Abstract:
A method for cleaning a dish-cleaning appliance having a removable basket that carries a spray arm. The method comprises: uncoupling the liquid supply from the sprayer, spraying liquid against the peripheral side wall from the liquid supply, and draining the sprayed liquid from the wash chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/138,612, filed May 3, 2002; the entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to a method for cleaning an in-sink dishwasher having a removable basket that carries a spray arm.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    In-sink dishwashers use the bowl of a sink to form part of the dishwasher housing that defines a wash chamber, with the open top of the bowl providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system sprays wash liquid throughout the wash chamber to clean any dishes placed within. A lid covers the open top of the bowl when the in-sink dishwasher is being used to prevent the splashing or spraying of the recirculating wash liquid out of the open top of the bowl.  
           [0006]    For the in-sink dishwasher to be convenient for the anticipated user, conversion between the in-sink dishwasher and sink must be easy and simple. Such a convenient appliance will preferably not require the user to couple or uncouple any liquid supply conduits associated with the dishwasher function when switching between the dishwasher function and a traditional sink function. A convenient appliance will also minimize the number of dishwasher components that must be inserted or removed from the sink when switching between the dishwashing and sink functions.  
           [0007]    The convenience of the appliance to the user must also be weighed against the complexity and redundancy of components needed to accomplish both the dishwashing and sink functions to avoid any unnecessary decrease in product reliability and any unnecessary increases in product costs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    This invention relates to a method for cleaning an in-sink dishwasher comprising a bowl having a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall forming a wash chamber, a basket received within the wash chamber for holding dishes to be washed, a sprayer carried by the basket for spraying liquid through out the wash chamber to clean the dishes, and a liquid supply for supplying liquid to the sprayer. The method comprises: uncoupling the liquid supply from the sprayer, spraying liquid against the peripheral side wall from the liquid supply, and draining the sprayed liquid from the wash chamber.  
           [0009]    Preferably, the uncoupling of the liquid supply from the sprayer comprises removing the basket from the wash chamber. The spraying of liquid against the side wall preferably comprises laterally spraying the liquid from a nozzle located near the bottom wall. The cleaning method can also incorporate the recirculating of liquid to the liquid supply.  
           [0010]    The spraying of liquid can comprise a wash step where liquid comprising a mixture of detergent and water is sprayed against the peripheral side wall. The spraying of liquid can also comprise a rinse step where a rinse liquid is sprayed against the peripheral side wall. Preferably, the rinse step follows the wash step. The rinse liquid is preferably water. The liquid can be heated.  
           [0011]    In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of cleaning an in-sink washer comprising a lid for covering the wash chamber. The method includes the step of detecting the closure of the lid before allowing the spraying of liquid. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    In the drawings:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-sink dishwasher according to the invention, with the in-sink dishwasher shown mounted in a cabinet, the sink being of a double-bowl configuration and the one bowl forming part of the in-sink dishwasher having a lid, shown in an opened position, for covering the one bowl.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the in-sink dishwasher of FIG. 1 and illustrating the assembly of the major removable components of the in sink dishwasher which include the basket, spray arm, drain plug, drain filter, and bottom screen.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the bottom of the sink of the assembled in-sink dishwasher and illustrating the liquid conduit including a poppet valve and its relationship to a sink drain, with the drain plug and drain filter received within the sink.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view identical to FIG. 3 except that the drain plug, drain screen, and bottom screen are removed to better illustrate the sink drain and the temperature and pressure sensors located therein.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the assembled basket, spray arm, poppet valve, and drain with the poppet valve shown in the closed position and the basket in an unseated position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the poppet shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a side sectional view identical to FIG. 5 except that the poppet valve is opened and the basket is seated.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the poppet shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a side sectional view like FIG. 5 except that the poppet valve is not aligned with the spray arm and the basket is not seated in the wash chamber.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the poppet shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is an assembly view of the poppet and feed tube shown in FIGS. 5-7.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the major components of the in-sink dishwasher and their functional interaction. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 illustrates an in-sink dishwasher  10  mounted in a traditional cabinet fixture  12  having doors  14  providing access to the cabinet interior where the lower portion of the in-sink dishwasher  10  is located.  
