EP4408250B1 - Unité d'entrée pour introduction de substances actives liquides dans un dispositif de nettoyage - Google Patents

Unité d'entrée pour introduction de substances actives liquides dans un dispositif de nettoyage

Info

Publication number
EP4408250B1
EP4408250B1 EP23738504.2A EP23738504A EP4408250B1 EP 4408250 B1 EP4408250 B1 EP 4408250B1 EP 23738504 A EP23738504 A EP 23738504A EP 4408250 B1 EP4408250 B1 EP 4408250B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
active ingredient
cleaning
input unit
solvent
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.)
Active
Application number
EP23738504.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP4408250A1 (fr
Inventor
Bruno Gaus
Stanislav ANSELM
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP4408250A1 publication Critical patent/EP4408250A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4408250B1 publication Critical patent/EP4408250B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4418—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants in the form of liquids
    • 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
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4445—Detachable devices
    • A47L15/4454—Detachable devices with automatic identification means, e.g. barcodes, RFID tags or magnetic strips
    • 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
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/02—Consumable products information, e.g. information on detergent, rinsing aid or salt; Dispensing device information, e.g. information on the type, e.g. detachable, or status of the device
    • A47L2401/023—Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
    • 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
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/02—Consumable products information, e.g. information on detergent, rinsing aid or salt; Dispensing device information, e.g. information on the type, e.g. detachable, or status of the device
    • A47L2401/026—Nature or type of the consumable product, e.g. information on detergent, e.g. 3-in-1 tablets, rinsing aid or salt
    • 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
    • A47L2501/00—Output in controlling method of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, i.e. quantities or components controlled, or actions performed by the controlling device executing the controlling method
    • A47L2501/07—Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an input unit for inputting at least one liquid active agent into a cleaning device and to a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for cleaning items to be cleaned using the proposed cleaning device.
  • the devices and the method of the type mentioned can be used, for example, in the field of dishwashing technology, in particular in the field of commercial dishwashing technology.
  • the invention can be used in particular in commercial kitchens in which items to be cleaned, for example trays, dishes and cutlery, have to be cleaned in larger quantities.
  • other types of cleaning devices can also be modified according to the invention, and/or the invention can be used to clean other types of items to be cleaned.
  • a variety of cleaning devices also referred to as cleaning appliances, are known from the state of the art, which can clean and/or disinfect items to be cleaned.
  • the design of these cleaning devices depends largely on the various boundary conditions, such as the type of items to be cleaned, the level of contamination, the throughput, or similar conditions. Examples include cleaning devices which, for example, are used in DE 10 2004 056 052 A1 , DE 10 2007 025 263 A1 , DE 10 2015 102 593 A1 , EP 2 491 844 A2 or EP 1982631 A2 are described. However, other configurations are also possible.
  • the items to be cleaned are generally exposed to at least one cleaning fluid.
  • this can be done in a cleaning chamber via at least one exposure device, in particular with at least one nozzle system.
  • aqueous cleaning fluids are used, for example.
  • at least one liquid active ingredient is often used.
  • this can be at least one cleaner and/or at least one rinse aid.
  • the liquid active ingredient can be introduced into the cleaning device, for example, in the form of a ready-to-use solution or as a concentrate.
  • At least one active ingredient concentrate is used as the active ingredient, which is then diluted, for example, in the cleaning device, gradually with at least one solvent such as water.
  • the concentrate can be prepared into at least one application solution, for example, by diluting 300 ml of rinse aid concentrate with water to produce 3 l of rinse aid as the application solution.
  • the liquid active ingredients can be individual substances or mixtures of substances, which are often highly concentrated.
  • a concentrate or mixture can be, for example, a starting material for rinse aid.
  • the rinse aid concentrate can contain all the necessary ingredients, such as surfactants, complexing agents, polymers, acids, preservatives, or just some of these ingredients.
  • liquid active ingredients such as concentrates
  • the active ingredients typically contain little or no water or other solvents. Accordingly, in many cases, the active ingredients cannot be used or dosed directly in the cleaning device, as this would require dosing very small volumes, which is usually technically very complex or even impossible.
  • a further challenge is that many of the liquid active ingredients used exhibit toxic properties, especially in concentrated form. Accordingly, high operational safety and a high level of protection for operating personnel from the liquid active ingredient must be ensured when supplying the liquid active ingredients to the cleaning device. For example, skin contact with the liquid active ingredient must be prevented.
  • EP 2 502 542 B1 A device for the multiple dosing of cleaners in a cleaning appliance, wherein the at least one cleaner is in powder, granular, tablet, block, liquid, or gel form.
  • the at least one cleaner is contained in a cartridge having at least one seal, which, when opened, directs the at least one cleaner into a dissolving chamber or a pre-dissolving/dissolving area connected to a treatment agent reservoir.
  • Both the dissolving chamber or pre-dissolving/dissolving area and the treatment agent reservoir are connected to a fluid circulation device, via which the treatment agent generated in the dissolving chamber or pre-dissolving/dissolving area and the medium contained in the treatment agent reservoir are circulated.
  • the mechanism further comprises a plurality of openings disposed above the neck portion and within the outer periphery of the flange portion, and at least one protruding edge disposed proximally of at least one of the plurality of openings and in a direction away from the drain and toward the cavity.
  • the method further comprises pressing downwardly on the cleaning cartridge to cause the at least one protruding edge on the mechanism to contact and pierce a seal adhered to the inner wall of the cleaning cartridge, and releasing the single-dose detergent/rinse aid into the drain.
  • EP 3 517 016 A1 discloses a dispenser for dispensing a chemical agent from a container coupled to the dispenser.
  • the dispenser can be inserted into a coupling position in a receiving space of the dispenser.
  • the dispenser has a sensor for contactless detection of container information or container content information and a presence sensor that detects whether a container inserted into the receiving space is in the coupling position. Only when the container is in the coupling position does the presence sensor activate the sensor for contactless detection of container information or container content information, which, in the activated state, detects the container information or container content information and checks it for accuracy. If this is the case, the sensor triggers the release of the dispenser into an operating state in which the chemical agent can be dispensed from the container.
  • the dispenser comprises an inlet connection arranged at the bottom of the receiving space for connection to an outlet of the container, which has a plunger that can be extended into an outlet of the container and retracted from the outlet of the container.
  • the plunger is extended when the container holder is moved to an operating position. When the container holder is moved to the replacement position, the plunger is retracted.
  • JP 2019034219 A discloses a dispenser for a chlorine-based detergent for use in an automatic dishwasher. It uses a water-insoluble cartridge with a downward-facing supply port. Water is injected into the supply port until the contents of the cartridge dissolve.
  • WO 2014/005951A1 describes a device for the contamination-free filling of a tank from a canister.
  • the device comprises a tank adapter with a tank mounting flange for attachment to the tank and a first coupling part, as well as with a closable connecting channel.
  • the device further comprises a canister adapter with a canister mounting flange for attachment to the canister and a second coupling part, as well as a closing piston guided in the canister adapter.
  • the tank adapter and the canister adapter are detachably connected to one another via the first and second coupling parts.
  • the closing piston has a first contact surface that is in operative contact with a second contact surface provided on the tank adapter when the second coupling part of the canister adapter is coupled to the first coupling part of the tank adapter.
  • the device further comprises a flushing connection for supplying cleaning fluid, which is attached to the tank adapter and connected to the closable connecting channel. In an open position, the device provides a fluid connection between the canister mounting flange and the tank mounting flange, and in a closed position, closes the fluid connection between the canister mounting flange and the tank mounting flange.
  • the second contact surface can be lifted off the first contact surface.
  • the second coupling part of the canister adapter is coupled to the first coupling part of the tank adapter.
  • US 2007/0044820 A1 a system that controls the dispensing of various chemicals from containers using a plurality of ports. Each container contains data that identifies the chemical within the container. The system reads the data from each container to determine which port is occupied by which chemical. When a specific chemical is required, the system activates a flow control device that is coupled to the port associated with that chemical, thereby dispensing the chemical to a consumer device. This automatically allocates the chemical to a consumer device, regardless of which port an operator assigns a chemical to. specific chemical, which port is assigned to which chemical, and the dispensing is configured accordingly.
  • EP 3 693 895 A1 discloses a consumable product comprising one or more consumable components and an RFID tag.
  • the RFID tag includes data indicating the type of the consumable components.
  • a Machine described which is set up to operate with the consumable product.
  • DE 10 2006 043 919 A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, with a washing chamber and a detergent dosing system comprising a device for dosing and/or adding at least one detergent, in particular a liquid detergent, into a washing chamber of the water-conducting household appliance.
  • the device comprises a dosing chamber for receiving the at least one added detergent and at least one outlet that can be opened and closed by a closure, the closure being actuated by means of an actuator.
  • the invention is characterized in that the actuator comprises: - a transmission means that is operatively connected to the closure, such that a movement of the transmission means causes a movement of the closure, - opening means that cause a movement of the transmission means in a first direction to open the closure, - return means that cause a movement of the transmission means in a second direction to close the closure.
  • DE 10 2008 027 813 A1 Describes a cleaning agent for cleaning objects in a cleaning machine, wherein the cleaning agent is divided into several pre-portioned quantities.
  • the special feature is, among other things, that the pre-portioned quantities are packaged in a common container and can be fed and held together in a holder on the cleaning machine. The container can only be opened once it is in the holder.
  • DE 10 2006 043 973 A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, having a detergent dosing system.
  • the detergent dosing system has a detergent dispenser with a receiving space for accommodating at least one cartridge.
  • the cartridge is designed to store at least one detergent.
  • the stored quantity of detergent is greater than the quantity required for a wash cycle.
  • the detergent dosing system has a device for detecting a fill level in the detergent dispenser and/or at least one cartridge.
  • DE 10 2008 033 100 A1 describes a dosing system for dispensing liquid and/or solid cleaning preparations inside a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine.
  • the dosing system comprises at least one cartridge for holding at least one cleaning preparation, a dosing device that can be coupled to the cartridge, a sensor unit, and at least one actuator that is connected to the energy source and the control unit in such a way that a control signal from the control unit causes the actuator to move and thus release the preparation.
  • the actuator is designed as a means for nebulizing and/or atomizing a preparation into the ambient air.
  • DE 10 2006 043 974A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, having a detergent dosing system.
  • the detergent dosing system has a detergent dispenser with a receiving space for receiving at least one cartridge, wherein the cartridge is designed to store at least one detergent.
  • the stored quantity of detergent is greater than the quantity required for a wash cycle.
  • the at least one receiving space is designed such that, when the door of the water-conducting household appliance is partially open, at least one cartridge can be inserted into the at least one receiving space.
  • the terms “at least one” and “one or more,” as well as grammatical variations of these terms, when used in connection with one or more elements or features and intended to express that the element or feature may be provided singly or multiple times, are generally used only once, for example, when the feature or element is first introduced. Upon subsequent re-mention of the feature or element, the corresponding term “at least one” or “one or more” is generally no longer used, without limiting the possibility that the feature or element may be provided singly or multiple times.
  • the input unit is configured such that when the swing door is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, at least one area of the active ingredient container is pressed against at least one cutting edge of the piercing device. The piercing device thereby perforates this area.
  • the container is oriented such that the liquid active ingredient flows through the perforated area from the active ingredient container into the collection container.
