EP0593876B1 - Apparatus for rinsing dishes - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for rinsing dishes (15) with which the article (15) to be rinsed can be cleaned, in a simple way, very quickly but without reducing the hygienic cleaning action, even by the user of drink-dispensing machines himself, and in which the water and energy requirement is kept as low as possible and the emission of chemicals is avoided as far as possible, the apparatus is a mini-dishwashing machine (1, 1', 1'') with a program-control device (14), the program-control device (14) containing a rinsing program consisting of the subprogram sections "First application of water-permeated steam to the article (15) to be rinsed", "Application of hot water mixed with cleaning agent to the article (15) to be rinsed", "Second application of water-permeated steam to the article (15) to be rinsed" and "Cooling of certain areas of the article (15) to be rinsed"; it being possible for a subprogram "Clear rinsing" to be optionally inserted into the rinsing program before the subprogram "Cooling of certain areas of the article (15) to be rinsed" and/or a subprogram "Drying" to be optionally added to the rinsing program after the final subprogram, and a separate container (20, 30, 40, 50) being provided for any liquid used in the respective subprogram, in which containers the liquids are permanently held on standby in the switched-on state of the apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for washing dishes.

In conventional known devices for washing items to be washed (for example DE-OS 39 21 422), the items to be washed pass through a washing program which consists of the sub-programs "first pre-rinse", "second pre-rinse", "cleaning", "intermediate rinse", "final rinse" and "Drying" can be put together selectively, whereby even the shortest selectable washing program with a complete, hygienic cleaning of the dishes takes approximately one hour. Furthermore, these rinsing processes usually contain partial programs for regenerating ion exchangers and for rinsing these ion exchangers after regeneration. In such devices, a large amount of wash ware is washed and a correspondingly large amount of water and energy is required.

In company canteens, self-service restaurants, snack shops, kiosks, etc., due to environmental protection considerations, drinks in disposable plastic cups and food on disposable plastic plates with disposable plastic tableware are increasingly being dispensed with. Instead of this disposable plastic tableware that is thrown in the garbage after a single use, it is now increasingly being used passed reusable, more stable dishes, which mainly consists of better, ie more stable plastic with a correspondingly stable design, but can also consist of the usual materials for dishes, such as glass, ceramics etc. for plates, cups etc. and metal for cutlery . Although this application has the advantage of reducing the amount of waste for the public, it has the disadvantage for the operators of the catering shops, canteens etc. mentioned at the outset that an additional, in most cases even first-time effort to store dishes as well as an additional, usually also First-time cleaning effort arises, whereby this cleaning effort cannot be carried out with the desired speed with the conventional dishwashers described at the outset and thus leads to an additional effort for an even larger stock of dishes in order to cover the long filling and cleaning time of a conventional dishwashing machine, as initially mentioned described to bridge. Operators of in-house canteens, lounges with beverage dispensers, coffee kitchens, etc., often switch to refilling the disposable plastic cups that were previously available in and / or on the beverage dispensers, and in the best case will then replace them in and / or disposable plastic cups available on the beverage dispensers to dispense each user, ie each member of the company, with his or her individual drinking vessel.

In order to relieve the effort of the above-mentioned operators of the above-mentioned restaurants, in particular as far as the cleaning effort is concerned, the idea has arisen to let the user of the beverage dispensing devices themselves clean the drinking vessel that he wants to use, which in addition has the advantage that the user can control the complete cleaning of his drinking vessel himself. This cleaning should be done as quickly as possible, since it is known from beverage dispensers, as they are often used in the aforementioned catering shops, canteens, etc., that they only need a few seconds to fill a conventional drinking vessel with a capacity of approx. 0.2 l .

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for washing items to be washed, with which the items to be washed can be cleaned in a simple manner very quickly, but without reducing the hygienic cleaning action, even by the user of the beverage dispensing devices themselves, and in which the water and energy consumption is kept as low as possible and the emission of chemicals is avoided as far as possible.

This object is achieved in that the device is a small dishwasher with a program control device, the program control device being a washing program consisting of the sub-program sections "first loading of the wash ware with water-permeable steam", "loading the wash ware with hot water mixed with detergent", "second loading of the items to be washed with water-permeable steam "and" area-by-area cooling of the items to be washed ", with the rinse program optionally having a sub-program" rinse-off "inserted before the sub-program" area-wise cooling of the items to be washed "and / or a sub-program" drying "after the last sub-program and a separate container for each liquid used in the respective sub-program It is provided in which the liquids are kept constantly in the operating state when the device is switched on.

