EP3888520A1 - Device for cleaning straws - Google Patents
Device for cleaning straws Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3888520A1 EP3888520A1 EP21166462.8A EP21166462A EP3888520A1 EP 3888520 A1 EP3888520 A1 EP 3888520A1 EP 21166462 A EP21166462 A EP 21166462A EP 3888520 A1 EP3888520 A1 EP 3888520A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cleaning
- drinking straws
- station
- drinking
- cleaning chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/0089—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware of small size, e.g. portable mini dishwashers for small kitchens, office kitchens, boats, recreational vehicles
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
- B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
- B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
- B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
- B08B9/0323—Arrangements specially designed for simultaneous and parallel cleaning of a plurality of conduits
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G2400/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A47G19/00-A47G23/16
- A47G2400/02—Hygiene
Definitions
- the invention relates to a device for cleaning drinking straws with a loading station for loading the device with drinking straws, at least one rinsing station for rinsing the drinking straws with liquid, and a removal station for removing the drinking straws.
- Drinking straws also called straws, are used to absorb liquids from liquid containers. They are cylindrical, elongated hollow bodies with a passage for liquids inside. In order to absorb the liquid from the liquid container, a negative pressure is generated at one end of the drinking straw. Due to the negative pressure, the liquid is transported through the passage inside the drinking straw.
- Such drinking straws are used in particular in gastronomy. They can be designed as disposable drinking straws for single use. Such disposable drinking straws are made of plastic or paper, for example. A disadvantage of these disposable drinking straws is that the drinking straws have to be disposed of after they have been used once and therefore, especially in the catering industry, a large amount of waste is dispensed with on these disposable drinking straws.
- reusable drinking straws are known. These consist, for example, of plastic, glass or metal. These reusable drinking straws can advantageously be reused several times. In the catering industry in particular, the reuse of reusable drinking straws results in a lower amount of waste. In order to reuse the drinking straws, it is necessary to use them again clean. Since the drinking straws come into contact with the user's saliva when the drinking straw is taken up in the mouth of the user, the drinking straws must be cleaned as thoroughly as possible, but preferably in a sterile manner. This cleaning can prevent the transmission of pathogens from one user to the next when the drinking straw is reused. This is particularly important in the hospitality industry, where there are a large number of users of the reused drinking straw.
- the cleaning of the drinking straws is laborious, especially for the inner passage of the drinking straws.
- This inner passage usually has a relatively small inner diameter and is therefore particularly difficult to clean.
- the inner passage can also be kinked or rounded, which further complicates its cleaning.
- contamination for example from the drink or the user's saliva, may remain in particular in the inner passage of the drinking straw.
- milkshakes, smoothies and cocktails traces of milk, mint leaves, pieces of fruit or fruit pulp can remain on the drinking straw as contamination.
- a simple cleaning of the drinking straws by pulling them through a basin with cleaning agent is often not sufficient.
- drinking straws are known that can be divided into two halves along their longitudinal axis. In this way, the inner walls of the drinking straw are also easily accessible and can be cleaned. After cleaning, the straw can be reassembled for reuse.
- the disadvantage here is that the drinking straw can have leaks at the connecting line of the two halves, which makes it difficult to use the drinking straw.
- Another disadvantage is that the drinking straw first has to be taken apart in an additional cleaning step before cleaning. This increases the workload, especially in the catering industry, where many drinking straws have to be cleaned.
- the U.S. 6,039,490 A describes a cleaning system for drinking straws. It consists of a flexible, tubular brush structure with a tubular cavity therein between a closed insertion end and an open end.
- the cleaning system has a threaded pinch piston container, a number of cleaning solution dispensing ports provided along the length of the flexible tubular brush structure, and a number of multiple length bristles extending radially outward from the flexible tubular brush structure.
- the cleaning system also has an end cap for closing one end of the drinking straw.
- the disadvantage of cleaning drinking straws with brushes is that reliable heating and flow of cleaning agents for hygienic cleaning of the drinking straws is not guaranteed.
- soiling can occur on the brushes or in the cleaning solution.
- the high level of manual work involved in cleaning the drinking straws is also difficult to integrate into existing work processes, for example in catering establishments.
- Insert baskets for cleaning drinking straws in dishwashers are known.
- the drinking straws can be cleaned in existing dishwashers for cleaning dishes.
- the disadvantage here is that, due to the lack of mechanical action on the inner passage of the drinking straws, contaminants can settle there.
- food scraps or residues from dishes that are also cleaned in the dishwasher can penetrate the inner passage of the drinking straws and get stuck there. A reliable flushing of the inner passage of the drinking straws does not take place in the conventional dishwasher.
- a device for cleaning drinking straws in which a carrier is provided which is filled with drinking straws and which is then acted upon within a housing with water which has a sufficient temperature and flushes the drinking straws inside and out.
- the drinking straws have to be manually inserted into the carrier and removed from it again.
- the DE 20 2019 003 700 U1 describes a drinking straw cleaning device, wherein the drinking straws can be inserted and removed from a housing through an opening.
- the drinking straws are held in the cleaning chamber of the drinking straw cleaning device by means of individual holders.
- the invention is based on the object of optimizing the cleaning of drinking straws.
- the object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the device has a rotationally symmetrical conveying means for transporting the drinking straws between the individual stations.
- the straws are conveyed by the conveyor between the individual cleaning stations, for example loading, rinsing, rinsing, drying and removal.
- the conveying of the drinking straws from the loading station to the removal station can be done automatically by the conveyor. This significantly reduces the amount of work required to clean the drinking straws.
- the drinking straws only have to be placed in the loading station and removed from the unloading station after successful cleaning. The steps of cleaning then take place in the individual stations, for example rinsing, rinsing and drying the drinking straws.
- At least one drinking straw to be conveyable in at least one cleaning chamber of the conveying means, the cleaning chamber being able to be rinsed with liquid in the rinsing station.
- One or more drinking straws can be transported within a cleaning chamber by the conveyor.
- This cleaning chamber is preferably a elongated cavity in which the drinking straws are held with their longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning chamber.
- the cleaning chamber particularly preferably only offers space for a single drinking straw. This prevents contamination or germs from being transferred from one drinking straw to another.
- the cleaning chamber is rinsed with liquid.
- the liquid is, for example, water, cleaning solution or a rinse aid.
- the cleaning chamber advantageously has an elongated shape, particularly advantageously a largely cylindrical shape, with openings at the two ends. The liquid is introduced and discharged in the rinsing station through the two ends.
- the cleaning chamber is particularly advantageously liquid-tight except for its two openings at the ends. This makes it possible to flush the cleaning chamber with liquids under high pressure.
- the liquids can be introduced into the cleaning chamber at different temperatures. The time in which the flow through the cleaning chamber can be varied accordingly to achieve the desired cleaning state.
- the components required for introducing the liquids into the cleaning chamber in the rinsing station can be accommodated within the housing of the device. In this way, a particularly compact design of the device can be achieved.
- the components can alternatively be accommodated outside the housing of the device.
- the components can particularly advantageously be accommodated in a separate housing. Particularly noisy components, such as pumps, can be noise-insulated in this housing.
- the liquid can be connected to one end of the cleaning chamber from these components by a hose. Via a second hose, which is connected to the other end of the cleaning chamber, the liquid can after Flow through the cleaning chamber can be returned to the components of the rinsing station.
- the components of an already existing dishwasher can be used particularly advantageously in the washing station of the device.
- the dishwasher is connected to the device with hoses.
- the liquids from the dishwasher can be fed into and out of the cleaning chamber or cleaning chambers of the device via the hoses. They wash around and through the drinking straws inside the cleaning chamber.
- the dishwasher can run through the individual cleaning steps, for example pre-wash, rinse and rinse, and introduce the respective liquids, for example water, cleaning solution and rinse aid, through the hoses into the cleaning chamber.
- the components already installed in the dishwasher for example heating, pump and control modules, can advantageously be used for cleaning the drinking straws in the device.
