EP3860419B1 - Cleaning device and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The invention relates to a cleaning device and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned. Cleaning devices 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. The invention can thus be used in particular in canteen kitchens in which large quantities of items to be cleaned, for example trays, crockery and cutlery, have to be cleaned. However, other areas of use 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. Overall, the design of these cleaning devices depends heavily on the various boundary conditions, such as the type of cleaning material to be cleaned, the dirt, 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 large kitchens, cleaning devices are often combined 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 soiled crockery and cutlery are placed on a conveyor belt. This turns the items to be cleaned into the actual cleaning device such as a dishwasher transported. There, the items to be cleaned are usually sorted using staff, 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 rack conveyor dishwasher, a hood-type dishwasher or a pass-through dishwasher. Furthermore, after cleaning, for example at a so-called outlet of the cleaning device, the cleaned items to be cleaned are usually sorted manually and fed to corresponding transport devices or storage devices, such as a tray trolley or a plate trolley.

In many cases, a technical and organizational challenge is that the soiled items to be cleaned are not evenly distributed. In particular, due to group dynamics, timetables or other circumstances that are beyond the control of the canteen kitchen, there are often peak loads, but also times when there are few or no items to be cleaned. This poses a considerable challenge for the planning of personnel requirements and also for the planning of the design of the cleaning device. The design of the system and the personnel planning must usually 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 also 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 dishwashing machine designed as a program machine, 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 utilization of the machine that can actually be achieved can be optimized, while at the same time relieving the washing staff, the invention provides that the dishwasher is assigned a loading/unloading device for preferably optionally automatic loading of the treatment chamber with items to be washed and/or for preferably optionally automatic unloading of items to be washed from the treatment chamber.

DE 4339111 A1 describes a dishwasher. In order to reduce water, energy and detergent consumption in the long term, the dishes are washed in the individual baskets in cycles, with the circuits of the dishwasher only 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 A1 describes a method for transporting items to be cleaned through a conveyor-type dishwasher and onto a conveyor-type dishwasher. The conveyor dishwasher comprises a washing zone, a final-rinse zone and a drying zone. The items to be cleaned are cleaned in the washing zone, rinsed in the rinsing zone and dried in the drying zone. Transport devices are provided with which the items to be cleaned are transported in the conveying direction at a transport speed that is optimal for the process steps taking place in the respective zones.

JP H07 9826 U describes an automatic dish sorting device used in self-service canteens, such as company canteens, and which includes a system for clearing dishes using ID tags.

Despite the advantages achieved with these devices and methods, the technical and organizational challenge described above generally persists. With conventional cleaning systems, the transport devices are often inflexible and generally not able to adapt to the various boundary conditions, in particular sudden peak loads, backlogs during loading or unloading, or changing requirements with regard to the Type of soiling or items to be cleaned. In the event of peak loads, only the transport speed of the transport device can therefore usually be adjusted, for example by slowing down the transport or stopping it completely. If, for example, a backwater of the cleaned items to be cleaned forms at the outlet of the cleaning device, the entire cleaning system usually has to be stopped. These measures then usually affect the entire cleaning system. As before, the personnel planning for many cleaning systems must be dimensioned in such a way that it can always cope with a peak load. This provision of an overcapacity in terms of personnel and, as a rule, also of machines can lead to unnecessary additional costs when purchasing and operating the cleaning device.

object of the invention

It would therefore be desirable to provide a cleaning device and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned, in particular items to be cleaned in the area of canteen kitchens, which at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, the cleaning device and the method should allow for more flexible personnel planning with regard to the operating personnel and a more flexible Allow configuration of the apparatus and preferably reduce the use of operating personnel.

Disclosure of Invention

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

In the following, the terms "have", "have", "comprise" or "include" or any grammatical deviations thereof 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 comprises B" or "A includes B" can both refer to the situation in which, apart from B, no other element in A is present (i.e. to a situation in which A consists exclusively of B), as well as to the situation in which, in addition to B, there are one or more other elements in A, e.g. element C, elements C and D or even other elements .

Furthermore, it is pointed out that the terms "at least one" and "one or more" as well as grammatical modifications of these terms, if they are used in connection with one or more elements or features and are intended to express that the element or feature is provided singly or several times can generally only be used once, for example when the feature or element is introduced for the first time. If the feature or element is subsequently 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 once or more than once.

Furthermore, the terms “preferably”, “in particular”, “for example” or similar terms are used below in connection with optional features, without alternative embodiments being restricted thereby. Thus, features introduced by these terms are optional features and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, and in particular the independent claims, by these features. The invention can thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art will also be performed using other configurations. Similarly, features introduced by "in one embodiment of the invention" or by "in one embodiment of the invention" are understood to be optional features without intending to limit alternative configurations or the scope of the independent claims. Furthermore, through these introductory expressions, all possibilities to combine the features introduced here with other features, be they optional or non-optional features, remain untouched.