By using steam mixed with water twice, with the interposition of a cleaning cycle with lye, it is possible with the items to be washed preferably with the device according to the invention, namely drinking vessels, such as cups, drinking cups, etc., to enable very quick, but hygienically perfect cleaning . The use of separate containers in which the respective liquid can be used immediately is the basis for very quick cleaning. This creates a device for washing items to be washed, which can also be carried out by the user of the beverage dispensing devices themselves, without requiring a great deal of time or special expertise and care. In this way, a larger stock of dishes and a greater cleaning effort by the operators of the aforementioned catering businesses and canteens etc. are avoided in a simple manner or are completely unnecessary. Due to the speed of the device according to the invention and due to the fact that steam is applied to the wash ware, which means that softening measures for the water used and thus also regeneration and flushing out of ion exchangers are not necessary, the consumption of water and energy is restricted as far as possible. Furthermore, by avoiding softening measures, which in particular eliminates the regeneration of ion exchangers, the emission of chemicals is largely avoided.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention has a rinsing container which can be closed by means of a door which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis with wash ware support, which opens below the wash ware support via a sieve into a container for hot water mixed with detergent and, when the sub-program "rinse aid" is inserted, with a container for warm water mixed with rinse aid, with two containers for fresh water, each container having a fresh water supply line , in each of which an inlet valve is arranged, connected to the local fresh water supply network via a fresh water inlet, and wherein the container for storing heated liquids is equipped with a heater and is surrounded by a heat insulation layer, and wherein each container is assigned a pump, which are each in a liquid-conducting connection with associated spray devices for loading the wash ware. By the opening of the rinsing container into the container for warning water mixed with detergent, the water quantities accumulated in all other, previous sub-programs can be reused in the subsequent sub-programs "loading of wash ware with hot water mixed with cleaning agent". This results in a further substantial reduction in the consumption of water and energy in the device according to the invention. The cleaning action and the speed of the device according to the invention are further particularly improved by the targeted loading of the items to be washed by means of a pump assigned to each container and spray devices assigned to each container.

The speed and the hygienically perfect cleaning of the device according to the invention is further ensured in that, according to a preferred feature of the invention, water-permeable steam is generated in a container for fresh water at about 90 ° C. and this in the sub-program "First exposure of the wash ware with water-permeable steam" for the duration of about 10 seconds, and in the sub-program "Second exposure of the wash ware with water-permeable steam" for the duration of about 10 to 15 seconds by means of the assigned pump via the assigned spraying devices to the wash ware is applied.

According to a further feature of the invention, the spray devices assigned to the container for water-permeable steam are arranged in such a way that the items to be washed are applied to the entire surface, the spray devices being arranged on opposite, in particular vertically opposite sides of the wash container. A targeted and complete exposure of the items to be washed with the water-permeable steam is thus achieved.

A further improvement in the cleaning result in the device according to the invention is achieved in that, according to a further feature of the invention, the pump associated with the container for water-permeable steam is a high-pressure pump.

According to a further feature of the invention, the container for hot water mixed with cleaning agent is assigned a cleaning agent storage container with a metering device, a very small amount of cleaning agent being dispensed into the container each time the washing program is run. The addition of a small amount of cleaning agent reduces the chemical emissions of the device according to the invention to the bare minimum.

The chemical emission of the device according to the invention is further reduced by the fact that, according to a preferred feature of the invention, about 0.5 ml of cleaning agent is dispensed into the container each time the washing program is run.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaner stored in the detergent storage container is a liquid cleaner. This prevents the device according to the invention from becoming susceptible to malfunction as far as possible.

The speed of the device according to the invention and the hygienically perfect cleaning with the device according to the invention is also ensured in that according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention in the container for hot water mixed with cleaning agent, this is stored at a temperature of between about 40 and 70 ° C and this is applied to the items to be washed in the sub-program "warm water mixed with detergent for the duration of about 10 to 30 seconds by means of the associated pump and the associated spraying device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spraying device assigned to the container for hot water mixed with cleaning agent is arranged in the washing container below the washware support, thus ensuring that the washware is specifically exposed to the lye.

In order to give the user the opportunity to influence the cleaning result himself and to reinforce his individual impression of the cleanliness of the wash ware, means are arranged according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention with which the user of the device according to the invention can extend the sub-program " The warm water mixed with detergent "can be selected. With this measure, safe, hygienic cleaning is ensured in the case of problematic soiling of the items to be washed and, last but not least, it also improves the acceptance of the device according to the invention by the user due to the user's own possibility of intervention.

