Patent Description:
The present invention generally relates to commercial warewashing facilities. More particularly, the present invention relates to an auxiliary apparatus designed to provide a replenishing gray water source for use by a pre-rinse station prior to a warewashing machine in such facilities.

The food service industry needs to manage the high number of soiled dishes encountered on a daily basis. The food service industry includes restaurants and numerous institutional food service establishments present in schools, prisons, municipal buildings, military mess halls, and the like.

In such food service industry establishments, the warewashing process typically begins with scraping of dishes into a garbage can or other refuse container. Scraping is performed to remove the larger scraps of food and the like. Following scraping, pre-rinse sprayers are used to rinse the dishes prior to placement of the dishes into commercial warewashing machines.

The commercial warewashing machine market is different that of most other commercial food service equipment markets. Warewashing machines often are not owned by the individual restaurant or food service operator. Rather, warewashing machines are leased to the individual restaurant or food service operator by a chemical sales company. As a term of many leases, the food establishment is not able to modify, service or repair the warewashing machine. Rather, the food establishment is simply able to use the machine to wash the dishes.

<CIT> describes a greywater recycling system for household use that accepts and purifies the water by filtering out most particulates, irradiates soap scum to disinfect it, and passes the water through a chlorination tank. In that greywater recycling system, an outlet of a dishwasher is connected to a greywater collector downpipe connecting with a filter adjacent of an inlet of a greywater collector tank, the grewater collector tank comprising a fresh water inlet, an overflow line connected to a drain pipe, and a discharge line having a pump.

<CIT> describes a gray water recycling system that includes a control and reservoir unit for storing gray water received from a sink drain, and pumping it to a household toilet. The unit houses a pump, flow signals, filters, and an overflow.

Commercial warewashing machines come in several different configurations. One of the configurations is a fill-and-dump machine. In such machines, the water is dumped after each wash. One example of such a machine is the ES2000 Dishmachine by EcoLab. In the ES2000 Dishmachine, between <NUM> and <NUM> litres (one and five gallons) of used dishwashing water is dumped into a drain following each wash cycle. This dishwashing water comprises a plurality of soaps and rinsing agents.

One aspect of the present invention involves the recognition that it is desired to save both water and gas/electric while not significantly modifying a warewashing machine. Accordingly, certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention provide for an auxiliary device that is separate of a commercial warewashing machine but that can capture some or all of the used dishwashing water for use with a pre-rinse station. In some configurations, the auxiliary device can capture the used dishwashing water without substantial modification of the commercial warewashing machine.

Certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention provide for a method of installing an auxiliary device that is separate of a commercial warewashing machine but that can capture some or all of the used dishwashing water for use with a pre-rinsing station.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a warewashing station comprising a warewashing machine and an auxiliary grey water supply device for use in a commercial food service facility as defined in claim <NUM> is provided. The auxiliary grey water supply device comprises a tank. The tank comprises an inlet. The inlet receives a removable scrap trap. The tank further comprises an overflow outlet and a freshwater supply inlet. The overflow outlet is vertically lower than the freshwater supply inlet. A pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the tank and an outlet in fluid communication with a delivery conduit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing an auxiliary grey water supply device as defined in claim <NUM> is provided. The method comprising disconnecting a pre-rinse unit from a hot water faucet and a cold water faucet, locating the auxiliary grey water supply device proximate a warewashing station, connecting a delivery conduit to the hot water faucet and the cold water faucet and positioning an inlet of the auxiliary grey water supply device vertically below an outlet from a warewashing machine whereby a tank of the auxiliary grey water supply device captures substantially all of a load of grey water being evacuated from the warewashing machine through the inlet of the auxiliary grey water supply device without significant modification of the warewashing machine.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of a preferred embodiment, which embodiment is intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which figures:.

With reference now to <FIG>, a typical commercial warewashing station <NUM> will be introduced. The station <NUM> can include three main regions. The first region can include a pre-rinse station <NUM>. Following the pre-rinse station is a second region that includes a warewashing machine <NUM>. The third region, which is downstream of the first and second regions, can include an air-drying table <NUM>.

