EP3970591A1

EP3970591A1 - Dishwasher machine particularly suitable for cups and glasses

Info

Publication number: EP3970591A1
Application number: EP21186770.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giorgio Pezzutti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-09-22
Filing date: 2021-07-20
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2041-07-20
Also published as: EP3970591B1; HRP20221452T1; SI3970591T1; EP4147625A1; IT202000022300A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher machine (1; 100; 110; 111). In particular, the invention relates to a dishwasher preferably for cups, glasses and teaspoons for use in civil or industrial environments that host several people, especially during working hours, provided with considerable energy and washing water saving capacity. Furthermore, the machine performs a high level of sanitising cleaning operation and it can advantageously be arranged adjacent or integrated in the vending machines for beverages, avoiding the use of plastic crockery. The dishwasher machine (1; 100; 110; 111) comprises a washing column (3; 300) consisting of a treatment duct (4; 400) coaxially mounted on which is a container (5; 500) for the dishes provided with a rotatable support (58; 510), a first filtering device (8), a high-pressure pump (9) and a reverse osmosis filtering device (10).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a dishwasher machine. In particular, the invention relates to a dishwasher preferably for cups, glasses and teaspoons for use in civil or industrial environments that host several people, especially during working hours.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Dishwasher machines have been widely known for a long time now and there are numerous models suitable to meet various requirements. A specific type of said machines is that relating to the washing of cups, coffee cups, glasses, saucers and teaspoons, especially in the cafeteria and restaurant industry. These machines usually comprise one or more baskets for collecting dishes, even of various sizes, housed in a washing sink inside which one or more rotary elements for dispensing washing water are provided for.
The washing cycle consists in introducing into the tank a predetermined amount of water coming from the water mains, the heating thereof using an electric element generally positioned on the bottom of the tank, the dispensing of the water heated under pressure by means of a pump which conveys it to the rotary elements. After impacting the dishes, the washing water drops onto the bottom of the tank where it is collected and re-introduced into the aforementioned circulation by the pump. After a pre-established operating time of such cycle, the water is discharged from the machine. At this point, the tank is saturated with air heated by the aforementioned electric element in order to obtain the drying of the dishes.
Sometimes, the aforementioned cycle comprises a step for washing with detergent followed by a rinsing step, and then discharging the washing water.
The degree of cleaning of the dishes depends on various factors relating both to the construction and operation of the machine, besides the use of more or less effective detergents. In any case, especially in the public facilities, washing hygiene must be guaranteed in order to avoid the circulation of pathogenic microorganisms.
In particular, in this historical period, unfortunately characterised by the pandemic caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 disease, the need to obtain a full cleaning with a degree of sterilisation of the dishes, especially in public facilities, is of fundamental importance.
In addition, an aspect of great importance to be always kept in mind is the energy and water consumption to reduce waste as much as possible in the context of an ever-increasing attention to the demand for eco-friendly machines.
Currently, there are no dishwasher machines on the market that are capable to meet all the aforementioned washing needs, energy and water saving needs and functionality needs, particularly in civil or industrial environments with multiple users. In any case, similar machines are however considerably cumbersome.
As a matter fact, in the specific case of these environments, for example working environments in which there already exist machines for the dispensing of hot or cold beverages in the form of vending machines, the respective containers are generally made of plastic, same case applying to the stirrers for mixing the beverages. It is clear that these machines extensively use of plastic materials that must be disposed of or recycled with ensuing complication of handling and treatment processes.
Machines specially designed to avoid the use of plastic crockery arranged adjacent or integrated in these vending machines are not known in the industry.
The United States Patent US394254 discloses a fully automatic dishwasher activated upon request to continuously providing clean dishes. The dishwasher comprises a rotatable round support which rotates to bring the dishes to a loading station, a pre-washing station, a washing station, a rinsing station and an unloading station. A curtain separates the treatment stations from the loading and unloading stations. A water collection basin comprises a water separator with detergent and water with disinfectant. In particular, treatment ducts are arranged above the dishes and below the rotatable support. Though being compact and automatic, a machine of this kind is however complex, it does not guarantee an effective washing given that the recovered water has a conventional filtration system. Furthermore, the rinsing water is discharged with considerable consumption of water. The dishes then do not undergo any drying cycle.
