Technical Field

The present invention relates to an operation method for dishwashers with a fruit and vegetable washing apparatus, thus allowing vegetables and fruits to be washed with less water and minimum energy consumption.

Background of the Invention

The process of washing and cleaning fresh food products, such as fruits and vegetables, is usually carried out manually by washing the food products one by one under running water. However, food products may not always be cleaned effectively with this type of washing. For this reason, sometimes, food products are kept in a container containing water and disinfecting additives, such as vinegar added to the water, and then they are washed one by one under running water again. Therefore, food products can be cleaner such that they are purified from unwanted substances such as mud, and from living beings such as bacteria that may have a negative impact on living health.

However, washing fresh food products one by one manually causes a waste of time. To solve said problem, known-state of the art provides various food washing devices for washing fresh food products untouched by hand, an example of which is disclosed in US6508257B1. The device described in this document is in the form of a closed chamber, which contains an agitator driven by a motor. Washing water is filled into the chamber and the food products to be washed are put into the water in the chamber. Afterwards, the motor is energized and the agitator is rotated, so that the washing water is agitated and the food products are cleaned. However, due to the agitator used in the device, cleaning volume of the device is reduced and the agitator may sometimes contact the food products, causing damage to the food products. However, agitating the washing water may not be sufficient for cleaning food products. Brief of the Invention

The operation method according to the invention is suitable for use in a dishwasher which comprises at least one outer body; at least one washing compartment located in the outer body; at least a first pump for circulating the water received into the washing compartment; and at least one washing apparatus in the washing compartment, which is configured to wash fresh foods and comprises:

• at least one body in the form of a closed box, with at least one inlet hole for receiving the cleaning water from a source and at least one outlet for draining the water therein,

• at least a second pump which is a hydraulic pump and operates upon operation of the first pump, so that the water received into the body is transmitted to the foods in the body, the operation method comprising the steps of: activating a process of washing fresh foods by a user by means of at least one control element of the dishwasher;

- when the process of washing fresh foods is activated, performing a prewashing process which comprises receiving water from said source into the body and the washing compartment, operating the first pump and second pump for a first period following completion of water intake, and operating the second pump to transmit water to the foods in the body so as to wash the foods; draining the water inside the body when the first period is completed; after completion of the draining process, performing a rinse hold process which comprises receiving a larger amount of water into the body than the water received into the body in the prewashing process and keeping the foods in water for a second period; draining the water inside the body when the second period is completed; after completion of the draining process, performing a rinsing process which comprises receiving water from the source into the body and the washing compartment, operating the first pump and second pump for a third period following completion of water intake, and operating the second pump to transmit water to the foods in the body so as to wash the foods; draining the water inside the body when the third period is completed; and ending the food washing process. Thanks to the operation method according to the present invention, fresh food products such as fruits and vegetables can be washed in a dishwasher independently of the washing compartment in which the dishes are washed. Thus, time, water and energy can be saved, the cleaning efficiency of fresh foods can be increased and a reliable operation method can be obtained.

Object of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an operation method for dishwashers with a fruit and vegetable washing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operation method for washing vegetables and fruits much more effectively with less water and minimum energy consumption.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an operation method for cleaning fruits and vegetables without exposure to washing water in the dishwasher.

Exemplary embodiments of a dishwasher using the operation method of the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher with a fruit and vegetable washing apparatus using the operating method of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side-sectional perspective view of the fruit and vegetable washing apparatus.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

Dishwasher (1)

Outer body (2) Washing compartment (3)

Washing apparatus (4)

Body (4a)

Carrier element (4b)

Spray assembly (4c)

Second pump (4d)

Rack (5)

Description of the Invention

The process of washing and cleaning fresh food products, such as fruits and vegetables, is usually carried out manually by washing the food products one by one under running water. However, the washing process can be repeated several times, especially for the complete cleaning of leafy vegetables. Such a manual washing process takes quite a long time. In addition, this causes a lot of water to be consumed during the washing process. Today, there are devices/apparatuses developed to wash fruits and vegetables. These devices generally save time and reduce water consumption. However, said devices require an energy source to operate, which increases energy consumption. In addition, these devices may sometimes not be sufficient for effective cleaning of food products. In this context, in order to solve the said problems, the present invention provides an operation method for dishwashers with a washing apparatus for washing fresh fruits and vegetables.

The operation method according to the present invention is suitable for use in a dishwasher (1) which is illustrated in figure 1 and comprises at least one outer body (2); at least one washing compartment (3) located in the outer body (2); at least a first pump (not illustrated in the figures) for circulating the water received into the washing compartment (3); and at least one washing apparatus (4) (illustrated in figure 2) in the washing compartment (3), which is configured to wash fresh foods and comprises:

• at least one body (4a) preferably in the form of a closed box that is opened and closed by a lid, and having at least one inlet hole for receiving the cleaning water from a source (e.g. mains) and at least one outlet for draining the water therein, • at least a second pump (4d) which is a hydraulic pump and operates upon operation of the first pump, so that the water received into the body (4a) is transmitted to the foods in the body (4a).