In the illustrated configuration, the station <NUM> is laid out in a straightthrough configuration. In some configurations, the station <NUM> can be L-shaped or U-shaped. In some configurations, the station <NUM> has a counter depth of <NUM> meter (<NUM> inches). These differing configurations can result in variations of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, as will be explained below. In other words, some of the components can be relocated to better facilitate access to those components, such as spigots, faucets, valves and scrap traps, for example but without limitation.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the pre-rinse station <NUM> comprises a table <NUM>. A sink <NUM> can be mounted to the table <NUM>. A pre-rinse unit <NUM> can be positioned generally above the sink <NUM>. The pre-rinse unit <NUM> can be connected to one or more of a hot water supply <NUM> and a cold water supply <NUM>. The hot water supply <NUM> and the cold water supply <NUM> can comprise a hot water faucet <NUM> and a cold water faucet <NUM>. Generally, the pre-rinse unit <NUM> will comprise an inlet <NUM> that will be connected to at least one of, and typically both of, the hot water faucet <NUM> and the cold water faucet <NUM>. The pre-rinse unit <NUM> also can include a valve <NUM> to control the flow out of the pre-rinse unit <NUM>. When the valve <NUM> is actuated, flow from the hot water supply <NUM> and the cold water supply <NUM> can pass through the hot water faucet <NUM> and the cold water faucet <NUM>, through the pre-rinse unit <NUM> and into the sink <NUM>.

The warewashing machine <NUM> can have any suitable configuration. In some configurations, the warewashing machine <NUM> can be a machine, such as the ES2000 by EcoLab. Because certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention involve providing an auxiliary device to the warewashing machine <NUM> without significant modification to the warewashing machine <NUM>, the warewashing machine <NUM> will not be described in detail.

The illustrated warewashing machine <NUM> is supported by a frame <NUM>. Any suitable support or frame <NUM> can be used so long as access is available to an outlet <NUM> from the washing chamber (not shown). In the illustrated configuration, the outlet <NUM> is positioned generally above a scrap trap <NUM>. The scrap trap <NUM> can comprise a perforated tray that serves to separate larger food waste and the like from water emitted through the outlet <NUM>. Water that has passed through the scrap trap <NUM> flows through a drain outlet <NUM> that can be plumbed to the nearest floor sink or the like. The drain outlet <NUM> can be connected to the floor sink or the like using a conduit, for example but without limitation.

When the warewashing machine <NUM> is in use, the warewashing machine <NUM> is supplied fresh water and pre-rinsed dishes to wash as a batch. Upon completion of a wash cycle, the warewashing machine <NUM> dumps the used wash water (i.e., the gray water) through the outlet <NUM>, onto the scrap trap <NUM> and ultimately through the drain outlet <NUM>, which is plumbed to the city sewer system. The amount of gray water disposed can vary depending upon the make and model of the warewashing machine in use. In some configurations, the warewashing machine <NUM> can emit between <NUM> and <NUM> litres (between one and five gallons) one and five gallons per cycle.

The air-drying table <NUM> can have any suitable configuration. In some configurations, the air-drying table <NUM> includes a frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> can have an open configuration to define an open racking area <NUM>. In some configurations, the frame <NUM> can be positioned above the floor sink, floor drain or the like.

An auxiliary device <NUM> that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The auxiliary device <NUM> captures the gray water being emitted from the warewashing machine <NUM>. The auxiliary device <NUM> can supply the captured gray water to the pre-rinse station <NUM>. The grey water captured by the auxiliary device <NUM> has been sanitized, softened and soaped during the wash cycle of the warewashing machine <NUM>.