  • input unit is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or customized meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device configured to provide at least one operating resource to another device, in particular to introduce the operating resource into the other device.
  • the input unit can be designed as a separate unit or can also be fully or partially integrated into the other device.
  • input is a broad term, which should be given its ordinary and customary meaning as understood by one skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term may refer, without limitation, in particular to the introduction of the operating fluid into a designated area of the other device, for example, into at least one tank.
  • the introduction may be in liquid form, for example, by pouring.
  • active ingredient is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to at least one substance or at least one mixture of substances that can exert at least one chemical, biological, or physical effect in a process.
  • the active ingredient can be designed such that it can exert at least one effect on items to be cleaned, selected from the group consisting of: a cleaning effect; a washing-active effect; a rinse-aid effect; a surfactant effect; a defoaming effect; a bactericidal effect; a virucidal effect; a fungicidal effect; and a disinfectant effect.
  • the active ingredient can, in particular, comprise at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of: a surfactant; a complexing agent; a polymer; an acid; an alkali; a defoamer; a disinfectant; a bactericide; a virucide; a fungicide; a preservative.
  • cleaning is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a process in which items to be cleaned are freed from adhering macroscopic or microscopic contaminants and/or in which such contaminants are at least partially removed. In addition, a disinfection effect can optionally be exerted.
  • the term "item to be cleaned,” as used here, is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any objects that can be cleaned in the cleaning device. One object can be cleaned, or several objects can be cleaned simultaneously or sequentially.
  • the items to be cleaned can be containers for holding human excreta, for example, urinal bottles, bedpans, bedpans, or similar containers. Accordingly, the cleaning device can be designed, for example, as a so-called washer-disinfector (WD).
  • WD washer-disinfector
  • cleaning device is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device designed to clean items to be cleaned, i.e., to free them from adhering macroscopic or microscopic contaminants or to at least partially remove such contaminants.
  • a disinfecting effect can optionally be exerted.
  • the cleaning device can, as explained in more detail below, be designed in particular as a dishwasher, for example as a dishwasher for personal protective equipment and/or as a dishwashing machine, for example as a container dishwasher.
  • the dishwasher can in particular be designed as a single-chamber dishwasher, as a commercial single-chamber dishwasher with a multi-circuit washing system, as a front-door dishwasher or as a hood-type dishwasher, in particular as a pass-through dishwasher, or also in particular be designed as a conveyor dishwasher with one or more tanks.
  • the advantages of the invention can be particularly evident in conveyor dishwashers, since conveyor dishwashers, on the one hand, generally have sufficient installation space for the input unit and, on the other hand, generally have a high demand and/or throughput of active ingredient.
  • Dishwashers with water exchange in particular so-called single-circuit systems, can also be used.
  • other types of cleaning devices can also be used, for example, as explained above, washer-disinfectors (WDs) or other cleaning devices.
  • WDs washer-disinfectors
  • housing is a broad term to which its ordinary and customary meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term may, without limitation, refer in particular to an element or a combination of elements configured to completely or partially enclose at least one compartment and/or at least one other element and to completely or partially shield the compartment and/or the other element from an external space, for example, mechanically and/or chemically.
  • the housing may be made entirely or partially from at least one rigid material, for example, at least one metallic material and/or at least one plastic material.
  • the housing may be made entirely or partially from sheet metal, for example, stainless steel sheet.
  • the at least one interior space may be completely or partially enclosed by the housing.
  • the housing may seal the interior space in a liquid-tight manner from an external space.
  • swing door is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to an element or a combination of elements configured to close off a space, preferably as a reversibly opening closure, wherein the element is configured, for example, as a flap and/or other type of door that can be pivoted about the at least one pivot axis from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.
  • the pivot axis can, in particular, be configured horizontally, so that, for example, the closed position can be a position in which an input opening of the housing is closed by the swing door and/or in which the swing door is arranged substantially vertically.
  • the open position can, in particular, be a position in in which an input opening of the housing is released for the input of active ingredient, for example a position in which the pivoting door is arranged at an angle to the vertical and/or horizontally.
  • the pivoting door can be opened and/or closed continuously or in steps. In the closed position and/or the open position, the pivoting door can also be fixed, for example by a corresponding fixing device.
  • the pivoting door can optionally have at least one mechanism which supports the pivoting movement from the open position to the closed position and/or vice versa, for example at least one rod assembly.
  • the closed position can also be referred to as the closed state, and the open position as the open state.
  • the pivot door can be designed, for example, as a flap.
  • the pivot door can, in particular, have a side facing the interior, also referred to as the inner side, and at least one outer side facing the exterior space outside the interior.
  • the pivot door can be designed as a flat door, with the inner and outer sides arranged parallel to each other.
  • other designs are also possible in principle.
  • the term "holder,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device configured to receive at least one element, in particular reversibly, and/or to hold and/or align at least one element in a fixed position.
  • the holder can be made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a metallic material and a plastic material.
  • the holder can be configured entirely or partially as a basket, for example, as a wire basket.
  • the holder can, for example, have at least one insertion opening through which the at least one active ingredient container can be reversibly inserted into the holder.
  • the holder can be firmly or detachably connected to the inside of the pivoting door.
  • active ingredient container is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device having at least one interior space which contains the at least one active ingredient, in particular the at least a liquid active ingredient.
  • the active ingredient container can in principle comprise any desired container.
  • the active ingredient container can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: a bottle; a screw-cap container; a canister; a tubular bag; a stand-up pouch.
  • the active ingredient container can in particular be made entirely or partially from a material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a paper material; a metallic material, in particular a metal sheet, in particular aluminum. Combinations of the materials mentioned are also conceivable in principle, for example a composite of metal and plastic or a composite of metal and paper.
  • the active ingredient container can have a container wall which has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 3 mm, in particular a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.
  • piercing device is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device configured to perforate at least one other device, i.e., to act on the other device through the mechanical action of at least one pointed or sharp component of the device in such a way that it is pierced and/or cut through, thereby creating at least one opening and/or at least one slit.
  • a region of the other device can also be completely or partially punched out. Accordingly, the term “piercing” can be understood as creating at least one opening and/or at least one slit in the other device.
  • the piercing device has, as stated above, at least one cutting edge.
  • This cutting edge can be arranged, in particular, at an upper end of the piercing device.
  • the term "cutting edge” as used here is a broad term, which has its should be given the usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not restricted to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a sharp and/or pointed element which is designed to create at least one perforation in another element.
  • the cutting edge can comprise an elongated, straight or curved edge which can create the perforation.
  • the cutting edge can, for example, be created in that the piercing device is at least partially tubular, wherein the tube is cut obliquely to a tube axis, so that a cutting plane running obliquely to the tube axis is created, for example at a cutting angle of 5° to 85°, in particular at a cutting angle of 14° to 76°.
  • the cutting edge can arise where the tube wall of the tube touches the cutting plane or at least along part of this contact line.
  • Other ways of producing cutting edges are also generally known to the person skilled in the art.
  • floor area is a broad term to which its ordinary and customary meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term may refer, without limitation, in particular to a region of a superordinate space that is located furthest in the direction of gravity with respect to a direction of gravity normally prevailing in the superordinate space and/or a region of the superordinate space in which a liquid will normally collect under the influence of gravity.
  • the term "collection container” as used herein is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a fully or partially enclosed area in which one or more amorphous substances can be collected, for example, a liquid-tight area.
  • the wall of the collection container may optionally be conceptually included within the collection container, or the term may refer solely to the enclosed area itself.
  • the collection container may, for example, be fully or partially, directly or indirectly, enclosed by the aforementioned housing of the input unit, or by an inner housing arranged within the housing.
  • the collection container may, for example, be fully or partially cubic and/or fully or partially conical, for example, with at least one funnel-shaped profile at its lower end.
  • the collection container is, as explained above, designed to hold the liquid active ingredient. Accordingly, the volume of the collection container can in particular correspond at least to the volume of the active ingredient container, in particular at least twice the volume, at least five times the volume, or even at least ten times the volume of the active ingredient container.
  • the volume of the active ingredient container can result from the dimensions of the holder, so that the volume of the collection container can in particular correspond at least to the maximum volume of the largest possible active ingredient container that can be accommodated in the holder. This is due to the fact that the collection container should preferably also hold, in addition to the active ingredient, the solvent described in more detail below, which is to be used, for example, to rinse out the active ingredient container and/or to dilute the active ingredient.
  • the collection container can have a volume of at least 1000 ml, in particular at least 2000 ml, for example at least 3000 ml, in particular a volume of 1000 ml to 4000 ml.
  • the active ingredient container can, for example, have a volume of 100 ml to 1000 ml, in particular 200 ml to 500 ml, for example 300 ml.
  • the input unit is configured such that when the pivoting door is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, at least one area of the active ingredient container is pressed against at least one cutting edge of the piercing device, whereby the piercing device perforates the area.
  • the piercing device can, for example, remain stationary within the input unit, in particular within the interior, whereas the pivoting door with the active ingredient container attached to it via the holder is moved, in particular pivoted, and pressed against the piercing device by the force acting on the pivoting door.
  • the pivoting of the pivoting door can be effected manually, for example by a force applied to the pivoting door from the outside by the operating personnel.
  • the pivoting door can, for example, be designed to be drive-free, for example without an electromechanical drive.
  • the swing door can also have, for example, at least one drive, for example, at least one electromechanical drive, for example a motor and in particular at least one electric motor, which drives the swing door, for example, from the open position to the closed position and/or vice versa.
  • the electric motor can be controlled, for example, by at least one controller of the input unit and/or the higher-level optional cleaning device.
  • the input unit can generally have, for example, at least one solvent supply line, which opens, for example, into the collection container.
  • the solvent supply line can also, as will be explained in more detail below by way of example, be led into the active ingredient container and/or into at least one storage container.
  • the input unit in particular at least one controller of the input unit, can in particular be configured to monitor, control and/or regulate a total supply of solvent, so that, for example, a predetermined amount of solvent
  • the input unit can be configured accordingly, in particular, to dilute the active ingredient to a predetermined or predeterminable concentration. If multiple solvent supply lines are provided, the flows can be added together so that a total amount of solvent supplied can be taken into account for the dilution.
  • the solvent can be, in particular, water, for example, fresh water, in a warm or cold state, and/or at least one aqueous solvent. Alternatively or additionally, however, one or more other types of solvents can also be used, depending on the liquid active ingredient used.
  • the solvent can, in particular, be designed such that the liquid active ingredient is fully or partially soluble in the solvent and/or is emulsifiable and/or suspendable and/or dispersible.
  • the piercing device may comprise at least one piercing nozzle.
  • the term "piercing nozzle” as used herein is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a part of the piercing device which is designed in the form of a nozzle, in particular a piece of pipe, for example a piece of a cylindrical pipe, for example with a round, oval or polygonal cross-section.
  • the piercing nozzle can be a nozzle which is cut transversely to a pipe axis of the nozzle, so that a A cutting plane is created that is arranged obliquely to the pipe axis.
  • a cutting line in the cutting plane can thus be oval, particularly elliptical, for example.
  • the entire cutting line or just a part of it, for example, the part that projects furthest upwards, can serve as the cutting edge or as part of the cutting edge.
