EP3870015A1

EP3870015A1 - Cleaning system and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned

Info

Publication number: EP3870015A1
Application number: EP19794525.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bruno Gaus; Joachim Kupetz
Original assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-10-24
Filing date: 2019-10-24
Publication date: 2021-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-24
Also published as: SG11202104137UA; CA3117087A1; AU2019366756A1; CN112955059A; DE102018218193A1; EP3870015B1; US11849897B2; WO2020084071A1; CN112955059B; US20220346623A1; KR20210074386A; JP2022505710A

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning system (110) for cleaning articles (112) to be cleaned. The cleaning system (110) comprises: a) at least one cleaning device (116), comprising at least one cleaning chamber (120) and at least one application device (122) for applying at least one cleaning liquid to the articles (112) to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber (120); and b) at least one transport system (118), comprising a plurality of transport segments (124) for holding the articles (112) to be cleaned, the transport segments (124) being guided in such a way that the transport segments can be transported through the cleaning chamber (120) in a transport direction (114) in a circulating manner, the transport system (118) also comprising at least one transport device (134) for driving the transport segments (124).

Description

Cleaning system and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned

Technical field

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

Technical background

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

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

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

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

DE 4339111 A1 describes a dishwasher. In order to sustainably reduce water, energy and detergent consumption, the dishes are baskets are washed in cycle mode, the circuits of the washing device being put into operation 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 A 1 describes a method for transporting items to be cleaned through a continuous dishwasher and onto a continuous dishwasher. The continuous dishwasher includes a washing zone, a rinse zone and a drying zone. The items to be cleaned are cleaned in the washing zone, rinsed clear in the rinse zone and dried in the drying zone. Transport devices are provided with which the items to be cleaned are transported in the conveying direction at the optimum transport speed for the process steps taking place in the respective zones.

Despite the advantages achieved with these devices and methods, the technical and organizational challenge described above generally persists. In conventional cleaning systems, for example, the transport devices are extremely inflexible and are generally not able to adapt to the various boundary conditions, in particular to sudden load peaks, backlogs during loading or changing requirements with regard to the type of contamination or of the items to be cleaned. In the case of peak loads, therefore, as a rule, only the transport speed of the transport device can be adapted, for example by slowing down the transport or completely stopping it. These measures usually affect the entire cleaning system. Therefore, the personnel planning for many cleaning systems must still be dimensioned in such a way that it can withstand a peak load in any case. For example, the operating personnel must, in particular, particularly carefully sort dishes and distribute them on the conveyor belt, particularly in the case of peak loads, in order to optimally use the limited capacity of the cleaning device. If the load then drops, a somewhat less careful sorting and distribution is necessary, but the operating personnel must nevertheless be kept in order to be able to react again in the event of sudden new peak loads. This provision of personnel and, as a rule, machine overcapacity can lead to unnecessary additional costs when purchasing and operating the cleaning device. In addition, the use of clocked cleaning devices, such as, for example, automatic program machines, for example in the form of hood pass-through dishwashers, is generally not possible or only possible if the entire cleaning system, including the transport device, is operated clocked. Object of the invention

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

Disclosure of the invention

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The term “items to be cleaned”, as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attached, as those skilled in the art understand. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any objects which can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device. One object can be cleaned, or several objects can be cleaned simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the items to be cleaned can be objects which are used directly or indirectly for the preparation, storage or presentation of dishes, for example dishes, cutlery, trays, bowls, glasses, pots, pans or similar objects.

Accordingly, the cleaning device can be designed in particular as a dishwasher, for example as a dishwasher for commercial use in canteen kitchens or kitchens for public catering. Other configurations of the cleaning device and / or the items to be cleaned are also possible in principle.

The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber and at least one loading device for loading the cleaning material in the cleaning supply chamber with at least one cleaning liquid. The cleaning chamber can be at least partially closed or designed to be closable.

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

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

The term "cleaning fluid" as used here is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning, as the expert understands it. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a liquid which, when struck on the items to be cleaned, can have a cleaning effect. In particular, the cleaning liquid can comprise an aqueous liquid, for example water and / or water with one or more additives, for example with one or more cleaner 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, the items to be cleaned, as stated above, can also be transported sequentially through several cleaning zones, in which, for example, exposure to different types of cleaning liquid and / or cleaning liquids with different degrees of purity takes place. Different degrees of purity can, for example, They are generated by a cascade overflow between different tanks of the cleaning device, with a degree of purity preferably increasing in the direction of transport. Pumped systems which regulate the fluid balance and the degree of purity between the individual tanks of the cleaning device are also known and can be used here.

The transport system comprises a plurality of transport segments for receiving the items to be cleaned. The transport segments are set up in such a way, in particular leads such that they can be transported in the circuit in a transport direction through the cleaning chamber. The cleaning device also has at least one transport device for driving the transport segments. The at least one transport device can in particular run in a circuit through the cleaning chamber. In particular, the transport segments can be automatically coupled to the transport device, in particular reversibly. Thus, the transport segments can in particular be automatically coupled to the transport device and automatically disconnected from the Transportvor direction. Alternatively, however, a fixed coupling of the transport segments to the transport device is also possible.

The term "transport segment", as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a carrier device which is set up to transport one or more elements or objects, in particular as part of a transport system. The transport segments can in particular each have at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a section of a link chain for receiving items to be cleaned; a belt section of a conveyor belt for receiving items to be cleaned. The transport port segments can be guided, for example, by at least one guide element, also generally referred to as a guide, for example at least one transport rail, which can guide the transport segments in the circuit in a transport direction or counter to the transport direction through the cleaning chamber. The transport direction can be specified for example by the guide element. In or on the at least one guide element, for example, a plurality of transport segments can be accommodated, so that these can preferably be guided independently of one another in the guide element or through the guide element. In particular, the transport segments can comprise a plurality of fingers, into or between which the items to be cleaned can be inserted. In particular, the transportation system is a belt transport system. In particular, the cleaning device can comprise a pass-through dishwasher and the belt transport system can be adaptable to discontinuous operation of the pass-through dishwasher. In the case of automated loading and / or automated unloading of the belt transport system, the belt transport system can have advantages over crockery baskets known from the prior art. Crockery baskets known from the prior art usually have dimensions of 500 mm × 500 mm or 600 mm × 500 mm based on a length and a width of the crockery baskets. The transport segments can be longer than the crockery basket known from the prior art. In particular, the transport segments can have a length of at least 700 mm, preferably at least 800 mm, preferably at least 900 mm and preferably at least 1000 mm. The belt transport system can be set up in such a way that transport segments, which are located outside the cleaning chamber, can be loaded and / or unloaded with the items to be cleaned during a program run.