Preferably, the means for preselecting an extension of the sub-program "loading the wash ware with hot water mixed with cleaning agent" is a push button arranged on the front of the small dishwasher, which acts on a switch, thereby making it easier for the user of the device according to the invention to operate it.

The operation of the device according to the invention is further facilitated for the user according to a further feature of the invention in that with the preselection of the extension of the sub-program "loading of the wash ware with hot water mixed with cleaning agent" this sub-program is extended in that the duration of the actuation of the Pushbutton or the switch to which the pushbutton acts, the subroutine is repeated.

Advantageously, the sub-program "loading the wash ware with hot water mixed with cleaning agent" is repeated in that the program control unit by Actuation of the switch is reset to the start of the partial program. This measure means a simplification of the structure of the device according to the invention.

According to the invention, the wash ware is applied in the sub-program "area-wise cooling of the wash ware" from one of the containers for fresh water, by means of the associated pump via the associated spray device, to the cold fresh water on areas of the wash ware. This ensures that the wash ware can be removed from the device according to the invention immediately after cleaning and thus be used without the user running the risk that the temperature of the wash ware could damage the skin of his hand.

In order to keep the duration of the cleaning process of the device according to the invention as short as possible and to further reduce the water consumption, according to a further feature of the invention, the handle area of the items to be washed, eg. B. applied the handle of a cup.

A targeted loading of the items to be washed is advantageously achieved in that the spray device assigned to the container for fresh water for carrying out the sub-program "area cooling of the items to be washed" is arranged above the items to be washed in such a way that only the intended area of the items to be washed is acted upon.

To simplify the construction of the device according to the invention, the spray device for carrying out the sub-program "area cooling of the items to be washed" is preferably arranged outside the center of the preferably square or rectangular cross section of the washing container.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container for hot water mixed with rinse aid is assigned a rinse aid reservoir with a metering device, with a very small amount of rinse aid being dispensed into the container each time the washing program is run. Selecting the "Rinse aid" sub-program opens up the possibility of improving the dripping behavior of the liquid applied. The addition of a small amount of rinse aid reduces the chemical emissions of the device according to the invention to the bare minimum even when the additional sub-program "rinse aid" is selected.

The chemical output of the device according to the invention is further reduced even when the additional “rinse aid” sub-program is selected in that, according to a preferred feature of the invention, about 0.1 ml of rinse aid is dispensed into the container each time the washing program is run.

In order to avoid chemical neutralization of the hot water mixed with detergent, which is usually chemically basic, the rinse aid stored in the rinse aid reservoir (56) is expediently chemically neutral or slightly acidic.

The speed of the device according to the invention and the hygienically flawless cleaning with the device according to the invention is also evident when the additional sub-program is selected "Rinse aid" also ensures that according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention in the container for hot water mixed with rinse aid, this is stored at a temperature of between about 60 and 70 ° C and this in the sub-program "rinse aid" for a period of between 10 and 20 seconds is applied to the wash ware by means of the associated pump via the associated spray device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a blower is arranged in the ceiling area of the washing compartment with a pressure nozzle directed into the interior of the washing compartment, which is operated in the sub-program “area cooling of the items to be washed” and / or in the selectable sub-program “drying” and the items to be washed for the duration from about 10 to 20 seconds in the partial program "partial cooling of the items to be washed, preferably in the handle area of the items to be washed, for example the handle of a cup and / or in the partial program" drying ". In this advantageous embodiment, the water consumption is further reduced.

A further simplification of the operation of the device according to the invention is achieved in that the door is advantageously made of a transparent material, in particular plastic.

The speed of cleaning with the device according to the invention is further improved according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention in that the washing container is designed to hold only three dishes, preferably a cup or a drinking cup, a saucer and a spoon.

A further improvement of the targeted loading of the items to be washed is achieved in a particularly advantageous manner in that the items to be washed are held on the item to be washed at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the horizontal.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the low water consumption of the device according to the invention is evident from the fact that about 30 to 70 ml of water are used for the entire washing program in the small dishwasher.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung der Außenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in perspektivischer Darstellungsweise,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 5

ein Ablaufschema des Spülprogramms der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ohne Verlängerung des Teilprogrammes "Beaufschlagung des Spülgutes mit mit Reinigungsmittel vermischtem Warmwasser",

Fig. 6

ein Ablaufschema des Spülprogrammes der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit Verlängerung des Teilprogrammes "Beaufschlagung des Spülgutes mit mit Reinigungsmittel vermischtem Warmwasser",

Fig. 7

ein Ablaufschema des Spülprogrammes einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ohne Verlängerung des Teilprogrammes "Beaufschlagung des Spülgutes mit mit Reinigungsmittel vermischtem Warmwasser" mit angefügtem Teilprogramm "Trocknen" und

Fig. 8

ein Ablaufschema des Spülprogrammes einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ohne Verlängerung des Teilprogrammes "Beaufschlagung des Spülgutes mit mit Reinigungsmittel vermischtem Warmwasser" mit eingefügtem Teilprogramm "Klarspülen".

