WO2024008694A1

WO2024008694A1 - Input unit for inputting liquid active ingredients into a cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2024008694A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/068339
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno Gaus; Stanislav ANSELM
Original assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2022-07-04
Filing date: 2023-07-04
Publication date: 2024-01-11

Abstract

The present invention relates to an input unit (194) for inputting at least one liquid active ingredient (195) into a cleaning device (110) for cleaning items to be cleaned (116). The input unit (194) comprises a housing (196) having an interior (198) and a pivoting door (200), which can be pivoted from an open position (204) into a closed position (206). The input unit comprises: a holder (208), arranged on a side of the pivoting door (200) facing the interior (198), for receiving at least one active ingredient container (210); at least one piercing device (212), arranged in the interior (198), for piercing the active ingredient container (210); and a collection container (216), arranged in a base region (214) of the interior (198), for receiving the liquid active ingredient (195). The input unit (194) is designed such that, when the pivoting door (200) is pivoted from the open position (204) into the closed position (206), a region (218) of the active ingredient container (210) is pressed against a blade (220) of the piercing device (212). As a result, the piercing device (212) perforates the region (218) and the liquid active ingredient (195) flows through the perforated region (218) into the collection container (216).

Description

Input unit for entering liquid active ingredients into a cleaning device

Technical area

The invention relates to an input unit for inputting at least one liquid active ingredient into a cleaning device and a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning items to be cleaned using the proposed cleaning device. The devices and the method of the type mentioned can be used, for example, in the field of dishwashing technology, in particular in the field of commercial dishwashing technology. The invention can be used in particular in large kitchens in which items to be cleaned, such as trays, dishes and cutlery, have to be cleaned in large quantities. However, other types of cleaning devices can in principle be modified according to the invention, and/or the invention can be used to clean other types of items to be cleaned.

Technical background

A large number of cleaning devices, also referred to as cleaning devices, are known from the prior art, which can clean and/or disinfect items to be cleaned. Overall, the design of these cleaning devices depends heavily on the various boundary conditions, such as the type of items to be cleaned, the contamination, the throughput or similar conditions. As an example, reference can be made to cleaning devices which are described, for example, in DE 10 2004 056 052 A1, DE 10 2007 025 263 A1, DE 10 2015 102 593 A1, EP 2 491 844 A2 or EP 1982631 A2. However, other configurations are also possible. In a cleaning device, the items to be cleaned are generally supplied with at least one cleaning fluid. For example, this can be done in a cleaning chamber via at least one application device, in particular with at least one nozzle system. In many cases, for example, aqueous cleaning fluids are used. In many cases, at least one liquid active ingredient is used to produce or prepare the cleaning fluid. For example, this can be at least one cleaner and/or at least one rinse aid. The liquid active ingredient can, for example, be introduced into the cleaning device in the form of a ready-made application solution or as a concentrate.

For reasons of simplified transport and for reasons of cost and packaging volume, in many cases the active ingredient used is at least one active ingredient concentrate, which is diluted, for example, in the cleaning device, gradually with at least one solvent such as water. For example, concentrate can be prepared into at least one application solution in a dishwasher, for example by diluting 300 ml of rinse aid concentrate with water to 3 liters of rinse aid as the application solution. Optionally, it may be possible to process several different concentrates and also to combine their user concentrates.

The liquid active ingredients, also referred to as raw materials, can be, for example, individual substances or mixtures of substances that are in many cases highly concentrated. Such a concentrate or mixture can, for example, be a starting material for rinse aid. The concentrate for the rinse aid can contain all the necessary components, for example surfactants, complexing agents, polymers, acids, preservatives or even just some of these components.

However, several technical challenges arise when providing one or more of the liquid active ingredients to the cleaning device. One challenge, for example, is dosage. Liquid active ingredients such as concentrates usually contain little or no water or other solvents. Accordingly, in many cases the active ingredients cannot be used or dosed directly in the cleaning device, since this would require the dosing of very small volumes, which is usually technically very complex or even impossible. Another challenge is that many of the liquid active ingredients used have toxic properties, especially in concentrated form. In particular, when the liquid active ingredients are provided to the cleaning device, a high level of operational safety and a high level of protection for the operating personnel from the liquid active ingredient should be guaranteed. For example, skin contact with the liquid active ingredient should be excluded.

And finally, another challenge is often that only certain types of active ingredients should be provided to the cleaning device. If several active ingredients are to be provided, they must, if possible, not be mixed up inside and outside the cleaning device. In addition, the use of products that are not approved for the respective cleaning device should also generally be prevented.

A large number of technical devices and methods are known from the prior art, which describe the entry of liquid active ingredients, in particular for cleaning purposes, into cleaning devices or other devices. For example, EP 2 502 542 B1 describes a device for multiple dosing of cleaners in a cleaning device, the at least one cleaner being in powder form, granules, tabs, block form, liquid or gel. The at least one cleaner is accommodated in a cartridge which has at least one seal, after which the at least one cleaner passes into a dissolution chamber or a dissolving/dissolving area which is connected to a treatment agent storage container. Both the dissolution chamber or the dissolution/dissolution area and the treatment agent storage container are connected to a device for fluid circulation, via which the treatment agent generated in the dissolution chamber or in the dissolution/dissolution area and the medium contained in the treatment agent storage container are circulated.

EP 2 791 584 B1 discloses a method for cleaning a cavity of a device for heat treatment or for cooking substances. The cavity includes a floor and a drain arranged in the floor, the drain having an opening leading to a cleaning box. The drain and cleaning box allow water to enter and exit to clean the device. The method includes inserting a cleaning cartridge into the cavity and inverting the cleaning cartridge via a mechanism disposed in the drain. The mechanism includes a neck portion having an outer perimeter sized to fit within the opening of the drain and a flange portion disposed around the neck portion and having an outer perimeter sized to not fit into the opening of the drain. Further, the mechanism includes a plurality of openings disposed above the neck portion and within the outer periphery of the flange portion, and at least one protruding edge disposed proximal to at least one of the plurality of openings and in a direction away from the drain and toward the cavity is. The method further includes pressing down on the cleaning cartridge to cause the at least one protruding edge on the mechanism to contact and pierce a seal adhered to the inner wall of the cleaning cartridge and releasing the single dose of cleaning agent/ Rinse aid in the drain.

EP 3 517 016 A1 discloses a dispenser for dispensing a chemical agent from a container coupled to the dispenser. The donor can be inserted into a coupling position in a receiving space of the donor. The dispenser has a sensor for contactless detection of container information or container content information and a presence sensor that detects whether a container inserted into the receiving space is in the coupling position. Only when the container is in the coupling position does the presence sensor activate the sensor for contactless detection of container information or container content information, which in the activated state detects the container information or container content information and checks it for correctness. If this is true, the sensor triggers a release of the dispenser into an operating state in which the chemical agent can be dispensed from the container. Furthermore, the dispenser comprises an inlet connection arranged on the bottom of the receiving space for connection to an outlet of the container, which has a plunger which can be extended into an outlet of the container and retracted from the outlet of the container. The plunger is extended into an operating position when the container holder is moved. When the container holder is moved into the replacement position, the plunger is retracted.

JP 2019034219 A discloses a dispenser for a chlorine-containing cleaning agent for use in an automatic dishwasher. A water-insoluble cartridge is used that has a downward-facing supply connection. Water is injected into the supply port until the contents of the cartridge dissolve.

US 10704183 B2 discloses a household application for treating at least one item. The household application includes a treatment chemical dispenser that holds a dose container. This includes a door that lies between an open position can be moved to a closed position. Furthermore, it includes a piercing mechanism that is arranged near the treatment chemical dispenser. This includes a piercer that is movable between a non-piercing position and a pricking position, wherein in the pricking position the piercer is moved such that it perforates a unit dose container which is received in the treatment chemical dispenser.

WO 2014/005951 A1 describes a device for contamination-free filling of a tank from a canister. The device comprises a tank adapter with a tank mounting flange for attachment to the tank and a first coupling part, as well as with a closable connecting channel. Furthermore, the device comprises a canister adapter with a canister fastening flange for attachment to the canister and a second coupling part, as well as a closing piston which is guided in the canister adapter. The tank adapter and the canister adapter are detachably connected to one another via the first and second coupling parts. The closing piston has a first contact surface which is in operative contact with a second contact surface provided on the tank adapter when the second coupling part of the canister adapter is coupled to the first coupling part of the tank adapter. Furthermore, the device comprises a flushing connection for supplying cleaning liquid, which is attached to the tank adapter and is connected to the closable connecting channel. The device provides a fluid connection between the canister fastening flange and the tank fastening flange in an open position and closes the fluid connection between the canister fastening flange and the tank fastening flange in a closed position. The second contact surface can be lifted off from the first contact surface. The second coupling part of the canister adapter is coupled to the first coupling part of the tank adapter.

Furthermore, devices and methods which describe the identification of active ingredients are also known from the prior art. For example, US 2007/0044820 A1 discloses a system that controls the dispensing of various chemicals from containers using a plurality of connections. Each container includes data that identifies the chemical within the container. The system reads the data from each container to determine which port is assigned which chemical. When a particular chemical is required, the system activates a flow control device coupled to the port associated with the particular chemical, thereby dispensing the particular chemical to a consumer device. As a result, the system automatically assigns a message, regardless of which port an operator connects to a specific chemical, which connection is assigned to which chemical, and the delivery is configured accordingly.

EP 3 476 269 A1 describes a method for automatically evaluating the type of detergent used in a dishwasher. The dishwasher has a dispenser with a flap configured to be movable between a closed and an open position and is designed to implement a cleaning program. The method includes providing a dishwashing detergent in the dispenser, capturing a first digital image representing the dishwashing detergent as the door moves from the closed position to the open position to release the dishwashing detergent into the washing area of the dishwasher. The method further includes digital processing of the first captured image to obtain a first processed image. The first processed image defines either a contour section or a roughness value of the detergent. Furthermore, the method includes comparing the at least one contour section with a predetermined contour or comparing the roughness value with a roughness threshold in order to determine a detergent type, as well as changing one or more of the cleaning parameters of the cleaning program according to the detergent type.

