DE102018217058A1 - Cleaning system and method for cleaning items to be cleaned - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning system (110) for cleaning items to be cleaned (112) is proposed. The cleaning system (110) comprises a) at least one cleaning device (114), having at least one at least partially closed cleaning chamber (122) with at least one loading device (148) for loading the cleaning items (112) with at least one cleaning liquid; andb) at least one transport system (116) for the automatic transport of the items to be cleaned (112), the transport system (116) comprising: a. at least one first conveyor device (118) for transporting contaminated cleaning items (112), b. at least one second conveyor device (120) for transporting the contaminated cleaning material (112) to the cleaning device (114); c. at least one transfer device (126) for transferring at least a portion of the contaminated cleaning material (112) from the first conveyor device (118) to the second conveyor device (120); and d. at least one sensor (128) for recognizing occupied areas (130) on the second conveyor device (120). The transport system (116) is set up to control the transfer device (126) in such a way that the contaminated items to be cleaned (112) are only for the occupied areas Areas (130) of the second conveyor (120) is transferred. A method for cleaning items to be cleaned (112) is also proposed.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a cleaning system and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned. Cleaning systems and methods of the type mentioned can be used, for example, in the field of dishwashing technology, in particular in the field of commercial dishwashing technology. Thus, the invention can be used in particular in canteen kitchens in which items to be cleaned, for example trays, dishes and cutlery, have to be cleaned in large quantities. However, other areas of application are also conceivable in principle.

Technical background

A large number of cleaning devices, also referred to as cleaning devices, are known from the prior art, which can clean and / or disinfect items to be cleaned. The design of these cleaning devices depends heavily on the various boundary conditions, such as the type of items to be cleaned, the contamination, the throughput or similar conditions. As an example, reference can be made to cleaning devices which, for example, in DE 10 2004 056 052 A1 or in DE 10 2007 025 263 A1 are described.

In many cases, cleaning devices are combined in industrial kitchens with transport devices or transport systems for the automatic delivery and / or removal of the items to be cleaned. For example, cleaning systems are provided in many communal catering facilities, such as canteens in schools, hospitals or other facilities in which a large number of people are catered for, in which trays with contaminated crockery and cutlery are placed on a conveyor belt. This transports the items to be cleaned to the actual cleaning device, such as a dishwasher. There, the items to be cleaned are usually still sorted using personnel, waste is disposed of, and crockery, cutlery and trays are fed to the cleaning device in a suitable manner, for example a conveyor belt dishwasher, a basket conveyor dishwasher, a hood dishwasher or even a pass-through dishwasher. In many cases, despite the transport system, manual work is still required when sorting and entering the contaminated cleaning material into the cleaning device and / or also when removing the cleaned cleaning material from the cleaning device.

A technical and organizational challenge in many cases is that the contaminated cleaning items do not accumulate evenly. In particular due to group dynamics, timetables or other circumstances that are not within the sphere of influence of the canteen kitchen, load peaks often occur, but also times when there is little or no items to be cleaned. This represents a considerable challenge for the planning of the personnel requirements and also for the planning of the design of the cleaning device. For example, the design of the system and the personnel planning must generally be designed in such a way that the personnel can cope with the peak loads, but this may be outside of the peak loads leads to insufficient utilization of the staff. The personnel planning and the design of the cleaning device must therefore be oversized in many cases.

DE 10 2017 121 978 A1 describes a dishwasher in the form of a commercial utensil or dishwasher designed as an automatic programmer, which is designed as a hood or pass-through dishwasher and has a treatment chamber with at least one washing system designed as a recirculation system. In order to achieve that the actually achievable utilization of the machine can be optimized, and at the same time relieving the load on the washing personnel, it is provided according to the invention that the dishwasher is assigned a loading / unloading device for preferably optionally automatically loading the treatment chamber with items to be washed and / or for preferably optionally automatic unloading of wash ware from the treatment chamber.

DE 4339111 A1 describes a dishwasher. In order to sustainably reduce water, energy and detergent consumption, the crockery in the individual crockery baskets is washed in cycle mode, with the cycles of the washing device only being put into operation in their respective time interval within the washing program. A conveyor belt for the crockery baskets is controlled by means of appropriate switches in such a way that the crockery remains in the area of a washing zone during the washing process.

DE 10 2004 049 392 A 1 describes a method for transporting items to be cleaned through a continuous dishwasher and onto a continuous dishwasher. The continuous dishwasher includes a washing zone, a rinse zone and a drying zone. The items to be cleaned are cleaned in the washing zone, rinsed clear in the rinse zone and dried in the drying zone. Transport devices are provided with which the items to be cleaned are also carried in the respective zones ongoing process steps of optimal transport speed is transported in the conveying direction.

Despite the advantages achieved with these devices and methods, the technical and organizational challenge described above generally persists. Personnel planning for many cleaning systems must still be dimensioned in such a way that it can withstand peak loads in any case. As a rule, the operating personnel, in particular in the case of peak loads, must sort dishes particularly carefully and distribute them on the conveyor belt in order to optimally use the limited capacity of the cleaning device. If the load then drops, a somewhat less careful sorting and distribution is necessary, but the operating personnel must nevertheless be kept in order to be able to react again in the event of sudden new peak loads. This provision of a personal and, as a rule, also mechanical overcapacity can lead to unnecessary additional costs when operating the cleaning device.

Object of the invention

It would therefore be desirable to provide a cleaning system and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned, in particular items to be cleaned in the canteen kitchen area, which at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, the cleaning system and the method are intended to enable more flexible personnel planning with regard to the operating personnel and a more flexible dimensioning of the apparatus, and preferably to reduce the use of operating personnel.

Disclosure of the invention

This object is addressed by a cleaning system and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned, with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments, which can be implemented individually or in any combination, are presented in the dependent claims.

In the following, the terms “have”, “have”, “include” or “include” or any grammatical deviations therefrom are used in a non-exclusive manner. Accordingly, these terms can refer both to situations in which, apart from the features introduced by these terms, no further features are present, or to situations in which one or more further features are present. For example, the expression "A has B", "A has B", "A includes B" or "A includes B" both refer to the situation in which, apart from B, there is no further element in A. (ie a situation in which A consists exclusively of B), as well as the situation in which, in addition to B, one or more further elements are present in A, for example element C, elements C and D or even further elements .

Furthermore, it is pointed out that the terms “at least one” and “one or more”, as well as grammatical variations of these terms, when used in conjunction with one or more elements or features and are intended to express them, mean that the element or feature is provided one or more times can usually only be used once, for example when the feature or element is first introduced. When the feature or element is mentioned again, the corresponding term “at least one” or “one or more” is generally no longer used, without restricting the possibility that the feature or element can be provided one or more times.