The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic representation of the external view of the device according to the invention in a perspective representation,

Fig. 2

2 shows a section through a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 3

3 shows a section through a further embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 4

3 shows a section through a further embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 5

3 shows a flowchart of the washing program of the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention without extending the sub-program "loading the washware with hot water mixed with cleaning agent",

Fig. 6

3 shows a flow diagram of the washing program of the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention with extension of the sub-program "loading of the wash ware with hot water mixed with cleaning agent",

Fig. 7

a flowchart of the washing program of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention without extending the sub-program "loading the wash ware with hot water mixed with detergent" with attached sub-program "drying" and

Fig. 8

a flowchart of the washing program of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention without extending the sub-program "loading the wash ware with hot water mixed with detergent" with inserted sub-program "rinse-off".

The device according to the invention for washing dishes, shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, is a small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''which in the exemplary embodiments has the following external dimensions: a width b of approximately 30 cm, a depth t of approximately 20 cm and a height h of about 40 cm. On the front 2 of the small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''shown in FIG. 1, in addition to a door 3, which is made of a transparent material, preferably plastic, there is an operating button 4 which acts on a switch for switching on a program sequence 5 to 8 called "actuation switch" and a push button 5 arranged. Below the two buttons 4, 5 there is a ready display 8 and below a cleaner deficiency indicator 9 arranged. The operational readiness display 8 shows whether the small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''is in the operating state by means of a main switch (not shown). The lack of cleaning indicator 9 indicates whether there is a supply of a cleaning agent. Furthermore, a display (not shown) for a lack of a rinse aid can also be provided. These displays can be designed, for example, as light emitting diodes, lamps, etc. On the front of the small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''a service flap 6 is also provided, which covers a refill opening of a detergent storage container 26 and / or a rinse aid storage container 56. On the back of the small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''there are wall brackets 7 which are used for possibly fastening the small dishwasher 1, 1', 1 '' to the wall. On the side of the small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''are a fresh water inlet 19 with which the small dishwasher 1, 1', 1 '' is connected to the local fresh water supply network and a drain pipe 69, which leads to the local disposal network. In the embodiments of the invention shown, the liquid that is to be directed to the drain pipe 69 is conveyed out of the small dishwasher 1, 1 ′, 1 ″ by means of a waste water pump 68.

The small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''has a program control device 14. The program control device 14 contains a washing program, which consists of the sub-program sections "first loading of the wash ware 15 with water-permeated steam", "loading the wash ware 15 with hot water mixed with detergent", "second loading of the wash ware 15 with water-permeable steam" and "area-wise cooling of the wash ware 15 ", as described for FIGS. 5 and 6. The The rinsing program can optionally add a "drying" sub-program after the last sub-program, as described in relation to FIG. 7, which is of course also contained in the program control unit 14. Furthermore, a sub-program "rinse-off" can optionally be added to the rinsing program before the sub-program "area-wise cooling of the items to be washed 15", as described for FIG. 8, which is of course also contained in the program control unit 14.

A separate container 20, 30, 40, 50 is provided for each liquid used in the respective sub-program. In these containers 20, 30, 40, 50, the corresponding liquids are kept constantly in the operating state when the device is switched on.

The device has a rinsing container 10, which can be closed by means of the door 3, which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis, with a washware support 12. Below the washware support 12, the wash container 10 opens into a container 20 for hot water mixed with detergent, in FIGS. 5 to 8 called "suds container". A sieve 13 is arranged at the mouth of this container 20. The rinsing container 10 is designed to hold only three pieces of crockery, preferably a cup 17 or a drinking cup, a saucer and a spoon. The wash ware 15 is held on the wash ware support 12 at an angle w of approximately 30 ° with respect to the horizontal using suitable means.

