EP2451333B1

EP2451333B1 - Cleaning device

Info

Publication number: EP2451333B1
Application number: EP10742604.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bauke Jan Bokma De Boer; Martijn Schaaper
Original assignee: Aquafox Holding BV
Current assignee: Aquafox Holding BV
Priority date: 2009-07-07
Filing date: 2010-07-07
Publication date: 2015-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-07
Also published as: WO2011005089A1; EP2451333A1; NL2003145C2

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning drinking glasses comprising a supply device for supplying a rinsing fluid.
Such cleaning devices are known and are commonly used in catering industry, e.g. cafés or restaurants. The cleaning device usually comprises a supply device for supplying a rinsing fluid. For example, a tap may be provided for supplying continuously water as rinsing fluid to rinse the drinking glasses. However, during relatively quiet moments in the catering premise, less drinking glasses need to be rinsed and with a continuous supply of water, more water may be supplied than may be needed for rinsing the glasses. Therefore, it is known to arrange the supply device for supplying water at a predetermined interval to save water, for example to supply water every 15 minutes, or to supply water every 18 rinsed glasses. However, during intensive use of the cleaning device, for example when it is busy in the café or restaurant, there may not be sufficient water supplied and/or the water may become dirty.
Publication BE 1015 639 discloses a cleaning device having detection means for detecting a predetermined variation of cleaning condition. When the variation is detected, a water supply is opened to supply clean water with a predetermined amount of soap in it to the cleaning device.
Publication NL 1032896 describes a system for controlling the water supply to a sink for rinsing glasses comprising a button. When the button is pressed longer than a predetermined time, a control unit is activated to set the rinsing interval time.
Publication DE 20 2007 015 486 U describes a device for rinsing glasses comprising a pre-rinsing sink having a rinsing brush and a post-rinsing sink with holes in its side wall for providing water jet flow. The pre-rinsing sink and post-rinsing sink may each have their own water supply and water discharge, or may have an overflow between them. A switch can be provided to open the water supply when required, e.g. using a pressure sensor.
Publication NL 1021334 describes a device for controlling the water flow in a water supply line to a rinsing device. The water supply line is periodically closed such that there are periods of maximal water flow and periods of minimal water flow. The periods can be set to adapt to the use intensity of the rinsing device.
An object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device in which at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks is obviated.
Thereto, the invention provides for a cleaning device for cleaning drinking glasses comprising a supply device for supplying a rinsing fluid at a basic supply regimen, wherein the cleaning device is arranged to adapt the basic supply regimen of the rinsing fluid to an advanced supply regimen upon detection of an increased use intensity of the cleaning device.
By adapting the basic supply regimen to an advanced supply regimen upon detection of an increased use intensity, the supply of the rinsing fluid can be adapted to correspond with the intensity of the use of the cleaning device.
Therefore, during normal use, rinsing fluid such as water will be supplied to the cleaning device at the basic supply regimen. The basic supply regimen comprises supplying a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid at a predetermined time interval, e.g. every 15 minutes, or comprises supplying a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid every predetermined number of rinsed drinking glasses, e.g. every 15 drinking glasses. When it becomes busy in the catering premise, such as a café or a restaurant, the cleaning device may be used more intensively for rinsing drinking glasses. Such increased use intensity of the cleaning device is detected by detection means comprised in the cleaning device. When continuing with the basic supply regimen during a period of increased use intensity, there may not be sufficient rinsing fluid supplied to rinse the increased amount of drinking glasses and/or the rinsing fluid may become dirty and/or drinking glasses may not become sufficiently clean. Therefore, upon detection of an increased use intensity the basic supply regimen is adapted to an advanced supply regimen. In the advanced supply regimen rinsing fluid may for example be supplied every single minute, or the amount of rinsing fluid to be supplied during each supply may be adapted.
By supplying the rinsing fluid in the advanced regimen upon detection of an increased use intensity, the supply of the rinsing fluid may be adapted more to the intensity of the use of the cleaning device, thereby preventing that the rinsing fluid in the cleaning device in which the glasses have to be cleaned may become too dirty. So, glasses may be rinsed in relatively clean rinsing fluid thus contributing to a more constant quality of rinsed glasses, even at intense use of the cleaning device.
