Abstract: A shopping cart sanitization device, including a main body to receive at a first end at least one shopping cart therein, and a primary sanitization unit disposed within at least at least one portion of an interior of the main body, the primary sanitization unit including a sanitization body to automatically move from a second end of the main body to the first end of the main body in response to the main body receiving the at least one shopping cart, and at least one illumination unit disposed on at least at least one portion of the sanitization body to automatically illuminate UV light on the at least one shopping cart in response to the main body receiving the at least one shopping cart, such that the at least one illumination unit eliminates a pathogen.

Abstract: A shopping cart sanitization device, including a main body to receive at least one shopping cart therein, and a plurality of sanitization units, each of the plurality of sanitization units including a top illumination unit disposed on at least a portion of a top of the main body to illuminate a first UV light on the at least one shopping cart from above, such that the top illumination unit is oriented toward a ground surface, a first side illumination unit disposed on at least a portion of a first side of the main body to illuminate a second UV light on a first side of the at least one shopping cart, and a second side illumination unit disposed on at least a portion of a second side of the main body opposite with respect to the first side to illuminate a third UV light on a second side of the at least one shopping cart.

Abstract: A shopping cart sanitization device, including a main body to receive at a first end at least one shopping cart therein, and a primary sanitization unit disposed within at least at least one portion of an interior of the main body, the primary sanitization unit including a sanitization body to automatically move from a second end of the main body to the first end of the main body in response to the main body receiving the at least one shopping cart, and at least one illumination unit disposed on at least at least one portion of the sanitization body to automatically illuminate UV light on the at least one shopping cart in response to the main body receiving the at least one shopping cart, such that the at least one illumination unit eliminates a pathogen.

Abstract: A conduit for a dishwashing appliance that is height adjustable and can accommodate different vertical positions of a rack assembly. One end of the conduit moves up and down with the rack assembly while maintaining a connection with e.g., a spray arm assembly suspended from the bottom of the rack assembly. The other end of the conduit remains in a relatively fixed vertical position during height adjustments so as to enable connection and reconnection at the fixed position of a main fluid supply conduit.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor for a dishwasher includes a container configured for holding an amount of liquid. The container has a known volume corresponding to a vertical activation length, and inlet and a selectively closeable liquid outlet. An upright hollow tube is mounted in the container and has at least one magnetically activated sensor device activatable within the vertical activation length. At least one float is movably mounted to the tube for floating on the liquid. The float includes a magnet therein for activating the sensor device when the float moves the magnet through the vertical activation length. A controller is in electrical communication with the sensor device and includes a timer function. The controller calculates the rate of flow into or out of the container based on the time taken by the float to move through the vertical activation length. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dishwasher has a wash chamber and sump disposed below the wash chamber, wherein wash fluid supplied to the wash chamber collects in the sump. A main pump is configured to drawn wash fluid from the sump and supply the wash fluid to the wash chamber, for example via spray arm assemblies. A filter is operably disposed to filter the wash fluid recirculated by the main pump. A backflush line has an outlet disposed downstream of the filter, and a backflush pump is configured to supply backflush fluid through the backflush line against the filter. A reservoir separate from the sump is provided and sized to hold a measured amount of fluid. The backflush pump draws the backflush fluid from the reservoir at a defined time.

Abstract: A fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system is described. The dishwasher system includes a tub defining a wash chamber configured to receive dishwasher contents. The fluid filtration assembly includes a filter assembly having a filter material, a filter fluid inlet, and a filter fluid outlet. The filter fluid inlet is in flow communication with the wash chamber and the filter material. The filter assembly further includes a cleaning fluid inlet that is configured to backflush the filter material. The filter fluid outlet is in flow communication with both the cleaning fluid inlet and the filter fluid inlet. The fluid filtration assembly further includes a valve assembly in flow communication with the cleaning fluid inlet through a first flow path.

Abstract: A two level conduit docking port for a dishwashing appliance is described. The docking port is provided having an upper port and a lower port, either of which is opened depending upon the position of a sliding valve that moves along the vertical direction. Movement of the valve to open either the upper port or the lower port is caused by contact between a protrusion on the sliding valve and a conduit attached to a height-adjustable rack. As such rack is pushed into the wash chamber of the dishwasher, the valve is moved vertically depending upon the vertical level of the rack.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided having a wash chamber that is supplied with wash water by a water circulation pump assembly. The pump assembly has a motor, an inlet in fluid communication with a sump, and an outlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber. A macerator system is configured with the pump assembly and includes a filter screen disposed across the inlet and a chopper blade rotationally driven by the pump assembly at a defined axial distance upstream from the filter screen. The chopper blade is biased by materials in magnetic flux communication to the defined axial distance so as to maintain the defined distance in a running and stopped states of the pump assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diverter that may be used to control the flow of fluid to different locations or components within a dishwashing appliance. One or more dual outlets, each having an outer port that surrounds an inner port, can be used with rotating disk (or rotating valve) to selectively control the flow of fluid to various locations within the appliance. One or more single outlets may also be added to the diverter as desired depending upon the number of locations in the dishwasher to which the delivery of the fluid is desirable.