Furthermore, the terms “preferably”, “in particular”, “for example” or similar terms are used in the following in conjunction with optional features, without this restricting alternative embodiments. Thus, features introduced by these terms are optional features, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, and in particular the independent claims, by these features. Thus, as the skilled person will recognize, the invention can also be implemented using other configurations. In a similar manner, features which are introduced by “in an embodiment of the invention” or by “in an embodiment of the invention” are understood as optional features, without this being intended to restrict alternative configurations or the scope of protection of the independent claims. Furthermore, these introductory expressions are intended to leave all possibilities of combining the features introduced thereby with other features, be they optional or non-optional features, unaffected.

In a first aspect, a cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. This cleaning system comprises at least one cleaning device and at least one transport system as components.

The term "cleaning system", as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is attached should be as the expert understands them. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Thus, a “system” can generally be understood to mean a device or a group of interacting devices which are set up to fulfill at least one common purpose. The term “cleaning system” can accordingly, without limitation, refer in particular to a system which is set up to carry out at least one cleaning process, that is to completely or partially free cleaning goods from adhering macroscopic contaminants and / or microbial contaminants.

The term "transport system", as used here, is also a broad term, to which its usual and common meaning should be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a system in the sense of the above definition, which is used to transport one or more elements or objects, such as, in the present case, in particular the transport of items to be cleaned.

The term “cleaning device” as used here is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to free cleaning goods from adhering macroscopic or also microscopic impurities or to at least partially remove such impurities. In addition, a disinfectant effect can optionally be exerted. As will be explained in more detail below, the cleaning device can in particular be designed as a dishwasher, in particular as a dishwasher. The dishwasher can be designed, for example, as a single-chamber dishwasher, in particular as a commercial single-chamber dishwasher with a multi-circuit dishwasher system, or also as a conveyor dishwasher, in particular as a belt conveyor dishwasher and / or as a rack conveyor dishwasher. Examples are detailed below.

The term “items to be cleaned”, as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any objects which can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device. One object can be cleaned, or several objects can be cleaned simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the items to be cleaned can be objects which are used directly or indirectly for the preparation, storage or presentation of dishes, for example dishes, cutlery, trays, bowls, glasses, pots, pans or similar objects. Accordingly, the cleaning device can be designed in particular as a dishwasher, for example as a dishwasher for commercial use in canteen kitchens or kitchens for public catering. Other configurations of the items to be cleaned are also possible in principle.

The cleaning device has at least one at least partially closed cleaning chamber with at least one loading device for loading the cleaning items with at least one cleaning liquid.

The term “cleaning chamber” as used here is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a completely or partially closed chamber within which the cleaning process can be carried out completely or partially. The cleaning chamber can in particular have at least one housing which completely or partially surrounds the cleaning chamber. In this case, a single cleaning chamber can be provided, or in principle several cleaning chambers can also be provided, for example sequentially. The cleaning chamber can for example have at least one opening for loading the cleaning chamber with the items to be cleaned. For example, this can be an opening with a flap arranged on a front side of the cleaning chamber and / or an upper side of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, hoods at the end of the cleaning chamber are also possible, for example in the context of hood hoods. Again, as an alternative, the cleaning chamber can also be designed, in whole or in part, as a tunnel, for example in the context of so-called continuous dishwashers or transport dishwashers, for example as a tunnel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. In principle, other configurations are also possible.

The term "loading device", as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any device by means of which the cleaning liquid can be supplied with the cleaning liquid within the cleaning chamber. The loading device can in particular, as will be explained in more detail below, comprise at least one nozzle system. Furthermore, the application device can comprise at least one pump and at least one line system for providing cleaning fluid to the nozzle system. For example, a nozzle system and a line system for supplying cleaning liquid from a tank can be provided, as well as at least one corresponding pump. As an alternative or in addition, at least one nozzle system can also be acted upon directly from a feed line, without the need for a pump. One or more cleaning zones can be provided in the cleaning device, through which the items to be cleaned, for example, pass sequentially. For example, a single cleaning zone can be provided, the cleaning device being set up to carry out a cleaning program by means of the loading device, in which the items to be cleaned are received in a stationary manner in the cleaning chamber and in which cleaning liquid is successively applied in one or more cleaning steps of the cleaning program. Alternatively, the items to be cleaned can also be transported in succession through a plurality of cleaning zones in which a different type of exposure to cleaning liquid takes place, for example one or more cleaning zones selected from the group consisting of: a pre-clearing zone; a washing zone; a rinse or rinse zone, which can be subdivided into a pump rinse zone and a downstream fresh water rinse zone. Furthermore, at least one drying step can be provided, which can, for example, be carried out in one chamber after the cleaning liquid has been stationary, after which the cleaning liquid is applied, or which can be carried out, for example, in a drying zone downstream of the liquid cleaning zones in the case of the conveyor dishwasher.

The term “cleaning fluid” as used here is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a liquid which, when struck on the items to be cleaned, can have a cleaning effect. In particular, the cleaning liquid can comprise an aqueous liquid, for example water and / or water with one or more additives, for example with one or more detergent concentrates and / or rinse aids and / or disinfectants. The cleaning device can be set up to use a single cleaning liquid or to use a combination of several cleaning liquids. If several cleaning liquids are provided, the different cleaning liquids can be applied to the items to be cleaned simultaneously or sequentially. For example, the items to be cleaned can remain stationary within the cleaning chamber and the various cleaning liquids and / or cleaning fluids can be acted upon one after the other. Alternatively, as explained above, the items to be cleaned can also be transported sequentially through a plurality of cleaning zones in which, for example, different types of cleaning liquid and / or cleaning liquids of different degrees of purity are applied. Different degrees of purity can be generated, for example, by a cascade overflow between different tanks of the cleaning device, with a degree of purity preferably increasing in the direction of transport. As an alternative or in addition, pumped systems which regulate the liquid balance and / or the degree of purity between the individual tanks of the cleaning device are also known and can basically be used in the context of the present invention.

The transport system is set up for the automatic transport of the items to be cleaned. An “automatic” transport of the items to be cleaned can in particular be understood to mean a transport in which the items to be cleaned are transported from at least a first location or area to at least a second location or area, without muscle strength being required for the movement of the items to be cleaned. In particular, as will be explained in more detail below, the automatic transport can take place using at least one electromechanical transport device, for example using at least one electromechanical drive such as at least one electric motor.

1. a. mindestens eine erste Fördervorrichtung zum Antransport von verunreinigtem Reinigungsgut;
2. b. mindestens eine zweite Fördervorrichtung zum Transport des verunreinigten Reinigungsguts zu der Reinigungsvorrichtung;
3. c. mindestens eine Transfervorrichtung zum Transfer zumindest eines Teils des verunreinigten Reinigungsguts von der ersten Fördervorrichtung auf die zweite Fördervorrichtung; und
4. d. mindestens einen Sensor zum Erkennen belegbarer Bereiche auf der zweiten Fördervorrichtung,

The transport system includes:

1. a. at least one first conveyor device for transporting contaminated items to be cleaned;
2. b. at least one second conveyor device for transporting the contaminated cleaning material to the cleaning device;
3. c. at least one transfer device for transferring at least part of the contaminated cleaning items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor; and
4. d. at least one sensor for recognizing occupied areas on the second conveyor device,

Here, the terms "first", "second" and, where appropriate, further numbering in connection with terms are used as pure nomenclature without specifying an order or ranking.