In a first aspect, a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. The term "cleaning device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a device which is set up to free items to be cleaned from adhering macroscopic or else microscopic contamination or to at least partially eliminate such contamination. In addition, a disinfection effect can optionally be exercised. As will be explained in more detail below, the cleaning device can be designed in particular 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 washing system, or as a conveyor dishwasher, in particular as a flight-type dishwasher and/or as a rack conveyor dishwasher. Examples are detailed below.

The term "cleaning items" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any objects that 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 items that are used directly or indirectly for the preparation, storage or presentation of food, for example crockery, cutlery, trays, bowls, glasses, pots, pans or similar items. Accordingly, the cleaning device can be designed in particular as a dishwasher, for example as a dishwasher for commercial use in large kitchens or kitchens Community catering. Other configurations of the items to be cleaned are also fundamentally possible.

The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber with at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning liquid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber. The term "cleaning chamber" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. In particular, the term may refer, without limitation, to a fully or partially enclosed chamber within which the cleaning process may be fully or partially performed. The cleaning chamber can in particular have at least one housing which completely or partially encloses the cleaning chamber. In this case, a single cleaning chamber can be provided, or, in principle, a plurality of 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 a top side of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, hoods are also possible to close off the cleaning chamber, for example in the context of so-called hood dishwashers. Again alternatively, the cleaning chamber can also be configured entirely or partially as a tunnel, for example as part of so-called tunnel dishwashers or conveyor dishwashers, for example as a tunnel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. In principle, other configurations are also possible.

The term "applying device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to any device in principle, by means of which the cleaning liquid can be applied to the items to be cleaned inside the cleaning chamber. In particular, as will be explained in more detail below, the application device can comprise at least one nozzle system. Furthermore, the application device can include at least one pump and at least one line system for providing cleaning liquid to the nozzle system. In this case, for example, a nozzle system and a line system for applying cleaning liquid from a tank can be provided, as well as at least one corresponding pump. Alternatively or additionally also, for example, at least one nozzle system can be acted upon directly from a supply line, without a pump being required for this purpose. 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, with the cleaning device being set up to use the loading device to carry out a cleaning program in which the items to be cleaned are held stationary in the cleaning chamber and are successively loaded with cleaning liquid in different ways in one or more cleaning steps of the cleaning program. Alternatively, the items to be cleaned can also be transported one after the other through a plurality of cleaning zones, in which a different type of application of cleaning liquid takes place, for example one or more cleaning zones selected from the group consisting of: a pre-cleaning zone; a washing zone; a post-rinse or final-rinse zone, which can be further subdivided into a pump final-rinse zone and a downstream fresh-water final-rinse zone. Furthermore, at least one drying step can be provided, which can be carried out, for example, in one chamber after the application of the cleaning liquid when the items to be cleaned are held stationary, or which can take place, for example, in a conveyor dishwasher in a drying zone downstream of the liquid cleaning zones.

The term "cleaning liquid" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a liquid which, when it hits the items to be cleaned, can develop a cleaning effect. In particular, the cleaning liquid can include an aqueous liquid, for example water and/or water with one or more additives, for example with one or more cleaning 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 applied to them 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 different cleaning liquids are applied degrees of purity takes place. Different degrees of cleanliness can be generated, for example, by a cascade overflow between different tanks of the cleaning device, with a degree of cleanliness preferably increasing in the direction of transport. Alternatively or additionally, pumped systems that regulate the liquid balance and the degree of cleanliness between the individual tanks of the cleaning device are known and can be used within the scope of the invention.

The cleaning device also includes at least one transport device for transporting the items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber in one transport direction. The term "conveyor" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is configured to transport at least one other device or at least one other element and/or to drive a movement of the other device or element. The transport device can in particular comprise at least one drive element, for example at least one drive element running in a circuit through the cleaning chamber. In particular, the transport device, for example the drive element, can comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a drive chain; a drive belt; a conveyor belt. The transport device can also be set up to transport items to be cleaned indirectly, for example in baskets. In this case, the baskets can be placed on slide rails, for example, and transported, for example, by means of a reversing latch transport system. Other types of devices for indirect transport, for example using baskets, are also conceivable and can be used. The transport can be continuous or discontinuous or cycled, for example, so that for example continuously operating conveyor dishwashers or cycled dishwashers such as pass-through dishwashers can be used. The transport direction can be, for example, a main direction of a movement of the items to be cleaned within the cleaning chamber. The direction of transport can be fixed or can also change, for example locally or also in terms of time. For example, the transport direction can be directed from an inlet of the cleaning chamber to an outlet.