         [0026]    The in-sink dishwasher  10  is illustrated in the environment of a double-bowl sink  16  comprising a first bowl  18  and a second bowl  20 . The first bowl  18  performs the function of a traditional sink bowl and includes a drain opening  21 . The second bowl  20  performs the dual function of a traditional sink bowl while also forming a portion of the housing for the in-sink dishwasher.  
         [0027]    The first and second bowls  18 ,  20  are spaced from each other to define an intervening flange portion  22  that intersects a peripheral flange  24  surrounding both of the bowls  18 ,  20 . Preferably, the double-bowl sink is made from stainless steel.  
         [0028]    A traditional water faucet  28  is located in the peripheral flange  24  of the double-bowl sink and provides water to either of the first and second bowls  18 ,  20 .  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 2 specifically and FIG. 1 generally, the in-sink dishwasher  10  comprises a wash chamber  30  that is defined by the second bowl  20 , which has an open top. A lid  32  is hingedly mounted to the peripheral flange  24  of the double-bowl sink  16  and is movable between opened and closed positions to cover the open top of the second bowl  18  as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    The second bowl  20  is formed by a peripheral wall  34  and a bottom wall  36 . The peripheral wall  34  extends upwardly and away from the bottom wall  36 . A drain  38  is provided in the bottom wall  36 . A self-aligning poppet valve  40  also is located in the bottom wall  36 . Preferably, the self-aligning poppet valve  40  is centered in the bottom wall since the poppet valve  40  forms one part of a liquid coupling for supplying liquid to the wash chamber  30  when the second bowl  20  is used as an in-sink dishwasher.  
         [0031]    Referring to FIGS. 2-4, several removable components are provided for the in-sink dishwasher  10  and include a bottom screen  42 , drain filter  44 , drain plug  46 , spray arm  48 , and dish basket  50 . The bottom screen  42  is preferably formed of a thin metal material, such as stainless steel, in which is formed a series of perforations or holes  54 . A downwardly extending annular flange  56  is provided in the bottom screen  42  and defines a drain opening  58 , which aligns with the drain  38  when the bottom screen  42  is mounted to the bottom wall  36 . A recess  60  is formed on one side of the bottom screen  42  and is sized to receive the poppet valve  40  when the bottom screen  42  is positioned against the bottom wall  36 .  
         [0032]    As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom wall includes a well  52  having an annular flange  53 . The shape of the well  52  corresponds to the shape of the bottom screen  42  thereby permitting the bottom screen  42  to nest within the well  52  to mount the bottom screen  42  to the bottom wall  36 . The annular flange  53  defines an opening  55  in which the drain  38  and the poppet valve  40  are located.  
         [0033]    When the bottom screen  42  is positioned within the well  52 , the upper surface of the bottom screen  42  effectively performs the function of, and is in alignment with, the upper surface of the bottom wall  36  surrounding the bottom screen  42 . In other words, the bottom screen  42  effectively forms a portion of the upper surface of the bottom wall  36  when the bottom screen  42  is used.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the drain filter  44  has a generally cylindrical shape with an open top and an open bottom. The drain filter  44  comprises a skeletal frame  62 , preferably made from plastic, comprising top, middle, and bottom rings  64 ,  66 ,  68 , each of which includes a corresponding shoulder  70 ,  72 ,  74 . The bottom ring  68  includes locking lugs  76  forming part of a bayonet mount for securing the drain filter  44  within the drain  38 . The rings  64 ,  66 ,  68  are connected by spaced rails  78  to thereby define a series of windows  80 . A screen  82 , preferably in the form of a fine wire mesh, is mounted to and is carried by the skeletal frame  62  such that the screen  82  overlies the windows  80  located between the middle and bottom rings  66 ,  68 . The screen  82  functions as a filter for the drain  38 .  