  • the solvent lance can be dimensioned such that when the pivoting door is closed, the cutting edge first touches the active ingredient container, perforating the area of the active ingredient container, and then, as the closing movement continues, the tip of the solvent lance is introduced through the perforated area into the active ingredient container.
  • the solvent supply can further comprise at least one valve for controlling the supply of the solvent.
  • this can be a valve arranged in the fluidic connection between the solvent connection and the solvent lance.
  • the valve can, in particular, be electrically controllable, for example, by a controller of the input unit and/or a controller of the cleaning device.
  • the solvent lance can, in particular, protrude into the active ingredient container.
  • the solvent lance can, in the closed position of the pivoting door, protrude substantially vertically into the active ingredient container, for example, with a deviation from a vertical orientation of no more than 20°, in particular of no more than 10°, and in particular of no more than 5°.
  • the solvent lance can, As stated above, they run essentially parallel to a tube axis of the piercing nozzle, which can accordingly also be oriented essentially vertically, in particular with the aforementioned possible angular deviations.
  • the active ingredient container is therefore preferably pressed against the cutting edge, which remains stationary. Movable components of the piercing device are therefore preferably avoided, and the device is preferably designed without moving parts.
  • the piercing device can be designed without a drive, i.e., for example, without an actuator which would drive a longitudinal movement or a pivoting movement of the piercing device or a part thereof.
  • the input unit can in particular have the interior space described above, which can be divided into the at least one collection container and optionally at least one further area.
  • the interior space can further have at least one receiving area for receiving the active ingredient container.
  • This receiving area can therefore be the area into which the at least one active ingredient container is introduced when the pivoting door is closed.
  • the receiving area and the collection container, in particular its interior space can in particular be separated by at least one fluid-permeable partition wall.
  • this fluid-permeable partition wall can comprise at least one partition wall with at least one opening, for example a plurality of openings, which may be round, oval, slit-shaped, or polygonal, for example.
  • the fluid-permeable partition may comprise at least one sieve plate.
  • the piercing device can in particular be mechanically connected to the fluid-permeable partition.
  • the piercing device can be fully or partially integrated into the fluid-permeable partition.
  • the piercing device can protrude upwards from the fluid-permeable partition into the receiving area.
  • the fluid-permeable partition can comprise a sieve base, wherein the piercing device comprises at least one piercing nozzle which can protrude upwards from the sieve base into the receiving area.
  • the sieve base In the interior of the piercing nozzle, the sieve base can be interrupted, so that, for example, a continuous channel is created inside the piercing nozzle, in which, as explained above, the solvent lance can be guided, for example.
  • the piercing nozzle can, for example, be welded to the sieve base or be firmly mechanically connected to the sieve base in some other way.
  • the piercing device can, in particular, form at least one fluid channel between the receiving area and the collecting container.
  • This fluid channel can, in particular, be formed entirely or partially by at least one interior space of a piercing nozzle.
  • the receiving area can, in particular, be arranged above the collection container. This allows the liquid active ingredient and, optionally, the solvent to flow from the receiving area into the collection container due to gravity.
  • the problem can arise It can happen that a dead space is created around the piercing nozzle in the active ingredient container, from which no active ingredient can flow through the piercing nozzle.
  • fluidic measures can be taken. These can consist, for example, in the piercing nozzle having one or more drain openings through which active ingredient and/or solvent can flow out of the described dead space, for example into the interior of the piercing nozzle and/or into the collection container.
  • the drain opening can in particular have at least one opening selected from the group consisting of: a slot, in particular a slot running axially to a longitudinal axis of the piercing nozzle; a groove, in particular a groove running axially to a longitudinal axis of the piercing nozzle; a round opening; an oval opening; a polygonal opening.
  • the active ingredient container can, as explained in more detail below, have at least one weakening, for example at least one predetermined breaking point, in the area intended for perforation by the piercing device.
  • This weakening can, for example, be designed in the form of a groove in a wall, in particular a lid, of the active ingredient container.
  • the weakening can, for example, run completely or partially around it and thus define, limit or at least partially surround an opening created by the piercing device and the perforation in the area of the active ingredient container.
  • the weakening can be dimensioned and/or positioned such that a diameter or equivalent diameter of the opening created in the active ingredient container during the perforation is larger than a diameter and/or equivalent diameter of the piercing nozzle.
  • this weakening can be dimensioned and/or positioned such that a gap is created between an outer wall of the piercing nozzle and an edge of the opening created during the perforation, which is defined, for example, by the weakening.
  • This gap is not or not completely filled by the piercing device, in particular by the piercing nozzle, when the pivoting door is in the closed position. Through this gap, the active ingredient and/or solvent can flow from the active ingredient container into the collection container.
  • an appropriate orientation of the piercing device relative to the pivot axis and/or a rotation of the active ingredient container relative to the piercing device during perforation can create an opening in the form of an elongated hole which, when closed, is only partially filled by the piercing device, so that active ingredient and/or solvent can flow from the active ingredient container into the collection container.
  • further possibilities can be considered to enable the drainage of liquid from a dead space in the active ingredient container and/or to avoid a dead space.
  • this can be achieved by a suitable shape of the active ingredient container.
  • the active ingredient container can be shaped in such a way that that the area to be perforated, for example, the lid, is curved outward.
  • Other designs are also conceivable.
  • the input unit may further comprise at least one controller.
  • controller as used herein, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term may refer, without limitation, in particular to a single-part or multi-part device of the input unit, which is configured to completely or partially control and/or regulate an operation of the input unit.
  • the controller of the input unit may be configured to change, in particular to control and/or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the input unit, for example, at least one pump output and/or at least one valve position.
  • the controller of the input unit may in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example, at least one processor.
  • the control of the input unit can be designed independently. Alternatively or additionally, however, the control can also be fully or partially integrated into a higher-level control, for example, into a control of the cleaning device, of which the input unit can be a component.
  • the control of the cleaning device can, for example, be a centralized or decentralized machine control.
  • the control of the cleaning device can, in particular, be a single-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device, which is configured to fully or partially control and/or regulate the operation of the cleaning device.
  • control of the cleaning device can be configured to change, in particular to control and/or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the cleaning device, for example, at least one temperature, at least one pressure, at least one heating output, at least one pump output, at least one valve position, or even a combination of two or more operating parameters.
  • the control of the cleaning device can, in particular, comprise at least one data processing device, for example, at least one processor.
  • the control of the cleaning device can, in particular, be configured using programming, for example, to control or execute at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device.
  • the at least one function that can be controlled by the control of the input unit can, in particular, comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of: user guidance for instructing a user on how to input an active ingredient container into the input unit; user guidance for instructing a user on how to remove an active ingredient container from the input unit; locking the pivoting door; unlocking the pivoting door; controlling at least one valve of the input unit; controlling at least one solvent supply of the input unit; controlling at least one metering pump of the input unit; controlling at least one mixing device of the input unit; reading a sensor signal from at least one sensor of the input unit, in particular at least one level sensor and/or at least one conductivity sensor; reading information from an identifier of an active ingredient container within the input unit; reading at least one information from an identifier of an active ingredient container outside the input unit; assigning the liquid active ingredient to a specific storage container of the input unit.
  • the input unit can in particular further comprise at least one display element for displaying at least one item of user information to a user.
  • the display element can in particular comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a display; an acoustic display element; and a lighting element that can be illuminated in different colors, in particular a handle element of the pivoting door of the input unit.
  • the lighting element that can be illuminated in different colors can comprise at least one handle element of the pivoting door of the input unit, which is completely or partially transparent and which is illuminated in different colors by the controller depending on the user information to be conveyed to the user.
  • a specific color can prompt the user to remove an empty active ingredient container and/or another specific color can prompt the user to insert a new active ingredient container.
  • the control of the input unit can accordingly be configured in particular to prompt a user, by means of the display element, to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: inserting an active ingredient container filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit; removing an emptied active ingredient container from the input unit.
  • the control can in particular be configured to unlock the swing door for the action, so that, for example, simultaneously or with a time delay to a corresponding display of user information, the swing door is unlocked, so that the user can insert an active ingredient container filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit and/or remove an emptied active ingredient container from the input unit.
  • the input unit can have at least one reading device for reading at least one piece of information from at least one identifier of an active ingredient container.
  • identifier is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to an element that can be connected, for example, to an object and that contains at least one piece of readable information, for example, at least one piece of readable information about the object.
  • the at least one piece of readable information can, for example, comprise at least one piece of information selected from the group consisting of: a type of object; an identity of the object; a property of the object; and an intended or intended use or processing of the object.
  • the identifier can, for example, be readable in at least one way selected from the group consisting of: an electronic readout; an optical readout; and a magnetic readout.
  • the identifier can, in particular, have at least one connecting element for connecting to the object, for example, at least one adhesive surface. Accordingly, the identifier can, in particular, be designed as a label. However, other designs are also possible in principle.
  • the term "reader” as used herein is a broad term to which its ordinary and customary meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a device configured to read the at least one piece of information stored in the identifier.
  • the reader may, for example, at least one optical reader, in particular a barcode reader, for example a barcode scanner.
  • the reader can also comprise, for example, an electronic reader, in particular an electromagnetic reader, for example for wirelessly reading an electronic identifier, in particular an RFID reader, for example according to the NFC standard.
  • the reader can also comprise a magnetic reader, in particular a magnetic stripe reader.
  • the reader can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of: an optical reader for reading at least one optical identifier, in particular a barcode and/or QR code and/or data matrix code; an electronic reader for reading at least one electronic identifier, in particular an RFID chip; a magnetic reader for reading at least one magnetic identifier.
  • the controller of the input unit and/or the cleaning device can generally be configured to control the at least one reading device.
  • the controller can be configured to start a reading process.
  • the controller can also be configured to process and/or forward the information read from the identifier.
  • at least one action can be triggered by the controller based on the at least one piece of information read.
  • the input unit can further comprise at least one level sensor for detecting at least one liquid level in the collection container. This allows, for example, the current liquid level in the collection container to be monitored. This can be done, for example, by controlling the input unit. This can prevent, for example, the collection container from overflowing.
  • the holder can be configured, in particular, to hold the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the pivoting door. This can be achieved, for example, by a corresponding geometry of the holder, which allows the active ingredient container to be accommodated only in the desired geometry.
  • the holder can have at least one receiving geometry to accommodate the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the pivoting door.
  • the receiving geometry can be created, for example, by a corresponding shape of the holder.
  • the input unit may further comprise at least one mixing device.
  • mixing device is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a device configured to mix at least two media, in particular at least two amorphous media, with one another, preferably resulting in a homogeneous amorphous mixture.
  • the mixing device may be configured to mix at least two liquids with one another.
  • the mixing device may, in particular, be configured to thoroughly mix liquid in the collection container.
  • the mixing device may, in particular, comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump integrated into the collection container; and a mixing pump fluidly connected to the collection container.
  • the input unit can further comprise at least one metering pump fluidically connected directly or indirectly to the collection container.
  • metering pump is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can refer, without limitation, in particular to a device for conveying fluid media, in particular liquids, which is configured to provide a predetermined volumetric flow or mass flow of the fluid medium and/or to provide a predetermined quantity of the fluid medium.
  • the input unit may further comprise at least one storage container.
  • storage container is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a completely or partially enclosed area in which one or more amorphous substances can be accommodated for storage purposes, for example, a liquid-tight area.