- the additional acquisition costs and maintenance costs for the components of the washing station are dispensed with, since the components of a dishwasher that is already available, especially in the catering industry, can be used.
- the noise generated by the device is reduced by moving the components to existing dishwashers.
- One embodiment of the invention is that the cleaning chamber has an impact body at at least one of its ends.
- Such an impact body can improve the positioning of the drinking straws along the longitudinal axis of the cleaning chamber.
- the impact body can prevent the drinking straw from escaping through one of the ends of the cleaning chamber, in particular in the direction of the liquid flow.
- the impact body is advantageously provided in the center of the inlet or outlet opening, for example as a pin extending between the inner walls of the cleaning chamber.
- An impact body attached to the inlet opening of the liquid flow into the cleaning chamber can particularly advantageously lead to a turbulent flow within the cleaning chamber.
- the impact body can be, for example, a pin which is inserted into the inlet or outlet opening of the cleaning chamber.
- a further embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that there are several cleaning chambers, the cleaning chambers being separated from one another in a liquid-tight manner by a sealant.
- cleaning chambers Due to the liquid-tight separation of the cleaning chambers, for example, neighboring cleaning chambers can be rinsed with different liquids without the liquids being mixed.
- cleaning solution can flow through a cleaning chamber, while rinse aid flows through the adjacent cleaning chamber.
- the cleaning solution and the rinse aid advantageously do not mix. Impurities that are dissolved or carried along in the cleaning solution during cleaning do not get into the rinse aid. This means that the drinking straw is not soiled by contaminated rinse aid.
- cleaning chambers that are rinsed with a more heavily soiled liquid can be separated in a liquid-tight manner from those that are rinsed with a less heavily soiled liquid.
- the sealing means can be rubber seals, for example.
- a further embodiment of the invention consists in that the cleaning chamber can be flushed through in different flushing stations with liquids at different pressures in each case.
- a rinsing station can be, for example, a station for pre-rinsing so that water flows through the cleaning chamber, a station for rinsing the cleaning chamber with cleaning solution, or a station for flowing rinse aid through the cleaning chamber.
- the stations can be spatially separated from each other.
- the liquids can also be rinsed through the cleaning chamber one after the other at a rinsing station.
- the cleaning chamber can advantageously be flushed through at different pressures at the flushing stations will. For example, in the case of two adjacent cleaning chambers, one can be rinsed with a cleaning solution and the adjacent one with a rinse aid.
- the higher pressure of the rinse aid prevents contaminated cleaning liquid from entering the cleaning chamber with the rinse aid even in the event of a leak in the cleaning chambers.
- the more heavily soiled liquid can be let into the cleaning chamber at a lower pressure in order to prevent the liquids from mixing.
- the pressure with which the liquids are introduced into the cleaning chamber can be varied accordingly to achieve the desired cleaning state.
- the conveyor is designed as a substantially cylindrical cleaning magazine and the cleaning chamber is designed as a notch or recess in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning magazine, the cleaning magazine being rotatably mounted in a housing.
- Essentially cylindrical in this context means that the conveying means has a cylindrical basic shape but, for example, the end face is rounded. Of course, it can also have a completely cylindrical shape.
- the cleaning chamber can be designed as an elongated notch on the outer surface of the cylindrical cleaning magazine.
- the inner surface of the housing can form an inner surface of the cleaning chamber.
- the cleaning chamber can also be designed as a recess, for example as a cylindrical through-hole parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cleaning magazine. Due to the rotatable mounting of the cylindrical cleaning magazine inside the housing, the cleaning chamber can be transported between the individual stations.
- cleaning magazines can be provided for the various rinsing stations.
- the cleaning chambers can be a Cleaning magazine with cleaning solution and the cleaning chambers of a second cleaning magazine are rinsed with detergent.
- the individual rinsing stations are advantageously spatially separated from one another and no liquid can be transferred from one rinsing station to the other.
- the cleaning chambers of a cleaning magazine can all be rinsed with liquid at the same time in a rinsing station.
- a second rinsing station can then take place after the first rinsing station.
- All cleaning chambers of the cleaning magazine can be loaded with drinking straws, which are then rinsed with liquid at the same time. After that, all cleaning chambers can be rinsed with a second liquid.
- the individual cleaning processes are advantageously separated in time so that the liquids of the individual rinsing stations cannot mix.
- a further embodiment of the invention consists in that the conveying means is designed as a substantially conical cleaning magazine and the housing has a conical shape matched to the cleaning magazine, the cleaning chambers being sealable against one another by an action of force in the axial direction on the conical cleaning magazine.
- Essentially conical means in this context that the conveying means has a conical basic shape but, for example, the end face is rounded. Of course, it can also have a completely conical shape.
- the cleaning chambers can be notches in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning magazine.
- the inner wall of the housing is an inner wall of the cleaning chambers formed by the notches.
- the cleaning chambers are sealed by the action of force in the axial direction on the essentially conical cleaning magazine by pressing against the conical shape that is matched to the cleaning magazine. This force can be adjusted to the point in time at which the cleaning chambers are flushed with liquid. In this way, the penetration of the liquid into an adjacent cleaning chamber is particularly advantageously prevented.
- the action of force through the pressure of the Liquids take place.
- the cleaning chambers are transported between the individual stations by rotating the conical cleaning magazine.
- a further embodiment of the invention consists in that the device has a cover plate, with at least two cleaning chambers being connected to one another by a deflection means.
- the cover plate can be attached to one end of the cleaning chambers in the housing of the device.
- the deflecting means each connect at least two cleaning chambers, so that the liquid that is introduced into the inlet opening of a cleaning chamber is introduced through its outlet opening and the deflecting means into an opening of a second or more cleaning chambers.
- several cleaning chambers can advantageously be flushed through with liquid at the same time.
- the connections of the flushing station for introducing and discharging the liquids can particularly advantageously be attached to the same side of the devices.
- the device at the loading and unloading station has at least one elongated recess for loading or unloading the device with drinking straws.
- the drinking straws can be introduced into the device or removed from the device through the elongated recesses.
- the elongated recesses can particularly advantageously separate the drinking straws so that only one drinking straw reaches a cleaning chamber in the loading station.
- the loading station has a funnel for loading the device with drinking straws.
- the funnel can advantageously orient the drinking straws in an orientation that is favorable for loading the cleaning chamber.
- an elongated tapered funnel can hold the drinking straws in an elongated orientation relay a message.
- a round tapered funnel can orient the drinking straws in an orientation parallel to the longitudinal direction of the funnel.
- the funnel can be filled with liquid in which the drinking straws placed in the funnel are soaked.
- the risk of breakage when inserting drinking straws made of glass is advantageously reduced by the liquid.
- the unloading station has an output container for storing the cleaned drinking straws.
- the cleaned drinking straws can advantageously be stored in the dispensing container. After cleaning, the drinking straws can be dried in the dispensing container.
- a further embodiment of the invention consists in that the device additionally has a drying station, wherein the cleaning chamber in the drying station can be flowed through with air.
- Another embodiment of the invention is that the housing is transparent.
- the cleaning chambers can be visually inspected from outside the device through the transparent housing. For example, it can be checked whether all cleaning chambers are loaded with drinking straws, whether the cleaning chambers are soiled, whether the cleaning chambers are properly flushed with liquid or whether the cleaning chambers have leaks.
- the liquids can particularly advantageously be colored in order to better identify leaks.
- a preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that the conveying means can be driven electrically.
- Another preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that the conveying means can be driven with water pressure.
- the conveyor can be driven by the pressure of the liquids used for cleaning. No additional drive means are then advantageously required.
- the device has transmitters for transmitting the current operating state of the device.
- the operating state can include, for example, the fill levels of the liquids for flushing the cleaning chambers as well as information about the repair or maintenance status of the device.
- the transmitter can transmit the operating information wirelessly, for example via an ISM band.
- Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention.
- the device consists of a housing 2, in the interior of which a cylindrical, rotationally symmetrical cleaning magazine 3 is rotatably mounted.