Italian patent application No. 20120063 discloses a dishwashing machine with a washing chamber provided with spraying means, a tank for collecting the washing liquid, a recycling circuit comprising one or more treatment stations, pumping means, in which the recirculation circuit is connected - on one side - to the collection tank and - on another side - to the spraying means. At least one of the treatment stations operates by reverse osmosis, possibly combined with bacteriological disinfection with ultraviolet rays. No drying step is disclosed and the release of washing water appears entirely conventional with rotary blades above and below the dishes. Although this system provides for effective disinfection treatment and total recycling of washing water, it does not appear to be particularly advantageous from the energy consumption point of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the technical problem underlying the present invention lies in designing a dishwasher machine that simultaneously meets all the aforementioned requirements.
Such problem is solved by a dishwasher machine comprising several components designed so as to obtain an optimal washing, rinsing and drying, particularly suitable for cups, coffee cups and teaspoons.
Therefore, a first object is a particularly compact and eco-friendly dishwasher machine.
A second object is a dishwasher machine which can be arranged adjacent or associated with an automatic beverage vending machine.
A further object is a low energy consumption dishwasher machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the dishwasher machine according to the present invention will be more apparent from the description of a non-limiting example with reference to the following figures, wherein:

figure 1 represents an axonometric view of the machine of the invention housed in an example of a piece of furniture;
figure 2 represents an axonometric view of the machine of figure 1 without the bearing piece of furniture;
figure 3 represents an axonometric view of the active devices of the machine of figure 2;
figure 4 represents an exploded axonometric view of a washing column of the machine of figure 2;
figure 5 represents an axonometric view of the column of figure 4 assembled;
figure 6 represents a lateral view of a treatment duct housed in the column of figure 4;
figure 7 represents a sectional view along line VII-VII of the duct of figure 6;
figure 8 represents an axonometric view of the bottom of the column of figure 5;
figure 9 represents a block diagram of the treatment circuit of the machine of the invention;
figure 10 represents an exploded axonometric view of a variant embodiment of the washing column of the machine of the invention;
figure 11 represents an axonometric view of the movement mechanism of the column of figure 10;
figure 12 represents an axonometric view of a treatment duct associated with a heating device of the machine of the invention according to a variant embodiment;
figure 13 represents a block diagram of the treatment circuit of the machine of the invention with the column of figure 10;
figure 14 represents an axonometric view of a dishwasher machine according to a variant embodiment of the invention;
figure 15 represents an axonometric view of a portion of the machine of the figure 14 from a different angle;
figure 16 represents a block diagram of the treatment circuit of the machine of figure 14;
figure 17 represents a block diagram of a treatment circuit of a dishwasher machine according to a further variant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to figure 1, a machine for washing cups, coffee cups, glasses and cutlery comprising a piece of furniture 2 for containing the functional devices and a washing column 3 that protrudes from the top of the piece of furniture is indicated in its entirety with reference numeral 1.
Generally, the dishwasher machine 1 comprises (figure 2): a washing column 3 consisting of a vertical treatment duct 4 (when the machine is ready for use) coaxially mounted on which is a container 5 for the dishes provided with a rotating support for the dishes, a tank 6 for a washing and rinsing liquid connected to the bottom of said column and provided with a heating element 7, a first filtering device 8 connected - on one side - to said tank and - on another side - to a high-pressure pump 9, a second reverse osmosis filtering device 10 connected - on one side - to said pump 9 and - on another side - to said treatment duct 4 through at least one first duct 11 (figure 3), a blower 13 connected to said duct 4, wherein the treatment duct comprises at least two longitudinal portions (figure 7), a portion 14 which receives a washing liquid coming from the first duct 11 and a portion 16 which receives air heated by the blower, a mechanism 17 for driving said support for dishes in rotation.
