Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer and a base layer. The base layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, and a pair of spaced apart connector boards orthogonal to the pair of spaced apart end deck boards, with each connector board and each end deck board having respective ends. A strength plate is coupled to each respective end of the connector boards in the base layer. Spaced apart support blocks are between the base and cargo layers, and form a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. First fasteners couple the cargo layer to an upper surface of the support blocks. Second fasteners couple the base layer to a lower surface of the support blocks so that the ends of the connector boards and the corresponding strength plates are coupled to a first area of the lower surface of the support blocks, and so that the ends of the end deck boards are coupled to a second area of the lower surface of the support blocks.

Abstract: A pallet includes a base layer and a cargo layer. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, and a pair of spaced apart connector boards orthogonal to the pair of spaced apart end deck boards. Spaced apart support blocks are coupled between the base and cargo layers and form a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. Each support block includes a stepped top surface having a first level for receiving an end deck board and second level for receiving a connector board.

Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer for supporting different size cargo cases. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, with each end deck board having a first width. Spaced apart intermediate deck boards are positioned in a pattern between the pair of spaced apart end deck boards for providing deck coverage for the different size cargo cases. The pattern is defined by two pairs of first and second intermediate deck boards, with each intermediate deck board in each pair having a second width. Each pair of intermediate deck boards is adjacent one of the end deck boards. A pair of third intermediate deck boards is between the two pairs of intermediate deck boards, with each third intermediate deck board having a third width. A fourth intermediate deck board is between the pair of third intermediate deck boards, and has the second width.

Abstract: An adjustable coupler is disclosed for interconnecting leaching chambers to create a serpentine pathway for a leaching field. A coupler can connect a first leaching chamber and a second leaching chamber. The coupler can comprise a mating feature and an adjustment feature. The mating feature can be used to mate the coupler between the first leaching chamber and the second leaching chamber. The mating feature can include a swivel connector matable to an end of one of the chambers. The adjustment feature can adjust the angle between the first chamber and the second chamber between a range of angles. The adjustment feature can include a swivel connector. The range of angles can be particularly chosen to be about 45°. More particularly, the range of angles can be about 22.5° in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a wash tub slidably mounted in the frame assembly, and a lid member. The lid member can be lowered onto the wash tub when the wash tub is shifted into the frame assembly, and raised when the wash tub is shifted out of the frame assembly. The lid member includes a seal element that abuts the wash tub when the lid member is lowered. The seal element includes a base portion, an angled, deflecting finger portion and a flat pad portion which projects from the base portion. When the seal element is urged against the wash tub, a compressive force is applied to the flat pad portion causing the deflecting finger to seal against the wash tub in a manner that substantially shields the deflecting finger from excessive compressive forces.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a outer housing and an extensible wash chamber that in a first position resides completely within the outer housing and in a second position extends completely out from the outer housing. The wash chamber is connected to the outer housing through a utility link. In order to permit full travel of the wash chamber, the utility link is provided with multiple, flexible loops. The utility link can include a drain hose, an electrical cable or a combination of both. Regardless, the utility link is supported through a carrier that is connected at one end to the outer housing and at another end to the wash chamber.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a drawer which is slidably mounted in a frame and forms a washing chamber. A lid assembly is mounted to the frame for selectively sealing the washing chamber during a washing operation. A closing mechanism moves the lid assembly from a first or open position to a second or closed position that provides a water-tight seal during a washing operation. The dishwasher is further provided with a latching mechanism including a pivoting door front member, a locking member and a linking bar interconnecting the door front member with the locking member. Manipulation of the pivoting drawer front member causes the locking member to engage/disengage with the lid assembly. The latching mechanism further includes a locking bar and a micro-switch that combine to prevent operation of the dishwasher if the drawer is not properly positioned in the frame.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes a receptacle for storing a product, a fill column, and a refill dispenser. The fill column is in fluid communication with the receptacle and is configured for selective and alternative securement to a housing and the refill dispenser. The refill dispenser includes a container configured to transfer a product and a cap assembly extending adjacent to the container. The cap assembly has a fill position. Upon rotation of the cap assembly about the fill column, the cap assembly is moved into the fill position so that the product from the container can be transferred to the receptacle.