The term “conveyor device” as used here is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term can refer in particular to a device which is set up to convey the items to be cleaned. In particular, the conveyor device can have at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a conveyor belt; a conveyor chain; a roller or roller system for transportation. The conveyor device can also be set up to transport items to be cleaned indirectly, for example in baskets. In this case, the baskets can, for example, be placed on slide rails and conveyed, for example, by means of a reversing pawl transport system. Other types of devices for indirect transport, for example by means of baskets, are also conceivable and usable. Combinations of the devices mentioned are also possible. Furthermore, the first conveying device and the second conveying device can be of the same or different design.

A contaminated cleaning good can generally be understood to mean the cleaning good that has not yet been cleaned by the cleaning device, regardless of its actual degree of contamination, for example by food residues. A “delivery” can generally be understood to mean the transport of the contaminated cleaning material away from at least one feed point, in particular to the second conveying device or to an optional further conveying device connected between the first and the second conveying device.

As stated above, the second conveying device is designed to transport the contaminated items to be cleaned to the cleaning device, for example to an input area or feed area of the cleaning device. As will be explained in more detail below, the cleaning device itself can optionally comprise at least one third conveying device which is designed to transport the items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber. The cleaning system can be set up to transfer the items to be cleaned from the second conveyor to the third conveyor, for example by the second conveyor being adjacent to the third conveyor, so that the items to be cleaned are transferred directly or indirectly from the second conveyor to the third conveyor. Alternatively, however, the second and third conveying device can also be wholly or partially identical to the component, so that the second conveying device is also set up to transport the items to be cleaned in whole or in part through the cleaning chamber. For example, the second conveyor device can have at least one area outside the cleaning chamber in which the items to be cleaned are transferred from the first conveyor device to the second conveyor device, and at least one further area within the cleaning chamber in which the items to be cleaned pass through the cleaning chamber. Optionally, the second conveyor device can also have at least a third area, which is located downstream of the cleaning chamber and which can be set up as an outlet for the cleaned items to be cleaned. If, on the other hand, the second and the optional third conveying device are designed separately, the third conveying device can have, for example, an area in front of the cleaning chamber in which the items to be cleaned are transferred from the second conveying device to the third conveying device, and at least one further area within the cleaning chamber, in which the items to be cleaned pass through the cleaning chamber. Again, the third conveyor can optionally further have at least one outlet area downstream of the cleaning chamber in which the cleaned items can be removed by the third conveyor. Various configurations are possible, can be recognized by the person skilled in the art on the basis of the present description, and some of them are described in more detail below.

The term “transfer device” as used here is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term can refer in particular to a device or a system which is set up to transfer or transfer at least one element from a first device or a first system to at least one second device or at least one second system. In particular, this can be an automatic transfer device which carries out the transfer mentioned fully automatically. The transfer device can in particular have at least one element comprising, selected from the group consisting of: a slide on which the material to be transferred is transferred due to its own gravity; a conveyor device, for example a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain; an actuator, in particular an electromechanical actuator, for example at least one actuator selected from the group consisting of: a slide, a swivel lever; a gripper; a sucker. Other types of actuators are also conceivable. Furthermore, as will be explained in more detail below, the transfer device can have at least one positioning system by means of which the at least one actuator can be spatially positioned, for example in one, two, three or more dimensions or degrees of freedom. This positioning system can have, for example, one or more rails along which the actuator can be moved. For example, x, y and optionally z positioning can be carried out and / or positioning by rotation about one or more axes. As an alternative or in addition to a positioning along Cartesian coordinates, positioning about certain angular coordinates, for example polar coordinates or cylindrical coordinates, can also be carried out. For example, the actuator can have at least one pivot lever by means of which the material to be transferred can be positioned, the positioning device having at least one pivot axis about which the pivot lever can be positioned.

The term “sensor” as used here is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to record at least one property of another device, a substance or an environment, for example at least one physical, chemical or biological property. As will be explained in more detail below, the sensor can in particular comprise at least one optical sensor, for example at least one camera. Alternatively or additionally, however, other types of sensors can also be used, for example mechanical sensors.

The term "area", as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to a spatially limited one, two or three-dimensional section of the second conveying device. For example, if the second conveyor device has a belt, for example a conveyor belt, the term can refer to a section of the belt or also to a part of a track of the belt. If the second conveying device has, for example, transport fingers or compartments, the term can refer, for example, to a group of spatially adjoining transport fingers or to one or more transport compartments. Accordingly, the term "verifiable", as used here in connection with the term "area", is another term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attributed, as the expert understands it. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to the property of an area to include items to be cleaned. In particular, an area which can be occupied can be an area which has not yet been occupied by items to be cleaned and can accordingly accommodate further items to be cleaned, or an area which is not yet sufficiently occupied by items to be cleaned and can accordingly also accommodate further items to be cleaned.

The transport system and / or the cleaning system, for example a control of the transport system and / or the cleaning system, are preferably set up to control the transfer device in such a way that the contaminated items to be cleaned are transferred exclusively to the occupied areas of the second conveyor device. If, for example, the sensor detects an occupied area of the second conveying device, for example a free belt section and / or a free section of a track of the belt, the transfer device, when there is cleaning material to be transferred, can be controlled in such a way that the cleaning material is transferred to this occupied area . If, on the other hand, the sensor detects that there is currently no occupied area, the transfer can be temporarily stopped, for example by not actuating the actuator and / or by temporarily stopping the transport of the items to be cleaned. If there are several tracks on the second conveyor device, for example tracks running parallel to a conveying direction of a belt of the second conveyor device, the transfer device can, for example, evenly distribute the items to be cleaned over these tracks, so that a width of the second conveyor device is used and that several Pieces of the items to be cleaned are arranged parallel to one another or next to one another on the second conveying device. In particular, the transfer device can thus be designed to adapt or to adjust a position of the items to be transferred in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction or conveying direction of the second conveying device change. For example, the sensor can recognize that at least one first area of the second conveying device cannot be occupied, but that at least one second area perpendicular to the conveying direction next to the first area can be occupied and then transfer the items to be transferred accordingly into this second area. In order to carry out the steps described, the cleaning system, for example the transport system, can have at least one controller which is set up in terms of program technology to control this transfer. Different types of items to be cleaned can also be distinguished, since the term “verifiable” can also depend, for example, on the type of items to be cleaned. For example, a free area of the second conveyor device can be occupied by plates, but too small for trays and thus cannot be occupied. The controller can, for example, recognize the suitability for the type of the items to be transferred and accordingly control the transfer and / or select items that are suitable for the transfer.