The cleaning device is provided with detection means for detecting the use intensity of the cleaning device. In particular, the detection means is arranged to detect actions that result in a variation or change in the use intensity of the cleaning device. For example, the detection means may be a camera that detects the presence of a person behind the cleaning device. If a person is standing a relatively long time behind the cleaning device, this may indicate an increased use of the cleaning device. In order to prevent that the advanced supply regimen is started if the cleaning device is not used, because the person is only standing behind the cleaning device and not performing any actions with the cleaning device, the camera signal may be complemented with an other signal, e.g. a count of rinsed drinking glasses, or a pressure sensor at the bottom of a sink of the cleaning device. The detection means thus detects actions (e.g. of a person) that indicate a variation or change in the use intensity of the cleaning device. Counting the number of rinsed drinking glasses, or measuring the pressure or vibrations of the sink of the cleaning device may also individually be used as detection signals for identifying a variation or change in the use intensity of the cleaning device.
Detecting the use intensity of the cleaning device may relate to detecting the use frequency of the cleaning device, e.g. counting the number of glasses rinsed or the number of actions done by a person in relation to the cleaning device. Also, measuring the vibration of the sink of the cleaning device, or measuring the pressure and/or pressure differences on a bottom of the sink of the cleaning device, may give an indication of the use intensity of the cleaning device. As more glasses are rinsed, for example vibrations may increase and/or the exerted pressure and/or the frequency of the exerted pressure on the bottom of the sink may increase.
By providing the advanced supply regimen, an adaptive program adapts the supply of rinsing fluid depending on the use situation of the cleaning device. During quiet moments and/or quiet use of the cleaning device, the basic supply regimen is active, and during busy moments and/or intensive use of the cleaning device, the advanced supply regimen is active. Thus, an optimal supply of the rinsing fluid is obtained and the use of rinsing fluid, e.g. water is optimized, thus saving costs. By providing such an adaptive program for the cleaning device, a more cost effective and efficient cleaning device is obtained. The adaptive program may be controlled mechanically e.g. via switches counting the number of glasses and/or switches opening or closing a supply valve in the rinsing fluid supply channel. Also the adaptive program may be a computer program controlled by signals from detection means, wherein the program acts as a control system for controlling the supply device, e.g. a supply valve in the rinsing fluid supply channel of the supply device. Various variations and combinations for the program are possible.
The advanced supply regimen may be a predetermined advanced supply regimen, meaning that it is known beforehand how the rinsing fluid is supplied when an increased use intensity is detected. Alternatively and/or additionally, the advanced supply regimen may be controlled actively, meaning that not only an increased use intensity is detected but also the nature of the increased use intensity may be detected, e.g. that the use intensity is low, medium, high or extra high, and that upon detection of the nature of the increased use intensity also the content of the advanced supply regimen is determined. A control system is provided with the cleaning device e.g. for controlling the adaptive program when to switch between the basic supply regimen and the advanced supply regimen and/or how to adapt the advanced supply regimen depending on the detected intensity of use. The control system may also be arranged for controlling various parameters of e.g. the basic supply regimen, the advanced supply regimen, the detection means. Parameters may e.g. be the duration of a regimen, the use intensity, the number of rinsed glasses, the amount of rinsing fluid, etc.
By arranging the supply device to adapt the advanced supply regimen to the basic supply regimen after a period of increased use intensity upon detection of a decreased use intensity, the advanced supply regimen can be terminated automatically, so rinsing fluid may be saved.
By terminating the advanced supply regimen after a period of intensive use of the cleaning device, the adaptive program may adapt automatically depending on the circumstances of use of the cleaning device. The adaptive program is in the basic supply regimen during quiet use of the cleaning device, e.g. during quiet times in the catering premise, and the adaptive program is in the advanced supply regimen during intensive use of the cleaning device, e.g. during busy times in the catering premise. Upon detecting an increased use intensity of the cleaning device, the adaptive program switchs from the basic supply.regimen to the advanced supply regimen, and upon detecting a decreased use intensity of the cleaning device, the adaptive program switchs from the advanced supply regimen to the basic supply regimen.