As shown in figures 4 and 5, the dishes container 5 is preferably a cylinder extending along a longitudinal axis X-X, it has a side wall 50, a bottom 51 and a top 52. The side wall is preferably transparent and provided with a door 53 for opening/closing the container so as to access the dishes contained therein. The door can slide along the wall, or it can be hinged in an entirely conventional manner. In any case, sealing gaskets will be provided for to prevent the leakage of washing/rinsing liquids or hot drying air.
The internal of the container comprises a support or rotating structure 58 for supporting the dishes. The structure in turn comprises an axial housing 58A from which longitudinal walls 55 extend radially so as to partition the space of the container into a plurality of longitudinal sectors 54, and transversal discs 56 so as to form single treatment chambers 57 with the walls 55. In particular, at least one of the aforementioned discs can be provided with notches 56A suitable to be engaged by the handle of a teaspoon to be hung in the treatment chamber.
The housing 58A, preferably cylindrical, creates the space for housing the treatment duct 4 and it is provided with windows 59 to allow the protrusion of the liquid and air dispensing nozzles, as explained hereinafter. Furthermore, the housing comprises support elements 58B (figure 4) to allow the cups, coffee cups or glasses in the treatment chambers 57 to be impacted by the washing and rinsing water in the best possible way.
The bottom 51 of the container 5 has a central hole 51A (figure 4) which corresponds to the inlet hole of the housing 58A for the introduction of the treatment duct 4. Furthermore, the bottom also comprises a further hole 51B (better observable in figure 8) for discharging the washing and rinsing liquids which drop on the bottom by gravity and pass through it into the tank 6.
Preferably, the top 52 of the container 5 comprises a central cap 52A for housing a pin for supporting the treatment duct 4 and as a guide for the rotation of the rotating structure 58 for supporting the dishes.
With reference to figure 6, the treatment duct 4 extends rectilinear along an axis Y-Y from a first end 40 to a second end 41. Preferably, the duct has a cylindrical section and the first end 40 is closed and possibly provided with a projecting pin 42 for engagement with the cap 52A of the container 5 of the treatment column 3. According to an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned at least two portions of the duct are three sectors (figure 7) of the inner section thereof, a first sector 14 which receives washing liquid coming from a first duct 11 exiting from the second filtering device 10, a second sector 15 which receives rinsing liquid coming from a second duct 12 still exiting from the second filtering device and a third sector 16 which receives air from the blower.
Advantageously, the wall of the duct is perforated so as to house first 43, second 44 and third nozzles 45 (figure 6). Furthermore, each of the first 14, second 15 and third 16 sectors (figure 7) is respectively connected to said first 43, second 44 and third 45 nozzles.
The second end 41 of the duct 4 comprises a first 46, a second 47 and a third 48 inlet respectively for the aforementioned first 11, second 12 duct exiting from the second filtering device 10, and for the blower 13. Furthermore, said first 46, second 47 and third 48 inlets are respectively connected to said first 14, second 15 and third 16 sectors.
As shown in figure 8, once mounted in the container 5 said second end 41 of the duct 4 projects from the hole 51A of the bottom 51 of the container. A ring nut 49, which is keyed on the housing 58A of the rotating structure 58 for supporting the dishes, also projects from the hole 51A so as to engage with a corresponding ring nut 18 to a drive shaft (not shown) of a gearmotor 17 mounted on a support 19 fixed on the outer surface of said bottom.
The tank 6 is a preferably insulated casing positioned in proximity of said bottom 51 of the container 5 so as to receive the washing or rinsing water which exits from the hole 51B of the bottom by dropping. Furthermore, a heating means 7, preferably in the form of an electric resistor, is arranged at the base of the bottom of the tank. In particular, the tank can be detachable from the dishwasher machine 1 to allow the filling thereof and inspection thereof. As a matter fact, as explained in detail hereinafter, once the tank has been filled, it is not necessary to empty and fill it thanks to a self-powered closed circuit system with ensuing important reduction in consumption. In any case, the water can be replaced periodically and the tank washed in order to increase the hygiene and as a result the efficiency of the system. A removable coarse filter with metal or plastic mesh can be positioned on the discharge hole 51A of the container 5 or on the bottom of the tank 6 above the discharge hole thereof to the duct which leads to the first filtering device.