  • the wall of the storage container may optionally be conceptually included within the storage container, or the term may refer solely to the enclosed area itself.
  • the storage container may, for example, be formed completely or partially separate from the collection container. For example, the storage container may be arranged outside the housing of the input unit, for example, at a different location within the cleaning device.
  • At least one branch and/or at least one switch can be provided, so that, for example, several storage containers can be filled with liquid from the collecting container simultaneously, or one or more storage containers can be filled selectively and/or sequentially, whereas one or more other storage containers are not filled.
  • one or more valves can be provided optionally and independently of each other in the individual fluidic branches, so that if several storage containers are provided, these can each be controlled and/or filled individually.
  • the at least one storage container may in particular comprise at least one level sensor.
  • the at least one level sensor may, for example, be single-stage or multi-stage.
  • the at least one The level sensor of the storage container can, for example, be connected to the control of the input unit and/or to a control of the cleaning device.
  • the at least one storage container can also optionally comprise at least one mixing device.
  • the mixing device can again in particular comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump integrated into the storage container; and a mixing pump fluidly connected to the storage container.
  • the input unit can comprise one or more storage containers, for example, at least two storage containers. If multiple storage containers are included, they can each be fluidically connected to the collection container. These fluidic connections between the collection container and the storage containers can be formed completely or partially separately from one another or can also be at least partially combined, for example in the form of one or more switches, branches, or junctions. Furthermore, at least one valve can optionally and independently be provided in each of the fluidic connections.
  • multiple storage containers can be used for different purposes.
  • separate stocks of consumables can be prepared and/or stored separately using the storage containers.
  • different consumables can be stored in the different storage containers. This can be achieved, for example, by the control system via the display element first prompting the user to first insert a first active ingredient container containing a first active ingredient into the input unit, which is then diluted in the input unit, for example, with solvent and stored in a first storage container.
  • this process can then be repeated once or multiple times, for example by the control system via the display element prompting the user, after removing the first storage container, to insert a second active ingredient container containing a second active ingredient into the input unit.
  • This second active ingredient is then diluted in the input unit, for example, with the same solvent as the first active ingredient or with a different solvent and stored in a second storage container. This means that one and the same input unit can be used to supply different active ingredients to the cleaning device.
  • the at least one collection container and/or optionally the at least one storage container can, for example, be fluidically connected to at least one loading device of the cleaning device, so that, for example, consumables produced using the active ingredient can be provided to the loading device.
  • the at least one storage container and/or the at least one collection container can be fluidically connected to at least one tank of the cleaning device, for example, a wash tank and/or a final rinse or final rinse tank.
  • the at least one storage container can be connected to at least one dosing pump.
  • at least a defined amount of consumable material contained in the storage container can be supplied to another device of the cleaning device, such as at least one tank, via the dosing pump.
  • another device of the cleaning device such as at least one tank
  • dosing pump can be connected to multiple storage containers, they can each be connected to independent dosing pumps, so that, for example, at least one dosing pump is assigned to each storage container.
  • the control unit can perform various functions and/or trigger various actions.
  • the input unit can have at least one electronically controllable locking mechanism for the swing door.
  • This electronically controllable locking mechanism can, in particular, be connected to the control unit so that, where necessary and appropriate, the locking mechanism is switched in such a way that the swing door can be opened.
  • This can, for example, be linked to a corresponding display for a user, for example, the display indicating that an empty active ingredient container is to be removed and/or that an active ingredient container filled with a specific active ingredient is to be inserted.
  • a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned comprises at least one cleaning chamber for receiving the items to be cleaned. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one input unit as proposed here, for example according to one or more of the embodiments described above and/or according to a or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. The cleaning device is configured to use at least one liquid agent provided via the input unit to generate the cleaning fluid.
  • the cleaning device can comprise at least one dishwasher.
  • the term "dishwasher,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to a device designed to clean items that are designed for the preparation, presentation, reception, or storage of food or beverages.
  • the dishwasher can be designed, for example, as a single-chamber dishwasher or a programmable dishwasher, or can also be designed as a conveyor dishwasher.
  • Conveyor dishwasher as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can refer, without limitation, in particular to a dishwasher that has at least one conveyor device.
  • the conveyor dishwasher can have at least one cleaning chamber, for example at least one cleaning tunnel, in which the items to be cleaned and/or one or more items of crockery are exposed to at least one cleaning fluid, in particular by means of at least one application device.
  • the transport device can be configured to transport the items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber.
  • the cleaning device can also be designed, in whole or in part, as a cleaning and disinfection device.
  • cleaning and disinfection device is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device designed to free items to be cleaned in the form of containers intended for the reception of human excreta from adhering macroscopic or even microscopic contaminants, or to remove such contaminants. at least partially.
  • the cleaning process can be designed in such a way that it at least largely removes adhering contaminants from the container.
  • cleaning chamber is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning.
  • the term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a completely or partially closed chamber within which the cleaning process can be carried out completely or partially.
  • the cleaning chamber can, in particular, have at least one housing that completely or partially encloses the cleaning chamber.
  • the housing of the cleaning chamber can be formed completely or partially separately from the housing of the input unit, or also completely or partially together, so that, for example, the input unit with its housing can also be completely or partially integrated into the housing of the cleaning device and/or the cleaning chamber.
  • a single cleaning chamber can be provided, or in principle, several cleaning chambers can also be provided, for example, sequentially.
  • the cleaning chamber can, for example, have at least one opening for loading the cleaning chamber with the items to be cleaned, which can also be referred to as an inlet or input opening.
  • this can be an opening with a flap or door arranged on a front side of the cleaning chamber and/or a top side of the cleaning chamber.
  • hoods for closing off the cleaning chamber are also possible, for example in the context of so-called hood-type cleaning machines or pass-through machines, such as hood-type dishwashers.
  • the cleaning chamber can also be designed, for example, entirely or partially, as a tunnel, particularly in the context of so-called conveyor-type cleaning machines, such as conveyor-type dishwashers or conveyor dishwashers, for example as a tunnel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, also referred to as an outlet.
  • conveyor-type cleaning machines such as conveyor-type dishwashers or conveyor dishwashers
  • an outlet opening also referred to as an outlet.
  • Other designs are also possible in principle.
  • the cleaning device can be configured to use a single cleaning fluid, for example a single cleaning liquid, or to use a combination of several cleaning fluids. If several cleaning fluids are provided, the items to be cleaned can be exposed to the different cleaning fluids simultaneously or sequentially. For example, as explained above, the items to be cleaned can remain stationary within the cleaning chamber and be exposed to the different cleaning fluids one after the other. Alternatively, the items to be cleaned can also be exposed to different types of cleaning fluids one after the other at different locations, for example in different chambers. For example, by initially leaving the items to be cleaned stationary in a first cleaning chamber, where they are exposed to at least one first cleaning fluid, and then moving the items to be cleaned to at least one second cleaning chamber, where they remain stationary and are exposed to at least one second cleaning fluid. Without limiting further possible embodiments, reference is made below to programmable automatic devices in which the items to be cleaned remain stationary in a single cleaning chamber during the cleaning process.
  • the cleaning fluid may, in particular, comprise at least one cleaning fluid selected from the group consisting of: an aqueous cleaning fluid; a cleaning fluid with at least one cleaning solution; a cleaning fluid with at least one rinse aid; a cleaning fluid with at least one disinfectant; a rinsing fluid; demineralized water; a heated cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid heated to a temperature of 30°C to 70°C, and particularly preferably to 60°C.
  • Other types of cleaning fluids or other fluids can also be used in principle.
  • loading device as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted Meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any device by means of which the items to be cleaned within the cleaning chamber can be exposed to the cleaning fluid, in particular to at least one cleaning liquid.
  • the nozzle system can, for example, comprise at least one nozzle arm, for example, at least one stationary or rotatably mounted nozzle arm.
  • at least one nozzle arm for example, a rotatably mounted nozzle arm
  • at least one nozzle arm for example, a rotatably mounted nozzle arm
  • at least one nozzle arm for example, a rotatably mounted nozzle arm
  • Separate nozzle arms for washing fluid and rinsing fluid can be provided above and below the items to be cleaned, for example.
  • the supply device can comprise at least one pump and at least one line system for supplying cleaning fluid to the nozzle system.
  • a nozzle system and a line system for supplying cleaning fluid from at least one tank, for example, at least one wash tank, can be provided, as well as at least one pump, for example, at least one wash pump.
  • at least one nozzle system can also be supplied directly from a supply line, for example, without the need for a pump.
  • At least one nozzle system and at least one line system for supplying cleaning fluid from at least one optional rinse tank can be provided, which is preferably designed separately from the wash tank and in which rinse fluid can be processed separately from the wash tank, as well as at least one rinse pump.
  • the cleaning device can be designed for commercial purposes, as heating time can be saved during a washing step by separately processing the rinse fluid.
  • the rinse tank can be designed as a boiler and/or can have a continuous-flow heater.
  • the input unit can be fluidically connected to one or more of the components of the application device, for example to at least one of the following components of the application device: a tank, in particular a tank selected from the group consisting of a wash tank and a final rinse or final rinse tank; a pump; a boiler; a storage tank; a piping system.
  • the cleaning fluid can be generated in the input unit, for example in the at least one collecting container and/or in the at least one optional storage container. Accordingly, the cleaning fluid can be fed directly or indirectly formed from the at least one active ingredient, in particular with the admixture of the at least one solvent.
  • the at least one solvent can in particular comprise water.
  • the cleaning fluid can comprise water with at least one active ingredient as an additive, for example at least one detergent concentrate and/or at least one rinse aid concentrate and/or at least one disinfectant.
  • the input unit can be fully or partially integrated into other components of the cleaning device.
  • the cleaning device can, as explained, have at least one housing that at least partially encloses the cleaning chamber.
  • the housing of the input unit can be at least partially integrated into the housing of the cleaning device.
  • the housing of the input unit can also be formed separately from the housing of the cleaning device, which completely or partially encloses the cleaning chamber.
  • the option of fully or partially integrating the optional control of the input unit into a control of the cleaning device has already been mentioned above.
  • the cleaning device can have at least one control, which is configured, for example, to influence at least one process parameter of at least one cleaning process running in the cleaning device and/or to control at least one element of the cleaning device.
  • the control of the cleaning device can, for example, be configured to carry out one or more program steps of one or more cleaning programs while the items to be cleaned are, for example, held stationary in the cleaning chamber. If the cleaning device is designed as a conveyor dishwasher, for example, the control of the cleaning device can influence process parameters in one or more cleaning zones.
  • a method for cleaning items to be cleaned comprises the following method steps. These can, in particular, be carried out in the specified order. In principle, however, a different order is also possible, or a sequence in which two or more of the method steps are carried out simultaneously or with an overlap in time is possible. Furthermore, individual or several of the method steps can be carried out repeatedly.
  • the method can be carried out in particular by spraying the active ingredient container with solvent. In this way, almost all components of the active ingredient can be removed from the active ingredient container particularly efficiently. Accordingly, the method can be carried out in such a way that in process step b) and/or following process step b), the active ingredient container is sprayed with the at least one solvent. In this process, the solvent and the active ingredient can mix, and the solvent and the active ingredient can flow together into the collection container, for example, through the piercing device, for example, through the interior of the piercing nozzle.