         [0035]    The plug  46  also has a generally cylindrical shape with an open top and a closed bottom, with an outer periphery small enough to be received within the interior of the drain filter  44 . The plug  46  comprises a skeletal frame  88 , preferably made from plastic, and comprising a top annular ring  90  and a bottom wall  92 , which are connected by rails  94 . A series of intermediate annular ribs  96  are integrally formed with the rails  94 .  
         [0036]    As best seen in FIG. 3, when the drain filter  44  and plug  46  are received within the drain  38 , the top ring  64  of the drain filter  44  is positioned above the bottom wall  36  and bottom screen  42  and the middle ring  66  is adjacent to or in contact with the bottom screen  42 . The top ring  90  of the plug  46  is in contact with the middle ring  66  of the drain filter  44 . Therefore, liquid can pass through the windows  80  between the top rings  64  and the middle ring  62  and flow into the interior of the plug  46 , where the liquid will then pass through the skeletal frame  88  of the plug  46 , through the screen  82  of the drain filter  44 , and into the drain  38 , to filter particulates from the liquid.  
         [0037]    The top annular ring  90  also includes a shoulder  98 . Multiple feet  100  extend downwardly from the bottom wall  92 . A stopper support  102  extends downwardly from the bottom wall  92  and carries a stopper  104 , preferably made from a suitable rubber or plastic. The stopper support  102  terminates in a key  106 , which cooperates with the drain  38  to fix the position of the plug  46  in the drain  38 . A knob  108  extends upwardly into the interior of the skeletal frame  88  from the bottom wall  92 . The knob  108  aids in rotating the plug  46 .  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the spray arm assembly  48  comprises a hollow spray arm  114 , preferably made from stainless steel, with a liquid inlet  116  formed in a lower surface and spray outlets  117  formed on an upper surface. A mounting bracket  118  is secured to the upper surface of the spray arm  114  and includes resilient hooks  120  for snap-fitting with the basket  50  and a rotatable coupling  122  that rotatably mounts the spray arm  114  to the resilient hooks  120 . Thus, the mounting bracket  118  provides for the snap-fit mounting of the spray arm  114  to the basket along with permitting the spray arm  114  to rotate relative to the basket  50 .  
         [0039]    A deflector  126  is mounted to the lower surface of the spray arm  114  and circumscribes the liquid inlet  116 . The deflector  126  comprises an annular collar  128  from which extends an angled surface  130 , terminating in an annular lip  132 . The annular collar  128  and angled surface  130  form a funnel-type structure leading to the liquid inlet  116 . The diameter of the angled surface  130  is greater than the diameter of the liquid inlet  116 . The deflector  126  forms part of a coupling that automatically aligns the liquid inlet  116  with the poppet valve  40 .  
         [0040]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the basket  50  is made from multiple coated wires in a well-known manner and will not be described in great detail. The basket includes multiple peripheral wires  136 , forming the outer periphery of the basket side wall, and multiple U-shaped wires  138  laterally spanning the peripheral wires  136  to form the basic basket shape. Feet  140  are formed by wires extending from the side of the basket. The feet  140  are preferably L-shaped and extend below the bottom of the basket so that the bottom of the basket will be spaced from the bottom wall of the sink when the feet touch the bottom wall.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIGS. 3-7, the drain  38  is shown in greater detail. The drain  38  is preferably made from plastic and includes a top wall  146  and in which is formed a sump  148 . The top wall  146  mounts to the annular flange  53  of the sink bottom wall  36 . An annular platform or shoulder  150  is formed within the interior of the sump  148  and provides a support on which are mounted a temperature sensor  152 , preferably in the form of a thermistor, and a liquid level sensor  154 , preferably in the form of a dome-type pressure sensor.  