- the housing 2 is composed of a connection disk 7, a cylindrical housing part 12 and a cover disk 6.
- the cover plate 6 has an axis receptacle 16 for receiving the axis 4 of the cleaning magazine 3.
- the device has an elongated funnel 17 into which the drinking straws to be cleaned are filled. Due to the elongated funnel 17, the longitudinal axes of the drinking straws are oriented in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning magazine 3.
- the drinking straws can be introduced into the cleaning chambers 8 of the cleaning magazine 3 through the elongated recess 13 of the cylindrical housing part 12.
- the cleaned drinking straws can be removed from the device through a further elongated recess 13 in the cylindrical housing part 12 and then stored in the dispensing container 5.
- Fig. 2 the device 1 is shown without the cylindrical housing part 12.
- the cleaning magazine 3 has notches which, together with the inner wall of the cylindrical housing part 12, form the cleaning chambers 8.
- the cleaning chambers 8 each have an opening, an inlet opening 10 and an outlet opening 11 at their two ends. Liquid can be passed into the cleaning chambers 8 through the inlet opening 10. The liquid leaves the cleaning chambers 8 through the outlet opening 11. This creates a flow of liquid within the cleaning chambers 8, which cleans the drinking straws inside and outside the cleaning chambers 8.
- the cleaning chambers 8 have at their inlet opening 10 and their Exit opening 11 impact body 9.
- impact bodies 9 center the position of the drinking straws within the cleaning chambers 8 and prevent the drinking straws from being able to leave the cleaning chambers 8 with liquid when they are flushed through.
- the impact bodies 9 advantageously cause a turbulent flow of liquid through the cleaning chambers 8, which increases the cleaning effect.
- Fig. 3 the cylindrical housing part 12 of the device 1 is shown.
- the cylindrical housing part 12 has elongated recesses 13 for loading and unloading the device 1 with drinking straws.
- Fig. 4 shows the cylindrical cleaning magazine 3 of the device. This is rotatably mounted on an axis 4 within the housing 2 of the device. As a result of the rotary movement of the cleaning magazine 3, the drinking straws are conveyed within the cleaning chambers 8 between the individual cleaning stations.
- the cleaning chambers 8 each have an opening, an inlet opening 10 and an outlet opening 11 at their two ends. Liquid can be passed into the cleaning chambers 8 through the inlet opening 10. The liquid leaves the cleaning chambers through the outlet opening 11. This creates a flow of liquid inside the cleaning chambers 8, which cleans the drinking straws inside and outside the cleaning chambers 8.
- the cleaning chambers 8 have impact bodies 9 at their inlet opening 10 and their outlet opening 11.
- impact bodies 9 center the position of the drinking straws within the cleaning chambers 8 and prevent the drinking straws from being able to leave the cleaning chambers 8 with liquid when flushing them.
- the impact bodies 9 advantageously cause a turbulent flow of liquid through the cleaning chambers 8, which increases the cleaning effect.
- connection disk 7 has connection openings 14 through which liquids, for example water, cleaning solution or rinse aid, are introduced into the device 1 and discharged. Different liquids can be used in different connection openings 14 are introduced. After the liquids have been introduced into the device 1 through the connection openings 14, they penetrate through the inlet opening 10 into the cleaning chamber 8, which is axially oriented relative to the connection opening 14. The liquid flushes through the cleaning chamber 8 with the drinking straw in its interior, the drinking straw being cleaned by the flow of liquid. The liquid leaves the cleaning chamber 8 through the exit opening 11. Finally, the liquid leaves the device 1 through one of the connection openings 14. The drinking straw within the cleaning chamber 8 has then completed a rinsing station and can be conveyed to the next station by rotating the cleaning magazine 3.
- liquids for example water, cleaning solution or rinse aid
- Fig. 6 shows a cover plate 6 of the device 1.
- the cover plate 6 has an axis receptacle 16 for receiving the axis 4 of the cleaning magazine 3.
- Notches on the cover plate 6 form deflection means by which two adjacent cleaning chambers 8 are connected to one another. Liquid which emerges from the outlet opening 11 of the one cleaning chamber 8 can enter the outlet opening 11 of the adjacent cleaning chamber 8 through the deflecting means 15. In this way, all connection openings 14 for introducing and discharging the liquids are arranged on one side of the device 1.
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Abstract
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung (1) zum Reinigen von Trinkhalmen mit einer Beladestation zum Beladen der Vorrichtung mit Trinkhalmen, mindestens einer Spülstation zum Spülen der Trinkhalme mit Flüssigkeit, und einer Entnahmestation zur Entnahme der Trinkhalme. Dadurch, dass die Vorrichtung ein rotationssymmetrisches Fördermittel zum Transport der Trinkhalme zwischen den einzelnen Stationen aufweist, kann die Reinigung der Trinkhalme automatisiert werden. Das Fördermittel kann als zylindrisches Reinigungsmagazin (3) ausgebildet sein und Reinigungskammern (8) in Form von Einkerbungen oder Aussparungen in einer zur Längsachse des Reinigungsmagazins parallelen Lage aufweisen, wobei das Reinigungsmagazin in einem Gehäuse (2) drehbar gelagert ist.The invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning drinking straws with a loading station for loading the device with drinking straws, at least one rinsing station for rinsing the drinking straws with liquid, and a removal station for removing the drinking straws. Because the device has a rotationally symmetrical conveying means for transporting the drinking straws between the individual stations, the cleaning of the drinking straws can be automated. The conveyor can be designed as a cylindrical cleaning magazine (3) and have cleaning chambers (8) in the form of notches or recesses in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning magazine, the cleaning magazine being rotatably mounted in a housing (2).
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Reinigen von Trinkhalmen mit einer Beladestation zum Beladen der Vorrichtung mit Trinkhalmen, mindestens einer Spülstation zum Spülen der Trinkhalme mit Flüssigkeit, und einer Entnahmestation zur Entnahme der Trinkhalme.The invention relates to a device for cleaning drinking straws with a loading station for loading the device with drinking straws, at least one rinsing station for rinsing the drinking straws with liquid, and a removal station for removing the drinking straws.
Trinkhalme, auch Strohhalme genannt, werden zur Aufnahme von Flüssigkeiten aus Flüssigkeitsbehältern verwendet. Sie sind zylindrische, längliche Hohlkörper, die in ihrem Inneren einen Durchgang für Flüssigkeiten bieten. Um die Flüssigkeit aus dem Flüssigkeitsbehälter aufzunehmen, wird ein Unterdruck an einem Ende des Trinkhalms erzeugt. Durch den Unterdruck wird die Flüssigkeit durch den Durchgang im Inneren des Trinkhalms befördert.Drinking straws, also called straws, are used to absorb liquids from liquid containers. They are cylindrical, elongated hollow bodies with a passage for liquids inside. In order to absorb the liquid from the liquid container, a negative pressure is generated at one end of the drinking straw. Due to the negative pressure, the liquid is transported through the passage inside the drinking straw.
Solche Trinkhalme werden insbesondere in der Gastronomie verwendet. Sie können als Einwegtrinkhalme zur einmaligen Verwendung ausgestaltet sein. Solche Einwegtrinkhalme bestehen beispielsweise aus Kunststoff oder Papier. Nachteilig an diesen Einwegtrinkhalmen ist, dass die Trinkhalme nach der einmaligen Verwendung entsorgt werden müssen und deshalb, insbesondere in der Gastronomie, eine große Menge des Abfalls auf diese Einwegtrinkhalme entfällt.Such drinking straws are used in particular in gastronomy. They can be designed as disposable drinking straws for single use. Such disposable drinking straws are made of plastic or paper, for example. A disadvantage of these disposable drinking straws is that the drinking straws have to be disposed of after they have been used once and therefore, especially in the catering industry, a large amount of waste is dispensed with on these disposable drinking straws.