The first conveyor device and the second conveyor device can in particular be arranged relative to one another in such a way that they intersect. Thus, the first conveyor device can in particular be arranged at least partially above the second conveyor device and cross it, for example, in at least one transfer area. The transfer device can in particular include a transfer between different levels. In particular, the transfer device can have at least one slide for the contaminated items to be cleaned, which, for example, in at least one transfer area causes a transfer between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device that is at least partially caused by gravity. Alternatively or additionally, however, the transfer device can also comprise, for example, at least one actuator and / or at least one conveyor belt. The transfer area can be designed to be stationary or optionally spatially variable.

The transfer device can furthermore have at least one brake for the contaminated items to be cleaned. The transport system can be set up to close the brake when an occupied area of the second conveyor device is detected by the sensor and the items to be cleaned would be transferred to the occupied area of the second conveyor device when the brake was open. The brake can, for example, include a lock that prevents the items to be cleaned from being transported or transferred. For example, this can be arranged at least one barrier in front of, on or on the slide described above or else at another location on the first conveyor device, the second conveyor device or the transfer device. The brake can in particular be part of a lock for the items to be cleaned. The lock can in particular have the brake as a front lock gate facing the second conveying device, wherein the lock can also optionally have a rear lock gate facing the first conveying device.

The second conveyor device can in particular have at least two verifiable tracks arranged parallel to one another. The term "trace", as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to the fact that several pieces of items to be cleaned can be arranged in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the second conveying device, so that, viewed in the transport direction, these are arranged next to one another on the second conveying device. Each of the pieces arranged side by side then takes up a track. The second conveyor device, for example a conveyor belt, can then be virtually or actually divided into strips parallel to the direction of transport, each strip having, for example, the width of a piece of items to be cleaned. Depending on the type of items to be cleaned, these strips can vary in width.

The transfer device can, in particular, have at least one switch which is set up to direct the items to be cleaned onto different tracks, for example depending on which of the tracks a detectable area was detected by the sensor. The term "switch", as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to selectively direct a movement of at least one object onto a track of at least two tracks. The switch can in particular comprise at least one guide element which can be changed in an angular position and which, depending on the angular position, can direct the object onto a track or another track. The switch can, for example, be arranged on a slide or on a conveyor belt, for example stationary, and can have, for example, at least one guide element which can be pivoted about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being arranged, for example, perpendicular to the slide or the conveyor belt. Depending on the angular position, a Pieces of the items to be cleaned, which slide on the slide or are transported on the conveyor belt, are directed onto a track or onto another track of the second conveyor device. In this way, for example, a position of the items to be cleaned can be set perpendicular to a transport direction of the second conveying device.

The second conveyor device can in particular have a conveyor belt. This can be, for example, a continuous conveyor belt or, for example, a conveyor belt divided into links or a conveyor chain or link chain. The conveyor belt can be flat or, for example, also have receiving compartments, for example transport fingers. The areas that can be occupied can in particular be free areas on the conveyor belt.

The second conveyor device can in particular have a transport device for washware baskets, also referred to as transport baskets, crockery baskets or washing baskets. This transport device can have, for example, a plurality of transport fingers or other types of carriers which can interact with the baskets and can take them along. The areas that can be occupied can in particular be free areas in the washware baskets.

The cleaning device can in particular comprise at least one dishwasher. The dishwasher can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: a basket transport machine, a belt transport machine, a hood dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher.

The first conveying device and the second conveying device can in particular run parallel to one another at least in one transfer area. The transfer area can be the area in which the items to be cleaned are transferred from the first conveyor device to the second conveyor device. This transfer area can be predefined by the transfer device or can also be variable, in particular if the transfer device is not designed to be stationary.

The cleaning chamber can in particular at least partially be designed as a cleaning tunnel. The cleaning device can have at least two cleaning zones, in particular in the cleaning tunnel. The transport system can in particular be set up, for example by means of the second conveying device or by means of a third conveying device which is assigned to the cleaning device in order to transport the items to be cleaned sequentially through the cleaning zones. The cleaning zones can in particular comprise at least two zones, selected from the group consisting of: a pre-clearing zone, a washing zone, a pump rinse zone, a fresh water rinse zone; a drying zone.

The cleaning device can in particular have at least one third conveying device, which can be identical to the second conveying device or can also be formed separately therefrom and which, for example, directly or indirectly adjoins the second conveying device, so that items to be cleaned are at least directly or with the intermediary of the second conveying device an intermediate step can be transferred to the third conveyor. The third conveying device can in particular adjoin the second conveying device and can be set up to transport items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber.

The cleaning system can further comprise at least one controller. The term “control”, as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a one-part or multi-part device of the cleaning system or the cleaning device, which is set up to fully or partially control and / or to control an operation of the cleaning system, in particular the cleaning device and / or the transport system regulate. In particular, the control can be set up to change, in particular to control and / or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the cleaning system, for example at least one temperature, at least one pressure, at least one heating power, at least one transport speed or a combination of two or more of the mentioned operating parameters. The cleaning device and the transport system can have separate controls or a common control or two or more coupled controls. The controller can in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor. The control can in particular be set up in terms of program technology, for example to control at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device and optionally to control or carry out the proposed method in one or more of the configurations mentioned below. The control can be set up completely or partially by hardware or / alternatively or additionally, completely or partially by software. Furthermore, the controller can comprise at least one volatile and / or non-volatile data memory. The controller can also comprise at least one interface, for example a human-machine interface for entering commands and / or for outputting information, and / or a wireless or wired interface for the unidirectional or bidirectional exchange of data and / or commands between the cleaning device and at least one further Contraption. The controller can in particular comprise at least one computer and / or at least one processor. The control can in particular be a central or decentralized machine control of the cleaning device and / or the cleaning system and / or the transport system. The controller can be set up, in particular, in terms of programming in order to control operation of the transport system and in particular also of the cleaning device. The controller can also be connected to the sensor and, for example, process one or more sensor signals in the program.

As stated above, the sensor can basically comprise one or more sensors. In particular, the sensor can comprise at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor; a camera; a metal detector; a light barrier; a mechanical button; an electromagnetic sensor. The sensor can be connected, for example, directly or indirectly to the controller, so that the controller can evaluate sensor signals, for example. For example, the control system can detect occupied areas. For example, the controller can have an image data analysis which, for example, recognizes areas which can be automatically assigned, for example by means of a self-learning algorithm and / or an artificial intelligence.

In a further aspect, a method for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. The method comprises the steps detailed below. These steps can be performed in the order listed. However, a different order is also possible in principle. Furthermore, two or more of the method steps mentioned can be carried out overlapping in time or simultaneously. Furthermore, one or more of the aforementioned method steps can be carried out simply or repeatedly. In addition to the steps mentioned, the method can include further method steps which are not mentioned.

