Use of recycled wash and rinse water for the pre-rinse operation of dishes

Abstract

A dishwashing machine is used for pre-rinse operation of soiled dishes. A cavity is configured and arranged to contain the soiled dishes. A nozzle is proximate the cavity and is in fluid communication with the cavity. An accumulator pan accumulates wash and rinse water including cleaning chemicals used in a previous cycle of the dishwashing machine. A fluid passageway interconnects the nozzle and the accumulator pan. A pump directs the accumulated wash and rinse water from the accumulator pan to the nozzle via the fluid passageway for pre-rinse operation of the soiled dishes in the cavity, and the nozzle directs the accumulated wash and rinse water into the cavity with the soiled dishes to assist in removing soil from the soiled dishes prior to a wash cycle of the dishwashing machine. The wash cycle utilizes fresh wash water.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of washing dishes comprising:
 (a) loading a commercial dishwashing machine with dishes to be cleaned, the commercial dishwashing machine comprising:
 a wash tank; and 
 an accumulator pan located under at least a portion of the commercial dishwashing machine; 
   (b) pre-rinsing the dishes with water from the wash tank or water from the accumulator pan; and   (c) performing a wash cycle to wash the dishes, the wash cycle comprising a detergent;   wherein water from the commercial dishwashing machine flows into the accumulator pan through an air gap disposed between the bottom of the commercial dishwashing machine and the accumulator pan.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the accumulator pan further comprises a removable strainer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the strainer comprises a screen material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the strainer is a course mesh. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the accumulator pan further comprises an overflow aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the overflow aperture is vertically higher than the accumulator pan outlet. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the water from the accumulator pan comprises heat, detergent, rinse aid, sanitizer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the temperature of the water from the accumulator pan is between 110° F. and 150° F. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein pre-rinsing the dishes removes large soils from the dishes. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , the commercial dishwashing machine further comprising wash arms. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the wash arms are in fluid communication with the wash tank. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15 , the commercial dishwashing machine further comprising a pump having an inlet and an outlet. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the inlet of the pump is in fluid communication with an outlet of the accumulator pan. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the wash arms include nozzles. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the wash arms include spray arms. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the outlet of the pump connects to wash arms. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the inlet of the pump connects to the accumulator pan. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising step (d) of spraying rinse water over the dishes. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 15 , the commercial dishwashing machine further comprising an overflow drain in fluid communication with the accumulator pan. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein excess water in the accumulator pan flows through the overflow drain to a sewer.