NL2003145C2

NL2003145C2 - Cleaning device.

Info

Publication number: NL2003145C2
Application number: NL2003145A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Martijn Schaaper; Bauke Jan Bokma Boer
Original assignee: Aquafox Holding B V
Priority date: 2009-07-07
Filing date: 2009-07-07
Publication date: 2011-01-10
Also published as: EP2451333A1; WO2011005089A1; EP2451333B1

Description

P87945NL00

Title: Cleaning device

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning drinking glasses comprising a supply device for supplying a rinsing fluid.

Such cleaning devices are known and are commonly used in catering industry, e.g. cafés or restaurants. The cleaning device usually comprises a 5 supply device for supplying a rinsing fluid. For example, a tap may be provided for supplying continuously water as rinsing fluid to rinse the drinking glasses. However, during relatively quiet moments in the catering premise, less drinking glasses need to be rinsed and with a continuous supply of water, more water may be supplied than may be needed for rinsing the glasses. Therefore, 10 it is known to arrange the supply device for supplying water at a predetermined interval to save water, for example to supply water every 15 minutes, or to supply water every 18 rinsed glasses. However, during intensive use of the cleaning device, for example when it is busy in the café or restaurant, there may not be sufficient water supplied and/or the water may 15 become dirty.

An object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device in which at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks is obviated.

Thereto, the invention provides for a cleaning device for cleaning drinking glasses comprising a supply device for supplying a rinsing fluid at a 20 basic supply regimen, wherein the cleaning device is arranged to adapt the basic supply regimen of the rinsing fluid to an advanced supply regimen upon detection of a varied use intensity of the cleaning device.

By adapting the basic supply regimen to an advanced supply regimen upon detection of a varied use intensity, the supply of the rinsing fluid 25 can be adapted to correspond with the intensity of the use of the cleaning device.

For example, the supply device may be arranged to adapt the basic supply regimen to the advanced supply regimen upon detection of an increased 2 use intensity of the cleaning device. Therefore, during normal use, rinsing fluid such as water will be supplied to the cleaning device at the basic supply regimen. The basic supply regimen may comprise supplying a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid at a predetermined time interval, e.g. every 15 5 minutes, or may comprise supplying a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid every predetermined number of rinsed drinking glasses, e.g. every 15 drinking glasses. When it becomes busy in the catering premise, such as a café or a restaurant, the cleaning device may be used more intensively for rinsing drinking glasses. Such increased use intensity of the cleaning device may be 10 detected by external detection means or by detection means comprised in the cleaning device. When continuing with the basic supply regimen during a period of increased use intensity, there may not be sufficient rinsing fluid supplied to rinse the increased amount of drinking glasses and/or the rinsing fluid may become dirty and/or drinking glasses may not become sufficiently 15 clean. Therefore, upon detection of a varied e.g. an increased use intensity, the basis supply regimen may be adapted to an advanced supply regimen. In the advanced supply regimen rinsing fluid may for example be supplied every single minute, or the amount of rinsing fluid to be supplied during each supply may be adapted.

20 By supplying the rinsing fluid in the advanced regimen upon detection of an increased use intensity, the supply of the rinsing fluid may be adapted more to the intensity of the use of the cleaning device, thereby preventing that the rinsing fluid in the cleaning device in which the glasses have to be cleaned may become too dirty. So, glasses may be rinsed in 25 relatively clean rinsing fluid thus contributing to a more constant quality of rinsed glasses, even at intense use of the cleaning device.

The cleaning device may be provided with detection means for detecting the use intensity of the cleaning device. In particular, the detection means may be arranged to detect actions that may result in a variation or 30 change in the use intensity of the cleaning device. For example, the detection 3 means may be a camera that detects the presence of a person behind the cleaning device. If a person is standing a relatively long time behind the cleaning device, this may indicate an increased use of the cleaning device. In order to prevent that the advanced supply regimen is started if the cleaning 5 device is not used, because the person is only standing behind the cleaning device and not performing any actions with the cleaning device, the camera signal may be complemented with an other signal, e.g. a count of rinsed drinking glasses, or a pressure sensor at the bottom of a sink of the cleaning device. The detection means thus may detect actions (e.g. of a person) that may 10 indicate a variation or change in the use intensity of the cleaning device.

