Adaptive Dishwashing Systems for Niche Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857133_0004_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Dishwashing Systems for Niche Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857133_0004_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857133_0004_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,133.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A dishwashing system adaptable to specific, high-security, disaster relief, extreme weather, remote, or high-altitude operational environments, reusing recycled wash and rinse water for pre-rinse operation, and incorporating specialized modules to meet unique requirements.

Background and Problem Solved

Traditional dishwashing systems are limited in their ability to operate effectively in specialized environments. They often require significant water and energy resources, which may not be readily available or feasible in certain situations. This inventive concept addresses these limitations by adapting the original dishwashing system to reuse recycled wash and rinse water for pre-rinse operation, and incorporating additional modules to meet the specific demands of niche environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept consists of a water recycling module that reuses waste water from a previous wash and rinse cycle for pre-rinse operation. This module can be combined with various specialized modules, such as a sanitizing module for high-security facilities, a water-conserving additive module for disaster relief operations, a weather-resistant enclosure and heating module for extreme weather conditions, a solar-powered pumping module for remote or off-grid locations, or an optimization module for high-altitude operations. These modules enable the dishwashing system to operate effectively in environments where traditional systems may not be feasible.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The novelty of this inventive concept lies in the adaptation of the original dishwashing system to address specific challenges in niche environments. The inventive step is the combination of the water recycling module with specialized modules to meet the unique demands of each environment, providing a tailored solution that reduces water and energy consumption while maintaining effective dishwashing performance.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of this inventive concept could include the use of alternative sanitizing methods, such as UV or ozone treatment, for high-security facilities. Variations could also include the integration of additional sensors and monitoring systems to optimize the dishwashing process in real-time, or the use of different materials and designs for the weather-resistant enclosure to enhance durability and performance.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This inventive concept has significant commercial potential in industries such as high-security facilities, disaster relief organizations, remote or off-grid communities, and high-altitude operations. The ability to adapt the dishwashing system to specific environments and requirements enables the target industries to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining effective dishwashing performance.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A47 A47L15/4291
A A47 A47L15/0005
A A47 A47L15/0076
A A47 A47L15/0081
A A47 A47L15/4219

Field of Art

Commercial dishwashing systems and water recycling technologies, encompassing mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, and industrial process optimization with expertise in water conservation and system design

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with mechanical engineering or industrial equipment design background, familiar with commercial dishwashing technologies, water recycling principles, and environmental adaptation strategies for industrial equipment

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's core water recycling concept can be readily extended to specialized environments by adding modular adaptations. The fundamental water reuse mechanism remains consistent, with variations representing predictable engineering solutions to context-specific challenges. The PTD's specialized modules represent logical, incremental improvements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize dishwashing systems for diverse operational contexts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Water recycling system with accumulator pan and strainer for capturing and filtering wash water
PTD Variation
Adding specialized sanitizing modules like UV or ozone treatment for high-security facilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Known water treatment techniques can be predictably integrated with existing water recycling infrastructure to enhance water quality, representing a standard engineering design choice
Source Patent Element
Commercial dishwashing machine with water reuse capabilities
PTD Variation
Incorporating solar-powered pumping module for remote or off-grid locations
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting power sources for industrial equipment is a routine engineering solution, with solar technologies being a well-established alternative energy approach
Source Patent Element
Pre-rinse water recycling system with strainer and accumulator pan
PTD Variation
Weather-resistant enclosure with integrated heating module for extreme environmental conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Protecting industrial equipment from environmental variations is a standard engineering practice, with thermal management being a predictable solution for maintaining operational consistency
Source Patent Element
Water recycling mechanism for commercial dishwashing
PTD Variation
Adding water-conserving additives for disaster relief operations
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying chemical treatment of recycled water represents a known technique for enhancing water quality and conservation, achievable through standard formulation approaches
Source Patent Element
Commercial dishwashing system with water reuse capabilities
PTD Variation
High-altitude performance optimization module
Obviousness Reasoning
Adjusting industrial equipment performance for altitude variations is a standard engineering practice, involving predictable modifications to thermal and fluid dynamics parameters
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this publication would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art based on US Patent 11857133, as the technical extensions represent predictable engineering solutions that combine known techniques with the foundational water recycling system, thereby rendering potential claims covering such adaptations unpatentable as obvious variations of the prior art.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,133
TitleUse of recycled wash and rinse water for the pre-rinse operation of dishes
Assignee(s)ECOLAB USA INC.