JP2022146172A - Automatic dish washing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic dish washing system capable of significantly saving the number of people who perform washing work of tableware and/or trays which are used for school lunch and saving power for the washing work.SOLUTION: There is provided an automatic dish washing system for washing tableware and/or trays used for school lunch, comprising: a first transport conveyor for transporting a plurality of kinds of dish baskets which stores tableware and/or trays to be washed; a first identification sensor for identifying a kind of the dish basket which is transported and being provided in the middle of the first transport conveyor; and a washing machine including a plurality of rows of washing passages for receiving the dish basket according to the kind of the dish basket. The automatic dish washing system is configured to automatically send the dish basket transported by the first transport conveyor to the plurality of rows of washing passages of the washing machine, according to the kind of the dish basket identified by the first identification sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic dishwashing system that automatically cleans tableware, trays, and the like accommodated in a plurality of types of dishbaskets.

Patent Literature 1 discloses an automatic dishwashing system that cleans dishes after a large number of people have eaten in school lunches or the like. In this automatic dishwashing system, an operator puts a dishbasket containing dishes, trays, etc. after a meal on the conveyor, and controls the conveyor speed of the washer according to the degree of soiling of the dishes to be washed. automatic cleaning.

According to such an automatic dishwashing system, the dishes are washed while they are housed in the dishbasket, and after washing, the dishes are taken out from the conveyed dishbasket and used. , it is possible for the worker to perform the washing work without ever touching the tableware.

JP-A-8-256965

However, according to the conventional automatic dishwashing system described in Patent Literature 1, a worker manually decides on which conveyor of the dishwashing machine to place a plurality of types of dishbaskets with different sizes and shapes and sorts them. Therefore, labor was required by many workers, and it was very difficult to promote labor saving. In addition, since the work is done manually, human error is inevitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic dishwashing system capable of greatly reducing the number of people and labor required for washing tableware and/or trays used for school lunches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic dishwashing system capable of preventing the occurrence of human error in washing tableware and/or trays used for school lunches.

According to the present invention, an automatic dishwashing system for washing tableware and/or trays used for school lunches includes a first apparatus that conveys a plurality of types of dishbaskets each containing tableware and/or trays to be washed. a transport conveyor, a first identification sensor provided in the middle of the first transport conveyor for identifying the type of the dish basket to be transported, and a washing machine having a plurality of rows of washing paths for receiving the dish basket according to its type. so that the dish baskets conveyed by the first conveyer are automatically sent to the plurality of rows of washing paths of the washing machine in accordance with the types of dish baskets identified by the first identification sensor. It is configured.

The dish baskets conveyed by the first conveyor are selectively fed into the plurality of rows of washing paths of the washing machine in accordance with the types of dish baskets identified by the first identification sensor. Therefore, the number of workers required for sorting the dish baskets can be greatly reduced, and labor can be saved. In addition, since the system automatically performs the sorting work, there is an effect that human error does not occur.

In this specification, "tableware" means bowls (rice bowls, soup bowls), vegetable plates (large plates, small plates), cups, chopsticks, spoons, and forks used for school lunches. Tableware fixtures such as ladles, ladles, tongs, and rice scoops. In addition, the term "tableware basket" is a general term for baskets for accommodating these tableware and baskets for accommodating trays.

A first identification sensor identifies a plurality of rows of second conveyors connected to the first conveyor and a plurality of rows of washing paths of the washing machine, respectively, and a dish basket conveyed by the first conveyor. It is preferable to further include a feeding device that selectively feeds each of the plurality of rows of second conveyors according to the type of dish basket.

In this case, the feeding device includes a plurality of detection sensors that are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of second conveyors and detect the presence or absence of the dish baskets that are conveyed by the first conveyor. When the type of dish basket identified by the identification sensor is detected by the detection sensor, the detected dish basket is sent to the second conveyor corresponding to the first detection sensor that detected the detected dish basket. It is more preferable to be

Feeding devices are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of second conveyors on the first conveyer, respectively, and operate when the dish basket is detected by the detection sensor to temporarily transport the dish basket. It is more preferable to have a plurality of stopper groups for stopping.

The feeding device includes a plurality of pushing devices respectively arranged along the first conveying conveyor at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of the second conveying conveyor, and the plurality of pushing devices have a detection sensor that detects the dish basket. is detected to send the corresponding dish basket to the second conveyor.

The infeed device comprises a plurality of first conveyor exit orthogonal transfer devices respectively arranged along the first conveyor at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of second conveyors. 1 conveyer exit perpendicular transfer device is activated when the detection sensor detects the dish basket, and changes the conveying direction of the corresponding dish basket to the perpendicular direction, thereby sending the dish basket to the second conveyer. It is also preferable that the

It is connected to the output side of a plurality of rows of washing paths of the washing machine, respectively, and is connected to a plurality of rows of third conveying conveyors for conveying dish baskets after washing, and to these plurality of rows of third conveying conveyors. A row of fourth conveyors conveys in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the third conveyor, and the washed dish baskets discharged from the plurality of rows of third conveyors are delivered to the fourth conveyor. It is also preferred to further comprise a delivery device.

In this case, the sending-out devices are provided at the outlets of the plurality of rows of third conveyors, respectively, and have a plurality of orthogonal shifters for converting the conveying direction of the dish baskets conveyed by the plurality of rows of third conveying conveyors into a perpendicular direction. It is more preferable to have a mounting device.

A perpendicular transfer device is provided between the plurality of conveying rollers of the fourth conveyer, and includes a plurality of conveying belts whose upper surfaces move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the third conveyer. It is also preferred that the belt is raised when the dish basket is conveyed by the third conveyor and lowered when the dish basket is moved onto the fourth conveyor.

A second identification sensor provided in the middle of the fourth conveyor for identifying the type of dish basket to be conveyed, a plurality of rows of sorting conveyors for conveying in a direction orthogonal to the fourth conveyor, and a fourth conveyor. It is also preferable to have a sorting conveyor feeding device that selectively feeds the dish baskets transported by the transport conveyor to each of the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors according to the type of the dish basket identified by the second identification sensor. .

In this case, the sorting conveyor feeding device includes a plurality of sorting conveyor detection sensors that are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors and detect the presence or absence of dish baskets that are conveyed by the fourth conveyer. When the type of tableware basket identified by the identification sensor 2 is detected by the sorting conveyor detection sensor, the detected tableware basket is sent to the sorting conveyor corresponding to the sorting conveyor detection sensor. more preferred.

Sorting conveyor feeding devices are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors of the fourth conveyer, respectively, and operate when dish baskets are detected by sorting conveyor detection sensors to temporarily transport the dish baskets. It is also preferable to have a plurality of group of sorting conveyor stoppers to stop at the same time.

The sorting conveyor feeding device is provided with a plurality of sorting conveyor entrance right angle transfer devices arranged along the fourth transfer conveyor at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors, and the plurality of sorting conveyor entrance right angle transfer devices It is also preferable that the transfer device is configured to operate when a plurality of sorting conveyor detection sensors detect a dish basket and convert the conveying direction of the dish basket conveyed by the fourth conveyer to a perpendicular direction. .

A sorting conveyor inlet perpendicular transfer device is provided between a plurality of conveying rollers of a fourth conveyer, and has a plurality of conveying belts whose upper surfaces move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor. It is also preferred that the belt is raised when the dish basket is conveyed by the fourth conveyor and lowered when the dish basket is moved onto the sorting conveyor.

A row of fifth conveyors connected to multiple rows of sorting conveyors and carrying out transport in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sorting conveyors, and dish baskets discharged from the multiple rows of sorting conveyors are sent to the fifth transport conveyor. It is also preferable to further include a sorting conveyor delivery device for delivery.

A sorting conveyor delivery device is provided at each of the exits of the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors, and includes a plurality of sorting conveyor exit perpendicular transfer devices for converting the conveying direction of the dish baskets conveyed by the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors to a perpendicular direction. It is also preferred that

A sorting conveyor exit perpendicular transfer device is provided between a plurality of conveying rollers of the fifth conveyer, and has a plurality of conveying belts whose upper surfaces move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor, and the plurality of conveying belts is preferably configured to rise when the dish basket is conveyed by the sorting conveyor and to descend when the dish basket is moved onto the fifth conveyor.

A first identification sensor reads an identification mark attached to a dish basket to identify the type of dish basket, a sensor reads a signal from an IC chip attached to the dish basket to identify the type of dish basket, Alternatively, it is preferably a sensor that picks up an image of the dish basket and identifies the type of the dish basket from the captured image.

The second identification sensor reads the identification mark attached to the dish basket to identify the type of dish basket, the sensor reads the signal from the IC chip attached to the dish basket to identify the type of dish basket, Alternatively, it is also preferable to be a sensor that picks up an image of the dish basket and identifies the type of the dish basket from the captured image.

A branch conveyor is further provided downstream of the first identification sensor to branch the first conveyor to convey the dish basket, and the dish basket conveyed by the branch conveyor is identified by the first identification sensor. It is also preferable that the dish baskets are automatically fed to a plurality of rows of washing channels of a washing machine different from the washing machine described above, depending on the type of dish basket.

According to the present invention, it is possible to greatly reduce the number of workers required for the sorting work of the tableware baskets, and it is possible to save the labor of the work. The effect of not generating is also obtained.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of an automatic dishwashing system as one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the overall configuration of the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a dish basket used in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a portion for feeding dish baskets to a dish basket washing machine in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1 ; 2 is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a feed control operation by a transport control device in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the delivery portion of the dish basket from the dish basket washer in the automatic dish washing system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the delivery portion of the dish basket of FIG. 6; FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the delivery portion of the dish basket of FIG. 6; 2 is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a delivery control operation by a transport control device in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the arrangement portion of the dish basket in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; 2 is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of control operation for feeding to a sorting section by a transport control device in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; 4 is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of control operation for sending out from the sorting section by the transfer control device in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a portion for feeding food cans to a washing machine for food cans in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1; 2 is a partially see-through perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a food can reversing device in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of an automatic dishwashing system as another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the split feeding part, the split conveying conveyor, and the feeding part of the dish baskets to the washer for dish baskets in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 15; FIG. 16 is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a flow division control operation by the transport control device in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 15; FIG. FIG. 16 is a flow chart schematically showing the flow of a feed control operation by a transport control device in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 15; FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the divided transfer conveyor and the delivery of food cans to the food can washer in the automatic dishwashing system of FIG. 15;

1 and 2 schematically show the overall configuration of an automatic dishwashing system as one embodiment of the present invention. The automatic dishwashing system of this embodiment includes a dishbasket washing line for washing tableware and trays used for school lunches while they are stored in the dishbasket, and a food can washing line for washing food cans. For example, it is installed in a school lunch center or the like. School lunch centers and the like may be separately provided with a well-known container washing line (not shown) for automatically washing containers for delivering tableware baskets and food cans.

In these figures, reference numeral 10 denotes a row of first conveyors for conveying dish baskets containing tableware and trays at a constant speed in a dish basket washing line; 12 is the first washing machine for dish baskets (corresponding to the washing machine of the present invention); 13a, 13b and 13c are the first conveyor 10 and the In this embodiment of one washing machine 12, three rows of second conveyers are connected between the entrances of three rows of washing paths (washing lanes) A, B and C, respectively, and convey dish baskets at a constant speed. Conveyor 14 indicates a first feeding device (corresponding to the feeding device of the present invention) for feeding dish baskets conveyed by the first conveyor 10 to the three rows of second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c, respectively. ing.

