JP2012511995A - Preliminary rinsing of tableware - Google Patents

Abstract

A preliminary rinsing of tableware is provided.
An apparatus for collective pre-rinsing of tableware before cleaning has spray means (70a-b) for spraying a rinsing liquid, the spray means (70a-b) being a rinse chamber ( 64), which accommodates and seals a group of dishes, and the rinse chamber (64) is provided with a tableware (28) for removal of the pre- rinsed dishes (28). ) Will be opened after being distorted.
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Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for collective pre-rinsing of tableware before washing, the pre-rinsing being performed with the aid of a spray means for spraying the rinsing liquid. The invention further relates to a system for cleaning dishes, comprising a device for pre-rinsing dishes in a batch.

The process of cleaning dirty utensils, for example kitchen utensils such as dishes, cups, cutlery, pans etc.
Placing tableware in a dishwasher basket to facilitate handling of batch-processed tableware;
Having a step of rinsing the dishes in the dishwasher basket in the preliminary rinsing step, wherein the pistol spray removes large food waste, loosens the dry food waste,
Placing a dishwasher basket with dishes in the dishwasher;
Cleaning the dishes in the cleaning process, which generally includes one or more of a pre-cleaning step, a cleaning step and a rinsing step;
Removing a dishwasher basket containing clean dishes from the dishwasher.

  Effective pre-rinsing can facilitate the task of cleaning both in the pre-rinsing stage and in the next washing stage.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a more efficient process for the cleaning of dishes. This object is achieved by an apparatus for batch pre-rinsing of tableware before washing, which apparatus has spray means for spraying the rinse liquid, the spray means being arranged in the rinse chamber. It is designed to contain and seal a group of dishes, and the rinse chamber is opened after the dishes have been shaken for removal of pre-rinsed dishes. The rinse chamber prevents splashing of water to the dishwasher operator or the surroundings while allowing the spraying of dishes in any additional direction, for example from below or in one or more directions. This allows for a more sufficient preliminary rinsing of the dishes, which makes the subsequent cleaning easier and more effective and / or improves the cleaning result. The invention makes it possible, for example, to reduce the cleaning time and / or the amount of detergent used in the next cleaning process. A further advantage is that the device can be easily adapted to automatic pre-rinsing, which helps improve working conditions and allows the dishwasher operator to perform other tasks while the pre-rinsing takes place. To.

  Preferably, the apparatus comprises a rinsing liquid tank, which is arranged to receive the collected rinsing liquid sprayed from said spraying means, the apparatus from said rinsing liquid tank during said preliminary rinsing. The rinse liquid is recirculated to the spray means. Because the same liquid can be used several times to spray the dishes, this recirculation of the rinse liquid results in a more efficient pre-rinse and / or less consumption of the rinse liquid, eg water. Furthermore, recirculation can save energy in a pre-rinse apparatus that uses a heated rinse, since the amount of rinse that needs to be heated is less than in an apparatus where the rinse is not recirculated. Furthermore, thanks to the rinse tank, it is possible to store the rinse for the purpose of pre-rinsing additional groups of dishes later.

  Preferably, the apparatus comprises an inlet for the rinsing liquid used in the dishwasher washing or rinsing process. By reusing dishwashing water from the dishwasher, water and power consumption can be further reduced because clean water does not need to be supplied to the device for pre-rinsing. Furthermore, the fact that the used dishwashing water is often already heated during the cleaning process results in energy savings and / or increased pre-rinsing efficiency. In addition, the dishwashing water used often contains detergents that help loosen up dry food waste on the dishes during the preliminary rinse.

  In a preferred embodiment, the rinse chamber comprises means for receiving a dishwasher basket. This facilitates the loading and unloading of a group of dishes into the preliminary rinsing device.

  According to one embodiment, the spray means is rotatable about a substantially vertical shaft. This embodiment allows the sprayed rinse liquid to be dispensed into the dishes in an efficient manner.

  According to one embodiment, the upper boundary of the rinse chamber is defined by a vertically adjustable hood. In this embodiment, it is very simple to load a group of dishes.