  • the method can comprise at least one method step in which user control takes place, as explained above, for example user control in which the user is prompted to carry out method step b).
  • at least one method step can also be included in which user control takes place, in which the user is prompted to remove an emptied active ingredient container from the input unit.
  • the method can comprise at least one step in which at least one piece of information from at least one identifier of at least one active ingredient container is read out by means of at least one reading device. This step can comprise one or more additional sub-steps, for example sub-steps in which the read-out information is further processed as described above. Further method steps are possible.
  • the method can be fully or partially computer-implemented and/or computer-controlled.
  • computer control can be provided by prompting a user to carry out method step b).
  • Control of one or more pumps and/or valves can also be computer-controlled, so that, for example, method steps c) and/or d) can be carried out in a computer-controlled manner.
  • corresponding computer programs are proposed which, when executed on a computer or computer network, carry out corresponding method steps, for example the control of the input unit and/or the control of the cleaning device.
  • the computer program can in particular be stored on a computer-readable data carrier, in particular a non-volatile data carrier.
  • the proposed input unit can be used to provide at least one active ingredient in the form of, for example, at least one concentrate.
  • the liquid active ingredient can have a water content of no more than 20%, in particular no more than 15%, but preferably at least one water-soluble active ingredient component, in particular in liquid form.
  • the active ingredient can be present entirely or partially in liquid form.
  • the at least one active ingredient can be provided in the at least one active ingredient container, for example in a so-called delivery container, for example at least one bottle.
  • the at least one active ingredient container can, for example, be made entirely or partially of plastic and/or metal, for example with a high dimensional stability during transport.
  • the active ingredient container can be designed entirely or partially as a rigid active ingredient container, in contrast to, for example, a film bag. In this way, a high level of safety during transport and handling is ensured.
  • the at least one active ingredient can in particular have a comparatively high viscosity.
  • a liquid with a lower viscosity can then be produced.
  • this can be done by introducing the solvent into the active ingredient container, so that, despite the originally high viscosity of the active ingredient, the active ingredient container can be reliably emptied.
  • the active ingredient in particular in undiluted form as provided by the active ingredient container, can have a viscosity of more than 10 mPa*s, in particular more than 50 mPa*s, in particular more than 100 mPa*s, for example a viscosity of 50 mPa*s to 500 mPa*s or of 100 mPa*s to 400 mPa*s, for example 260 mPa*s.
  • the at least one active ingredient container can, as explained above, in particular have at least one identifier.
  • This identifier can, for example, be applied to a surface of the active ingredient container, for example on an outer circumference of a bottle, a bottle base, or a bottle cap.
  • the at least one identifier can, for example, comprise at least one code with at least one piece of information, for example information about the at least one liquid active ingredient, for example at least one piece of information of the type described above.
  • the delivery container can be provided with a code.
  • the at least one identifier, for example the code can be read by the input unit.
  • the input unit can, as explained above, comprise, for example, at least one reading device.
  • the active ingredient container can be designed in such a way that a high level of operational safety can be ensured during handling.
  • the active ingredient container can be designed in particular as a rigid active ingredient container, in contrast to, for example, a film bag.
  • the active ingredient container can, for example, be designed completely or partially as a bottle, for example as a bottle with a mouth and/or a lid.
  • the active ingredient container can, in particular, be designed such that it does not have a closure that can be or would have to be removed manually by operating personnel, for example without a screw cap, tear-off tab, or similar closures that have to be removed manually.
  • the active ingredient container can be designed to be completely closed, without a closure element that would have to be removed reversibly or irreversibly by an operator before the active ingredient is removed. In this way, it can be prevented that the operating personnel come into contact with the active ingredient when removing a closure or that the active ingredient enters the environment when opening a closure.
  • the active ingredient container has at least one region that is perforated by the piercing device.
  • This can be, for example, a lid region of a bottle.
  • the region can be completely or partially flat.
  • the active ingredient container can have at least one weakening, for example at least one predetermined breaking point, in the region intended for perforation by the piercing device.
  • at least one groove can be provided in the region intended for perforation by the piercing device, which can, for example, correspond to a shape of the piercing device and/or its cutting edge.
  • the cutting edge can engage in the groove of the active ingredient container region, with a wall of the active ingredient container within the groove, for example, having a reduced wall thickness compared to the wall adjacent to the groove.
  • predetermined breaking points are also conceivable in principle.
  • the at least one predetermined breaking point can, for example, be present where an opening is to be created by the piercing device.
  • the predetermined breaking point can surround the opening.
  • the piercing device can, for example, completely or partially punch out at least a portion of the active ingredient container during the perforation, whereby the portion, for example after the perforation, can be completely separated from the remaining active ingredient container or can also be connected to the remaining active ingredient container via at least one material bridge.
  • at least one opening can be formed, which, for example, can be completely or partially separated from the
  • the predetermined breaking point can be bordered or limited.
  • the at least one opening can be created, for example, in an end face of the active ingredient container, for example in a lid.
  • the input unit can in particular have at least one holder.
  • This holder can have at least one receiving geometry in order to receive the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the pivoting door.
  • a geometry can be provided on the active ingredient container that interacts with a counter-shape in the holder.
  • the geometry of the holder can also be referred to as the receiving geometry.
  • the geometry of the active ingredient container, together with the receiving geometry of the holder, can prevent the active ingredient container from being inserted incorrectly, for example, upside down.
  • the active ingredient container can have a smaller diameter on one side, for example its front side, than on another side.
  • Fresh water can be used as the solvent in the input unit.
  • aqueous solvents such as aqueous acids or alkalis can also be used.
  • other solvents are also conceivable, depending on the type of active ingredient.
  • Fresh water can be supplied to the input unit, for example, directly or indirectly via a fresh water connection as a solvent connection.
  • the solvent connection can also be provided by the cleaning device itself.
  • fresh water can also be supplied to the input unit from an internal path of the cleaning device, e.g. the dishwasher.
  • the fresh water connection which can be provided on the cleaning device and/or on the input unit, can in particular have a mains separation to an on-site water supply. Accordingly, at least one mains separation can be provided between the solvent connection and the solvent lance.
  • the proposed method can be carried out in one or more variants.
  • the method for cleaning items to be cleaned can include a display on the cleaning device, such as the dishwasher, which provides user guidance in the form of information, such as the information that a new active ingredient container should be inserted.
  • This information can be conveyed, for example, by the message "Insert new bottle” or similar messages.
  • the display can also be provided directly at the entry point, such as the swing door, for example, by flashing a colored light and/or illuminating the entire swing door or its handle in a specific color.
  • the control system can control this lighting.
  • the color conveyed by the display element can be the same as the color corresponding to a color code or the overall color scheme of the active ingredient container. This can provide the operating personnel with initial information about which active ingredient the cleaning device requires.
  • the input unit can have at least one reading device for reading at least one piece of information from the at least one optional identifier of the active ingredient container.
  • the reading device can be fully or partially integrated into the housing of the input unit or can also be implemented in another way, for example at another location within the cleaning device.
  • the reading device can be designed, for example, as an RFID reader and/or as a barcode reader, in particular as a QR code reader.
  • the reading device can, for example, be physically connected to the input unit and/or the cleaning device or, alternatively, can also be only electrically connected to the input unit and/or the cleaning device, for example wired and/or wirelessly. For example, this connection can exist with the control of the input unit and/or the control of the cleaning device.
  • the operating personnel can authenticate the active ingredient container, for example the container, in particular in the form of at least one bottle, using the at least one identifier and the at least one reading device.
  • the at least one piece of information can be read from the identifier and compared with at least one piece of target information stored in the control system of the cleaning device and/or the input unit, for example, to determine whether the operating personnel is about to input the correct active ingredient into the input unit at the correct time.
  • the control system of the input unit and/or the cleaning device can be configured to trigger at least one action based on the information read out. For example, if authentication has been completed and/or based on other information read out, the swing door for the active ingredient container input can be unlocked, or locked or remain locked if no authentication has occurred.
  • the input unit can also be configured, for example based on a corresponding controller configuration, so that the swing door opens automatically after successful authentication.
  • the control of the input unit can, in particular, configure and/or control the input unit such that when a new active ingredient container containing active ingredient is inserted into the input unit, the collection container in the interior is empty. Accordingly, at the time the new active ingredient is inserted, the collection container preferably contains no residues of previously used active ingredients that were inserted in a previous process.
  • the input unit can be configured such that the swing door is closed manually by the operating personnel. Furthermore, the input unit can be configured such that the swing door is automatically locked after closing, i.e. when the closed position is reached.
  • the area of the active ingredient container is perforated using the piercing device.
  • the active ingredient container can then be emptied, and the active ingredient can flow into the collection container.
  • the collection container can act as a receiving container and/or mixing container.
  • the perforation of the area of the active ingredient container can only take place once the lock of the swing door has been activated, effectively preventing the operating personnel from coming into contact with the active ingredient.
  • the at least one swing door can also be closed completely or partially automatically.
  • the swing door can also optionally comprise at least one actuator that carries out and/or assists the closing movement.
  • the swing door which can be designed as a flap, can be moved by an electric drive from the open position to the closed position or over part of this swing movement. In this case, the area of the active ingredient container can be pressed against the cutting edge of the piercing device, thereby perforating the area.
  • the control unit can be configured to control dilution to a predetermined concentration.
  • the control unit can be configured to add multiple solvent streams during the dilution so that the total amount of solvent supplied can be taken into account. For example, a total of 2.7 l of fresh water can be added to a quantity of 300 ml of rinse aid concentrate, so that, together with the volume from the active ingredient container, in particular the bottle, a total volume of 3 l of rinse aid is obtained as a consumable and/or application solution.
  • Other quantities and/or concentrations are also conceivable, depending on the area of application and materials.
  • the input unit can, for example, be designed to control total quantities of liquid active ingredient from 10 ml to 5 l.
  • the input unit can be configured to produce consumables from the liquid active ingredient in a quantity of 100 ml to 10 l. In particular, production can be carried out in portions and non-continuously. However, other configurations are also possible.
  • the input unit can, in particular, as explained above, be configured to mix, in particular to thoroughly mix, the at least one active ingredient with the at least one solvent.
  • This mixing can be carried out, in particular, by at least one mixing device.
  • the mixing can take place in at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of the collection container, the storage container, and a mixing container.
  • Another type of mixing for example, in a piping system, is also conceivable as an alternative or in addition.
  • the contents of the active ingredient container can, for example, mix completely with the supplied solvent volume, for example, the fresh water volume.
  • the input unit can, in particular, be configured to perform a mixing process, in particular via the mixing device, for a predetermined mixing time.
  • the mixing time can be 10 seconds to 30 minutes, in particular 5 minutes to 20 minutes, for example 10 minutes.
  • the mixture can be metered from the collection container and/or the storage container, for example, until the collection container and/or the storage container are empty or emptied to a predetermined minimum level.
  • the active ingredient container in the input unit can be emptied and optionally also rinsed out. Residues of active ingredient in the interior of the active ingredient container can thus be negligible. be low. Subsequent loading of the input unit with a new active ingredient container can thus be carried out with the greatest possible protection of the operating personnel from the chemical influences of the active ingredient.
