WO2015167853A1

WO2015167853A1 - Commercial washer, in particular dishwasher or glass washer

Info

Publication number: WO2015167853A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/026783
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silvio Koch; Matthias Leibitz; Markus Heidt; Adrian Boldt; Jürgen SCHEMEL
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2014-04-29
Filing date: 2015-04-21
Publication date: 2015-11-05
Also published as: DE102014207995A1; DE202014010365U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a commercial washer (1), in particular dishwasher or glass washer, which is in the form of an under-counter machine and has at least one treatment chamber (3) which is provided in a machine housing (2) and into and from which at least one dish rack (11) can be inserted and removed. In order to optimize the total efficiency of the washing process of the washer (1), the invention makes provision for the washer (1) to have a mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) into the and, respectively, out of the treatment chamber (3) as required.

Description

COMMERCIAL WASHER, IN PARTICULAR

DISHWASHER OR GLASS WASHER

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to a commercial washer, in particular dishwasher or glass washer.

[0002] The invention accordingly relates, in particular, to a commercial washer which is in the form of an under-counter machine and has at least one treatment chamber which is provided in a machine housing and into and from which at least one dish rack can be inserted and removed.

[0003] Commercial washers of this kind which are in the form of under-counter machines are also called "batch washers" in the field of commercial washing. Batch washers are washers which can be manually loaded and unloaded. A batch washer which is in the form of an under-counter machine usually has one treatment chamber for cleaning washware. A wash tank in which liquid can flow back from the treatment chamber due to the force of gravity is generally arranged beneath the treatment chamber. The wash tank contains wash liquid which is usually water to which detergent may be added.

[0004] A batch washer which is in the form of an under-counter machine usually also has a wash system with a wash pump, a line system which is connected to the wash pump, and a large number of spray nozzles which are formed in at least one wash arm. The wash liquid contained in the wash tank can be conveyed from the wash pump, via the line system, to the wash nozzles and sprayed onto the washware to be cleaned by the wash nozzles in the treatment chamber. The sprayed wash liquid then flows back into the wash tank.

[0005] A washer of this kind which is in the form of a batch washer is known, for example, from document DE 10 2005 023 429 Al .

[0006] The term "washware" used in the present document is intended to be understood to mean, in particular, crockery, glassware, cutlery, cooking utensils, baking utensils and serving trays, but also transportation containers, racks, preparation tools and also class I medical devices, in particular bedpans, and surgical instruments or components thereof. [0007] A commercial washer which is in the form of a batch washer basically differs from a domestic washer in particular in that a commercial washer has to be designed in such a way that - irrespective of the selected cleaning program - program run times of between one and five minutes can be realized, whereas domestic washers generally have run times of up to 2.5 hours or above. Due to the short program duration which is required with commercial washers, technology used in domestic washers generally cannot be readily transferred to commercial washers.

[0008] Commercial washers which are in the form of batch washers and are designed for loading and unloading washware into and from the treatment chamber in batches are, in particular, front loader machines. In the case of front loader machines of this kind, the washware is placed in a dish rack and the rack which is loaded with washware is placed into the treatment chamber of the washer through a front door and removed through the front door again after cleaning.

[0009] Particularly in the case of batch washers which are in the form of under-counter machines, this operating principle of loading and unloading the machine places particular demands on the operating personnel. For example, a dish rack which is fully loaded, for example, with plates generally has a weight of approximately 10 kg. Secondly, commercial under-counter washers allow up to 30 dish racks to be washed per hour due to the short run time of approximately 60 to 120 seconds. This means that the operating personnel have to lift, unload, load and again place up to 30 dish racks with a weight of in each case up to 10 kg into the treatment chamber of the washer. The work to be done for this purpose amounts to up to 5000 J/h.

[0010] It is therefore clear that the manual lifting-up and lowering required in the case of under-counter machines involves a high level of physical exertion by the operating personnel. This ultimately leads to a negative influence on the total efficiency of the washing process since the manual loading and unloading requires additional time.