By arranging the supply device to adapt a supply dosage of the rinsing fluid, not only a frequency of the supply of the rinsing fluid, but also the quantity of rinsing fluid to be supplied can be changed. A supply regimen may control for example parameters such as the frequency of the supply of the rinsing fluid, e.g. every 15 minutes and/or the dosage of the supply of the rinsing fluid, e.g. one third of a cleaning device and/or the interval, e.g. every 14 rinsed glasses. The supply device may be arranged to adapt each of the parameters individually and/or in correspondence to each other. These parameters may be adapted for the basic supply regimen and/or for the advanced supply regimen for example upon installation of the cleaning device and/or supply device. In an embodiment a control system may be provided to adapt a parameter depending on detected parameters during the period of increased use intensity. If the supply device is arranged with the adaptive program, these parameters may be set and/or changed in the adaptive program.
By providing a refreshing regimen after a period of increased use intensity upon detection of a decreased use intensity and before returning to the basic supply regimen, the cleaning device may be refreshed at once and a quieter period of less use intensity may be started with a relatively freshly filled cleaning device.
By adapting the content of the refreshing regimen on the duration of the period of the advanced supply regimen, the refreshing regimen may be flexibly provided at the end of a period of an advanced supply regimen. The content of the refreshing regimen may comprise for example the duration of the refreshing regimen, the amount and/or concentration of rinsing fluid to be used.
By providing detection of an increased use intensity when the number of rinsed drinking glasses exceeds a predetermined limit in a predetermined time interval, a criterion may be set for the detection of an increased use intensity. Upon installation of the cleaning device and/or the detection means, the predetermined limit may be adapted depending on the desired circumstances under which an increased use and thus the advanced supply regimen may be required. Such a parameter may for example be controlled by the adaptive program and/or the control system.
By supplying a larger amount of rinsing fluid per glass during the advanced supply regimen, than during the basic supply regimen, it may be avoided that the rinsing fluid in the cleaning device becomes dirty relatively quick. Alternatively and/or additionally, less cleansing agent may be supplied with respect to the rinsing fluid, such that the rinsing fluid may be less rich on cleansing agent, during the advanced supply regimen in order to avoid that the rinsing fluid may have too much foam. Also this parameter may for example be controlled by the adaptive program and/or the control system.
By providing a cleansing agent detection system, the presence of cleansing agent in the cleansing agent reservoir may be detected and/or a signal may be provided when the cleansing agent reservoir is detected to be empty. By signaling an empty cleansing agent reservoir, a user of the cleaning device may refill and/or change the cleansing agent reservoir so that sufficient cleansing agent may be available for supplying to the cleaning device. The cleansing agent detection system may for example be controlled by the control system and/or the adaptive program.
By measuring the electrical current of a cleansing agent pump during activation of the pump for pumping cleansing agent from the cleansing agent reservoir, the presence of cleansing agent in the cleansing agent reservoir can be detected on a relative cost-effective, efficient and reliable way.
The invention also relates to a method for cleaning drinking glasses in a cleaning device, basically comprising supplying rinsing fluid to the cleaning device at the basic supply regimen, monitoring the use intensity of the cleaning device and adapting the basic supply regimen to the advanced supply regimen upon detection of an increased use intensity of the cleaning device.
Further advantageous embodiments are represented in the subclaims.
The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment which is represented in a drawing. The exemplary embodiment is given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention.
In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a use intensity of a cleaning device according to the invention; and
Fig. 3a en Fig. 3b show a diagram of electrical current measured during a process of supplying cleansing agent.

It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting example. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals.
In Fig. 1 a cleaning device 1 is represented for cleaning drinking glasses for use in for example a bar, café or restaurant. The cleaning device 1 comprises a supply device 2 for supplying a rinsing fluid at a basic supply regimen. The rinsing fluid may be water, or may be water with a cleansing agent such as soap or detergent. In this embodiment, water mixed with detergent is supplied. The basic supply regimen comprises the supply of rinsing fluid at a predetermined time interval, e.g. every 15 minutes, or when glasses are rinsed, after a predetermined number of glasses, e.g. every rinsed 14 glasses. The predetermined time interval can for example be set to 10 minutes or to 20 minutes, depending on the desired supply frequency of the basic supply regimen.
The supply device 2 comprises an operating element 9 that can be operated, e.g. pressed, to supply an amount of rinsing fluid manually, independent of the supply regimen.
The cleaning device 1 further comprises a sink with rinsing brushes 4 that can be used for the rinsing of glasses. The sink 3 may be filled with rinsing fluid and a glass may be cleaned by placing it over a brush 4 and by moving it along the brush 4. Further, a tap 5 may be provided for tapping water.