Said washing apparatus (4) also preferably comprises:

• at least one carrier element (4b) located in the body (4a) for placing the fresh food to be washed, wherein the carrier element (4a) has holes thereon for the passage of water received into the body (2) (in other words, it has the form of a grid),

• at least one spray assembly (4c) (e.g. sprinkler, propeller, etc.) rotatable around an axis for spraying the water received into the body (2) to the carrier element (4b) and to the food in the carrier element (4b) through the holes on the carrier element (4b), in a pressurized manner.

Said dishwasher (1) also preferably comprises:

• at least a first line configured to provide a fluid connection between the source and the inlet hole; at least a fifth line configured to provide fluid connection between the outlet hole and a discharge line; and at least a third line configured to provide fluid connection between the first pump and the second pump (4d).

The operation method according to the invention comprises the steps of: activating a process of washing fresh foods by a user by means of at least one control element (e.g. a button, a touchscreen etc.) of the dishwasher (1);

- when the process of washing fresh foods is activated, performing a prewashing process which comprises receiving water from said source into the body (4a) and the washing compartment (3), operating the first pump and second pump (4d) for a first period (which is preferably in the range of 10-15 minutes, in particular, preferably 13 minutes) following completion of water intake, and operating the second pump (4d) such that the spray assembly (4c) is preferably rotated and water is transmitted to the foods in the body (4a) (preferably the carrier element (4c) in the body 4a)) so as to wash the foods; draining the water inside the body (4a) preferably by means of the fifth line, when the first period is completed (i.e. when the prewashing process is completed); after completion of the draining process, performing a rinse hold process which comprises receiving a larger amount of water (preferably up to the maximum volume of the body (4a)) into the body (4a) than the water received into the body (4a) in the prewashing process and keeping the foods in water for a second period (which is preferably in the range of 5-10 minutes, and in particular, preferably 7 minutes); draining the water inside the body (4a) preferably by means of the fifth line, when the second period is completed (i.e. when the rinse hold process is completed); after completion of the draining process, performing a rinsing process which comprises receiving water from the source into the body (4a) and the washing compartment (3), operating the first pump and second pump (4d) for a third period (which is preferably in the range of 4-8 minutes, in particular, preferably 6 minutes) following completion of water intake, and operating the second pump (4d) such that the spray assembly (4c) is preferably rotated and water is transmitted to the foods in the body (4a) (preferably the carrier element (4c) in the body 4a)) so as to wash the foods; draining the water inside the body (4a) preferably by means of the fifth line, when the third period is completed (i.e. when the rinsing process is completed); and ending the food washing process.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user places the fresh food to be washed into the body (4a) (preferably places it on the carrier element (4b), and places the carrier element (4b) in the body (4a)), and places the washing apparatus (4) in the washing compartment (3), preferably on a rack (5) (especially, preferably a lower rack (5)) allowing the dishes to be washed in the washing compartment (3), preferably so as to provide the connection of the first line with the first hole, the fifth line with the second hole and preferably the connection of the second pump (4d) with the third line. Afterwards, the food washing process is activated by means of the control element. Upon activation of the food washing process, water is received from said source into the body (4a) and the washing compartment (3), the first pump is operated, and water in the washing compartment (3) is sent to the second pump (4d) preferably via the third line, so that the second pump (4d) is operated (water transmitted to the second pump (4d) preferably returns to the washing compartment (3) via at least a fourth line connected to the second pump (4d)). Upon operation of the second pump (4d), preferably, water in the body (4a) is transmitted to the spray assembly (4c), the spray assembly (4c) rotates around said axis, thereby spraying water against the foods in the body (4a) (preferably in the carrier element (4b)) under pressure. The water from the food is collected in the body (4a) again, and as long as the second pump (4d) operates, water in the body (4a) is circulated accordingly, so that the prewashing process is carried out during the first period. When the prewashing process is completed, water in the body (4a) is transmitted to the drain line of the dishwasher (1), preferably via the fifth line, and the water in the body (4a) is drained. After the draining process is completed, water is received into the body (4a) preferably via the first line, more than the amount received for the prewashing process (preferably at least in an amount that will rise above the food in the carrier element (4b), in particular, preferably a maximum amount that can be received into the body (4a)), and the food in the body (4a) (preferably in the carrier element (4b)) is kept in this water for the second period (The amount of water received into the body (4a) is preferably monitored by at least one level sensor and/or by monitoring the amount of water received from the source with a flow sensor, the dishwasher (1) is adjusted according to the volume of the body (4a), whose volume is predetermined, based on the amount information previously stored in the control unit). When the rinse hold process is completed, water in the body (4a) is transmitted to the drain line of the dishwasher (1), preferably via the fifth line, and the water in the body (4a) is drained. Following completion of the draining process, water is received again from said source into the body (4a) and the washing compartment (3), the first pump is operated and the water in the washing compartment (3) is sent to the second pump (4d), preferably via the third line, so that the second pump (4d) is operated. Upon operation of the second pump (4d), preferably, water received into the body (4a) is transmitted to the spray assembly (4c), the spray assembly (4c) rotates around said axis, thereby spraying water against the foods in the body (4a) (preferably in the carrier element (4b)) under pressure. The water from the food is collected in the body (4a) again, and as long as the second pump (4d) operates, water in the body (4a) is circulated accordingly, so that the rinsing process is performed for a third period shorter than the first period. When the rinsing process is completed, water in the body (4a) is transmitted to the drain line of the dishwasher (1), preferably via the said fifth line, and the water in the body (4a) is drained to complete the food washing process. Thanks to the operation method according to the present invention, fresh food products can be effectively cleaned using less water and less energy. In addition, the water used for the operation of the second pump (4d) and the water used for washing the food products are circulated without mixing with each other, and therefore, food products can be prevented from being contaminated by residues (e.g. food residue, detergent residue, etc.) that may be harmful to human health and accumulate in the washing compartment (3) over time. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the prewashing process of the operation method comprises the steps of: receiving water from said source into the body (2) via the first line; receiving water from said source to the washing compartment (3) via a second line separate from the first line; operating the first pump during the first period preferably at a maximum speed, transmitting the water received into the washing compartment (3) to the second pump (4d) preferably via the third line and returning it to the washing compartment (3) preferably via a fourth line, so that the water in the washing compartment (3) is circulated between the first pump and the second pump (4d); operating the second pump (4d) during the first period with the effect of water coming to the second pump (4d) such that the water in the body (4a) and the water from the first pump do not mix with each other; transmitting the water in the body (4a) to the foods by the operation of the second pump (4d) (preferably transmitting to the spray assembly (4c) and thus rotating the spray assembly (4c) around said axis to spray water towards the carrier element (4b)), and returning the water transmitted to the foods into the body (4a), so that the water in the body (4a) is circulated for the first period.