Counting the number of rinsed drinking glasses, or measuring the pressure or vibrations of the sink of the cleaning device may also individually be used as detection signals for identifying a variation or change in the use intensity of the cleaning device.

15 Detecting the use intensity of the cleaning device may relate to detecting the use frequency of the cleaning device, e.g. counting the number of glasses rinsed or the number of actions done by a person in relation to the cleaning device. Also, measuring the vibration of the sink of the cleaning device, or measuring the pressure and/or pressure differences on a bottom of 20 the sink of the cleaning device, may give an indication of the use intensity of the cleaning device. As more glasses are rinsed, for example vibrations may increase and/or the exerted pressure and/or the frequency of the exerted pressure on the bottom of the sink may increase.

By providing the advanced supply regimen, an adaptive program 25 may be established that adapts the supply of rinsing fluid depending on the use situation of the cleaning device. During quiet moments and/or quiet use of the cleaning device, the basic supply regimen may be active, and during busy moments and/or intensive use of the cleaning device, the advanced supply regimen may be active. Thus, an optimal supply of the rinsing fluid may be 30 obtained and the use of rinsing fluid, e.g. water may be optimized, thus saving 4 costs. By providing such an adaptive program for the cleaning device, a more cost effective and efficient cleaning device may be obtained. The adaptive program may be controlled mechanically e.g. via switches counting the number of glasses and/or switches opening or closing a supply valve in the rinsing fluid 5 supply channel. Also the adaptive program may be a computer program controlled by signals from detection means, wherein the program acts as a control system for controlling the supply device, e.g. a supply valve in the rinsing fluid supply channel of the supply device. Various variations and combinations for the program are possible 10 The advanced supply regimen may be a predetermined advanced supply regimen, meaning that it is known beforehand how the rinsing fluid is supplied when an increased use intensity is detected. Alternatively and/or additionally, the advanced supply regimen may be controlled actively, meaning that not only an increased use intensity is detected but also the nature of the 15 increased use intensity may be detected, e.g. that the use intensity is low, medium, high or extra high, and that upon detection of the nature of the increased use intensity also the content of the advanced supply regimen is determined. A control system may have to be provided with the cleaning device e.g. for controlling the adaptive program when to switch between the basic 20 supply regimen and the advanced supply regimen and/or how to adapt the advanced supply regimen depending on the detected intensity of use. The control system may also be arranged for controlling various parameters of e.g. the basic supply regimen, the advanced supply regimen, the detection means. Parameters may e.g. be the duration of a regimen, the use intensity, the 25 number of rinsed glasses, the amount of rinsing fluid, etc.

By arranging the supply device to adapt the advanced supply regimen to the basic supply regimen after a period of increased use intensity upon detection of a decreased use intensity, the advanced supply regimen can be terminated automatically, so rinsing fluid may be saved.

5

By terminating the advanced supply regimen after a period of intensive use of the cleaning device, the adaptive program may adapt automatically depending on the circumstances of use of the cleaning device. The adaptive program may be in the basic supply regimen during quiet use of 5 the cleaning device, e.g. during quiet times in the catering premise, and the adaptive program may be in the advanced supply regimen during intensive use of the cleaning device, e.g. during busy times in the catering premise. Upon detecting an increased use intensity of the cleaning device, the adaptive program may switch from the basic supply regimen to the advanced supply 10 regimen, and upon detecting a decreased use intensity of the cleaning device, the adaptive program may switch from the advanced supply regimen to the basic supply regimen.

By arranging the supply device to adapt a supply dosage of the rinsing fluid, not only a frequency of the supply of the rinsing fluid, but also 15 the quantity of rinsing fluid to be supplied can be changed. A supply regimen may control for example parameters such as the frequency of the supply of the rinsing fluid, e.g. every 15 minutes and/or the dosage of the supply of the rinsing fluid, e.g. one third of a cleaning device and/or the interval, e.g. every 14 rinsed glasses. The supply device may be arranged to adapt each of the 20 parameters individually and/or in correspondence to each other. These parameters may be adapted for the basic supply regimen and/or for the advanced supply regimen for example upon installation of the cleaning device and/or supply device. In an embodiment a control system may be provided to adapt a parameter depending on detected parameters during the period of 25 increased use intensity. If the supply device is arranged with the adaptive program, these parameters may be set and/or changed in the adaptive program.