According to the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the device has two containers 30, 40 for fresh water. In two further embodiments, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, only one container 30 for fresh water is arranged. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 is another Container 50 is arranged for hot water mixed with rinse aid. Each container 20, 30, 40, 50 is connected via a fresh water supply line 21, 31, 41, 51, in each of which an inlet valve 22, 32, 42, 52 is arranged, via the fresh water inlet 19 to the local fresh water supply network. The containers 20, 30, 50 for storing heated liquids are equipped with a heater 23, 33, 53. To avoid heat losses, these containers 20, 30, 50 are surrounded by a heat insulation layer 24, 34, 54. A pump 28, 38, 48, 58 is assigned to each container 20, 30, 40, 50. The respective pump 28, 38, 48, 58 is in each case in liquid-conducting connection with assigned spray devices 25, 35, 36, 45, 55 for acting on the wash ware 15.

The described embodiments have in common that in one of the containers 30 for fresh water, in Figs. 5 to 8 called "steam container", the water-permeated steam is generated and this in the sub-program "First loading of the wash items 15 with water-permeable steam" and in the Sub-program "Second loading of the items to be washed 15 with water-permeable steam" is applied to the items to be washed 15 by means of the associated pump 38 via the associated spray devices 35, 36, as will be explained in more detail below regarding the program sequence.

The spray devices 35, 36 assigned to the container 30 for water-permeable steam are arranged in such a way that the items to be washed 15 are applied to the entire surface, the spray devices 35, 36 being arranged on vertically opposite sides of the wash container 10. The pump 38 associated with the container 30 for water-permeable steam is a high-pressure pump.

The described embodiments also have in common that the detergent reservoir 26 is arranged above the container 20 for hot water mixed with detergent. A metering device 27 is arranged in the feed line 21 to the container 20 for hot water mixed with cleaning agent. Each time the washing program runs, a very small amount of cleaning agent is dispensed into this container by means of this metering device 27, in the embodiments shown about 0.5 ml of cleaning agent. In the described embodiments, a liquid cleaner is used.

This is stored in the container 20 for hot water mixed with cleaning agent. The stored hot water mixed with detergent is applied to the wash ware 15 in the sub-program "loading the wash ware 15 with warm water mixed with detergent" by means of the assigned pump 28 via the associated spray device 25, as described in more detail below regarding the program sequence. The spray device 25 assigned to the container 20 for hot water mixed with cleaning agent in the washing container 10 is arranged below the washware support 12.

The push button 5 arranged on the front 2 of the small dishwasher 1, 1 ', 1''acts on a switch, referred to in FIGS. 5 to 8 as an "extension switch". This pushbutton 5 serves to preselect an extension of the sub-program "loading the wash ware 15 with hot water mixed with cleaning agent", as explained further below regarding the program sequence. According to the duration of the pushbutton 5 or the switch to which the pushbutton is pressed 5 acts, the partial program is repeated in both embodiments in that the program control device 14 is reset to the start of the partial program when the switch is actuated.

In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 2, in the sub-program "regionally cooling the items to be washed 15" from one of the containers 40 for fresh water, in FIGS. 5 to 8 called "cold water container", by means of the assigned pump 48 via the assigned spray device 45 the cold fresh water is applied to areas of the items to be washed 15, the associated spray device 45 being arranged above the items to be washed 15 such that only the handle area 16 of the items to be washed 15, for example the handle 18 of a cup 17 is acted upon. For this purpose, this spray device 45 is arranged outside the center of the preferably square or rectangular cross section of the washing container 10.

In the further embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, a blower 60 with a pressure connection 61 directed into the interior of the washing compartment 11 is arranged in the ceiling area of the washing compartment 10. As will be explained further below regarding the program sequence according to FIG. 7, the blower 60 is operated in the sub-program “area-wise cooling of the items to be washed 15” and in the “drying” sub-program.

In the further embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 4, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the blower 60 is arranged in the ceiling area of the washing compartment 10 with a pressure nozzle 61 directed into the interior of the washing compartment 11. As below on the program flow 8 is still explained, the fan 60 is operated in the sub-program "area cooling of the items to be washed 15". This is stored in the container 50 for hot water mixed with rinse aid. The stored hot water mixed with rinse aid is applied in the sub-program "rinse aid" to the washware 15 by means of the assigned pump 58 via the assigned spray device 55, as described in more detail below regarding the program sequence. The spray device 55 assigned to the container 50 for hot water mixed with rinse aid in the washing container 10 is arranged in the ceiling area of the washing container 10.