         [0042]    Spaced mounting lugs  156  extend radially inwardly from a side wall  157  of a reduced diameter portion of the sump  148 , which terminates in a second shoulder  159 . The lugs  156  are located axially beneath the shoulder  150 . The mounting lugs  156  cooperate with the lugs  76  on the skeletal frame  62  of the filter  44  to permit the bayonet mounting of the filter  44  to the sump by rotation of the skeletal frame  62 .  
         [0043]    A key hole  158  is located in the center of a waste drain portion  160  of the sump  148  and below the lugs  156 . An annular angled sealing surface  162  provides the transition from the second shoulder  159  to the waste drain  160 . The key hole  158  cooperates with the key  106  on the end of the stopper support  102  of the plug  46  for securing the plug to the sump  148 .  
         [0044]    When the drain filter  44  is received within the sump  148  and secured by the interacting lugs  76  and  156 , the shoulder  74  of the bottom ring  222  will bear against the platform  150  and/or the side wall  157  to effect a seal between the filter  44  and the sump  148 . When the plug  46  is secured to sump  148  by the cooperation between the key  106  and the keyhole  158 , the stopper  104  is compressed against the annular sealing surface  162  to close off the waste drain  160 .  
         [0045]    A recirculation inlet  170  is formed in the side wall  157  of the sump  148  below the lugs  156  and above the annular sealing surface  162 . A recirculation inlet  170  is connected to the poppet valve  40  by a liquid conduit  172 , which is shown schematically in FIGS. 5-7. The recirculation inlet  170  permits liquid flow in the sump  148  to be directed through the conduit  172  to the poppet valve  40  and into the spray arm  48 , when the basket  50  is seated within the second bowl  20  to establish a recirculation loop where liquid can be continuously recirculated from the sump and onto the dishes contained in the basket  50 .  
         [0046]    The recirculation inlet  170  of the sump  148  is positioned above the annular sealing surface  162  so that when the stopper  104  of the plug  46  closes the waste drain  160 , liquid can still be drawn into the recirculation loop through the recirculation inlet  170 . The recirculated liquid will be drawn through the drain filter to ensure that particulates in the liquid are not recirculated back onto the dishes.  
         [0047]    A recirculation drain  174  is fluidly connected to the waste drain  160  below the keyhole  158 . The recirculation drain  174  is also fluidly connected to the conduit  172 . The fluid connection of the recirculation drain  74  between the waste drain  160  and the liquid conduit  172  permits the draining of the liquid in the recirculation loop even when the drain plug  46  has closed off the waste drain  160 .  
         [0048]    Shown schematically in FIGS. 5-7, an in-line liquid heater  176  and a recirculation pump  178  are fluidly connected to the liquid conduit  172  and form part of the recirculation loop. The in-line water heater  176  is used to receive liquid passing through the conduit  172  and the recirculation pump  178  pumps liquid through the recirculation loop.  
         [0049]    A drain pump  180  is also fluidly connected to the liquid conduit  172  as well as to the recirculation drain  174 . The drain pump  180  permits the liquid in the recirculation loop to be drained from the wash chamber through the sump when the drain plug  46  has closed the waste drain  160 .  
         [0050]    The recirculation pump  178  and drain pump  180  act both as a valve and a pump since when the pumps are turned off, water cannot pass through the pump. Therefore, both pumps can be coupled to the liquid conduit  172  without interfering with the flow of liquid through the recirculation loop or the draining of liquid from the recirculation loop. It is possible for a single pump to be used in place of separate recirculation in drain pumps.  
         [0051]    Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the poppet valve  40  is shown in greater detail. The poppet valve  40  comprises a housing  190  that is mounted to the top wall  146  and defines a chamber  192  therebetween that is fluidly connected to the liquid conduit  172  by an inlet  194  formed in the top wall  146 . A liquid outlet opening  196  is formed in the housing  190 . The chamber  192  can be thought of as essentially a continuation of the conduit  172  and the liquid outlet opening  196  can be thought of as an outlet for the liquid conduit  172 .  