The first filtering device 8 preferably consists of a cylinder containing a first portion with activated carbons and a second portion with microperforated meshes, in which the water drops from the tank 6 by micro-capillarity. The filtering capacity may vary depending on the size of the micro-holes both of the activated carbons and of the mesh; generally these vary from 1 to 5 µm, but can also reach below 0.5 µm.
This device is then connected through a special duct 80 (figure 3) to the inlet of a high-pressure pump 9.
The outlet of the pump 9 is - on the other hand - connected to the second filtering device 10 by means of a special duct 90.
In particular, the second filtering device 10 is a cylinder comprising a reverse osmosis membrane from which the aforementioned two first 11 and second 12 outlet ducts protrude. According to the conventional operation of a device of this type, the so-called concentrated liquid CL, i.e. liquid containing particles remaining in the outer jacket of the membrane, exits from the first duct 11 positioned radially. Axially, on the other hand, the so-called permeate liquid PL, i.e. the pure liquid that passed through the membrane, exits from the second duct 12.
The blower 13 is a conventional fan which suctions the external air and introduces it into the treatment duct 4 through a third duct 13A (figure 3) connected to the third inlet 48 of the duct.
As shown in figure 9, the block diagram represents the operation of the dishwasher machine 1 according to the present invention.
Once the tank 6 has been filled with water, the heating element 7 is activated until the water reaches the washing temperature, preferably comprised between 40° and 50°C. Upon reaching the established temperature, the actuation of the high-pressure pump 9 draws the hot water to the first filtering device 8 where it undergoes a first purification from the coarser particles consisting of contaminants of various nature, both organic and inorganic. The water thus purified, through the duct 80, exits from the first device 8 and arrives at the high-pressure pump 9 which forces the purified water into the second filtering device 10 through the special duct 90. Under the action of reverse osmosis, there are formed two fluidic paths, a first CL path represented by residual water, or concentrate, which keeps in suspension residual particles of parts of organic or inorganic contaminants which were not retained by the first device and which did not pass through the membrane, and a second PL path represented by ultrapure water or permeate which passed through the osmotic membrane and therefore practically free of any contaminant.
In particular, the complete cycle of treatment of the dishes begins after opening the door 53 of the container 5 and after loading the dishes in the special support elements 58B and 56 of a first sector 54. At this point, the machine is activated and the rotating support 58 starts to rotate under the action of the gearmotor 17 to bring the dishes to the first washing nozzles 43 which receive washing water CL from the second filtering device 10 through the first duct 11 which in turn, as explained above, is connected to the first inlet 46 of the treatment duct 4. The inlet 46 is then placed in single and sealed communication with the first sector 14 of the duct.
The rotating support 58 continues to rotate, allowing the dishes to be impacted by the washing water at different angles. Subsequently, the rotation continues so as to bring the longitudinal sector 54 of the washed dishes at the aforementioned second nozzles 44 for dispensing the rinsing water coming from the second path PL of the second filtering device 10 through the second duct 12 which is connected to the second inlet 47 of the duct 4 to allow the ultrapure water PL to pass through into the second septum 15 of the duct. In this manner, the washed dishes are subjected to the rinsing cycle. Also in this case the continuous rotation allows the rinsing with different angles for a full cleaning action.
Upon completing the rinsing cycle, the sector 54 containing the rinsed dishes rotates moving up to the third drying nozzles 45. As a matter fact, the air is forced by the blower 13 into the inlet of the third inlet 48 of the duct 4 which passes into the third septum 16 so as to reach the third nozzles 45 and impact the dishes which will immediately have the washing cycle first and then the rinsing cycle.
After a predetermined drying time, the support 58 is stopped by the gearmotor. The sector 54 of the dishes will be at the door 53 and, therefore, it will have completed a 360° rotation which will allow the removal of the cleaned and dried dishes.
Although the rotation of the support is continuous, according to a variant, it is possible to temporarily stop the rotation to allow the loading of another sector 54 of dishes which is located upstream of the one which is brought to the washing position. Given that there are multiple sectors, preferably four, this operation can be repeated until all sectors have been occupied. In this manner, it is possible to simultaneously move several dishes with different treatments forward, automatically blocking - by means of suitable sensors - the treatment cycles and the rotation once the first loaded dishes have completed drying to allow the unloading thereof.