[0011] Owing to this problem, the present invention is based on the object of developing a commercial washer of the kind cited in the introductory part in such a way that the total efficiency of the washing process can be optimized in comparison to conventional solutions. [0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved at least in part by the subject matter of independent claim 1 , wherein advantageous developments of said patent claim are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] Accordingly, the invention proposes, in particular, providing a commercial washer of the kind cited in the introductory part with a mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack into the and, respectively, out of the treatment chamber as required.

[0014] The advantages which can be achieved with the solution according to the invention include: since the washer has a mechanism with which the dish rack can be retracted or extended into and, respectively, out of the treatment chamber, there is no need for the manual lifting-up and lowering of the dish racks which are usually required when loading and unloading the washer. In this way, the physical exertion by the operating personnel which has to be expended for loading and unloading the dish racks is

considerably reduced. Furthermore, the process of loading and unloading the machine can therefore be optimized in comparison to the manual operating principle, this ultimately having an effect on the total efficiency of the washing process.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the washer according to the invention will be described below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0016] fig. la: shows a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the washer according to the invention in a first functional state in which a dish rack is retracted into the treatment chamber of the washer;

[0017] fig. lb: shows a perspective illustration of the washer shown in fig. la in a second state in which the dish rack is fully extended out of the treatment chamber;

[0018] fig. lc: shows a perspective illustration of the washer shown in fig. la in an intermediate state in which the dish rack is partially extended out of the treatment chamber;

[0019] fig. Id: shows a further perspective illustration of the washer shown in fig. la in the intermediate state in line with fig. lc;

[0020] fig. le: shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment in line with fig. Id; [0021] fig. 2a: shows a schematic side view of a further exemplary embodiment of the washer according to the invention during the process of a dish rack being extended out of the treatment chamber;

[0022] fig. 2b: shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the washer according to the invention in line with fig. 2a after the dish rack is extended out of the treatment chamber; and

[0023] fig. 2c: shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the washer according to the invention in line with fig. 2a after the extended dish rack is raised.

[0024] Figures la to le show a first exemplary embodiment of the washer 1 according to the invention in different functional states.

[0025] As illustrated, this exemplary embodiment is a washer 1 which is in the form of an under-counter machine and which has one treatment chamber 3 which is provided in a machine housing 2. In order to receive washware 10 in the treatment chamber 3, a door 4 is provided in order to be able to close a loading and unloading opening 5. The washer 1 is designed for loading and unloading the washware 10 into and, respectively, from a washware region in the treatment chamber 3 in batches.

[0026] The treatment chamber 3 has, for example, a volume of between 60 liters and 280 liters.

[0027] The term "washing" comprises in particular at least one of the processes "pre- cleaning" "cleaning", "post-cleaning", "final rinsing" etc.

[0028] The washware region is a region in the treatment chamber 3 in which the washware 10 is positioned in order to be cleaned. In this case, the washware 10 is preferably arranged in a dish rack 11. The treatment chamber 3 can contain one or more rack receptacles or rack holding frames, for example a single rack receptacle/a single rack holding frame 6 as illustrated, on which in each case one dish rack 11 can be positioned or is positioned. As an alternative to this, it is also possible, for example, for a plurality of, in particular two, rack receptacles/rack holding frames which are arranged one above the other to be provided. [0029] A large number of spray nozzles are arranged in the treatment chamber 3 in order to spray washing liquid, for example cleaning liquid or final rinse liquid, onto the washware 10. Respectively separate spray nozzles can be provided in order to spray cleaning liquid and final rinse liquid. The spray nozzles can be formed, in particular, on rotatable spray pipes, on stationary spray pipes and/or in a treatment chamber wall.