By providing a refreshing regimen after a period of increased use intensity upon detection of a decreased use intensity and before returning to 30 the basic supply regimen, the cleaning device may be refreshed at once and a 6 quieter period of less use intensity may be started with a relatively freshly filled cleaning device.

By adapting the content of the refreshing regimen on the duration of the period of the advanced supply regimen, the refreshing regimen may be 5 flexibly provided at the end of a period of an advanced supply regimen. The content of the refreshing regimen may comprise for example the duration of the refreshing regimen, the amount and/or concentration of rinsing fluid to be used.

By providing detection of an increased use intensity when the 10 number of rinsed drinking glasses exceeds a predetermined limit in a predetermined time interval, a criterion may be set for the detection of an increased use intensity. Upon installation of the cleaning device and/or the detection means, the predetermined limit may be adapted depending on the desired circumstances under which an increased use and thus the advanced 15 supply regimen may be required. Such a parameter may for example be controlled by the adaptive program and/or the control system.

By supplying a larger amount of rinsing fluid per glass during the advanced supply regimen, than during the basic supply regimen, it may be avoided that the rinsing fluid in the cleaning device becomes dirty relatively 20 quick. Alternatively and/or additionally, less cleansing agent may be supplied with respect to the rinsing fluid, such that the rinsing fluid may be less rich on cleansing agent, during the advanced supply regimen in order to avoid that the rinsing fluid may have too much foam. Also this parameter may for example be controlled by the adaptive program and/or the control system.

25 By providing a cleansing agent detection system, the presence of cleansing agent in the cleansing agent reservoir may be detected and/or a signal may be provided when the cleansing agent reservoir is detected to be empty. By signaling an empty cleansing agent reservoir, a user of the cleaning device may refill and/or change the cleansing agent reservoir so that sufficient 30 cleansing agent may be available for supplying to the cleaning device. The 7 cleansing agent detection system may for example be controlled by the control system and/or the adaptive program.

By measuring the electrical current of a cleansing agent pump during activation of the pump for pumping cleansing agent from the cleansing 5 agent reservoir, the presence of cleansing agent in the cleansing agent reservoir can be detected on a relative cost-effective, efficient and reliable way.

The invention also relates to a method for cleaning glasses in a cleaning device, comprising supplying rinsing fluid to the cleaning device at a predetermined basic supply regimen, monitoring the use intensity of the 10 cleaning device and adapting the basic supply regimen to an advanced supply regimen upon detection of an increased use intensity of the cleaning device.

Further advantageous embodiments are represented in the subclaims.

The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of an 15 exemplary embodiment which is represented in a drawing. The exemplary embodiment is given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to the invention; 20 Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a use intensity of a cleaning device according to the invention; and

Fig. 3a en Fig. 3b show a diagram of electrical current measured during a process of supplying cleansing agent.

It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of 25 embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting example. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 a cleaning device 1 is represented for cleaning drinking glasses for use in for example a bar, café or restaurant. The cleaning device 1 30 comprises a supply device 2 for supplying a rinsing fluid at a basic supply 8 regimen. The rinsing fluid may be water, or may be water with a cleansing agent such as soap or detergent. In this embodiment, water mixed with detergent is supplied. The basic supply regimen comprises the supply of rinsing fluid at a predetermined time interval, e.g. every 15 minutes, or when 5 glasses are rinsed, after a predetermined number of glasses, e.g. every rinsed 14 glasses. The predetermined time interval can for example be set to 10 minutes or to 20 minutes, depending on the desired supply frequency of the basic supply regimen.

The supply device 2 comprises an operating element 9 that can be 10 operated, e.g. pressed, to supply an amount of rinsing fluid manually, independent of the supply regimen.

The cleaning device 1 further comprises a sink with rinsing brushes 4 that can be used for the rinsing of glasses. The sink 3 may be filled with rinsing fluid and a glass may be cleaned by placing it over a brush 4 and by 15 moving it along the brush 4. Further, a tap 5 may be provided for tapping water.

