GB2078494A

GB2078494A - Washing machine for foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: GB2078494A
Application number: GB8114982A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Meiko Masch & App; Meiko Maschinen-Und Apparatebau Ing Oskar Meier & C GmbH
Current assignee: Meiko Masch & App; Meiko Maschinen-Und Apparatebau Ing Oskar Meier & C GmbH
Priority date: 1980-05-22
Filing date: 1981-05-15
Publication date: 1982-01-13
Also published as: NL8102413A; DE3019601A1; BE888930A; IT8121657A0; CH652904A5; ATA225981A; FR2482851A1; IT1168126B; FR2482851B3; IT8121657A1; GB2078494B; DE3019601C2; AT380163B

Abstract

A washing-machine for foodstuffs has an internal chamber defined by vessel (1) in which a basket (26) for the foodstuffs is disposed. The basket, which is rotated during washing and drying operations, is moved by lifting mechanism (7) between a lower position below the water level (14) for a washing operation and an upper position above the water level for a drying operation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Washing-machine for foodstuffs The present invention relates to a washingmachine for foodstuffs, particularly for vegetables and salad ingredients, of a type having a drying facility and a basket which can be introduced into the machine through an insertion opening and which rotates during washing and drying which takes place in the same internal chamber of the machine through which water flows during a washing operation.

A washing machine of this type is known from German Offenlegungsschrift 2,726,447. In this washing machine a roller with a horizontal axis is provided in the liquid in a chamber of the machine. After the washing operation in the chamber which is always filled with water, the liquid is drained off and the water is subsequently removed by spinning. It is indicated in this publication that it is especially advantageous to make the roller in the liquid narrower than the space of movement of the vegetables and forcibly to rotate the vegetables, during washing, additionally about their vertical axis at a speed lying far below the spinning speed. According to this publication after the washing operation the washing liquid is removed and the spinning operation is carried out without it being necessary to change beforehand the position of the vegetables.

In the apparatus shown in this publication, it is necessary to remove the water from the vessel completely before the rinsing. This takes time. Even more time is wasted when the washing water has to be removed several times during washing, in order to clean particularly dirty vegetables relatively by rinsing again. The cleaning itself takes a relatively long time, since the relatively uniform rotary movement does not have a particularly intensive effect on the articles to be washed. Furthermore, additional forced rotation of the vegetables during the washing operation requires a relatively large outlay. A washing machine of this type is, therefore, extremely expensive and is financially viable only for relatively large commercial companies.

The invention provides a washing machine for foodstuffs having a drying facility, and provided with a basket for foodstuffs to be washed, which can be introduced into the machine through an insertion opening and is adapted to rotate during a washing and a drying operation which takes place in a common internal chamber of the machine through which water flows during a washing operation, wherein a lifting mechanism is provided for the basket for moving the basket in the internal chamber between an inner position and an outer position adjacent said insertion opening.

An advantage of the invention is that it makes it possible to provide a washing machine for foodsruffs of the aforesaid type which can carry out a rapid and yet gentle washing and immediately subsequent drying in the same vessel with simple technical means.

Therefore a washing machine in accordance with the invention is provided with a lifting mechanism for moving the basket for articles to be washed in the internal chamber of the machine between an inner position and an outer position near the insertion opening of the machine. The internal chamber itself must therefore be large enough to allow for such two positions of the basket. In this way, it is possible to wash the basket in a lower position and to dry it in an upper position. The drying operation in the outer position of the basket can take place immediately, even when washing water is still present in the inner region of the chamber. The washing process can be made more intensive and therefore accelerated by an up-and-down movement of the basket during a washing operation. At the same time, by this movement, the vegetables or salad stuff can be prevented from massing together.The lifting mechanism is simple to manufacture and is correspondingly favourably priced. It is therefore even within the means of relatively small commercial businesses and possibly even private households. The space required is also relatively small.