         [0052]    A poppet assembly comprising a feed tube  198  and a poppet  200  extend from the poppet chamber  192  through the liquid outlet opening  196 . The feed tube  198  comprises a nozzle  202  extending from a base  204 . The nozzle  202  defines a hollow interior and has a proximal end that connects to the base  204  and a distal end that terminates in a radially extending annular rib  206 . The interior of the nozzle comprises a shoulder  208  that functions as a stop for the poppet  200 .  
         [0053]    The poppet comprises cap  210  from which depend resilient legs  212 , which terminates in radially extending feet  214 . The resilient legs  212  are located along the cap  210  such that they can be received through the hollow interior of the nozzle  202 . The feet  214  extend a sufficient radial distance so that they will bear against the shoulder  208  of the nozzle  202  to limit the axial movement of the poppet  200  relative to the nozzle  202 . The resilient nature of the legs  212  permits the poppet  200  to be assembled to the nozzle  202  by deflecting the legs  212  radially inwardly until they can pass through the opening to the hollow interior of the nozzle defined by the annular rib  206 . As the legs  212  are inserted into the hollow interior of the nozzle  202 , they will spring radially outwardly once the feet  214  clear the shoulder  208 .  
         [0054]    The operation of the poppet valve  40  is dependent on whether or not there is pressurized liquid being directed through the liquid conduit  172 . When there is no pressurized liquid acting on the poppet valve  40 , the poppet valve is as it appears in FIGS. 5 and 5A. In such an unpressurized condition, the base  204  is spaced from the liquid outlet opening  196  of the housing  190  and rests on the top wall  146  circumscribing and enclosing the poppet chamber inlet  194 . The cap  210  of the poppet  200  rests on the annular rib  206  of the nozzle  202  to close off the hollow interior of the nozzle  202 .  
         [0055]    When there is pressurized liquid acting on the poppet  40 , the poppet valve  40  takes the position as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A. In such a pressurized condition, the pressurized liquid forces the feed tube  198  upwardly until the base  204  contacts the housing  190  to seal the liquid outlet opening  196 . The pressurized liquid must then pass through the hollow interior of the nozzle  202  where it contacts the cap  210  of the poppet to raise the cap above the annular rim  206  of the nozzle  212  and permits fluid flow through the nozzle  200  to and between the cap  210  and the annular rib  206 .  
         [0056]    In the pressurized condition, the cap  210  forms a spray head for the poppet valve  40  and forms outlet openings defined by the gaps between the cap  210 , annular rib  206 , and legs  212 . Since the cap  210  and annular rib  206  are radially extending, the defined outlet openings are inherently laterally extending, resulting in any liquid passing through the poppet valve  40  to be directed laterally toward the peripheral wall  34  of the bowl  20 . In other words, the axial flow of the pressurized liquid through the nozzle  202  is laterally deflected when it contacts the cap  210  to direct the pressurized liquid laterally toward the peripheral wall  34  of the bowl  20 .  
         [0057]    The seating of the basket  50  within the second bowl  20  and the corresponding alignment of the poppet valve  40  with the liquid inlet  116  of the spray arm  114  is best seen by comparing FIGS. 5-7A. FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate the poppet valve  40  aligned with the liquid inlet  116  of the spray arm  114 , but before the basket  50  is completely seated within the second bowl  20 . For the preferred embodiment disclosed in the specification, the basket  50  is seated when the feet  140  of the basket  50  rest on the bottom wall  36  of the second bowl  20 . FIG. 6 illustrates the poppet valve  40  aligned with the liquid inlet  116  of the spray arm  114  when the basket  50  is seated in the second bowl  20 .  
         [0058]    The seating of the basket  50  and the alignment of the liquid inlet  116  with the poppet valve  40  will correspond to FIGS. 5-6A when the nozzle  202  is axially aligned with the liquid inlet  116  as the basket  50  is inserted into the second bowl  20  and the axial alignment is maintained through the seating of the basket  50  in the second bowl  20 . In such a seated and aligned condition, when pressurized liquid flows through the liquid conduit  172 , the cap  210  of the poppet  200  will lie substantially at the midpoint of the hollow interior of the spray arm  114  as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A. In such a position, the pressurized liquid exiting the nozzle  202  is directed laterally by the cap  210  of the poppet  200  and will naturally flow laterally and fill the hollow interior of the spray arm  114  where the liquid exits the spray openings  117  to spray the dishes retained in the basket above.  