Es sind auch Trinkhalme aus essbaren Materialien bekannt. Beispielsweise können hohle Nudeln als Trinkhalm verwendet werden. Nachteilig an diesen essbaren Trinkhalmen ist, dass sie bei der Benutzung oft weich werden und oft einen Eigengeschmack haben.There are also drinking straws made of edible materials. For example, hollow noodles can be used as a drinking straw. The disadvantage of these edible drinking straws is that they often become soft when used and often have a taste of their own.
Aus diesem Grund sind Mehrwegtrinkhalme bekannt. Diese bestehen beispielsweise aus Kunststoff, Glas oder Metall. Vorteilhaft können diese Mehrwegtrinkhalme mehrmals wiederverwendet werden. Insbesondere in der Gastronomie fällt durch die Wiederverwendung der Mehrwegtrinkhalme eine geringere Menge an Abfall an. Zur Wiederverwendung der Trinkhalme ist es notwendig, diese nach der Verwendung zu reinigen. Da die Trinkhalme bei Ihrer Verwendung durch die Aufnahme des Trinkhalms in den Mund des Benutzers mit dessen Speichel in Kontakt kommen, müssen die Trinkhalme möglichst gründlich, bevorzugt jedoch steril gereinigt werden. Durch diese Reinigung kann die Übertragung von Krankheitserregern von einem Benutzer zum nächsten bei der Wiederverwendung des Trinkhalms verhindert werden. Dies ist insbesondere in der Gastronomie, bei der eine große Anzahl von Benutzern des wiederverwendeten Trinkhalms auftreten, wichtig.For this reason, reusable drinking straws are known. These consist, for example, of plastic, glass or metal. These reusable drinking straws can advantageously be reused several times. In the catering industry in particular, the reuse of reusable drinking straws results in a lower amount of waste. In order to reuse the drinking straws, it is necessary to use them again clean. Since the drinking straws come into contact with the user's saliva when the drinking straw is taken up in the mouth of the user, the drinking straws must be cleaned as thoroughly as possible, but preferably in a sterile manner. This cleaning can prevent the transmission of pathogens from one user to the next when the drinking straw is reused. This is particularly important in the hospitality industry, where there are a large number of users of the reused drinking straw.
Die Reinigung der Trinkhalme ist insbesondere für den inneren Durchgang der Trinkhalme aufwendig. Dieser innere Durchgang hat meist einen relativ kleinen Innendurchmesser und ist deshalb besonders schwer zu reinigen. Dabei kann der innere Durchgang auch abgeknickt oder abgerundet sein, was seine Reinigung weiter erschwert. Bei einer unzureichenden Reinigung kann es sein, dass Kontaminationen, beispielsweise durch das Getränk oder den Speichel des Benutzers, insbesondere im inneren Durchgang des Trinkhalms verbleiben. Insbesondere bei Milchshakes, Smoothies und Cocktails können Milchspuren, Minzblätter, Fruchtstücke oder Fruchtbrei als Verunreinigungen am Trinkhalm verbleiben. Eine einfache Reinigung der Trinkhalme durch das Durchziehen durch ein Becken mit Reinigungsmittel ist dabei oft nicht ausreichend.The cleaning of the drinking straws is laborious, especially for the inner passage of the drinking straws. This inner passage usually has a relatively small inner diameter and is therefore particularly difficult to clean. The inner passage can also be kinked or rounded, which further complicates its cleaning. In the event of inadequate cleaning, contamination, for example from the drink or the user's saliva, may remain in particular in the inner passage of the drinking straw. Especially with milkshakes, smoothies and cocktails, traces of milk, mint leaves, pieces of fruit or fruit pulp can remain on the drinking straw as contamination. A simple cleaning of the drinking straws by pulling them through a basin with cleaning agent is often not sufficient.
Aus der
Es sind ebenfalls Bürsten zur händischen Reinigung von Trinkhalmen bekannt.Brushes for manual cleaning of drinking straws are also known.
Die
Nachteilig an der Reinigung von Trinkhalmen mit Bürsten ist, dass ein zuverlässiges Erhitzen und Durchströmen von Reinigungsmitteln zur hygienischen Reinigung der Trinkhalme nicht gewährleistet ist. Insbesondere bei größeren zu reinigenden Stückzahlen können Verunreinigungen an den Bürsten oder in der Reinigungslösung auftreten. Der hohe handwerkliche Aufwand zur Reinigung der Trinkhalme ist zudem schwer in bestehende Arbeitsabläufe, beispielsweise in gastronomischen Betrieben, zu integrieren.The disadvantage of cleaning drinking straws with brushes is that reliable heating and flow of cleaning agents for hygienic cleaning of the drinking straws is not guaranteed. In particular, when the number of items to be cleaned is larger, soiling can occur on the brushes or in the cleaning solution. The high level of manual work involved in cleaning the drinking straws is also difficult to integrate into existing work processes, for example in catering establishments.
Es sind Einlegekörbe zur Reinigung von Trinkhalmen in Spülmaschinen bekannt. So können die Trinkhalme in bereits vorhandenen Spülmaschinen zur Reinigung von Geschirr gereinigt werden. Nachteilig hieran ist, dass aufgrund der mangelnden mechanischen Einwirkung auf den inneren Durchgang der Trinkhalme sich dort Verunreinigungen absetzten können. Zudem können Essensreste oder Rückstände von Geschirr, das ebenfalls in der Spülmaschine gereinigt wird, in den inneren Durchgang der Trinkhalme eindringen und sich dort festsetzen. Eine zuverlässige Durchspülung des inneren Durchgangs der Trinkhalme findet in der konventionellen Spülmaschine nicht statt.Insert baskets for cleaning drinking straws in dishwashers are known. The drinking straws can be cleaned in existing dishwashers for cleaning dishes. The disadvantage here is that, due to the lack of mechanical action on the inner passage of the drinking straws, contaminants can settle there. In addition, food scraps or residues from dishes that are also cleaned in the dishwasher can penetrate the inner passage of the drinking straws and get stuck there. A reliable flushing of the inner passage of the drinking straws does not take place in the conventional dishwasher.
Aus der
Allerdings müssen hierbei die Trinkhalme manuell in den Träger eingelegt und wieder aus diesem entnommen werden.However, the drinking straws have to be manually inserted into the carrier and removed from it again.
Auch die
Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, das Reinigen von Trinkhalmen zu optimieren.The invention is based on the object of optimizing the cleaning of drinking straws.
Die Aufgabe wird bei einer Vorrichtung gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 dadurch gelöst, dass die Vorrichtung ein rotationssymmetrisches Fördermittel zum Transport der Trinkhalme zwischen den einzelnen Stationen aufweist.The object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of
Erfindungsgemäß werden die Trinkhalme durch das Fördermittel zwischen den einzelnen Stationen der Reinigung, beispielsweise dem Beladen, dem Spülen, dem Klarspülen, dem Trocknen und der Entnahme, befördert. Vorteilhaft entfallen auf diese Weise das Einlegen, Befördern und Entnehmen der Trinkhalme von Hand. Die Beförderung der Trinkhalme von der Beladestation zur Entnahmestation kann dabei automatisch durch das Fördermittel erfolgen. Der Arbeitsaufwand zur Reinigung der Trinkhalme wird hierdurch deutlich reduziert. Bevorzugt müssen die Trinkhalme nur in die Beladestation gegeben werden und nach der erfolgreichen Reinigung aus der Entladestation entnommen werden. In den einzelnen Stationen erfolgen dann die Schritte der Reinigung, beispielsweise das Spülen, das Klarspülen und das Trocknen der Trinkhalme.According to the invention, the straws are conveyed by the conveyor between the individual cleaning stations, for example loading, rinsing, rinsing, drying and removal. This advantageously eliminates the need to insert, transport and remove the drinking straws by hand. The conveying of the drinking straws from the loading station to the removal station can be done automatically by the conveyor. This significantly reduces the amount of work required to clean the drinking straws. Preferably, the drinking straws only have to be placed in the loading station and removed from the unloading station after successful cleaning. The steps of cleaning then take place in the individual stations, for example rinsing, rinsing and drying the drinking straws.
