CleandiCator ™:  U.S. Patent # 5,839,458

CleandiCator is the first Fully-Automated Dishwasher Clean/Dirty Indicator.

Highlights:

• Eliminates Confusion About Clean or Dirty Dish Condition
• Has Automatic Re-set Feature for “Hands-Off” Operation
• Provides Accurate and Reliable Indication at all Times
• Requires No User Intervention
• Fits in Any Dishwasher

OVERVIEW:

In today's society, with the busy lifestyles that many people lead, the dishwasher in a household may be used by several people as they have their meals at different times. This usage pattern often presents a problem for those who use the dishwasher because they may not know whether the dishes are clean or dirty. This is especially true if more than one household member is loading and unloading the dishwasher. As a result, the CleandiCator has been invented to automatically provide the users with an accurate indication of dish condition for partially-loaded or fully-loaded dishwashers with absolutely no user intervention!

Dishwasher indicators in the past have not been popular because people who used them were required to manually reset them after usage. The CleandiCator solves this problem because it is completely automatic. Users don't ever have to touch it or think about it. It always provides an accurate indication, regardless of whether the dishwasher is partially full of dirty dishes, partially full of clean dishes, or completely full of clean or dirty dishes. The secret lies with the fact that all dishwashers must be completely unloaded at some time. The CleandiCator detects when the last dish has been removed and, as a result, automatically resets itself.

The CleandiCator can be either portable or built-in to a dishwasher. The portable design requires no installation. After being purchased by the consumer, it would simply be placed in the glass rack of a dishwasher. It requires less space than a normal drinking glass so it has no significant effect on the washing capacity of the dishwasher.

FEATURES & BENEFITS:

• Eliminates Confusion About Clean or Dirty Dish Condition:

        The CleandiCator automatically shows the clean or dirty condition of dishes in the dishwasher without manual intervention by the user. It eliminates confusion when multiple users are loading and unloading dishes at various times. It prevents users from loading dirty dishes in a dishwasher full of clean dishes, and unloading dirty dishes that are thought to be clean.

• Provides Accurate and Reliable Indication at All Times:

        The CleandiCator automatically registers “Dirty” as soiled dishes are being loaded into the dishwasher, and stays in the dirty position until the dishwashing cycle is activated. During the dishwashing cycle, the CleandiCator automatically moves from the dirty position to the “Clean” position, and remains in the clean position for partially unloaded dishwashers.

• Has Automatic Re-Set Feature for "Hands-Off" Operation:

        The CleandiCator requires no user intervention because it automatically re-sets itself to the “Dirty” position upon removal of the last dish as the dishwasher is being unloaded. The automatic re-set feature provides “hands-off” operation because there is no requirement for the user to re-set it manually after the dishwasher is empty.

• Fits in Any Dishwasher With No Installation Requirements:

        The CleandiCator is designed to fit in any dishwasher because it is the size of a normal drinking glass. It rests in the dishwasher’s glass rack and has no user installation requirements. After the CleandiCator is initially placed in the dishwasher, it requires no further attention.

• Ideal for Multiple Users With On-The-Go Schedules:

        The CleandiCator is especially useful in households with multiple dishwasher users. As users come and go at different times, they no longer have to wonder whether the dishes are clean or dirty. The CleandiCator provides the confidence that multiple users need.

SALES/PROFIT POTENTIAL:

Using a conservative estimate of 50 million dishwashers in the United States, with an assumed sales volume of 1%, the number of CleandiCators sold annually would be 500,000. Over the 20 year life of the patent, this equates to 10 million units. Using other small kitchen appliances as a guide, it is believed that the CleandiCator could sell for a retail price of $15.00.

With a market penetration of only 1%, the resulting sales would be $7.5 million annually. After royalties, it is believed that a profit margin of at least 6.7% could be earned. With this margin, the resulting annual profit would be $250,000. Over a 10 year period, (excluding inflation effects), the profit would be $2.5 million. Higher volumes would result in proportionally higher profits. Please see http://members.home.com/kdelcar1 for an estimated breakdown of relevant costs.

MARKET RESEARCH:

The original CleandiCator prototype was built in October, 1995, and has operated flawlessly ever since. It has been tested in 6-8 different dishwashers to verify its operability and accuracy. The CleandiCator is ready for full-scale commercialization at this time. The target market includes all dishwasher owners with emphasis on those with multiple users. Based on the limited research that has been conducted, it is evident that the CleandiCator has practical value. Testimonials are highlighted as follows:

• When three college roommates saw the CleandiCator they said that this is a perfect solution to their problem. Their comment was "We never know when the dishes are clean or dirty since our schedules are so different. As a result, the dishes sit out on the counter all the time. If the CleandiCator were on the market, we would buy one instantly! "
  
  
• A housewife has a dishwasher containing a built-in clean/dirty indicator that illuminates a light on the instrument panel. The housewife's comment was, "The system does not work because we usually forget to re-set the indicator after unloading the dishwasher. When we tried the CleandiCator, it completely solved the problem."

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTOR:

The inventor will consider any creative solution for bringing the CleandiCator to market. A licensing arrangement would be preferred; however, the inventor will also consider proposals from investors, manufacturers and retailers for developing the product on his own. Invention marketing consultants with proven track records will also be considered.

Inventor:  Kevin Delcarson
3741 Ashford Drive
Bedford, Texas 76021
Phone:  (817) 571-1501
E-mail:  [email protected] 

since August 5, 2000