located forwardly of said housing exten FOREIGN PATENTS
sion to provide for removal thereof through Said 20
Number Country Date
opening without removal of said Wash arm. 234,471 Germany ---------- May 13, 1911