The rinse aid reservoir 56 is arranged above the container 50 for hot water mixed with rinse aid. A metering device 57 is arranged in the feed line 51 to the container 50 for hot water mixed with rinse aid. Each time the washing program is run, a very small amount of rinse aid, in the exemplary embodiment shown about 0.1 ml of rinse aid, is dispensed into the container by means of this metering device 57.

The program sequence in the embodiments of the device according to the invention shown is now discussed in detail with reference to the flow diagrams in FIGS. 5 to 8, the maximum duration of the partial programs being shown for the examples.

In all of the embodiments of the device according to the invention for washing items to be washed 15 shown in the figures, the items to be washed 15 run through a washing program consisting of the sub-program sections "First loading of items 15 with water-permeable steam" - in FIGS. 5 to 8 Called "first steam phase" -, "loading the wash ware 15 with hot water mixed with cleaning agent" - in FIGS. 5 to 8 called "cleaning with lye" -, "second loading the wash ware 15 with water-permeated steam" - in FIGS. 5 to 8 Called "second vapor phase" - and "area-wise cooling of the dishes 15".

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a sub-program "drying" is added to the washing program after the last completed sub-program, as can be seen from the flow chart shown in FIG. 7. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a sub-program "rinse-off" has been added to the rinsing program before the sub-program "regionally cooling the items 15 to be washed", as can be seen from the flow chart shown in FIG. 8.

The duration t1 of the sub-program "First exposure of the wash ware 15 to water-permeable steam" is 10 seconds in all embodiments of the device according to the invention. During this first partial program, which is common to the described embodiments, the items to be washed 15 are subjected to water-permeable steam having a temperature of approximately 90 ° C. which is applied to the items to be washed 15 under high pressure. This first sub-program is used to remove coarse food residues and deposits from the dishes 15, e.g. dried sugar etc.

In the described embodiments, the items to be washed 15 now run through the sub-program "loading of items to be washed 15 with hot water mixed with cleaning agent", the duration of which is t2, since the program sequences are shown with maximum duration, 30 seconds. According to the invention, this duration t2 can be between approximately 10 and 30 seconds. With this Sub-program in the described embodiments, a hot water mixed with cleaning agent is used with a temperature of about 65 ° C. According to the invention, the temperature of the water mixed with detergent can be between 40 and 70 ° C. In this sub-program, the use of cleaning agents now removes and removes the dirt deposits and in particular greasy food residues and also problematic deposits such as lipstick etc.

In the program sequence shown in FIG. 6, in the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, the duration of the sub-program "exposure of the wash ware 15 with hot water mixed with cleaning agent" is extended by repeating the sub-program once - in the figure "extension Cleaning with lye "- so that the sub-program runs twice and therefore the duration t2 runs a second time. This extension of the sub-program "loading the wash ware 15 with hot water mixed with detergent" is triggered by the user by means of the pushbutton 5 if he believes that the wash ware 15 to be washed is very dirty, or if he simply requires increased cleaning wishes. Of course, the extension of the sub-program "loading of washware 15 with hot water mixed with cleaning agent" can also be carried out in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 4. In all of the embodiments shown, this selection is made at the beginning of the washing process, at the latest, however, during the course of the sub-program "loading washware 15 with hot water mixed with detergent". Of course, a repeated repetition of this sub-program can be selected by pressing pushbutton 5 for a correspondingly longer time.

Also common to the embodiments is the next sub-program "second loading of the wash ware 15 with water-permeable steam", the duration of which t3 is 15 seconds since the program sequences are shown with the maximum duration. According to the invention, the duration t3 can be between 10 and 15 seconds. As in the first sub-program, in this sub-program too, the wash ware 15 is charged with water-permeable steam at a temperature of approximately 90 ° C., which is applied to the wash ware 15 under high pressure. This sub-program mainly serves to remove the hot water remaining on the wash ware 15, mixed with detergent, and to heat the wash ware 15 again strongly in order to dry the wash ware 15 as quickly as possible by evaporating off the remaining residual water.

Before the items to be washed 15 are used, in order to avoid skin damage to the user's hand, the items 15 to be washed are subjected to either cold water or cold air in the handle area 16 in the sub-program “area-wise cooling of the items 15” in the handle area 16.

In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 2, the items to be washed 15 are acted on with cold water, in the further embodiments of the device according to the invention according to FIGS. 3 and 4 with cold air. The duration t4 of the sub-program "area cooling of the items to be washed 15" is 20 seconds, since the embodiments are shown with maximum duration. According to the invention, the duration t4 can be between approximately 10 and 20 seconds.