DE 10 2015 216 726 B4 describes a method for operating a household appliance, in particular a dishwasher. The method includes scanning an identifier of a pack of added consumables, transmitting a first message to a central location, the first message comprising the identifier, determining how large an amount of added consumables is by the central location using a database and the identifier, a conclusion about a quantity of consumables that is available for the operation of the household appliance based on the amount of additional consumables, a transmission from the household appliance to the central location of a second message which draws a conclusion about a quantity of consumables allowed, which is used when operating the household appliance, a determination by the central body of a quantity of remaining consumables and a sending by the central body of a third message if the operability of the domestic appliance is at risk due to a lack of consumables or if an operator of the Home appliance triggers the third message through a request.

EP 3 693 895 A1 discloses a consumable product comprising one or more consumable components and an RFID tag. The RFID tag includes data indicating the type of consumable components. Furthermore, one will Machine described which is set up to be operated with the consumable product.

DE 10 2006 043 919 A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, with a washing compartment and a cleaning agent dosing system, which has a device for metering and/or adding at least one cleaning agent, in particular a liquid cleaning agent, into a washing compartment of the water-conducting household appliance , wherein the device has a dosing chamber for receiving the at least one added cleaning agent and at least one outlet which can be opened and closed by a closure, the closure being actuable by means of an actuator. The invention is characterized in that the actuator system has: - a transmission means which is in operative connection with the closure, so that a movement of the transmission means causes a movement of the closure, - opening means which cause a movement of the transmission means in order to open the closure a first direction, - restoring means which cause a movement of the transmission means in a second direction to close the closure.

DE 10 2008 027 813 A1 describes a cleaning agent for cleaning objects in a cleaning machine, the cleaning agent being divided into several pre-portioned amounts. The special feature is, among other things, in that the pre-portioned quantities are packed in a common packaging and can be fed together to a receptacle on the cleaning machine and held there, the packaging only being able to be opened in the holder.

DE 10 2006 043 973 A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, having a cleaning agent dosing system, the cleaning agent dosing system having a cleaning agent dispenser with a receiving space for holding at least one cartridge. The cartridge is designed to store at least one cleaning agent. The amount of cleaning agent that can be stored is greater than the amount required for a rinse cycle. The cleaning agent dosing system has a device for detecting a fill level in the cleaning agent dispenser and/or at least one cartridge.

DE 10 2013 002 522 Al describes the use of a cartridge system for the chemicals required for cleaning and disinfection in cleaning and disinfection devices. DE 10 2008 033 100 A1 describes a dosing system for dispensing liquid and/or solid cleaning preparations inside a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine. The dosing system comprises at least one cartridge for holding at least one cleaning preparation, a dosing device that can be coupled to the cartridge, a sensor unit and at least one actuator, which is connected to the energy source and the control unit in such a way that a control signal from the control unit causes a movement of the actuator and thus a release caused by preparation. The actuator is designed as a means for nebulizing and/or atomizing a preparation into the ambient air.

Despite the numerous advantages achieved with the known devices and methods, numerous technical challenges still remain. In particular, many of the methods and devices described are technically extremely complex and require numerous moving components, drives or similar complex mechanical components. As a result, the manufacturing costs as well as the installation space of the cleaning device generally increase significantly.

Another challenge is that the liquid active ingredients are still inadequately prepared for use in the cleaning device. In particular, the problem of producing cleaning fluid from the active ingredient is still unsatisfactory in many cases in that it is still technically difficult to produce a homogeneous solution with a given concentration and quantity.

Another challenge in many cases is that concentrates, especially solvent-free concentrates, often have a high viscosity. However, a high viscosity usually means that significant residues of the active ingredient remain in the active ingredient container and are not made available to the cleaning device. This not only leads to a reduction in economic efficiency, but residues of the active ingredients in the active ingredient containers can lead to skin contact after removing supposedly empty active ingredient containers from the cleaning device. Furthermore, residues can end up in the environment and recycling of the active ingredient containers can be made more difficult by the residues.

Task of the invention It would therefore be desirable to provide an input unit, a cleaning device and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned, which at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods. In particular, liquid active ingredients should be introduced into the cleaning device in a technically simple manner, with high economic efficiency and at the same time with a high level of occupational safety.

General description of the invention

This task is addressed by an input unit, a cleaning device and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned with the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments, which can be implemented individually or in any combination, are presented in the dependent claims.

Below, the terms “have,” “have,” “comprise,” or “include,” or any grammatical variations thereof, are used in a non-exclusive manner. Accordingly, these terms can refer both to situations in which, in addition to the features introduced by these terms, no further features are present, or to situations in which one or more further features are present. For example, the expression "A has B", "A includes B", "A includes B" or "A includes B" can refer to the situation in which, apart from B, no other element is present in A (i.e. to a situation in which A consists exclusively of B), as well as to the situation in which, in addition to B, one or more other elements are present in A, for example element C, elements C and D or even other elements .

Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms “at least one” and “one or more” as well as grammatical variations of these terms when used in connection with one or more elements or features and are intended to express that the element or feature is provided single or multiple times can usually only be used once, for example when the feature or element is introduced for the first time. If the feature or element is subsequently mentioned again, the corresponding term “at least one” or “one or more” is generally no longer used, without limiting the possibility that the feature or element can be provided once or multiple times.

Furthermore, the terms “preferably”, “in particular”, “for example” or similar terms are used below in connection with optional features, without that alternative embodiments are thereby limited. Thus, features introduced by these terms are optional features and these features are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims and in particular the independent claims. Thus, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the invention can also be carried out using other embodiments. Similarly, features introduced by “in an embodiment of the invention” or by “in an embodiment of the invention” are understood to be optional features, without this being intended to limit alternative embodiments or the scope of protection of the independent claims. Furthermore, these introductory expressions should remain unaffected by all possibilities of combining the features introduced here with other features, be they optional or non-optional features.

In a first aspect of the present invention, an input unit for inputting at least one liquid active ingredient into a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. The input unit includes: i. at least one housing with at least one interior and with at least one pivoting door, the pivoting door being pivotable about at least one pivot axis from at least one open position to at least one closed position; ii. at least one holder arranged on a side of the swing door facing the interior and connected to the swing door for receiving at least one active ingredient container; iii. at least one piercing device arranged in the interior for piercing the active ingredient container; and iv. at least one collecting container arranged in a floor area of the interior for holding the liquid active ingredient.

The input unit is set up in such a way that when the pivoting door is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, at least one area of the active ingredient container is pressed against at least one cutting edge of the piercing device. As a result, the piercing device perforates this area. In the closed position of the swing door, the container is oriented in such a way that the liquid active ingredient flows through the perforated area from the active ingredient container into the collecting container.

The term “input unit” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to provide at least one resource to another device, in particular to introduce the resource into the other device. The input unit can be designed as a separate unit or can also be completely or partially integrated into the other device.

The term “input,” as used herein, is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and conventional meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to the fact that the operating medium is introduced into a designated area of the other device, for example into at least one tank. The introduction can take place, for example, in liquid form by pouring.

The term “active ingredient” as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to at least one substance or at least one mixture of substances which can develop at least one chemical, biological or physical effect in a process. In particular, the active ingredient can be designed in such a way that it can have at least one effect on items to be cleaned, selected from the group consisting of: a cleaning effect; a detergent effect; a rinse aid effect; a surfactant effect; a defoaming effect; a bactericidal effect; a virucidal effect; a fungicidal effect; a disinfectant effect. The active ingredient can in particular comprise at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of: a surfactant; a complexing agent; a polymer; an acid; a lye; a defoamer; a disinfectant; a bactericide; a virucide; a fungicide; a preservative.

The term “cleaning,” as used herein, is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a process in which the items to be cleaned are freed from adhering macroscopic or microscopic contaminants and/or in which such contaminants are at least partially eliminated. In addition, a disinfectant effect can optionally be exerted. The term “cleaning items” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any objects that can be cleaned in the cleaning device. One object can be cleaned, or several objects can be cleaned at the same time or sequentially. In particular, the items to be cleaned can be containers for holding human excretions, for example urine bottles, bedpans, bedpans or similar containers. Accordingly, the cleaning device can be designed, for example, as a so-called cleaning and disinfection device (RDG). Alternatively, the items to be cleaned can also be objects that are used directly or indirectly for the preparation, storage or presentation of food, for example dishes, cutlery, trays, bowls, glasses, cups, pots, pans or similar objects. Accordingly, the cleaning device can also be designed, for example, as a dishwasher, for example as a dishwasher for commercial use in large kitchens or communal catering kitchens. Alternatively or additionally, the items to be cleaned can also be, for example, items of personal protective equipment, such as respiratory masks or breathing apparatus. Other configurations of the cleaning device and/or the items to be cleaned are also possible in principle.

The term “cleaning device” as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to clean items to be cleaned, i.e. to free them from adhering macroscopic or microscopic contaminants or to at least partially eliminate such contaminants. In addition, a disinfectant effect can optionally be exerted.

The cleaning device can, as will be explained in more detail below, be designed in particular as a dishwasher, for example as a dishwasher for personal protective equipment and/or as a dishwasher, for example as a container dishwasher. The dishwasher can be used in particular as a single-chamber dishwasher, as a commercial single-chamber dishwasher with a multi-circuit washing system, as a front door dishwasher or as a hood dishwasher, in particular as a pass-through dishwasher, or in particular which can be designed as a transport dishwasher with one or more tanks. The advantages of the invention can come into play particularly in transport dishwashers, since transport dishwashers, on the one hand, generally have enough installation space for the input unit and, on the other hand, generally have a high requirement and/or throughput of active ingredient. Dishwashers with water changes, especially so-called single-circuit systems, can also be used. Alternatively or in addition to dishwashers, other types of cleaning devices can also be used, for example, as stated above, cleaning and disinfection devices (RDG) or other cleaning devices.