Further, in these figures, 15a, 15b and 15c are respectively connected to the outlets of three rows of washing lanes A, B and C of the first washing machine 12, and three rows of washing lanes conveying dish baskets at a constant speed. A third conveyor 16 is connected to the exits of three rows of third conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c, and conveys dish baskets at a constant speed in a direction orthogonal to these third conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c. 17 is a second identification sensor provided in the middle of the fourth conveyor 16 for identifying the type of dish basket being conveyed; 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e 18f is connected to the fourth conveyor 16 at its entrance, and conveys dish baskets at a constant speed in a direction orthogonal to the fourth conveyor 16. In this embodiment, six rows of sorting conveyors, It is connected to the exits of the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f in the row and conveys dish baskets at a constant speed in a direction perpendicular to the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f. Each shows a fifth transport conveyor in a row.

20 is a second washing machine for dish baskets (corresponding to a different washing machine of the present invention); and the entrances of the washing lanes D, E and F of the washing lanes D, E and F of the washing lanes D, E and F, respectively. Second feeders 23a, 23b and 23c feeding the sixth conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c of the row respectively are connected to the outlets of the three washing lanes D, E and F of the second washing machine 20 respectively. , respectively showing three rows of seventh transport conveyors that transport dish baskets at a constant speed. Connected to the outlets of the seventh conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c is a row of fourth conveyors 16 for conveying dish baskets at a constant speed in a direction perpendicular to the seventh conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c. ing.

Furthermore, in these figures, 24 is a row of eighth conveying conveyors for conveying food cans at a constant speed in the food can washing line, 25 is a leftover food weighing device provided in the middle of the eighth conveying conveyor 24, 26 is provided in the middle of the eighth conveyor 24, and is a third identification sensor for identifying the body and lid of the conveyed food can; 27 is a washing machine for food cans; Two rows of ninth conveyors are connected between the conveyor 24 and the inlets of two rows of washing lanes of the washing machine 27, and convey the food cans and their lids at a constant speed. A third feeding device for feeding the food can bodies and lids transported by the transport conveyor 24 to the two rows of ninth transport conveyors 28a and 28b, respectively. Each device is shown.

In these figures, reference numeral 31 denotes a dish basket in which tableware and trays to be cleaned are stored, and reference numeral 32 denotes a food can comprising a main body 32a and a lid 32b to be cleaned.

The tableware basket 31 is constructed so that it can be washed with a washing machine while tableware and trays are accommodated therein, and there are various types having different shapes and sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(A), a tray basket 31b (just an example, 390 mm long, 340 mm wide, and 300 mm high) that accommodates a large number of trays 31a, and as shown in FIG. A basket 31d (440 mm long, 205 mm wide, and 187 mm high, which is merely an example) for accommodating a plate (flat plate) 31c, and as shown in FIG. A chopstick basket 31f (just an example, but 360 mm long, 225 mm wide, and 165 mm high), and as shown in FIG. (Although this is just an example, it is 240 mm long, 170 mm wide, and 80 mm high.) As shown in FIG. However, there are 345 mm long, 190 mm wide, and 150 mm high). In addition, there are rice bowl baskets and soup bowl baskets for containing bowls (rice bowls, soup bowls), vegetable dish baskets for containing small plates, and tableware baskets for containing cups and the like. Although not shown, in the present embodiment, the dish basket 31 is provided with an identification mark such as a bar code or two-dimensional code indicating the type and history of the dish basket. An IC chip that stores information indicating the type and history of the device is added.

There are also various types of food cans 32 having different shapes and sizes. For example, one with a content of 9 L (just an example, 340 mm long, 320 mm wide, and 130 mm high), and a larger one with a larger content, for example 13 L (just an example, 340 mm long, 320 mm wide, height 200 mm). The food can main body 32a and the lid 32b of these food cans 32 are also provided with identification marks such as bar codes or two-dimensional codes indicating the types and history of the food cans, or the types and history of the food cans are indicated. An IC chip that stores information to indicate is added.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 33 denotes a transfer control device for centrally controlling the transfer, feed-in and delivery of the tableware basket 31 and the food cans 32, and 34 denotes a washing control device for centrally controlling washing in the washing machine. Each of the transport control device 33 and the cleaning control device 34 is electrically composed of a programmed computer, memory, input device, display device, transmitting/receiving device, and the like. 33 and the washing control device 34 mutually transmit and receive signals to control the operation of the automatic dishwashing system. For example, by turning on the power switches of the cleaning control device 34 and the transport control device 33 , each cleaning machine prepares for operation and transmits a preparation completion signal to the transport control device 33 . When the preparation completion signal is received and the activation switches of the washing control device 34 and the transfer control device 33 are turned on, the washing machines 12, 20 and 27 and the conveyors start operating. When the cleaning work is finished, the start switches of the cleaning control device 34 and the transfer control device 33 are turned off, and then the power switch is turned off. The activation switch may be turned on and off automatically.

In the dishbasket washing line of the automatic dishwashing system of the present embodiment, a plurality of types of dishbaskets 31 to be washed are manually taken out by a worker 36 from a dishbasket container 35 collected and brought in from each school or the like. , is placed at the entrance of the first transport conveyor 10 . As a result, various types of tableware baskets 31 are transported by the first transport conveyor 10 .

A first identification sensor 11 is provided in the middle of the first transport conveyor 10 . This first identification sensor 11 reads stored information from an identification mark reader that reads an identification mark such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code attached to each dish basket 31, or an IC chip attached to each dish basket 31. It consists of an IC chip reader. In a modification of the present embodiment, an imaging sensor may be used as the first identification sensor 11, which performs image analysis from the image of the tableware basket 31 and captures an image to identify the type. Identification data detected by the first identification sensor 11 is sent to the transport control device 33 .

A first washing machine 12 for dish baskets has three rows of washing lanes A, B and C and a second washing machine 20 for dish baskets has three rows of washing lanes D, E and F. It is a commercially available washing machine, and for example, a DWR tableware/tray washing machine (DWR6-85PT-MS, etc.) manufactured by Nippon Cooking Machine Co., Ltd. can be used. This washing machine creates gaps between stacked dishes and trays by jetting uniform pressure from ultra-high-pressure slit nozzles to ensure that the dishes and trays are washed. Since it is possible to wash while it is housed, it is possible to reduce the work load.

The washing lanes A, B, C, D, E and F of these washing machines have different lane widths, and it is necessary to select the washing lane according to the type of dish basket to be washed. By way of example only, wash lanes A and D have a lane width of 450 mm, and wash lanes B, C, E and F have a lane width of 800 mm. Taking this point into account, in this embodiment, washing lane A basically contains tray baskets and chopstick baskets; washing lane B contains dish baskets, rice bowl baskets, soup bowl baskets and chopstick baskets; is a rice bowl basket, a soup basket and a chopstick basket, washing lane D is a tray basket and a fixtures basket, washing lane E is a dish basket, a rice bowl basket, a soup bowl and a fixtures basket, washing lane F is a rice bowl basket It is controlled so that the bowl basket, the soup bowl basket and the equipment basket are fed and washed respectively.

(Feeding part to washing machine for tableware basket)
FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the portion for feeding dish baskets to the dish basket washer in the automatic dish washing system of this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, this feed-in portion consists of a first feed-in device 14 (corresponding to the feed-in device of the present invention) for feeding dish baskets 31 into the first washing machine 12, and a second feeding device. and a second feeding device 22 for feeding the dish basket 31 into the washing machine 20. - 特許庁The first feeding device 14 sends the dish baskets 31 conveyed by the first conveyor 10 to the washing lane of the first washing machine 12 in accordance with the dish basket type identified by the first identification sensor 11 . It is configured to feed into any one of three rows of second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c connected to A, B and C respectively. More specifically, the first feeding device 14 is arranged along the first conveyor 10 at positions corresponding to the three rows of the second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c, respectively. One pusher (first pusher) 100, 101 and 102, and three first pushers provided in the vicinity of the three first pushers 100, 101 and 102, respectively, for detecting the presence or absence of the tableware basket 31. Detection sensors 103, 104 and 105 (corresponding to the detection sensors of the present invention) are provided in the vicinity of positions corresponding to the three rows of second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c on the first conveyor 10, respectively. It has four stoppers 106, 107, 108 and 109 (first group of stoppers, corresponding to the group of stoppers of the present invention). Also, dish baskets 31 are present at the entrances of the three rows of second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c connected to the washing lanes A, B and C of the first washing machine 12, respectively. A gate sensor 110 composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like is provided for detecting whether or not.

Each of the first push-out devices 100, 101 and 102 has an air cylinder that advances and retracts the drive arm in response to a drive instruction signal from the transfer control device 33, and pushes the tableware basket 31 at the tip of the drive arm. It is configured to send these to any one of the second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c by pushing them out. Each of the first detection sensors 103 , 104 and 105 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, detects whether or not there is a tableware basket 31 in its vicinity, and sends the detection signal to the transport control device 33 . configured to send. Each of the four stoppers 106, 107, 108, and 109 rises from between the transfer rollers of the first transfer conveyor 10 in response to a lift instruction signal from the transfer control device 33 to temporarily stop the transfer of the tableware basket 31. In response to a lowering instruction signal, it lowers to release the stoppage of transportation.

Similar to the first feeding device 14, the second feeding device 22 sorts the dish baskets 31 conveyed by the first conveyor 10 according to the dish basket type identified by the first identification sensor 11. , 6th conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c in three rows connected to washing lanes D, E and F of the second washing machine 20, respectively. Specifically, the second feeding devices 22 are arranged along the first conveyor 10 at positions corresponding to the three rows of the sixth conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c, respectively. Two pushing devices (second pushers) 111, 112 and 113, and three second pushing devices 111, 112 and 113 for detecting the presence or absence of the tableware basket 31 provided in the vicinity of the three second pushing devices 111, 112 and 113, respectively. detection sensors 114, 115 and 116; 120 (second stopper group). Also, dish baskets 31 are present at the entrances of the sixth conveyers 21a, 21b and 21c in three rows connected to the washing lanes D, E and F of the second washing machine 20, respectively. A gate sensor 121 composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like is provided for detecting whether or not.

Each of the second push-out devices 111, 112 and 113 has an air cylinder that advances and retracts the drive arm in response to a drive instruction signal from the transfer control device 33, and pushes the tableware basket 31 at the tip of the drive arm. It is configured to send these to any one of the sixth conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c by pushing them out. Each of the second detection sensors 114 , 115 and 116 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, detects whether or not there is a tableware basket 31 in its vicinity, and sends the detection signal to the transport control device 33 . configured to send. Each of the four stoppers 117, 118, 119 and 120 rises from between the transfer rollers of the first transfer conveyor 10 in response to a lift instruction signal from the transfer control device 33 to temporarily stop the transfer of the tableware basket 31. In response to a lowering instruction signal, it lowers to release the stoppage of transportation.

