GB2582314A - Dishwashing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwashing apparatus comprises a housing containing a series of zones 17-20, each zone adapted for performing a step of a dishwashing cycle. A drive means transports a shuttle 1-3 loaded with a soiled item in a loop from a loading/unloading area atop the housing, into the housing, through each of the zones and out of the housing back to the loading/unloading area. A method of washing dishes utilising the apparatus is also disclosed, the method comprises loading a soiled item of tableware into a shuttle located in a loading/unloading area atop a housing, transporting the loaded shuttle through a series of zones contained in the housing, each zone adapted to perform a step of a dishwashing cycle, such that the soiled item is subjected to a full washing cycle, transporting the loaded shuttle out of the housing and returning it to the loading/unloading area. The apparatus is compact for convenient countertop installation next to a sink.

Description

DISHWASHING APPARATUS AND METHOD

The invention relates to automated cleaning of kitchenware. More particularly, the invention relates to a dishwashing apparatus and method for washing dishes/tableware.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Dishwashers, i.e. machines for washing dishes and the like, have been available since the 1950's, however these devices have largely been of the same type and configuration, namely a chamber in which the soiled items are battered with water and detergent.

Currently available domestic dishwashers are most effective and efficient when used to wash a full load, which may represent a significant number of items. These machines are inappropriate for cleaning a small number of items, such as those produced by one or two people from a small meal or snack. Accordingly, most users wait to fill the machine and run it when full, once a day or once every couple of days. While the dishwasher is filled, the soiled items either dry out, so that the soil material dries onto the items making it more difficult to subsequently wash off, or mold over, creating an unsightly and unsanitary mess. To mitigate these disadvantages, soiled items may be pre-rinsed prior to loading but this additional manual step is inconvenient and tends to obviate the advantage of having a dishwasher in the first place.

Domestic dishwashing machines are commonly installed under a kitchen counter with a front-facing door, hinged at the bottom. Consequently, loading and unloading the machine presents an open door below knee level and requires the user to bend over, an awkward and potentially hazardous process.

There remains a need for a fully automated dishwashing machine that is compact, easy to use and capable of washing small numbers of items quickly and efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a dishwashing apparatus comprising: a housing containing a series of zones, each zone adapted for performing a step of a dishwashing cycle; a loading/unloading area atop the housing; a plurality of shuttles for receiving and conveying soiled items; and a drive means for transporting a shuttle loaded with a soiled item in a loop from the loading/unloading area into the housing, through each of the wash-step zones and out of the housing back to the loading/unloading area.

The apparatus is a fully automated, unitary dishwashing apparatus.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises a wash zone, a rinse zone and a drying zone. The housing may further comprise a sanitation zone.

The apparatus may be configured such that delivery of washing and rinsing liquids and drying air to the respective wash-step zones is sufficiently localised within each zone that unwanted transmission of washing and rinsing liquids, or drying air, between zones is prevented or restricted to a level which does not impede performance of the dishwashing cycle. This may be achieved by delivering the washing and rinsing liquids and drying air by means of spray nozzles, the angles and pressures of the spray nozzles in each zone being configured to minimise cross contamination between wash-step zones.

Alternatively, each wash-step zone within the housing may be divided from adjacent zones by a physical partition to limit the transmission of washing and rinsing liquids, or drying air, between zones while permitting passage of loaded shuttles from one zone to the next. An example of a suitable partition is a plastic strip curtain. Where the wash-step zones are divided by partitions, they may be termed wash-step chambers.

In another embodiment, the plurality of shuttles comprises one or more of: shuttles adapted to receive plateware (e.g. plates, bowls and the like), shuttles adapted to receive utensils (e.g. cutlery and other kitchen utensils), and shuttles adapted to receive glassware and/or cupware.

The apparatus is configured with shuttles of like type arranged in rows. There may be, for example, one, two, or three rows of shuttles, each row containing shuttles of a different size/dimension to the other rows.

In another embodiment, the housing comprises an ingress flap for entry of a shuttle and an egress flap for exit of a shuttle.

In another embodiment, the drive means comprises a pair of track assemblies, each assembly comprising a rack and pinion drive mechanism in which a pinion is sandwiched between a movable rack in the form of a loop and a fixed rack which is not a complete loop.

The disclosed apparatus is adapted for rapidly cleaning one or a few soiled items as needed, without the need to accumulate sufficient items to fill a large wash chamber in order to justify the resources (energy, water, detergent, time) required to run a wash cycle in a conventional dishwashing machine.