1. I. Bereitstellen eines Reinigungssystems wie vorliegend vorgeschlagen, beispielsweise gemäß einer oder mehreren der oben beschriebenen Ausgestaltungen und/oder gemäß einer oder mehreren der nachfolgend noch näher beschriebenen Ausgestaltungen;
2. II. Antransport von verunreinigtem Reinigungsgut mittels der ersten Fördervorrichtung;
3. III. Erkennen von belegbaren Bereichen auf der zweiten Fördervorrichtung; und
4. IV. Transfer zumindest eines Teils des verunreinigten Reinigungsguts mittels der Transfervorrichtung auf die belegbaren Bereiche der zweiten Fördervorrichtung.

The process includes the following steps:

1. I. Providing a cleaning system as proposed here, for example according to one or more of the configurations described above and / or according to one or more of the configurations described in more detail below;
2. II. Transport of contaminated cleaning items by means of the first conveyor device;
3. III. Detection of areas that can be occupied on the second conveyor device; and
4. IV. Transfer of at least a part of the contaminated cleaning material by means of the transfer device to the verifiable areas of the second conveyor device.

For further possible configurations, definitions or options, reference can be made to the above description of the cleaning system.

The at least one first conveying device and the at least one second conveying device and optionally the at least one third conveying device can generally be operated continuously or in an interrupted mode, for example only when required. Furthermore, as described above, the transfer area can be designed to be stationary or also spatially variable. For example, the second conveying device can also be stopped, if necessary, the transfer device moving longitudinally over the second conveying device, for example in a transport direction, for example in order to identify areas which can be occupied and to be loaded with items to be cleaned. In this way, for example, the first conveyor device can continue to be operated even if the second conveyor device is stopped, for example. The latter is useful, for example, when the cleaning device is itself operated in a clocked manner, for example in the case of pass-through dishwashers. For example, the second conveying device can be operated in a clocked manner and convey cleaning items into the cleaning chamber in cyclical operation, and can be stopped while a rinsing process takes place in the cleaning chamber. During the time in which the second conveyor device is at a standstill, however, it can be loaded further by the transfer device, for example.

In general, the cleaning system described and the proposed method have numerous advantages over known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, the technical challenges described above of known systems and processes are addressed. The detection of occupied areas and the automatic transfer of the items to be cleaned from the first conveying device to the second conveying device also allows a short-term peak load to be countered without operating personnel having to be permanently present in the input area of the cleaning device. This enables significantly more flexible personnel planning are made possible, which in particular is not necessarily adapted to a possible peak load. Furthermore, the dimensioning of the cleaning device does not necessarily have to be adapted to the peak load, since the automatic detection of areas that can be occupied and the automatic transfer to the areas that can be occupied can lead to a significantly better distribution of the items to be cleaned on the second conveying device and thus to a better use of the existing areas Cleaning device. Even if the second conveyor device has to be stopped, the transfer device can, for example, move the transfer area counter to a transport direction of the second conveyor device, so that the transfer area is moved away from the cleaning device, wherein the first conveyor device can continue to be operated, for example. This creates an occupancy buffer which can result in a significantly more uniform operation of the first conveyor device and the transport of the contaminated cleaning material. Even if the second conveying device has to be stopped, contaminated items to be cleaned can, for example, be removed from a feed point by the first conveying device, so that, for example, no annoying traffic jams occur for a canteen user. Furthermore, clocked cleaning devices can also be used well in canteen operation in this way, since the first conveyor device can continue to be operated even if the second conveyor device stops for a short time.

• Ausführungsform 1: Reinigungssystem zur Reinigung von Reinigungsgut, umfassend
  1. a) mindestens eine Reinigungsvorrichtung, aufweisend mindestens eine zumindest teilweise geschlossene Reinigungskammer mit mindestens einer Beaufschlagungsvorrichtung zur Beaufschlagung des Reinigungsguts mit mindestens einer Reinigungsflüssigkeit; und
  2. b) mindestens ein Transportsystem zum automatischen Transport des Reinigungsguts, wobei das Transportsystem umfasst:
     1. a. mindestens eine erste Fördervorrichtung zum Antransport von verunreinigtem Reinigungsgut;
     2. b. mindestens eine zweite Fördervorrichtung zum Transport des verunreinigten Reinigungsguts zu der Reinigungsvorrichtung;
     3. c. mindestens eine Transfervorrichtung zum Transfer zumindest eines Teils des verunreinigten Reinigungsguts von der ersten Fördervorrichtung auf die zweite Fördervorrichtung; und
     4. d. mindestens einen Sensor zum Erkennen belegbarer Bereiche auf der zweiten Fördervorrichtung,
     wobei das Transportsystem eingerichtet ist, um die Transfervorrichtung derart zu steuern, dass das verunreinigte Reinigungsgut ausschließlich auf die belegbaren Bereiche der zweiten Fördervorrichtung transferiert wird.
• Ausführungsform 2: Reinigungssystem nach der vorhergehenden Ausführungsform, wobei die erste Fördervorrichtung zumindest teilweise oberhalb der zweiten Fördervorrichtung angeordnet ist, wobei die Transfervorrichtung mindestens eine Rutsche für das verunreinigte Reinigungsgut aufweist.
• Ausführungsform 3: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die Transfervorrichtung weiterhin mindestens eine Bremse für das verunreinigte Reinigungsgut aufweist, wobei das Transportsystem eingerichtet ist, um die Bremse zu schließen, wenn mittels des Sensors ein belegter Bereich der zweiten Fördervorrichtung erkannt wird und das Reinigungsgut bei geöffneter Bremse auf den belegten Bereich der zweiten Fördervorrichtung transferiert würde.
• Ausführungsform 4: Reinigungssystem nach der vorhergehenden Ausführungsform, wobei die Bremse Bestandteil einer Schleuse für das Reinigungsgut ist, wobei die Schleuse die Bremse als der zweiten Fördervorrichtung zugewandtes vorderes Schleusentor aufweist, wobei die Schleuse weiterhin ein der ersten Fördervorrichtung zugewandtes hinteres Schleusentor aufweist.
• Ausführungsform 5: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die zweite Fördervorrichtung mindestens zwei parallel zueinander angeordnete belegbare Spuren aufweist, wobei die Transfervorrichtung mindestens eine Weiche aufweist, wobei die Weiche eingerichtet ist, um das Reinigungsgut auf unterschiedliche Spuren zu dirigieren.
• Ausführungsform 6: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die zweite Fördervorrichtung ein Transportband aufweist, wobei die belegbaren Bereiche freie Bereiche auf dem Transportband sind.
• Ausführungsform 7: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die zweite Fördervorrichtung eine Transportvorrichtung für Reinigungsgut-Körbe aufweist, wobei die belegbaren Bereiche freie Bereiche in den Reinigungsgut-Körben sind.
• Ausführungsform 8: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die Reinigungsvorrichtung mindestens eine Spülmaschine umfasst.
• Ausführungsform 9: Reinigungssystem nach der vorhergehenden Ausführungsform, wobei die Spülmaschine ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus: einer Korbtransportmaschine, einer Bandtransportmaschine, einer Haubenspülmaschine, einer Durchschubspülmaschine.
• Ausführungsform 10: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die erste Fördervorrichtung und die zweite Fördervorrichtung zumindest in einem Transferbereich parallel zueinander verlaufen.
• Ausführungsform 11: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die Reinigungskammer zumindest teilweise als Reinigungstunnel ausgestaltet ist.
• Ausführungsform 12: Reinigungssystem nach der vorhergehenden Ausführungsform, wobei die Reinigungsvorrichtung in dem Reinigungstunnel mindestens zwei Reinigungszonen aufweist, wobei das Transportsystem eingerichtet ist, insbesondere mittels der zweiten Fördervorrichtung, das Reinigungsgut sequenziell durch die Reinigungszonen zu transportieren.
• Ausführungsform 13: Reinigungssystem nach der vorhergehenden Ausführungsform, wobei die Reinigungszonen mindestens zwei Zonen umfassen, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus: einer Vorabräumzone, einer Waschzone, einer Pumpenklarspülzone, einer Frischwasserklarspülzone; einer Trocknungszone.
• Ausführungsform 14: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei die Reinigungsvorrichtung mindestens eine dritte Fördervorrichtung aufweist, wobei die dritte Fördervorrichtung an die zweite Fördervorrichtung angrenzt und eingerichtet ist, um Reinigungsgut durch die Reinigungskammer hindurch zu transportieren.
• Ausführungsform 15: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei das Reinigungssystem weiterhin eine Steuerung umfasst, wobei die Steuerung programmtechnisch eingerichtet ist, um einen Betrieb des Transportsystems zu steuern.
• Ausführungsform 16: Reinigungssystem nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen, wobei der Sensor mindestens einen Sensor umfasst, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus: einem optischen Sensor; einer Kamera; einem Metalldetektor; einer Lichtschranke; einem mechanischen Taster; einem elektromagnetischen Sensor.
• Ausführungsform 17: Verfahren zur Reinigung von Reinigungsgut, mit den folgenden Verfahrensschritten:
  1. I. Bereitstellen eines Reinigungssystems nach einer der vorhergehenden Ausführungsformen;
  2. II. Antransport von verunreinigtem Reinigungsgut mittels der ersten Fördervorrichtung;
  3. III. Erkennen von belegbaren Bereichen auf der zweiten Fördervorrichtung; und
  4. IV. Transfer zumindest eines Teils des verunreinigten Reinigungsguts mittels der Transfervorrichtung auf die belegbaren Bereiche der zweiten Fördervorrichtung.