Dabei ist es zweckmäßig, dass jeweils mindestens ein Trinkhalm in mindestens einer Reinigungskammer des Fördermittels beförderbar ist, wobei die Reinigungskammer in der Spülstation mit Flüssigkeit durchspülbar ist.It is expedient here for at least one drinking straw to be conveyable in at least one cleaning chamber of the conveying means, the cleaning chamber being able to be rinsed with liquid in the rinsing station.
Ein oder mehrere Trinkhalme können innerhalb einer Reinigungskammer durch das Fördermittel transportiert werden. Bevorzugt ist diese Reinigungskammer ein länglicher Hohlraum, in welchem die Trinkhalme mit ihrer Längsachse parallel zur Längsachse der Reinigungskammer gehalten werden. Besonders bevorzugt bietet die Reinigungskammer nur für einen einzelnen Trinkhalm Platz. So wird eine Übertragung von Verunreinigungen oder Keimen von einem Trinkhalm zum andern verhindert. In der Spülstation wird die Reinigungskammer mit Flüssigkeit durchspült. Die Flüssigkeit ist dabei beispielsweise Wasser, Reinigungslösung oder ein Klarspülmittel. Vorteilhaft weist die Reinigungskammer eine längliche Form, besonders vorteilhaft eine weitgehend zylindrische Form, mit Öffnungen an den beiden Enden auf. Durch die beiden Enden erfolgt das Einbringen und Ausbringen der Flüssigkeit in der Spülstation. Dadurch entsteht ein Flüssigkeitsstrom zwischen den beiden Enden der Reinigungskammer, in der sich der Trinkhalm befindet. Dieser Flüssigkeitsstrom umspült sowohl das Äußere des Trinkhalms sowie den inneren Durchgang des Trinkhalms. Auf diese Weise kann eine hygienische Durchspülung des inneren Durchgangs des Trinkhalms erfolgen. Besonders vorteilhaft ist die Reinigungskammer bis auf ihre beiden Öffnungen an den Enden flüssigkeitsdicht. Dies erlaubt es, die Reinigungskammer mit Flüssigkeiten unter hohem Druck zu durchspülen. Die Flüssigkeiten können dabei mit unterschiedlichen Temperaturen in die Reinigungskammer eingebracht werden. Die Zeit, in welcher die Reinigungskammer durchströmt wird, kann entsprechend zur Erzielung des gewünschten Reinigungszustandes variiert werden.One or more drinking straws can be transported within a cleaning chamber by the conveyor. This cleaning chamber is preferably a elongated cavity in which the drinking straws are held with their longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning chamber. The cleaning chamber particularly preferably only offers space for a single drinking straw. This prevents contamination or germs from being transferred from one drinking straw to another. In the rinsing station, the cleaning chamber is rinsed with liquid. The liquid is, for example, water, cleaning solution or a rinse aid. The cleaning chamber advantageously has an elongated shape, particularly advantageously a largely cylindrical shape, with openings at the two ends. The liquid is introduced and discharged in the rinsing station through the two ends. This creates a flow of liquid between the two ends of the cleaning chamber in which the drinking straw is located. This flow of liquid washes around both the exterior of the drinking straw and the inner passage of the drinking straw. In this way, the inner passage of the drinking straw can be flushed through hygienically. The cleaning chamber is particularly advantageously liquid-tight except for its two openings at the ends. This makes it possible to flush the cleaning chamber with liquids under high pressure. The liquids can be introduced into the cleaning chamber at different temperatures. The time in which the flow through the cleaning chamber can be varied accordingly to achieve the desired cleaning state.
Die für das Einbringen der Flüssigkeiten in die Reinigungskammer in der Spülstation notwendigen Bauteile, beispielsweise Heiz-, Pump- oder Steuerungsmodule können dabei innerhalb des Gehäuses der Vorrichtung untergebracht sein. Auf diese Weise kann eine besonders kompakte Bauform der Vorrichtung erreicht werden. Die Bauteile können alternativ außerhalb des Gehäuses der Vorrichtung untergebracht sein. Besonders vorteilhaft können die Bauteile in einem separaten Gehäuse untergebracht sein. In diesem Gehäuse könne besonders geräuschintensive Bauteile, beispielsweise Pumpen, geräuschisoliert werden. Die Flüssigkeit kann von diesen Bauteilen durch einen Schlauch mit einem Ende der Reinigungskammer verbunden werden. Über einen zweiten Schlauch, welcher mit dem jeweils anderen Ende der Reinigungskammer verbunden ist, kann die Flüssigkeit nach dem Durchströmen der Reinigungskammer zu den Bauteilen der Spülstation zurückgeführt werden.The components required for introducing the liquids into the cleaning chamber in the rinsing station, for example heating, pump or control modules, can be accommodated within the housing of the device. In this way, a particularly compact design of the device can be achieved. The components can alternatively be accommodated outside the housing of the device. The components can particularly advantageously be accommodated in a separate housing. Particularly noisy components, such as pumps, can be noise-insulated in this housing. The liquid can be connected to one end of the cleaning chamber from these components by a hose. Via a second hose, which is connected to the other end of the cleaning chamber, the liquid can after Flow through the cleaning chamber can be returned to the components of the rinsing station.
Besonders vorteilhaft können die Bauteile einer bereits vorhandenen Spülmaschine in der Spülstation der Vorrichtung verwendet werden. Dabei wird die Spülmaschine mit Schläuchen an die Vorrichtung angeschlossen. Über die Schläuche können die Flüssigkeiten aus der Spülmaschine in die Reinigungskammer bzw. die Reinigungskammern der Vorrichtung ein- und ausgeleitet werden. Dabei um- und durchspülen sie die Trinkhalme im Inneren der Reinigungskammer. Die Spülmaschine kann dabei die einzelnen Reinigungsschritte, beispielsweise Vorspülen, Spülen und Klarspülen, durchlaufen und die jeweiligen Flüssigkeiten, beispielsweise Wasser, Reinigungslösung und Klarspülmittel, durch die Schläuche in die Reinigungskammer einbringen. Vorteilhaft können die bereits in der Spülmaschine verbauten Bauteile, beispielsweise Heiz-, Pump und Steuermodule, für die Reinigung der Trinkhalme in der Vorrichtung verwendet werden. Die zusätzlichen Anschaffungskosten und Wartungskosten für die Bauteile der Spülstation entfallen, da auf die Bauteile einer insbesondere in der Gastronomie bereits vorhandenen Spülmaschine zurückgegriffen werden kann. Zusätzlich wird die Geräuschentwicklung der Vorrichtung durch die Auslagerung der Bauteile auf bereits vorhandene Spülmaschinen reduziert.The components of an already existing dishwasher can be used particularly advantageously in the washing station of the device. The dishwasher is connected to the device with hoses. The liquids from the dishwasher can be fed into and out of the cleaning chamber or cleaning chambers of the device via the hoses. They wash around and through the drinking straws inside the cleaning chamber. The dishwasher can run through the individual cleaning steps, for example pre-wash, rinse and rinse, and introduce the respective liquids, for example water, cleaning solution and rinse aid, through the hoses into the cleaning chamber. The components already installed in the dishwasher, for example heating, pump and control modules, can advantageously be used for cleaning the drinking straws in the device. The additional acquisition costs and maintenance costs for the components of the washing station are dispensed with, since the components of a dishwasher that is already available, especially in the catering industry, can be used. In addition, the noise generated by the device is reduced by moving the components to existing dishwashers.
Eine Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Reinigungskammer an mindestens einem ihrer Enden einen Prallkörper aufweist.One embodiment of the invention is that the cleaning chamber has an impact body at at least one of its ends.