The term "housing" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to an element or a combination of elements which are designed to completely or partially envelop at least one space and/or at least one other element and to completely or partially enclose the space and/or the other element to shield from an outside space, for example mechanically and/or chemically. In particular, the housing can be made entirely or partially from at least one rigid material, for example at least one metallic material and/or at least one plastic material. In particular, the housing can be made entirely or partially from sheet metal, for example stainless steel sheet. The at least one interior space can be completely or partially enclosed by the housing. In particular, the housing can seal off the interior in a liquid-tight manner from an exterior space.

The term "swing door" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to an element or a combination of elements which are set up as a closure of a room, preferably as a reversible closure, the element being designed, for example, as a flap and/or other type of door, which can be pivoted about the at least one pivot axis from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. The pivot axis can in particular be designed horizontally, so that, for example, the closed position can be a position in which an input opening of the housing is closed by the pivot door and/or in which the pivot door is arranged essentially vertically. The open position can in particular be a position in which an input opening of the housing is released for an input of active ingredient, for example a position in which the pivoting door is arranged obliquely to the vertical and / or horizontally. The swing door can be opened and/or closed continuously or gradually. In the closed position and/or the open position, the swing door can also be fixed, for example by a corresponding fixing device. In addition to the at least one pivot axis, the pivot door can optionally have at least one mechanism which supports the pivot movement from the open position to the closed position and/or vice versa, for example at least one linkage. The closed position can also be referred to as the closed state and the open position as the open state.

The swing door can be designed, for example, as a flap. The swing door can in particular have a side facing the interior, also referred to as the inside, and at least one outside facing the outside space outside the interior. For example, the swing door can be designed as a flat door, with the inside and outside being arranged parallel to one another. However, other configurations are also possible in principle.

The term “bracket” as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to accommodate at least one element, in particular reversibly, and/or to hold and/or align at least one element in a stationary manner. In particular, the holder can be made from at least one material selected from the group consisting of a metallic material and a plastic material. In particular, the holder can be designed entirely or partially as a basket, for example as a wire basket. The holder can, for example, have at least one insertion opening through which the at least one active ingredient container can be reversibly introduced into the holder. The holder can be permanently or detachably connected to the inside of the swing door.

The term “active ingredient container” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device with at least one interior, which contains the at least one active ingredient, in particular the minimum can absorb at least one liquid active ingredient. Accordingly, the active ingredient container can in principle have any container. The active ingredient container can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: a bottle; a screw-cap container; a canister; a tubular bag; a stand-up pouch. The active ingredient container can in particular be made entirely or partially from a material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a paper material; a metallic material, in particular a metal sheet, in particular aluminum. Combinations of the materials mentioned are also conceivable in principle, for example a composite of metal and plastic or a composite of metal and paper. For example, the active ingredient container can have a container wall which has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 3 mm, in particular a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

The active ingredient container can in particular have a basic rigidity, so that the active ingredient container can in particular be dimensionally stable. In particular, the active ingredient container can have a rigidity at least at the edge, so that a force can be counteracted by the piercing device. The active ingredient container can, for example, be supported on at least one stop in the input unit, so that the piercing process can be carried out due to the rigidity of the active ingredient container.

The term "piercing device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to perforate at least one other device, i.e. to act on the other device by mechanical action of at least one pointed or sharp component of the device in such a way that it pierces and/or or is cut through so that at least one opening and/or at least one slot is created. For example, an area of the other device can also be completely or partially punched out. Accordingly, the term “piercing” can be understood as creating at least one opening and/or at least one slot in the other device.

The piercing device has, as listed above, at least one cutting edge. This cutting edge can in particular be arranged at an upper end of the piercing device. The term “cutting edge” as used here is a broad term that is similar to its ordinary and common meaning should be given as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a sharp and/or pointed element which is designed to create at least one perforation in another element. For example, the cutting edge may include an elongated straight or curved edge which may create the perforation. The cutting edge can be produced, for example, in that the piercing device is at least partially tubular, the tube being cut off obliquely to a tube axis, so that a cutting plane running obliquely to the tube axis is created, for example at a cutting angle of 5 ° to 85 °, in particular in one Cutting angles from 14° to 76°. Where the tube wall of the pipe touches the cutting plane or at least along part of this contact line, the cutting edge can arise. Other ways of producing cutting edges are also generally known to those skilled in the art.

The term "floor area" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to an area of a higher-level space which, with regard to a direction of gravity that usually prevails in the higher-level area, is located furthest in the direction of gravity and/or a region of the higher-level space , in which a liquid will usually collect under the influence of gravity.

Accordingly, the term “collection container” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a fully or partially enclosed area in which one or more amorphous substances can be collected, for example a liquid-tight area. The wall of the collection container can optionally be conceptually included in the collection container, or the term can refer only to the enclosed area itself. The collecting container can, for example, be completely or partially enclosed, directly or indirectly, by the above-mentioned housing of the input unit, or by an inner housing arranged within the housing. The collecting container can, for example, be designed wholly or partially cubic and/or wholly or partially conical, for example with at least one funnel-shaped course at its lower end. As stated above, the collecting container is designed to hold the liquid active ingredient. Accordingly, the volume of the collecting container can in particular correspond to at least the volume of the active ingredient container, in particular at least twice the volume, at least five times the volume or even at least ten times the volume of the active ingredient container. The volume of the active ingredient container can result from the dimensions of the holder, so that the volume of the collecting container can in particular correspond to at least the maximum volume of the largest possible active ingredient container that can be accommodated in the holder. This is due to the fact that, in addition to the active ingredient, the collecting container should preferably also hold the solvent described in more detail below, which is to be used, for example, for rinsing out the active ingredient container and/or for diluting the active ingredient. For example, the collecting container can have a volume of at least 1000 ml, in particular at least 2000 ml, for example at least 3000 ml, in particular a volume of 1000 ml to 4000 ml. The active ingredient container can, for example, have a volume of 100 ml to 1000 ml, in particular 200 ml to 500 ml, for example 300 ml.

As stated above, the input unit is set up in such a way that when the pivoting door is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, at least one area of the active ingredient container is pressed against at least one cutting edge of the piercing device, whereby the piercing device perforates the area. The piercing device can, for example, remain stationary within the input unit, in particular within the interior, whereas the pivoting door with the active ingredient container attached to it via the holder is moved, in particular pivoted, and against the piercing device by the force which acts on the pivoting door is pressed. In general, the pivoting of the pivoting door can be effected manually, for example by a force applied to the pivoting door from outside by the operating personnel. The swing door can therefore be designed to be drive-free, for example without an electromechanical drive. Alternatively or additionally, however, the swing door can also have, for example, at least one drive, for example at least one electromechanical drive, for example a motor and in particular at least one electric motor, which drives the swing door, for example from the open position to the closed position and/or vice versa. The electric motor can be controlled, for example, by at least one control of the input unit and/or the higher-level optional cleaning device. As stated above, the container is oriented in the closed position in such a way that the liquid active ingredient can flow through the perforated area from the active ingredient container into the collecting container. This means in particular that a perforation, which is created by the cutting edge of the piercing device in the active ingredient container, is formed in an area which is arranged at the lower end of the interior in relation to an interior of the active ingredient container, so that the liquid active ingredient is at least largely removed from the interior can flow out of the active ingredient container through the area and the perforation formed in the area. In particular, the piercing device can be arranged completely or at least partially below the holder and/or below the active ingredient container accommodated in the holder when the swing door is closed, but for example a part of the piercing device protrudes through the perforated area into the active ingredient container.

The input unit can in particular be set up to mix, in particular to dilute, the liquid active ingredient with at least one solvent. For this purpose, as will be explained in more detail below, the input unit can in particular comprise at least one solvent supply. For example, this solvent supply can generally be set up to add at least one solvent from at least one solvent connection and/or at least one solvent supply to the at least one active ingredient.

The at least one mixture of the at least one active ingredient and the at least one solvent optionally generated in the input unit is, without limitation, also referred to below as a “consumable material”, as a “liquid consumable material”, as an “application solution” or as an “application concentrate”. This designation occurs regardless of whether the mixture is used immediately or is initially further processed, for example further diluted, or is temporarily stored.

Accordingly, the input unit can generally have, for example, at least one solvent supply line, which opens into the collecting container, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the solvent supply line can also, as will be explained in more detail below, be guided into the active ingredient container and/or into at least one storage container. Various ways of supplying solvent are possible. The input unit, in particular at least one control of the input unit, can in particular be set up to monitor, control and/or regulate a total supply of solvent, so that, for example, a predetermined amount of solvent solvent can be supplied. The input unit can accordingly be set up in particular to dilute the active ingredient to a predetermined or predeterminable concentration. If several solvent supply lines are provided, the streams can be added together so that a total amount of solvent supplied can be taken into account for the dilution.

The input unit can in particular further comprise: v. at least one solvent supply, the solvent supply having at least one solvent connection and at least one solvent lance fluidly connected to the solvent connection, the lance being set up to feed at least one solvent through the perforated in the closed position of the swing door area to be introduced into the active ingredient container.

The term "solvent feed" as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to supply at least one solvent to another device and/or to a predetermined area. As stated above, the supply can take place in particular to at least one predetermined area, selected from the group consisting of: the active ingredient container, in particular by means of the solvent lance; the collection container; a storage container. Other types of supply are also fundamentally possible.

The solvent can in particular be water, for example fresh water, in a heated or cold state, and/or at least one aqueous solvent. Alternatively or additionally, however, one or more other types of solvent can also be used, depending on the liquid active ingredient used. The solvent can in particular be designed such that the liquid active ingredient is completely or partially soluble in the solvent and/or is emulsifiable and/or is suspendable and/or is dispersible.

The solvent connection can, for example, form at least one area of the solvent supply, at which solvent can be introduced into the solvent supply by means of at least one external or internal source of the input unit. For example, this can be at least one nozzle and/or at least one connection, such as a pipe connection, in which the solvent can be introduced. For example, the solvent connection can have at least one thread and/or at least one other type of fluid connection to which, for example, a hose and/or a tube of a solvent source can be connected, for example a water connection, in particular a fresh water connection. The solvent connection can, for example, be connected directly or indirectly to the source of the solvent, for example via a network disconnection.