In the program sequence according to FIG. 7 of the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, a partial program “drying” is added to the above-described common washing program after the last partial program “area cooling of the items to be washed 15”, the duration of which t5, since the program sequences shown with maximum duration is 20 seconds. According to the invention, the duration t5 can be between approximately 10 and 20 seconds. In this additionally selectable partial program, the entire wash ware 15 is supplied with cold air. This partial program is selected if it is determined that the drying result achieved after the program execution of the preferred embodiment is not sufficient.

In the program sequence according to FIG. 8 of the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 4, in the above-described washing program common to the embodiments, a sub-program "rinse aid", the duration t6 of which is the embodiment, is inserted before the sub-program "regionally cooling the items to be washed 15" shown with maximum duration is 20 seconds. According to the invention, the duration t6 can be between approximately 10 and 20 seconds. In this additionally selectable sub-program, the wash ware is charged with warm water mixed with rinse aid at around 70 ° C. According to the invention, the temperature of the hot water mixed with rinse aid can be between about 60 and 70 ° C. In the described embodiment, the rinse aid is chemically neutral. According to the invention, the rinse aid can be chemically neutral or slightly acidic. This makes it possible that due to the rinse aid a substantial proportion of the liquid applied can drip off and the items to be washed continue to be strongly heated so that the liquid residues still remaining on the wash ware can evaporate completely at the end of the wash program.

In the device according to the invention, the confluence of the rinsing container 10 and the container 20 for hot water mixed with cleaning agent in the subsequent sub-programs "loading of the wash ware 15 with hot water mixed with cleaning agent" reuses the water quantities occurring in all other, previous sub-programs. 5 approximately 50 ml water and according to FIG. 6 approximately 70 ml water, and according to FIG. 7 approximately 30 ml water and furthermore approximately 70 ml water are used for the entire washing program in the program sequence according to FIG .

Claims (27)

1. Device for the rinsing of stock to be rinsed, wherein the device is a small dishwashing machine (1, 1', 1'') with a program control device (14), characterised thereby, that the program control device (14) contains a rinsing program consisting of the partial program sections of

   - "first action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by steam interspersed by water",

   - "action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by warm water intermixed with cleaning agent",

   - "second action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by steam interspersed by water", and