In this embodiment, water is mixed with detergent, which is provided in a detergent box 6 underneath the cleaning device 1. The detergent box 6 may comprise a detergent bag 7 that can be fitted in a detergent 20 cartridge 8. Via a cleansing agent pump (not shown) may the detergent be pumped out of the box 6 into the supply device 2 where it may be mixed with water for forming a rinsing fluid composition. Also, in an other embodiment, the cleansing agent may be mixed with water in the supply channel to the supply device 2, so the supply device 2 supplies water mixed with cleansing 25 agent to the sink 3 of the cleaning device 1.

Detection means may be provided for detecting the use intensity of the cleaning device 1, in particular the detection means may detect a variation in the use intensity. The detection means may detect an increase or a decrease in the use intensity. A detection means may for example be a camera that 30 registers acts of a user of the cleaning device 1. A detection means may for 9 example be a pressure sensor in or on the sink 3 that detects the increased pressure when a glass is moved up and down over a brush 4. A detection means may for example be a sensor that detects the clarity of the water in the sink 3. A detection means may for example be a camera and/or counting device 5 that counts the number of glasses rinsed over the brushes 4. Many other detection means may be provided. The detection means may be provided separately from the cleaning device 1 or as an integrated part of the cleaning device 1.

The detection means may be arranged to signal an increased use 10 intensity. For example, when the number of glasses rinsed or the number of acts performed by a user exceeds a certain predetermined limit, or when the water becomes too turbid, the detection means may signal an increased use intensity. Upon the detection of such an increased use intensity, point A in Fig. 2, the basic supply regimen may be adapted to an advanced supply regimen.

15 In the advanced supply regimen, for example more water and/or water with less detergent may be supplied than during the basic supply regimen. For example, during the advanced supply regimen, double the quantity of water may be supplied with one and a half the quantity of detergent may be supplied compared to the quantities supplied during the 20 basic supply regimen, in order to supply water less rich of detergent. So the dosage of water may be increased and/or the dosage of detergent per quantity of water may be decreased. Also, the intensity of supplying the rinsing fluid may be increased, for example during the advanced supply regimen, rinsing fluid may be supplied e.g. every minute.

25 During the advanced supply regimen, detection of the use intensity is continued and a decrease in the use intensity, point B in Fig. 2, may be signalled. Point B represents the end of the period of the advanced supply regimen and a return to the basic supply regimen. Alternatively and/or additionally, before returning to the basic supply regimen, but after 30 terminating the advanced supply regimen, a refreshing regimen may be 10 provided. During the refreshing regimen, a large volume of the sink 3 is at once refreshed with fresh rinsing fluid from the supply device 2. For example, one third of the sink 3 can thus be refreshed.

In an embodiment, the content of the refreshing regimen may be 5 dependent on the duration of the period of increased use intensity. For example, the longer the period of increased use intensity, the more rinsing fluid is refreshed and/or the more cleansing agent is added to the water.

For detecting the presence of detergent in the detergent bag 7, use can be made of the electrical current of the cleansing agent pump. By 10 measuring the electrical current of the cleansing agent pump in intervals during a pumping movement, and by comparing the measurements of electrical current with respect to the previous measurement during each interval, it can be detected whether the bag 7 is almost empty or not.

If the bag 7 is almost empty, there will be a relatively large 15 difference between the quantity of measured electrical current between two subsequent measurements in one interval. If a similar difference returns in subsequent intervals, the bag may almost be empty, because for an empty bag, the pump may need less power to move the detergent and subsequent measurements may indicate less required power, thus less used electrical 20 current. If during the process of supplying of detergent it is detected that the bag 7 may be almost empty, the process of supplying the detergent is finished first. At the end of the process, it may be determined whether the bag may be empty or not. So, a single airbubble in the bag 7 may not affect the determination of an almost empty soap bag.

25 If the bag 7 is still sufficiently filled, the electrical current measured during an interval may increase and may become approximately constant at the end of a measurement interval, as shown in Fig. 3a. Fig. 3a shows the electrical current measured during one measurement interval. During one interval, in this embodiment, 10 measurements have been done (measurement 30 0 to measurement 9). The electrical current measured at each measurement is 11 depicted in Fig. 3a. In Fig. 3a it can be seen that the electrical current of measurement 5 to measurement 9 is approximately equal, indicating that the pump still experiences sufficient resistance from the detergent in the bag. If subsequent measurement intervals give a similar current pattern, the bag 7 5 will be considered still sufficiently filled with detergent.