The auxiliary device <NUM> is separate of the warewashing machine <NUM> and is not permanently connected to the warewashing machine <NUM>. The auxiliary device <NUM> is adapted to be fluidly connected to the warewashing machine <NUM> through an air gap. The air gap is defined between the outlet <NUM> and the inlet into the auxiliary device <NUM> with no physical components interposed there between. In other words, the air gap is positioned between the outlet and the inlet. The air gap can be more than about <NUM> times the effective inner diameter of the outlet pipe of the warewashing machine <NUM>. In some configurations, the air gap can be between <NUM> and <NUM> times the effective inner diameter of the outlet pipe of the warewashing machine <NUM>.

Broadly speaking, the auxiliary device <NUM> can include a holding portion <NUM> and transfer portion <NUM> that is in fluid communication with the holding portion <NUM>. The holding portion <NUM> receives and collects the gray water. The transfer portion <NUM> conveys the grey water from the holding portion <NUM> to the pre-rinse station <NUM>.

With reference now to <FIG>, the holding portion <NUM> of the auxiliary device <NUM> generally comprises a tank <NUM>. The tank <NUM> can be formed from any suitable materials keeping in mind that the tank will handle grey water that is at least about <NUM> (<NUM> °F). In some instances, the tank <NUM> will handle grey water that is between about <NUM> and <NUM> (<NUM> - <NUM> °F). Preferably, the tank <NUM> is formed of a material that can tolerate temperatures below about <NUM> (<NUM> °F) (rinse water at temperatures of <NUM> (<NUM> °F) and above is believed to simply cook food onto the surface of the dishes being washed).

In some configurations, the tank <NUM> can be formed of a material that is at least partially translucent. In some configurations, the tank <NUM> is formed of a material that is sufficiently translucent to provide visual confirmation of the contents of the tank <NUM>. Moreover, the tank <NUM> preferably is formed of a material that admits light into the tank <NUM> to facilitate cleaning and drying of the tank <NUM> at the end of a day. The tank <NUM> can be formed of a material, such as polystyrene, that can provide easy formation of the tank <NUM>. In some configurations, the tank <NUM> can be formed of a material that incorporates recycled materials, such as recycled plastic bottles, for example but without limitation.

Using a plastic material to form the tank <NUM> can provide insulating properties. In addition, the thickness of the walls can help insulate the tank <NUM>. For example, as will be explained, a pump including a pump motor may be secured to the tank <NUM> and, therefore, forming the tank <NUM> of a plastic-based material will reduce motor vibrations and reduce or eliminate the need for an isolator or damper to be positioned between the tank <NUM> and the pump motor. In addition, as discussed above, the tank desirably can handle water having elevated temperatures and, therefore, being somewhat insulating is desired to help retain the heat in the grey water for use in pre-rinsing operations.

The tank <NUM> can have any suitable shape, size and configuration. Given a counter depth of about <NUM> (<NUM> inches). the tank preferably extends front to rear a total of less than the counter depth (i.e., <NUM> (<NUM> inches)) but other dimensions are possible. In some configurations, the shape and sizing of the tank <NUM> is less important than the internal volume of the tank <NUM>. For example, in some configurations, the tank <NUM> is designed to retain a full release of wash water from the warewashing machine <NUM> and the warewashing machine <NUM> releases about <NUM> litres (<NUM> gallons) per cycle. Thus, in such configurations, the tank <NUM> is sized and configured to define an internal volume of at least about <NUM> litres (<NUM> gallons). The outer dimensions of the tank <NUM> also can be determined based upon a desire to position the tank under one or more of the pre-rinse station <NUM>, the warewashing machine <NUM> and the air-drying table <NUM>. For instance, in applications in which the tank <NUM> will be positioned directly below the warewashing machine <NUM>, the vertical height can be selected based upon the required height when the width and depth of the tank <NUM> are specified to fit within the frame <NUM> of the warewashing machine <NUM>. Similarly, in applications in which the tank <NUM> will be positioned under the air-drying table <NUM>, the width of the tank may be greater than the width when the tank <NUM> is designed to be placed below the warewashing machine <NUM> due to the difference in the configuration of the frame <NUM> of the air-drying table <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM> of the warewashing machine <NUM>. As such, the height of the tank <NUM> may be reduced in such applications.