The lifting mechanism may comprise a centrally located pin which can be extended towards the insertion opening and which engages in a bush engaged with the basket or connected thereto. The bush can be located centrally in a basket-carrying disc which is placed on the pin. The pin can be connected fixedly to the bush and arranged so that it can rotate mechanically. However, it can also, preferably, rest by means of its point, preferably via a point mounting, freely rotatably on the end of the bush, a plain bearing being provided for the pin spaced from the end of the point. A very low friction and yet a stable sliding fit is thereby achieved.

The lifting movement of the lifting mechanism can be controlled by a suitable programme. This programme can be combined with the conventional washing programme and is preferably timecontrolled.

The lifting movement can be controlled in a simple way by a hydraulic system, the hydraulic cylinder being connected to a water pipe. The water connection can be made, according to a programme, by means of solenoid valves and can be broken again, the removal of the water being started simultaneously, in the latter case, so that the basket can descend again.

The basket-carrying disc can have vanes directed inwards, that is to say, towards the centre of rotation. By directing onto these vanes one or more water jets which can issue from one or more drive nozzles, the basket-carrying disc and the basket resting thereon can be rotated.

It has been shown to be appropriate to provide said drive of the basket-carrying disc via the drive nozzle and the vanes located at the bottom of the basket-carrying disc, in the outer basket position only. In this position, namely the drying position, a rapid rotation of the basket and, consequently, a The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

rapid drying can be achieved in this way.

In the inner position of the basket, that is to say, in the actual washing position, the articles for washing and also the basket itself can be driven slowly by the washing nozzles alone. A slow rotation is more appropriate, in particular, for the washing operation.

The washing nozzles can be located on the periphery of the vessel, preferably at different distances from the insertion opening. The water jets issuing from the water nozzles are directed essentially towards the axis of rotation of the basket, but slightly offset thereto. In this way, a slow rotation of the basket and, simultaneously, a slow circulation within the basket of the articles for washing are effected.

Furthermore, fresh-water nozzles can be located in the outer peripheral region of the vessel. These nozzles can supply, periodically according to a programme or else constantly, fresh water which ensures that the washing water is constantly renewed. While this takes place, an overflow device ensures that the same water level is maintained in the vessel.

Furthermore, additional high-pressure nozzles, which are aligned essentially towards the axis of rotation of the basket, but preferably slightly offset thereto, can be located in the inner region of the vessel. These high-pressure nozzles are intended especially for more heavily soiled and less sensitive types of vegetables, such as tuber vegetables, potatoes etc., so as to permit, even in this case, a rapid and thorough cleaning.

A first pump which supplies water at a relatively low pressure, is appropriately provided for driving the washing nozzle. A second independent pump can be provided to supply water at a higher pressure for the high-pressure nozzles. Exactly the same pumps can be used for these purposes, reducing valves or the like merely needing to be used in front of the outflow nozzles.

According to a further embodiment, the basket may be covered by a lid. The water jet issuing from a cross-flow nozzle can strike against the underside of this lid. In this way, floating salad stuff or vegetables can be prevented from massing together in the upper region of the basket. As a result, the articles forwashing are always directed back towards the centre of the basket so that they are always arranged loosely in the basket and can be subjected to the action of the various nozzles.

The above statements indicate that all the different operations for washing, for the supply of fresh water, for the rotary movement of the basket or the basket-carrying disc, for the rotary movement within the basket of the articlesforwashing and even for the operation of the lifting mechanism can be carried out simply and solely by means of water supplied from a conventional water pipe. It is evident that apparatus of this type is simple to construct, to oper ate and to assemble.

According to a further embodiment of the inven tion, displaceable screens can be located in front of the nozzles. In this way, it is possible to adapt the jet intensity and the angle of impact of the jet to the different types of vegetables and salad stuff.

The axis of rotation of the basket is preferably arranged vertically. The inner region of the vessel, that is to say, approximately the lower half thereof, is intended advantageously to be filled up with water before the start and to remain filled with water up to this height even during the washing operation. In this way, extremely gentle washing is possible.

Appropriately, during the washing operation, the basket is moved cyclically from the outer position to the inner position and vice versa. When the vessel is filled with water in its lower half, the vegetables therefore cyclically emerge out of the full water vesset and then dip under again. This corresponds to gentle and intensive washing by hand, when the hands move the vegetables to and fro in a bowl filled with water, take them out of the bowl and dip them under again The washing effect can be further improved if, at the same time, fresh-water nozzles in the outer, that is to say, the upper region of the vessel spray water through the surfacing vegetables.