Furthermore, the transport segments can comprise at least one plate-shaped carrier element for receiving items to be cleaned.

The term “lead” or grammatical variations thereof can refer in particular to a process in which a movement of another element is restricted in its degrees of freedom. For example, the guidance can be the specification of a movement path of at least one guided element.

The term “in the cycle, as used here, is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning, as Lachmann understands it. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to the property of a process to repeat iteratively. In connection with the course of the transport of the transport segments through the cleaning chamber and in connection with the course of the transport device through the cleaning chamber, the term can in particular be understood to mean that the transport or the course of the transport device within the cleaning chamber from an entrance or an inlet the cleaning chamber to an outlet or outlet of the cleaning chamber and outside the cleaning chamber in turn from the outlet or outlet to the entrance or inlet, so that an uninterrupted process can be carried out. For example, the guidance of the transport segments can include at least one continuous guidance element, for example at least one continuous rail, by means of which the transport segments can be guided from an inlet or inlet of the cleaning chamber to an outlet or outlet of the cleaning chamber and outside of the cleaning chamber in turn from the outlet or outlet to the inlet or inlet . With regard to the at least one transport device, which for example can have at least one drive, for example at least one drive chain and / or at least one drive belt, the cycle can take place, for example, in such a way that the transport segments at any location at which they are guided by the guide element can be coupled to the transport device or can be coupled. For example, the at least one drive chain and / or the at least one drive belt can be guided such that they run partly inside the cleaning chamber and partly outside the cleaning chamber, such that these elements circulate within the cleaning chamber from an entrance or an inlet to an outlet or outlet takes place, and outside the cleaning chamber from the outlet or outlet to the entrance or inlet. The term “cycle” does not necessarily imply that the element in the cycle actually describes a circular path, but rather preferably describes a closed path. In addition to a circular path, this closed path can also include, for example, an oval path, a rectangular path, a rectangular path with rounded corners, a polygonal path or a polygonal path with rounded corners. In general, the transport segments can be guided in such a way that they can be transported on a closed path through the cleaning chamber, with part of the closed path outside the cleaning chamber and part of the closed path inside the cleaning chamber. Accordingly, the transport device can run on a closed path through the cleaning chamber, part of the closed path running through the cleaning chamber and part of the closed path outside the cleaning chamber.

The term "transport device", as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning is to be attached, as the expert understands it. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to transport at least one other device or at least one other element and / or to drive a movement of the other device or the other 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 transportation direction, for example the drive element, comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a drive chain; a drive belt; a jack transport; a lifting cylinder.

The term “connect”, as used here, as well as grammatical variations of this term, are broad terms to which their usual and common meaning should be given, as the expert understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a process in which an element is connected to another element, in particular temporarily or reversibly. In this case, for example, the movement of one element can be linked to the movement of the other element and / or can be determined or predetermined by the movement of the other element. Accordingly, the term “connectable” can be understood in particular as a structural device for the two elements to be coupled to one another. For example, one element and / or the other element can have at least one coupling device through which a coupling can take place. Thus, in particular, as will be explained in more detail below, the transport segments each have at least one coupling device which can couple to the transport device, in particular reversibly, and / or the transport device can have at least one coupling device which can couple to the transport segments, especially reversible. Accordingly, the term “uncoupling” as used here, as well as grammatical variations of this term, are broad terms to which their usual and common meaning should be attributed, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or appropriate meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a process in which a connection of an element to another element is released. Accordingly, the above-described at least one optional coupling device of the transport segments and / or the at least one optional coupling device of the transport device can be configured such that the coupling described above can be released again. The coupling device can, for example, effect at least one mechanical and / or electromechanical intervention, which can reversibly effect the coupling described. For example, a mechanical intervention can take place via at least one coupling element, selected from the group consisting of a hook, an eyelet, a driver, a pawl, a bolt and associated bore, a toothing, tongue and groove or a prong or similar devices , which can for example enter into a non-positive and / or positive connection. Alternatively or additionally, a Electromechanical intervention can take place, for example, by means of a coupling element in the form of an electromagnet.

The term “automatic”, as used here, is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can relate, without limitation, in particular to the property of a process or an activity without human intervention, for example depending on the existence of one or more conditions. For example, the automatic process can take place depending on whether one or more specified conditions are met or not.

In the present case, the automatic coupling and / or the automatic decoupling of the transport segments from the transport device can take place, for example, as a function of the fulfillment of at least one condition, for example at least one condition selected from the group consisting of: the respective transport segment is located at least one predetermined location; the cleaning system be in a predetermined system state; at least one sensor delivers at least one corresponding sensor signal; at least one controller of the cleaning system delivers at least one coupling signal and / or at least one decoupling signal; the cleaning device has ended a cleaning program; the cleaning device signals a readiness to start a cleaning program.

The proposed cleaning system addresses the problem described above. In particular, the process of loading the cleaning system with items to be cleaned can be at least largely decoupled from the actual cleaning process within the cleaning device, so that, for example, one or more transport segments outside the cleaning device and thus outside the cleaning chamber are loaded with items to be cleaned, for example independently of this there can be at least one transport segment within the cleaning chamber, the items to be cleaned are being loaded with cleaning liquid. The latter transport segment can be transported at a different speed than the transport segment outside the cleaning chamber, and even a complete stop of the transport can take place within the cleaning chamber, for example in the case of clocked cleaning devices such as, for example, automatic program machines such as pass-through dishwashers in the form of hooded dishwashers. For example, suddenly occurring load peaks can be countered, since transport segments outside the cleaning chamber can be loaded and / or unloaded independently of the processes inside the cleaning chamber. A more flexible personnel planning is also possible because, for example, loading can take place automatically, where, for example, a run can serve as a buffer in front of the cleaning chamber, so that operating personnel do not have to be constantly on site.