In summary, without restricting further possible configurations, the following embodiments are proposed:

• Embodiment 1: Cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising
  1. a) at least one cleaning device, comprising at least one at least partially closed cleaning chamber with at least one loading device for loading the cleaning goods with at least one cleaning liquid; and
  2. b) at least one transport system for the automatic transport of the items to be cleaned, the transport system comprising:
     1. a. at least one first conveyor device for transporting contaminated items to be cleaned;
     2. b. at least one second conveyor device for transporting the contaminated cleaning material to the cleaning device;
     3. c. at least one transfer device for transferring at least part of the contaminated cleaning material from the first conveyor device to the second conveyor device; and
     4. d. at least one sensor for recognizing occupied areas on the second conveyor device,
     wherein the transport system is set up to control the transfer device in such a way that the contaminated items to be cleaned are transferred exclusively to the occupied areas of the second conveyor device.
• Embodiment 2: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the first conveying device is arranged at least partially above the second conveying device, the transfer device having at least one slide for the contaminated items to be cleaned.
• Embodiment 3: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transfer device furthermore has at least one brake for the contaminated items to be cleaned, the transport system being set up to apply the brake when an occupied area of the second conveyor device is detected by the sensor and the items to be cleaned would be transferred to the occupied area of the second conveyor with the brake open.
• Embodiment 4: Cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the brake being part of a lock for the items to be cleaned, the lock having the brake as the front lock gate facing the second conveying device, the lock also having a rear lock gate facing the first conveying device.
• Embodiment 5: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the second conveyor device has at least two verifiable tracks arranged parallel to one another, the transfer device has at least one switch, the switch being set up to direct the items to be cleaned onto different tracks.
• Embodiment 6: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the second conveying device having a conveyor belt, the areas which can be occupied being free areas on the conveyor belt.
• Embodiment 7: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the second conveying device having a transport device for washware baskets, the areas which can be occupied being free areas in the washware baskets.
• Embodiment 8: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning device comprises at least one dishwasher.
• Embodiment 9: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the dishwasher being selected from the group consisting of: a basket conveyor, a belt conveyor, a hood dishwasher, and a pass-through dishwasher.
• Embodiment 10: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the first conveying device and the second conveying device running parallel to one another at least in one transfer area.
• Embodiment 11: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning chamber is at least partially designed as a cleaning tunnel.
• Embodiment 12: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the cleaning device in the cleaning tunnel having at least two cleaning zones, the transport system being set up, in particular by means of the second conveying device, to transport the items to be cleaned sequentially through the cleaning zones.
• Embodiment 13: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the cleaning zones comprising at least two zones selected from the group consisting of: a pre-clearing zone, a washing zone, a pump rinse zone, a fresh water rinse zone; a drying zone.
• Embodiment 14: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the cleaning device having at least one third conveying device, the third conveying device being adjacent to the second conveying device and being set up to transport items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber.
• Embodiment 15: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the cleaning system further comprising a controller, the controller being set up in terms of programming in order to control an operation of the transport system.
• Embodiment 16: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sensor comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor; a camera; a metal detector; a light barrier; a mechanical button; an electromagnetic sensor.
• Embodiment 17: Process for cleaning items to be cleaned, with the following process steps:
  1. I. Providing a cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments;
  2. II. Transport of contaminated cleaning items by means of the first conveyor device;
  3. III. Detection of areas that can be occupied on the second conveyor device; and
  4. IV. Transfer of at least a part of the contaminated cleaning material by means of the transfer device to the verifiable areas of the second conveyor device.

Figure list

Further details and features result from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in particular in connection with the subclaims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate the same or functionally identical or corresponding in terms of their functions elements.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Reinigungssystems zur Reinigung von Reinigungsgut in einer Schnittdarstellung von der Seite;
• 2 einen Transferbereich des Reinigungssystems gemäß 1 in einer vergrößerten schematischen Darstellung; und
• 3 einen Transferbereich eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Reinigungssystems.

Show in detail:

• 1 an embodiment of a cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned in a sectional view from the side;
• 2nd a transfer area of the cleaning system according to 1 in an enlarged schematic representation; and
• 3rd a transfer area of another embodiment of a cleaning system.