The illustrated tank <NUM> comprises a top <NUM>, a bottom <NUM>, and at least one sidewall that extends generally between the top <NUM> and the bottom <NUM>. In the illustrated configuration, the tank <NUM> includes a front wall <NUM>, an opposing rear wall <NUM>, a left wall <NUM> and an opposing right wall <NUM>. To facilitate cleaning, the internal junctures of two or more walls, especially the junctures of the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> with the bottom <NUM>, are radiused to reduce the occurrence of tight corners that can be difficult to clean and/or dry.

With reference still to <FIG>, a fine scrap trap <NUM> can be assembled to the tank <NUM>. In some configurations, the fine scrap trap <NUM> defines a basket. As described above, the tank <NUM> captures water from the warewashing machine <NUM>. While the warewashing machine <NUM> may include a scrap trap (e.g., scrap trap <NUM>) of its own, the fine scrap trap <NUM> can be interposed between the drain outlet <NUM> of the warewashing machine <NUM> such that the grey water has already been filtered once or can be interposed between the outlet <NUM> of the warewashing machine <NUM> such that the fine scrap trap <NUM> performs as a primary scrap trap for the system. Because of the difference in the ultimate treatment of the grey water (i.e., from the drain outlet <NUM>, the water goes to the city sewer system; from the tank <NUM>, the water goes to the pre-rinse station <NUM>), the fine scrap trap <NUM> advantageously is configured to limit or eliminate the infiltration of finer particles (e.g., tomato skins, rice, etc.) that could clog the pre-rinse station <NUM>. In some applications, the fine scrap trap <NUM> incorporates a mesh (e.g., a stainless steel mesh). In some applications, the mesh has sufficiently small openings such that almost no rice can pass through the mesh intact.

In the illustrated configuration, the tank <NUM> includes an opening <NUM>. The opening <NUM> can have any suitable size and configuration. In the illustrated configuration, the opening <NUM> is sized to be more than two times the inner effective diameter of the drain outlet <NUM> of the warewashing machine <NUM>. The opening receives the fine scrap trap <NUM>. To facilitate capture of the grey water, the opening <NUM> can be in the top surface <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. In some configurations, the opening can be encircled by a splash curb or the like (e.g., an upwardly extending protrusion); the splash curb can contain and control splashing of water that may be caused by the velocity of the water emitted from the drain outlet <NUM> or the outlet <NUM> when the water hits the fine scrap trap <NUM>.

The fine scrap trap <NUM> can be sized and configured to cooperate with the opening <NUM> in the tank <NUM>. In some configurations, the opening <NUM> can be configured such that the fine scrap trap <NUM> can be formed as a tray. Forming the fine scrap trap <NUM> as a tray that slides generally transverse to the direction of water flow (e.g., providing a fine scrap trap drawer) can improve access to the fine scrap trap <NUM>; providing a scrap trap <NUM> that inserts from the top, however, simplifies construction and reduces a need to seal around the fine scrap trap <NUM>. In some configurations, the fine scrap trap <NUM> can be configured to directly underlie an existing scrap trap tray of the warewashing machine <NUM>. Such a configuration provides for enhanced filtration while providing a more compact construction.

In the illustrated configuration, the fine scrap trap <NUM> is sized and configured for insertion into a cavity defined by the tank <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in the top <NUM>. The illustrated fine scrap trap <NUM> is generally cylindrical. The fine scrap trap <NUM> can comprise an upper flange <NUM> that extends laterally outward from a side wall <NUM> of the fine scrap trap <NUM>. The upper flange <NUM> can support the fine scrap trap <NUM> when it has been inserted into the opening <NUM> in the tank <NUM>. The side wall <NUM> can comprise one or more support members <NUM> that can define a general shape for the side wall <NUM>. A fine mesh or other suitable material <NUM> can be used form the balance of the side wall <NUM>. A similar construction also can be used to form a bottom <NUM> of the fine scrap trap <NUM>.