These advantages can be emphasized in various ways and further improved. The cleaning system can in particular have a plurality of transport devices, for example a plurality of conveyor belts and / or a plurality of transport chains. These transport devices can in particular be operable independently of one another, for example by operating them independently of one another at other speeds, up to the possibility that at least one of the transport devices can be stopped, whereas at least one further of the transport devices can continue to run. For example, each of the transport devices can circulate through the cleaning chamber, or at least two of the transport devices can circulate through the cleaning chamber.

The transport devices can be used in different ways. For example, the respective at least one transport segment can optionally be coupled to at least one first transport device or to at least one second transport device. The term “optional”, as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attached, as the person skilled in the art understands. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to the fact that, preferably automatically, a first option or a second option should be implemented. For example, an automatic coupling of the transport segments to the at least one first transport device or to the at least one second transport device can either take place in a controlled manner by a controller, or it can take place depending on whether at least one predefined or predefinable condition for the respective at least one transport segment and / or are met for the cleaning system. For example, the coupling and / or the uncoupling of the transport segments to the at least one first transport device or to the at least one second transport device may depend on at least one condition, selected from the group consisting of: the respective transport segment is located on at least one predetermined one Place; the cleaning system is in a predetermined system state; at least one sensor provides at least one corresponding sensor signal; at least one controller of the cleaning system delivers at least one coupling signal and / or at least one decoupling signal; the cleaning device has ended a cleaning program; the cleaning device signals a readiness to start a cleaning program. In particular, the cleaning device can be set up such that the respective transport segment can alternatively be coupled either to the at least one first transport device or to the at least one second transport device. For example, the respective transport segment can be coupled to the first transport device in at least one first area, and to the at least one second transport device in at least one second area. There can also be more than two transport devices.

As stated above, the transport devices can in particular be driven independently of one another. In particular, the transport devices can be driven at different speeds, for example by being driven by different drive systems such as different motors and / or by connecting them to a motor via different clutches or different gears.

As stated above, the transport devices can be used in particular in different areas of the cleaning system for the transport of the transport segments. For example, the cleaning system can be set up such that the transport segments are each coupled to at least one first transport device outside the cleaning chamber and are coupled to at least one second transport device within the cleaning chamber. As an alternative or in addition to the subdivision of the areas of the transport system into areas inside and outside the cleaning chamber, further or other subdivisions can be made, for example subdivisions into two or more of the following areas: a task area in which the items to be cleaned are directly or indirectly, for example by means of a or several transport baskets on which the transport system is applied; a cleaning area in which the items to be cleaned are cleaned within the cleaning chamber; a transport area in which the items to be cleaned are transported from a task area to the cleaning area; different cleaning zones within the cleaning chamber; an outlet area in which the cleaned items to be cleaned are removed from the transport system; a transport area in which the items to be cleaned are transported from the cleaning chamber to the outlet area. As stated above, a possible advantage of the configuration of the proposed cleaning system is that the cleaning device can also be operated in a clocked manner. For example, the cleaning device can be designed such that the items to be cleaned remain stationary within the cleaning chamber for a predetermined or predeterminable time and are cleaned there in a stationary manner, while, for example independently of this cleaning, further items to be cleaned are applied to the transport system outside the cleaning chamber and / or can be removed from the transport system. For this purpose, for example, one or more transport segments can be arranged movably outside the cleaning chamber, while for example at least one transport segment remains stationary within the cleaning chamber during loading and / or moves at a different speed than the at least one transport segment located outside the cleaning chamber becomes. This can be advantageous, for example, if the cleaning device comprises at least one clocked cleaning device, for example at least one program machine, in which the items to be cleaned remain stationary in the cleaning chamber during a cleaning program. As an alternative, however, the cleaning device can also comprise, for example, at least one transport dishwasher, in which, for example, transport takes place through one or more cleaning zones, the segmentation by the transport segments and the possibility of coupling to different transport devices leading to a transport speed within the cleaning zones can be selected at least largely independently of a transport speed of transport segments outside the cleaning chamber and / or in other cleaning zones. If at least one first transport device and at least one second transport device are provided, then for example the second transport device can be operated discontinuously and set up to stop the transport segments within the cleaning chamber for a predetermined or predeterminable dwell time.

The cleaning system can in particular be set up to open the cleaning chamber when the transport segments are transferred from the first transport device to the second transport device, that is to say when the first transport device is decoupled and coupled to the second transport device, in order to open the respective chamber to bring at least one transport segment into the cleaning chamber. For example, the cleaning chamber can have at least one opening device. For example, this can be at least one opening device, selected from the group consisting of: a flap; a slider; a hood; a door. Other configurations are also possible. For example, the cleaning chamber, a first opening device can be provided, and a second opening device can be provided at an output of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, however, a single opening device can be provided both for the entrance and for the exit, for example by opening or closing a hood which closes the cleaning chamber. The cleaning system can also be set up to open the cleaning chamber again when the respective at least one transport segment is transferred from the second transport device to the first transport device in order to bring the respective at least one transport segment out of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, the second transport device can also be transferred to a third transport device, for example again when the cleaning chamber is opened again, in particular after a cleaning program has ended.

As stated above, the transport segments can be coupled to the at least one Transportvor direction, in particular reversibly. Alternatively, the transport segments can also be permanently coupled to one or more transport devices, for example. The transport segments and the transport devices can also be divided into two or more groups, which can be arranged alternately, for example. In this way, for example, two or more drive speeds for the trans port segments can be realized, the drive speeds in total can be synchronized in particular. For example, alternating transport segments of a first transport segment group and a second transport segment group can be present in the cleaning chamber and either remain stationary during the cleaning process, for example in the case of automatic program machines, or can be transported through the cleaning chamber, for example in the case of transport dishwashers. In particular, the transport system can have at least one first transport segment group and at least one second transport segment group, the first transport segment group and the second transport segment group each having at least one transport segment. A first transport device can be assigned to the first transport segment group, for example, and a second transport device can be assigned to the second transport segment group.