The treatment process according to the machine of the present invention allows a considerable energy and water saving. As a matter fact, it should be noted that during the washing and rinsing cycle, hot water passes through two (14 and 15) of the three septa of the treatment duct, thus also heating the third septum 16 where air forced by the blower 13 passes. Therefore, this air, which comes from the external, is heated while it passes through the duct so as to exit from the third nozzles 45 sufficiently hot to dry the dishes without the need for a specific and special heating element.
In addition, both the washing and rinsing water, after the respective treatment, falls onto the bottom 51 of the container 5 and it once again reaches - through the hole 51B - the tank 6, from which the treatment cycle explained above had started. As a result, it is clear that all the water in the tank is recycled, with a first advantage represented by the considerable water saving and, in addition, the water returns to the tank with a still high temperature, that is which has not dropped sufficiently enough to have to provide a great deal of energy to the heating elements in order to return to the operating temperature. In any case, it is not necessary to provide powerful heating elements.
In this regard, it has been calculated that the energy saving due to recycling with the machine of the present invention reaches about 60% with respect to conventional washing systems.
Furthermore, as explained above, the drying air does not need a special heating, therefore with ensuing energy consumption, and in any case it is effective along the entire duct. As a matter fact, one would expect a greater drying efficiency upwards where the air has been able to travel through the entire duct reaching the ideal drying temperature. On the contrary, it was observed that given that the inlet flow rate (third inlet 48) is greater than the outlet flow rate (third nozzles 45), there is created a plenum effect, that is a uniform distribution of the temperature created by the turbulence inside the duct.
The machine 1 just described is controlled and commanded by a command and control unit (not shown) connected to all the devices described above. In particular, as shown in figure 1, the machine comprises a command and control panel 20 through which it is possible to actuate the treatment cycle as well as to set the conditions such as washing cycle temperature and times as well as speed of rotation of the dishes support.
The machine is also provided with sensors connected to the command and control unit so as to detect the cycle status, temperatures, water flows, possible blocks of the filtering systems and the position of the container sectors. In particular, the door 53 is connected to a microswitch so that when it is opened, the washing, rinsing and drying cycle is stopped in order to allow to pick up the dishes.
The machine 1 of the invention, for example as shown in figure 1, can be mounted in a special piece of furniture 2 with the external container 5, while all the functional devices are housed therein. This piece of furniture can be arranged adjacent to a conventional automatic vending machine for hot or cold beverages or it can be integrated thereto.
In the light of the above, it is clear that the drawbacks noted above have been overcome while major advantages have been achieved at the same time.
First and foremost, the machine of the invention does not produce plastic waste typical of beverage vending machines, performing a particularly eco-friendly function.
Furthermore, using the closed circuit for recycling the washing and rinsing water allows to considerably simultaneously reduce water and energy consumption, precisely in view of the recovery of part of the temperature of the hot water returning to the dispensing tank and in large part also with the heat exchange between the septa in which the hot washing and rinsing water and the drying air sector.
The double filtering system operating in series advantageously allows to obtain purified washing water and ultrapure rinsing water so as to obtain an almost full sanitisation of the dishes, certainly greater than all the conventional washing systems of the dishwashers available on the market.
In particular, the machine is advantageous when used adjacent to or integrated with a beverage vending machine given that, as explained above, on the one hand it avoids the need to dispose of plastic crockery and on the other hand it always offers perfectly clean dishes.
Furthermore, the machine is advantageous with respect to conventional machines for cafeterias and restaurants given that the latter are connected to the water mains and therefore consume much more water; they also have a conventional washing system without microfiltration and drying occurs with special heating systems. Thus, it can also be used in these places as well as in domestic, civil or industrial environments.
Numerous variants to the dishwasher machine according to the invention can also be adopted by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.
For example, the treatment duct may provide for a portion without treatment holes so that the dishes of one sector after the drying cycle may stop for cooling.
The first filtering device 8 can be provided with a closing/opening cap (not shown) to allow periodic cleaning of the filters.
