Abstract: A vent arrangement for dishwashers for venting the hot humid air displaced from the interior of the dishwasher during drying cycles which minimizes the formation of condensate on the exterior surfaces in and about the vent exit opening. The vent exit opening is located in the uppermost region of the dishwasher door and of relatively large area to allow efficient convection drying action, while a plurality of vent exit opening ribs are disposed vertically within the vent exit opening, the vent exit ribs have a particular cross-sectional shape such as to minimize the formation of condensate. The cross-sectional shape includes flange portions laterally extending from a body portion along the frontal edge of each of the vent exit ribs, creating a T-shape to produce an air flow effect minimizing the contact of the vented air with the surface of the ribs and also acting to reduce the thermal mass of the ribs to further minimize condensation.

Abstract: An automatic dishwashing machine is provided with bypass soil-collecting and filter means disposed independent of the sump whereby food soil suspended in the recirculating washing liquid is filtered and collected in a receptacle during the washing/rinsing operation. It includes supplemental liquid collecting means disposed in a flow path separate and upstream of the soil-collecting means and operative to channel an additional quantity of recirculating washing liquid to the soil-collecting means. Drain means removes the washing liquid and the filtered food soil from the receptacle during the drain cycle.

Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus having a dispenser operable at a preselected time in the dishwashing cycle for dispensing a treating additive such as detergent. The dispenser is arranged so that in response to a timer controlled cam a spring biased shaft to which the dispenser cover is mounted is released and the cover swings away from the dispenser container opening. The shaft is integral with the cover handle and a detent member. A cam follower operatively interconnects the timer controlled cam and the detent member and holds the detent member from rotating when the cover has properly sealed the dispenser container. The cam follower is slotted at one end and has a spring member attached thereto enabling it to pivot about its point of contact with the timer-controlled cam, said spring providing the engaging force necessary to hold the detent member and also serving to hold the cam follower into engagement with the timer controlled cam.

Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus having two dispensers operable at preselected times in a dishwashing cycle for dispensing treating additives such as detergent and a rinse aid additive. The dispensers are arranged so that in response to a programmer-timer controlled cam an interlock device to which the detergent dispenser cover is mounted is released and the cover swings away from the dispenser container opening. The interlock includes a shaft integral with a handle used to close the dispenser cover, the other end of the shaft having a unitary detent member secured for rotation with said shaft, said detent including a plurality of latching extensions for operative engagment with the timer controlled cam. Mounted adjacent the detergent dispensing mechanism is the rinse aid dispenser which is also activated by the interlock device. One of the latching members holds the shaft from rotation until the detergent is required, and another of the latching members holds the shaft from rotation until the rinse aid is required.

Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus having a dispenser operable at a preselected time in the dishwashing cycle for dispensing a treating additive such as detergent. The dispenser is arranged so that in response to a timer controlled cam a spring biased shaft to which the dispenser cover is mounted is released and the cover swings away from the dispenser container opening. The shaft is integral with a handle used to close the dispenser cover, and the handle and cover are interconnected by a camming device so that the cover is drawn into sealing engagement with the perimeter of the detergent container by the operator. The camming device further serves to break the seal by moving the cover in an axial direction away from the detergent cup in response to the timer controlled cam. The detergent cup cover utilizes a highly effective rubber seal to compensate various tolerance conditions.

Abstract: A dishwasher is disclosed which includes a tub formed of plastic, such as polypropylene, or other heat-deformable material. A heating element for effecting the final drying of the articles in the dishwasher is disposed near the bottom wall of the tub where the heat from the heating element could cause a deformation of the adjacent portion of the bottom wall of the tub. A shallow receptacle is disposed between the heating element and the portion of the bottom wall of the tub in close proximity thereto. The receptacle retains a small amount of the water used in the washing and rinsing operations and the evaporation of this water during the energization of the heating element insures that the temperature of the adjacent bottom wall remains below that at which any damage thereto could occur. Spaced dividers extending transversely of the slope of the bottom wall are provided in the receptacle to insure that water is retained therein over substantially the entire surface of the bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: A protective circuit for a heating element in a polymeric resinous tub dishwasher including an electric-type resistance heating element and a heat-sensible, dual-functioning switch. The switch is connected in the ground circuit so that current passing to ground will cause a fusible link to melt and thereby open the ground circuit. At the same time, melting of the link allows a switch in the power circuit to open, thereby eliminating any power to the heating element.

Abstract: A telescoping conduit for transmitting washing liquid from a lower spray arm assembly to an upper spray arm in the wash chamber of a dishwasher. The conduit includes telescoping stabilizing means to insure that the conduit engages a connection member positioned on the upper spray arm.