The cleaning device also has at least one outlet region downstream of the cleaning chamber in the direction of transport for removing the items to be cleaned from the transport device. The term "leak area" as used herein is a broad term given its ordinary and current meaning should be as the expert understands them. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to an area, for example a spatial section, of the cleaning device in which the cleaned items to be cleaned are accessible to operating personnel and/or an automatic removal machine and can be removed manually and/or automatically by the cleaning device. For example, the outlet area can have an accessible area of the transport device, for example an area downstream of the cleaning chamber and in particular the cleaning tunnel, into which in particular the items to be cleaned can be transported after cleaning in the cleaning chamber. For example, this can be an uncovered area into which the transport device, for example the transport belt, protrudes. The term “downstream” or “downstream in the direction of transport” can refer in particular to the fact that the items to be cleaned first pass through the cleaning chamber and are then transported in the direction of transport to the outlet area.

The cleaning device also has at least one sensor for detecting at least one predetermined type of cleaning item. The term "sensor" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to detect at least one property of another device, substance or 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. In particular, the sensor can have at least one camera with at least one image recognition system, for example at least one data processing device with a programming device for recognition. For example, the sensor can have at least one self-learning system in order to recognize the at least one specified type of cleaning item. Alternatively or additionally, however, other types of sensors can also be used, for example mechanical sensors. The term “recognition” can be understood in particular to mean that the sensor is set up to distinguish at least one type of item to be cleaned from other objects or other types of items to be cleaned. For example, the sensor can be set up to distinguish trays from other types of items to be cleaned. In particular, the sensor can be programmed to generate at least one piece of information, for example at least one signal and/or at least one piece of digital information, which includes whether the at least one predetermined type of cleaning item was recognized or not. For example, a tablet can be specifically recognized. The sensor can also be fully or partially combined with a controller of the cleaning device. For example, the sensor can include at least one sensor element, for example at least one camera and/or at least one camera chip, and also, for example, a controller of the cleaning device or a part thereof, for example at least one data processing device, in particular at least one processor of the controller. The controller can be set up, for example, to take on the task of image recognition, by means of which the at least one type of cleaning item is recognized in the individual image or in a sequence of images that can be supplied by the camera.

The cleaning device also has at least one slide. The cleaning device is set up to automatically push the items to be cleaned of the specified type from the transport device transversely to the transport direction. The term "spool" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. In particular, the term may refer, without limitation, to a device or element configured to displace another device or element. In particular, the slide can be designed entirely or partially as an actuator, ie as an element which acts mechanically on another element, for example changing its location and/or position. In particular, the slide can have at least one actuator selected from the group consisting of: a mechanical actuator, an electromechanical actuator; a hydraulic or pneumatic slide; a slidable element mounted on at least one rail; a pestle. For example, the pusher can have a base which is arranged on a first side of the transport device and/or is arranged above the transport device, with a movable actuator element extending from the base over the transport device, which is set up to move the items to be cleaned of the specified type automatically from the transport device, for example the conveyor belt, towards a second side of the transport device, which is opposite the first side.

The term "automatic" as used herein is also a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. In particular, the term may refer, without limitation, to an operation that occurs without human intervention. So can the cleaning device in particular be set up in such a way, for example by means of a corresponding program-technical setup of a control of the cleaning device and/or the sensor itself, that as soon as a piece of cleaning material of the at least one specified type is detected, for example a tray, without further intervention by a human user, for example exclusively due to a corresponding control, an action of the slide is triggered, by which the slide automatically pushes the at least one piece of cleaning material of the specified type detected by the sensor transversely to the transport direction of the transport device.

In general, the pusher can be set up to automatically push the items to be cleaned of the specified type from the transport device transversely to the transport direction. The term "transverse" can include in particular a push direction of the slide at an angle of 90° to the transport direction. In principle, however, deviations from 90° are also possible, preferably deviations of no more than 20°, in particular no more than 10° or even no more than 5°.

The cleaning device can furthermore have at least one receiving device arranged transversely to the transport direction next to the transport device. In this context, the term “transverse to the transport direction next to the transport device” can be understood in particular to mean that the receiving device is arranged next to the transport device, so that the items to be cleaned can be transported past the receiving device by the transport device. The transport device can in particular be configured linearly, at least in sections, so that linear transport can take place past the receiving device. By moving transversely to the transport direction, for example at an angle of 90° to the transport direction, preferably with deviations of no more than 20°, in particular no more than 10° or even no more than 5°, the items to be cleaned can be moved from the transport device onto the or moved into the receiving device.

The term "receptacle" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer particularly, without limitation, to a device that can receive one or more other elements. For example, the receiving device can include a memory in which a plurality of similar elements can be reversibly received. In particular, the receiving device, as will be explained in more detail below, can be at least one receiving device for trays and/or at least one receiving device for a specific type of crockery, for example plates, and/or have at least one receiving device for cutlery. The receiving device can, for example, have at least one stacker for stacking the items to be cleaned, for example at least one tray stacker. As will be explained in more detail below, the cleaning device can also have at least one guide, for example a guide with at least one guide element, the guide being set up to feed the items to be cleaned of the specified type in at least one specified orientation to the receiving device, for example for the purpose of Stacking in a uniform orientation for all items of cleaning material of the specified type that have been started. In particular, the guide can be designed completely or partially separately from the at least one receiving device.