The transport control device 33 receives the identification data from the first identification sensor 11, the detection signals from the first detection sensors 103, 104 and 105 and the second detection sensors 114, 115 and 116, the gate sensor 110 and From the detection signal from 121, stoppers 106, 107, 108 and 109 and stoppers 117, 118, 119 and 120, first pushing devices 100, 101 and 102 and second pushing devices 111, 112 and 113, The first feeding device 14 and the second feeding device 22 are driven to perform the feeding control operation as follows.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the flow of the feeding control operation by the transport control device 33. As shown in FIG.

The transport control device 33 first identifies the type of the tableware basket 31 from the identification data from the first identification sensor 11 (step S1). Next, according to the identified types of dish baskets 31, candidate washing lanes to be sent are determined. As previously mentioned,
Tray basket: wash lane A or D
Vegetable basket: Washing lane B or E
Rice bowl basket: wash lane B, C, E or F
Soup bowl basket: wash lane B, C, E or F
Chopstick basket: wash lane A, B or C
Equipment basket: Washing lane D, E or F
is the basic candidate. Since there are a plurality of washing lane candidates for one type of dish basket 31, one washing lane for sending the dish basket 31 is determined from these candidates (step S2). As the determination method, various methods such as sequential allocation can be applied, but if the following method is used, efficient washing according to the type of dish basket becomes possible.

When placing the tableware baskets 31 at the entrance of the first conveyor 10 by the worker 36, arrangements are made so that the tableware baskets are placed in units of a predetermined number (for example, in units of three baskets). The transport control device 33 is programmed to identify such a dish basket 31 and carry out the following feeding process. For example, when the number of tray baskets is 3, the first tray basket and the second tray basket are sent to the washing lane A, and the third tray basket is sent to the washing lane D. When the rice bowl basket, the rice bowl basket, and the dish basket are three basket units, the first rice bowl basket is sent to the washing lane B, the second rice bowl basket is sent to the washing lane C, and the dish basket is sent to the washing lane E. When the vegetable plate basket, the soup basket, and the soup basket are three basket units, the vegetable plate basket is sent to the washing lane B, the first soup basket is sent to the washing lane E, and the second soup basket is sent to the washing lane F. In this case, the rice bowl basket is sent to the washing lane B or C, and the soup bowl basket is sent to the washing lane E or F by fixing the washing lane. The vegetable plate basket is sent to the washing lane E if it is identified before the rice bowl basket or the soup bowl basket, and is sent to the washing lane B if it is identified after the rice bowl basket or the soup bowl basket. Since chopstick baskets and equipment baskets are housed in a state in which chopsticks and equipment are stacked inside, they are placed at the entrance of the first conveyor 10 in units of six baskets. In the case of the chopstick basket and the equipment basket, the baskets are sent to washing lanes A, B, C, D, E and F in order from the top basket. If the method of placing the tableware basket 31 at the entrance of the first conveyor 10 deviates from the above-described arrangement, the washing time of the dishwasher is extended.

Note that the dish basket 31 is not sent directly to the washing lanes, but rather is fed to six rows of the second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c and the sixth conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c respectively connected to these six washing lanes. sent to either

Then, of the first detection sensors 103, 104 and 105 and the second detection sensors 114, 115 and 116, to the determined wash lane (actually the second transport conveyor connected to the wash lane) It is determined whether or not the corresponding detection sensor has detected the tableware basket 31 (step S3).

When the corresponding detection sensor detects the tableware basket 31 (YES), for example, when the first detection sensor 105 detects the tableware basket 31, the stopper 109 at the end of the first stopper group and the second The stopper 120 at the end of the stopper group is actuated (raised) (step S4), and further, the first conveyor in the washing lane A (actually, the second conveyor 13a connected to the washing lane) in which the tableware basket 31 is detected is detected. The stopper 108 of the first stopper group is operated (raised) (step S5).

Next, based on the detection signal of the gate sensor 110, it is determined whether or not the tableware basket 31 exists at the entrance of the second conveyor 13a corresponding to this washing lane A (step S6). If there is no tableware basket 31 at this entrance (in the case of NO), the drive arm of the corresponding push-out device 102 is advanced to move the tableware basket 31 to its washing lane A (the second conveyer 13a connected to the washing lane). (step S7). Next, the drive arm of the pushing device 102 corresponding to the washing lane A where the dish basket 31 is detected is retracted, and when the pushing device 102 is completely returned, the stopper 108 of the washing lane A is lowered (step S8). . Thereafter, for example, within 1 second after the stopper 108 of the washing lane A has been lowered, the last stopper 109 of the first stopper group and the last stopper 120 of the second stopper group are lowered (step S9).

When other types of tableware baskets 31 are identified, a similar feeding control operation is performed, but detailed description of that case will be omitted.

The operation of each stopper will be collectively described below. The stoppers 106, 107 and 108 are configured to move upward when the first detection sensors 103, 104 and 105 detect the identified dish basket 31, respectively. are configured to descend in conjunction with each other when they return completely. The stoppers 117, 118 and 119 are configured to move upward when the second detection sensors 114, 115 and 116 detect the identified dish basket 31, respectively. are configured to descend in conjunction with each other when they return completely. The stopper 109 is constructed so as to move up when the tableware basket 31 is at the position of the first push-out devices 100, 101 and 102, and the stoppers 106, 107 and 108 are lowered so as to descend within one second. is configured to The stopper 120 is constructed so as to move upward when the tableware basket 31 is positioned at the position of the second push-out devices 111, 112 and 113, and the stoppers 117, 118 and 119 are lowered within one second. is configured to

As described above, the dishes and trays in the dish basket 31 sent to the washing lanes A, B, and C of the first washing machine 12 and the washing lanes D, E, and F of the second washing machine 20 are , are washed while being housed in the tableware basket 31 and output from each washing lane.

(Feeding part from washing machine for tableware basket)
FIG. 6 schematically shows the configuration of the delivery portion of washed dish baskets from the dish basket washer in the automatic dish washing system of this embodiment, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the delivery portion of the dish baskets. It is a figure for demonstrating operation|movement.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8, this outfeed section consists of a third transport conveyor 15a connected to the washing lanes A, B and C of the first washing machine 12, respectively. Three first right-angle transfer devices 200, 201 and 202 (the third device of the present invention) are provided at the outlets of 15b and 15c, respectively, and convert the conveying direction of the washed dish basket 31 to the perpendicular direction. (corresponding to the conveyer exit perpendicular transfer device) and the exits of the seventh conveyers 23a, 23b and 23c connected to the washing lanes D, E and F of the second washing machine 20, respectively. It is equipped with three second orthogonal transfer devices 203, 204 and 205 for converting the conveying direction of the washed dish basket 31 to the orthogonal direction. The first orthogonal transfer devices 200, 201 and 202 send the dish baskets 31 transported by the third transport conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c, respectively, to the fourth transport conveyor 16 and convert the transport direction to a right angle. The second right-angle transfer devices 203, 204 and 205 send the tableware baskets 31 conveyed by the seventh conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c respectively to the fourth conveyor 16 and It is configured to convert the conveying direction to a right angle. The upper surface of the fourth conveyor 16 is configured to be slightly lower (for example, about 10 mm) than the upper surfaces of the third conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c and the seventh conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c. there is

More specifically, there are three third detection sensors 206, 207 and 208 provided in the vicinity of the first right-angle transfer devices 200, 201 and 202, respectively, for detecting the presence or absence of the tableware basket 31, and a third conveyer. Stoppers 209, 210 and 211 (third stopper group) provided at the exit portions of 15a, 15b and 15c, respectively, and the fourth transfer conveyor 16 provided midway between the first right-angle transfer devices 200 and 201. A stopper 212 is provided. At the exits of the third conveyors 15a, 15b, and 15c, gate sensors 213, each of which is a photoelectric sensor or a proximity sensor, are provided for detecting whether or not the tableware basket 31 is present at each exit. is provided. Furthermore, fourth detection sensors 214, 215 and 216 are provided near the second right-angle transfer devices 203, 204 and 205, respectively, to detect the presence or absence of the tableware basket 31, and seventh conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c. stoppers 217, 218 and 219 (fourth stopper group) respectively provided at the exit portions of the second right-angle transfer devices 203 and 204, and a stopper 220 provided in the middle of the fourth conveyor 16 between the second right-angle transfer devices 203 and 204; is provided. At the exits of the seventh conveyers 23a, 23b, and 23c, gate sensors 221, which are photoelectric sensors, proximity sensors, or the like, are provided for detecting whether or not the tableware basket 31 is present at each exit. is provided. In front of the first right-angle transfer devices 200, 201 and 202 in the middle of the fourth transport conveyor 16, there are stoppers 222 and detectors for detecting whether or not the tableware basket 31 exists on the conveyor. , a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor or the like is provided.

Each of the first orthogonal transfer devices 200 , 201 and 202 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) conveyor belts arranged between the conveyor rollers of the fourth conveyor 16 . These conveyor belts are configured such that their upper belt surfaces move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the third conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c in response to a drive instruction signal from the conveyor control device 33. It is also configured to rise when actuated and to descend when not actuated. Each of the second orthogonal transfer devices 203 , 204 and 205 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) conveyor belts arranged between the conveyor rollers of the fourth conveyor 16 . These transport belts are configured such that their upper belt surfaces move in the same direction as the transport direction of the seventh transport conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c in response to a drive instruction signal from the transport control device 33. It is also configured to rise when actuated and to descend when not actuated. Each of the third detection sensors 206, 207 and 208 and the fourth detection sensors 214, 215 and 216 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, and detects whether or not the tableware basket 31 is in the vicinity thereof. Then, the detection signal is sent to the transport control device 33 . Each of stoppers 209 , 210 and 211 (third stopper group), stopper 212 , stoppers 217 , 218 and 219 (fourth stopper group), stopper 220 and stopper 222 receives a lift instruction signal from the transport control device 33 . is lifted from between the transfer rollers of the transfer conveyor to temporarily stop the transfer of the tableware basket 31, and is lowered in response to the lowering instruction signal to cancel the stop of transfer.

The transport control device 33 determines the first Right angle transfer devices 200, 201 and 202, second right angle transfer devices 203, 204 and 205, stoppers 209, 210 and 211, stopper 212, stoppers 217, 218 and 219, stopper 220, and the first right angle transfer device. By driving the intermediate stopper 222 of the loading device and the second right-angle transfer device, the delivery control operation is performed as follows.

FIG. 9 schematically shows the flow of the delivery control operation by the transport control device 33. As shown in FIG.

The conveying control device 33 previously controls the stoppers 209, 210 and 211 (third stopper group) provided at the exit portions of the third conveying conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c and the seventh conveying conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c. , and stoppers 217, 218 and 219 (fourth stopper group) are raised. Also, the stopper 212, the stopper 220 and the stopper 222 are raised. In this state, the transport control device 33 first detects from the detection signals of the gate sensors 213 and 221 that the tableware basket 31 is at the exit of the third transport conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c and the seventh transport conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c. It is determined whether or not it is detected (step S11).

When the gate sensor detects the dish basket 31 (if YES), for example, when the gate sensor 213 detects the dish basket 31 on the third conveyor 15b connected to the washing lane B, the corresponding first right angle The transfer device 201 is lifted (step S12) to start the conveyor belt, and at the same time, the corresponding stoppers 210 of the third stopper group are lowered (step S13). As a result, the tableware basket 31 is moved by the conveyor belt of the first orthogonal transfer device 201 and conveyed onto the fourth conveyor 16 . This transport is temporarily stopped when the gate sensor 223 detects that the dish basket 31 has been transported by the fourth transport conveyor 16 .