The at least one transport segment of the first transport segment group can in particular be fixedly coupled to the first transport device, and the transport segment of the second transport segment group can be fixedly coupled to the second transport device. In this case, coupling and uncoupling is generally not necessary. Alternatively, the transport segments of the first and second transport segments ment group, however, can also be reversibly coupled to their respective transport devices.

For example, the first transport segment group and the second transport segment group can each have a plurality of transport segments. These can be arranged alternately. The transport segments of the first transport segment group and the second transport segment group can each be arranged alternately. This alternating arrangement can, for example, result in that either a transport segment of the first transport segment group or a transport segment of the second transport segment group is present in the cleaning chamber.

The first transport device and the second transport device can in particular be driven in synchronized time. This synchronization can in particular be designed in such a way that the transport segments of the first transport segment group and the second transport segment group do not collide. Furthermore, the respective speed of the transport devices can be adapted to the function, for example loading, cleaning in the cleaning chamber, unloading.

As stated above, the transport segments can in particular be automatically coupled to the transport device and can be uncoupled from the transport device. This automatic coupling or this automatic decoupling can take place, for example, as a function of at least one control signal of at least one control of the cleaning system and / or, alternatively or additionally, as a function of the presence of at least one condition, as stated above. For example, due to the transport and the movement of the transport segments, at least one coupling element of the transport device can be coupled to a coupling element of the transport device at a specific location and can be released from the coupling element of the transport device at another specific location. This can be done, for example, by a corresponding guide, which moves the respective transport segment relative to the transport device toward the transport device at a specific location in order to bring about a coupling, and at another specific location, the respective transport segment relative to the transport device away from the transport device moved to effect a decoupling. Numerous possibilities for effecting an automatic coupling and / or an automatic decoupling are basically realizable for the person skilled in the art on the basis of his specialist knowledge. The transport segments and the transport device can in particular be set up in such a way that the respective transport segment is automatically coupled to the transport device in at least one predetermined or predeterminable section of a route of a cycle of the transport device and in at least one further predetermined or predeterminable section of the route of the Circulation of the transport device is automatically decoupled from the transport device. If there are several trans port devices, the transport segments can, for example, each couple to these transport devices in different sections, so that, for example, the respective transport segment is only coupled to one transport device.

As stated above, the cleaning system can in particular have at least one guide element in order to guide the transport segments. In particular, the cleaning system can have at least one guide rail. The transport segments can be transported on the guide rail in the circuit in the transport direction through the cleaning chamber.

As stated above, the cleaning system can have a plurality of transport segments, for example two, three, four or more transport segments. These transport segments can in particular be movable independently of one another. Correspondingly, for example, a distance between two adjacent transport segments can be designed to be variable. The transport segments can in particular be spaced apart, for example variably spaced, that at least one space between two of the transport segments occurs along the running path of the transport device. This space can be variable, for example. This intermediate space can serve, for example, as a buffer to temporarily compensate for different transport speeds of the transport segments, for example as a result of a different coupling to different transport devices. As stated above, this can be used in particular to also use clocked cleaning devices in the cleaning system and / or to intercept and compensate for short-term load peaks. In particular, a sum of the lengths of all transport segments along the running route can be smaller than the length of the running route, in particular by a factor of 0.8 or less, in particular by a factor of 0.7 or less, for example by a factor of 0.5 to 0 , 66, or even less than 0.5.

The transport segments can in particular each have a plurality of receiving compartments for the items to be cleaned. These compartments can be, for example Include a plurality of fingers into which the items to be cleaned can be inserted or inserted directly or indirectly. Furthermore, these fingers can also be used, for example, to engage in one or more transport baskets in which the items to be cleaned are accommodated. The cleaning system can, for example, fall back on the principles of known conveyor belt dishwashers or the principles of known basket-type dishwashers.

As stated above, the at least one transport device can be designed in different ways. In particular, the transport device can have at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a transport belt; a transport chain; a plurality of transport rollers; a ratchet drive. In general, the transport device can have at least one moving element to which the transport segments each couple and from which they can also uncouple.

The transport segments and the transport device can in particular each have coupling elements that interact. Coupling elements can in particular be elements which are set up to couple with one another or to decouple from one another. For example, complementary coupling elements can each be provided on the trans port segment and the transport device. Alternatively, for example, at least one coupling element can be provided only on the transport segment and no coupling element on the transport device, or no coupling element can be provided on the transport segment and only at least one coupling element on the transport device.

In particular, the cleaning system can have at least one spatial area, for example at least one belt section or at least a section of an entire transport path of the transport segments in the circuit, in which the transport device is moved relatively away from a guide of the transport segments in such a way that decoupling takes place. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning system can have at least one spatial area in which the transport device is moved relative to the guidance of the transport segments in such a way that it is coupled.

The coupling elements can in particular be designed to be fully or partially movable. The coupling elements can in particular have at least one element selected from the group consisting of a driver and a transport hook. As above , other coupling elements can alternatively or additionally be provided.

The cleaning system can in particular comprise at least one dishwasher. In particular, this can be a commercial dishwasher, in particular a dishwasher, which has at least two separate tanks for cleaning liquid. Transport dishwashers can be used, or, as explained above, also clocked dishwashers, that is to say dishwashers, in which the items to be cleaned remain temporarily stationary at one place during a cleaning process. In particular, this can be a program machine in which a cleaning program runs while the items to be cleaned remain stationary in the cleaning chamber. The dishwasher can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: a basket transport machine, a belt transport machine, a pass-through dishwasher. However, other configurations are also possible.

The cleaning chamber can in particular be designed entirely or partially as a cleaning tunnel. The cleaning tunnel can have, for example, at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, which can be closed, for example, by curtains. Other closure options or fully open openings are also conceivable. The cleaning system can in particular have at least two cleaning zones in the cleaning tunnel. The transport device can be arranged to transport the items to be cleaned on the transport segments sequentially through the cleaning zones. For example, the cleaning zones can comprise at least two zones, selected from the group consisting of: a pre-clearing zone, a washing zone, a pump rinse zone, a fresh water rinse zone; a drying zone. Other options are also conceivable.