The cleaning device can in particular be set up to push the items to be cleaned of the specified type onto the receiving device by means of the slide. If, for example, the presence of at least one item of the at least one specified type of cleaning item is detected by the sensor, alone or with the support of at least the at least one optional controller, for example within a detection range of the sensor, the slide can be controlled in this way, for example by the Control that a recognized piece of the specified type or multiple recognized pieces of the specified type are pushed by the slide onto the receiving device.

The receiving device can in particular be set up in such a way that the items to be cleaned of the specified type, for example a plurality of pieces of the items to be cleaned of the specified type, can be stacked in the receiving device. As explained above, the receiving device can accordingly have at least one tray stacker and/or at least one stacker for crockery and/or cutlery, for example. Other types of stacking devices are also possible.

The cleaning device, for example the receiving device and/or another part of the cleaning device, can also have at least one guide which can be set up to feed the items to be cleaned of the specified type in a specified orientation to the receiving device. For example, the guide can include at least one guide rod and/or at least one guide rail. During the pushing process, before the items to be cleaned reach their final position in the receiving device, the guide can change an orientation of the items to be cleaned, for example by means of a correspondingly shaped curve in the guide. In general, the guide can be set up, for example, to the cleaning items of the specified To turn kind of a first orientation on the transport device in a second orientation in the receiving device, wherein preferably the first and the second orientation differ. For example, flat items to be cleaned can be accommodated in the cleaning device in an upright position on the transport device and can be transferred by the guide into a lying orientation in the accommodation device. In this way, space-saving orientations can be selected both in the cleaning device and in the receiving device. The at least one guide can be fully or partially part of a dishwasher of the cleaning device, can be fully or partially part of the receiving device or can also be fully or partially another part of the cleaning device, for example as a separate component. For example, a standard component can be used as the receiving device, for example a tray stacker, in which case the at least one guide can be configured completely or partially separately from the receiving device.

The transport device can in particular have at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a conveyor belt; a transport chain; a roller transport device, a ratchet drive. In particular, the cleaning device can accordingly be designed, for example, as a conveyor dishwasher, for example as a flight-type dishwasher or as a rack conveyor dishwasher. However, other configurations are also possible in principle. In particular, as will be explained in more detail below, the conveyor belt can have a plurality of fingers or transport fingers into which the items to be cleaned or a part of the items to be cleaned can be inserted upright in order in this way to effect a space-saving arrangement on the transport device. For example, trays can be held upright in the fingers, for example with a long edge facing the transport device. When pushed out, the tray can, for example, slide on the long edge over the transport device, for example the conveyor belt.

The cleaning device can in particular be designed in such a way that only items to be cleaned of the specified type are pushed by the slide transversely to the transport direction of the transport device, whereas other types of items to be cleaned remain on the transport device. For example, only trays can be pushed by the transport device, whereas dishes and/or cutlery, for example, remain on the transport device.

In general, the items to be cleaned of the specified type can therefore include, in particular, trays. The transport device can generally be set up in particular to the record trays in a non-parallel orientation to a plane of the transport device. As explained above, this can be done, for example, by the trays standing upright on the transport device, for example the conveyor belt, for example with an orientation to a plane of the transport device of 90° or a deviation from 90° of no more than 30°, in particular of no more than 20°. The transport device can in particular have a transport belt and/or a link chain. The transport device can in particular have a plurality of receiving fingers, in which case the trays can be inserted into the receiving fingers at an angle of 60° to 120° to a plane of the conveyor belt and/or the link chain. In particular, the trays can be inserted into the receiving fingers transversely to the transport direction, for example by having a long edge of the trays at an angle of 90°±20° to the transport direction.

The cleaning device, in particular the receiving device, can in particular have at least one tray stacker. This tray stacker can, for example, be designed to be mobile, for example as a mobile tray stacking trolley. In particular, the tray stacker can have a spring-loaded platform for loading. In particular, the cleaning device can have at least one first guide rail and at least one second guide rail, the first and second guide rails being set up to hold a tray upright for a first distance while it is being ejected from the conveyor belt and then to tilt it so that the tray tips a stack of trays. The at least one first guide rail and the at least one second guide rail can in particular be designed completely or partially separately from the receiving device. Alternatively or additionally, however, these can also be fully or partially integrated into the receiving device, for example into the tray stacker.