The nozzles can be oriented to obtain a washing/rinsing/drying effect oriented in different directions to achieve the most uniform treatment possible.
The supports of the dishes can be hooks, grids, brackets, plates with shaped support holes or cages on which the individual pieces are positioned.
With reference to figure 10, the dishwasher machine 100 according to a variant embodiment of the invention comprises a washing column 300 consisting of a dishes container 500 provided with a central support for dishes 510 and a treatment duct 400 on which said support is rotatably and coaxially mounted.
Preferably, the container is a cylinder which extends along a longitudinal axis Z-Z, it has a side wall 511, a bottom 512 and a top 513. The side wall, preferably transparent, is provided with a door 514 (figure 14) for opening/closing the container so as to access the dishes contained therein. The door may be of the same type described above. The bottom 512 has a central hole 515 which corresponds to the inlet hole of the treatment duct 400. Furthermore, the bottom also comprises a further hole 516 for discharging the washing and rinsing liquids which drop on the bottom by gravity and pass through it into the tank 6, identical to the one described above.
Preferably, the top 513 comprises a central cap 517 for receiving a pin for supporting the treatment duct 400 in the cylinder 500.
The central support 510 comprises a plurality of longitudinal walls 518 which extend radially forming separate sectors for supporting dishes, as explained above. The walls are connected to each other by means of a ring 519 arranged at a first end of said walls which is at the top 513, and by means of a ring nut 520 at a second end at the bottom 512 of the container 500. Furthermore, elements 521 for supporting cutlery and elements 522 for supporting cups or glasses, like the ones described above, are axially mounted between the ring nut and the ring. The walls 518 also have a radial portion 523 provided with a rubber profile which prevents the radial passage of water from one sector to the other. Preferably, there are four walls so as to divide the inner space of the container 500 into four sectors.
As shown in figure 11, on the bottom 512 of the container 500 there is mounted a gearmotor 170 which is coupled to the ring nut 520 by means of a gear 524 fitted onto the shaft of said gearmotor. The ring nut 520 is then mounted idle on the treatment duct 400 by means of a sleeve 525.
The treatment duct 400, as shown in figure 12, extends along a rectilinear longitudinal axis A-A (arranged vertically when the machine is ready for use) from a first end 401 to a second end 402. The first end 401 is closed and possibly provided with a projecting pin 403 for engagement with the cap 517 of the container 500. The second end 402 comprises a manifold 404 provided with a first axial inlet 405, a second radial inlet 406 and a third radial inlet 407. The three first 408, second 409 and third 410 axial longitudinal portions of the treatment duct 400 extend on the opposite side of the first axial inlet 405 of the manifold.
In particular, these three portions are preferably cylindrical ducts suitable to convey different treatment fluids. A central cylinder corresponds to the first portion 408 which is connected to the first axial inlet 405 and is designed to convey hot air for drying dishes coming from the fan 13. This cylinder is then provided with a plurality of holes or nozzles 411 distributed along the wall thereof and from which the hot air for drying the washed and rinsed dishes flows out.
At least one first peripheral cylinder corresponding to said second longitudinal portion 409 is positioned on the circumference of the central cylinder and is designed to carry washing water which flows out from a plurality of nozzles 412 distributed along the wall thereof. Preferably, there are two cylinders, arranged close to each other and with nozzles directed at different angles to achieve a more accurate washing.
At least one second peripheral cylinder corresponding to said third longitudinal portion 410 is also positioned on the circumference of the central cylinder and it is designed to carry the rinsing water which flows out from a plurality of nozzles 413 distributed along the wall thereof. Preferably, there are two cylinders, arranged close to each other and with nozzles directed at different angles to achieve a more accurate rinsing.
As explained hereinafter, it will obviously be the rotation of the central support 510 for the dishes with the walls 518 thereof that positions the dishes at the treatment nozzles.
The axial inlet 405 of the manifold 404 is connected to the fan 13 to force the hot drying air into the central cylinder 408. Preferably, a heating element 130 is mounted in the central cylinder so as to increase the temperature of the drying air whenever needed. As a matter fact, as explained above, the air is heated during the travel thereof in the cylinder given that it is at contact with the hot water washing and rinsing ducts. In some cases, however, a greater amount of heat may be required, for example should there be a considerable load of dishes.