In this embodiment, water is mixed with detergent, which is provided in a detergent box 6 underneath the cleaning device 1. The detergent box 6 may comprise a detergent bag 7 that can be fitted in a detergent cartridge 8. Via a cleansing agent pump (not shown) may the detergent be pumped out of the box 6 into the supply device 2 where it may be mixed with water for forming a rinsing fluid composition. Also, in an other embodiment, the cleansing agent may be mixed with water in the supply channel to the supply device 2, so the supply device 2 supplies water mixed with cleansing agent to the sink 3 of the cleaning device 1.
Detection means are provided for detecting the use intensity of the cleaning device 1, in particular the detection means detects a variation in the use intensity. The detection means may detect an increase or a decrease in the use intensity. A detection means may for example be a camera that registers acts of a user of the cleaning device 1. A detection means may for example be a pressure sensor in or on the sink 3 that detects the increased pressure when a glass is moved up and down over a brush 4. A detection means may for example be a sensor that detects the clarity of the water in the sink 3. A detection means may for example be a camera and/or counting device that counts the number of glasses rinsed over the brushes 4. Many other detection means may be provided. The detection means may be provided separately from the cleaning device 1 or as an integrated part of the cleaning device 1.
The detection means is arranged to signal an increased use intensity. For example, when the number of glasses rinsed or the number of acts performed by a user exceeds a certain predetermined limit, or when the water becomes too turbid, the detection means may signal an increased use intensity. Upon the detection of such an increased use intensity, point A in Fig. 2, the basic supply regimen is adapted to an advanced supply regimen.
In the advanced supply regimen, for example more water and/or water with less detergent may be supplied than during the basic supply regimen. For example, during the advanced supply regimen, double the quantity of water with one and a half the quantity of detergent may be supplied compared to the quantities supplied during the basic supply regimen, in order to supply water less rich of detergent. So the dosage of water may be increased and/or the dosage of detergent per quantity of water may be decreased. Also, the intensity of supplying the rinsing fluid may be increased, for example during the advanced supply regimen, rinsing fluid may be supplied e.g. every minute.
During the advanced supply regimen, detection of the use intensity is continued and a decrease in the use intensity, point B in Fig. 2, may be signalled. Point B represents the end of the period of the advanced supply regimen and a return to the basic supply regimen. Alternatively and/or additionally, before returning to the basic supply regimen, but after terminating the advanced supply regimen, a refreshing regimen may be provided. During the refreshing regimen, a large volume of the sink 3 is at once refreshed with fresh rinsing fluid from the supply device 2. For example, one third of the sink 3 can thus be refreshed.
In an embodiment, the content of the refreshing regimen may be dependent on the duration of the period of increased use intensity. For example, the longer the period of increased use intensity, the more rinsing fluid is refreshed and/or the more cleansing agent is added to the water.
For detecting the presence of detergent in the detergent bag 7, use can be made of the electrical current of the cleansing agent pump. By measuring the electrical current of the cleansing agent pump in intervals during a pumping movement, and by comparing the measurements of electrical current with respect to the previous measurement during each interval, it can be detected whether the bag 7 is almost empty or not.
If the bag 7 is almost empty, there will be a relatively large difference between the quantity of measured electrical current between two subsequent measurements in one interval. If a similar difference returns in subsequent intervals, the bag may almost be empty, because for an empty bag, the pump may need less power to move the detergent and subsequent measurements may indicate less required power, thus less used electrical current. If during the process of supplying of detergent it is detected that the bag 7 may be almost empty, the process of supplying the detergent is finished first. At the end of the process, it may be determined whether the bag may be empty or not. So, a single airbubble in the bag 7 may not affect the determination of an almost empty soap bag.
If the bag 7 is still sufficiently filled, the electrical current measured during an interval may increase and may become approximately constant at the end of a measurement interval, as shown in Fig. 3a. Fig. 3a shows the electrical current measured during one measurement interval. During one interval, in this embodiment, 10 measurements have been done (measurement 0 to measurement 9). The electrical current measured at each measurement is depicted in Fig. 3a. In Fig. 3a it can be seen that the electrical current of measurement 5 to measurement 9 is approximately equal, indicating that the pump still experiences sufficient resistance from the detergent in the bag. If subsequent measurement intervals give a similar current pattern, the bag 7 will be considered still sufficiently filled with detergent.