[0030] In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the loading and unloading opening 5 is formed in a front treatment chamber wall. A treatment chamber base has a passage opening into a tank or into a reservoir which is provided for receiving washing liquid. The passage opening in the treatment chamber base is preferably covered by a tank screen.

[0031] The washer 1 is preferably intended to at least partially reuse the washing liquid in the tank for a further washing program, that is to say for a new batch of washware 10. In particular, the washer 1 can be designed to regenerate the washing liquid.

[0032] The exemplary embodiment of the washer 1 according to the invention which is illustrated in the drawings is distinguished, in particular, in that it has a mechanism for retracting or extending a dish rack into the and, respectively, out of the treatment chamber 3 of the washer 1 as required.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention illustrated in figures la to le, the mechanism for retracting or extending the dish rack as required has a pivoting unit with the aid of which a dish rack 11 (cf. fig. la) which is accommodated in the treatment chamber 3 can be moved from the wash level W in the treatment chamber 3 to a level H above the wash level W (cf. fig. lb).

[0034] Specifically, and as is shown by looking at figures la, lb and lc together, provision is made in the case of the exemplary embodiment of the washer 1 according to the invention illustrated in the drawings for the pivoting unit to be designed to move the dish rack 11 from the wash level W (cf. fig. la) to the level H above the wash level W with a superimposed linear and pivoting movement.

[0035] To this end, the pivoting unit used in the first exemplary embodiment is a simple four-joint arrangement, wherein the rack holding frame 6 of the washer 1, which rack holding frame serves to accommodate and hold a dish rack 11 in the treatment chamber 3, are connected to the machine housing 2 on both sides by means of in each case two joint connections which run in parallel. The in each case two joint connections which run in parallel are designed as joint struts 21a, 21c, 21d which are connected to the machine housing 2, such that they are articulated about a pivot axis, at one end and are connected to the rack holding frame 6, such that they are articulated about a pivot axis, at the other end. This forms a simple four-joint arrangement which constitutes a simple yet effective realization of the pivoting unit.

[0036] As can be gathered by looking at figures la to lc together, the rack holding frame 6 can be moved out of the treatment chamber 3 (cf. fig. la) into a level H above the wash level W of the treatment chamber 3 with a swinging movement (cf. fig. lb for example).

[0037] In this case, it is advantageous when the pivoting unit and, specifically, the individual joint struts 21a, 21c, 21d of the pivoting unit are connected to the rack holding frame 6 in such a way that, in the fully pivoted-out state (fig. lb), the dish rack 11 is in a horizontal plane which is in alignment with the top face of the machine housing 2 of the washer 1. In this case, the operating personnel can move the dish rack 11 from the rack holding frame 6 onto the machine top face - without having to lift up the dish rack 11.

[0038] In order to be able to realize this, it goes without saying that it is, however, also feasible for a linear drive to be provided in addition to the pivoting unit, in order to raise the dish rack 11 once again with a linear movement and bring it level with the top face of the machine housing 2 in the operating situation which is illustrated in fig. lb.

[0039] In one development, which is not illustrated in the drawings for reasons of clarity, a spring system is associated with the pivoting unit in order to assist the extension or pivoting-out movement of the dish rack 11. This spring system may be a hydraulic, pneumatic or else mechanical spring system.

[0040] Furthermore, it is advantageous when a locking arrangement is provided, in particular for safety reasons, in order to fix either the mechanism or the dish rack 11 in the extended position. Various embodiments are possible for this purpose. As an alternative or in addition to this however, it is also feasible for the mechanism to be driven such that the dish rack 11 is extended only as far as a predefmable intermediate position (cf. figures lc to le) which is situated between the retracted state (cf. fig. la) and the fully extended state (cf. fig. lb).

[0041] A further exemplary embodiment of the washer 1 according to the invention will be described below with reference to the illustrations in figures 2a to 2c.

[0042] As illustrated, the further exemplary embodiment is likewise a washer 1 , in particular a dishwasher or glass washer, which is in the form of an under-counter machine and is suitable primarily for the commercial field.