As stated above, the cleaning device can generally also have at least one controller in particular. The term "control" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a one-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device, which is set up to fully or partially control and/or regulate an operation of the cleaning device. In particular, the controller can be set up to change one or more operating parameters of the cleaning system, in particular to control and/or regulate them, for example at least one temperature, at least one pressure, at least one heating output, at least one transport speed or a combination of two or more of the mentioned operating parameters. the In particular, the controller can include at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor. The controller can in particular be set up in terms of programming, 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 controller can be set up completely or partially by hardware and/or alternatively or additionally, fully or partially by software. Furthermore, the controller can include at least one volatile and/or non-volatile data memory. Furthermore, the controller can include at least one interface, for example a man-machine interface for inputting commands and/or for outputting information, and/or a wireless or wired interface for unidirectional or bidirectional exchange of data and/or commands between the cleaning device and at least one other device. In particular, the controller can include at least one computer and/or at least one processor. The controller can in particular be a central or decentralized machine controller of the cleaning device. In particular, the controller can be set up in terms of programming to control operation of the transport device and/or the pusher. The controller can also be connected to the at least one sensor and, for example, process one or more sensor signals in a program. Furthermore, as explained above, the controller can also be fully or partially identical to other elements and/or fully or partially integrated into other elements. For example, the at least one sensor can also be fully or partially integrated into the controller, for example by integrating image recognition of the sensor into the controller.

As explained above, the controller can be set up in particular in terms of programming in order to control an operation of the cleaning device. In particular, the controller can be set up to automatically activate the pusher when cleaning items of at least one predefined type are detected and to automatically push this cleaning items off the transport device transversely to the transport direction, for example onto the receiving device.

In particular, the controller can be set up to recognize the predefined type of items to be cleaned on the basis of data from the sensor and to control the slide accordingly. For example, as explained above, the controller can have at least one image recognition which recognizes whether cleaning items of the at least one specified type are present, for example in a recognition area of the sensor. If this is the case, the controller can, for example, activate the slide in such a way that this is recognized Items to be cleaned are pushed from the transport device onto the stacking device.

As explained above, the sensor can fall back on various sensor principles. In particular, the sensor can comprise at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: a camera; a light barrier; a button; a switch, in particular an electromechanical switch; a mechanical-pneumatic switch; a rocker arm. Other sensors may also be included, for example one or more proximity sensors or similar devices.

As stated above, the items to be cleaned of the at least one predetermined type are pushed by the transport device transversely to the transport direction, for example onto the receiving device, by means of the pusher. The remaining items to be cleaned can be treated elsewhere. One or more additional slides can be provided for this purpose, for example. Alternatively or additionally, one or more gripping devices can be provided in order to remove the items to be cleaned from the transport device. Again alternatively or additionally, one or more transfer devices can be provided at one end of the outlet area, for example at an end of the outlet area that is furthest away from the cleaning chamber. The at least one transfer device can be set up, for example, to automatically remove items to be cleaned other than the items to be cleaned of the specified type from the transport device. For example, the transfer device can have at least one device selected from the group consisting of a gripper, a sucker, a chute, a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain, a plate conveyor belt, a belt conveyor device.

Further possible configurations relate to the type of cleaning device and its possible use. In particular, the cleaning device can include at least one dishwasher. The dishwasher can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: a rack conveyor machine, a belt conveyor machine, a hood dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher.

As stated above, the cleaning chamber can in particular be designed at least partially as a cleaning tunnel. In particular, the cleaning device can have at least two cleaning zones in the cleaning tunnel. In particular, the transport device can be set up 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-cleaning zone, a washing zone, a pump rinsing zone, a fresh water rinsing zone; a drying zone.

In a further aspect, a method for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. The method includes the steps detailed below. These steps can be performed in the order listed. However, a different sequence is also possible in principle. Furthermore, two or more of the method steps mentioned can be carried out with a time overlap or at the same time. Furthermore, one or more of the process steps mentioned can be carried out once or else repeatedly. In addition to the steps mentioned, the method can comprise further method steps which are not mentioned.

1. I. Bereitstellen einer Reinigungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche;
2. II. Aufnahme des Reinigungsguts auf der Transportvorrichtung;
3. III. Transport des Reinigungsguts in der Transportrichtung durch die Reinigungskammer;
4. IV. Beaufschlagung des Reinigungsguts in der Reinigungskammer mittels der Beaufschlagungsvorrichtung mit mindestens einer Reinigungsflüssigkeit;
5. V. Erkennen mindestens einer vorgegebenen Art des Reinigungsguts mit dem mindestens einen Sensor; und
6. VI. Ausschieben des Reinigungsguts der vorgegebenen Art quer zur Transportrichtung von der Transportvorrichtung mittels des Schiebers.

The procedure includes the following steps:

1. I. Providing a cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims;
2. II. Picking up the items to be cleaned on the transport device;
3. III. Transport of the items to be cleaned in the transport direction through the cleaning chamber;
4. IV. Application of at least one cleaning liquid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber by means of the application device;
5. V. Recognizing at least one predetermined type of items to be cleaned with the at least one sensor; and
6. VI. Pushing out the items to be cleaned of the specified type transversely to the direction of transport from the transport device by means of the slide.

The method includes the use of the proposed cleaning device in one or more of the illustrated configurations. Accordingly, reference can be made to the description of the cleaning device for possible definitions and options.