Appropriately, the vessel is designed essentially in the form of a circular cylinder. The basket should also, appropriately, be designed essentially in the form of a circular cylinder.

To carry outthe drying operation, the basket can be lifted into the outer position above the water level. The basket can be made to rotate at high speed by means of a drive nozzle which acts on vanes underneath the basket-carrying disc. A rapid drying is thereby achieved. This drying operation can even be carried out during the time when the water in the inner or lower region is being sucked away. There can be provided in the bottom region of the vessel a filter housing with a filter via which a drainage pump sucks away the water located in the vessel and via which the first and the second pumps suck in the water for circulation.

According to a further embodiment, there can be provided on the underside of the basket-carrying disc dirt scrapers which are directed downwards and which, during the rotary movement of the basketcarrying disc, wipe the dirt from the bottom of the bath into the filter housing. In this way, soiling of the vessel can be prevented.

Furthermore, the outflow orifice of the overflow device can be covered by a dirt baffle arranged in such a way that the outflow orifice is open only to the water which flows towards it. In this way, it becomes possible, likewise, to deflect dirt out of the lower and middle regions of the vessel in an elegant way.

One exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a vertical section through a foodstuff-washing machine Figure 2 shows a further partial section through the washing machine according to Figure 1, in a direction at right angles to the illustration of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a horizontal section through 2 foodstuff-washing machine.

In the washing machine according to Figure i, a basket 26 is represented in a vessel 1. This basket 26 has a lid 27. The unbroken line of the basket 26 shows the latter in the inner or lower position A, whilst the position of the basket 26 marked by broken lines represents the upper or outer position B. The insertion opening 29 of the vessel 1 is closed by a cover3. The lifting mechanism 7 consists of a hydraulic cylinder 35, a piston 41 and a piston rod 8.

Water from a water pipe 36 is introduced into the hydraulic cylinder 35. The supply and removal of water to and from the hydraulic cylinder 35 are controlled by valves, preferably solenoid valves 15. The upper continuation of the piston rod 8 constitutes a pin 30 with a narrower diameter. This pin 30 is mounted in a bush 31. This purpose is served by a plain bearing 34 in the vicinity of the open end of the bush 31 and by a point 33 at the upper end 32 of the bush 31. This point can be, for example, a single ball which rests on the upper end 32 of the bush 31. In this way, a rotation of the bush 31 with a very low frictional resistance is possible, as is desirable for a drive by means of water power. According to Figure 1, the bush 31 is connected to a basket-carrying disc 4 or is designed in one piece with the latter. The basket 26 rests removably on this basket-carrying disc 4.In the central region, the basket 26 has a cylindrical cavity which is adapted to the lower, widened region of the bush 31. Located underneath the basket-carrying disc 4 are vanes 5 and, alternating therewith, dirt scrapers 40, the latter scraping on the bottom of the vessel 1 during the rotary movement of the basket-carrying disc 4.

Furthermore, the water level 14 is indicated by a triangle in Figure 1. The water level 14 is controlled via a level controller 17, preferably controlled electronically, and via overflow devices 21,22,39 (see Figure 2). The housing bottom of the vessel 1 is, moreover, designated by 2.

The different nozzles or nozzle systems are also to be seen in Figure 1, namely the washing nozzles 10, the drive nozzle 11, the high-pressure nozzle 37 and the fresh-water nozzles 16 in the upper region of the vessel 1.

Furthermore, Figure 1 shows the first pump 9, together with feed pipes to the washing nozzles 10, said pump extracting filtered circulation water from the filter housing 24 and supplying same to the washing nozzles 10 at a low pressure.

Figure 1 also shows the second pump 38, together with feed pipes 12 to the drive nozzle 11 and the high-pressure nozzle 37. This pump also extracts water from the filter housing 24 via a branch pipe 43 (see Figure 2). Four fresh-water nozzles 16 are iliustrated in various positions in the upper region of the vessel 1. They are connected to the water pipe 36 via a solenoid valve 44.