The illustrated fine scrap trap <NUM> is sized and configured to be recessed into the tank with the bottom <NUM> of the fine scrap trap <NUM> being vertically lower than the top <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. In some configurations, the bottom <NUM> of the fine scrap trap <NUM> can be positioned vertically higher than a high-water level of the tank (which can be controlled by an overflow outlet, as will be discussed). By recessing the bottom <NUM> (or other surface that may cause splashing when contacted by the water emitted from the warewashing machine <NUM>), splashing can be at least partially contained. Splashing of water out of the tank <NUM> is desired to be minimized or eliminated because such splashing of water will required clean-up at the end of operations and, in many installations, the warewashing machine <NUM> will be in the way during clean-up, which causes clean-up to be more difficult.

In some configurations, the fine scrap trap <NUM> can incorporate one or more splash reduction features. For example, but without limitation, the fine scrap trap <NUM> can include a cone or other flow spreading device positioned within the fine scrap trap <NUM> or forming at least a portion of the fine scrap trap <NUM>. In some configurations, the bottom <NUM> of the fine scrap trap <NUM> can be conical downward or frustoconical downward. The feature can be formed of mesh or can be a solid flow diffusing component. The splash reduction feature or features can help slow the rush of water toward the bottom of the fine scrap trap, which can reduce the splashing experienced when the water contacts the bottom of the fine scrap trap <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG> and <FIG>, the illustrated auxiliary device <NUM> can include support features <NUM>. In the illustrated configuration, the support features <NUM> can include rails <NUM> that are mounted to the tank <NUM>. The rails <NUM> can be mounted to, or formed as a part of, two or more of the front, rear, left and right walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The rails <NUM> can be used to fit to existing structures of the warewashing machine <NUM> (e.g., parts of the frame <NUM>) or to existing structures of the air-drying table <NUM>. Thus, such a configuration provides for a compact mounting arrangement. In some configurations, however, casters, leveling feet, a support superstructure or the like can be provided to support the tank and can define support features <NUM>. For example, leveling feet can be provided under or alongside of the tank <NUM>. The leveling feet would allow for the leveling of the tank to reduce the likelihood of extreme floor pitches causing issues with water level maintenance while still allowing for portability of the auxiliary device <NUM> when empty for purposes of cleaning the auxiliary device <NUM> and the surrounding area.

With reference to <FIG>, a water level control assembly <NUM> is shown. The water level control assembly <NUM> can define an overflow outlet for the tank <NUM>. The tank <NUM> can include an outlet aperture <NUM> (see <FIG>), the bottom of which can correlate to the highest desired water level. In the illustrated configuration, outlet conduit <NUM> can be mounted to the outlet aperture <NUM> to direct any overflow through the outlet conduit <NUM> to a suitable drain location (e.g., a drain in a floor sink or a floor drain). The illustrated configuration advantageously obviates any need for a pump, any sensors or other mechanical components to maintain the water level below a predetermined level. The outlet conduit <NUM> preferably terminates at least <NUM> meter (<NUM> inch) from the top of any floor sink or floor drain; such a location can reduce splashing while providing sufficient clearance to clean the floor or floor sink. Other configurations are possible.

In the illustrated configuration, the outlet aperture <NUM> can extend through at least one of the sidewalls (e.g., the front, rear, left and right walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to the outlet conduit <NUM>. In some configurations, the bottom <NUM> of the fine scrap trap <NUM> can define a generally horizontal plane that generally intersects or is positioned vertically higher than the outlet aperture <NUM>. In some less desired configurations, the bottom <NUM> of the fine scrap trap <NUM> can define a generally horizontal plane that is vertically lower than any portion of the outlet aperture, but such configurations allow the contents of the fine scrap trap <NUM> to float when the water level is at the high water level defined by the water level control assembly <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG>, the auxiliary device <NUM> can include a fresh water supply assembly <NUM>. The fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can be configured to allow the addition of fresh water to the tank <NUM> as needed or desired. For example, at the start of each work day, the tank <NUM> will not have a supply of grey water for use by the pre-rinse station <NUM> and the fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can be used to provide an initial priming of the system for the first load of dishes of the day. Moreover, when pre-rinsing overly soiled dishes, it may be necessary to use more than the volume of grey water supplied by the warewashing machine <NUM>; in such instances, the fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can provide makeup water.

The fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can be in fluid communication with the cavity of the tank <NUM> through a fresh water supply opening <NUM> (see <FIG>). In some configurations, the opening <NUM> is positioned vertically higher than the overflow aperture <NUM>. In some configurations, the opening <NUM> is positioned vertically higher than the overflow aperture by at least <NUM> times the diameter of the opening <NUM> and/or <NUM> times an inner diameter of any flow path connected to the opening <NUM>. In the illustrated configuration, the opening <NUM> is positioned along the top <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. In any event, given the relative vertical positioning of the opening <NUM> and the overflow aperture <NUM>, the water level in the tank <NUM> is unlikely to allow grey water to flow upwardly into the fresh water supply through the fresh water supply assembly <NUM>.

In the illustrated configuration, the fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can include a control valve <NUM> that can be manually manipulated to control the flow of fresh water through a supply conduit <NUM> into the tank <NUM>. In some configurations, a backflow prevention device <NUM> can be integrated into or coupled with the supply conduit <NUM>. The backflow prevention device <NUM> can have any suitable configuration and can help to further reduce the risk of any contamination by the grey water.

With reference to <FIG>, a first outlet <NUM> from the tank <NUM> is illustrated. The outlet <NUM> advantageously is positioned generally vertically below the fresh water supply assembly <NUM>, which increases the likelihood of rapid availability of water under low water conditions. Other locations also are possible. Moreover, the location of the fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can be varied depending upon the construction and layout of the warewashing station <NUM>. In other words, it is helpful to have easy access to the control valve <NUM> and, for at least this reason, the location of the fresh water supply assembly <NUM> may vary depending upon the application.

With reference still to <FIG>, the tank <NUM> also includes a second outlet <NUM>. One or both of the first and second outlets <NUM>, <NUM> can extend through the bottom <NUM> of the tank <NUM> or one or more of the sides (e.g., front, rear, right and left walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). Desirably, the first and second outlets <NUM>, <NUM> are sufficiently low relatively to an inner bottom of the tank <NUM>. As will be described, the first outlet <NUM> is fluidly connected to a supply pump while the second outlet <NUM> is fluidly connected to a drain valve. Thus, the first outlet <NUM> benefits from a low position because it increases the available water for use and the second outlet <NUM> benefits from a low position because it helps to more fully drain the tank <NUM> at the end of operations.

In some configurations, the inner bottom surface of the tank <NUM> is generally planar but, in some configurations, the inner bottom surface of the tank <NUM> can include features to help direct flow to one or both of the first and second outlets <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, in some configurations, a triangle, a pyramid, a cone or the like can be positioned to cause the water to move toward the sides of the tank <NUM>. In one configuration, the inner bottom surface slopes gently toward the second outlet <NUM> throughout the bottom of the tank <NUM> because the second outlet <NUM>, which can define an evacuation outlet, is used to substantially fully drain the tank <NUM> while the first outlet <NUM> supplies a pump and, therefore, should be fully or substantially submerged during operations and, if not, the fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can be used to augment the water supply within the tank <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a spigot <NUM> can be connected to the tank <NUM> at the second outlet opening <NUM>. The spigot <NUM> can be used at the end of operations to drain the grey water from the tank. Accordingly, the sizing of the spigot <NUM> can be determined, at least in part, by the desired flow rate for emptying the tank <NUM> at the end of operations. In some configurations, a hose can be used to direct the flow to a floor drain or a floor sink. In some configurations, a bucket can be used to transfer the remnants from the tank <NUM> via the spigot <NUM>. Other suitable configurations also can be used.