The transport control device 33 detects that the tableware basket 31 is detected by detection signals from any of the third detection sensors 206, 207 and 208 and the fourth detection sensors 214, 215 and 216 (in this case, the third detection sensor 207). Approaching, it is determined whether or not it is detected on the fourth transport conveyor 16 (step S14).

When the third detection sensor 207 detects the tableware basket 31 (in the case of YES), the corresponding first right angle transfer device 201 is lowered (step S15). The stopper 210 corresponding to the transfer device 201 is raised and the intermediate stopper 222 is lowered (step S16). As a result, the tableware basket 31 is transferred from the third conveyor 15b to the fourth conveyor 16 at right angles. That is, the tableware basket 31 is smoothly transferred to the fourth conveyer 16 whose conveying direction is perpendicular to the third conveyer 15b so that only the conveying direction is the perpendicular direction without changing the direction of the tableware basket 31.

When the tableware basket 31 is conveyed to the third conveyors 15a and 15c and the seventh conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c connected to other washing lanes, the same delivery control operation is performed. A detailed explanation is omitted.

The operation of each stopper will be collectively described below. The stoppers 209, 210 and 211 are configured so as to move down when the first right-angle transfer devices 200, 201 and 202 are lifted, and to move up when they are lowered. there is The stoppers 217, 218 and 219 are configured to move downward when the second right-angle transfer devices 203, 204 and 205 are lifted, and to move upward when the second right-angle transfer devices 203, 204 and 205 are lifted. there is The stoppers 212 and 220 are configured so as to move upward when the first right-angle transfer device 200 and the second right-angle transfer device 203 are raised, and to be lowered when they are lowered. It is configured. Further, the middle stopper 222 is configured to move upward when the first right-angle transfer devices 201 and 202 are lifted, and to move downward when they are lowered.

The tableware baskets 31 sent out in this manner are conveyed on the fourth conveyer 16 and sent to a plurality of rows (six rows in this embodiment) of sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f. In addition, an operator 37 is placed in front of these sorting conveyors to evaluate the removal of dirt from the dish baskets 31 that are sent.

(Feeding part to sorting conveyor)
FIG. 10 schematically shows the configuration of a dish basket sorting conveyor sending device and a sorting conveyor sending device in the automatic dishwashing system of this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, the sorting conveyor feeding device includes a second identification sensor 17 provided in the middle of the fourth conveyor 16 for identifying the type of dish basket to be conveyed; six third right-angle transfer devices 300, 301, 302, 303, and 304 which are respectively provided in the middle (near the terminal end) of the transport conveyor 16, and convert the transport direction of the transported tableware basket 31 to the right angle direction. and 305 (corresponding to the sorting conveyor inlet perpendicular transfer device of the present invention). These third right-angle transfer devices 300, 301, 302, 303, 304 and 305 move the dish baskets 31 conveyed by the fourth conveyer 16 to the arrangement conveyers 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f. It is configured to feed in and convert its conveying direction to a right angle. The upper surfaces of the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f are slightly higher than the upper surface of the fourth transfer conveyor 16 (for example, about 10 mm).

More specifically, the sorting conveyor feed-in device is provided near each of the third right-angle transfer devices 300, 301, 302, 303, 304 and 305, and has a photoelectric sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the dish basket 31. Or fifth detection sensors 306, 307, 308, 309, 310 and 311 (corresponding to the sorting conveyor detection sensors of the present invention) composed of proximity sensors or the like, and sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f and stoppers 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 and 318 provided in the vicinity of positions respectively corresponding to .

A second identification sensor 17 provided in the middle of the fourth conveyor 16 is an identification mark reader that reads identification marks such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes of each tableware basket 31, or is stored from an IC chip. It consists of an IC chip reader that reads information. In a modification of the present embodiment, an imaging sensor may be used as the second identification sensor 17 to perform image analysis from the image of the tableware basket 31 and perform imaging to identify the type. Identification data detected by the second identification sensor 17 is sent to the transport control device 33 .

Each of the third orthogonal transfer devices 300 , 301 , 302 , 303 , 304 and 305 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) conveyor belts arranged between the conveyor rollers of the fourth conveyor 16 . I have. These conveyor belts are configured so that their upper belt surfaces move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f in response to a drive instruction signal from the conveyor control device 33. and is configured to rise when actuated and to lower when not actuated. Each of the fifth detection sensors 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, and 311 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, and detects whether or not the dish basket 31 is in the vicinity thereof, and outputs a detection signal thereof. to the transport control device 33. Each of the stoppers 312 , 313 , 314 , 315 , 316 , 317 and 318 rises from between the transfer rollers of the transfer conveyor in response to an upward instruction signal from the transfer control device 33 to temporarily stop the transfer of the tableware basket 31 . It is configured to stop immediately and then descend in response to a descending instruction signal to release the stop of transportation.

The transport control device 33 uses the identification data from the second identification sensor 17 and the detection signals from the fifth detection sensors 306, 307, 308, 309, 310 and 311 to determine the third right-angle transfer device 300. , 301, 302, 303, 304 and 305, and stoppers 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 and 318 are driven to perform the feed control operation as follows.

FIG. 11 schematically shows the flow of the sorting conveyor feed control operation by the transfer control device 33. As shown in FIG.

The transport control device 33 first identifies the type of the tableware basket 31 from the identification data from the second identification sensor 17 (step S21). Next, according to the identified type of tableware basket 31, the sorting conveyor to which the tableware basket 31 should be sent is determined (step S22). for example,
Tray basket: Sorting conveyor 18f
Vegetable dish basket: Organizing conveyor 18e
Rice bowl basket: sorting conveyor 18d
Soup bowl basket: Sorting conveyor 18c
Chopstick basket: sorting conveyor 18b
Equipment basket: Sorting conveyor 18a

Next, it is determined whether or not the detection sensor corresponding to the determined sorting conveyor out of the fifth detection sensors 306, 307, 308, 309, 310 and 311 has detected the tableware basket 31 (step S23). .

When the corresponding detection sensor detects the dish basket 31 (YES), for example, when the fifth detection sensor 310 detects the dish basket 31, the stopper 317 is operated (lifted) (step S24), and after a few seconds The corresponding third right-angle transfer device 304 is lifted (step S25) to start the conveyor belt. As a result, the tableware basket 31 is moved by the conveyor belt of the third right-angle transfer device 304 and conveyed onto the organizing conveyor 18e. After several seconds, the operation of the transfer belt of the third right angle transfer device 304 and the sorting conveyor 18e is stopped to lower the third right angle transfer device 304 (step S26), and after a few seconds the stopper 317 is lowered. (Step S27).

When the tableware basket 31 is transferred to the other third right-angle transfer devices 300, 301, 302, 303 and 305, the same feeding control operation is performed, so detailed description will be omitted.

The tableware baskets 31 sent to the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f in this way are sent to the fifth conveyor 19 thereafter.

(Delivery part from sorting conveyor)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, the sorting conveyor delivery devices are provided on the fifth conveyor 19 at positions corresponding to the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f, respectively. Fourth right angle transfer devices 319, 320, 321, 322, 323 and 324 (corresponding to the sorting conveyor exit right angle transfer device of the present invention) are provided for converting the conveying direction of the tableware basket 31 to the right angle direction. These fourth right-angle transfer devices 319, 320, 321, 322, 323 and 324 feed the tableware baskets 31 delivered by the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f respectively to the fifth conveyor 19. It is configured to change its conveying direction to a right angle together with. The top surface of the fifth transport conveyor 19 is configured to be slightly (for example, about 10 mm) lower than the top surfaces of the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f.

More specifically, the sorting conveyor sending-out device is provided in the vicinity of the fourth right-angle transfer devices 319, 320, 321, 322, 323 and 324, respectively, for detecting the presence or absence of the dish basket 31, photoelectric sensors or proximity sensors. Sixth detection sensors 325, 326, 327, 328, 329 and 330 composed of sensors and the like, and stoppers 331, 332 and 333 provided at exits of sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f, respectively. , 334 , 335 and 336 .

Each of the fourth orthogonal transfer devices 319 , 320 , 321 , 322 , 323 and 324 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) conveyor belts arranged between the conveyor rollers of the fifth conveyor 19 . I have. These conveyor belts are configured so that their upper belt surfaces move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f in response to a drive instruction signal from the conveyor control device 33. and is configured to rise when actuated and to lower when not actuated. Each of the sixth detection sensors 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, and 330 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, and detects whether or not there is a dish basket 31 in its vicinity, and outputs a detection signal thereof. to the transport control device 33. Each of the stoppers 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, and 336 rises in response to a lift instruction signal from the transport control device 33 to temporarily stop the delivery of the dish basket 31, and responds to a lowering instruction signal. It is configured to descend to release the stoppage of delivery.

Based on the detection signals from the sixth detection sensors 325, 326, 327, 328, 329 and 330, the transfer control device 33 detects the fourth right angle transfer devices 319, 320, 321, 322, 323 and 324 and the stopper 331. , 332, 333, 334, 335 and 336 are driven to perform the delivery control operation as follows.

FIG. 12 schematically shows the flow of the sorting conveyor delivery control operation by the transfer control device 33. As shown in FIG.

The transfer control device 33 counts the number of tableware baskets 31 sent onto the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f using a shift register or the like (step S31). It is determined whether or not the counted number of tableware baskets on each of the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f has reached a predetermined number (step S32). Next, it is determined whether or not the tableware baskets that have reached the predetermined number are the tableware baskets to be sent next to the fifth conveyer 19 (step S33). Since the fifth conveyer 19 is the conveyer to which the washed dish baskets are finally conveyed, it is desirable that the fifth conveyer 19 is sent out in an order that makes it easy for workers to load the containers. The sending order is arbitrarily set.

If it is determined that the tableware basket is to be sent out (if YES), for example, the number of tableware baskets 31 on the sorting conveyor 18b reaches a predetermined number, and this tableware basket 31 is next sent to the fifth conveyor 19. If the tableware basket is to is activated (step S35). As a result, the tableware basket 31 is moved by the conveyor belt of the fourth right-angle transfer device 320 and conveyed onto the fifth conveyor 19 . Next, it is determined whether or not the sixth detection sensor 326 corresponding to the organizing conveyor 18b has detected the tableware basket 31 (step S36). The device 320 is lowered to stop the conveyor belt (step S37), stop the operation of the organizing conveyor 18b, and raise the stopper 332 (step S38).

When the number of tableware baskets 31 on the other sorting conveyors 18a, 18c, 18d, 18e, and 18f reaches a predetermined number, and the tableware basket 31 is the next tableware basket to be sent to the fifth conveyor 19, the same applies. Since the delivery control operation is performed, detailed description is omitted.

By such a delivery control operation, the tableware baskets 31 are delivered and transported onto the fifth transport conveyor 19 in an order that facilitates loading into the container. For example, with regard to the tray basket, the chopstick basket, and the equipment basket, three baskets are continuously sent out and conveyed. Two bowl baskets or soup bowl baskets are sent out and conveyed. Specifically, (tray basket, tray basket, tray basket), (vegetable plate basket, rice bowl basket, rice bowl basket), (vegetable plate basket, soup basket, soup bowl basket), (chopstick basket, chopstick basket) , chopstick basket), (furniture basket, furnishing basket, furnishing basket).