From the electrical current measurements done in one interval, shown in Fig. 3b, it can be seen that the measured current in measurements 8 and 9 has dropped. This might indicate that the pump is experiencing less resistance from detergent in the bag 7, and that the bag 7 may be almost 10 empty. If this pattern of measurements is repeated in subsequent intervals, the bag 7 may be considered almost empty. A signal may be given that may show the user that the bag is almost empty, e.g. via a warning light, or the supply device may stop supplying rinsing fluid because not sufficient cleansing agent may be added to the rinsing fluid.

15 The detection of the presence of cleansing agent may be considered as an invention on its own.

Many variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. As an alternative embodiment, the basic supply regimen may correspond with an increased use intensity of the cleaning device. The advanced supply regimen 20 may correspond with a decreased use intensity of the cleaning device. For example, the basic supply regimen may be applied during intense use of the cleaning device, e.g. when it is busy in the catering premise. When it becomes more quiet or a decreased use intensity of the cleaning device is detected, the basic supply regimen may be adapted to the advanced supply regimen. This 25 and other variants are understood to be comprised within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

A cleaning device for cleaning drinking glasses, comprising a supply device for supplying a flushing agent at a basic supply regime, wherein the cleaning device is adapted to adapt the basic supply regime of the flushing agent to an advanced supply regime when detecting a varied use intensity of the cleaning device.

A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises detection means for detecting a variation in the usage intensity of the cleaning device.

A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeding device is adapted to adapt the basic feeding regime to the advanced feeding regime when detecting an increased use intensity of the cleaning device.

4. Cleaning device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the feeding device is adapted to adapt the advanced feeding regime to the basic feeding regime after a period of increased use intensity in detecting a decreased use intensity.

5. Cleaning device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cleaning device is provided with an adaptive program, adapted to adjust the basic supply regime of the advanced supply regime when detecting a varied intensity of use.

6. Cleaning device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the feed device is adapted to adjust a feed dosage of the rinsing means.

A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed device is arranged to provide a refresh regime after a period of increased usage intensity upon detecting a decreased usage intensity, before returning to the basic supply regime.

8. Cleaning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a content of the refresh regime is dependent on the duration of the period of the advanced supply regime.

The cleaning device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the refreshing regime comprises refreshing one third of the volume of the cleaning device.

A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the advanced feed regime comprises supplying a greater amount of rinsing agent per glass than during the basic feed regime.

11. Cleaning device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein detection of an increased intensity of use is provided when the number of drinking glasses exceeds a predetermined limit in a predetermined time interval.

12. Cleaning device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the rinsing means comprise a cleaning agent.

13. Cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein the advanced supply regime comprises the supply of rinsing agent which is less rich in cleaning agent than during the basic supply regime.

A cleaning device according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a detergent detection system for detecting detergent in a detergent reservoir.

The cleaning device of claim 14, wherein the detergent detection system is adapted to measure electrical current from a detergent pump during activation of the pump for pumping detergent from the detergent reservoir.

A cleaning device according to any of claims 4 to 15, wherein the adaptive program comprises a control system for controlling switching between the basic supply regime and the advanced supply regime.

A cleaning device according to claim 16, wherein the control system is adapted to control parameters of the basic supply regime and / or the advanced supply regime and / or the refresh regime and / or the detection means and / or the detection system for the cleaning agent.

18. Method for cleaning glasses in a cleaning device, comprising supplying rinsing agent to the cleaning device at a predetermined basic supply regime, monitoring the usage intensity of the cleaning device, and adjusting the basic supply regime to an advanced supply regime when detecting an increased intensity of use of the cleaning device.

The method of claim 18, further comprising monitoring the usage intensity of the cleaning device during a period of increased usage intensity and adjusting the advanced supply regime to the base supply regime upon detecting a decreased usage intensity.

The method of claim 18 or 19, further comprising refreshing the cleaning device with rinsing agent after a period of increased usage intensity and before returning to the basic supply regime.