  • the input unit can, in addition to the collection container, further comprise at least one storage container.
  • the collection container can serve as a mixing container in which a mixture or at least a preliminary mixture of the active ingredient with the solvent takes place. If the contents of the collection container are fed completely or partially to the storage container after mixing the active ingredient with the solvent and thus after production of the consumable, in particular the application solution, this creates again usable free volume in the collection container so that it can be used again, for example for mixing.
  • a further mixing process can be started in the input unit using the collection container, while, for example, previously produced consumable is stored or temporarily stored in the at least one storage container.
  • the renewed mixing process can then be carried out using the same active ingredient and/or the same solvent as the previous mixing process, or at least one different active ingredient and/or at least one different solvent can be used.
  • various consumables in particular different active ingredient solutions, for example, different additives, consumables, or detergents, can be produced via the same input unit through suitable mixing and/or dilution, whereby these different consumables can, for example, be supplied to storage containers provided for this purpose. If different consumables are produced in the input unit, at least one rinsing process can take place between the production of different consumables, in which, for example, the interior of the housing and/or the collection container and/or corresponding lines are rinsed with at least one solvent, for example, water.
  • At least one optional reading device can be used.
  • the consumable for example, in the form of a premixed substance consisting of an active ingredient and a solvent, also known as a working solution, can be fed into the designated storage container.
  • the control system of the input unit and/or the cleaning device can, for example, activate the corresponding valves and block other valves for this purpose.
  • the above-mentioned collection container can be designed to be very small overall. Furthermore, the collection container of the input unit does not necessarily have to be used for storage. For example, in the interior space where the perforation of the active ingredient container occurs, the active ingredient container can simply be emptied and optionally rinsed with solvent. The resulting liquid can then be directed from the collection container into the storage container, for example directly and without being stored in the collection container.
  • the storage container can then function simultaneously as a storage container and as a mixing container. For this purpose, as explained above, at least one mixing device can be provided in the storage container.
  • valve control can be performed by the at least one controller of the input unit and/or the cleaning device.
  • the at least one piece of information about the active ingredient and/or the active ingredient container read by the reader can be used.
  • the produced consumable material can be supplied from the collection container to the designated storage container, for example, by appropriately controlling valves.
  • the storage container which can accordingly also function as a mixing container, can comprise, for example, at least one pump and/or at least one agitator.
  • the input unit can be reused.
  • the active ingredient from the at least one storage container can be directly passed on and/or stored there.
  • a further input process of an active ingredient can be started in the input unit.
  • This can again be carried out with the same active ingredient as before, or with one or more other active ingredients.
  • different active ingredients for example different Detergents and/or various additives are added, mixed and/or diluted with solvents, and premixed/diluted and fed into various storage containers, which can optionally also function as mixing containers.
  • This allows, for example, active ingredients to be dosed in different quantities and/or diluted in different concentrations depending on the requirements of the cleaning process.
  • the input unit can generally be configured to carry out at least one rinsing process.
  • the collection container can be rinsed with solvent without, for example, any active ingredient being added.
  • Other components of the input unit can also be rinsed with the solvent during the rinsing process, for example a piping system that can drain liquid from the collection container, for example to a valve, a dosing pump or a storage container.
  • the rinsing process can, for example, be connected to an input process, with active ingredient being added via the input device during the input process.
  • further additives can be added to the at least one cleaning fluid of the cleaning device, for example from other sources.
  • additional chemicals from other sources can be added to the rinse line, such as acid, complexing agents, polymers or combinations of the aforementioned chemicals and/or other chemicals, provided that these are not already present in
  • the active ingredient can thus be further processed before use by the purification device, for example by further dilution and/or the addition of one or more additional chemicals.
  • the input unit can have at least one mixing device.
  • the at least one mixing device can, for example, be fluidically connected to the at least one collection container and/or to the at least one optional storage container.
  • This mixing device can, in particular, be configured to mix the at least one active ingredient with the at least one solvent.
  • the mixing device can also perform other functions.
  • the mixing device can also be configured and/or used to premix other process fluids, for example, surface-active substances, defoamers, or disinfectants.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device 110 according to the invention in the form of a dishwasher 111. This is in the Figure 1
  • the exemplary embodiment shown is designed as a conveyor dishwasher 112, also referred to as a conveyor dishwasher.
  • a conveyor dishwasher also referred to as a conveyor dishwasher.
  • other configurations are also possible.
  • the one or more zones 128, 130, 132 may generally be referred to as rinsing zones 138, within which one or more application devices 140, in the form of nozzle systems with nozzles 142, are provided in order to apply at least one cleaning fluid 144 to the item to be cleaned 116.
  • a pre-cleaning nozzle system 146 can be provided in the pre-cleaning zone 128, which is fed from a pre-cleaning tank 150 via a pre-cleaning pump 148.
  • a wash zone nozzle system 152 can be provided in the wash zone 130, which can be fed from a wash tank 156 of a washing device 157 via a wash zone pump 154.
  • the final rinse zone 132 can have a pumped final rinse 158 and a fresh water final rinse 160 following in the transport direction 122.
  • the pumped rinse 158 has a pumped rinse nozzle system 162, and the fresh water rinse 160 has a fresh water rinse nozzle system 164.
  • the fresh water supply 170 can, for example, comprise a temperature control device 174 in the form of a heating device 176, by means of which the supplied fresh water can be heated, for example, to a temperature of 80°C to 100°C, preferably to a temperature of at least 85°C.
  • the fresh water supply 170 can optionally be passed through at least one heat recovery device 178, in which waste heat from the cleaning device 110 can be used to heat the supplied fresh water.
  • the items to be cleaned 116 can be conveyed continuously or discontinuously through the rinsing zones 138 before the items to be cleaned 116 are dried in the drying zone 134.
  • the rinsing zones 138 can each be separated by dividing curtains 180.
  • the cleaning device 110 preferably uses several types of cleaning fluid 144 in the form of rinsing liquids, which are preferably all aqueous rinsing liquids.
  • rinsing liquids which are preferably all aqueous rinsing liquids.
  • fresh water is preferably used as the rinsing liquid, usually with an addition of rinse aid.
  • the rinsing liquid comes into contact with the items to be cleaned 116 only once.
  • the pumped final rinse 158 the items to be cleaned 116 are subjected to circulating rinse liquid from the rinse tank 166.
  • cleaning agent can be added to the rinsing liquid, for example a cleaning solution, for example as a solution of a liquid cleaning concentrate in water.
  • the items to be cleaned 116 can be cleaned in circulating operation with the rinsing liquid from the wash tank 156.
  • the cleaning material 116 can be subjected to circulation.
  • one or more detergent substances can be added to the cleaning fluid 144 in the form of the rinsing liquids in the tanks 150, 156 and 166.
  • one or more dosing devices for example one or more dosing pumps 264, can be provided, which Figure 1 are shown as examples and which will be explained in more detail below.
  • a dosing device can optionally be provided on the fresh water supply 170, by means of which a rinse aid and/or a disinfectant can be supplied to the fresh water final rinse 160.
  • the at least one dosing device can be connected, for example, upstream or downstream of the heating device.
  • the dishwasher 110 in the illustrated arrangement can have at least one controller 182.
  • This can be, for example, a central machine controller, although it can also be configured in a decentralized manner.
  • the controller 182 can, for example, comprise at least one processor 186 and at least one data memory 188.
  • the controller 182 can further have at least one user interface 190 and/or at least one data interface 192, for example, for the wireless or wired exchange of data and/or control commands.
  • the controller 182 can in particular be connected to at least one supply valve 184, which can control a fresh water supply, and/or to one or more of the aforementioned dosing devices and can control these elements. Furthermore, the controller 182 can, for example, be wholly or partially connected to the pumps 148, 154, and 168 and can control these pumps. Furthermore, the controller 182 can, for example, be connected to the at least one transport device 114 and can control the transport device 114. Controller 182 may, for example, be designed entirely or partially as a control device and/or comprise at least one control.
  • the dishwasher 110 can in turn have one or more sensors for detecting one or more operating parameters.
  • the dishwasher 110 can have one or more sensors for detecting a supply and/or a concentration of one or more components of the washing liquid.
  • the sensors can generally be connected directly or indirectly to the at least one controller 182.
  • the dishwasher 110 can have at least one flow meter for detecting a volume flow and/or mass flow of a fresh water supply.
  • the cleaning device 110 in particular the dishwasher 111, can also have one or more sensors in the tanks 150, 156, and 166.
  • turbidity sensors and/or conductivity sensors can be provided there, by means of which, for example, a detergent concentration and/or a degree of soiling can be detected.
  • the controller 182 can, for example, comprise one or more controllers, which can be implemented, for example, in the form of software and/or hardware. These can, for example, detect one or more actual values using sensors and/or a flow meter and, for example, using the aforementioned dosing devices and/or the supply valve 184, regulate a supply to at least one target value.
  • FIG. 1 A sectional view of the cleaning device 110 is shown parallel to the transport direction 122. However, sectional views could also be shown analogously at other locations within the conveyor-type dishwasher 112, for example, through the pre-cleaning zone 128, the washing zone 130, or through the final rinse zone 132 in the fresh water final rinse area 160.
  • the cleaning device 110 in the form of Figure 1 The continuous-flow dishwasher 112 shown further comprises an input unit 194 for inputting at least one liquid active agent 195 into the cleaning device 110 for cleaning the items to be cleaned 116, as shown in Figure 1
  • the input unit 194 comprises at least one housing 196 and at least one line 262, also referred to as a metering line, into which, for example, the at least one metering pump 264 is introduced and which in this In this exemplary embodiment, it opens into the fresh water supply 170.
  • a metering line also referred to as a metering line
  • the input unit 194 optionally comprise at least one controller 222.
  • the controller 222 can be configured to completely or partially control and/or regulate an operation of the input unit.
  • the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be configured to change, in particular to control and/or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the input unit 194, for example at least one pump output and/or at least one valve position, for example a pump output and/or valve position for regulating the input of the liquid active ingredient 195 into the fresh water supply 170, as in Figure 1 illustrated.
  • the controller 222 of the input unit 194 may in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor 186.
  • the control 222 of the input unit 194 can be designed independently, as in Figure 1 shown. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 222 can also be fully or partially integrated into a higher-level controller, for example, into the controller 182 of the cleaning device 110, of which the input unit 194 can be a component.
  • the controller 182 of the cleaning device 110 can, for example, be a centralized or decentralized machine controller.
  • the controller 182 of the cleaning device 110 can, in particular, be a single-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device 110, which is configured to fully or partially control and/or regulate the operation of the cleaning device 110, as, for example, already explained above.
  • the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be connected to the controller 182 of the cleaning device 110, for example, wired and/or wirelessly, as indicated by the dashed double-sided arrow in Figure 1 illustrated.
  • the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be configured, for example, by programming, to control at least one function of the input unit 194.
  • the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be configured by programming to control at least one input program for inputting the at least one liquid active ingredient, for example, by controlling a valve of the input unit 194, as shown in Figure 1 illustrated by an arrow.
  • the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be programmed to control the processing of the active ingredient 195 into at least one consumable within the cleaning device 110, for example, to generate at least one cleaning fluid of the cleaning device 110.
  • the controller 222 can, for example, be configured to implement the method described in more detail below.