At the exit of the fifth conveyer 19 , a worker 38 sequentially loads the container 39 with dish baskets 31 containing washed dishes. A gate sensor 337 composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like is provided in the middle of the fifth conveyer 19 to detect whether or not there is a tableware basket 31 to be conveyed. . When loading onto the container 39 is delayed and the tableware basket 31 remains on the fifth conveyer 19 for a certain period of time, the conveyer control device 33 temporarily stops the conveying by the fifth conveyer 19 .

As described in detail above, according to the dish basket washing line of this embodiment, the worker 36 takes out the dish basket 31 to be cleaned from the container 35 and places it on the first conveyor 10, and A worker 37 who evaluates the removal of dirt from the dish basket 31 sent and a worker 38 who takes out the washed dish basket 31 from the fifth conveyer 19 and loads it into the container 39. Since washing can be performed automatically, the number of workers required for washing the dish basket can be greatly reduced, and labor can be saved. In addition, since the system automatically performs the work, there is an effect that human error does not occur.

Next, the food can washing line in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 schematically shows the configuration of the portion for feeding food cans to the washing machine, and FIG. 14 schematically shows the configuration of the food can reversing device. However, FIG. 14 shows a state in which the housing of the food can reversing device is seen through.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 13 and 14, in a school lunch center or the like, a food can washing line is provided independently of a dish basket washing line. In the food can washing line, the food can 32 to be washed is manually taken out by the operator 41 from the food can container 40 collected from each school or the like and brought in, and placed at the entrance of the eighth transfer conveyor 24. be. As a result, the food can 32 is conveyed by the eighth conveyer 24 .

A leftover food weighing device 25 and a third identification sensor 26 are provided in the middle of the eighth conveyor 24 . The leftover food weighing device 25 automatically weighs the amount of leftover food in the food can 32, and the measurement data is sent to the transport control device 33 and linked with the identification data representing the type and history of the food can 32. It is configured to be read out and output when necessary. The third identification sensor 26 is an identification mark reader that reads identification marks such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes attached to the food can body 32a and the lid 32b of each food can 32, or the food can body of each food can 32. 32a and an IC chip reader for reading stored information from IC chips attached to the lid 32b. In a modification of the present embodiment, an imaging sensor that performs image analysis from the image of the food can 32 to identify the type thereof may be used as the third identification sensor 26 . Identification data detected by the third identification sensor 26 is sent to the transport control device 33 . In the middle of the eighth transport conveyor 24 behind the leftover food weighing device 25, the worker 42 manually removes the lid 32b of the food can 32 and places it on the eighth transport conveyor 24 behind the food can main body 32a. work to be done.

The washing machine 27 for food cans is a commercial washing machine having two rows of washing lanes G and H. For example, a CWXJ food can washing machine (CWXJ5-6NS-MS, etc.) manufactured by Nippon Cooking Machine Co., Ltd. is used. It is possible. This washing machine divides the washing lane into left and right halves, and can wash the food can bodies and lids at different speeds.

(Feeding part to washing machine for food cans)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 13 and 14, this infeed portion is transferred to ninth conveyors 28a and 28b connected to wash lanes G and H of washing machine 27, respectively. A third feeding device 29 is provided for feeding the food can body 32a and lid 32b on 24, respectively. More specifically, the third feeding device 29 includes third pushing devices (third pushing devices) arranged along the eighth conveyor 24 at positions corresponding to the ninth conveyors 28a and 28b. pushers 400 and 401; seventh detection sensors 402 and 403 provided in the vicinity of the third pushers 400 and 401, respectively, for detecting the presence or absence of the food can bodies 32a and lids 32b; and a stopper 404 provided between the two third extrusion devices 400 and 401 in . Also, at the inlets of the ninth conveyors 28a and 28b connected to the washing lanes G and H of the washer 27, it is determined whether or not there is a carrier (food can body 32a or lid 32b) at each inlet. A gate sensor 405 comprising a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like is provided for detecting .

Each of the third push-out devices 400 and 401 is provided with an air cylinder that advances and retracts a drive arm in response to a drive instruction signal from the transfer control device 33. By pushing out 32b, they are sent to the ninth transport conveyors 28a and 28b, respectively. Each of the seventh detection sensors 402 and 403 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, and detects whether or not the food can main body 32a or the lid 32b is in the vicinity thereof, and outputs the detection signal to the transport control device. 33. The stopper 404 rises from between the conveying rollers of the eighth conveyer 24 in response to an upward instruction signal from the conveying control device 33 to temporarily stop conveying the food can body 32a or the lid 32b. to release the stoppage of the transport.

Based on the identification data from the third identification sensor 26, the detection signals from the seventh detection sensors 402 and 403, and the detection signal from the gate sensor 405, the transport control device 33 determines the stopper 404 and the third The pushing devices 400 and 401 are driven to carry out the feeding control operation as follows.

The transport control device 33 identifies from the identification data from the third identification sensor 26 whether the food can main body 32a or the lid 32b is being conveyed. When the food can body 32a is identified, the descending stopper 404 is maintained as it is, and it is determined whether or not the seventh detection sensor 402 has detected the carrier (food can body 32a). When the seventh detection sensor 402 detects a carrier, the detection signal from the gate sensor 405 indicates whether there is a carrier (food can body 32a) at the entrance of the ninth conveyor 28a corresponding to the washing lane G. If it is determined that it does not exist, the driving arm of the corresponding third push-out device 400 is advanced to send the food can main body 32a to the ninth conveyer 28a. After that, the drive arm of this third pushing device 400 is retracted.

When it is identified that the lid 32b is being conveyed, the stopper 404 is raised, and it is determined whether or not the seventh detection sensor 403 has detected the conveying body (the lid 32b). When the seventh detection sensor 403 detects the conveyed object, the detection signal of the gate sensor 405 indicates whether the conveyed object (cover 32b) exists at the entrance of the ninth conveyer 28b corresponding to the washing lane H. is determined, and if it is determined that it does not exist, the drive arm of the corresponding third push-out device 401 is advanced to send the lid 32b to the ninth conveyer 28b. After that, the drive arm of this third pushing device 401 is retracted. The stopper 404 is lowered at the timing when the drive arm is completely returned.

The ninth conveyor 28b that conveys the lids 32b to the washing lane H is a roller-type conveyor, but the ninth conveyor 28a that conveys the food can bodies 32a to the washing lane G is partially chain-type. It is composed of a conveyor, and a food can reversing device 30 for reversing the food can body 32a is provided in the middle of the conveyor.

As shown in detail in FIG. 14, the food can reversing device 30 includes a U-shaped arm member 30a for gripping a food can body 32a, and a rotary drive shaft 30b for rotating the arm member 30a by 180° by motor drive. The food can body 32a conveyed by the chain-type ninth conveyor 28a is turned over to drop the contents into the leftover food processing device 406, and the food can body 32a is removed by the shower mechanism of the leftover food processing device. It is configured such that the inside is pre-washed and placed on the ninth conveyer 28a with the opening facing downward (upside down). As the food can reversing device 30, instead of the U-shaped arm member, there is a case where a cylinder-type arm member that sandwiches the food can main body 32a from the left and right is used. In either case, the food can reversing device 30 is configured to be able to revers various types of food cans having different shapes and sizes.

The cleaned food can bodies 32 a and lids 32 b output from the cleaning lanes G and H of the food can washer 27 are manually loaded into the food can container 43 by a worker 44 .

According to the food can washing line of this embodiment described above, the worker 41 takes out the food can 32 to be washed from the container 40 and places it on the eighth transport conveyor 24, and removes the lid 32b of the food can 32. A worker 42 and a worker 44 who takes out the washed food can bodies 32a and lids 32b from the food can washing machine 27 and loads them into the container 43 can automatically wash the food cans. The number of workers required for can cleaning work can be reduced to some extent, and the work can be labor-saving. In addition, since the system automatically performs the work, there is an effect that human error does not occur.

As a modification of the above-described embodiment, the size of the first washing machine 12 and the second washing machine 20 is increased (the lane width of the washing lane is increased from 800 mm to 900 mm), and three dish baskets 31 are used once in each washing machine. It is also possible to configure an automatic dishwashing system that feeds into the The dish baskets 31 are placed on the first conveyer 10 in units of three from the container 35, and the dish baskets 31 are identified by the first identification sensor 11 in the middle of the first conveyer 10, and the dish baskets 31 are identified. to a predetermined wash lane. Sensors near the first feeding device 14 and the second feeding device 22 detect the presence or absence of the tableware basket 31, and the gate sensors 110 and 121 detect when there is no tableware basket 31 at the destination, and a command from the transport control device 33 actuates the first feeding device 14 and the second feeding device 22, respectively, and simultaneously feeds three dish baskets 31 for each feeding device. The feeder operates simultaneously for three washing lines each time. In this case, the feeding device may be of a pushing type or a perpendicular transfer type using a belt.

Each dish basket can be assigned a wash line A, B or C and a wash line D, E or F to facilitate loading after washing. for example,
A group of 3 tray baskets is washed in order from the top with washing lines A, B, C,
A group of 2 dish baskets and rice bowl baskets is washed in order from the top on washing lines D, E, F,
A group of 2 vegetable dish baskets and soup bowl baskets is washed in order from the top to washing lines D, E, F,
Each group of 3 chopstick baskets is divided into washing lines A, B, C,
A group of 3 equipment baskets is arranged in order from the top to wash lines A, B, C,
are specified respectively.

The optimum order for placing one container is shown below. When the target baskets are alternately placed on the first washing machine 12 with washing lines A, B, C and the second washing machine 20 with washing lines D, E, F, washing lines D, E, The waiting time for sending to F is reduced, and efficient cleaning work becomes possible.
Namely
Tray basket, tray basket, tray basket: first washing machine 12
Vegetable dish basket, rice bowl basket, rice bowl basket: Second washing machine 20
Chopstick basket, chopstick basket, chopstick basket: first washing machine 12
Vegetable dish basket, rice bowl basket, rice bowl basket: Second washing machine 20
Equipment basket, equipment basket, equipment basket: first washing machine 12
Vegetable dish basket, soup bowl basket, soup bowl basket: second washing machine 20
Tray basket, tray basket, tray basket: first washing machine 12
Vegetable dish basket, rice bowl basket, rice bowl basket: Second washing machine 20
Chopstick basket, chopstick basket, chopstick basket: first washing machine 12
Vegetable dish basket, rice bowl basket, rice bowl basket: Second washing machine 20
Equipment basket, equipment basket, equipment basket: first washing machine 12
Vegetable dish basket, soup bowl basket, soup bowl basket: second washing machine 20
It is good to say

A two-line system in which the workers 36 sort the dishes when they are placed on the first conveyor 10 can also be configured as an automatic dishwashing system. In this case, two lines of the first conveyor 10 are installed in parallel. In the above embodiment, the sorting conveyors 18 a , 18 b , 18 c , 18 d , 18 e and 18 f temporarily store dish baskets, discharge them in order of loading, and deliver them to the loading zone for the container 39 . On the other hand, in this modification, since the tableware baskets are fed in units of three and discharged in units of three, if the baskets are discharged in order of ease of loading, they are directly sent to the container loading zone without going through the sorting conveyor. and sent out the dish basket. If the order of loading is disturbed, it can be temporarily stocked on the sorting conveyor.