  According to another aspect of the invention, a more efficient process of cleaning dishes is provided by a method for batch pre-rinsing of dishes before washing, which method puts a group of dishes in a rinse chamber. And closing the rinse chamber, rinsing tableware in the rinse chamber with the aid of a rinse solution, opening the rinse chamber, and removing a group of dishes. The rinse chamber prevents splashing of water to the dishwasher operator or the surroundings while allowing the spraying of dishes in any additional direction, for example from below or in one or more directions. This allows for a more sufficient preliminary rinsing of the dishes, which makes the subsequent cleaning easier and more effective and / or improves the cleaning result. Furthermore, when the process is automated, the dishwasher operator can perform other tasks, either in whole or in part, with improved working conditions and pre-rinsing. A group of pre-rinsed dishes can be transported to a separate dishwasher for the next wash described above after removal from the rinse chamber.

  Preferably, the method comprises collecting the rinse solution from the rinse chamber and rinsing the dishes with the help of the collected rinse solution. This allows the more efficient pre-rinsing and / or less consumption of the rinsing liquid, for example water, because this same recirculation of the rinsing liquid can be used several times to spray the dishes. To do. Further, if the pre-rinse method requires a heated rinse, recirculation can help save energy because a smaller amount of rinse must be heated.

  Preferably, the method comprises receiving a rinse from the dishwasher. By reusing dishwashing water or rinsing liquid from the dishwasher, water and power consumption can be further reduced since clean water does not need to be supplied to the device for pre-rinsing. Furthermore, the fact that the stored rinse liquid is often already heated in the blush machine results in energy savings and / or increased pre-rinsing efficiency. In addition, the rinse solution contained often contains detergent, which helps loosen up the dry food waste on the dishes during the preliminary rinse.

  According to a further aspect of the invention, a more efficient process for cleaning dishes is provided by a system for cleaning dishes, the system comprising dishes for batch cleaning of pre-rinsed dishes The dishwasher is provided with an outlet for the used dishwashing water, and the system is equipped with a device for batch preliminary rinsing of the dishes, The apparatus is provided with an inlet for the rinsing liquid, which inlet is connected to the used dishwashing water outlet of the dishwasher. Such a system for cleaning dishes saves electricity and water while providing improved cleaning results.

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of preferred but non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art device and its use for batch pre-rinsing tableware. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for batch pre-rinsing of tableware. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 is a view taken along section IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system for cleaning dishes. The system comprises a device for batch pre-rinsing of tableware of the type shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a system for cleaning dishes.

  FIG. 1 shows a prior art device and its use for batch pre-rinsing of tableware. The apparatus comprises a pistol spray 10 and includes a pistol spray hose 12 and a pistol spray nozzle 14. The pistol spray is connected to the water pipe 16 and is attached to a sink 20 provided with a water tank 22. The aquarium 22 has a bottom strainer (not shown) to prevent large pieces of food from flowing into the drain.

  The preliminary rinsing is performed by the operator 24 with a dishwasher basket 26 holding a group of dirty dishes 28 placed on the sink 20 above the aquarium 22. The operator 24 then activates the pistol spray 10 with the operating handle 18, thereby causing the pistol spray nozzle 14 to spray a spray of water onto the group of dishes 28 from above. The operator 24 can direct the jet of water over the tableware 28 by holding the pistol spray nozzle 14 in one hand and aiming at the pistol spray nozzle 14.

  When the preliminary rinsing of the dishes 28 is complete, the operator 24 carries the dishwasher basket 26 containing the pre-rinsed dishes 28 to the dishwasher (not shown), and the dishes 28 are then washed therein. .

  FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of an apparatus for batch pre-rinsing of tableware according to the invention. The figure shows a preliminary rinse machine 50. The machine 50 has a frame 52, which is provided with a shoulder 54 (FIG. 3) arranged to support a dishwasher basket 26 with a standard width of 500 mm. The up and down adjustable hood 58 is placed on the shoulder 54 in the raised position (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2), the dishwasher basket 26 containing the dirty dishes 28 being introduced into the device 50 through the hood gap 62. It has become possible to do. In the lowered position (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 2), the hood 58 fits securely against the frame 52, thereby forming a closed rinse chamber 64 (FIG. 3). The hood 58 is raised and lowered by the operation handle 60.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preliminary rinsing machine 50. Machine 50 is shown with hood 58 in the lowered position. The frame 52 is provided with a rinsing liquid tank 66 that is filled with rinsing liquid, for example water, to a water level determined by the overflow pipe 68. Overflow pipe 68 is connected to drain pipe 79 (in a manner not shown).