The advantage of the present embodiment lies in the fact that the maintenance and/or replacement of the individual cylinders and relative nozzles is simplified.
The operation of the machine just described is substantially identical to the one described above and represented in figure 9. The only difference lies in the structure of the treatment duct which - in the present embodiment - consists of a central cylinder and at least two circumferential cylinders for separating the washing, rinsing and drying fluid, while in the previous embodiment the cylinder is single and internally partitioned into three septa.
Therefore, figure 13 represents a circuit in which the devices and elements in common with the previous embodiment are indicated with the same reference numerals. From the tank 6 the water passes through the first filtering device 8 where it undergoes a first filtering process. Subsequently, it passes into the second reverse osmosis filtering device 10 by means of a high-pressure pump 9 interposed between said two filtering devices. From the latter, the washing liquid PL flows out from a duct 12 which is connected with the inlet 406 of the manifold (not shown) to reach the washing cylinders 409 and perform the washing step. The rinsing liquid CL instead flows out from the second reverse osmosis filtering device 10 through a duct 11 to reach the inlet 407 of the manifold to reach the rinsing cylinders 410 and perform the rinsing step.
As previously mentioned, once the washing step has been carried out, the structure 510 carries the washed dishes to the nozzles 413 of the rinsing cylinders 410. Once the cycle for rinsing the first dishes has been completed, the structure 510 carries the rinsed dishes to the nozzles 411 of the central cylinder 408 to carry out the drying step.
Once the drying step has also been completed, the machine stops so as to allow the unloading of the dishes and the positioning of dirty dishes to resume a new cycle.
As described above, it is possible to provide for the loading of second dirty dishes during the washing of first dishes in the same manner as explained.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, figures 14 and 15 show a dishwasher machine 110 comprising substantially all the elements and devices described above with reference to the machine 100, which therefore have the same reference numerals, but it is characterised in that it has a circuit for the washing liquid different from the one described above.
In particular, the machine 110 comprises a second pump 900 directly connected to the tank 600 by means of a duct 901 so as to pump the liquid of the tank directly to the washing cylinders 409 by means of a duct 902. Furthermore, the duct 120 exiting from the second filtering device 10, and designed to convey the washing liquid CL, is directly connected to said tank (figure 15) and not to the washing cylinders, as described above instead. Therefore, the duct 901 is connected to the inlet 406 of the manifold 404 of the treatment duct 400 in order to carry the washing water CL to the second portion 409 of the duct.
In this case, advantageously both the high-pressure pump 9 and the second pump 900 are running. In this manner, a part of washing water CL and a part of rinsing water PL, which will mix, will always reach the tank 6. A part of this water will then be directly conveyed to the second washing portion 409 of the treatment duct 400 and a part, after passing through the two filtration devices 8 and 10, to the third rinsing portion 410 of the same duct.
Therefore, besides the first washing cycle on the first dishes loaded in the machine, the washing will be carried out with a washing water consisting of part of water that has already washed the dishes and with part of water coming from the double filtration and part of water coming from the rinsing water. On the contrary, the rinsing water will always come from double filtration with an extremely high degree of cleanliness (figure 16).
The rotation of the dishes support (not shown) will occur exactly as explained above, same case applying to the washing, rinsing and drying cycles.
With reference to figure 17, according to a further variant, the machine of the invention 111 is similar to the machine described with reference to figures 12-15. Generally, this machine comprises the same elements as the machine 110, hence elements in common will not be described further herein. In particular, it differs in the absence of the second pump 900, of the relative outlet duct 902 and in the third portion 409 of the treatment duct 400 which receives the water from said pump to carry out the washing with the concentrated liquid of the reverse osmosis. In this manner, the machine is simplified while maintaining the characteristics of the washing with recycled but ultrapure water (permeate of the reverse osmosis) and with energy saving guaranteed by the arrangement of two portions of the treatment duct adjacent to each other, one for the passage of the heated washing water and the other for the hot drying air.