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

As explained above, the control can in particular be set up in terms of program technology in order to control an operation of the cleaning device. The controller can in particular be set up to control coupling and decoupling of the transport segments from the transport device. Alternatively or additionally, this coupling and uncoupling can also take place completely without intervention by the control, for example by a purely mechanical intervention.

The controller can in particular be set up to control operation of the transport device. For example, the controller can be set up to control speed and / or synchronization between at least two transport devices. The control of the transport device can be identical to a control of the cleaning device or, alternatively, can also be formed separately from a control of the cleaning device.

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

The process includes the following steps:

I. Providing at least one cleaning system according to one of the preceding claims;

II. Inclusion of the items to be cleaned in the transport segments; and

III. Applying at least one cleaning liquid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber.

As stated above, the transport segments can be firmly coupled to the at least one transport device, reference being made to the above description of the cleaning system with regard to the possibilities. Alternatively, the transport segments can be coupled to the at least one transport device, for example reversibly. For example, the method can include at least one method step in which the transport segments are preferably automatically coupled to the transport device. Furthermore, the method can comprise at least one method step, in which the transport segments are preferably automatically decoupled from the transport device.

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

The at least one transport device can in particular have at least one first transport device and at least one second transport device. The transport segments can each be automatically coupled to the first transport device in particular in at least one predetermined or predeterminable section of a path of a cycle of the transport devices and in at least one further teren predetermined or predeterminable section of the route of the circulation of the trans port device are automatically coupled to the second transport device.

In general, the cleaning system described and the proposed method have numerous advantages over known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, the technical challenges described above are known systems and methods addressed. As stated above, the possible coupling and uncoupling of one or more transport segments to the one or more transport devices allows greater flexibility with regard to the design of the cleaning device and also with regard to the planning of the operating personnel. In particular, cleaning devices which are intended for clocked operation can now also be integrated into the cleaning system. Due to the flexibility with regard to the location and the speed of the transport segments, the loading of the cleaning system and the actual cleaning of the items to be cleaned can be decoupled from one another in such a way that, for example, the loading can also continue when the items to be cleaned are stationary within the cleaning chamber . Furthermore, a spacing of the transport segments can create a spatial and temporal buffer, which can be used, for example, in the event of short-term load peaks. As explained above, this enables more flexible personnel planning. Furthermore, by the possibility of coupling to different transport devices, the conditions for the transport of contaminated cleaning goods, the conditions for cleaning in the cleaning chamber and the conditions for the removal of cleaned cleaning goods can be set separately, for example by different transport speeds.

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

Embodiment 1: cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising

a) at least one cleaning device comprising at least one cleaning chamber and at least one loading device for loading the cleaning goods in the cleaning chamber with at least one cleaning liquid; and

b) at least one transport system, comprising a plurality of transport segments for receiving the items to be cleaned, the transport segments being guided in such a way that they are circulated in a transport direction through the Cleaning chamber can be transported, the transport system further comprising at least one transport device for driving the transport segments.

Embodiment 2: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the transport device is guided in a circuit through the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 3: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport segments can be automatically coupled to the transport device and can be automatically disconnected from the transport device.

Embodiment 4: Cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the transport system having a plurality of transport devices.

Embodiment 5: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, each of the transport devices running in a circuit through the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 6: cleaning system according to one of the two previous embodiments, the transport segments optionally being connectable to at least one first transport device or to at least one second transport device.

Embodiment 7: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the cleaning device being set up in such a way that the transport segments can alternatively be coupled either to the at least one first transport device or to the at least one second transport device.

Embodiment 8: Form cleaning system according to one of the four previous embodiment, the transport devices being driven independently of one another.

Embodiment 9: Form cleaning system according to one of the five preceding embodiments, the transport devices being drivable at different speeds.

Embodiment 10: cleaning system according to one of the six preceding embodiments, the cleaning system being set up in such a way that the transport segments are in each case outside the cleaning chamber to at least one first transport device. direction are coupled and are coupled to at least one second transport device within the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 11: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the second transport device being operated discontinuously and being set up to stop the transport segments within the cleaning chamber for a predetermined or predeterminable dwell time.

Embodiment 12: cleaning system according to one of the two previous embodiments, the cleaning system being set up to open the cleaning chamber when the transport segments are transferred from the first transport device to the second transport device, in order to introduce the transport segments into the cleaning chamber, and wherein the cleaning system is also set up to open the cleaning chamber again when the transport segments are transferred from the second transport device to the first transport device in order to bring the transport segments out of the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 13: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the transport system having at least a first transport segment group and at least a second transport segment group, the first transport segment group and the second transport segment group each having at least one transport segment, wherein the first transport segment group is assigned a first Transportvor direction and wherein the second transport segment group is assigned a second transport device.

Embodiment 14: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, where the at least one transport segment of the first transport segment group is firmly coupled to the first transport device and the at least one transport segment of the second transport segment group is firmly coupled to the second transport device.

Embodiment 15: cleaning system according to one of the two preceding embodiments, the first transport segment group and the second transport segment group each having a plurality of transport segments, the transport segments of the first transport segment group and the second transport segment group being arranged alternately . Embodiment 16: cleaning system according to one of the three preceding embodiments, the first transport device and the second transport device being driven in synchronized time.

Embodiment 17: Cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport segments can be automatically coupled to the transport device and can be disconnected from the transport device.

Embodiment 18: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the transport segment and the transport device being set up in such a way that the transport segments are each automatically coupled to the transport device in at least one predetermined or predeterminable section of a path of a cycle of the transport device and in at least one further predetermined NEN or predeterminable section of the route of the circulation of the transport device are automatically decoupled from the transport device.

Embodiment 19: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the cleaning system having at least one guide rail, the transport segments on the guide rail being able to be transported in the circuit in the transport direction through the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 20: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the transport segments being movable independently of one another, in particular in the transport direction.