         [0059]    It is anticipated that the user will not ensure that the nozzle  202  and the poppet  40  are manually aligned with the liquid inlet  116  of the spray arm  114  when the user seats the basket  50  within the second bowl  20 , especially since the outer periphery of the basket  50  is smaller than the area defined by the peripheral wall  34 . The difference in the dimensions between the outer periphery of the basket  50  and the area defined by the peripheral wall  34  results in some “play” between the basket  50  and the peripheral wall  34 . The play between the basket  50  and the peripheral wall  34  can be quantified as the range of movement of the basket within the bowl  20  assuming nothing other than contact between the basket  50  and the peripheral wall  34  limits their relative movement.  
         [0060]    The play between the basket  50  and the peripheral wall  34  can result in the misalignment of the nozzle  202  with the liquid inlet  116  when the basket is being seated unless some action is taken to keep or force the alignment. The nozzle  202 , in combination with the deflector  126 , forms a self-aligning coupling for fluidly coupling the liquid conduit  172  to the liquid inlet  116 . The angled surface  130  of the deflector  126  will contact the annular rib  206  of the nozzle  202  when the nozzle  202  is not axially aligned with the liquid inlet  116  as the basket  50  is being seated. Such a condition is shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0061]    Once the angled surface  130  contacts the annular rib  206 , further insertion by the user of the basket  50  to complete the seating of the basket  50  within the second bowl  20  moves the nozzle  202  laterally relative to the second bowl peripheral wall  34  and into alignment with the liquid inlet  116 . The nozzle  202  is free to laterally move until the nozzle  202  contacts the liquid outlet opening  196 . To ensure that the nozzle  202  can laterally move a sufficient distance to align the nozzle  202  with the liquid inlet  116 , the range of lateral movement of the nozzle  202  and the liquid outlet opening  196  is preferably greater than the range of lateral movement of the basket  50  relative to the second bowl  20 .  
         [0062]    The deflector  126  can reduce or eliminate the need for the range of motion of the nozzle  202  relative to the liquid outlet opening  196  to be greater than the range of motion of the basket  50  relative to the peripheral wall  34  of the second bowl  20 . With the deflector  126 , alignment between the nozzle  202  and the liquid inlet  116  can be ensured as long as the deflector is sized such that the greatest diameter of the angled surface  130  will make contact with the nozzle  202 .  
         [0063]    It is preferred that the greatest diameter of the angled surface  130  is sized such that the nozzle  202  always lies entirely within the deflector  126  for the entire range of movement of the basket  50  relative to the peripheral wall  34  of the second bowl  20 . It should be noted that the invention will still work if for some reason the entire nozzle  202  does not lie within the deflector  126 . Under such circumstances, contact between the nozzle  202  and the deflector  126  will provided the user with tactile feedback in positioning the nozzle  202  within the deflector  126 .  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a controller  220 , preferably a microprocessor-based controller, used to control the operation of the in-sink dishwasher and the electrical coupling of the controller to the in-line heater  176 , recirculation pump  178 , drain pump  180 , inlet valve  224 , liquid level sensor  154 , and temperature sensor  152  to control their respective operations.  
         [0065]    The controller  200  controls the operation of a wash cycle and preferably has multiple pre-programmed wash cycles stored within the memory of the controller. There are many well-known wash cycles such as Regular Wash, High Temperature or Sanitizing Wash, China Wash, Wash with Pre-Soak, and Pots and Pans Wash, to name a few. The wash cycles typically comprise multiple steps, the building blocks of which include introducing and recirculating a charge of water into the wash chamber. Some steps can include the addition of a detergent. Other steps might include heating the water. The exact cycles and steps are not germane to the current invention other than the controller  200  for the in-sink dish washer is capable of performing one or more wash cycles.  