Ein solcher Prallkörper kann die Positionierung der Trinkhalme entlang der Längsachse der Reinigungskammer verbessern. Zudem kann durch den Prallkörper ein Austreten des Trinkhalms durch eines der Enden der Reinigungskammer insbesondere in Richtung des Flüssigkeitsstroms verhindert werden. Vorteilhaft ist der Prallkörper dabei in der Mitte der Eingangs- oder Ausgangsöffnung, beispielsweise als sich zwischen den Innenwänden der Reinigungskammer erstreckender Stift, vorgesehen. Besonders vorteilhaft kann ein an der Eingangsöffnung des Flüssigkeitsstroms in die Reinigungskammer angebrachter Prallkörper zu einer turbulenten Strömung innerhalb der Reinigungskammer führen.Such an impact body can improve the positioning of the drinking straws along the longitudinal axis of the cleaning chamber. In addition, the impact body can prevent the drinking straw from escaping through one of the ends of the cleaning chamber, in particular in the direction of the liquid flow. The impact body is advantageously provided in the center of the inlet or outlet opening, for example as a pin extending between the inner walls of the cleaning chamber. An impact body attached to the inlet opening of the liquid flow into the cleaning chamber can particularly advantageously lead to a turbulent flow within the cleaning chamber.
Ein solcher turbulenter Flüssigkeitsstrom verbessert die Reinigungswirkung. Der Prallkörper kann dabei beispielsweise ein Stift, welcher in die Eingangs- oder Ausgangsöffnung der Reinigungskammer eingebracht ist, sein.Such a turbulent flow of liquid improves the cleaning effect. The impact body can be, for example, a pin which is inserted into the inlet or outlet opening of the cleaning chamber.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass mehrere Reinigungskammern vorliegen, wobei die Reinigungskammern durch ein Dichtmittel flüssigkeitsdicht voneinander getrennt sind.A further embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that there are several cleaning chambers, the cleaning chambers being separated from one another in a liquid-tight manner by a sealant.
Durch die flüssigkeitsdichte Trennung der Reinigungskammern können beispielsweise benachbarte Reinigungskammern mit unterschiedlichen Flüssigkeiten durchspült werden ohne dass es zu einer Vermischung der Flüssigkeiten kommt. Beispielsweise kann eine Reinigungskammer mit Reinigungslösung durchströmt werden, während die benachbarte Reinigungskammer mit Klarspülmittel durchströmt wird. Vorteilhaft vermischen sich die Reinigungslösung und das Klarspülmittel nicht. Verunreinigungen, die im Verlauf der Reinigung in der Reinigungslösung gelöst oder mitgeführt werden, gelangen nicht in das Klarspülmittel. Somit wird der Trinkhalm nicht durch verunreinigtes Klarspülmittel verschmutzt. Insgesamt können Reinigungskammern, die mit einer stärker verschmutzten Flüssigkeit durchspült, werden, von denjenigen flüssigkeitsdicht getrennt werden, die mit einer weniger stark verschmutzten Flüssigkeit durchspült werden. Die Dichtmittel können dabei beispielsweise Gummidichtungen sein.Due to the liquid-tight separation of the cleaning chambers, for example, neighboring cleaning chambers can be rinsed with different liquids without the liquids being mixed. For example, cleaning solution can flow through a cleaning chamber, while rinse aid flows through the adjacent cleaning chamber. The cleaning solution and the rinse aid advantageously do not mix. Impurities that are dissolved or carried along in the cleaning solution during cleaning do not get into the rinse aid. This means that the drinking straw is not soiled by contaminated rinse aid. Overall, cleaning chambers that are rinsed with a more heavily soiled liquid can be separated in a liquid-tight manner from those that are rinsed with a less heavily soiled liquid. The sealing means can be rubber seals, for example.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Reinigungskammer in verschiedenen Spülstationen mit Flüssigkeiten mit jeweils unterschiedlichem Druck durchspülbar ist.A further embodiment of the invention consists in that the cleaning chamber can be flushed through in different flushing stations with liquids at different pressures in each case.
Eine Spülstation kann dabei beispielsweise eine Station zum Vorspülen zum Durchströmen der Reinigungskammer mit Wasser, eine Station zum Durchspülen der Reinigungskammer mit Reinigungslösung oder eine Station zum Durchströmen der Reinigungskammer mit Klarspüler sein. Die Stationen können räumlich voneinander getrennt sein. Die Flüssigkeiten können auch nacheinander an einer Spülstation durch die Reinigungskammer gespült werden. Vorteilhaft kann die Reinigungskammer an den Spülstationen mit unterschiedlichem Druck durchspült werden. Beispielsweise können bei zwei benachbarten Reinigungskammern eine mit einer Reinigungslösung und die benachbarte mit einem Klarspülmittel durchspült werden. Durch das Durchspülen der Reinigungskammer mit Klarspülmittel mit einem höheren Druck als dem Durchspülen der Reinigungskammer mit Reinigungslösung kann selbst bei einer Undichtigkeit der Reinigungskammern ein Eintritt von verunreinigter Reinigungsflüssigkeit in die Reinigungskammer mit dem Klarspülmittel durch den höheren Druck des Klarspülmittels verhindert werden. Insgesamt kann die jeweils stärker verschmutzte Flüssigkeit mit einem geringeren Druck in die Reinigungskammer eingelassen werden, um ein Vermischen der Flüssigkeiten zu verhindern. Der Druck, mit dem die Flüssigkeiten in die Reinigungskammer eingeleitet wird, kann entsprechend zur Erzielung des gewünschten Reinigungszustandes variiert werden.A rinsing station can be, for example, a station for pre-rinsing so that water flows through the cleaning chamber, a station for rinsing the cleaning chamber with cleaning solution, or a station for flowing rinse aid through the cleaning chamber. The stations can be spatially separated from each other. The liquids can also be rinsed through the cleaning chamber one after the other at a rinsing station. The cleaning chamber can advantageously be flushed through at different pressures at the flushing stations will. For example, in the case of two adjacent cleaning chambers, one can be rinsed with a cleaning solution and the adjacent one with a rinse aid. By rinsing the cleaning chamber with rinse aid at a higher pressure than rinsing the cleaning chamber with cleaning solution, the higher pressure of the rinse aid prevents contaminated cleaning liquid from entering the cleaning chamber with the rinse aid even in the event of a leak in the cleaning chambers. Overall, the more heavily soiled liquid can be let into the cleaning chamber at a lower pressure in order to prevent the liquids from mixing. The pressure with which the liquids are introduced into the cleaning chamber can be varied accordingly to achieve the desired cleaning state.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass das Fördermittel als im Wesentlichen zylindrisches Reinigungsmagazin ausgebildet ist und die Reinigungskammer als Einkerbung oder Aussparung in einer zur Längsachse des Reinigungsmagazins parallelen Lage ausgebildet ist, wobei das Reinigungsmagazin in einem Gehäuse drehbar gelagert ist.Another embodiment of the invention is that the conveyor is designed as a substantially cylindrical cleaning magazine and the cleaning chamber is designed as a notch or recess in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning magazine, the cleaning magazine being rotatably mounted in a housing.
"Im Wesentlichen zylindrisch" bedeutet in diesem Zusammenhang, dass das Fördermittel zwar eine zylindrische Grundform aufweist, aber beispielsweise die Stirnseite abgerundet ist. Selbstverständlich kann auch eine vollständig zylindrische Form vorliegen. Die Reinigungskammer kann als längliche Einkerbung an der Außenfläche des zylindrischen Reinigungsmagazins ausgebildet sein. Die Innenfläche des Gehäuses kann dabei eine Innenfläche der Reinigungskammer ausbilden. Die Reinigungskammer kann auch als Aussparung, beispielsweise als zylindrische Durchbohrung parallel zu der Längsachse des zylindrischen Reinigungsmagazins, ausgebildet sein. Durch die drehbare Lagerung des zylindrischen Reinigungsmagazins innerhalb des Gehäuses kann die Reinigungskammer zwischen den einzelnen Stationen befördert werden.“Essentially cylindrical” in this context means that the conveying means has a cylindrical basic shape but, for example, the end face is rounded. Of course, it can also have a completely cylindrical shape. The cleaning chamber can be designed as an elongated notch on the outer surface of the cylindrical cleaning magazine. The inner surface of the housing can form an inner surface of the cleaning chamber. The cleaning chamber can also be designed as a recess, for example as a cylindrical through-hole parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cleaning magazine. Due to the rotatable mounting of the cylindrical cleaning magazine inside the housing, the cleaning chamber can be transported between the individual stations.