  The upper horizontal rinsing arm 70a is disposed at the top of the frame 52 and is rotatable about a substantially vertical shaft 69a. The upper rinse arm 70a is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles (not shown), which are directed downward to spray rinse liquid onto the tableware 28 from above. The lower horizontal rinsing arm 70b is disposed below the shoulder 54 and is also rotatable about a substantially vertical shaft 69b. The lower horizontal rinsing arm 70b is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles 72b (FIG. 4), which are directed upward to spray rinsing liquid onto the tableware 28 from below. The rinsing liquid pump 74 is configured to send the rinsing liquid from the pump inlet 76 disposed in the lower portion of the rinsing liquid tank 66 to the rinsing arms 70a and 70b. At the bottom of the rinse tank 66, for example at the end of a work day or in preparation for cleaning or maintenance of the machine 50, a discharge valve for emptying the rinse tank 66 to the drain pipe 79 via the pipe 75. There is an outlet 77 connected to 78.

  A collection tray 80 for collecting the rinsing liquid discharged from the rinsing arms 70 a and 70 b covers the rinsing liquid tank 66 and is inclined downward toward the rinsing liquid strainer 82. The rinse liquid strainer 82 is adapted to collect food waste that has been shaken off from the tableware 28 while allowing the rinse liquid to flow into the rinse liquid tank 66 when filtered. Furthermore, the strainer 82 can be lifted from the machine 50 to facilitate the removal of food waste. The rinse liquid strainer 82 shown in FIGS. 3-6 is relatively small. However, it can be advantageously designed to hold a large amount of food waste to extend the interval of emptying the strainer 82. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide punch holes in the collection dish 80 or to design it as a fine grid net so that the collection dish 80 also contributes to the filtration of the rinse solution.

  4 is a view taken along section IV-IV in FIG. For clarity, the dishwasher basket 26 and tableware 28 are not shown. The figure shows the shoulder 54, the lower rinse arm 70b, the collection tray 80 and the strainer 82. Thanks to the fact that the strainer 82 is provided with a handle 84, the removal of the strainer 82 is facilitated.

  FIG. 5 shows a system 100 for cleaning dishes. The system 100 includes a pre-rinse machine 50 according to that described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4 and a dishwasher 150 of the type known in the art. In this example, the dishwasher 150 is of a single tank type and includes a dishwashing water tank (not shown) with a discharge port 177. The dishwasher 150 may be used to clean the dishes 28 that have been pre-rinsed with the pre-rinsing machine 50, or to wash dishes 28 that have not been pre-rinsed or otherwise pre-rinsed. The dishwasher 150 further has an inlet 104 for clean water. The outlet 177 of the dishwasher 150 is connected to the outlet 77 of the preliminary rinsing machine 50 via the check valve 108. Thanks to this design, it is possible to simultaneously release dishwashing water from the dishwasher 150 and rinse liquid from the rinse tank 66 of the preliminary rinse machine 50 by opening the discharge valve 78. However, if the discharge valve 78 is closed, any flow of used dishwashing water from the dishwasher 150 will instead be pushed in through the outlet 77 of the preliminary rinse machine 50. Thus, the pre-rinse machine 50 can contain used dishwashing water from the dishwasher 150 and use this water as a rinse for pre-rinsing the tableware 28. The maximum dishwashing water level in the dishwasher 150 is limited by the level of the overflow pipe 68 of the preliminary rinse machine 50.