Finally, also illustrated is the crossflow nozzle 45, the water outflow jet of which is directed against the underside of the lid 27 of the basket 26. The crossflow nozzle 45 is fed with water at a relatively low pressure by the first pump 9. Fresh water is supplied via the solenoid valve 44 and a central pipe 45 to the individual fresh-water nozzles 16. Water is fed by the pump 9 to the washing nozzles 10 and to the cross flo;v nozzle 45 via pipes 46.

Figure 2 illustrates the foodstuff-washing machine according to Figure 1 in another sectional view, with the omission of certain parts. In particular, the point 33 of the pin 30 may be seen more clearly here.

Moreover, the arrows parallel to the pin 30 indicate the lifting movement of this pin 30. It is also possible to see in Figure 2 a drainage pump 23 which sucks away the waste water from the filter housing 24 through a filter cylinder 25 into the open or into the sewage system. Furthermore, Figure 2 shows the dirt baffle 22 which is arranged so that the water flows into an overflow device 21 having an outflow orifice 39 and, in this way, carries the dirt with it.

The water located in the washing machine collects in the filter housing 24 and, as mentioned above, is circulated via the first pump 9 and the second pump 38 (see Figure 1). An outlet channel 47 for the first pump 9 and an outlet channel 43 for the second pump 38 serve for this purpose.

Figure 3 shows a horizontal section through the vegetable-washing machine, in which several parts have been omitted. Here, it is possible to see the circular-cylindrical section of the vessel 1, on the periphery of which are located the washing nozzles 10, the drive nozzle 11,the fresh-water nozzles 16 and the crossflow nozzle. The filter housing 24 with the outlet channels 43 and 47 for the first and second pumps 9 and 38 respectively may also be seen. Figure 3 also shows the dirt baffle 22 and the overflow orifice 39 within the overflow device 21. A switchbox containing the electrical programme setter can be seen at the bottom left-hand edge of Figure 3.

Located in front of some washing nozzles 10 are screens 13 which have orifices and which can be displaced relative to the washing nozzles 10. Finally, Figure 3 illustrates the basket-carrying disc 4 with vanes 5.

The vanes 5 are directed essentially radially inwards, but slightly offset relative to the axis of rotation.

It can be seen from Figure 3 that the basketcarrying disc 4, and consequently the basket 26 placed centrally thereon, are not arranged centrally within the vessel 1. The reason for this is that the dirt-baffle 22, the screens 13 and the adjustable crossflow nozzle 11 can be located on one side of the vessel, without the cost-saving design in the form of a circular cylinder having to be relinquished.

Moreover, the crossflow nozzle 11 has a proiongation, in order to maintain a sharply directed jet to drive the vanes 5.

In summary, the invention relates to a food-stuffwashing machine, in which, to achieve a more rapid washing and drying operation, a lifting mechanism is provided for the basket, in order to bring the latter into an inner position and an outer position near the insertion opening for the articles for washing.

Claims

1. A washing machine for foodstuffs having a drying facility, and provided with a basket for foodstuffs to be washed, which can be introduced into the machine through an insertion opening and is adapted to rotate during a washing and a drying operation which takes place in a common internal chamber of the machine through which water flows during a washing operation, wherein a lifting mechanism is provided for the basket for moving the basket in the internal chamber between an inner position and an outer position adjacent said insertion opening.

2. Awashing machine according to Claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a centrally located pin which can be extended in a direction towards the insertion opening and which engages in a bush engaged with the basket or connected thereto.

3. Awashing machine according to Claim 2, wherein the bush is located centrally in a disc which supports the basket, and rests on said pin.

4. A washing machine according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the pin is connected fixedly to the bush and can be rotated mechanically.

5. A washing machine according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the pin rests on an end wall of the bush which is freely rotatable thereon and a plain bearing is provided for the pin spaced from said end wall of the bush.

6. A washing machine according to Claim 5, wherein there is a point mounting between the pin and said end wall of the bush.