Dabei können mehrere Reinigungsmagazine für die verschiedenen Spülstationen vorgesehen sein. Beispielsweise können die Reinigungskammern eines Reinigungsmagazins mit Reinigungslösung und die Reinigungskammern eines zweiten Reinigungsmagazins mit Spülmittel durchspült werden. Vorteilhaft erfolgt sind die einzelnen Spülstationen räumlich voneinander getrennt und es kann keine Flüssigkeit von einer Spülstation zur anderen übertragen werden.Several cleaning magazines can be provided for the various rinsing stations. For example, the cleaning chambers can be a Cleaning magazine with cleaning solution and the cleaning chambers of a second cleaning magazine are rinsed with detergent. The individual rinsing stations are advantageously spatially separated from one another and no liquid can be transferred from one rinsing station to the other.
Die Reinigungskammern eines Reinigungsmagazins können alle gleichzeitig in einer Spülstation mit Flüssigkeit durchspült werden. Eine zweite Spülstation kann dann zeitlich nach der ersten Spülstation erfolgen. Es können alle Reinigungskammern des Reinigungsmagazins mit Trinkhalmen beladen werden, die dann gleichzeitig mit Flüssigkeit durchspült werden. Zeitlich danach können alle Reinigungskammern mit einer zweiten Flüssigkeit durchspült werden. Vorteilhaft sind die einzelnen Reinigungsvorgänge zeitlich getrennt, so dass die Flüssigkeiten der einzelnen Spülstationen sich nicht vermischen können.The cleaning chambers of a cleaning magazine can all be rinsed with liquid at the same time in a rinsing station. A second rinsing station can then take place after the first rinsing station. All cleaning chambers of the cleaning magazine can be loaded with drinking straws, which are then rinsed with liquid at the same time. After that, all cleaning chambers can be rinsed with a second liquid. The individual cleaning processes are advantageously separated in time so that the liquids of the individual rinsing stations cannot mix.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass das Fördermittel als im Wesentlichen konisches Reinigungsmagazin ausgebildet ist und das Gehäuse eine auf das Reinigungsmagazin abgestimmte konische Formen aufweist, wobei die Reinigungskammern durch eine Krafteinwirkung in axialer Richtung auf das konische Reinigungsmagazin gegeneinander abdichtbar sind.A further embodiment of the invention consists in that the conveying means is designed as a substantially conical cleaning magazine and the housing has a conical shape matched to the cleaning magazine, the cleaning chambers being sealable against one another by an action of force in the axial direction on the conical cleaning magazine.
"Im Wesentlichen konisch" bedeutet in diesem Zusammenhang, dass das Fördermittel zwar eine konische Grundform aufweist, aber beispielsweise die Stirnseite abgerundet ist. Selbstverständlich kann auch eine vollständig konische Form vorliegen. Dabei können die Reinigungskammern Einkerbungen in einer zu der Längsachse des Reinigungsmagazins parallelen Lage sein. Die Innenwand des Gehäuses ist dabei eine Innenwand der durch die Einkerbungen gebildeten Reinigungskammern. Die Reinigungskammern werden dabei durch Krafteinwirkung in axialer Richtung auf das im Wesentlichen konische Reinigungsmagazin durch das Andrücken an die auf das Reinigungsmagazin abgestimmte konische Form abgedichtet. Diese Krafteinwirkung kann auf den Zeitpunkt der Durchspülung der Reinigungskammern mit Flüssigkeit abgestimmt sein. Besonders vorteilhaft wird auf diese Weise das Eindringen der Flüssigkeit in eine benachbarte Reinigungskammer verhindert. Besonders vorteilhaft kann die Krafteinwirkung durch den Druck der Flüssigkeiten erfolgen. Die Reinigungskammern werden durch das Drehen des konischen Reinigungsmagazins zwischen den einzelnen Stationen befördert.“Essentially conical” means in this context that the conveying means has a conical basic shape but, for example, the end face is rounded. Of course, it can also have a completely conical shape. The cleaning chambers can be notches in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning magazine. The inner wall of the housing is an inner wall of the cleaning chambers formed by the notches. The cleaning chambers are sealed by the action of force in the axial direction on the essentially conical cleaning magazine by pressing against the conical shape that is matched to the cleaning magazine. This force can be adjusted to the point in time at which the cleaning chambers are flushed with liquid. In this way, the penetration of the liquid into an adjacent cleaning chamber is particularly advantageously prevented. The action of force through the pressure of the Liquids take place. The cleaning chambers are transported between the individual stations by rotating the conical cleaning magazine.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Vorrichtung eine Abschlussscheibe aufweist, wobei mindestens jeweils zwei Reinigungskammern durch ein Umlenkmittel miteinander verbunden sind.A further embodiment of the invention consists in that the device has a cover plate, with at least two cleaning chambers being connected to one another by a deflection means.
Die Abschlussscheibe kann dabei an einem Ende der Reinigungskammern in dem Gehäuse der Vorrichtung angebracht sein. Die Umlenkmittel verbinden jeweils mindestens zwei Reinigungskammern, so dass die Flüssigkeit, die in die Eingangsöffnung einer Reinigungskammer eingeleitet wird, durch deren Ausgangsöffnung und das Umlenkmittel in eine Öffnung einer zweiten oder mehrerer Reinigungskammern eingeleitet werden. Vorteilhaft können dadurch mehrere Reinigungskammern gleichzeitig mit Flüssigkeit durchspült werden. Besonders vorteilhaft können die Anschlüsse der Spülstation zum Einleiten und Ausleiten der Flüssigkeiten an der gleichen Seite der Vorrichtungen angebracht sein.The cover plate can be attached to one end of the cleaning chambers in the housing of the device. The deflecting means each connect at least two cleaning chambers, so that the liquid that is introduced into the inlet opening of a cleaning chamber is introduced through its outlet opening and the deflecting means into an opening of a second or more cleaning chambers. As a result, several cleaning chambers can advantageously be flushed through with liquid at the same time. The connections of the flushing station for introducing and discharging the liquids can particularly advantageously be attached to the same side of the devices.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Vorrichtung an der Belade- und Entladestation jeweils mindestens eine längliche Aussparung zum Be- oder Entladen der Vorrichtung mit Trinkhalmen aufweist.Another embodiment of the invention is that the device at the loading and unloading station has at least one elongated recess for loading or unloading the device with drinking straws.
Durch die länglichen Aussparungen können die Trinkhalme in die Vorrichtung eingebracht oder aus der Vorrichtung herausgenommen werden. Besonders vorteilhaft kann die länglichen Aussparungen die Trinkhalme vereinzeln, sodass nur ein Trinkhalm in der Beladestation in eine Reinigungskammer gelangt.The drinking straws can be introduced into the device or removed from the device through the elongated recesses. The elongated recesses can particularly advantageously separate the drinking straws so that only one drinking straw reaches a cleaning chamber in the loading station.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Beladestation einen Trichter zum Beladen der Vorrichtung mit Trinkhalmen aufweist.Another embodiment of the invention is that the loading station has a funnel for loading the device with drinking straws.
Durch den Trichter können mehrere Trinkhalme vor dem Reinigen in der Vorrichtung gelagert werden. Vorteilhaft kann der Trichter die Trinkhalme in einer zur Beladung der Reinigungskammer günstigen Ausrichtung orientieren. Beispielsweise kann ein länglicher sich verjüngender Trichter die Trinkhalme in einer länglichen Orientierung ausrichten. Alternativ kann ein runder sich verjüngender Trichter die Trinkhalme in einer Orientierung parallel zu der Längsrichtung des Trichters orientieren.Several drinking straws can be stored in the device through the funnel before cleaning. The funnel can advantageously orient the drinking straws in an orientation that is favorable for loading the cleaning chamber. For example, an elongated tapered funnel can hold the drinking straws in an elongated orientation relay a message. Alternatively, a round tapered funnel can orient the drinking straws in an orientation parallel to the longitudinal direction of the funnel.