Description of the embodiments

In 1 is an embodiment of a cleaning system 110 for cleaning items to be cleaned 112 shown in a sectional view from the side. The cleaning system 110 includes a cleaning device 114 as well as a transport system 116 . The transport system 116 includes a first conveyor in the illustrated embodiment 118 and a second conveyor 120 , the first conveyor 118 for transporting contaminated cleaning items 112 serves and wherein the second conveyor 120 for transporting the contaminated cleaning items 112 to the cleaning device 114 serves. There the second conveyor 120 either the items to be cleaned themselves 112 in a Cleaning chamber 122 and optionally also through this cleaning chamber 122 transport through, or these tasks can be carried out by a third conveyor 124 be taken over, which is the transport system 116 , there in particular the second conveyor 120 , and / or the cleaning device 114 can be attributed.

The transport system also includes 116 in this embodiment, a transfer device 126 to transfer at least part of the contaminated cleaning items 112 from the first conveyor 118 on the second conveyor 120 in a transfer area 127 . The transport system also includes 116 in this embodiment, at least one sensor 128 to identify areas that can be occupied 130 on the second conveyor 120 . The transport system 116 is set up to the transfer device 126 to control such that the contaminated cleaning items 112 only on the assignable areas 130 the second conveyor 120 is transferred. For this purpose, the cleaning system 110 for example via a corresponding control 132 which, for example, with the sensor 128 is coupled, whose signals are evaluated and thereby assignable areas 130 recognizes and the transfer device 126 appropriately controlled locally and in time. For example, the sensor 128 , as explained in more detail below, at least one camera 176 and / or at least one position sensor 178 include, for example, the camera 176 itself and / or the controller 132 , can have image recognition around the assignable areas 130 to recognize. Other configurations of the at least one sensor 128 are possible.

The cleaning device 114 can be configured, for example, as a conveyor dishwasher, for example as a rack conveyor dishwasher and / or as a belt conveyor dishwasher. Other configurations are also possible, for example automatic program machines with discontinuous operation, for example pass-through dishwashers in the form of hooded dishwashers or the like. In this case, the transport system should be activated 116 be adapted to the program operation. The cleaning device becomes without limitation of further configurations 114 described below with reference to conveyor dishwashers. In general, for possible configurations of such dishwashers that can be modified and / or supplemented according to the invention, for example DE 10 2004 046 758 A1 , DE 10 2007 053 381 B3 or DE 10 2009 035 668 A1 to get expelled. However, other configurations are also possible in principle.

The cleaning device 114 has the cleaning chamber in the illustrated embodiment 122 in the form of a cleaning tunnel 134 on. The cleaning tunnel 134 can in particular through curtains 136 in several zones 138 , also called cleaning zones, can be subdivided, a pre-clearing zone being used as an example in the exemplary embodiment shown 140 , a rinsing zone 142 , a rinse aid zone 144 and a drying zone 146 are provided. The rinse aid zone 144 can, for example, be subdivided into a pump rinse zone and a fresh water rinse zone. Another configuration of the zones 138 is possible.

In the zones 140 , 142 and 144 can the items to be cleaned 112 by means of at least one loading device 148 with at least one cleaning liquid. For example, for this purpose in the pre-clearing zone 140 a pre-clearing zone nozzle system 150 be provided which, for example via a 1 Pump, not shown, and a pipe system, not shown, from a pre-clearing tank 152 can be fed with cleaning liquid. In the wash zone 142 can, for example, a rinsing zone nozzle system 154 be provided, which, for example via a pump, also not shown, and a line system, also not shown, from a washing tank 156 can be fed with cleaning liquid. In the rinse aid zone 144 , which can be configured in one part or in multiple parts, can, for example, at least one rinse nozzle system 158 be provided, which with heated fresh water and / or with rinse fluid from a rinse tank 160 can be fed.

After crossing the zones 140 , 142 and 144 can the items to be cleaned 112 then into the drying zone 146 occur in which the items to be cleaned 112 for example via a blower 162 can be supplied with hot air to dry the items to be cleaned 112 to accelerate.

By means of the third conveyor 124 is the items to be cleaned in this embodiment 112 in a transport direction 164 from an entry area 166 through the cleaning chamber 122 towards an outlet area 168 transported. The run-out area 168 is the cleaning chamber 122 in the direction of transport 164 downstream, so that the cleaned items to be cleaned 112 in the outlet area 168 from the third conveyor 124 can be removed. For example, the cleaned items to be cleaned 112 separated and can be manually or automatically fed to one or more storage devices.

In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor dishwasher can, for example, as Basket transport dishwasher can be designed in which the items to be cleaned 112 with cleaning baskets 170 , also known as transport baskets, is transported. Alternatively or additionally, however, other types of cleaning devices can also be used 114 are used, as stated above, for example conveyor belt dishwashers and / or clocked dishwashers, such as automatic program machines, in particular hood dishwashers. The type of transport and / or the type of transfer device 126 and the at least one sensor 128 can depend on the type of transport and / or the type of items to be cleaned 112 be adjusted.

So is in 2nd a transfer area of the cleaning system 110 according to 1 shown in an enlarged schematic representation. Here is an example of the transfer device 126 specially adapted for a basket transport. As below based on the 3rd However, an adaptation to other types of transport, for example a belt transport, is also possible.

As explained above, the items to be cleaned are 112 by means of the first conveyor 118 transported to the transfer area 127 . The transfer device 126 has a slide in this embodiment 172 on. So the first conveyor 118 and the second conveyor 120 for example in the transfer area 127 run parallel to each other, for example on different levels, so that the items to be cleaned 112 for example driven by its own gravity over the slide 172 from the first conveyor 118 on the second conveyor 120 can slide. Alternatively or additionally, however, other types of transfer devices can also be provided, for example grippers, suction devices or other types of positioning.

The transfer device 126 with the slide 172 can, for example, at least one brake 174 for the contaminated cleaning items 112 exhibit. The transport system 116 can for example be set up to this brake 174 close as long as no occupied area 130 is recognized. As stated above, the at least one sensor can 128 for example at least one camera 176 have, preferably with an image recognition. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one sensor 128 however, for example, at least one position sensor 178 for a transport basket 170 exhibit. The position sensor 178 can, for example, in turn be an optical sensor or comprise an optical sensor, for example a light barrier. Alternatively or additionally, however, other types of sensors can also be provided, for example one or more mechanical switches and / or pressure sensors. Other configurations are also possible.

The second conveyor 120 can for example be operated continuously or discontinuously, for example clocked. For example, the second conveyor 120 be clocked as a whole or only in sections. In particular, the second conveyor device 120 , as in 2nd shown, optionally at least one motor 180 for clocking transport baskets 170 exhibit. Once the camera 176 and / or the position sensor 178 a transport basket 170 and / or within the transport basket 170 assignable areas 130 the controller can recognize, for example 132 the brake 174 open so that items to be cleaned 112 from the slide 170 in the respective verifiable area 130 can slip.

