Batch Dishware Washing Machine With Steam Venting

Abstract

A batch ware washing machine and/or related method of washing wares. The machine includes a moveable door which partially encloses a steam cavity. When the door is in the up or open position, hot moist air may be forcibly pulled from the steam cavity and into an exhaust plenum via an air inlet port that is strategically positioned above the top wall of the door when the door is in the closed position, but below the top wall when the door is in the open position. A controller causes the air to be forcibly pulled through the plenum for a predetermined exhaust time period, such as one minute, and then automatically stops the forced air exhaust movement. The exhaust plenum may be ducted directly to the outside of the surrounding building. The air conditioning load on the HVAC units serving the kitchen are reduced, thereby reducing energy consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A batch ware washing machine, comprising:
 a base unit having a plurality of output nozzles for delivering wash fluid and rinse fluid to a ware wash area;   a moveable multi-sided door defining a downwardly open steam cavity and moveably mounted to the base unit for movement between a closed position to an open position;   the base unit having a rear wall rearwardly bounding the steam cavity and disposed opposite the front wall;   a plenum disposed in the rear wall;   the rear wall comprising first and second air input ports leading to the plenum;   wherein, with the door in the closed position:
 the door is lower than in the open position; 
 the door laterally and upwardly encloses the wash area; 
 first input port is disposed below the top wall and operatively interconnects the steam cavity to the plenum; 
 the second input port is disposed above the door; 
   wherein, with the door in the open position:
 the door is higher than in the closed position; 
 the steam cavity is disposed above the wash area; 
 the wash area is open laterally; 
 the second input port is disposed below the top wall of the door and operatively connects the steam cavity with the plenum. 
   
     
     
         2 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 1 :
 wherein the door has a front wall, first and second lateral sidewalls disposed on opposing sides of the front wall, and a top wall; the steam cavity upwardly bounded by the top wall and laterally bounded by the first and second sidewalls;   further comprising a controller operative to control drawing of air through the plenum;   wherein the controller is configured to:
 cause air to be forcibly drawn in through at least the first input port and through the plenum for a predetermined time period; 
 thereafter, automatically cause the cessation of air being forcibly drawn through the plenum. 
   
     
     
         3 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to cause air to be forcibly drawn in through both the first and second input ports and through the plenum for the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         4 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the time period is approximately one minute. 
     
     
         5 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a fan operative to draw air through the plenum and controlled by the controller. 
     
     
         6 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the fan is disposed external to the base unit. 
     
     
         7 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the door first and second lateral sidewalls are disposed generally orthogonal to the front wall of the door. 
     
     
         8 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rear wall has a plurality of forwardly extending lateral flanges disposed laterally outboard of the door in the open position. 
     
     
         9 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a duct opening to the plenum on one end and opening on the other end external to a building surrounding the base unit. 
     
     
         10 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the door is pivotally mounted to the base unit. 
     
     
         11 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a third inlet port disposed a similar height above the second inlet port as the first inlet port; the third inlet port leading to the plenum. 
     
     
         12 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 1 :
 wherein the door has a front wall, first and second lateral sidewalls disposed on opposing sides of the front wall, and a top wall; the steam cavity upwardly bounded by the top wall and laterally bounded by the first and second sidewalls;   wherein the door first and second lateral sidewalls are disposed generally orthogonal to the front wall of the door;   wherein the door is pivotally mounted to the base unit;   further comprising a controller operative to control drawing of air through the plenum;   wherein the controller is configured to:
 cause air to be forcibly drawn in through at least the first input port and through the plenum for a predetermined time period; 
 thereafter, automatically cause the cessation of air being forcibly drawn through the plenum. 
   wherein the controller is configured to cause air to be forcibly drawn in through both the first and second input ports and through the plenum for the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         13 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the time period is approximately one minute. 
     
     
         14 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a fan operative to draw air through the plenum and controlled by the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the fan is disposed external to the base unit. 
     
     
         16 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the rear wall has a plurality of forwardly extending lateral flanges disposed laterally outboard of the door in the open position. 
     
     
         17 . The batch ware washing machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a duct opening to the plenum on one end and opening on the other end external to a building surrounding the base unit.