Recirculating chemical-sanitizing washing machine

Abstract

A method for operating a recirculating chemical-sanitizing dishwasher includes filling a wash tank of the dishwasher with water, and performing a first cycle of washing by circulating the water through a wash chamber of the dishwasher. A partial drain is performed of a first amount of water from the wash tank, and new water (for example, rinse water) is added to the wash tank for a second amount of water approximately equal to the first amount. A second cycle of washing is performed by circulating the water through the wash chamber of the dishwasher.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a dishwasher, the method comprising:
 providing a tank of water in a wash tank of the dishwasher;   using the tank of water for a first wash process of the dishwasher;   partially draining a first amount of water from the tank of water in the wash tank;   adding additional water to the wash tank in a second amount approximately equal to the first amount, thereby creating a partially refreshed tank of water, wherein the additional water does not include the water drained from the tank; and   using the partially refreshed tank of water for another wash process of the dishwasher.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first amount of water is approximately 20 to 30 percent of capacity of the wash tank. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 partially draining the first amount of water from the partially refreshed tank of water;   injecting new water into the wash tank in the second amount approximately equal to the first amount, thereby creating a second partially refreshed tank of water; and   circulating the second partially refreshed tank of water through a wash chamber of the dishwasher.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 partially draining the first amount of water from the second partially refreshed tank of water;   injecting new water into the wash tank in the second amount approximately equal to the first amount, thereby creating a third partially refreshed tank of water; and   circulating the third partially refreshed tank of water through the wash chamber of the dishwasher.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 draining a third amount of water from the third partially refreshed tank of water, the third amount approximately equal to capacity of the wash tank;   injecting new water into the wash tank in a fourth amount of water approximately equal to the third amount, thereby creating a fully refreshed tank of water; and   circulating the fully refreshed tank of water through the wash chamber of the dishwasher.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 dispensing detergent in an amount relating to the amount of fresh water injected into the wash tank.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dispensing is performed using a solid detergent chemistry. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dispensing is performed using a liquid detergent chemistry. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the amount of detergent is proportional to the amount of new water injected into the wash tank. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adding the additional water includes using rinse water. 
     
     
         11 . A method for operating a dishwasher including a wash tank, a wash pump and a wash chamber, the method comprising:
 performing a wash cycle where wash water containing detergent in the wash tank is recirculated via the wash pump through the wash chamber;   performing a partial drain function where a drain ball is opened to drain a set volume less than an entire volume from the wash tank; and   performing a rinse drain function including opening a fill valve to supply fresh water dosed with rinse aid and detergent at line pressure from a water supply approximately equal to the set volume.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wash water in the wash tank is not subsequently recirculated through the wash chamber via the wash pump. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 performing a full drain function where the drain ball is opened to drain an entire volume from the wash tank.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the set volume is approximately 20 percent of capacity of the wash tank. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the set volume is approximately 30 percent of capacity of the wash tank. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein supplying fresh water dosed with rinse aid and detergent includes dispensing rinse aid and detergent in amounts relating to the set volume of fresh water supplied into the wash tank during the rinse drain function. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dispensing is performed using a solid detergent chemistry. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dispensing is performed using a liquid detergent chemistry. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dispensing is performed using a liquid rinse aid chemistry. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dispensing is performed using a solid rinse aid chemistry.