   - "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region",

   wherein a part program "clear rinsing" can be selectably inserted in the rinsing program before the part program "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region" and/or a part program "drying" can be selectably inserted in the rinsing after the last part program and wherein a separate container (20, 30, 40, 50) is provided for each liquid used in the respective part program, in which containers the liquids are in the switched-on state of the device constantly kept in the state of readiness for use.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the device comprises a rinsing container (10), which is closable by means of a door (3), which is pivotable about a vertical axis, with a support (12) for the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, which container opens underneath the support (12) for the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, and by way of a sieve (13) into a container (20) for the warm water intermixed with cleaning agent, with two containers (30, 40) for fresh water and - on the introduction of the part program "clear rinsing" - with a container (50) for the warm water intermixed with clear rinsing agent, wherein each container (20, 30, 40, 50) is connected by way of a respective fresh water feed duct (21, 31, 41, 51), in which a respective inflow valve (22, 32, 42, 52) is arranged, by way of a fresh water inlet (19) with the local fresh water duct mains, wherein each of the containers (20, 30, 40) for the storage of heated liquid is equipped with a respective heater (23, 33, 53) and surrounded by a respective heat-insulating layer (24, 34, 54) and wherein each container (20, 30, 40, 50) is associated with a respective pump (28, 38, 48, 58) each standing in liquid-conducting connection with respectively associated spray equipments (25, 35, 36, 45, 55) for action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised thereby, that steam interspersed by water is produced at about 90°C in one of the containers (30) for fresh water and this is applied onto the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by way of the associated spray equipments (35, 36) by means of the associated pump (38) for the duration (t1) of about 10 seconds in the part program "first action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by steam interspersed by water" and for the duration (t3) of about 10 to 15 seconds in the part program "second action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by steam interspersed with water".
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised thereby, that the spray equipments (35, 36) associated with the container (30) for steam interspersed by water are so arranged that the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, is acted on over the entire area, for which the spray equipments (35, 36) are arranged at opposite sides, in particular vertically opposite sides of the rinsing container (10).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised thereby, that the pump (38) associated with the container (30) for steam interspersed by water is a high-pressure pump.
6. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised thereby, that a cleaning agent stock container (26) with a metering equipment (27) is associated with the container (20) for the warm water intermixed with cleaning agent, wherein a very small quantity of cleaning agent is delivered into the container (20) during each sequence of the rinsing program.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised thereby, that about 0.5 millilitres of cleaning agent is delivered into the container (20) during each sequence of the rinsing program.
8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised thereby, that the cleaning agent stored in the cleaning agent stock container (26) is a liquid cleaning agent.
9. Device according to one of the claims 6 to 8, characterised thereby, that warm water intermixed with cleaning agent and in the container (20) therefor is stored at a temperature of between about 40 and 70°C and applied onto the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by way of the associated spray equipment (25) by means of the associated pump (28) for the duration (t2) of between about 10 and 30 seconds in the part program "action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by warm water intermixed with cleaning agent".
10. Device according to one of the claims 6 to 9, characterised thereby, that the spray equipment (25), which is associated with the container (20) for warm water intermixed with cleaning agent, is arranged in the rinsing container (10) underneath the support (12) for the stock (15), which is to be rinsed.
11. Deviec according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised thereby, that means, by which the user of the device can preselect a prolongation of the part program "action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by warm water intermixed with cleaning agent", are arranged at the device.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterised thereby, that the means for the preselection of a prolongation of the part program "action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by warm water intermixed with cleaning agent" is a push button (5) which is arranged at the front side (2) of the small dishwashing machine (1, 1') and acts on a switch.
13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterised thereby, that the part program "action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by warm water intermixed with cleaning agent" is prolonged by the preselection of the prolongation thereof thereby, that the part program is repeated according to the duration of the actuation of the pushbutton (5) or of the switch, on which the pushbutton (5) acts.
14. Device according to one of the claims 11 to 13, characterised thereby, that the part program "action on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by warm water intermixed with cleaning agent" is prolonged by the program control device (14) being reset to the beginning of the part program through actuation of the switch.
15. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterised thereby, that the cold fresh water out of one of the containers (40) for fresh water is applied onto regions of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by way of the associated spray equipment (45) by means of the associated pump (48) in the part program "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region".
16. Device according to claim 16, characterised thereby, that the handle region (16) of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, for example the handle (18) of a cup (17), is acted on in the part program "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region".
17. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterised thereby, that the spray equipment (45), which is associated with the container (40) for fresh water for the performance of the part program "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region", is so arranged above the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, that only the envisaged region of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, is acted on.
18. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 17, characterised thereby, that the spray equipment (45) for the performance of the part program "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region" is arranged outside the centre of the preferably square or rectangular cross-section of the container (20).
19. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 18, characterised thereby, that a clear rinsing agent stock container (56) with a metering equipment (57) is associated with the container (50) for warm water intermixed with clear rinsing agent, wherein a very small quantity of clear rinsing agent is delivered into the container (50) during each sequence of the rinsing program.
20. Device according to claim 19, characterised thereby, that about 0.1 millilitres of clear rinsing agent is delivered into the container (50) during each sequence of the rinsing program.
21. Device according to claim 19 or 20, characterised thereby, that the clear rinsing agent stored in the clear rinsing agent stock container (56) is chemically neutral or slightly acidic.
22. Device according to one of the claims 19 to 21, characterised thereby, that warm water intermixed with clear rinsing agent, and in the container (50) therefor is stored at a temperature of between about 60 and 70°C and applied onto the the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, by way of the associated spray equipment (55) by means of the associated pump (58) for the duration (t6) of about between 10 and 20 seconds in the part program "clear rinsing".
23. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 22, characterised thereby, that a blower (60) with a pressure nipple (61), which is directed into the rinsing container interior (11), is arranged in the ceiling region of the rinsing container (10), is operated in the part program "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region" and/or in the selectable part program "drying" and acts on the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, in regions, preferably in the handle region (16) of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, for example the handle (18) of a cup (17), for the duration (t4) of about 10 to 20 seconds in the part program "cooling of the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, region by region" and/or acts on it fully for the duration (t5) of the part program "drying".
24. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 23, characterised thereby, that the door (3) is made of a transparent material, in particular material.
25. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 24, characterised thereby, that the rinsing container (10) is designed for the reception of only three crockery parts, preferably of a cup (17) or a drinking beaker, a saucer and a spoon.
26. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 25, characterised thereby, that the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, is kept on the support (12) for the stock (15), which is to be rinsed, at an angle (w) of about 30° to the horizontal.
27. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 26, characterised thereby, that about 30 to 70 millilitres of water are used for the entire rinsing program in the the small dishwashing machine (1, 1').

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