In general, the cleaning device described and the proposed method have numerous advantages over known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, the technical challenges of known systems and methods described above are addressed. As stated, by automatically pushing out one or more specific types of items to be cleaned transversely to the direction of transport, specific pieces of these items to be cleaned can be automatically collected after cleaning and, for example, stacked. This possibility is particularly advantageous for the treatment of trays, since trays save space on the one hand can be transported upright through the cleaning chamber and thus cleaned efficiently there and, on the other hand, can be automatically stacked after cleaning. The design of the slider can also be combined with other devices that automatically remove cleaned items from the transport device, for example from the outlet area. For example, removal can take place using one or more grippers or suction devices, and/or removal can take place at one end of the transport device, for example at the end of a belt, for example by the remaining items to be cleaned, such as cutlery, automatically falling into a transport box. For example, trays can be removed from the outlet area by the slider described, crockery by means of at least one gripper and/or at least one sucker, and cutlery can automatically fall into cutlery boxes or be removed magnetically, for example. Other possibilities are also conceivable. Furthermore, semi-automatic removal devices are also conceivable, in which the at least one pusher described is combined with human labor, in which case, for example, a reduced number of personnel is possible. Overall, the automation or semi-automation in general also makes it possible, for example, to achieve greater flexibility with regard to the design of the cleaning device and also with regard to the planning of the operating personnel.

Short description of the figures

Further details and features emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in particular in connection with the dependent claims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. Same reference numbers in the individual figures, elements that are the same or have the same function or that correspond to one another in terms of their functions.

Figur 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Reinigungsvorrichtung in einer Schnittdarstellung; und

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Teildarstellung eines Auslaufbereichs der Reinigungsvorrichtung nach Figur 1.

Show in detail:

figure 1

an embodiment of a cleaning device in a sectional view; and

figure 2

a perspective partial view of an outlet area of the cleaning device figure 1 .

Description of the exemplary embodiments

In figure 1 an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device 110 is shown in a sectional view from the side. In this exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device 110 is a conveyor-type dishwasher 112. For possible configurations of such conveyor-type dishwashers, which can be modified and/or supplemented according to the invention, 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.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cleaning device 110 has a cleaning chamber 114 in the form of a cleaning tunnel 116 . The cleaning tunnel 116 can be subdivided, in particular by separating curtains 118, into a plurality of zones 120, also referred to as cleaning zones, with a pre-cleaning zone 122, a rinsing zone 124, a final-rinse zone 126 and a drying zone 128 being provided by way of example in the exemplary embodiment shown. The rinsing zone 126 can, for example, be subdivided again into a pump rinsing zone and a fresh water rinsing zone. A different configuration of the zones 120 is also possible.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, items to be cleaned 130, for example in the form of dishes 132 and trays 134, are conveyed through the cleaning tunnel 116 in a conveying direction 138 by means of at least one conveying device 136. For this purpose, the cleaning device 110 can be designed, for example, as a belt transport machine or as a basket transport machine. For example, at least one inlet area 140 can be provided, at which the items to be cleaned 130 are fed onto the transport device 136, and at least one outlet area 142, at which the cleaned Items to be cleaned 130 can be removed. The transport device 136 can accordingly comprise at least one belt and/or at least one link chain, for example. Other configurations are also possible. The transport device 136 can include at least one drive 144, for example, which can be controlled by a controller 146, for example.

In zones 122, 124 and 126, at least one cleaning liquid 150 can be applied to the items to be cleaned 130 by means of at least one application device 148. For example, a pre-clearance zone nozzle system 152 can be provided for this purpose in the pre-clearance zone 122, which, for example, via an in figure 1 pump, not shown, and a line system, not shown, can be fed from a preliminary cleaning tank 154 with cleaning liquid 150 . In the rinsing zone 124, for example, a rinsing zone nozzle system 156 can be provided, which can be fed with cleaning liquid 150 from a rinsing tank 158, for example via a pump (also not shown) and a line system (also not shown). In the final-rinse zone 126, which can be designed in one piece or in multiple parts, at least one final-rinse nozzle system 160 can be provided, for example, which can be fed with heated fresh water and/or final-rinse fluid from a final-rinse tank 162.

After passing through the zones 122, 124 and 126, the items to be cleaned 130 can then enter the drying zone 128, in which the items to be cleaned 130 can be subjected to warm air, for example via a blower 164, in order to accelerate the drying of the items to be cleaned 130.

The outlet area 142 is located downstream of the cleaning chamber 114 in the transport direction 138 so that the cleaned items 130 can be removed from the transport device 136 in the outlet area 142 . For example, the cleaned cleaning stock 130 can be separated according to type and can be fed manually or automatically to one or more storage devices 166 .

In order to at least partially support and preferably at least partially automate the removal of items to be cleaned 130 and their sorting, cleaning device 110 has at least one sensor 168 for detecting at least one predefined type of items to be cleaned 130 . For example, this can include at least one predetermined type of cleaning item 130 trays 134, so that a targeted search is made for trays 134 in the cleaning items reaching the outlet 142. For example, trays 134, as in figure 1 symbolically shown standing upright through the cleaning chamber 114 to be transported. However, a different configuration is also fundamentally possible. The sensor 168 can include a camera, for example. Furthermore, an image recognition system can also be present, for example. The sensor 168 may be coupled to the controller 146 and/or may also be fully or partially integrated into the controller 146 , or the controller 146 may be fully or partially integrated into the sensor 168 . Various configurations are possible.