  • the liquid active ingredient 195 can be supplied undiluted or diluted, for example after dilution with at least one solvent, in particular water, for example to the fresh water rinse 160.
  • the fresh water of the fresh water supply 170 can, for example, first be heated by the temperature control device 174 in the form of the heating device 176 to a temperature of 80°C to 100°C, preferably to a temperature of at least 85°C, before the liquid active ingredient 195 is supplied to it, for example in diluted form, in particular also referred to as a user solution, user concentrate or consumable. Release of the liquid active ingredient 195 into the fresh water supply 170 can be controlled and/or regulated in particular via a controllable pump output and/or a controllable valve position.
  • Embodiments of the input unit 194, which in the cleaning device 110 according to Figure 1 or can be used in other types of cleaning devices are listed in the Figures 2 to 7 shown. The following section first describes the common features of these embodiments before discussing their respective special features.
  • the input unit 194 comprises at least one interior space 198 and at least one pivoting door 200.
  • the pivoting door 200 can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis 202 from at least one open position 204 to at least one closed position 206.
  • the input unit 194 further comprises at least one holder 208 for receiving at least one active ingredient container 210, arranged on a side of the pivoting door 200 facing the interior space 198 and connected to the pivoting door 200.
  • the input unit 194 further comprises at least one piercing device 112 arranged in the interior 198 for piercing the active ingredient container 210 and at least one collecting container 216 arranged in a bottom region 214 of the interior 198 for receiving the liquid active ingredient 195.
  • the input unit 194 is configured such that when the pivoting door 200 pivots from the open position 204 to the closed position 206, at least one region 218 of the active ingredient container 210 is pressed against at least one cutting edge 220 of the piercing device 212. As a result, the piercing device 212 perforates this region 218.
  • the container 210 is oriented in the closed position 206 of the pivoting door 200 such that the liquid active ingredient 195 flows through the perforated area 218 from the active ingredient container 210 into the collection container 216.
  • the Figures 2 to 5 show various embodiments of the input unit 194, each in a cross-sectional view.
  • the input unit 194 can be seen with the active ingredient container 210 inserted and with the pivoting door 200 in the closed position 206.
  • the input unit 194 comprises the housing 196 with the interior space 198.
  • the housing 196 can be made entirely or partially from at least one rigid material, for example at least one metallic material and/or at least one plastic material.
  • the housing 196 can be made entirely or partially from sheet metal, for example stainless steel sheet.
  • the at least one interior space 198 can be entirely or partially enclosed by the housing 196.
  • the housing 196 can seal the interior space 198 in a liquid-tight manner from an exterior space.
  • the input unit 194 comprises the pivoting door 200 which can pivot about the pivot axis 202.
  • the pivot axis 202 can, in particular, be configured substantially horizontally, so that, for example, the closed position 206 can be a position in which an input opening of the housing 196 is closed by the pivot door 200 and/or in which the pivot door 200 is arranged substantially vertically.
  • an angular tolerance can generally be present, for example, a deviation of no more than 20°, in particular of no more than 10°, and in particular of no more than 5° from the horizontal or vertical alignment.
  • the open position 204 can in particular be a position in which an input opening of the housing 196 is released for an input of active ingredient, for example a position in which the pivoting door 200 is arranged obliquely to the vertical and/or horizontally.
  • the pivot door 200 can be opened and/or closed continuously or in steps. In the closed position 206 and/or the open position 204, the pivot door 200 can also be fixed, for example, by a corresponding fixing device 224, as shown in Figure 2 In addition to the at least one pivot axis 202, the pivot door 200 can optionally have at least one mechanism that supports the pivoting movement from the open position to the closed position and/or vice versa, for example at least one linkage (not shown).
  • FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, the holder 208 with the active ingredient container 210 accommodated therein.
  • the active ingredient container 210 can, in particular, contain the liquid active ingredient 195.
  • the active ingredient container 210 can, in particular, be selected from the group consisting of: a bottle; a screw-cap container; a canister; a tubular bag; a stand-up pouch.
  • the active ingredient container 210 can, in particular, be made entirely or partially from a material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a paper material; a metallic material, in particular a metal sheet, in particular aluminum.
  • PE polyethylene
  • PP polypropylene
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • the active ingredient container 210 can have a container wall 226 having a thickness of 0.3 mm to 3 mm, in particular a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.
  • the input unit 194 further comprises the piercing device 212 with the cutting edge 220.
  • the piercing device 212 can in particular be at least partially tubular, as in Figure 2 shown.
  • the tube 228 can be cut obliquely to a tube axis, so that a cutting plane running obliquely to the tube axis is created, for example at a cutting angle of 10° to 80°, in particular at a cutting angle of 20° to 70°.
  • the cutting edge 220 can be created in the form of the cutting edge.
  • Other types of manufacturing cutting edges 220 are also generally known to the person skilled in the art.
  • the piercing device 212 can be configured to perforate the active ingredient container 210 by means of the cutting edge 220 when the active ingredient container 210 accommodated in the holder 208 is brought into contact with the Swing door 200 is pressed into the closed position 206 against the cutting edge 220.
  • Figure 2 shows the active ingredient container 210 with perforated area 218.
  • the container 210 is oriented in the closed position 206 such that the liquid active ingredient 195 flows through the perforated area 218 from an interior 230 of the active ingredient container 210 into the collection container 216, as illustrated by the two arrows pointing downward from the active ingredient container 210.
  • the piercing device 212 can, when the pivoting door 200 is closed, be arranged completely or at least partially below the holder 208 and/or below the active ingredient container 210 received in the holder 208, although, for example, a part of the piercing device 212 can protrude through the perforated area into the active ingredient container 210, as shown in Figure 2 shown.
  • the liquid active ingredient 195 can flow, in particular, through the piercing device 212, for example, through an interior of the tube 228 into the collection container 216.
  • the liquid active ingredient 195 can also flow into the collection container by flowing out of the piercing device 212, for example, through the perforated area of the active ingredient container 210, which, for example, may only be partially occupied by the piercing device 212.
  • the collection container 216 is arranged in the bottom area 214 of the interior 198 of the housing 196.
  • the collection container 216 can, for example, be completely or partially, directly or indirectly, enclosed by the housing 196 of the input unit 194, as shown in Figure 2 Alternatively or additionally, the collecting container 216 can be enclosed by an inner housing arranged within the housing 196 of the input unit 194.
  • the collecting container 216 can, for example, be completely or partially cubic and/or completely or partially conical, for example with at least one funnel-shaped profile at its lower end as in connection with Figure 5 further explained.
  • the input unit 194 can be configured, in particular, to mix, in particular to dilute, the liquid active ingredient 195 with at least one solvent.
  • the input unit 194 can, in particular, comprise at least one solvent supply 232, as shown in Figure 2 shown.
  • this solvent supply 232 can be configured to admix at least one solvent from at least one solvent connection 234 and/or at least one solvent reservoir to the at least one active ingredient 195.
  • the input unit 194 can in particular have at least one solvent supply line 236, which can, for example, open into the collection container 216.
  • the solvent supply line 236 can also be led into the active ingredient container 210 and/or into at least one reservoir 237, as used, for example, in connection with Figure 4 and 5 will be described in more detail below.
  • the input unit 194 can have at least one solvent lance 238 fluidically connected to the solvent connection 234, wherein the lance 238 is configured to introduce at least one solvent through the perforated area 218 into the active ingredient container 210 in the closed position 206 of the pivoting door 200, as shown in Figure 2 can be seen.
  • solvent can be conveyed from the solvent connection 234 to the solvent lance 238, for example by a fluidic pressure exerted by the solvent source that can be connected to the solvent connection 234.
  • the solvent lance 238 can be, for example, an elongated nozzle 240 and/or a finger-shaped device that can protrude into a cavity and through which, by means of at least one channel 242 accommodated in the finger-shaped device, solvent can be introduced into the cavity, in particular sprayed or injected, as in Figure 2 by an arrow pointing from the nozzle 240 into the interior 230 of the active ingredient container 210.
  • the nozzle 240 can, for example, have a cylindrical base body, for example with a length of 10 mm to 200 mm, in particular a length of 20 mm to 150 mm.
  • the length of the nozzle 240 can, in particular, be adapted to the length of the piercing device 212 and/or to the size of the active ingredient container 210.
  • at least one mouth of the at least one nozzle 240 can be arranged inside the active ingredient container 210 when the pivoting door 200 is in the closed position 206, as in Figure 2
  • the perforation can also partially insert the solvent lance 238 into the active ingredient container 210 when the pivoting door 200 is closed.
  • the solvent lance 238 can be dimensioned in such a way that it does not protrude beyond the cutting edge 220 of the piercing device 212.
  • the input unit 194 can generally comprise a controller 222 in this or also in the other exemplary embodiments.
  • the controller 222 can in particular control at least one function of the input unit 194.
  • the at least one function which can be controlled by the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can in particular comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of: a user guide for instructing a user to insert an active ingredient container 210 into the input unit 194; a user guide for instructing a user to remove an active ingredient container 210 into the input unit 194; a locking of the pivoting door 200; an unlocking of the pivoting door 200; a control of a valve 223 of the input unit 194; a control of at least one Solvent supply to the input unit 194; controlling a metering pump of the input unit 194; controlling at least one mixing device of the input unit 194; reading a sensor signal from at least one sensor of the input unit, in particular a level sensor; reading information from an identifier of an active ingredient container
  • the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be configured, in particular, to monitor, control, and/or regulate a total supply of solvent, so that, for example, a predetermined amount of solvent can be supplied. Accordingly, the input unit 194 can be configured, in particular, to dilute the active ingredient 195 to a predetermined or predeterminable concentration. If multiple solvent supply lines 236 are provided, the flows can be added together so that a total amount of supplied solvent can be taken into account for the dilution.
  • Figure 2 illustrates such monitoring of the solvent supply by means of the controller 222.
  • the solvent supply 232 may have at least one valve for controlling a supply of the solvent.
  • this may be a valve arranged in the fluidic connection between the solvent connection 234 and the solvent lance 238, as shown in Figure 2
  • the valve can in particular be electrically controlled, for example by the controller 222 of the input unit 194 and/or the control unit 222, for example in connection with Figure 1 already described control 182 of the cleaning device 110.
  • the solvent can be, in particular, water, for example, fresh water, in a warm or cold state, and/or at least one aqueous solvent.
  • water for example, fresh water
  • aqueous solvent for example, water, water, in a warm or cold state
  • other types of solvents are also conceivable, depending on the liquid active ingredient used.
  • the collection container 216 which can in particular hold the liquid active ingredient 195 diluted with the solvent, is arranged in a bottom region 214 of the interior space 198 of the input unit 194.
  • the interior space 198 can optionally have at least one further region.
  • the interior space 198 can further have at least one receiving region 244 for receiving the active ingredient container, wherein the active ingredient container 210 is introduced into the receiving region 244 when the pivoting door 200 is closed.
  • the receiving region 244 and the collection container 216 in particular The interior of the container, i.e., its interior, can be separated in particular by at least one fluid-permeable partition wall 246.
  • this fluid-permeable partition wall 246 can comprise at least one partition wall with at least one opening, for example a plurality of openings, which can be round, oval, slit-shaped or polygonal, for example.