         [0066]    To perform a wash cycle, the controller  200  operates the in-line heater  176 , recirculation pump  178 , drain pump  180 , and inlet valve  224 , along with data from the water level sensor  154  and the temperature sensor  152 . The controller generally includes an internal clock that handles timing functions and internal counters for any cycle functions.  
         [0067]    A user interface  222  is located adjacent the second bowl  20  and is electronically coupled to the controller  200 . The user interface  222  permits the user to select the desired wash cycle from the multiple wash cycles stored in the memory of the controller  200  and enter any necessary or optional operating data or parameters for the wash cycles. The user interface preferably includes one or more visual or audible indicators used to display information to the user. For example, lights, preferably light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), can be illuminated adjacent descriptive text or symbol on the user interface to indicate an associated status. A common use of the visual or audible indicators is to signal an error in the wash cycle, or the completion of one or more steps in the wash cycle or the entire wash cycle.  
         [0068]    All of the wash cycles traditionally used in an automatic dishwasher or an in-sink dishwasher require the recirculation of liquid, with or without detergent, through the wash chamber to perform one step of the wash cycle. For example, during a rinse step of the overall cycle, water is introduced into the wash chamber and subsequently recirculated for a predetermined time. During a wash step, detergent is mixed with the water introduced into the wash chamber. The recirculation of the water with the detergent forms a wash liquid that is then recirculated through the wash chamber to clean the additions. To effect such a recirculation of liquid, the controller  220  ensures that the drain pump  180  is shut off, which prevents liquid from leaving the liquid conduit  172  and draining through the recirculation drain  174 . The controller  220  energizes the recirculation pump  178  to recirculate the liquid from the sump  148 , through the spray arm  114 , onto the dishes in the basket  50 , and the liquid subsequently flows back into the sump  148  where it is recirculated.  
         [0069]    To drain the liquid from the wash chamber when the sink is operated as an in-sink dishwasher  10 , meaning that the plug  46  is in place and closing the waste drain  160 , the controller  220  ensures that the recirculation pump  178  is turned off to prevent the recirculation of the liquid within the liquid conduit  172 . The controller  220  energizes the drain pump  180  which pumps the liquid from the sump  148  through the liquid conduit  172  and into the recirculation drain  174 , which flows into the waste drain  160  to thereby drain the liquid from the sump.  
         [0070]    If the liquid must be heated for a particular step of the wash cycle, the controller  220  will energize the in-line water heater  176  and heat the liquid passing therethrough.  
         [0071]    One advantageous benefit of the in-sink dishwasher  10  is that the poppet valve  40  can be used to provide a self-cleaning function for the bowl  20 . To accomplish this function, the user merely removes the basket  50  from the second bowl  20 . The user then selects the self-cleaning function from the user interface  222 . The controller  200  will introduce water into the wash chamber by opening the inlet valve  224  and recirculate the liquid as previously described. Since the combination of the poppet  200  and nozzle  202  results in the recirculated liquid being directed laterally toward the peripheral wall  34 , the recirculated liquid will impact the peripheral wall and naturally clean the peripheral wall and flush any particles from the sink and into the sump  148 . Once the recirculation of the liquid is completed, the controller  200  will drain the liquid from the sump as previously described.  
         [0072]    The self-cleaning sink cycle can include additional steps. For example, it is possible to heat the recirculated liquid to better remove encrusted particles on the peripheral wall  34  or bottom wall  36 . The self-cleaning sink cycle can include multiple sequences of a recirculation step followed by a drain step as previously described. The recirculation step could include the addition of detergent.  
         [0073]    The self-cleaning sink cycle can be limited to operation only when the lid is closed. Under such circumstances, the controller can be linked to a latch securing the lid in the closed position to provide feedback to the controller that the lid is closed. The implementation of a lid-close sensor and data feedback to a controller is well known in the art and will not be described in detail.  
         [0074]    While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.