The term "solvent lance" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a fluidic device by means of which at least one solvent can be introduced into a cavity. In particular, this can be an elongated nozzle and/or a finger-shaped device, which can protrude into a cavity and through which solvent can be introduced into the cavity, in particular sprayed or injected, by means of at least one channel accommodated in the finger-shaped device . The solvent lance can therefore in particular comprise at least one elongated or finger-shaped nozzle. The nozzle can, for example, have a cylindrical base body, for example with a length of 10 mm to 200 mm, in particular a length of 20 mm to 150 mm. The length of the nozzle can be adapted in particular to the length of the piercing device and/or to the size of the active ingredient container. For example, the length of the nozzle can be designed such that it does not protrude beyond the piercing device, or at least not significantly.

The solvent lance and the solvent connection can, for example, be fluidly connected to one another by at least one fluid channel, for example at least one line, for example at least one tube and/or at least one hose. In this way, solvent can be delivered from the solvent port to the solvent lance, for example by fluidic pressure exerted from the solvent source that can be connected to the solvent port.

The lance is set up to introduce at least one solvent through the perforated area into the active ingredient container when the swing door is in the closed position. For this purpose, the lance can, for example, protrude through the perforated area from an area outside the active ingredient container into the active ingredient container. With the performance ration when closing the swing door, i.e. when moving the swing door from the open position to the closed position, the solvent lance can also be partially inserted into the active ingredient container at the same time. As stated above, the solvent lance can in particular have at least one nozzle or can be designed entirely or partially as a nozzle, by means of which the solvent can be introduced through the perforated area into the active ingredient container, in particular sprayed and/or injected. In particular, at least one mouth of the at least one nozzle can be arranged inside the active ingredient container when the swing door is in the closed position.

The solvent lance can in particular be set up to at least partially rinse out the active ingredient container with the solvent. This can be done in particular, as stated above, by the solvent lance having at least one nozzle with at least one mouth or nozzle opening, which is oriented when the swing door is closed in such a way that solvent emerging from the mouth is injected or sprayed into the active ingredient container and at least an inner wall of the active ingredient container is wetted with solvent. The container can be oriented in particular in the closed position of the swing door in such a way that the solvent, alone or in a mixture with the at least one active ingredient from the active ingredient container, can flow out of the active ingredient container into the collecting container through the perforated area.

As stated above, the cutting edge of the piercing device can at least partially enclose the solvent lance. For this purpose, the cutting edge of the piercing device can, for example, be designed entirely or partially as a ring, whereby the ring can be designed, for example, round, oval or polygonal. The cutting edge can therefore be designed in particular annularly and can enclose the solvent lance in particular in a ring shape, in particular concentrically.

In particular, the piercing device can have at least one piercing nozzle. The term “piercing socket” as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a part of the piercing device which is designed in the form of a nozzle, in particular a piece of pipe, for example a piece of cylindrical pipe, for example with a round, oval or polygonal cross section. In particular, as stated above, the piercing nozzle can be a nozzle which is cut transversely to a pipe axis of the nozzle, so that a Cutting plane is created, which is arranged obliquely to the pipe axis. A cutting line in the cutting plane can therefore be designed, for example, oval, in particular elliptical. The entire cutting line or just a part of it, for example a part of it that projects furthest upwards, can serve as a cutting edge or as part of the cutting edge.

The solvent lance can in particular run at least partially within the piercing nozzle. The solvent lance can therefore run, for example, on a pipe axis of the piercing nozzle. The solvent lance can be completely or partially enclosed by the piercing nozzle. The solvent lance can run completely or partially within the piercing nozzle. For example, the length of the solvent lance can be dimensioned such that it does not protrude beyond the cutting edge of the piercing nozzle. In particular, the solvent lance can be dimensioned such that when the swing door is closed, the cutting edge first touches the active ingredient container, perforates the area of the active ingredient container and then, when the closing movement continues, the tip of the solvent lance is introduced through the perforated area into the active ingredient container.

The solvent lance can in particular be arranged within the piercing nozzle in such a way that at least one gap remains between the solvent lance and the wall of the piercing nozzle, for example an annular gap which surrounds the solvent lance in a ring. Through this gap, for example, solvent and/or active ingredient can flow from the active ingredient container into the collecting container.

The solvent supply can also have at least one valve for controlling a supply of the solvent. For example, this can be a valve which is arranged in the fluidic connection between the solvent connection and the solvent lance. The valve can in particular be electrically controllable, for example by a control of the input unit and/or a control of the cleaning device.

As stated above, the solvent lance can in particular protrude into the active ingredient container. In particular, in the closed position of the swing door, the solvent lance can project essentially vertically into the active ingredient container, for example with a deviation from a vertical orientation of not more than 20°, in particular not more than 10° and in particular not more than 5° . In particular, the solution can middle lance, as stated above, run essentially parallel to a tube axis of the piercing nozzle, which can accordingly also be oriented essentially vertically, in particular with the possible angular deviations mentioned above. Alternatively, the solvent lance and/or the piercing nozzle can also protrude obliquely into the active ingredient container in the closed position of the swing door, for example in order to promote liquid drainage from the active ingredient container, as will be explained in more detail below.

The piercing device can in particular be accommodated rigidly in the interior of the housing of the input unit. Accordingly, the piercing device can in particular be designed as a rigid, immovable component in the interior of the housing of the input unit, in contrast, for example, to movable devices with one or more hinges and / or extendable elements. The piercing device can in particular be designed to be immovable and unchangeable in its position, orientation and shape compared to the housing of the input unit. As stated above, when the pivoting door of the input unit is transferred from the open position to the closed position, the area of the active ingredient container can be pressed in particular against the rigid cutting edge of the piercing device, with the area being perforated. The active ingredient container is preferably pressed against the cutting edge which remains stationary. Moving components of the piercing device are therefore preferably avoided, and this is preferably designed without moving parts. In particular, the piercing device can be designed to be drive-free, for example without an actuator, which would drive a longitudinal movement or a pivoting movement of the piercing device or a part thereof.

The input unit can in particular have the interior space described above, which can be divided into at least one collecting container and, optionally, at least one further area. For example, in addition to the collecting container and/or an interior of the collecting container, the interior space can also have at least one receiving area for receiving the active ingredient container. This receiving area can therefore be the area into which the at least one active ingredient container is introduced when the swing door is closed. The receiving area and the collecting container, in particular its interior, can in particular be separated by at least one fluid-permeable partition. For example, this fluid-permeable partition can comprise at least one partition with at least one opening, for example a plurality of openings, which can be designed, for example, round, oval, slot-shaped or polygonal. In particular, the fluid-permeable partition wall can comprise at least one sieve base.

If a division of the interior into the receiving area and the collecting container is provided by at least one fluid-permeable partition, the piercing device can in particular be mechanically connected to the fluid-permeable partition. In particular, the piercing device can be completely or partially integrated into the fluid-permeable partition. In particular, the piercing device can project upwards from the fluid-permeable partition wall into the receiving area. For example, the fluid-permeable partition wall can comprise a sieve base, wherein the piercing device comprises at least one piercing nozzle, which can protrude upwards from the sieve base into the receiving area. In the interior of the piercing nozzle, the sieve bottom can be interrupted, so that, for example, a continuous channel is created inside the piercing nozzle, in which, as explained above, the solvent lance can be guided, for example. The piercing nozzle can, for example, be welded to the sieve base or be mechanically connected to the sieve base in another way.

As stated above, the piercing device can in particular form at least one fluid channel between the receiving area and the collecting container. This fluid channel can in particular be formed entirely or partially by at least one interior of a piercing nozzle.

The receiving area can in particular be arranged above the collecting container. In this way, in particular the liquid active ingredient and optionally the solvent can flow from the receiving area into the collecting container due to gravity.

As stated above, the piercing device can generally have at least one piercing nozzle. As also stated, this piercing nozzle can in particular have a completely or partially circumferential cutting edge. The cutting edge can in particular completely or partially form the cutting edge of the piercing device. The piercing nozzle can in particular be set up to protrude through the perforated area into an interior of the active ingredient container when the swing door is in the closed position.

If the piercing nozzle protrudes through the perforated area into the interior of the active ingredient container in the closed position of the swing door, this can cause problems It can happen that a dead space is created around the piercing nozzle in the active ingredient container, from which no active ingredient can flow out through the piercing nozzle. Within the scope of the present invention, several options can be implemented, alternatively or in combination, by means of which this problem can be avoided or at least reduced. For example, fluidic measures can be taken. These can, for example, consist of the piercing nozzle having one or more drain openings through which active ingredient and/or solvent can flow out of the dead space described, for example into the interior of the piercing nozzle and/or into the collecting container. For example, the piercing nozzle can in particular have at least one nozzle wall, for example a pipe wall, with at least one drain opening being accommodated in the nozzle wall. The drain opening can, in particular in the punctured state, fluidly connect the interior of the active ingredient container, in particular the dead space located there around the drain socket, with an interior of the drain socket and/or with the collecting container. The drain opening can in particular be set up in such a way that the liquid active ingredient and optionally also solvent can flow from the interior of the active ingredient container through the drain opening into an inner lumen of the piercing nozzle and from there into the collecting container. Alternatively or additionally, a direct outflow from the interior of the active ingredient container into the collecting container can also be made possible, for example through a groove or through a channel. The drain opening can in particular have at least one opening selected from the group consisting of: a slot, in particular a slot running axially to a longitudinal axis of the piercing nozzle; a groove, in particular a groove extending axially to a longitudinal axis of the piercing nozzle; a round opening; an oval opening; a polygonal opening.