Furthermore, the cleaning device 110 has at least one slide 170, which in figure 1 is only indicated symbolically and its function below based on the figure 2 will be explained further. The slide 170 is, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing figure 1 movable and is set up to automatically push the items to be cleaned 130 of the specified type from the transport device 136 transversely to the transport direction 138 .

An example of the function of the slider 170 and possible configurations for removing the items to be cleaned 130 from the outlet area 142 is shown in figure 2 shown in a perspective partial view. Shown here is the outlet area 142 of the cleaning device 110, which is located downstream of the cleaning chamber 114 in the direction of transport. It can be seen here that the transport device 136 can have, for example, a plurality of fingers 172, also referred to as transport fingers, into which the items to be cleaned 130 can be inserted. For example, plates can be transported in an upright position, and trays 134 can also be transported through the cleaning chamber 114 in an upright position, for example.

In this exemplary embodiment, reference is made to an embodiment in which the sensor 168 is set up to automatically recognize trays 134 as a specific type of items to be cleaned 130 . If the sensor 168 detects a tray 134, for example, the slider 170 can be actuated automatically, for example by the controller 146. For example, the slider 170 can have a head 174, a push rod 176 and a drive 178 for the linear advancement of the push rod 176 and thus the head 174 connected to the push rod 176 in a push direction 180 transverse to the transport direction 138 . For example, the slide 170 can be arranged at a height such that only trays 134 are pushed out, whereas lower items to be cleaned 130 such as dishes 132 are not pushed out as well.

The cleaning device 110 can also have at least one receiving device 182 for receiving the specified type of items to be cleaned 130 . This recording device 182 can, as in figure 2 shown, for example next to the transport device 136 in the outlet area 142. In particular, the receiving device 142, as in figure 2 1, a tray stacker 184, particularly a tray stacker carriage 186, is shown. The tray stacker 184 can, in particular, as in figure 2 shown, have at least one spring-loaded support surface 188 on which the items to be cleaned 130 of the specified type can be stacked. The spring-loaded mounting of the support surface 188 can always result in the same height for the transfer of the items to be cleaned to the tray stacker, regardless of the stacked number of trays.

The receiving device 182 can optionally be designed in such a way that the orientation of the items to be cleaned 130 is changed by the pusher 170 while the predetermined type of items to be cleaned 130 is pushed out from the transport device 136 . For example, the receiving device 182 can have at least one first guide rail 190 and at least one second guide rail 192, between which the items to be cleaned 130 of the specified type can be guided. For example, the first guide rail 190 can support a rear side of the trays 134 and the second guide rail 192 can support a front bottom edge of the trays 134 . The second guide rail 192 can, for example, as in figure 2 shown to be configured as an angle. The first guide rail 190 can have a bend 194, for example, at which, while the tray 134 is pushed onto the receiving device 182 in the pushing direction 180, the rear support of the tray 134 by the first guide rail 190 changes, so that the tray 134 can tilt and can tip either directly onto the support surface 188 or onto a stack of trays already located on the support surface 188. This tilting process can optionally be supported in that, for example, the second guide rail 192 is designed to be movable. For example, the second guide rail 192 can have a hinge 196 along which the second guide rail 192 can be pivoted in a tilting direction 198 in order to support a tilting of the tray 134 . Thus, in general, the first guide rail 190 and the second guide rail 192 can be configured to hold a tray 134 upright during ejection from the transport device 136 for a first distance 200 and then to tilt such that the tray 134 tilts onto a stack of trays. For example, the first run 200 may extend from an extreme end of the first guide rail 190 toward the bend 194 . Instead of trays 134, other types of items to be cleaned 130 can also be specified and similar to those in figure 2 trays 134 shown are pushed out.

The specified type of items to be cleaned 130 to be pushed by the pusher 170 from the transport device 136 can be stored in the controller 146, for example. For example, the type of items to be cleaned can be specified by a user and can also be variable. Alternatively, the type of items to be cleaned can also be predetermined, for example by merely pushing trays 134 from the transport device 136 using the pusher 170 . Instead of a single slide 170, a plurality of slides 170 can also be provided.

After the items to be cleaned 130 of the specified type have been pushed out transversely to the transport direction 138, other items to be cleaned 130 can remain on the transport device 136, for example, as shown in an example in figure 2 shown. This can, for example, be pushed by the transport device 136 onto a storage device 202 and/or transported devices 204 or be removed manually from the transport device 136. Alternatively or additionally, at least one transfer device 206 can also be provided, as in figure 2 implied. This can have at least one positioning device 208, for example, in order to position at least one gripper and/or at least one sucker 210, for example. For example, types of items to be cleaned 130 other than the at least one predefined type can be removed completely or partially automatically or at least semi-automatically from transport device 136 and/or from storage device 202 using transfer device 206.