Shuttles specifically adapted to receive one of plates/dishes, cutlery, and cups/glasses are convenient for loading and washing just one or a few table place settings at a time. The apparatus described herein can be installed on the counter next to the kitchen sink. It accepts the item/items, drops them into the housing, washes, rinses, sanitizes, dries and returns the items stacked, ready to be reused, in a rapid time.

A simple drive mechanism transports the shuttles in a continuous circuit starting and finishing at the loading/unloading area on top of the apparatus housing and allows multiple items to be processed at short intervals. The prior art disadvantages of pre-rinsing, bending over, waiting for a full load, waiting for cycle to complete to be able to reuse the items are avoided. Dirty items in the kitchen sink, or counter, etc. are similarly avoided, resulting in a clean, de-cluttered kitchen.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for washing tableware, which comprises: loading a soiled item of tableware into a shuttle located in a loading/unloading area atop a housing; transporting the loaded shuttle through a series of zones contained in the housing, each zone adapted to perform a step of a dishwashing cycle, such that the soiled item is subjected to a full washing cycle; transporting the loaded shuttle out of the housing and returning it to the loading/unloading area.

As used herein, "tableware" includes any item used -and therefore dirtied -during consumption of a meal, such as the items usually included in a table place setting, i.e. plates, bowls, cutlery and cups and glasses. Items used in the preparation and serving of a meal are also included by the term. The term is therefore synonymous with the generic term "dishes" as used in the phrase "washing the dishes" and in the term "dishwasher" itself.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention shall now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a diagram showing a top view of a dishwashing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing a side view of the dishwashing apparatus of Fig. 1 with front panel removed to show internal components.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing a top view of the dishwashing apparatus of Fig. 1 with the rack shuttles removed to expose the upper drain arrangement.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing in side view the drive mechanism and components for transporting shuttles through the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a top view of the interior drain pan and additional components of the apparatus of Fig. I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention shall now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures.

With reference to Figure 1, the apparatus 100 is installed next to a kitchen sink 10 and at counter level 11. Apparatus 100 includes three separate rows of shuttles, the plateware shuttle 1 made in a shape capable of accepting and holding typical plateware, the utensil shuttle 2 adapted to receive typical utensils, and the glass/cupware shuttle 3 adapted to receive typical glasses/cups.

Each shuttle is supported by transversal axle having a sprocket type gear at each end, which sit in their own respective tracks, allowing the shuttles 1, 2, 3 to travel through the apparatus independently.

Each of the shuttles 1, 2, 3, when loaded with a soiled item, travels down into the housing through respective ingress flaps 4, 5, 6, travels through successive wash-step zones and exits the housing through the egress flaps 7, 8, 9.

As shown in Figure 2, as each respective shuttle 1, 2, 3 enters the housing through the ingress flaps 4, 5, 6, they travel through four distinct zones, and processes.

The first zone is the wash zone 17 which applies a wash cycle as the shuttles travel through the zone. The items are sprayed with dish soap, stored on board in dish soap tank 39, from several is movable or stationary jet spray nozzles 13 located at different points and aimed at the soiled item/items.

The second zone is the rinse zone 18, which sprays rinse water over the items from several movable or stationary jet spray nozzles 14, located at different points, aimed at the soiled item/items.

The third zone is the sanitation zone 19, which sprays heated water or steam, to sanitize the items, from several, either movable or stationary jet spray nozzles 15, located at different points, aimed at the item/items to be sanitized.

The final zone is a drying zone 20, which directs either heated or cool air onto the items from several either movable or stationary air nozzles 16, located at different points, aimed at the item/items to be dried.

The drain tub 21, located at the bottom of the apparatus serves as a receptacle for water and debris, as well as housing the motors, dish soap tank, water heaters, steamers, and valves, power supply, controllers, etc., and is equipped with a drain trap 22 for debris collection.

As shown in Figure 3, the upper floor 23 of the apparatus which is located below the shuttles performs an additional role as a drain, as it allows discards and liquids to drain through this area and down into the housing and into the drain tub 21 below. This arrangement allows easy cleaning where the kitchen faucet can be used to rinse the entire shuttle rack area.

In order to keep this surface clean several spray nozzles 24 are located throughout this area.

The drive mechanism and components are shows in Figure 4. The simple drive mechanism is made up of a pair of track assemblies, each consisting of a rack and pinion type drive mechanism, whereby the pinion 26 is sandwiched between two racks, one stationary or fixed rack 30 and one moveable drive rack or chain 25. The direction of travel of the moveable or drive chain 25, indicated by arrow 41, determines the direction of travel of the shuttles 1, 2, 3, indicated by arrow 42.