Alternatively or in addition to a drain opening, the active ingredient container can, as will be explained in more detail below, have at least one weakening in the area intended for perforation by the piercing device, for example at least one predetermined breaking point. This weakening can be designed, for example, in the form of a groove in a wall, in particular a lid, of the active ingredient container. The weakening can, for example, run completely or partially around and thus define, limit or at least partially surround an opening created by the piercing device and the perforation in the area of the active ingredient container. For example, the weakening can be designed in such a way that during the perforation a tongue is created in the area of the active ingredient container, which is pressed into the interior of the active ingredient container by the piercing device during the perforation, but which, for example, still passes through a web or a bridge is connected to the active ingredient container. For example, the cutting edge of the piercing device, which can be designed as a knife, for example, can be designed in such a way that it does not have a completely closed contour on the circumference. As a result, for example, a punched-out tongue can remain connected to the active ingredient container, for example to the lid of the active ingredient container, and a channel can be formed, in particular at this point, which allows liquid to drain downwards. The weakening can be dimensioned and/or positioned in such a way that a diameter or equivalent diameter of the opening, which is created during the perforation in the active ingredient container, is larger than a diameter and/or equivalent diameter of the piercing nozzle. In general, this weakening can, for example, be dimensioned and/or positioned in such a way that a gap is created between an outer wall of the piercing nozzle and an edge of the opening created during the perforation, which is defined, for example, by the weakening, which is not the case in the closed position of the swing door is not completely filled by the piercing device, in particular by the piercing nozzle. Active ingredient and/or solvent can then flow out of the active ingredient container into the collecting container through this gap.

As an alternative or in addition to one of the two aforementioned options, the piercing device can also be oriented and/or designed in such a way that it performs a rotational movement relative to the active ingredient container in the area of the active ingredient container during the perforation, whereby, similar to the aforementioned option, in which Perforation creates an opening which, in the closed position of the swing door, is not completely filled by the piercing device, in particular the piercing nozzle. For example, when closing the pivoting door, an opening in the form of an elongated hole can be created by a corresponding orientation of the piercing device relative to the pivoting axis and/or by rotating the active ingredient container relative to the piercing device during the perforation, which in the closed state is only incompletely filled by the piercing device , so that active ingredient and/or solvent can flow from the active ingredient container into the collection container.

Again, alternatively or in addition to one or more or all of the aforementioned options, further options may come into consideration in order to enable liquid to drain from a dead space in the active ingredient container and/or to avoid a dead space. In particular, this can be done by appropriately shaping the active ingredient container. For example, the active ingredient container can be shaped in such a way that that this has an outwardly curved design of the area to be perforated, for example the lid. Other configurations are also conceivable.

The input unit can further comprise at least one controller. The term “control,” as used herein, is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a one-part or multi-part device of the input unit, which is set up to completely or partially control and/or regulate an operation of the input unit. In particular, the control of the input unit can be set up to change, in particular control and/or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the input unit, for example at least one pump output and/or at least one valve position. The control of the input unit can in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor.

The control of the input unit can be designed independently. Alternatively or additionally, however, the control can also be completely or partially integrated into a higher-level control, for example into a control of the cleaning device, of which the input unit can be a component. The control of the cleaning device can, for example, be a central or decentralized machine control. The control of the cleaning device can in particular be a one-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device, which is set up to completely or partially control and/or regulate operation of the cleaning device. In particular, the control of the cleaning device can be set up to change, in particular to control and/or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the cleaning device, for example at least one temperature, at least one pressure, at least one heating power, at least one pump power, at least one valve position or else a combination of two or more operating parameters. The control of the cleaning device can in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor. The control of the cleaning device can in particular be set up in terms of programming, for example in order to control or carry out at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device.

The control of the input unit can in particular be set up, for example programmatically, to control at least one function of the input unit. In particular- In other words, the control of the input unit can be set up in terms of programming to control at least one input program for entering the at least one active ingredient and/or to control the processing of the active ingredient into at least one consumable material within the cleaning device, for example to produce at least one cleaning fluid of the cleaning device. For this purpose, the controller can be set up, for example, to implement the method described in more detail below. The at least one function, which can be controlled by the control of the input unit, can in particular comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of: a user guide for instructing a user to enter an active ingredient container into the input unit; a user guide for instructing a user to remove an active ingredient container into the input unit; a lock on the swing door; an unlocking of the swing door; a control of at least one valve of the input unit; a control of at least one solvent supply of the input unit; a control of at least one metering pump of the input unit; controlling at least one mixing device of the input unit; reading out a sensor signal from at least one sensor of the input unit, in particular at least one level sensor and/or at least one conductivity sensor; reading out information about an identifier of an active ingredient container within the input unit; reading out at least one piece of information about an identifier of an active ingredient container outside the input unit; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient to a specific storage container of the input unit.

The input unit can in particular further have at least one display element for displaying at least one piece of user information to a user. The display element can in particular have at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a display; an acoustic display element; a lighting element that can be illuminated with different colors, in particular a stylus in the pivoting door of the input unit. For example, the lighting element that can be illuminated with different colors can comprise at least one handle element of the pivoting door of the input unit, which is designed to be completely or partially transparent and which is illuminated with different colors by the control depending on the user information to be conveyed to the user. For example, a specific color can prompt the user to remove an empty active ingredient container and/or another specific color can prompt the user to insert a new active ingredient container. The control of the input unit can accordingly be set up in particular to request a user to take at least one action using the display element, selected from the group consisting of: inputting an active ingredient container filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit; a removal of an emptied active ingredient container from the input unit. However, other user information is also possible as an alternative or in addition. The control can in particular be set up to unlock the swing door for the action, so that, for example, at the same time or with a time delay to a corresponding display of user information, the swing door is unlocked, so that the user can enter an active ingredient container filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit and / or can remove an empty active ingredient container from the input unit.

The input unit can have at least one reading device for reading out at least one piece of information about at least one identifier of an active ingredient container. The term “identifier” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to an element which can be connected to an object, for example, and which contains at least one readable piece of information, for example at least one readable piece of information about the object. The at least one piece of readable information can, for example, comprise at least one piece of information selected from the group consisting of: a type of object; an identity of the object; a property of the object; an intended or intended use or processing of the item. The identifier can, for example, be readable in at least one way selected from the group consisting of: an electronic readout; an optical readout; a magnetic readout. The identifier can in particular have at least one connecting element for connecting to the object, for example at least one adhesive surface. Accordingly, the identifier can in particular be designed as a label. However, other configurations are also possible in principle.

Accordingly, the term "reader" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to read out the at least one piece of information stored in the identifier. Depending on the type of identifier, the reading device can, for example include at least one optical reading device, in particular a barcode reader, for example a barcode scanner. Alternatively or additionally, the reading device can also include, for example, an electronic reading device, in particular an electromagnetic reading device, for example for wireless reading of an electronic identifier, in particular an RFID reader, for example according to the NFC standard. As an alternative or in addition to one or both of the aforementioned options, the reading device can also comprise a magnetic reading device, in particular a magnetic stripe reader. In general, the reading device can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of: an optical reading device for reading at least one optical identifier, in particular a barcode and/or QR code and/or data matrix code; an electronic reading device for reading at least one electronic identifier, in particular an RFID chip; a magnetic reading device for reading at least one magnetic identifier.

The control of the input unit and/or the cleaning device can generally be set up to control the at least one reading device. For example, the control can be set up to start a reading process. Alternatively or additionally, the controller can also be set up to process and/or forward the information read from the identifier. According to the at least one piece of information read out, at least one action can be controlled by the controller, for example.

In particular, the control of the input unit can further be set up to carry out at least one action in accordance with the information read out, in particular at least one action selected from the group consisting of: a visual display of at least one message to a user; an acoustic display of at least one notice to a user; a haptic display of at least one notice to a user; a release of the swing door; a blockage of the swing door; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient to at least one associated storage container, in particular through a corresponding control of at least one valve and/or at least one pump; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient to at least one associated tank of the cleaning device, in particular through a corresponding control of at least one valve and / or at least one pump. In this way, it can be prevented, for example, that incorrect active ingredients are entered into the input unit, for example active ingredients that are not intended for the cleaning device. Alternatively or additionally, active ingredients can be prevented, for example are introduced into the input unit at the wrong time, for example a rinse aid concentrate, at a time when detergent concentrate should actually be introduced or vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, for example, additional information about the active ingredient can be determined and taken into account accordingly during processing, for example a required amount of solvent that must be added to the active ingredient in order to produce at least one consumable of the cleaning device, for example a cleaning liquid. Various other options are conceivable.

The input unit can further have at least one level sensor for detecting at least one liquid level in the collecting container. In this way, for example, the current liquid level in the collecting container can be monitored. This can be done, for example, by controlling the input unit. In this way, for example, overflowing of the collecting container can be prevented.

As stated above, the holder can in particular be designed to hold the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the pivoting door. This can be done, for example, by a corresponding geometry of the holder, which only allows the active ingredient container to be accommodated in the desired geometry. For example, the holder can have at least one receiving geometry in order to accommodate the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the pivoting door. The receiving geometry can be created, for example, by appropriately shaping the holder.

In particular, the holder can have at least one bottom-side contact surface for contact with a bottom of the active ingredient container. Furthermore, the holder can have at least one frontal contact surface for contact with a front side of the active ingredient container. In this way, the active ingredient container can be held, for example, on the bottom and front side, for example in a non-positive and/or positive manner, for example by being clamped. In particular, at least one opening for passing through a tapered neck of the active ingredient container can be made in the end-side contact surface, the tapered neck having an opening of the active ingredient container. For example, the active ingredient container can be designed as a bottle, with a tapered bottle neck with a mouth being able to be inserted through the opening in the front contact surface when the active ingredient container is inserted into the holder. For example, the mouth of the bottle-shaped active ingredient container can pass through the opening Direction of the piercing device. Furthermore, the piercing device can protrude through the opening in the front contact surface in the closed position of the swing door. When closing the swing door, in particular a force can be applied to the active ingredient container via the bottom contact surface, so that it is pressed with the area to be perforated, which can be arranged in particular in the mouth of the active ingredient container, against the piercing device and in particular the cutting edge of the piercing device.

The input unit can further comprise at least one mixing device. The term “mixing device” as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to mix at least two media, in particular at least two amorphous media, with one another, so that a homogeneous amorphous mixture is preferably created. In particular, the mixing device can be set up to mix at least two liquids with one another. The mixing device can in particular be set up to mix liquid in the collecting container. The mixing device can in particular comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump integrated into the collecting container; a mixing pump fluidly connected to the collecting container.