Embodiment 21: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the transport segments being arranged at a distance from one another such that at least one space between two of the transport segments occurs along the transport device, in particular along a running path of the transport device.

Embodiment 22: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, where a sum of the lengths of all transport segments along the running route is smaller than the length of the running route, in particular by a factor of 0.8 or less, in particular by a factor of 0.7 or less, for example by a factor of 0.5 to 0.66, or even less than 0.5. Embodiment 23: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport segments each have a plurality of compartments for the items to be cleaned.

Embodiment 24: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the transport device having at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a conveyor belt; a transport chain; a plurality of transport rollers.

Embodiment 25: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport segments and the transport device have interacting coupling elements, the coupling elements being set up to couple with one another, preferably reversibly.

Embodiment 26: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, where the cleaning system has at least a first spatial area in which the transport device is moved away from a guide of the transport segments in such a way that decoupling takes place.

Embodiment 27: cleaning system according to one of the two previous embodiments, the cleaning system having at least a second spatial area in which the transport device is moved in such a way that the transport segments are guided such that a coupling takes place.

Embodiment 28: Form cleaning system according to one of the three preceding embodiments, the coupling elements being fully or partially movable.

Embodiment 29: Form the cleaning system according to one of the four preceding embodiments, the coupling elements having at least one element selected from the group consisting of a driver and a transport hook.

Embodiment 30: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the cleaning system comprising at least one dishwasher.

Embodiment 31: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, where the dishwasher is selected from the group consisting of: a basket transport machine, a belt transport machine, a pass-through dishwasher. Embodiment 32: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning chamber is at least partially designed as a cleaning tunnel.

Embodiment 33: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the cleaning system in the cleaning tunnel having at least two cleaning zones, the transport device being set up in order to transport the items to be cleaned on the transport segments sequentially through the cleaning zones.

Embodiment 34: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, the cleaning zones comprising at least two zones selected from the group consisting of: a pre-clearing zone, a washing zone, a pump rinse zone, a fresh water rinse zone; a drying zone.

Embodiment 35: cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments, the cleaning system further comprising a controller, the controller being set up in terms of programming in order to control an operation of the cleaning device.

Embodiment 36: cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, where the controller is set up to control coupling and uncoupling of the transport segments from the transport device.

Embodiment 37: cleaning system according to one of the two preceding embodiments, the controller being set up to control an operation of the transport device.

Embodiment 38: A process for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising the following process steps:

I. Providing at least one cleaning system according to one of the preceding embodiments;

II. Inclusion of the items to be cleaned in the transport segments; and

III. Applying at least one cleaning liquid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber. Embodiment 39: Method according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the at least one transport device has at least one first transport device and at least one second transport device, the transport segments each being automatically coupled to the first transport device in at least one predetermined or predeterminable section of a path of a cycle of the transport devices are and are automatically coupled to the second transport device in at least one further predetermined or predeterminable section of the path of the circulation of the transport devices.

Brief description of the figures

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

Show in detail:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a cleaning system for cleaning

Items to be cleaned in a sectional view from the side;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through a transport segment and its guide, with a sectional plane perpendicular to the drawing plane in FIG. 1;

3 shows a modification of the cleaning system according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows exemplary time profiles of the speeds of the two transport devices of the cleaning system according to FIG. 3.

Description of the embodiments

1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system 110 for cleaning items to be cleaned 112 in a sectional illustration from the side, with a Cutting plane parallel to a transport direction 114. The cleaning system 110 comprises a cleaning device 116 and a transport system 118.

The cleaning device 116 comprises a cleaning chamber 120, in which the items to be cleaned 112 can be supplied with at least one cleaning liquid by means of an application device 122. The cleaning device 116 can be designed, for example, as a program automat, the items to be cleaned 112 remaining stationary in the cleaning chamber 120 during the cleaning. In the alternative, the cleaning device 116 can accordingly be designed as a pass-through dishwasher, for example in the form of a hood dishwasher, wherein a hood of the cleaning chamber 120 can be opened for loading and unloading with items to be cleaned 112 and closed again for cleaning. Alternatively, the cleaning device 116 can also be configured such that the items to be cleaned 112 remain in motion during the cleaning and the application of the cleaning liquid and are transported, for example, through the cleaning chamber 120. Accordingly, the cleaning device 116 can comprise, for example, a conveyor dishwasher. For possible configurations of such dishwashers, reference can be made, by way of example, to the above-mentioned prior art, apart from the transport system 118 described in more detail below.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the transport system 118 comprises a plurality of transport segments 124. The transport segments 124 are, for example, mounted in a guide 126 in a sliding or rolling manner independently of one another. For example, the guide 126 can have a rail system. FIG. 2 shows an example of a sectional view perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1 through a transport segment 124 and its guide 126. For example, the transport segment 124 can have a plurality of lateral transport rollers 128, which can be mounted in a rolling manner in rail elements 130. A plain bearing is also possible. The transport segments 124 can, for example, have a plurality of fingers 132 on their upper side, into which the items to be cleaned 112 can be inserted. The guide 126 is designed such that the transport segments 124 can be guided in the circuit in the transport direction 114 through the cleaning chamber 120. For example, the guide 126 can comprise a closed rail system, so that, for example, the transport segments 124 can be guided in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 116 further comprises two transport devices 134, namely a first transport device. port device 136 and a second transport device 138. Only one transport device 134 or more than two transport devices 134 can also be provided. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the transport devices 134 are preferably guided in a circuit so that they can each lead the transport segments 124 in a circuit through the cleaning chamber 120. The transport segments 124 can each be reversibly coupled to the transport devices 134. For example, the transport segments 124 can each be automatically coupled either to the first transport device 136 or to the second transport device 138, as will be described in more detail below.