The drive chain is in turn driven by a reversable AC or DC electric motor 29 equipped with a worm gear 28, for braking purposes. A sprocket or a tension device 27 is used to grasp the drive chain and move it along its designated track 25.

The stationary track 30 does not create a complete loop but is terminated for a portion of the shuttle travel 31. This permits the shuttles to rack together 32, at the top of the apparatus and to remain in place even though the drive chain is moving. This results in each of the shuttles moving independently of the others.

Figure 5 shows the drain pan with additional internal components. The drain pan 21 receives all liquids and discards for disposal through the apparatus and into the municipal waste disposal system. A trap 33 for solids is provided so only liquids proceed into the drain 34.

Other components include drive motors 35, 36, 37, water heater/steamer 38, dish soap tank 39, power supply 39, and controller 40.

Operation of the disclosed apparatus will now be described.

The shuttles 1, 2, 3 are driven through the apparatus by each having a pair of tracks which will carry the shuttles 1, 2, 3 through each of the four process cycles, namely, washing, rinsing, sanitizing and drying. All without user intervention.

Each row of shuttles 1, 2, 3 operates independently of the other rows and shuttles, thus permitting each work item to proceed through the apparatus independently of the other items, allowing an "as needed" operation.

A grill in the upper floor 23 below the all of the shuttles 1, 2, 3 permits debris to flow through the apparatus and into the lower drain pan 21 inside of the apparatus.

As a soiled item is placed in its specific shuttle receptacle 1, 2 or 3, the shuttle descends into the housing and begins it's progress through the wash-step zones.

An ingress flap 4, 5, 6 for each row allows the shuttle 1, 2, 3 to enter nto the apparatus.

Wash step 1: as the shuttle 1, 2, 3 travels through the wash zone 17 the work (soiled item) in the shuttle 1, 2, 3 is sprayed with dishwashing soap from the spray nozzles 13 located underneath the grill, as well as the floor of the zone.

Wash step 2: as the shuttle 1, 2, 3 continues to travel through the apparatus it enters the rinse zone 18 and the second cycle begins, where fresh clean water is sprayed onto the work in the shuttle, from other spray nozzles 14 located underneath the grill, as well as the floor of the zone.

Wash step 3: as the shuttle 1, 2, 3 continues to travel through the apparatus it enters the sanitation zone 19 where the third stage cycle begins, where heated water or steam is sprayed onto the surface of the work in the shuttle as a sanitizing stage.

Wash step 4: as the shuttle 1, 2, 3 continues to travel through the apparatus it enters the drying zone 20 and the fourth and final stage, the drying cycle, begins, where hot air or ambient air is blown over the surface of the work in the shuttle, as a drying and cooling process.

At this point the shuttle 1, 2, 3 continues to travel back to the top surface of the apparatus through an egress flap 7, 8, 9, where the shuttle 1, 2, 3 is left to free roll and stack up behind the other respective shuttles on the exposed top portion of the housing (loading/unloading area) ready for unloading and reuse.

Claims (7)

1. Claims A dishwashing apparatus comprising: a housing containing a series of zones, each zone adapted for performing a step of a dishwashing cycle; a loading/unloading area atop the housing; a plurality of shuttles for receiving and conveying soiled items; and a drive means for transporting a shuttle loaded with a soiled item in a loop from the loading/unloading area into the housing, through each of the wash-step zones and out of the housing back to the loading/unloading area.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the housing comprises a wash zone, a rinse zone and a drying zone.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the housing further comprises a sanitation zone.
4. 4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, in which each zone is separated from adjacent zones by a physical barrier, said barrier being adapted to permit passage of a shuttle therethrough.
5. 5. The apparatus of any of claim 1-4, in which the plurality of shuttles comprises one or more of shuttles adapted to receive plateware, shuttles adapted to receive utensils, and shuttles adapted to receive glassware and/or cupware.
6. 6. The apparatus of any of claims 1-5, in which the housing comprises an ingress flap for entry of a shuttle and an egress flap for exit of a shuttle.
7. 7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-6, in which the drive means comprises a pair of track assemblies, each assembly comprising a rack and pinion drive mechanism in which a pinion is sandwiched between a movable rack in the form of a loop and a fixed rack which is not a complete loop.A method for washing tableware, which comprises: loading a soiled item of tableware into a shuttle located in a loading/unloading area atop a housing; transporting the loaded shuttle through a series of zones contained in the housing, each zone adapted to perform a step of a dishwashing cycle, such that the soiled item is subjected to a full washing cycle; transporting the loaded shuttle out of the housing and returning it to the loading/unloading area.