Abstract: A dish support rack for a dishwasher is formed from composite, preferably ceramic/plastic composite. The dish rack includes front, rear and opposing side walls interconnected with a bottom portion. The dish support rack includes a plurality of tine members. The tine members include a base member from which extend a plurality of tines. Each base member includes a socket and a pin element used to join individual tine members to form tine rows. The tine rows are then fastened to the bottom portion to establish dish support zones in the dish rack. The tines can include one or more elastomeric bumpers positioned at various locations where dishware is likely to contact.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a wash tub, a plurality of wash system components and a sump. The sump is either integrally formed with or separately formed and mounted to a bottom wall portion of the tub, while being provided with a plurality of fluid conduits that extend from a central intake ring to a respective plurality of attachment flanges. A wash pump and a drain pump are supported by respective ones of the plurality of attachment flanges so as to direct a flow of wash fluid into and out of the wash tub. The sump also includes structure for mounting a heater and a filter housing, as well as other wash and safety system components.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a first washing chamber and a second washing chamber capable of performing a washing operation separately and/or concurrently. Each washing chamber includes a wash pump, a drain pump and a heating unit that are operatively connected to a controller. When initiating a washing fluid in one washing chamber, the controller determines if the other washing chamber is active. If the other washing chamber is active, the heating unit for the one washing chamber is operated at a low power level. However, if the other washing chamber is inactive, the one washing chamber is operated at a high power level to rapidly heat the washing fluid and thus shorten the duration of the washing operation.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes wash chamber, a wash system for supplying washing fluid to wash arms to clean articles arranged in the wash chamber, and a washing fluid manifold having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet portions. A filter chamber is fluidly connected to the washing fluid manifold for removing food soil from the washing fluid. A venturi is provided in the passage for establishing a low pressure region. A sampling port for feeding the filter chamber is located in the low pressure region. In addition, a bleed port is provide near an inlet of the filter chamber. In this manner, washing fluid enters the filter chamber at low pressure to increase the efficiency of a filtering process, while washing fluid enters the wash arms at a high velocity to efficiently perform a washing operation.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a filter chamber having a pressure relief system. The filter chamber preferably includes two drain ports, a first that leads to a drain line through a drain pump, and a second that leads directly to the drain line for over-pressure relief. The drain line is formed with a loop that establishes a pressure head. In the event that the filter chamber becomes clogged, a pressure build-up will occur. If the pressure in the filter chamber exceeds the pressure head in the drain line, a siphoning action will be automatically triggered that evacuates the washing fluid from the filter chamber. In this manner, the filter chamber can be purged through operation of the drain pump or, in the event of a clog resulting in an over-pressure condition, by siphoning the wash fluid directly into the drain line.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a pump system which functions to pump and filter washing fluid in the dishwasher. The pump system includes a sump having an inlet passage, a recirculation passage, a drain passage, a coarse article collection chamber, a filter assembly that is divided into a filter chamber and a washing fluid manifold, and a stationary hub that rotatably supports a wash arm for spraying washing fluid onto dishware supported in the dishwasher. The filter chamber includes a fine particle collection chamber having a valve that selectively opens to allow particles trapped in the filter chamber and fine particle collection chamber to flow to the drain passage. The filter assembly includes a cover having a plurality of radial spaced openings over the filter chamber, as well as a central opening that receives a stationary hub member which rotatably supports a wash arm.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a tub, a wash arm and a pump system. The pump system includes a flow housing mounted at a rear portion of the tub and a drain conduit. The flow housing includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a pump portion and a drain port. Within the pump portion are arranged an impeller, a chopper mechanism as well as a plurality of flow straightening fins. A motor is mounted to the flow housing for driving the impeller and the chopper mechanism. The drain conduit is connected between the drain port and a drain line. A venturi is provided in the drain conduit to create a siphoning action the decreases an amount of time required to drain the tub.

Abstract: A vertical height adjustment mechanism for a dish rack includes a slide member fixedly mounted relative to a support member, a housing secured to the dish rack, and a latch member. The housing includes a central guide channel that slidably receives the slide member. The latch member includes a support leg, an actuating arm and an intermediate portion joining the support leg and actuating arm. The sliding element includes an end portion that receives and retains the support leg of the latch when the dish rack is in the raised position.

Abstract: A utility shelf includes a retaining frame pivotally connected to a support frame. The support frame is pivotally connected to a side portion of a dish rack through a plurality of hinge elements. Similarly, the retaining frame is pivotally connected to the support frame through a corresponding plurality of hinge members. The hinge members on the retaining frame are adapted to abut a stop member that positions the retaining frame at an angle relative to the support frame. With this arrangement, the retaining frame can be extended from the support frame to support objects during a washing operation.

Abstract: A peeler apparatus is provided having an ergonomic handle and a blade that can be rotated relative to the handle to accommodate different peeling styles. The blade can be rotated in order to position the blade in a variety of positions relative to the handle. Such positions include perpendicular, parallel left, parallel right, 45 degree left, and 45 degree right positions. Variations of the peeler can be provided which enable rotations of 180 degrees, 360 degrees, and/or other angles as desired. A user-operable knob cooperatively engaged with a yoke permits the yoke and a blade secured to the yoke to rotate relative to the handle in response to rotation of the knob. A peeler having a blade fixed at approximately 45 degrees relative to the handle is also provided.

Abstract: An improved water distribution system is provided for a dishwasher. The system includes one or more disks mounted in the dishwasher for rotation about a vertical axis, and one or more water nozzles in the dishwasher for directing a water jet onto the disks. The water jets are directed transverse to the axis of rotation of the disks so as to impart rotation to the disks, and thereby redirect the water jet to a radial direction for distribution in the washing chamber of the dishwasher. Thus, the linear kinetic energy of the water jet is transferred to radial kinetic energy by the rotating disk.