For example, the transport segments 124 each have coupling elements 140, for example in the form of hooks. These hooks can be rigid or can be folded, for example. The transport devices 134 in turn have corresponding coupling elements 142, 144, which can engage in the coupling elements 140 of the transport segments 124. As can be seen in the cross-sectional illustration according to FIG. 2, the transport devices 136, 138 can each comprise, for example, drive chains or drive belts, from which the coupling elements 142 and 144 protrude upward. By appropriate guidance of the transport devices 136, 138 relative to the guide 126 of the transport segments 124, depending on the location of the respective transport segment 124, the coupling elements 142 and / or 144 can be brought into engagement with the respective coupling elements 140 of a transport segment 124. As an example, in this exemplary embodiment, two coupling elements 140 are provided on a transport segment 124 for engaging with corresponding coupling elements 142 of the first transport device 136, and two coupling elements 140 for engaging with corresponding coupling elements 144 of the second transport device 138. These can be symmetrical, for example, on the right and to the left of an axis 146 of the transport segments 124, so that tilting of the transport segments 124 in the guide 126 is avoided by symmetrical application of force. In order to bring the coupling elements 142, 144 into engagement with the corresponding coupling elements 140, for example, the transport devices 136, 138 can be guided such that either the coupling elements 142 are approximated to the respective coupling elements 140 or the coupling elements 144. For a decoupling the coupling elements can be relatively removed again from the coupling elements 140, for example by appropriate guidance of the Transportvor devices 136, 138.

The transport devices 136, 138 can be driven, for example, by a common drive or, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1, by separate drives. drives 148, 150, for example by means of corresponding motors, in particular electric motors. If a plurality of drives are provided, these can be synchronized, for example, in particular by means of at least one controller 152 of the cleaning system 110. The controller 152 can be a central machine controller, for example, which, for example can also control an operation of the cleaning device 116, so that, for example, one or more cleaning programs can also be controlled by means of the controller 152. Alternatively, the controller 152 can also comprise a number of sub-controllers, for example a controller for the cleaning device 116 and a controller for the transport system 118.

The transport devices 136, 138 can be operated, for example, at different speeds. Activation cycles are also possible in which the transport devices 136, 138 are operated at an appropriate speed according to the respective requirements. Operation can take place, for example, in such a way that, for example by means of the first transport device 136, a transport segment 124 is transported to a loading position in front of the cleaning chamber 120, in order to be loaded there with items to be cleaned 112 manually or by means of a loading device 154. Then, for example at a change position 156, the first transport device 136 can be decoupled from the transport segment 124, for example by moving the coupling elements 142 away from the associated coupling elements 140 of the transport segment 124 by a corresponding guide. Corresponding coupling elements 144 of the second transport device 138 can be brought into engagement with associated coupling elements 140 of the transport segment 124 at the same time or with a time delay, for example by appropriately guiding these coupling elements 144 relatively to the coupling elements 140 of the transport segment 124. By means of the second transport device 138 can then, for example after an opening of the cleaning chamber 120, in particular by opening a hood and / or by driving through a corresponding input opening, the transport segment 124 under consideration with the items 112 to be cleaned can be moved into the cleaning chamber 120. There, depending on the configuration of the cleaning device 116, the transport segment 124 can then remain stationary for the duration of a cleaning program or can also be transported through the cleaning chamber 120 at a constant or varying speed, for example through several cleaning zones in the cleaning chamber 120. At a further changing position 158 can then again take place, for example, between the transport devices 134. For example, the second trans port device 138 can be decoupled from the transport segment 124, for example, by the coupling elements 144 being relatively separated from the by a corresponding guide Transport segment 124 are removed so that these are decoupled from the associated coupling elements 140. At the same time or with a time delay, for example again by means of a corresponding guide, the coupling elements 142 can again be approximated to the associated coupling elements 140 and thus brought into engagement with them. Thus, for example by means of the first transport device 136, in particular after opening the cleaning chamber 120 and / or by driving through a corresponding exit opening of the cleaning chamber 120, the respective transport segment 124 can be moved out of the cleaning chamber 120. There, the cleaned items to be cleaned 112 can then be removed from the transport segment 124, for example manually or by means of a corresponding unloading device 160. The now again discharged transport segment 124 can be carried out in the circuit, for example by means of the first transport device 136, back to the loading device 154.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 1, these transport segments 124 can always be coupled to one of the transport devices 134 or to both transport devices 134. However, configurations are also conceivable in which a complete decoupling of the transport segments 124 from the transport devices 134 takes place along the route of the transport segments 124 predetermined by the guide 126. These one or more decoupling sections can be used, for example, as storage for transport segments 124. If transport segments 124 are required again, they can be coupled to one or more of the transport devices 134 again, for example automatically or manually.

A modification of the cleaning system 110 according to FIG. 1 is shown by way of example in FIG. 3. To a large extent, reference can be made to the description of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. In this exemplary embodiment, however, it is shown that the transport segments 124 do not necessarily have to be reversibly coupled to the at least one transport device 134.

Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, two transport devices 136, 138 are again seen, which are set up to transport transport segments 124 in the circuit through the cleaning chamber 120 of the cleaning device 116. The Transportvor devices 136, 138 can in turn be driven by one or more drives. If separate drives are provided for the transport devices 136, 138, these can in particular be operated in a synchronized manner. The transport segments 124 are exemplarily divided into two transport segment groups, namely a first transport segment group 162 and a second transport segment group 164. The transport segments 124 of the first transport segment group 162 are coupling elements 140 to the first transport device 136 coupled, and the transport segments 124 of the second transport segment group 164 to the second transport device 138 via corresponding coupling elements 140. In particular, the transport segments 124 of the two transport segment groups 162, 164 can be arranged alternately and, for example, be guided in the circuit again by means of a guide 126 .

The transport devices 136, 138 can, for example, be operated in a synchronized manner, but each with different speed profiles. As an example, this is shown schematically in FIG. 4 using the speeds v of a segment S1 of the first transport segment group 162 and of a segment S2 of the second transport segment group 164 as a function of the time t. The positions of the front edges of the respective transport segments S1, S2 are shown for the two speed profiles, designated Po, Pi, P ₂ and P _{3 in} FIGS. 3 and 4. Furthermore, the times to, ti, t ₂ , t ₃ and t _{4 are shown} on the time axis t.