Reference List

110

cleaning device

112

conveyor dishwasher

114

cleaning chamber

116

cleaning tunnel

118

curtain

120

Zone

122

pre-clearance zone

124

rinsing zone

126

rinse zone

128

drying zone

130

items to be cleaned

132

dishes

134

tray

136

transport device

138

transport direction

140

inlet area

142

outlet area

144

drive

146

steering

148

impingement device

150

cleaning fluid

152

Pre-clearance zone nozzle system 152

154

pre-clearance tank

156

Rinse zone jet system

158

wash tank

160

rinse nozzle system

162

rinse tank

164

fan

166

storage device

168

sensor

170

slider

172

finger

174

head

176

push rod

178

drive

180

thrust direction

182

recording device

184

tray stacker

186

tray stacker

188

bearing surface

190

First guide rail

192

Second guide rails

194

bend

196

hinge

198

tilt direction

200

First route

202

storage device

204

transport device

206

transfer device

208

positioning device

210

Mammal

Claims (15)

1. Cleaning device (110) for cleaning washware (130), comprising at least one cleaning chamber (114) with at least one application device (148) for applying at least one cleaning liquid (150) to the washware (130) in the cleaning chamber (114), furthermore comprising at least one transportation device (136) for transporting the washware (130) through the cleaning chamber (114) in a transportation direction (138), wherein the cleaning device (110) has at least one outlet region (142), which is arranged downstream of the cleaning chamber (114) in the transportation direction (138), for removing the washware (130) from the transportation device (136), and wherein the cleaning device (110) furthermore has at least one sensor (168) for identifying at least one prespecified type of washware (130), characterized in that the cleaning device (110) furthermore has at least one slide (170) and is designed to automatically push the washware (130) of the prespecified type from the transportation device (136) transversely to the transportation direction (138) .
2. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, furthermore comprising at least one receiving device (182) which is arranged next to the transportation device (136) transversely to the transportation direction (138), wherein the cleaning device (110) is designed to push the washware (130) of the prespecified type onto the receiving device (182) by means of the slide (170).
3. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the washware (130) of the prespecified type can be stacked in the receiving device (182).
4. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) furthermore has at least one guide (190, 192), wherein the guide (190, 192) is designed to feed the washware (130) of the prespecified type to the receiving device (182) with a prespecified orientation.
5. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide (190, 192) is designed to turn the washware (130) of the prespecified type from a first orientation on the transportation device (136) to a second orientation in the receiving device (182) .
6. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transportation device (136) has at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a conveyor belt; a transportation chain; a roller transportation device; a pawl drive.
7. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the washware (130) of the prespecified type comprises trays (134).
8. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transportation device (136) is designed to receive the trays (134) with a non-parallel orientation in relation to a plane of the transportation device (136).
9. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transportation device (136) has a conveyor belt and/or a link chain, wherein the transportation device (136) has a plurality of receiving fingers (172), wherein the trays (134) can be inserted into the receiving fingers (172) at an angle of from 60° to 120° in relation to a plane of the conveyor belt and/or the link chain, wherein the trays can be inserted into the receiving fingers (172) transversely to the transportation direction (138) .
10. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) has at least one tray stacker (184), wherein the cleaning device (110) has at least one first guide rail (190) and at least one second guide rail (192), wherein the first and the second guide rail (190, 192) are designed to hold a tray (134) upright for a first section (200) as it is pushed out from the transportation device (136) and then to tip it, so that the tray (134) tips onto a stack of trays.
11. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore comprising at least one controller (146), wherein the controller (146) is designed to identify the prespecified type of washware (130) on the basis of data from the sensor (168) and to actuate the slide (170) in a corresponding manner.
12. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (168) comprises at least one sensor (168) selected from the group consisting of: a camera; a light barrier; a button; a switch; an electromechanical switch; a mechanical-pneumatic switch; a tilting lever.
13. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore comprising at least one transfer device (206) which is arranged at one end of the outlet region (142), wherein the transfer device (206) is designed to automatically remove washware (130) other than the washware (130) of the prespecified type from the transportation device (136) .
14. Cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) comprises at least one dishwasher.
15. Method for cleaning washware (130), comprising the following method steps:

    I. providing a cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims;

    II. receiving the washware (130) on the transportation device (136);

    III. transporting the washware (130) through the cleaning chamber (114) in the transportation direction (138);

    IV. applying at least one cleaning liquid (150) to the washware (130) in the cleaning chamber (114) by means of the application device (148); and

    V. identifying at least one prespecified type of washware (130) using the at least one sensor (168); characterized by

    VI. pushing the washware (130) of the prespecified type out of the transportation device (136) transversely to the transportation direction (138) by means of the slide (170).

Images