FIG. 15 schematically shows the overall configuration of an automatic dishwashing system as another embodiment of the present invention. In the automatic dishwashing system of the present embodiment, in the dishbasket washing line, the first conveyer is divided in the middle to form two lines of the first conveyer and the tenth conveyer. 1 and 2 embodiment. As a result, in the dishbasket washing line, a separate flow feeding portion for the dishbasket is newly provided for the purpose of diverting the flow, and the structure of the feeding portion to the dishbasket washer is different. In the food can washing line, the eighth conveyor is divided in the middle to form two rows of the eighth conveyor and the eleventh conveyor, which is different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. ing. In addition, the configuration of the feeding portion to the food can washing machine is also different.

In FIG. 15, 10 is a first conveyor for conveying dish baskets containing tableware and trays at a constant speed in a dish basket washing line, and 11 is a dish basket provided in the middle of the first conveyor 10 to be conveyed. a first identification sensor for identifying the type of the first identification sensor 11; (corresponding to the diverting conveyor of the present invention), 12 is the first washing machine for dish baskets (corresponding to the washing machine of the present invention), 13a, 13b and 13c are the first conveyer 10 and the first washing machine 12. In this embodiment, three rows of second conveyers are connected between the inlets of three rows of washing paths (washing lanes) A, B and C, respectively, and convey dish baskets at a constant speed. A fourth feeding device (corresponding to the first conveyer exit perpendicular transfer device of the present invention) that feeds the tableware baskets conveyed by one conveyer 10 to the three rows of second conveyers 13a, 13b and 13c, respectively. , 52 is a splitting feeding device for feeding the dish baskets conveyed by the first conveying conveyor 10 to the tenth conveying conveyor 50; 20 is a second washing machine for dish baskets (corresponding to a different washing machine of the present invention); 21a, 21b and 21c are respectively connected between the tenth conveyer 50 and the inlets of three washing lanes D, E and F in this embodiment of the second washing machine 20 to convey dish baskets at a constant speed. and 53 indicates a fifth feeding device for feeding the dish baskets conveyed by the tenth conveyor 50 to the three rows of sixth conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c, respectively. there is

First washing machine 12, second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c, second washing machine 20, sixth conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c, third conveyors 15a, 15b and 15c, seventh conveyors The configurations and operations of the conveyors 23a, 23b and 23c, the fourth conveyor 16, the sorting conveyors 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and 18f, and the fifth conveyor 19 are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. Since it is the same as the case of , the explanation is omitted.

Next, the food can washing line will be described. In FIG. 15, 24 is a row of eighth conveyors for conveying food cans at a constant speed in the food can washing line, 25 is a leftover food weighing device provided in the middle of the eighth conveyor 24, and 54 is the eighth conveyor. An eleventh conveyer that splits in the middle of the conveyer 24 and advances in parallel with the eighth conveyer 24; 27 is a washing machine for food cans; and the entrance of the other washing lane of the washing machine 27, and a twelfth conveyor for conveying the food can bodies at a constant speed. A twelfth conveyor connected between them for conveying the lids at a constant speed, 56 a sixth feeding device for feeding the food can bodies conveyed by the eighth conveyor 24 to the twelfth conveyor 55a, Reference numeral 57 denotes a seventh feeding device for feeding lids conveyed by the eleventh conveying conveyor 54 to the twelfth conveying conveyor 55b, and 30 denotes a food can reversing device provided in the middle of the twelfth conveying conveyor 55a. there is In the food can washing line of this embodiment, the worker 42 manually removes the lid 32b from the food can 32, places the food can body 32a on the eighth conveyor 24, and removes the lid 32b from the eleventh conveyor. is placed on the transport conveyor 54 of the.

The specific configuration of the tableware basket 31 and the food can 32 in this embodiment, and the identification marks or IC chips such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes added to the tableware basket 31 and the food can 32 are shown in FIGS. Since it is the same as the case of the embodiment, the description is omitted.

Further, in FIG. 15, reference numeral 33 denotes a conveying control device for centrally controlling the conveying, diversion, feeding and sending of the tableware basket 31 and the food cans 32, and 34 denotes a washing control device for centrally controlling washing in the washing machine. Each of the transport control device 33 and the cleaning control device 34 is electrically composed of a programmed computer, memory, input device, display device, transmitting/receiving device, and the like. 33 and the washing control device 34 mutually transmit and receive signals to control the operation of the automatic dishwashing system. For example, by turning on the power switches of the cleaning control device 34 and the transport control device 33 , each cleaning machine prepares for operation and transmits a preparation completion signal to the transport control device 33 . When the preparation completion signal is received and the activation switches of the washing control device 34 and the transfer control device 33 are turned on, the washing machines 12, 20 and 27 and the conveyors start operating. When the cleaning work is finished, the start switches of the cleaning control device 34 and the transfer control device 33 are turned off, and then the power switch is turned off. The activation switch may be turned on and off automatically.

In the dishbasket washing line of the automatic dishwashing system of the present embodiment, a plurality of types of dishbaskets 31 to be washed are manually taken out by a worker 36 from a dishbasket container 35 collected and brought in from each school or the like. , is placed at the entrance of the first transport conveyor 10 . As a result, various types of tableware baskets 31 are transported by the first transport conveyor 10 .

FIG. 16 schematically shows the configuration of the split feed part, the split conveyer, and the feed part of the dish basket to the dish basket washer in the automatic dish washing system of this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , a first identification sensor 11 is provided in the middle of the first transport conveyor 10 . This first identification sensor 11 reads stored information from an identification mark reader that reads an identification mark such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code attached to each dish basket 31, or an IC chip attached to each dish basket 31. It consists of an IC chip reader. In a modification of the present embodiment, an imaging sensor may be used as the first identification sensor 11, which performs image analysis from the image of the tableware basket 31 and captures an image to identify the type. Identification data detected by the first identification sensor 11 is sent to the transport control device 33 .

(divided flow feeding part)
In the middle of the first conveyer 10 behind the first identification sensor 11, there is a branch feeder for sending the tableware basket 31 to be conveyed to a tenth conveyer 50 that advances in parallel with the first conveyer 10. A device 52 is provided. In this embodiment, the flow splitting feeder 52 includes a plurality of (six in this embodiment) conveying belts 500 arranged between the conveying rollers of the first conveying conveyor 10 and the tenth conveying conveyor 50 conveying belts 500 . A plurality of (six in this embodiment) conveyor belts 501 arranged between the rollers, an eighth detection sensor 502 provided on the first conveyor 10 side and detecting the presence or absence of the tableware basket 31, A ninth detection sensor 503 provided on the side of the No. 10 conveyor 50 for detecting the presence or absence of the tableware basket 31, and a stopper 504 provided at the entrance of the split feeding device 52 of the first conveyor 10. there is The eighth detection sensor 502 and the ninth detection sensor 503 are composed of photoelectric sensors, proximity sensors, or the like.

The conveying belts 500 and 501 are configured such that their upper belt surfaces move in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyer 10 in response to a drive instruction signal from the conveying control device 33. , is configured to rise when actuated and to lower when not actuated. Depending on the type of dish basket identified by the first identification sensor 11, the basket is sent to the washing lanes A, B and C of the first washing machine 12 or to the washing lanes D, E and F of the second washing machine 20. The transport control device 33 discriminates whether or not to send the sheet. The operation of the split flow feeding device 52 is controlled according to the determination result.

When it is determined to be sent to the washing lanes D, E and F of the second washing machine 20, when the eighth detection sensor 502 on the side of the first conveyor 10 detects the dish basket 31, the conveyor belts 500 and 501 are moved. As it is driven, it rises, and the tableware basket 31 is transferred to the tenth conveyor 50 side. At that time, the stopper 504 is raised to prevent the other dish basket from being conveyed. When the ninth detection sensor 503 on the tenth conveyor 50 side detects the tableware basket 31, the conveyor belts 500 and 501 descend and stop driving. At that time, the stopper 504 descends. As a result, the tableware basket 31 is diverted to the tenth conveyor 50 . On the other hand, when it is determined to be sent to the washing lanes A, B and C of the first washing machine 12 , the conveyor belts 500 and 501 do not operate, thereby allowing the dish basket 31 to move on the first conveyor 10 . It is transported as it is, and no branching is performed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as soon as the dish baskets 31 are identified by the first identification sensor 11, the dish baskets 31 are automatically sorted according to the washing machines and advanced on two lines of conveyors. Therefore, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in which only one row of conveyors is provided, when the dish basket 31 is sent to the second washing machine 20 on the upstream side, the tableware basket 31 is placed on the conveyor. Inconvenient situation such as temporary standby state does not occur.

(Feeding part to washing machine for tableware basket)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the feeding portion in this embodiment includes a fourth feeding device 51 for feeding the dish baskets 31 from the first conveying conveyor 10 to the first washing machine 12, and a tenth conveying conveyor. and a fifth feeding device 53 for feeding the dish basket 31 from 50 to the second washing machine 20. - 特許庁The fourth feeding device 51 sends the dish baskets 31 conveyed by the first conveyor 10 to the washing lane of the first washing machine 12 according to the dish basket type identified by the first identification sensor 11 . It is configured to feed into any one of three rows of second conveyors 13a, 13b and 13c connected to A, B and C respectively. In addition, the fifth feeding device 53 sends the dish basket 31 conveyed by the tenth conveyer 50 to the second washing machine 20 according to the dish basket type identified by the first identification sensor 11. It is configured to feed to one of three rows of sixth transport conveyors 21a, 21b and 21c connected to washing lanes D, E and F, respectively.

More specifically, the fourth feeding device 51 has a plurality of (nine in this embodiment) conveyor belts arranged between the conveyor rollers of the first conveyor 10 . In response to a drive instruction signal from the conveying control device 33, these conveying belts are arranged so that the upper belt surface thereof is in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveying conveyor 10, and the second conveying conveyors 13a, 13b and It is configured to move in the same direction as the conveying direction of 13c, and is configured to rise when actuated and to descend when not actuated. The fifth feeding device 53 includes a plurality of (nine in this embodiment) conveyor belts arranged between the conveyor rollers of the tenth conveyor 50 . In response to a drive instruction signal from the transport control device 33, the upper belt surfaces of these transport belts are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the tenth transport conveyor 50, and the sixth transport conveyors 21a, 21b and It is configured to move in the same direction as the conveying direction of 21c, and is configured to rise when activated and to descend when not activated. Each of the tenth detection sensors 504, 505 and 506 and the eleventh detection sensors 507, 508 and 509 is composed of a photoelectric sensor or proximity sensor or the like, and detects whether or not the dish basket 31 is in the vicinity thereof. Then, the detection signal is sent to the transport control device 33 . Each of the stoppers 510, 511 and 512 (fifth stopper group) and the stoppers 513, 514 and 515 (sixth stopper group) responds to a lift instruction signal from the conveyance control device 33 to raise the conveying rollers of the conveyer. It is constructed so as to temporarily stop the transportation of the tableware basket 31 by rising from the interval, and to release the stop of the transportation by descending in response to a lowering instruction signal.