The cleaning system 110 can additionally have one or more position sensors, for example position switches, which can query the position of individual or a plurality of transport segments 124 and / or which can be set up to query whether a transport segment 124 has reached at least a certain position.

For example, a transport segment S1 can be moved to the point Po at a medium speed, which the transport segment S1 reaches at the time to. There, manual or automatic loading can be carried out analogously to FIG. 1 with cleaning material 112 until the front edge reaches the point Pi at a time ti, which can mark the end of a loading zone, for example. There, the transport segment S1 can then, for example, after opening the cleaning chamber 120 and / or through an inlet opening, be moved into the cleaning chamber 120 until the leading edge, for example at a time t _{2, reaches} the point P ₂ and completely in the cleaning chamber 120 is included. The transport segment S1 can then remain there, for example, at a speed v = 0 while a cleaning program is running in the cleaning device 116. Alternatively, the cleaning device 116 can also be configured such that the transport segment S 1 transports through one or more cleaning zones of the cleaning device 116 at a transport speed is cleaned there. The cleaning of the items to be cleaned on the transport segment S1 can take place, for example, during a time period At. After the cleaning program has ended, for example at a time t ₃ , the speed v of the first transport device 136 can then be increased again, and the transport segment S1 reaches point P ₃ , for example at a time t ₄ . Unloading can be provided there, for example again manually or also automatically, for example via an unloading device 160. An unloading onto a tray trolley 166 is shown here by way of example.

The drive diagram for the second transport device 138 shown below in FIG. 4 for transporting the transport segments S2 of the second transport segment group 164 can for example be identical to the drive diagram of the first transport segment group 162, but with a time delay. For example, at the time to there is a transport segment S2 in the cleaning chamber 120, with the leading edge at point P ₂ . At the point in time ti, the cleaning program for the items 112 to be picked up on the transport segment S2 has ended, and the transport segment S2 is moved out of the cleaning chamber 120 at high speed until it reaches the point P ₃ at the point in time t ₂ and is unloaded there. Then this can be transported at medium speed until time t ₃ , at which the cleaning program for the subsequent transport segment S1 of the first transport segment group 162 has ended, after which time up to time t _4, both transport devices 136, 138 with high speed operate.

The speed profiles of the two transport devices 136, 138 can then be repeated periodically. In general, the time profiles of the transport devices 136, 138 can be configured periodically, with a phase shift. In general, the number of segments of the temporal course of the speeds can be adapted to the respective circumstances. It is also not absolutely necessary to keep the speeds constant in sections, but temporal variations of the transport speeds can also be seen in one or more sections. Reference list cleaning system

Items to be cleaned

Direction of transport

Cleaning device

Transport system

Cleaning chamber

Loading device

Transport segment

guide

Transport roller

Rail element

finger

Transport device

first transport device

second transport device

Coupling element

axis

drive

control

Loading device

Exchange position

Unloading device

first transport segment group

second transport segment group

Tray trolley

Claims

Claims 1. Cleaning system (110) for cleaning items to be cleaned (112), comprising

a) at least one cleaning device (116) comprising at least one cleaning chamber (120) and at least one loading device (122) for loading the cleaning items (112) in the cleaning chamber (120) with at least one cleaning liquid; and

b) at least one transport system (118) comprising a plurality of transport segments (124) for receiving the items to be cleaned (112), the transport segments (124) being guided in such a way that they are circulated through the cleaning chamber in a transport direction (114) (120) are transportable, the transport system (118) further comprising at least one transport device (134) for driving the transport segments (124).

2. Cleaning system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transport segments (124) can be automatically coupled to the transport device (134) and can be automatically disconnected from the transport device (134).

3. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (118) has a plurality of transport devices (134).

4. Cleaning system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transport segments (124) can optionally be coupled to at least one first transport device (136) or to at least one second transport device (138).

5. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the cleaning system (110) is set up in such a way that the transport segments (124) are each coupled to at least one first transport device (136) outside the cleaning chamber (120) and within the Cleaning chamber (120) are coupled to at least one second transport device (138).

6. Cleaning system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second transport device (138) is operated discontinuously and is set up to stop the transport segments (124) within the cleaning chamber (120) for a predetermined or predeterminable dwell time.

7. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the cleaning system (110) is set up to transfer the transport segments (124) from the first transport device (136) to the second transport device (138) the cleaning chamber ( 120) open in order to introduce the transport segments (124) into the cleaning chamber (120), and wherein the cleaning system (110) is further set up to transfer the transport segments (124) from the second transport device (138) the first transport device (136) reopen the cleaning chamber (120) in order to bring the transport segments (124) out of the cleaning chamber (120).

8. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (118) has at least a first transport segment group (162) and at least a second transport segment group (164), the first transport segment group (162) and the second transport segment group (164) each have at least one transport segment (124), the first transport segment group (162) being assigned a first transport device (136) and where in the second transport segment group (164) a second transport device ( 138) is assigned.

9. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning system Rei (110) has at least one guide rail (126), wherein the transport segments (124) on the guide rail (126) in the circuit in the trans port direction (114) through the Cleaning chamber (120) are transportable.

10. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport segments (124) are movable independently of one another.

11. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport device (134) has at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a conveyor belt; a transport chain; a greater number of transport rollers.

12. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport segments (124) and the transport device (134) have cooperating coupling elements (140, 142, 144), wherein the coupling elements (140, 142, 144) are arranged to be together to couple.

13. Cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning system (110) comprises at least one dishwasher.

14. A process for cleaning items to be cleaned (112), comprising the following process steps:

I. Providing at least one cleaning system (110) according to one of the preceding claims;

II. Picking up the items to be cleaned (112) in the transport segments (124); and

III. Loading of the items to be cleaned (112) in the cleaning chamber (120) with at least one cleaning liquid.

15. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one transport device (134) has at least one first transport device (136) and at least one second transport device (138), the transport segments (124) each having at least one predetermined or predefinable one Section of a distance of a cycle of the transport devices (136, 138) are automatically coupled to the first transport device (136) and automatically to the second transport device (at least one further predetermined or predeterminable section of the distance of the cycle of the transport devices (136, 138)) 138) can be coupled.