The input unit can further comprise at least one metering pump that is fluidically connected directly or indirectly to the collecting container. The term “metering pump” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device for conveying fluid media, in particular liquids, which is set up to provide a predetermined volume flow or mass flow of the fluid medium and/or to provide a predetermined amount of the fluid medium. The metering pump can, for example, be connected directly to the collecting container via a fluidic connection, for example with an outlet at the bottom of the collecting container, and/or can be connected to the collecting container via at least one intermediate fluidic element, for example at least one valve. The input unit can furthermore in particular have at least one storage container. The term "storage container" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a completely or partially enclosed area in which one or more amorphous substances can be accommodated for the purpose of storage, for example a liquid-tight area. The wall of the storage container may optionally be conceptually included in the storage container, or the term may simply refer to the enclosed area itself. The storage container can, for example, be designed completely or partially separate from the collecting container. For example, the storage container can be arranged outside the housing of the input unit, for example at another location within the cleaning device. A wall of the storage container can, for example, be made completely or partially from at least one metallic material and/or from at least one plastic material. The storage container can in particular be fluidly connected directly or indirectly to the collecting container, for example via at least one hose and/or via at least one pipeline. Between the storage container and the collecting container, in particular in the fluidic connection, at least one valve can optionally be provided, for example at least one valve that can be controlled by the control of the input unit. In this way, for example, liquid can be drained and/or pumped out of the collecting container into the storage container as required, or fluidic separation can take place between the collecting container and the storage container through the valve as required. One or more storage containers can be provided, which can be fluidly connected, for example, to the same collecting container. In the fluidic connection, for example, at least one branch and/or at least one switch can be provided, so that, for example, several storage containers can be filled with liquid from the collecting container at the same time, or one or more storage containers can be filled selectively and/or sequentially, whereas one or more other storage containers are not filled become. Accordingly, one or more valves can optionally and independently of one another be provided in the individual fluidic branches, so that if several storage containers are provided, they can each be controlled and/or filled individually.

The at least one storage container can in particular comprise at least one level sensor. As in the case of the collecting container, the at least one level sensor can, for example, be designed in one or more stages. The at least one The level sensor of the storage container can, for example, be connected to the control of the input unit and/or to a control of the cleaning device.

Analogous to the collecting container, the at least one storage container can also optionally comprise at least one mixing device. In turn, the mixing device can in particular comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump integrated into the storage container; a mixing pump fluidly connected to the storage container.

As stated above, the input unit can comprise one or more storage containers, for example at least two storage containers. If several storage containers are included, these can each be fluidly connected to the collecting container. These fluidic connections between the collecting container and the storage containers can be designed completely or partially separately from one another or can also be at least partially combined, for example in the form of one or more switches, branches or branches. Furthermore, at least one valve can optionally and independently be provided in each of the fluidic connections.

If several storage containers are provided, they can be used for different purposes. On the one hand, separate supplies of consumables can be prepared and/or stored separately using the storage containers. Alternatively or additionally, different consumables can be stored in the different storage containers. This can be done, for example, by the control via the display element first asking the user to enter a first active ingredient container with a first active ingredient into the input unit, which is diluted in the input unit, for example with solvent, and stored in a first storage container. When the collecting container is emptied again, optionally followed by a rinsing process with solvent, this process can then be repeated one or more times, for example by the control via the display element prompting the user, after removing the first storage container, to create a second active ingredient container with a second active ingredient into the input unit, which is diluted in the input unit, for example with the same solvent as the first active ingredient or with a different solvent, and stored in a second storage container. One and the same input unit can be used to provide different active ingredients to the cleaning device. The at least one collecting container and/or optionally the at least one storage container can, for example, be fluidly connected to at least one application device of the cleaning device, so that, for example, consumables that are produced using the active ingredient can be provided to the application device. For example, there can be a fluidic connection of the at least one storage container and/or the at least one collecting container with at least one tank of the cleaning device, for example a washing tank and/or a final rinse or final rinse tank.

The at least one storage container can be connected to at least one metering pump. For example, at least a defined amount of consumable material held in the storage container can be provided to another device of the cleaning device via the metering pump, for example to at least one tank. If several storage containers are provided, these can each be connected to independent metering pumps, so that, for example, at least one metering pump is assigned to a storage container. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to fluidly connect the storage containers to one and the same metering pump.

As stated above, the controller can perform various functions and/or effect various actions. In particular, it is possible for the input unit to have at least one electronically controllable locking mechanism for the swing door. This electronically controllable lock can in particular be connected to the control, so that, if necessary and sensible, the lock is switched in such a way that the swing door can be opened. This can, for example, be linked to a corresponding display to a user, for example the display that an emptied active ingredient container should be removed and/or that an active ingredient container filled with a specific active ingredient should be entered.

In a further aspect, a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber for receiving the items to be cleaned. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one input unit as proposed here, for example according to one or more of the embodiments described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. The cleaning device is set up to use at least one liquid active ingredient provided via the input unit to generate the cleaning fluid.

Regarding the term “cleaning device” reference can be made to the description above. For example, the cleaning device can include at least one dishwasher. The term “dishwasher” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to clean items that are set up for the preparation, presentation, reception or storage of food or drinks. The dishwasher can, for example, be designed as a single-chamber dishwasher or program machine, or can also be designed as a transport dishwasher. The term “transport dishwasher” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a dishwasher that has at least one transport device. In particular, the transport dishwasher can have at least one cleaning chamber, for example at least one cleaning tunnel, in which the items to be cleaned and/or one or more dishes are subjected to at least one cleaning fluid, in particular by means of at least one application device. The transport device can be set up to transport the items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber.

Alternatively or in addition to a dishwasher, the cleaning device can also be designed entirely or partially as a cleaning and disinfection device. The term “cleaning and disinfection device” as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device which is set up to free items to be cleaned from adhering macroscopic or microscopic contaminants in the form of containers intended for the reception of human excretions or to remove such contaminants. to at least partially eliminate problems. The cleaning can in particular be designed in such a way that it at least largely frees the container from adhering contaminants.

The term "cleaning chamber" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a completely or partially closed chamber within which the cleaning process can be carried out completely or partially. The cleaning chamber can in particular have at least one housing which completely or partially encloses the cleaning chamber. As stated above, the housing of the cleaning chamber can be designed completely or partially separately from the housing of the input unit or completely or partially together, so that, for example, the input unit with its housing can also be completely or partially integrated into the housing of the cleaning device and/or the cleaning chamber can. In general, a single cleaning chamber can be provided, or in principle several cleaning chambers can also be provided, for example sequentially. The cleaning chamber can, for example, have at least one opening for loading the cleaning chamber with the items to be cleaned, which can also be referred to as an inlet or input opening. For example, this can be an opening with a flap or door arranged on a front side of the cleaning chamber and/or a top side of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, hoods are also possible to close the cleaning chamber, for example in the context of so-called hood cleaning machines or push-through machines, for example hood dishwashers. Alternatively, the cleaning chamber can also be designed, for example, entirely or partially as a tunnel, in particular in the context of so-called continuous cleaning machines, for example continuous dishwashers or transport dishwashers, for example as a tunnel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, also referred to as an outlet. Other configurations are also possible in principle.

The term “cleaning fluid” as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a fluid and in particular a liquid which, when it hits the item to be cleaned, can develop a cleaning effect. Without limiting the possibility of using other fluids In the context of this description, the term “cleaning fluid” is used synonymously with the term “cleaning liquid”. In particular, the cleaning liquid can comprise an aqueous liquid, for example water and/or water with one or more additives, for example with one or more cleaning concentrates and/or rinse aids and/or disinfectants. The at least one additive can, for example, comprise the at least one active ingredient and/or be formed by the at least one active ingredient.

The cleaning device can be set up to use a single cleaning fluid, for example a single cleaning liquid, or to use a combination of several cleaning fluids. If several cleaning fluids are provided, the items to be cleaned can be exposed to the different cleaning fluids simultaneously or sequentially. For example, as stated above, the items to be cleaned can remain stationary within the cleaning chamber and can be successively exposed to the various cleaning fluids. Alternatively, the items to be cleaned can also be applied to different types of cleaning fluids one after the other at different locations, for example in different chambers, for example by the items to be cleaned initially remaining stationary in a first cleaning chamber, where they are acted upon with at least one first cleaning fluid, whereupon the items to be cleaned are then in at least a second cleaning chamber is moved and remains stationary there and is acted upon with at least a second cleaning fluid. Without limiting further possible configurations, reference is made below to program machines in which the items to be cleaned remain stationary in a single cleaning chamber during the cleaning process.

The cleaning fluid may in particular comprise at least one cleaning fluid selected from the group consisting of: an aqueous cleaning fluid; a cleaning fluid with at least one cleaning solution; a cleaning fluid with at least one rinse aid; a cleaning fluid with at least one disinfectant; a rinse fluid; demineralized water; a heated cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid heated to a temperature of 30 ° C to 70 ° C and particularly preferably 60 ° C. Other types of cleaning fluids or other fluids can in principle also be used.

The term "applying device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or customized one Meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any basically arbitrary device by means of which the cleaning items within the cleaning chamber can be supplied with the cleaning fluid, in particular with at least one cleaning liquid.

The application device can in particular comprise at least one nozzle system. The term “nozzle system” as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a special or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any device which is designed to deliver at least one fluid in a defined manner, in particular as jets or drops. In particular, the nozzle system can be set up to apply the fluid in a defined manner to at least one object to be acted upon. For example, the nozzle system can be set up to apply at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in a defined manner, as will be explained in more detail below. Accordingly, the nozzle system can have at least one outlet opening through which the fluid, in particular the cleaning fluid, can emerge and act on items to be cleaned. The nozzle system can be designed, for example, as a single nozzle or as a combination of several nozzles.

The nozzle system can, for example, comprise at least one nozzle arm, for example at least one fixed or one rotatably mounted nozzle arm. For example, in the cleaning chamber at least one nozzle arm, for example a rotatably mounted nozzle arm, can be arranged below the items to be cleaned, and at least one nozzle arm, for example a rotatably mounted nozzle arm, above the items to be cleaned. For example, separate nozzle arms for washing fluid and rinsing fluid can be provided above and below the items to be cleaned.