Weiterhin kann der Trichter mit Flüssigkeit befüllbar sein, in welcher die in den Trichter eingelegten Trinkhalme eingeweicht werden. Vorteilhaft wird durch die Flüssigkeit die Bruchgefahr beim Einlegen von Trinkhalmen aus Glas reduziert.Furthermore, the funnel can be filled with liquid in which the drinking straws placed in the funnel are soaked. The risk of breakage when inserting drinking straws made of glass is advantageously reduced by the liquid.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Entladestation einen Ausgabebehälter zur Lagerung der gereinigten Trinkhalme aufweist.Another embodiment of the invention is that the unloading station has an output container for storing the cleaned drinking straws.
Vorteilhaft können die gereinigten Trinkhalme in dem Ausgabebehälter gelagert werden. In dem Ausgabebehälter kann eine Trocknung der Trinkhalme nach der Reinigung erfolgen.The cleaned drinking straws can advantageously be stored in the dispensing container. After cleaning, the drinking straws can be dried in the dispensing container.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Vorrichtung zusätzlich eine Trockenstation aufweist, wobei die Reinigungskammer in der Trockenstation mit Luft durchströmbar ist.A further embodiment of the invention consists in that the device additionally has a drying station, wherein the cleaning chamber in the drying station can be flowed through with air.
Durch das Durchströmen der Reinigungskammer mit Luft werden die Trinkhalme in der Reinigungskammer getrocknet. Die Luft kann dabei beheizt und/oder entfeuchtet sein.As air flows through the cleaning chamber, the drinking straws are dried in the cleaning chamber. The air can be heated and / or dehumidified.
Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass das Gehäuse transparent ist.Another embodiment of the invention is that the housing is transparent.
Durch das transparente Gehäuse können die Reinigungskammern von außerhalb der Vorrichtung optisch inspiziert werden. So kann beispielsweise überprüft werden, ob alle Reinigungskammern mit Trinkhalmen beladen sind, ob die Reinigungskammern verschmutzt sind, ob die Reinigungskammern ordnungsgemäß Flüssigkeit durchspült werden oder ob die Reinigungskammern Undichtigkeiten aufweisen. Besonders vorteilhaft können die Flüssigkeiten eingefärbt werden, um Undichtigkeiten besser zu erkennen.The cleaning chambers can be visually inspected from outside the device through the transparent housing. For example, it can be checked whether all cleaning chambers are loaded with drinking straws, whether the cleaning chambers are soiled, whether the cleaning chambers are properly flushed with liquid or whether the cleaning chambers have leaks. The liquids can particularly advantageously be colored in order to better identify leaks.
Eine bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass das Fördermittel elektrisch antreibbar ist.A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that the conveying means can be driven electrically.
Eine andere bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass das Fördermittel mit Wasserdruck antreibbar ist.Another preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that the conveying means can be driven with water pressure.
Das Fördermittel kann durch den Druck der für die Reinigung verwendeten Flüssigkeiten angetrieben werden. Vorteilhaft werden dann keine zusätzlichen Antriebsmittel benötigt.The conveyor can be driven by the pressure of the liquids used for cleaning. No additional drive means are then advantageously required.
Schließlich ist es erfindungsgemäß, dass die Vorrichtung Sender zum Senden des aktuellen Betriebszustands der Vorrichtung aufweist.Finally, it is according to the invention that the device has transmitters for transmitting the current operating state of the device.
Der Betriebszustand kann dabei beispielsweise die Füllstände der Flüssigkeiten zum Durchspülen der Reinigungskammern sowie Informationen über den Reparatur- oder Wartungszustand der Vorrichtung umfassen. Der Sender kann die Betriebsinformationen drahtlos, beispielsweise über ein ISM-Band, senden.The operating state can include, for example, the fill levels of the liquids for flushing the cleaning chambers as well as information about the repair or maintenance status of the device. The transmitter can transmit the operating information wirelessly, for example via an ISM band.
Nachfolgend wird eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung anhand von Zeichnungen näher erläutert.An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.
Es zeigen
- Fig. 1
- eine perspektivische Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
- Fig. 2
- eine perspektivische Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ohne zylindrisches Gehäuseteil,
- Fig. 3
- eine perspektivische Ansicht des zylindrischen Gehäuseteils der Vorrichtung gemäß
Fig. 1 , - Fig. 4
- eine perspektivische Ansicht des zylindrischen Reinigungsmagazins der Vorrichtung gemäß
Fig. 1 , - Fig. 5
- eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anschlussscheibe der Vorrichtung gemäß
Fig. 1 , - Fig. 6
- eine perspektivische Ansicht der Abschlussscheibe der Vorrichtung gemäß
Fig. 1 .
- Fig. 1
- a perspective view of the device according to the invention,
- Fig. 2
- a perspective view of the device according to the invention without a cylindrical housing part,
- Fig. 3
- a perspective view of the cylindrical housing part of the device according to
Fig. 1 , - Fig. 4
- a perspective view of the cylindrical cleaning magazine of the device according to FIG
Fig. 1 , - Fig. 5
- a perspective view of the connecting disk of the device according to FIG
Fig. 1 , - Fig. 6
- a perspective view of the cover plate of the device according to
Fig. 1 .
In
In
In
Claims (15)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102020109085.4A DE102020109085A1 (en) | 2020-04-01 | 2020-04-01 | Device for cleaning drinking straws |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3888520A1 true EP3888520A1 (en) | 2021-10-06 |
Family
ID=75362356
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21166462.8A Withdrawn EP3888520A1 (en) | 2020-04-01 | 2021-03-31 | Device for cleaning straws |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP3888520A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102020109085A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN116135350A (en) * | 2021-11-18 | 2023-05-19 | 玩艸植造股份有限公司 | Plant straw manufacturing equipment |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6039490A (en) | 1999-02-17 | 2000-03-21 | Banks; Beverly L. | Drinking straw cleaning system |
US20180352983A1 (en) | 2017-06-12 | 2018-12-13 | April Allen | Separable drinking straw to facilitate cleaning of internal walls |
DE202019104789U1 (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2019-09-16 | GEFU-Küchenboss GmbH & Co. KG | Device for holding a plurality of drinking straws made of glass, plastic, metal |
DE202019003700U1 (en) | 2019-09-06 | 2020-02-04 | Christian Hüttlinger | Drinking straw cleaning device, straw cleaning device |
GB2576931A (en) * | 2018-09-07 | 2020-03-11 | Teemo Group Ltd | Straw cleaning device |
US20200086363A1 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2020-03-19 | John Jay Bowman | Drinking straw sanitizer |
-
2020
- 2020-04-01 DE DE102020109085.4A patent/DE102020109085A1/en not_active Ceased
-
2021
- 2021-03-31 EP EP21166462.8A patent/EP3888520A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6039490A (en) | 1999-02-17 | 2000-03-21 | Banks; Beverly L. | Drinking straw cleaning system |
US20180352983A1 (en) | 2017-06-12 | 2018-12-13 | April Allen | Separable drinking straw to facilitate cleaning of internal walls |
GB2576931A (en) * | 2018-09-07 | 2020-03-11 | Teemo Group Ltd | Straw cleaning device |
US20200086363A1 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2020-03-19 | John Jay Bowman | Drinking straw sanitizer |
DE202019104789U1 (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2019-09-16 | GEFU-Küchenboss GmbH & Co. KG | Device for holding a plurality of drinking straws made of glass, plastic, metal |
DE202019003700U1 (en) | 2019-09-06 | 2020-02-04 | Christian Hüttlinger | Drinking straw cleaning device, straw cleaning device |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN116135350A (en) * | 2021-11-18 | 2023-05-19 | 玩艸植造股份有限公司 | Plant straw manufacturing equipment |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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DE102020109085A1 (en) | 2021-10-07 |
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