A pump <NUM> can be supported by the auxiliary device <NUM>. The pump <NUM> in the illustrated configuration is mounted to the tank <NUM>. More particularly, in the illustrated configuration, the pump <NUM> is mounted to one of the side walls of the tank <NUM>. The pump <NUM> can be secured using four fasteners, which allows for rapid replacement and exchange if desired.

The pump <NUM> can have any suitable configuration. In one configuration, the pump <NUM> can provide a maximum flow rate of about <NUM> litres (<NUM> gallons) per minute and a pressure of <NUM> bar (<NUM> psi). In one configuration, the pump is a FLOJET model number D3835B5011A. The pump <NUM> preferably is configured to run only on demand. In other words, the pump <NUM> does not run unless the pre-rinse unit <NUM> is being used. Other pumps and other configurations can be used. The illustrated configuration is advantageously simple in construction in that no floats or other components are used to indicate or ameliorate a low water condition; rather, the pump <NUM> simply ingests air with the water and sputtering at the pre-rinse unit <NUM> will indicate a need for additional water.

A fitting <NUM> can be used to join a supply conduit <NUM> to the first outlet <NUM>. In other words, a first end of the supply conduit <NUM> can be connected to the first outlet <NUM> with the fitting <NUM>. A second end of the supply conduit <NUM> can be connected to an inlet of the pump <NUM>. In some configurations, a screen or other filter can be disposed at the inlet of the supply conduit <NUM>, at the outlet of the supply conduit <NUM> or both. The supply conduit <NUM> can be a braided conduit or can have any other suitable configuration.

An outlet of the pump <NUM> can be connected to the inlet <NUM> of the pre-rinse unit <NUM>. In some configurations, a delivery conduit <NUM> extends from the outlet of the pump <NUM> to the inlet <NUM> of the pre-rinse unit <NUM>. The delivery conduit <NUM> can include a first length that extends to a tee fitting and two lengths that connect the tee fitting to the portions of the pre-rinse unit <NUM> that otherwise would connect to the hot water faucet <NUM> and the cold water faucet <NUM> respectively. By connecting to both portions of the pre-rinse unit <NUM>, it is possible for the pump <NUM> to pressurize the line. In some configurations, the delivery conduit <NUM> may connect to only one of the portions of the pre-rinse unit <NUM> while the other portion can be plugged to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of the grey water contaminating a fresh water supply and to reduce the eliminate the likelihood that the pump <NUM> cannot pressurize the delivery conduit <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> can be provided with water condition sensing components if desired. For example, in the illustrated configuration, a water temperature sensor <NUM> can be provided. The water temperature can be sensed in any suitable manner. In some configurations, the water temperature can be sensed using a thermometer. In addition, in some configurations, a water PH sensor <NUM> can be provided. The water PH sensor also can have any suitable configuration. In some configurations, the tank <NUM> can be provided with a port to include a PH tester, which could possibly be a dipper rod that enters the tank <NUM> through the top <NUM>. Water PH often will be monitored in conjunction with warewashing machines. Typically, water PH is sensed using test strips in the food service industry. The water PH sensor <NUM> can be an electric PH sensor or the like and can be used to provide an indication of the water PH without the need for repeated testing of PH using the expensive PH test strips. In some configurations, one or more of the temperature and PH can be simply indicated in a go-no go style while, in other configurations, relative values can be provided. For example, a PH of less than <NUM> is desired and can be indicated by a first color indicator while a PH exceeding that value can be indicated by a second color indicator. In some configurations, a PH of less than <NUM> is achieved. The PH can be monitored for many reasons, including monitoring for levels that can shorten the life of certain components of the auxiliary device <NUM>. Ports <NUM>, <NUM> for the sensors can be provided through one or more walls of the tank <NUM>. Any suitable placement and number of ports can be provided.