In order to prevent entry of the water in the washing compartment (3) to the washing apparatus (4), the washing apparatus (4) must be in the form of a closed box. For this reason and in addition, since the interior of the washing apparatus (4) is filled with water during the washing process, the second pump (4d) used in the operation of the washing apparatus (4) should not contain an electrical element. Accordingly, thanks to the operation method of the invention, a hydraulic pump can be used in the washing apparatus (4), and during the operation of the hydraulic pump, it can be effectively ensured that water in the body (4a) and the washing compartment (3) and/or water in the body (4a) and the steam in the washing compartment (3) do not mix with each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rinsing process of the operation method comprises the steps of: receiving water from said source into the body (2) via the first line; receiving water from said source to the washing compartment (3) via a second line separate from the first line; operating the first pump during the third period preferably at a maximum speed, transmitting the water received into the washing compartment (3) to the second pump (4d) preferably via the third line and returning it to the washing compartment (3) preferably via a fourth line, so that the water in the washing compartment (3) is circulated between the first pump and the second pump (4d); operating the second pump (4d) during the third period with the effect of water coming to the second pump (4d) such that the water in the body (4a) and the water from the first pump do not mix with each other; transmitting the water in the body (4a) to the foods by the operation of the second pump (4d) (preferably transmitting to the spray assembly (4c) and thus rotating the spray assembly (4c) around said axis to spray water towards the carrier element (4b)), and returning the water transmitted to the foods into the body (4a), so that the water in the body (4a) is circulated for the third period.

Thus, a hydraulic pump can be used as the second pump (4d) in the washing apparatus (4), and during the operation of the hydraulic pump, it can be effectively ensured that the water in the body (4a) and the washing compartment (3) do not mix with each other.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the operation method preferably comprises the steps of: during the rinse hold process, after the water intake into the body (4a) is completed, opening and closing at least one valve located in the first line within a certain period of time (for example, instantaneously) so as to receive some water into the body (4a); and at the same time, opening and closing at least one other valve located on the fifth line within a certain period of time (for example, instantaneously) so as to drain some of the water inside the body (4a) from the body (4a). By opening and closing both valves, the amount of water in the body (4a) is slightly increased or decreased, and in this way, the cleaning efficiency of the food can be increased by ensuring constant motion of water.

In another alternative embodiment, the operation method preferably comprises the step of draining residual water in the washing compartment (3) and/or the body (4a) before starting the prewashing process. According to said embodiment, after the food washing process is activated, a drain pump in the dishwasher (1) is operated and the residual water left in the washing compartment (3) after the previous washing process is removed from the washing compartment (3). Similarly, after the food washing process is activated, a valve located on the fifth line is opened and the residual water left in the body (4a) after the previous washing process is removed from the body (4a). Thus, water to be used in the new washing process is prevented from mixing with the residual water, so that the occurrence of situations that may cause a possible health problem and thus negatively affect the efficiency of the washing process can be minimized.

Thanks to the operation method according to the present invention, fresh food products such as fruits and vegetables can be washed in a dishwasher (1) independently of the washing compartment (3) in which the dishes are washed. Thus, time, water and energy can be saved, the cleaning efficiency of fresh foods can be increased and a reliable operation method can be obtained.