Furthermore, the application device can comprise at least one pump and at least one line system for providing cleaning fluid to the nozzle system. For example, a nozzle system and a line system for applying cleaning fluid from at least one tank, for example at least one washing tank, can be provided, as well as at least one pump, for example at least one washing pump. Alternatively or additionally, for example, at least one nozzle system can be supplied directly from a supply line without the need for a pump. Furthermore, at least one nozzle system and at least one line system can be provided for supplying cleaning fluid from at least one optional final rinse tank, which is preferably designed separately from the washing tank and in which final rinse liquid can be prepared separately from the washing tank, as well as at least one final rinse pump. By providing at least one rinsing tank that is separate from the washing tank, the cleaning device can be designed for commercial purposes, in that heating time can be saved during a washing step by separately preparing the rinsing fluid. For example, the rinsing tank can be designed as a boiler and/or can have a continuous-flow heater.

The input unit can be fluidly connected to one or more of the components of the application device, for example with at least one of the following components of the application device: a tank, in particular a tank selected from the group consisting of a washing tank and a final rinse or final rinse tank; a pump; a boiler; a storage container; a pipe system.

One or more cleaning zones can be provided in the cleaning device. For example, a single cleaning zone can be provided, the cleaning device being set up to carry out a cleaning program by means of the application device, in which the items to be cleaned are held stationary in the cleaning chamber and are successively acted upon with cleaning liquid in one or more cleaning steps of the cleaning program in different ways . Alternatively, the items to be cleaned can also be transported one after the other through several cleaning zones, in which a different type of application of cleaning liquid takes place, for example one or more cleaning zones selected from the group consisting of: a pre-clearing zone; a washing zone; a final rinse or final rinse zone, which can be further divided into a pump rinse zone and a downstream fresh water rinse zone. Furthermore, at least one drying step can be provided, which can be carried out, for example, in one chamber when the items to be cleaned are stationary after the application of the cleaning liquid or which can take place, for example, in the transport dishwasher in a drying zone downstream of the liquid cleaning zones.

The cleaning fluid can already be generated in the input unit, for example in the at least one collecting container and/or in the at least one optional storage container. Accordingly, the cleaning fluid can, for example, directly or are formed indirectly from the at least one active ingredient, in particular with the addition of the at least one solvent. The at least one solvent can in particular include water. In particular, as stated above, cleaning fluid can comprise water with at least one active ingredient as an additive, for example at least one cleaning concentrate and/or at least one rinse aid concentrate and/or at least one disinfectant. Alternatively or in addition to producing the cleaning fluid in the input unit, at least one intermediate product can also be produced in the input unit, for example in the collecting container and/or the at least one optional storage container, which is then fed, for example, to the application device and is further processed there, for example further is diluted. This can be done, for example, in such a way that the intermediate product, for example the at least one active ingredient with the at least one solvent, in particular water, is fed to at least one tank of the application device, for example by means of at least one metering pump, where further dilution takes place, for example by the same or a different one Solvent, especially water.

As stated above, the input unit can be completely or partially integrated into other components of the cleaning device. In particular, the cleaning device, as stated, can have at least one housing that at least partially encloses the cleaning chamber. The housing of the input unit can be at least partially integrated into the housing of the cleaning device. Alternatively, the housing of the input unit can also be designed separately from the housing of the cleaning device, which completely or partially encloses the cleaning chamber. Furthermore, the option of complete or partial integration of the optional control of the input unit into a control of the cleaning device has already been pointed out above. In general, the cleaning device can have at least one controller, which is set up, for example, to influence at least one process parameter of at least one cleaning process that takes place in the cleaning device and/or to control at least one element of the cleaning device. If the cleaning device is designed, for example, as a program machine, the control of the cleaning device can, for example, be set up to carry out one or more program steps of one or more cleaning programs while the items to be cleaned are, for example, stationary in the cleaning chamber. If the cleaning device is designed, for example, as a transport dishwasher, the control of the cleaning device can, for example, influence process parameters in one or more cleaning zones. In a further aspect, a method for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. The process includes the following procedural steps. These can be carried out in particular in the order mentioned. In principle, however, a different order is also possible, or an order is possible in which two or more of the process steps are carried out simultaneously or overlapping in time. Furthermore, individual or several of the process steps can be carried out repeatedly.

The method comprises the following steps: a) providing at least one cleaning device as proposed, for example according to one or more of the embodiments described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below; b) inputting at least one active ingredient container filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit of the cleaning device, wherein when the pivoting door of the input unit is closed, at least one area of the active ingredient container is pressed against the at least one cutting edge of the piercing device, whereby the piercing device perforates the area, whereby the liquid active ingredient flows through the perforated area from the active ingredient container into the collection container; c) use of the liquid active ingredient to produce at least one cleaning fluid; and d) applying the at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device.

As stated above, the method can in particular be carried out in such a way that the active ingredient container is sprayed with solvent. In this way, almost all components of the active ingredient can be removed from the active ingredient container particularly efficiently. Accordingly, the method can be carried out in such a way that in method step b) and/or following method step b), the active substance container is sprayed out with the at least one solvent. The solvent and the active ingredient can mix and the solvent and the active ingredient can flow together into the collecting container, for example through the piercing device, for example through the interior of the piercing nozzle.

Regarding further possible variants of the method, reference can be made to the above description of the input unit and/or the description of the cleaning device. the. In particular, the method can include at least one method step in which user control takes place, as explained above, for example a user control in which the user is requested to carry out method step b). Analogously, at least one method step can also be included in which a user control takes place, in which the user is asked to remove an emptied active ingredient container from the input unit. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the method can comprise at least one step in which at least one piece of information from at least one identifier of at least one active ingredient container is read out using at least one reading device. This step can include one or more additional sub-steps, for example sub-steps in which the information read out is further processed as described above. Further procedural steps are possible.

The method can be completely or partially computer-implemented and/or computer-controlled. In particular, computer control can be carried out in such a way that a user is requested to carry out method step b). One or more pumps and/or valves can also be controlled under computer control, so that, for example, method steps c) and/or d) can be carried out under computer control. Accordingly, corresponding computer programs are proposed which carry out corresponding method steps when running on a computer or computer network, for example the control of the input unit and/or the control of the cleaning device. The computer program can in particular be stored on a computer-readable data carrier, in particular a non-volatile data carrier.

The proposed input unit, the proposed cleaning device and the proposed method have numerous advantages over known devices and methods of a similar type. In particular, they address the technical challenges mentioned at the beginning. This means that a high level of cost-effectiveness is generally possible, while at the same time ensuring high levels of occupational safety and environmental protection. Active ingredient containers can be emptied reliably and completely, can optionally be rinsed and can therefore be removed from the input unit again safely and without endangering the operating personnel or the environment after emptying. At the same time, highly concentrated active ingredients can be introduced, which can be reliably diluted and therefore dosed well. For example, at least one active ingredient can be provided in the form of at least one concentrate using the proposed input unit. For example, the liquid active ingredient can have a water content of not more than 20%, in particular not more than 15%, but preferably at least one water-soluble active ingredient component, in particular in liquid form. The active ingredient can be present completely or partially in liquid form. The at least one active ingredient can be provided in the at least one active ingredient container, for example in a so-called delivery container, for example at least one bottle. The at least one active ingredient container can, for example, be made entirely or partially from plastic and/or metal, for example with high dimensional stability during transport. For example, the active ingredient container can be designed completely or partially as a rigid active ingredient container, in contrast to, for example, a foil bag. This ensures a high level of safety during transport and handling.

The at least one active ingredient can in particular have a comparatively high viscosity. Dilution with the at least one solvent can then produce a liquid with a lower viscosity. In particular, as stated above, this can be done by introducing the solvent into the active ingredient container, so that the active ingredient container can be reliably emptied despite the originally high viscosity of the active ingredient. For example, the active ingredient, in particular in undiluted form, as provided by the active ingredient container, can have a viscosity of more than 10 mPa*s, in particular more than 50 mPa*s, in particular more than 100 mPa*s, for example a viscosity of 50 mPa*s to 500 mPa*s or from 100 mPa*s to 400 mPa*s, for example 260 mPa*s.

As stated above, the at least one active ingredient container can in particular have at least one identifier. This identifier can, for example, be applied to a surface of the active ingredient container, for example on an outer circumference of a bottle, a bottle base or a bottle lid. The at least one identifier can, for example, comprise at least one code, with at least one piece of information, for example information about the at least one liquid active ingredient, for example at least one piece of information of the type described above. For example, the delivery container can be provided with a code. The at least one identifier, for example the code, can be read by the input unit. For this purpose, the input unit can, for example, comprise at least one reading device, as stated above. The active ingredient container can be designed in such a way that a high level of operational safety can be guaranteed when handling it. As stated above, the active ingredient container can in particular be designed as a rigid active ingredient container, in contrast to, for example, a foil bag. The active ingredient container can, for example, be designed completely or partially as a bottle, for example as a bottle with a mouth and/or a lid. The active ingredient container can in particular be designed in such a way that it does not have a closure which can or would have to be removed by hand by operating personnel, for example without a screw cap, tear-off tab or similar closures that can be removed by hand. For example, the active ingredient container can be designed to be completely closed, without a closure element, which would have to be reversibly or irreversibly removed by an operator before the active ingredient is removed. In this way, it can be prevented that the operating personnel come into contact with the active ingredient when removing a closure or that active ingredient gets into the environment when opening a closure.

As stated above, the active ingredient container has at least one area which is perforated by the piercing device. This can be, for example, a lid area of a bottle. In particular, the area can be completely or partially flat. The active ingredient container can have at least one weakening, for example at least one predetermined breaking point, in the area intended for perforation by the piercing device. For example, in the area intended for perforation by the piercing device, at least one groove can be provided, which can correspond, for example, to a shape of the piercing device and/or the cutting edge thereof. For example, the cutting edge can engage in the groove of the region of the active ingredient container, with, for example, a wall of the active ingredient container within the groove having a reduced wall thickness compared to the wall adjacent to the groove. However, other types of predetermined breaking points are also fundamentally conceivable. The at least one predetermined breaking point can be present, for example, where an opening is to be created by the piercing device. For example, the predetermined breaking point can surround the opening.