As discussed above, certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention relate to the auxiliary device <NUM> being arranged and configured for installation without significant modification to the warewashing machine <NUM>. As used herein, "without significant modification" means that the changes are easily reversible (e.g., reversing the changes does not require the use of a welder). For example, simply removing a scrap trap is easily reversible and simply redirecting a conduit through plumbing is easily reversible. On the other hand, a modification that requires a welding device, a saw, a grinder or the like is not easily reversible.

As such, one method of installation provides a simple connection. The inlet <NUM> to the pre-rinse unit <NUM> can be disconnected from the hot and cold water faucets <NUM>, <NUM>. The auxiliary device <NUM> can be moved into position proximate the warewashing station <NUM>. The auxiliary device <NUM> can be located such that the drain outlet <NUM> from the warewashing machine <NUM> empties into the inlet into the tank <NUM> (e.g., empties into the fine scrap trap <NUM>) or the auxiliary device <NUM> can be located such that the outlet <NUM> empties into the inlet into the tank <NUM>. In some techniques, a delivery conduit can be provided to transport the flow from the outlet <NUM> to the inlet and into the tank <NUM>.

The inlet <NUM> of the pre-rinse unit <NUM> can be connected to the delivery conduit <NUM>. The fresh water supply assembly <NUM> can be connected to a source of water, such as one or both of the hot and cold water faucets <NUM>, <NUM>. The outlet conduit <NUM> of the overflow outlet <NUM> can be positioned over a floor sink or floor drain. The pump <NUM> can be connected to an electrical supply. With these very few connections made, the tank <NUM> can be primed using the fresh water supply assembly <NUM> and then operations can commence using the grey water captured from the warewashing machine <NUM> beginning with the second cycle.

At the end of operations (e.g., the end of the work day), the contents of the tank <NUM> can be drained through the pre-rinse unit <NUM> and/or the spigot <NUM>. Once drained, the auxiliary device <NUM> can be moved out from beneath the warewashing station <NUM> to allow cleaning beneath that warewashing station <NUM>. In addition, the fine scrap trap <NUM> can be removed from the opening <NUM>. The opening <NUM> advantageously can be sized and configured to allow an operator to reach inside of the tank <NUM> to dry and clean the inside of the tank <NUM>. Moreover, the opening <NUM> can be configured to allow visual confirmation that the tank <NUM> has been cleaned and dried.

In use, the auxiliary device <NUM> can save water as well as gas and/or electricity. First, by capturing the grey water from the commercial warewashing machine, the auxiliary device <NUM> significantly decreases the amount of water used in the warewashing process. In addition, because fresh water is not being used by the pre-rinse station, the fresh water need not be heated, which saves gas and/or electricity that would be used to heat the fresh water supply. Because the grey water has a sufficiently elevated temperature for pre-rinsing, the grey water does not require further heating. The savings for a commercial food service facility can easily exceed $<NUM>,<NUM> per year.

Claim 1:
A warewashing station (<NUM>) comprising a warewashing machine (<NUM>) and an auxiliary grey water supply device (<NUM>) for use in a commercial food service facility, the auxiliary grey water supply device comprising:
a tank (<NUM>) comprising:
a top surface (<NUM>),
an inlet comprising an opening (<NUM>) in the top surface (<NUM>) of the tank (<NUM>),
a removable scrap trap (<NUM>) received in the opening (<NUM>),
an overflow outlet (<NUM>), and
a freshwater supply, wherein the overflow outlet (<NUM>) is vertically lower than a fresh water supply inlet,
a pump (<NUM>) having an inlet in fluid communication with the tank and an outlet in fluid communication with a delivery conduit (<NUM>),
wherein the tank (<NUM>) of the auxiliary grey water supply device (<NUM>) is positioned under at least a portion of the warewashing machine (<NUM>) and is fluidly connected to the warewashing machine through an air gap, the air gap disposed between a water outlet (<NUM>) of the warewashing machine and the inlet into the auxiliary grey water supply device, the air gap being defined between the water outlet (<NUM>) of the warewashing machine and the inlet into the auxiliary device with no physical components interposed therebetween.