The transport control device 33 performs a branch control operation for sorting the tableware basket 31 to the first transport conveyor 10 or the tenth transport conveyor 50 as described above according to the identification data from the first identification sensor 11. , the detection signals from the tenth detection sensors 504, 505 and 506 and the eleventh detection sensors 507, 508 and 509, and the detection signals from the gate sensors 110 and 121, the stoppers 510, 511 and 512 and the stopper 513, 514 and 515, the fourth feeding device 51 and the fifth feeding device 53 are driven to perform the feeding control operation.

First, the shunt control operation will be described. FIG. 17 schematically shows the flow of the flow division control operation by the transport control device 33. As shown in FIG.

The transport control device 33 identifies the type of the tableware basket 31 from the identification data from the first identification sensor 11 (step S41). Next, according to the identified types of dish baskets 31, candidate washing lanes to be sent are determined. As previously mentioned,
Tray basket: wash lane A or D
Vegetable basket: Washing lane B or E
Rice bowl basket: wash lane B, C, E or F
Soup bowl basket: wash lane B, C, E or F
Chopstick basket: wash lane A, B or C
Equipment basket: Washing lane D, E or F
is the basic candidate. Since there are a plurality of washing lane candidates for one type of dish basket 31, one washing lane for sending the dish basket 31 is determined from these candidates (step S42). Various methods such as sequential allocation can be applied as the determination method, but if the following method is used, efficient cleaning according to the type of cleaning basket can be performed.

When placing the tableware baskets 31 at the entrance of the first conveyor 10 by the worker 36, arrangements are made so that the tableware baskets are placed in units of a predetermined number (for example, in units of three baskets). The transport control device 33 is programmed to identify such dish baskets 31 and determine destinations as follows. For example, when the number of tray baskets is 3 baskets, the destination of sending the first and second tray baskets to washing lane A and the third tray basket to washing lane D is determined. When the rice bowl basket, the rice bowl basket, and the dish basket are three basket units, the first rice bowl basket is sent to washing lane B, the second rice bowl basket is sent to washing lane C, and the dish basket is sent to washing lane E. to decide. When the dish basket, the soup basket, and the soup basket are three basket units, the dish basket is sent to washing lane B, the first soup basket to washing lane E, and the second soup basket to washing lane F. to decide. In this case, the rice bowl basket is fixed to the washing lane B or C, and the soup bowl basket is fixed to the washing lane E or F to determine the sending destination. The dish basket is sent to the washing lane E if it is identified before the rice bowl basket or the soup bowl basket, and is sent to the washing lane B if it is identified after the rice bowl basket or the soup bowl basket. Since chopstick baskets and equipment baskets are housed in a state in which chopsticks and equipment are stacked inside, they are placed at the entrance of the first conveyor 10 in units of six baskets. In the case of the chopstick basket and the equipment basket, the feeding destinations are determined for washing lanes A, B, C, D, E and F in order from the first basket. If the method of placing the tableware basket 31 at the entrance of the first conveyor 10 deviates from the above-described arrangement, the washing time of the dishwasher is extended.

The transport control device 33 determines whether the washing lane for sending the dish basket 31 is the washing lane A, B or C of the first washing machine 12 (step S43). If it is determined that there is no (NO), the conveyor belts 500 and 501 of the flow dividing device 52 are operated to place the tableware basket 31 on the tenth conveyor 50 side (step S44). On the other hand, in step S43, if it is determined that the lane is the washing lane of the first washing machine 12 (if YES), the flow dividing feeding device 52 does not operate, and the dish basket 31 continues on the first conveyor 10 as it is. It is transported (step S45).

Next, the control operation for sending to the washing machine will be described. FIG. 18 schematically shows the flow of the feeding control operation by the transfer control device 33. As shown in FIG. To simplify the explanation, the case where the fourth feeding device 51 feeds from the first conveyer 10 to the washing lane A (actually the second conveyer 13a) of the first washing machine 12 will be described.

First, in the first transport conveyor 10, it is determined whether or not the corresponding tenth detection sensor 506 has detected the tableware basket 31 (step S51).

When the corresponding tenth detection sensor 506 detects the tableware basket 31 (if YES), the stopper (not shown) at the end of the fifth stopper group is operated (raised) (step S52), and further, the tableware The stopper 512 in the washing lane A (actually, the second conveyer 13a connected to the washing lane) in which the basket 31 has been detected is operated (raised) (step S53).

Next, based on the detection signal of the gate sensor 110, it is determined whether or not the dish basket 31 exists at the entrance of the second conveyor 13a corresponding to this washing lane A (step S54). If there is no dish basket 31 at this entrance (if NO), the corresponding conveyor belt of the fourth feeding device 51 is actuated and lifted to move the dish basket 31 to its washing lane A (the second washing lane connected to the washing lane). (step S55). After a certain period of time, the driving of the corresponding conveyor belt is stopped, and the fourth feeding device 51 is lowered. The stopper 512 of the washing lane A is lowered (step S56). After that, the last stopper (not shown) of the fifth stopper group is lowered (step S57).

Since the feeding control operation to the other washing lane B or C of the first washing machine 12 is the same, the detailed explanation in that case is omitted.

Next, the case where the fifth feeding device 53 feeds from the tenth conveyer 50 to the washing lane D (actually the sixth conveyer 21a) of the second washing machine 20 will be described. In this case, processing similar to that of the fourth feeding device 51 shown in FIG. 18 is performed.

First, in the tenth conveyor 50, it is determined whether or not the corresponding eleventh detection sensor 509 has detected the tableware basket 31 (processing similar to step S51).

When the corresponding eleventh detection sensor 509 detects the tableware basket 31, the stopper (not shown) at the end of the sixth stopper group is operated (lifted) (process similar to step S52), and furthermore, the tableware basket The stopper 515 in the cleaning lane D (actually, the sixth transport conveyor 21a connected to the cleaning lane) where 31 is detected is operated (raised) (processing similar to step S53).

Next, from the detection signal of the gate sensor 121, it is determined whether or not the tableware basket 31 exists at the entrance of the sixth conveyor 21a corresponding to this washing lane D (processing similar to step S54). If there is no dish basket 31 in the part, the corresponding conveyor belt of the fifth feeding device 53 is operated and lifted to send the dish basket 31 to its washing lane D (sixth conveyer 21a connected to the washing lane). (Process similar to step S55). After a certain period of time, the driving of the corresponding conveyor belt is stopped, and the fifth feeding device 53 is lowered. The stopper 515 of the washing lane D is lowered (processing similar to step S56). Thereafter, the last stopper (not shown) of the sixth stopper group is lowered (process similar to step S57).

Since the control operation for sending the second washing machine 20 to the other washing lanes E or F is the same, detailed description in that case will be omitted.

As described in detail above, according to the dish basket washing line of this embodiment, the worker 36 takes out the dish basket 31 to be cleaned from the container 35 and places it on the first conveyor 10, and A worker 37 who evaluates the removal of dirt from the dish basket 31 sent and a worker 38 who takes out the washed dish basket 31 from the fifth conveyer 19 and loads it into the container 39. Since washing can be performed automatically, the number of workers required for washing the dish basket can be greatly reduced, and labor can be saved. In addition, since the system automatically performs the work, there is an effect that human error does not occur. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the dish baskets 31 are automatically sorted by washing machine and proceed on two lines of conveyors. The dish basket 31 does not temporarily stand by on the conveyer when the dish basket 31 is sent to the second washing machine 20 on the upstream side.

Next, the food can washing line in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 schematically shows the configuration of the delivery portion of food cans to the washing machine. As described above, in the automatic dishwashing system of this embodiment, in the food can washing line, the eleventh conveyor 54 is arranged in parallel from the middle of the eighth conveyor 24, and the conveyors are arranged in two rows. 1, 2 and 13 is different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. In addition, the configuration of the feeding portion to the food can washer 27 is different.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 19, a leftover food weighing device 25 is provided in the middle of the eighth conveyer 24 . The leftover food weighing device 25 automatically weighs the amount of leftover food in the food can 32, and the measurement data is sent to the transport control device 33 and linked with the identification data representing the type and history of the food can 32. It is configured to be read out and output when necessary. An eleventh conveyer 54 is provided in parallel from the middle of the eighth conveyer 24 behind the leftover food weighing device 25 . At the position where the eleventh transport conveyor 54 is provided, the worker 42 manually removes the lid 32b of the food can 32, places the food can main body 32a on the eighth transport conveyor 24, and places the lid 32b on the eleventh transport conveyor. The work of placing it on 54 is performed.

(Feeding part to washing machine for food cans)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 19, this feeding portion is a sixth feeding device 56 that feeds the food can body 32a from the eighth conveyor 24 to the ninth conveyor 28a connected to the washing lane G of the washing machine 27. and a seventh feeding device 57 for feeding the lid 32b from the eleventh conveyer 54 to the ninth conveyer 28b connected to the washing lane H of the washing machine 27. As shown in FIG. More specifically, the sixth feeding device 56 comprises a plurality of (three in this embodiment) conveyor belts arranged between the conveyor rollers of the eighth conveyor 24 . In response to a drive instruction signal from the conveying control device 33, these conveying belts are oriented such that the upper belt surface thereof extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the eighth conveyer 24 and in the conveying direction of the ninth conveyer 28a. is configured to move in the same direction as and is configured to rise when actuated and to descend when not actuated. The seventh feeding device 57 includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) conveying belts arranged between the conveying rollers of the eleventh conveying conveyor 54 . In response to a drive instruction signal from the transport control device 33, the upper belt surfaces of these transport belts are oriented in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the eleventh transport conveyor 54 and in the transport direction of the ninth transport conveyor 28b. is configured to move in the same direction as and is configured to rise when actuated and to descend when not actuated. Each of the twelfth detection sensor 600 and the thirteenth detection sensor 601 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, and detects whether or not the food can main body 32a or the lid 32b is in the vicinity thereof. It is configured to send a signal to the transport control device 33 . Each of the stoppers 602 and 603 rises from between the transfer rollers of the transfer conveyor in response to a lift instruction signal from the transfer control device 33 to temporarily stop the transfer of the food can main body 32a or the lid 32b, and gives a lowering instruction. It is configured to descend in response to a signal to release the stoppage of transportation.

Based on the detection signals from the twelfth detection sensor 600 and the thirteenth detection sensor 601 and the detection signal from the gate sensor 405, the transport control device 33 detects the stoppers 602 and 603, the sixth feeding device 56 and the seventh , and the feeding device 57 are driven to perform the feeding control operation as follows.

The transport control device 33 determines whether or not the twelfth detection sensor 600 has detected the food can body 32 a transported on the eighth transport conveyor 24 . When the twelfth detection sensor 600 detects the food can body 32a, the stopper 602 is lifted and the detection signal of the gate sensor 405 is sent to the entrance of the ninth transport conveyor 28a corresponding to the washing lane G. If it is determined that there is no food can 32a, the conveyor belt of the sixth feeding device 56 is operated and raised to feed the food can body 32a to the ninth conveyor 28a. After that, the conveying belt of the sixth feeding device 56 is lowered to the non-operating state, and the stopper 602 is lowered.