Abstract: A dishwasher spray arm assembly has a spray arm rotationally configured on a conduit. The spray arm includes a lower spray arm component mated with an upper spray arm component with an internal space defined between the upper and lower spray arm components. A bearing is interposed between the spray arm and conduit to conduct water from said conduit into the internal space, with the spray arm rotatably configured on the bearing. The bearing further includes a lower shaft section that mates with the conduit and an upper disc section sandwiched between the upper and lower spray arm components. A low-friction washer is disposed between the upper disc section and the lower spray arm component. The lower spray arm component and the disc section define a tortuous interference path for water to leak out from the internal space around the bearing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the amount of ice that may be delivered from an ice storage reservoir to a point of use, such as from an ice reservoir of a combination beverage dispenser and ice reservoir to a container, with a high degree of accuracy, consistency and repeatability. The method and apparatus may be controlled by means of a program and/or logic sequence stored in a memory to allow a wide range of ice volumes to be measured, metered and dispensed. The apparatus may include an ice reservoir, a mechanism for dispensing ice to a point of use disposed in communication with the ice reservoir, and an ice metering device disposed in communication with both the ice reservoir and the mechanism for dispensing ice.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides an appliance with features for determining a time interval for liquid flowing into and/or out of the appliance. For example, a flow of liquid into and/or out of a wash chamber of the appliance is initiated, and a first time is noted. A turbidity sensor is monitored until the sensor detects liquid or air respectively, and a second time is logged. A time interval is calculated based at least in part on the first time and the second time.

Abstract: A conduit for a dishwashing appliance that is height adjustable to is provided that can accommodate different vertical positions of a rack assembly. One end of the conduit moves up and down with the rack assembly while maintaining a connection with e.g., a spray arm assembly suspended from the bottom of the rack assembly. The other end of the conduit remains in a relatively fixed vertical position during height adjustments so as to enable connection and reconnection at the fixed position of a main fluid supply conduit.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting whether a filter is properly installed in a dishwashing appliance and for using such detection in the operation of the appliance. For example, the present invention provides for determining whether a filter is present or properly seated and, if not, provides for a notification to the user of the appliance. The present invention can also provide for modifying the operation of the dishwashing appliance if a filter is not properly detected. Additionally, the present invention can provide notification to the user of the appliance that a filter needs replacement after a predetermined period of use.

Abstract: A two level conduit docking port for a dishwashing appliance is described. The docking port is provided having an upper port and a lower port, either of which is opened depending upon the position of a sliding valve that moves along the vertical direction. Movement of the valve to open either the upper port or the lower port is caused by contact between a protrusion on the sliding valve and a conduit attached to a height-adjustable rack. As such rack is pushed into the wash chamber of the dishwasher, the valve is moved vertically depending upon the vertical level of the rack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diverter that may be used to control the flow of fluid to different locations or components within a dishwashing appliance. One or more dual outlets, each having an outer port that surrounds an inner port, can be used with a rotating disk (or rotating valve) to selectively control the flow of fluid to various locations within the appliance. One or more single outlets may also be added to the diverter as desired depending upon the number of locations in the dishwasher to which the delivery of the fluid is desirable.

Abstract: A dishwasher has a wash chamber and sump disposed below the wash chamber, wherein wash fluid supplied to the wash chamber collects in the sump. A main pump is configured to drawn wash fluid from the sump and supply the wash fluid to the wash chamber, for example via spray arm assemblies. A filter is operably disposed to filter the wash fluid recirculated by the main pump. A backflush line has an outlet disposed downstream of the filter, and a backflush pump is configured to supply backflush fluid through the backflush line against the filter. A reservoir separate from the sump is provided and sized to hold a measured amount of fluid. The backflush pump draws the backflush fluid from the reservoir at a defined time.

Abstract: Tines that can provide a spray into the interior of containers placed onto a rack of a dishwasher are provided. More particularly, hollow tines or tines having an internal fluid path for feeding washing fluid to one or more openings at or near an upper end of the tines are described. As a fluid is sprayed or ejected from the opening(s), it provides for the cleaning of the interior of glasses, containers, and other dishes placed over the tines.