Claims

Dishwasher machine (1;100;110;111) comprising a washing column (3;300) consisting of a vertical treatment duct (4;400) coaxially mounted on which is a container (5; 500) for the dishes provided with a rotating support (58;510) for the dishes, a tank (6) for a washing and rinsing liquid connected to the bottom of said column and provided with a heating element (7), a first filtering device (8) connected - on one side - to said tank and - on another side - to a high-pressure pump (9), a second reverse osmosis filtering device (10) connected - on one side - to said pump (9) and - on another side - to said treatment duct (4;400) through at least one first duct (11), a blower (13) connected to said duct (4;400), wherein the treatment duct comprises at least two longitudinal portions, a portion (14;409) which receives a washing liquid coming from the first duct (11) and a portion (16;408) which receives air heated by the blower, a mechanism (17;170) for driving said support for dishes in rotation.
Dishwasher machine (1;100;110; 111) according to claim 1, wherein said dishes container (5;500) is a cylinder extending along a longitudinal axis (X-X;Z-Z), it has a side wall (50;511), a bottom (51;512) and a top (52;513), the side wall being transparent and provided with a door (53;514) for opening/closing the container so that to access the dishes contained therein and the bottom being provided with a central hole (51A;515) for introducing the treatment duct (4;400) and a hole (51B;516) for discharging the washing and rinsing liquids that drop onto the bottom of the container by gravity and pass into the tank (6).
Dishwasher machine (1;100;110) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second filtering device (10) is connected to said treatment duct (4;400) through two first (11) and second (12) ducts, wherein said duct comprises three longitudinal portions, a first portion (14;409) which receives the washing liquid coming from the first duct (11), a second portion (15;410) which receives the rinsing liquid coming from the second duct (12;120) and a third portion (16;408) which receives air from the blower (13).
Dishwasher machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said rotating support (58) in turn comprises an axial housing (58A) from which longitudinal walls (55) extend radially so as to partition the space of the container into a plurality of longitudinal sectors (54), and transversal discs (56) so as to form single treatment chambers (57) with the walls (55).
Dishwasher machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the treatment duct (4) extends rectilinear along an axis (Y-Y) from a first end (40) to a second end (41), the aforementioned three portion of the duct being three sectors of the inner section thereof, a first sector (14) which receives the cleaning liquid coming from the first duct (11), a second sector (15) which receives rinsing liquid coming from the second duct (12) and a third sector (16) which receives air from the blower (13).
Dishwasher machine(100;110;111) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotating support (510) comprises a plurality of longitudinal walls (518) radially extending forming separate sectors for supporting dishes, the walls being connected each other through a ring (519) arranged at a first end of said walls which are at the top (513) of the container (500), and through a ring nut (520) at a second end of the walls at the bottom (512) of the container (500).
Dishwasher machine (100;110;111) according to claim 6, wherein support elements (521) for cutlery and support elements (522) for cups or glasses are axially mounted between the ring nut (520) and the ring (519).
Dishwasher machine (100;110) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 6 and 7, wherein said treatment duct (400) extends along a rectilinear longitudinal axis (A-A) from a first end (401) to a second end (402), the first end (401) is closed, the second end (402) comprising a manifold (404) provided with a first axial inlet (405), a second radial inlet (406) and a third radial inlet (407), said first (408), second (409) and third (410) axial longitudinal portions of the treatment duct (400) further extending on the opposite side of the first axial inlet of the manifold.
Dishwasher machine (100;110) according to claim 8, wherein said three axial portions are a central cylinder (408) for transporting hot drying air, at least one first peripheral cylinder (409) for the washing liquid and at least one second peripheral cylinder (410) for the rinsing liquid.
Dishwasher machine (100;110;111) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein said walls (518) have a radial portion (523) provided with a rubber profile which prevents the radial passage of the liquids.
Dishwasher machine (100;110) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 6-10, further comprising a second pump (900) directly connected to the tank (600) through a duct (901) so as to pump the liquid of the tank directly to the first portion (409) of the treatment duct (400) through a duct (902), the second duct (120) exiting from the second filtering device (10) then being directly connected with said tank.