  FIG. 6 shows an alternative system 200 for cleaning dishes. The system 200 includes a pre-rinse machine 50 and a dishwasher 250 according to those described above with reference to FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 5, instead of being connected to the pre-rinse machine 50 via the check valve 108, the dishwasher 250 is connected to the pre-rinse machine 50 via the pump 208. The dishwasher 250 is provided with an overflow pipe 268 (not shown) disposed in the dishwashing water tank. The overflow pipe 268 is connected to the dishwashing water outlet 277, and the pump 208 is connected between the outlet 277 of the dishwasher 250 and the inlet 209 of the preliminary rinsing machine 50. The injection port 209 is opened in the rinsing liquid tank 66 above the overflow pipe 68 disposed therein, that is, above the water level of the rinsing liquid in the rinsing liquid tank 66 when the rinsing liquid tank 66 is full. . For example, whenever more liquid is supplied to the dishwasher 250 during the rinse phase, any excess liquid that does not have room for the dishwashing water tank flows through the overflow pipe 268 to the pump 208. The pump 208 is activated when liquid is supplied to the dishwasher 250. For example, the pump 208 can be activated by a control signal that controls the water inlet to the dishwasher 250 through the water inlet 104. The pump 208 can also be automatically activated by a sensor (not shown) that detects the presence of dishwashing water in the dishwashing water outlet 277. When the dishwashing water flows downward into the dishwashing water outlet 277 through the overflow pipe 268, the pump 208 supplies the dishwashing water from the outlet 277 of the dishwasher 150 to the rinsing liquid tank provided in the preliminary rinsing machine 50. 66 to send. As a result, it is possible to set the desired level of dishwashing water in the dishwasher 250 regardless of the level of the rinse liquid in the preliminary rinsing machine 50. Furthermore, this embodiment helps to more easily empty the rinse tank 66 of the preliminary rinse machine 50 without simultaneously discharging the dishwashing water in the dishwasher 250.

  It will be appreciated that the invention may be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. Thus, for example, it is an apparatus for bulk pre-rinsing of tableware 28 for the apparatus, for example, not necessary, rinse from the outlet for used dishwashing water for the dishwasher. It is not necessary to contain the liquid. Alternatively, the rinse tank 66 can be supplied with clean water through the hood gap 62 by using, for example, a bucket or hose.

  Furthermore, the rinse chamber 64 need not be defined by a vertically adjustable hood. Alternatively, the apparatus for pre-rinsing tableware may be of the front loader type, ie access to the interior of the rinse chamber for loading of tableware is provided by a rinse chamber wall door.

Claims (10)

An apparatus for batch preliminary rinsing of tableware before washing, comprising spray means (70a-b) for spraying rinsing liquid,
Said spray means (70a-b) are arranged in a rinse chamber (64), which is adapted to accommodate and seal a group of dishes (28), the rinse chamber (64) being a preliminary rinse. A device characterized in that it is opened after being squeezed for the removal of the prepared tableware (28).   A rinsing liquid tank (66) is further provided, which is adapted to contain the collected rinsing liquid sprayed from the spray means (70a-b), and the device (50) is used during the preliminary rinsing. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rinse liquid is recirculated from the rinse liquid tank (66) to the spray means (70a-b).   The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising inlets (77 and 209) for the rinsing liquid used during the washing or rinsing process of the dishwasher (150).   An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rinse chamber (64) comprises means (54) for receiving a dishwasher basket (26).   Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray means (70a-b) are rotatable about a substantially vertical shaft (69a-b).   An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper boundary of the rinse chamber (64) is defined by a vertically adjustable hood (58). A method for batch preliminary rinsing of tableware before washing,
Putting a group of dishes (28) into the rinse chamber (64);
Closing the rinse chamber (64);
Rinsing the tableware (28) in the rinse chamber (64) with the help of a rinse solution;
Opening the rinse chamber (64);
A method characterized by the step of removing a group of said dishes (28).   The method of claim 7, further comprising collecting a rinse solution from the rinse chamber (64) and rinsing the dishes (28) with the help of the collected rinse solution.   9. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 8, further comprising receiving a rinse from the dishwasher (150). A system for cleaning dishes, comprising a dishwasher (150, 250) for collectively cleaning pre-rinsed dishes (28), the dishwasher (150, 250) Has outlets (177,277) for dishwashing water,
The system (100, 200) further
A device (50) for batch preliminary rinsing of the tableware claimed in any one of claims 1-6 is provided, the device (50) having an inlet (77) for the rinsing liquid. , 209) and the inlets (77 and 209) are connected to the outlets (177, 277) for the dishwashing water of the dishwasher (150, 250).

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