Patent ID: 8176651
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: A47L,A61B,B08B,F26B

Abstract:
1. A method of drying an interior of a washer and objects therein, comprising the steps of: a) providing a washing chamber having a partition separating said chamber into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said partition having an outer peripheral edge generally conforming to a shape defined by side walls of said chamber and being dimensioned to form a gap between said edge of said partition and said side walls of said chamber, said partition further including an opening centrally located in said partition, said upper compartment communicating with said lower compartment through said gap and through said opening, said washer including at least one spray arm assembly disposed in said lower compartment, a vent conduit fluidly connected at one end to said upper compartment and at another end to said at least one spray arm assembly and an external air inlet line connected at one end to said upper compartment and at another end to a source of clean, filtered air; b) creating an airflow from said upper compartment to said lower compartment through said gap such that a curtain of air is formed along said side walls of said chamber; c) creating an airflow from said upper compartment to said lower compartment through said vent conduit and through said at least one spray arm assembly; d) creating an air flow from said lower compartment to said upper compartment through said opening; e) creating an airflow from said source of clean, filtered air to said upper compartment wherein said clean, filtered air mixes with air from said lower compartment to form a mixture of air; f) heating said mixture of air in said upper compartment to a temperature sufficient to vaporize fluid in said chamber before said mixture of air is forced through said gap and into said lower compartment; and g) venting a portion of said air in said lower compartment.