From the electrical current measurements done in one interval, shown in Fig. 3b, it can be seen that the measured current in measurements 8 and 9 has dropped. This might indicate that the pump is experiencing less resistance from detergent in the bag 7, and that the bag 7 may be almost empty. If this pattern of measurements is repeated in subsequent intervals, the bag 7 may be considered almost empty. A signal may be given that may show the user that the bag is almost empty, e.g. via a warning light, or the supply device may stop supplying rinsing fluid because not sufficient cleansing agent may be added to the rinsing fluid.
Many variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. The following variant forms part of the description, but does not form part of the invention. As an alternative embodiment, the basic supply regimen may correspond with an increased use intensity of the cleaning device. The advanced supply regimen may correspond with a decreased use intensity of the cleaning device. For example, the basic supply regimen may be applied during intense use of the cleaning device, e.g. when it is busy in the catering premise. When it becomes more quiet or a decreased use intensity of the cleaning device is detected, the basic supply regimen may be adapted to the advanced supply regimen.

Claims

A cleaning device (1) for cleaning drinking glasses comprising a sink (3) with rinsing brushes (4) for rinsing the glasses, a supply device (2) for supplying a rinsing fluid at a basic supply regimen, wherein the basic supply regimen comprises supplying a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid at a predetermined time interval or a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid every predetermined amount of rinsed glasses, a detection means for detecting a variation in the use intensity of the cleaning device (1), wherein upon detection of an increased use intensity of the cleaning device the basic supply regimen is adapted by an adaptive program to an advanced supply regimen, wherein the advanced supply regimen comprises the supply of a larger amount of rinsing fluid per glass than during the basic supply regimen and/or wherein the advanced supply regimen comprises the supply of rinsing fluid less rich of cleansing agent than during the basic supply regimen, and a control system for controlling the adaptive program when to switch between the basic supply regimen and the advanced supply regimen and/or how to adapt the advanced supply regimen depending on the detected use intensity.
Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the supply device (2) is arranged to adapt the advanced supply regimen to the basic supply regimen after a period of increased use intensity upon detection of a decreased use intensity.
Cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply device (2) is arranged to provide a refreshing regimen after a period of increased use intensity upon detection of a decreased use intensity before returning to the basic supply regimen, wherein during the refreshing regimen a large volume of the sink (3) is at once refreshed with fresh rinsing fluid from the supply device (2).
Cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein a content of the refreshing regimen is dependent on the duration of the period of the advanced supply regimen.
Cleaning device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the refreshing regimen comprises refreshing one third of the volume of the sink (3).
Cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein detection of an increased use intensity is provided for when the number of drinking glasses exceeds a predetermined limit in a predetermined time interval.
Cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cleansing agent detection system for the detection of cleansing agent in a cleansing agent reservoir.
Cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the cleansing agent detection system is arranged to measure electrical current of a cleansing agent pump during activation of the pump for pumping cleansing agent from the cleansing agent reservoir.
Cleaning device according to claims 3 and 7, wherein the control system is arranged for controlling parameters of the basic supply regimen and/or the advanced supply regimen and/or the refreshing regimen and/or the detection means and/or the cleansing agent detection system.
Method for cleaning drinking glasses in a cleaning device comprising a sink (3) with rinsing brushes (4) for rinsing the glasses, and a supply device (2) for supplying a rinsing fluid, comprising supplying rinsing fluid to the cleaning device (1) at a basic supply regimen, wherein the basic supply regimen comprises supplying a predetermined amout of rinsing fluid at a predetermined time interval or supplying a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid every predetermined amount of rinsed glasses, monitoring the use intensity of the cleaning device, adapting the basic supply regimen by an adaptive program to an advanced supply regimen upon detection with detection means of an increased use intensity of the cleaning device, wherein the advanced supply regimen comprises the supply of a larger amount of rinsing fluid per glass than during the basic supply regimen and/or wherein the advanced supply regimen comprises the supply of rinsing fluid less rich of cleansing agent than during the basic supply regimen, and controlling the adaptive program when to switch between the basic supply regimen and the advanced supply regimen and/or how to adapt the advanced supply regimen depending on the detected use intensity.
Method according to claim 10, further comprising monitoring the use intensity of the cleaning device (1) during a period of increased use intensity and adapting the advanced supply regimen to the basic supply regimen upon detection of a decreased use intensity.
Method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising refreshing the cleaning device (1) with fresh rinsing fluid from the supply device (2) after a period of increased use intensity and before returning to the basic supply regimen.