The brake 174 can be part of a lock 182 be. That lock 182 can, for example, the brake 174 as a front lock gate 184 have and additionally one of the first conveyor 118 facing rear lock gate 186 . The lock gates 184 , 186 can be designed, for example, as simple flaps. The lock 182 can, for example, prevent yourself from being on the slide 172 a backlog of items to be cleaned 112 forms, as well as that, more than a piece of the washware 112 on a verifiable area 130 is transferred.

In the embodiment of the cleaning system 110 according to 1 is the transfer device with the slide 172 and the lock 182 set up as an example in the longitudinal direction, ie in the direction of the transport direction 164 , assignable areas 130 recognizable and with items to be cleaned 112 to prove. As an alternative or in addition, however, a distribution and thus an occupancy transverse to the transport direction can also be used 164 respectively. This is exemplified in 3rd shown using a conveyor belt dishwasher. However, an analogous configuration can also take place, for example, in other systems, for example in the rack transport dishwasher according to the 1 and 2nd .

Is shown in 3rd again only the perspective of the transfer area 127 . With regard to the other configurations of the cleaning system 110 can, for example, according to the design 1 to get expelled. However, other configurations are also possible in principle.

The second conveyor 120 is exemplarily designed as a conveyor belt in this embodiment, with a plurality of transport fingers 188 which are the items to be cleaned 112 can pick up in an upright position. Depending on Type of the items to be cleaned 112 can, as in 3rd shown several pieces of the items to be cleaned 112 at the same longitudinal position in the direction of transport 164 be recorded side by side. For example, the conveyor belt can be virtually in two or more tracks 190 , 192 be divided, with each track at a position in the direction of transport 164 one piece each of the items to be cleaned 112 can record. The transfer device 126 can, for example, alternatively or in addition to the lock 182 , at least one switch 194 exhibit. This switch 194 can, for example, one or more wings 196 , 198 have, for example, about axes 200 , 202 can be pivotally mounted. The switch can be made in this way or by means of other actuators 194 be set up to the items to be cleaned 112 on different tracks 190 , 192 to conduct. The soft 194 can be controlled by the controller, for example 132 , depending on, for example, a detection of occupied areas 130 through the at least one sensor 128 , for example the camera 176 .

Reference list

110

Cleaning system

112

Items to be cleaned

114

Cleaning device

116

Transport system

118

first conveyor

120

second conveyor

122

Cleaning chamber

124

third conveyor

126

Transfer device

127

Transfer area

128

sensor

130

occupied area

132

control

134

Cleaning tunnel

136

Curtain

138

Zones

140

Pre-clearing zone

142

Rinsing zone

144

Rinse aid zone

146

Drying zone

148

Loading device

150

Pre-clearing zone nozzle system

152

Pre-clearing tank

154

Rinsing zone nozzle system

156

Rinse tank

158

Rinse nozzle system

160

Rinse tank

162

fan

164

Direction of transport

166

Infeed area

168

Outlet area

170

Transport basket, cleaning goods basket, crockery basket, washing basket

172

slide

174

brake

176

camera

178

Position sensor

180

engine

182

lock

184

front lock gate

186

rear lock gate

188

Transport finger

190

track

192

track

194

Switch

196

wing

198

wing

200

axis

202

axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

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• DE 102007025263 A1 [0002]
• DE 102017121978 A1 [0005]
• DE 4339111 A1 [0006]
• DE 102004049392 A [0007]
• DE 102004046758 A1 [0055]
• DE 102007053381 B3 [0055]
• DE 102009035668 A1 [0055]

Claims (15)

Cleaning system (110) for cleaning items to be cleaned (112), comprising a) at least one cleaning device (114), having at least one at least partially closed cleaning chamber (122) with at least one loading device (148) for loading the cleaning items (112) with at least one cleaning liquid; and b) at least one transport system (116) for the automatic transport of the items to be cleaned (112), the transport system (116) comprising: a. at least one first conveyor device (118) for transporting contaminated cleaning items (112); b. at least one second conveyor device (120) for transporting the contaminated cleaning material (112) to the cleaning device (114), c. at least one transfer device (126) for transferring at least a portion of the contaminated cleaning material (112) from the first conveyor device (118) to the second conveyor device (120); and d. at least one sensor (128) for recognizing occupied areas (130) on the second conveyor device (120), the transport system (116) being set up to control the transfer device (126) in such a way that the contaminated items to be cleaned (112) exclusively on the assignable areas (130) of the second conveyor device (120) is transferred. Cleaning system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first conveying device (118) is arranged at least partially above the second conveying device (120), wherein the transfer device (126) has at least one slide (172) for the contaminated items to be cleaned (112). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer device (126) further comprises at least one brake (174) for the contaminated items to be cleaned (112), the transport system (116) being set up to close the brake (174), if an occupied area (130) of the second conveyor device (120) is detected by means of the sensor (128) and the items to be cleaned (112) are transferred to the occupied area (130) of the second conveyor device (120) when the brake (174) is open. Cleaning system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the brake (174) is part of a lock (182) for the items to be cleaned (112), the lock the brake (174) as the second conveyor device (120) facing the front lock gate (184) The lock (182) also has a rear lock gate (186) facing the first conveying device (118). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second conveying device (120) has at least two parallel verifiable tracks (190, 192), wherein the transfer device (126) has at least one switch (194), the switch (194 ) is set up to direct the items to be cleaned (112) to different tracks (190, 192). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second conveyor device (120) has a conveyor belt, wherein the occupied areas (130) are free areas on the conveyor belt. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second conveying device (120) has a transport device for washware baskets (170), the areas which can be occupied (130) being free areas in the washware baskets (170). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (114) comprises at least one dishwasher. Cleaning system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the dishwasher is selected from the group consisting of: a basket transport machine, a belt transport machine, a hood dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first conveying device (118) and the second conveying device (120) run parallel to one another at least in a transfer region (127). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning chamber (122) is at least partially designed as a cleaning tunnel (134), the cleaning device (114) in the cleaning tunnel (134) having at least two cleaning zones (138, 140, 142, 144) The transport system (116) is set up, in particular by means of the second conveyor device (120), to transport the items to be cleaned (112) sequentially through the cleaning zones (138, 140, 142, 144). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (114) has at least one third conveyor device (124), wherein the third conveyor device (124) adjoins the second conveyor device (120) and is arranged to clean items (112) to be transported through the cleaning chamber (122). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning system (110) further comprises a controller (132), wherein the controller (132) is set up in terms of programming to control an operation of the transport system (116). Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (128) comprises at least one sensor (128) selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor; a camera; a metal detector; a light barrier; a mechanical button; an electromagnetic sensor. Process for cleaning items to be cleaned (112), with the following process steps: I. providing a cleaning system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims; II. Transport of contaminated items to be cleaned (112) by means of the first conveying device (118); III. Recognizing areas which can be occupied (130) on the second conveyor device (120); and IV. Transfer of at least part of the contaminated cleaning material (112) by means of the transfer device (126) to the occupied areas (130) of the second conveying device (120).

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