[0043] As with the above-described first exemplary embodiment, a treatment chamber 3 is formed in a machine housing 2 in the case of the washer 1 according to the illustrations in figures 2a to 2c. The machine is designed for loading and unloading washware 10 into a washware region in the treatment chamber 3 in batches. For this purpose, a door 4 for closing a loading and unloading opening 5 is provided in the machine housing 2.

[0044] In contrast to the embodiment illustrated in figures la to le however, the door 4 is not designed as a hinged door which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis in the case of the further exemplary embodiment. Instead, the door 4 is designed part of a pull-out arrangement 7 (similar to the door of a so-called medicine cabinet). In this way, the the pull-out arrangement 7 comprising the door 4 is moved horizontally in order to open the machine, wherein the rack holding frame 6 is connected to the door 4 and is therefore likewise pulled out of the treatment chamber 3.

[0045] As soon as the pull-out arrangement 7 is fully extended, the dish rack 11 can be raised with the aid of a linear drive, for example a manual, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive, with a linear movement and moved from the wash level W of the treatment chamber 3 to a level H above the wash level W.

[0046] In this case, the mechanism for retracting or extending the dish rack 11 into and, respectively, from the treatment chamber 3 as required therefore does not have a pivoting unit, as is the case in the embodiment in line with figures la to le, but rather a lifting unit.

[0047] The invention is not restricted to the embodiments which are illustrated by way of example in the drawings, but rather is the result of looking at all of the features disclosed in this document together. In particular, it is feasible in this connection to provide the washer 1 with a drive, in particular an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive, which is associated with the mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack 11 as required in order to be able to retract and extend the dish rack 11 in an automated manner in this way.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A commercial washer (1), in particular dishwasher or glass washer, which is in the form of an under-counter machine and has at least one treatment chamber (3) which is provided in a machine housing (2) and into and from which at least one dish rack (11) can be inserted and removed, characterized in that the washer (1) has a mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) into the and, respectively, out of the treatment chamber (3) as required.

2. The washer (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer (1) has at least one rack holding frame (6) for accommodating and holding the at least one dish rack (11) in the treatment chamber (3).

3. The washer (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one rack holding frame (6) is connected to the machine housing (2) by means of the mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) as required in such a way that a dish rack (11) which is held by the rack holding frame (6) can be retracted or extended into the and, respectively, out of the treatment chamber (3).

4. The washer (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) as required has a lifting unit with the aid of which a dish rack (11) which is accommodated in the treatment chamber (3) can be moved from the wash level (W) in the treatment chamber (3) to a level (H) above the wash level (W).

5. The washer (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lifting unit has a linear drive and is designed to move the at least one dish rack (11) from the wash level (W) in the treatment chamber (3) to the level (H) above the wash level (W) with a linear movement.

6. The washer (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) as required has a pivoting unit with the aid of which a dish rack (11) which is accommodated in the treatment chamber (3) can be moved from the wash level (W) in the treatment chamber (3) to a level (H) above the wash level (W).

7. The washer (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pivoting unit is designed to move the dish rack (11) from the wash level (W) to the level (H) with a superordinate linear and pivoting movement.

8. The washer (1) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the pivoting unit is designed to move the dish rack (11) to a plane (H) which is in horizontal alignment with the top face of the machine housing of the washer (1).

9. The washer (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a drive, in particular an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive, is also provided, said drive being associated with the mechanism for retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) as required, for the purpose of retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) in an automated manner, in particular for the purpose of selectively retracting or extending the at least one dish rack (11) in an automated manner.

10. The washer (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a locking arrangement is also provided for the purpose of locking the mechanism and/or the dish rack (11) in the extended position of the dish rack (11).

11. The washer (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a spring system is associated with the mechanism for the purpose of assisting the extension movement of the dish rack (11).