The transport control device 33 determines whether or not the thirteenth detection sensor 601 has detected the lid 32b transported on the eleventh transport conveyor . When the lid 32b being conveyed is detected, the stopper 603 is raised, and the detection signal of the gate sensor 405 indicates whether the lid 32b exists at the entrance of the ninth conveyor 28b corresponding to the washing lane H. is determined, and if it is determined that it does not exist, the conveyor belt of the seventh feeding device 57 is operated and lifted to feed the lid 32b to the ninth conveyor 28b. After that, the conveying belt of the seventh feeding device 57 is lowered to the non-operating state, and the stopper 603 is lowered.

The configurations and operations of the ninth transport conveyors 28a and 28b, the food can reversing device 30, the leftover food processing device 406, and the food can washer 27 are the same as in the embodiment of FIGS. Description is omitted.

According to the food can washing line of this embodiment described above, the worker 41 takes out the food can 32 to be washed from the container 40 and places it on the eighth transport conveyor 24, and removes the lid 32b of the food can 32. A worker 42 and a worker 44 who takes out the washed food can bodies 32a and lids 32b from the food can washing machine 27 and loads them into the container 43 can automatically wash the food cans. The number of workers required for can cleaning work can be reduced to some extent, and the work can be labor-saving. In addition, since the system automatically performs the work, there is an effect that human error does not occur. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the food can bodies 32a and the lids 32b of the food cans 32 are sorted and proceed on two lines of conveyors, so like the embodiment in which only one line of conveyors is provided, When the lid 32b is sent to the washing lane on the upstream side of the washing machine 27, the lid 32b does not temporarily stand by on the conveyer. Furthermore, in this embodiment, separate conveyors are provided for the food can body 32a and the lid 32b, thereby eliminating the need for an identification sensor, simplifying the control, and shortening the food can waiting time when the lid 32b is fed. can be improved.

All of the above-described embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive, and the present invention can be implemented in various other variations and modifications. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 first conveyor 11 first identification sensor 12 first washing machine for dish baskets 13a, 13b, 13c second conveyor 14 first feeding device 15a, 15b, 15c third conveyor 16 third 4 transport conveyor 17 second identification sensor 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f sorting conveyor 19 fifth transport conveyor 20 second washing machine for dish baskets 21a, 21b, 21c sixth transport conveyor 22 Second feeding device 23a, 23b, 23c Seventh conveyor 24 Eighth conveyor 25 Leftover food weighing device 26 Third identification sensor 27 Washer for food cans 28a, 28b Ninth conveyor 29 Third Feeding device 30 Food can reversing device 30a Arm member 30b Rotation drive shaft 31 Tableware basket 31a Tray 31b Tray basket 31c Plate (flat plate)
31d, 31f Vegetable plate basket 31e Vegetable plate (ball)
31g Chopsticks, spoon, fork 31h Chopstick basket 31i Tableware fixture 31j Equipment basket 32 Food can 32a Food can body 32b Lid 33 Transfer control device 34 Cleaning control device 35, 39 Container for tableware basket 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 44 Workers 40, 43 Container for food cans 50 Tenth conveyer 51 Fourth feeding device 52 Diverting feeding device 53 Fifth feeding device 54 Eleventh conveyer 55a, 55b Twelfth conveyer 56 Sixth feeding Device 57 Seventh feeding device 100, 101, 102 First pushing device 103, 104, 105 First detection sensor 106, 107, 108, 109, 117, 118, 119, 120, 209, 210, 211, 212 , 217, 218, 219, 220, 222, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 404, 504, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514 , 515, 602, 603 stoppers 110, 121, 213, 221, 223, 405 gate sensors 111, 112, 113 second push-out devices 114, 115, 116 second detection sensors 200, 201, 202 first orthogonal displacement loading device 203, 204, 205 second right angle transfer device 206, 207, 208 third detection sensor 214, 215, 216 fourth detection sensor 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 third right angle transfer device Loading device 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311 Fifth detection sensor 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324 Fourth right angle transfer device 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330 Sixth Detection sensors 400, 401 Third push-out device 402, 403 Seventh detection sensor 406 Vegetable processing device 500, 501 Conveyor belt 502 Eighth detection sensor 503 Ninth detection sensor 504, 505, 506 Tenth detection sensor 507 , 508, 509 11th detection sensor 600 12th detection sensor 601 13th detection sensor

Claims (20)

An automatic dishwashing system for washing tableware and/or trays used for school lunches, comprising: a first conveyer conveying a plurality of types of dishbaskets respectively containing the tableware and/or trays to be washed; a first identification sensor provided in the middle of the first conveyor for identifying the type of the dish basket being conveyed; automatically transferring the dish baskets conveyed by the first conveyor to the plurality of rows of washing paths of the washing machine in accordance with the types of dish baskets identified by the first identification sensor. An automatic dishwashing system, characterized in that it is configured to feed into. A plurality of rows of second conveyors respectively connected to the first conveyor and a plurality of rows of washing paths of the washing machine; 2. The automatic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a feeding device for selectively feeding each of said plurality of rows of second conveyors according to the type of tableware basket identified by said identification sensor. Dishwashing system. The feeding device comprises a plurality of detection sensors that are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of second conveyors and detect the presence or absence of the dish baskets that are conveyed by the first conveyor, When the type of dish basket identified by the first identification sensor is detected by the detection sensor, the detected dish basket is fed to the second conveyor corresponding to the detected detection sensor. 3. The automatic dishwashing system of claim 2, comprising: The feeding devices are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of the second conveyors on the first conveyor, respectively, and operate when the dish basket is detected by the detection sensor to start the transportation of the dish basket. 4. The automatic dishwashing system according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of stopper groups each temporarily stopped. The feeding device includes a plurality of pushing devices respectively arranged along the first conveying conveyor at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of the second conveying conveyors, and the plurality of pushing devices are adapted to detect the detection 5. The automatic dishwashing system according to claim 4, wherein the sensor is configured to operate when the sensor detects the dishbasket and feed the corresponding dishbasket to the second conveyor. The feeding device comprises a plurality of first conveyer exit perpendicular transfer devices respectively arranged along the first conveyer at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of second conveyers, A plurality of first conveyer exit perpendicular transfer devices operate when the detection sensor detects the dish basket, and converts the conveying direction of the corresponding dish basket to the perpendicular direction, thereby transferring the dish basket to the above-described first conveyer exit perpendicular transfer device. 5. An automatic dishwashing system according to claim 4, wherein said dishwashing system is adapted to feed two conveyors. It is connected to the output side of the plurality of rows of washing paths of the washing machine, and is connected to the plurality of rows of third conveyors for conveying the washed dish baskets, and the plurality of rows of third conveyors. and a row of fourth conveyors for conveying in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the third conveyor; 7. The automatic dishwashing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a delivery device for delivering the food to the conveyor. The sending-out device is provided at each outlet of the plurality of rows of third conveyors, and converts the conveying direction of the dish baskets conveyed by the plurality of rows of third conveyors into a perpendicular direction. 8. The automatic dishwashing system according to claim 7, further comprising a conveyer exit perpendicular transfer device. The third conveyer outlet perpendicular transfer device is provided between a plurality of conveying rollers of the fourth conveyer, and a plurality of conveyer belts whose upper surfaces move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the third conveyer. wherein the plurality of conveyor belts are raised when the dish basket is conveyed by the third conveyor and lowered when the dish basket is moved onto the fourth conveyor. 9. An automatic dishwashing system according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises: a second identification sensor provided in the middle of the fourth conveyor for identifying the type of dish basket to be conveyed; and a second identification sensor connected to the fourth conveyor and orthogonal to the conveying direction of the fourth conveyor. The tableware baskets conveyed by the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors and the fourth conveyor are arranged in the plurality of rows according to the type of the tableware basket identified by the second identification sensor. 10. The automatic dishwashing system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a sorting conveyor feeding device for selectively feeding each sorting conveyor to the sorting conveyor. The sorting conveyor feeding device includes a plurality of sorting conveyor detection sensors that are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors and detect the presence or absence of the dish baskets transported by the fourth conveyor, When the type of tableware basket identified by the second identification sensor is detected by the sorting conveyor detection sensor, the detected tableware basket is sent to the sorting conveyor corresponding to the sorting conveyor detection sensor. 11. The automatic dishwashing system of claim 10, comprising: The arranging conveyor feeding device is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of rows of arranging conveyors of the fourth conveyer, and is operated when a dish basket is detected by the arranging conveyor detection sensor to convey the dish basket. 12. The automatic dishwashing system according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of group of sorting conveyor stoppers for temporarily stopping each. The sorting conveyor feeding device includes a plurality of sorting conveyor inlet perpendicular transfer devices arranged along the fourth conveyor at positions corresponding to the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors, and the plurality of sorting conveyors The conveyor inlet perpendicular transfer device is activated when the plurality of sorting conveyor detection sensors detect the dish basket, and converts the conveying direction of the dish basket conveyed by the fourth conveyer to the perpendicular direction. 13. The automatic dishwashing system of claim 12, wherein the system comprises: The arrangement conveyor entrance perpendicular transfer device comprises a plurality of conveyor belts provided between the plurality of conveying rollers of the fourth conveyor, the upper surfaces of which move in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the arrangement conveyor, The plurality of conveyor belts are configured to rise when the dish basket is conveyed by the fourth conveyor and to descend when the dish basket is moved onto the sorting conveyor. 14. The automatic dishwashing system of claim 13. a row of fifth conveyors connected to the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors for conveying in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sorting conveyors; 15. The automatic dishwashing system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a sorting conveyor delivery device for delivering to the carrier conveyor. The sorting conveyor sending-out device is provided at each of the outlets of the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors, and a plurality of sorting conveyor exit perpendicular transfer devices for converting the conveying direction of the dish baskets conveyed by the plurality of rows of sorting conveyors into a perpendicular direction. 16. An automatic dishwashing system according to claim 15, comprising a device. The arranging conveyor exit perpendicular transfer device comprises a plurality of conveying belts provided between the plurality of conveying rollers of the fifth conveyer, the upper surfaces of which move in the same direction as the conveying direction of the arranging conveyor, The plurality of conveying belts are configured to rise when the dish basket is conveyed by the sorting conveyor and to descend when the dish basket is moved onto the fifth conveyer. 17. The automatic dishwashing system of claim 16. The first identification sensor reads an identification mark attached to a dish basket to identify the type of the dish basket, and reads a signal from an IC chip attached to the dish basket to identify the type of the dish basket. 18. The automatic dishwashing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the sensor detects the dishbasket and identifies the type of the dishbasket from the captured image. The second identification sensor reads an identification mark attached to the dish basket to identify the type of the dish basket, and reads a signal from an IC chip attached to the dish basket to identify the type of the dish basket. 18. The automatic dishwashing system according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the sensor detects the dishbasket and identifies the type of the dishbasket from the captured image. A diverting conveyor is further provided downstream of the first identification sensor for diverting from the first conveying conveyor and conveying the dish basket, and the dish basket conveyed by the diverting conveyor is subjected to the first identification. 20. According to the type of dish basket identified by the sensor, it is arranged to automatically feed a plurality of rows of washing channels of a washing machine different from the washing machine. 1. The automatic dishwashing system according to claim 1.

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