7. Awashing machine according to any preceding Claim wherein the lifting movement of the lifting mechanism is controlled by means of a programme.

8. A washing machine according to any preceding Claim, wherein the lifting movement of the lifting mechanism is effected by water pressure, and the connection of a water pipe to a hydraulic cylinder of the lifting mechanism is made, or broken with the simultaneous disconnection of the water supply, in accordance with a set programme, by means of solenoid valves.

9. A washing machine according to any preceding Claim, wherein a disc supporting the basket is provided with vanes, which extend generally towards the axis of rotation of the basket and which are arranged to be subjected to water jets, in use, issuing from at least one drive nozzle in order to rotate the disc.

10. Awashing machine according to Claim 9, wherein said disc is driven by jets which, in use, issue from the drive nozzle only in said outer position of the basket.

11. A washing machine according to any preceding Claim, wherein, for a washing operation, washing nozzles are located on the periphery of said internal chamber through which washing nozzles water jets are directed, in use, essentially towards the axis of rotation of the basket, but slightly offset thereto such that the basket is slowly rotated in use and a slow circulation of articles to be washed takes place simultaneously in the basket.

12. Awashing machine according to Claim 11, wherein the washing nozzles are disposed at different distances from the insertion opening.

13. Awashing machine according to any preceing Claim wherein there are provided fresh-water nozzles which are connected to a water supply pipe and are directed generally towards the axis of rotation of the basket and which are located in the outer peripheral region of said internal chamber to supply fresh water, in use, either according to a programme or constantly, an overflow device being provided to maintain constant the water level in the internal chamber.

14. Awashing machine according to any preced ing Claim, wherein there are provided additional high-pressure nozzles which are located in an inner region of the internal chamber in which the basket is located when in said inner position and are directed generally towards the axis of rotation of the basket.

15. A washing machine according to Claim 14, wherein said additional nozzles are slightly offset with respect to the direction therefrom to the axis of rotation of the basket.

16. A washing machine according to Claims 9,11 and 14, wherein the washing nozzles are fed with water by a first pump for supplying low-pressure water and the high-pressure nozzles are fed by a second pump supplying high-pressure water, and wherein the drive nozzle is likewise fed with water by the second pump.

17. Awashing machine according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, or Claim 16, or Claims 11 and 14, or Claims 12 and 16 or Claims 11 and 15, or Claims 12 and 15 including displaceable screens in front of the washing nozzles.

18. Awashing machine according to any preceding Claim, wherein the basket is covered by a lid, the underside of which is impinged, in use, a water jet issuing from at least one crossflow nozzle located on the periphery of an inner region of the internal chamber in which the basket is located in said inner position.

19. Awashing machine according to any preceding Claim, wherein (a) The axis of rotation of the basket is arranged vertically, and (b) an inner region of the internal chamber in which the basket is located in said inner position, which is approximately half of the internal chamber, is filled with water before the start of and during the washing operation.

20. Awashing machine according to Claim 19, wherein means are provided to move the basket cyclically from said outer position to said inner position and vice versa, during a washing operation.

21. Awashing machine according to any preceding Claim wherein the internal chamber is essentially in the form of a circular cylinder.

22. Awashing machine according to any preceding claim wherein the basket can be lifted into an outer position of the internal chamber above the water level therein and can be rotated at a high speed by means of the drive nozzle to carry out a drying operation.

23. A washing machine according to Claim 16 or any one of Claims 17 to 22 when dependent on Claim 16, wherein a filter housing is provided in atthe bottom of the internal chamber and has a filter, and a drainage pump, for sucking water out of the internal chamber through the filter and the first pump and the second pump are arranged to draw in water for circulation through said filter.

24. Awashing machine according to Claim 23, wherein dirt scraper extending downwardlytowards the bottom of the internal chamber are provided on said disc.

25. Awashing machine according to Claim 13, or any one of Claims 14to 24 when dependent on Claim 13, wherein the outflow orifice of the overflow device is covered by a dirt baffle arranged such that the outflow orifice is open only to water flowing towards it.

26. Awashing machine for foodstuff, substan tially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.