  • the fluid-permeable partition wall 246 can comprise at least one sieve bottom 248, as in Figure 2
  • the piercing device can, for example, be mechanically connected to the fluid-permeable partition 246.
  • the piercing device 212 can be fully or partially integrated into the fluid-permeable partition 246.
  • the piercing device 212 can protrude upwards from the fluid-permeable partition 246 into the receiving area 244.
  • the fluid-permeable partition can comprise a sieve bottom 248, wherein the piercing device 212 comprises at least one piercing nozzle 250, which can protrude upwards from the sieve bottom 248 into the receiving area 244.
  • the sieve bottom 248 can be interrupted in the interior of the piercing nozzle 250, so that, for example, a continuous channel 252 is created inside the piercing nozzle 250 between the receiving area 244, in particular the interior of the perforated active ingredient container 210, and the collecting container 216, in which channel, in particular, the solvent lance 238 can be guided.
  • the piercing nozzle 250 can, for example, be welded to the sieve bottom 148 or be firmly mechanically connected to the sieve bottom 248 or the interior of the input unit in another way.
  • the input unit 194 can further include at least one level sensor 254 for detecting at least one liquid level 256 in the collection container 216.
  • the current liquid level in the collection container 216 can be monitored. This can be done, for example, by the controller 222 of the input unit 194. In this way, for example, an overflow of the collection container 216 can be prevented.
  • the input unit 194 may further comprise at least one mixing device 258.
  • the mixing device 258 may, in particular, be configured to mix liquid in the collection container 216.
  • the mixing device 258 may, in particular, comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump 260 integrated into the collection container; and a mixing pump 260 fluidly connected to the collection container 216.
  • Figure 2 shows an example of an input unit 194 with a mixing pump 260 integrated into the collecting container 216.
  • the collection container 216 can, as exemplified in Figure 1 shown, in particular directly or indirectly fluidically connected to at least one application device 140 of the cleaning device 110, so that, for example, consumables produced using the active ingredient 195 can be provided to the application device 140.
  • a fluidic connection of the collection container 216 to at least one tank of the cleaning device 110 can exist, for example a wash tank 156 and/or a final rinse or final rinse tank 166.
  • the collection container 216 can further be connected to at least one metering pump 264, by means of which, for example, at least a defined amount of consumable material can be provided from the collection container 216 to another device of the cleaning device 110.
  • metering pump 264 by means of which, for example, at least a defined amount of consumable material can be provided from the collection container 216 to another device of the cleaning device 110.
  • Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the input unit 194 in a cross-sectional view.
  • Figure 2 also shows Figure 3 the input unit 194 with the active ingredient container 210 inserted and with the swing door 200 in the closed position 206.
  • the Figure 3 The embodiment shown is largely identical to the one shown in Figure 2 illustrated embodiment. For the description of the Figure 3 can therefore largely rely on the detailed description of the Figure 2 The same applies to the examples of implementation of the Figures 4 and 5 .
  • the Figures 3 , 4 and 5 are therefore discussed below primarily with regard to the differences to the Figure 2
  • the illustrated embodiment of the input unit 194 is described.
  • the mixing of the liquid active ingredient 195, which can flow from the active ingredient container 210 into the collection container, with the solvent can also take place outside the collection container 216, for example by means of an external mixing pump 260, which is fluidically connected to the collection container 216, as in Figure 3 to see.
  • the input unit 194 may further comprise, in particular, at least one storage container 237.
  • Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the input unit 194, which has two storage containers 237 formed separately from the collection container 216. It is understood that the input unit 194 can also comprise exactly one, or more than two, for example three or more storage containers 237.
  • the storage containers 237 can, for example, be arranged outside the housing 196 of the input unit 194, for example at another location within the cleaning device 110.
  • a wall 265 of the storage container 237 can, for example, be made entirely or partially from at least one metallic material and/or from at least one plastic material.
  • the storage containers 237 can, in particular, be fluidically connected directly or indirectly to the Collecting container 216, for example via at least one hose and/or via at least one pipe 262.
  • At least one branch 266 and/or at least one switch can be provided, so that, for example, several storage containers 237 can be filled with liquid from the collecting container 216 at the same time, or one or more storage containers 237 can be filled selectively, whereas one or more other storage containers 237 are not filled.
  • one or more valves 223 can be provided independently of one another in the individual fluidic branches, so that if multiple storage containers 237 are provided, these can each be controlled and/or filled individually. In particular, the valves 223 can be controlled, for example individually, by the controller 222 of the input unit 194.

Landscapes

  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Unité d'entrée (194) pour introduire au moins une substance active liquide (195) dans un dispositif de nettoyage (110) destiné à nettoyer des objets à nettoyer (116), comprenant :
    i. au moins un boîtier (196) avec au moins un espace intérieur (198) et avec au moins une porte pivotante (200), la porte pivotante (200) étant apte à pivoter autour d'au moins un axe de pivotement (202) depuis au moins une position ouverte (204) vers au moins une position fermée (206) ;
    ii. au moins un support (208) agencé sur un côté de la porte pivotante (200) tourné vers l'espace intérieur (198) et relié à la porte pivotante (200) pour recevoir au moins un récipient (210) de substance active ;
    iii. au moins un dispositif de perforation (212) agencé dans l'espace intérieur (198) pour perforer le récipient (210) de substance active, l'unité d'entrée (194) étant agencée de telle sorte que, lors du pivotement de la porte pivotante (200) de la position ouverte (204) à la position fermée (206), au moins une zone (218) du récipient (210) de substance active soit pressée contre au moins une lame (220) du dispositif de perforation (212), le dispositif de perforation (212) perforant ainsi la zone (218) ;
    iv. au moins un récipient collecteur (216) agencé dans une zone de fond (214) de l'espace intérieur (198) pour recevoir la substance active liquide (195), le récipient à substance active (210) étant orienté dans la position fermée (206) de telle sorte que la substance active liquide (195) s'écoule à travers la zone perforée (218) depuis le récipient à substance active (210) dans le récipient collecteur (216) ; et
    v. au moins une alimentation (232) en solvant, l'alimentation (232) en solvant comprenant au moins un raccord de solvant (234) et au moins une lance à solvant (238) reliée de manière fluidique au raccord de solvant (234), la lance (238) étant agencée pour introduire, dans la position fermée (206) de la porte pivotante (200), au moins un solvant dans le récipient (210) de substance active à travers la zone perforée (218), la lame (220) du dispositif de perforation (212) entourant au moins partiellement la lance (238).
  2. Unité d'entrée (194) selon la revendication précédente, l'unité d'entrée (194) étant conçue de manière à diluer la substance active liquide (195) avec ledit au moins un solvant.
  3. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le dispositif de perforation (212) comprend un raccord de perçage (250), la lance à solvant (238) s'étendant au moins partiellement à l'intérieur du raccord de perçage (250).
  4. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'espace intérieur (198) comprend le récipient collecteur (216) et une zone de réception (244) destinée à recevoir le récipient (210) de substance active, le récipient collecteur (216) et la zone de réception (244) étant séparés par au moins une cloison de séparation perméable aux fluides (246), en particulier par au moins un fond en tamis (248).
  5. Unité d'entrée (194) selon la revendication précédente, dans laquelle le dispositif de perforation (212) est relié mécaniquement à la cloison de séparation perméable aux fluides (246).
  6. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des deux revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le dispositif de perforation (212) forme au moins un canal de fluide (252) entre la zone de réception (244) et le récipient collecteur (216).
  7. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre au moins un dispositif de commande (222), le dispositif de commande (22) étant agencé pour commander au moins une fonction de l'unité d'entrée (194).
  8. Unité d'entrée (194) selon la revendication précédente, l'unité d'entrée (194) comprenant en outre au moins un élément d'affichage (294) pour afficher au moins une information utilisateur à un utilisateur, le dispositif de commande (222) étant conçu de manière à inviter un utilisateur, au moyen de l'élément d'affichage (294), à effectuer au moins une action choisie parmi le groupe comprenant : une introduction d'un récipient (210) de substance active rempli d'une substance active liquide (195) dans l'unité d'entrée (194) ; un retrait d'un récipient (210) de substance active vide de l'unité d'entrée (194).
  9. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des deux revendications précédentes, l'unité d'entrée (194) comprenant en outre au moins un lecteur (219) pour lire au moins une information d'au moins un identifiant d'un récipient (210) de substance active, le dispositif de commande (222) étant agencé pour commander le lecteur (219).
  10. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, l'unité d'entrée (194) comprenant en outre au moins un capteur de niveau (254) pour détecter un niveau de liquide (256) dans le récipient collecteur (216).
  11. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le support (208) comprend au moins une géométrie de réception (276) pour recevoir le récipient (210) de substance active dans une orientation prédéfinie par rapport à la porte pivotante (200).
  12. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, l'unité d'entrée (194) comprenant en outre au moins un dispositif de mélange (258), le dispositif de mélange (258) étant agencé pour mélanger le liquide dans le récipient collecteur (216).
  13. Unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, l'unité d'entrée (194) comprenant en outre au moins un récipient de stockage (237), le récipient de stockage (237) étant relié de manière fluidique au récipient collecteur (216).
  14. Dispositif de nettoyage (110) pour nettoyer des objets à nettoyer (116), comprenant au moins une chambre de nettoyage (118) pour recevoir les objets à nettoyer (116), comprenant en outre au moins un dispositif d'alimentation (140) pour alimenter les objets à nettoyer (116) dans la chambre de nettoyage (118) avec au moins un fluide de nettoyage, comprenant en outre au moins une unité d'entrée (194) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, le dispositif de nettoyage (110) étant agencé pour utiliser au moins un substance active liquide (195) fourni par l'unité d'entrée (194) pour fournir le fluide de nettoyage.
  15. Procédé de nettoyage d'objets à nettoyer (116), comprenant :
    a) le fait de se mettre à disposition au moins un dispositif de nettoyage (110) selon la revendication 14 ;
    b) le fait d'introduire au moins un récipient (210) de substance active rempli d'une substance active liquide (195) dans l'unité d'entrée (194) du dispositif de nettoyage (110) ; lors de la fermeture de la porte pivotante (200) de l'unité d'introduction (194) au moins une zone (218) du récipient (210) de substance active est pressée contre au moins une lame (220) du dispositif de perforation (212), le dispositif de perforation perforant alors la zone (218), ce qui fait que la substance active liquide (195) s'écoule à travers la zone perforée (218) hors du récipient (210) de substance active dans le récipient collecteur (216) ;
    c) le fait d'utiliser la substance active liquide (195) pour produire au moins un fluide de nettoyage ; et
    d) le fait d'appliquer le fluide de nettoyage sur l'objet à nettoyer (116) dans la chambre de nettoyage (118) du dispositif de nettoyage (110).
EP23738504.2A 2022-07-04 2023-07-04 Unité d'entrée pour introduction de substances actives liquides dans un dispositif de nettoyage Active EP4408250B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE102022206791 2022-07-04
PCT/EP2023/068339 WO2024008694A1 (fr) 2022-07-04 2023-07-04 Unité d'entrée pour introduction de substances actives liquides dans un dispositif de nettoyage

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EP4408250B1 true EP4408250B1 (fr) 2025-08-27

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EP4408250A1 (fr) 2024-08-07
DK4408250T3 (da) 2025-10-06

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