The piercing device can, for example, completely or partially punch out at least one partial area from the area of the active ingredient container during the perforation, whereby the partial area, for example after the perforation, can be completely separated from the remaining active ingredient container or can also be connected to the remaining active ingredient container via at least one material bridge can be. The at least one opening can form in the punched out area, which, for example, is completely or partially from the Predetermined breaking point can be bordered or limited. The at least one opening can be created, for example, in an end face of the active ingredient container, for example in a lid.

As stated above, the input unit can in particular have at least one holder. This holder can have at least one receiving geometry in order to accommodate the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the swing door. For example, on the side of the active ingredient container on which the mouth of the active ingredient container is provided and/or on which the above-described area is provided, which is perforated by the piercing device, a geometry can be provided on the active ingredient container, which has a counterform in the holder interacts. The geometry of the holder can also be referred to as the receiving geometry. The geometry of the active ingredient container, together with the receiving geometry of the holder, can prevent the active ingredient container from being inserted incorrectly, for example sideways. For example, the active ingredient container can have a smaller diameter on one side, for example its front side, than on another side.

Water, in particular fresh water, can be used as a solvent in the input unit. Alternatively or additionally, aqueous solvents can also be used, for example aqueous acids or alkalis. However, other solvents are also fundamentally conceivable, depending on the type of active ingredient. Fresh water can be supplied to the input unit, for example, directly or indirectly via a fresh water connection as a solvent connection. Alternatively or additionally, the solvent connection can also be provided by the cleaning device itself. For example, fresh water can also be supplied to the input unit from an internal path of the cleaning device, for example the dishwasher. The fresh water connection, which can be provided on the cleaning device and/or on the input unit, can in particular have a network separation to an on-site water supply. Accordingly, at least one network separation can be provided, for example, between the solvent connection and the solvent lance.

Using the proposed input unit and/or the proposed cleaning device, the proposed method can be carried out in one or more variants. For example, the method for cleaning items to be cleaned can include a display on a display of the cleaning device, for example the dishwasher, which includes user guidance in the form of information, for example the information that a new active ingredient container should be used. For example, this information can be conveyed by the message “Insert new bottle” or similar messages. Alternatively or additionally, the display can also take place, for example, directly at the input point, for example the swing door, for example by flashing a colored light and / or the entire swing door or its handle is illuminated in color in a certain way. The controller can control this lighting.

In one variant, for example, the color that is conveyed by the display element can be the same as the color that corresponds to a color code or the entire color of the active ingredient container. In this way, the operating personnel can, for example, be provided with initial information as to which active ingredient the cleaning device requires.

Furthermore, as stated above, the input unit can have at least one reading device for reading out at least one piece of information from the at least one optional identifier of the active ingredient container. The reading device can be completely or partially integrated into the housing of the input unit or can also be implemented in another way, for example at another location within the cleaning device. The reading device can, for example, be designed as an RFID reader and/or as a barcode reader, in particular as a QR code reader. The reading device can, for example, be physically firmly connected to the input unit and/or the cleaning device or can alternatively, for example, only be electrically connected to the input unit and/or the cleaning device, for example wired and/or wirelessly. For example, this connection can exist with the control of the input unit and/or the control of the cleaning device.

The operating personnel can, for example, authenticate the active ingredient container, for example the container, in particular in the form of at least one bottle, via the at least one identifier and the at least one reading device. For example, the at least one piece of information can be read out of the identifier and compared with at least one target piece of information stored in the control of the cleaning device and/or the input unit, in order, for example, to recognize whether the operating personnel are about to insert the correct active ingredient at the correct time to enter the input unit. The control of the input unit and/or the cleaning device can be set up to trigger at least one action in accordance with the information read out. For example, if authentication has taken place and/or based on other information read out, the swing door for entering the active ingredient container can be unlocked or, for example, locked or remain locked if there is no authentication. Optionally, the input unit can also be set up in such a way, for example due to a corresponding setup of the control, that the swing door is opened automatically after successful authentication.

The control of the input unit can in particular configure and/or control the input unit in such a way that when a new active ingredient container with active ingredient is entered into the input unit, the collecting container in the interior is empty. Accordingly, at the time that new active ingredient is added, there can preferably be no residues of previously used active ingredients that were added in a previous operation in the collection container.

When entering a new active ingredient container, the situation can arise that the input unit still contains a previously used empty active ingredient container. This can be removed by the operating personnel, for example after a corresponding request from the input unit, before the new active ingredient container is entered.

When entering the new active ingredient container, it can, as explained above, be inserted correctly, for example due to a corresponding geometry of the holder. For example, a bottle can be inserted into a receiving geometry of the holder on the swing door.

The input unit can be set up in such a way that the swing door is closed manually by the operating personnel. Furthermore, the input unit can be set up in such a way that the swing door is automatically locked after closing, i.e. when the closed position is reached. During the closing process, as explained above, the area of the active ingredient container is perforated using the piercing device. The active ingredient container can thereby be emptied and the active ingredient can flow into the collecting container. The collecting container can act as a receiving container and/or mixing container. Optionally, the area of the active ingredient container can only be perforated once the locking of the swing door has been activated, so that the operating personnel can be effectively prevented from coming into contact with the active ingredient. Alternatively or in addition to a manual movement of the swing door, the at least one swing door can also be closed completely or partially automatically. The swing door can also optionally include at least one actuator, which carries out and/or supports the closing movement. For example, the pivoting door, which can be designed as a flap, for example, can be moved by an electric drive from the open position to the closed position or over part of this pivoting movement. The area of the active ingredient container can be pressed against the cutting edge of the piercing device, whereby the area is perforated.

As also stated above, the piercing device can in particular be designed entirely or partially as a tube and/or comprise a tube. Furthermore, as also stated above, the piercing device can alternatively or additionally comprise the at least one solvent lance. Using the solvent lance, solvent can be guided into the interior of the active ingredient container for rinsing, in particular can be sprayed. For example, as stated above, fresh water can be used as a solvent, which can be used in the cold state or in the warmed state. Rinsing can take place at the same time or at a different time from the perforation. For example, the active ingredient container can be rinsed out with the at least one solvent with a time delay of at least a predetermined or predeterminable period of time for closing the swing door and/or for perforating the area. In this way, for example, the active ingredient can initially largely flow out of the active ingredient container into the collecting container, whereupon active ingredient residues can be flushed out of the active ingredient container using the solvent and also reach the collecting container.

When diluting the at least one active ingredient by the at least one solvent and/or when mixing the at least one active ingredient with the at least one solvent, the control can be set up in such a way that it controls a dilution to a predetermined concentration. The control can be set up to add up several solvent streams during dilution so that the total amount of solvent supplied can be taken into account. For example, a total of 2.7 liters of fresh water can be added to a quantity of 300 ml of rinse aid concentrate, so that the volume from the active ingredient container, in particular the bottle, results in a total volume of 3 liters of rinse aid as a consumable and/or application solution. However, other amounts and/or concentrations are also conceivable, depending on the area of application and materials. In general, the input unit can be designed, for example, to handle total amounts of liquid active ingredient from 10 ml to 5 liters to enter. Furthermore, the input unit can be set up to produce consumables in an amount of 100 ml to 10 1 from the liquid active ingredient. In particular, production can take place in portions and non-continuously. However, other configurations are also possible.

In particular, as stated above, the input unit can be set up to mix, in particular thoroughly mix, the at least one active ingredient with the at least one solvent. This mixing can in particular be carried out by at least one mixing device. The mixing can take place in at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of the collecting container, the storage container and a mixing container. Another type of mixing, for example in a pipeline system, is alternatively or additionally conceivable.

During the mixing, the contents of the active ingredient container can, for example, mix completely with the supplied solvent volume, for example the fresh water volume. The input unit can in particular be set up to carry out a mixing process, in particular via the mixing device, for a predetermined mixing time. For example, the mixing time can be 10 seconds to 30 minutes, in particular 5 minutes to 20 minutes, for example 10 minutes.

The consumables generated in the input unit can be provided directly to at least one further device of the cleaning device. For example, at least one mixture of the at least one solvent and the at least one active ingredient can be provided to at least one application device of the cleaning device, for example in at least one tank of the cleaning device and / or in at least one pipeline system of the cleaning device, for example a pipeline system which has at least one tank and connects at least one nozzle system with each other. For example, the loading device and the at least one collecting container and/or the at least one storage container can be fluidly connected to one another. In this way, for example, the solution of the active ingredient in the solvent can be metered into a dishwasher. The mixture from the collecting container and/or the storage container can be metered, for example, until the collecting container and/or the storage container are emptied or are emptied to a predetermined minimum level. At this stage, for example, the active ingredient container in the input unit can be emptied and optionally also rinsed out. Residues of active ingredient in the interior of the active ingredient container can therefore be neglected. be bar small. A subsequent loading of the input unit with a new active ingredient container can thus take place in particular with the greatest possible protection of the operating personnel from chemical influences of the active ingredient.

As stated above, the input unit can also have at least one storage container in addition to the collecting container. The collecting container can serve as a mixing container in which a mixture or at least a preliminary mixture of the active ingredient with the solvent takes place. If the contents of the collecting container are completely or partially fed to the storage container after mixing the active ingredient with the solvent and thus after producing the consumable, in particular the application solution, then a usable free volume is created in the collecting container so that it can be used again, for example for mixing . Thus, for example, a further mixing process can be started in the input unit, using the collecting container, while, for example, previously produced consumables are stored or temporarily stored in the at least one storage container. The renewed mixing process can then take place with the same active ingredient and/or the same solvent as the previous mixing process, or at least one different active ingredient and/or at least one different solvent can be used. In principle, in this way, different consumables, in particular different active ingredient solutions, for example various additives, consumables or detergent-active substances, can be produced via the same input unit, through a suitable mixture and/or dilution, whereby these different consumables can, for example, be supplied to storage containers intended for this purpose. If different consumables are generated in the input unit, at least one rinsing process can take place between the production of different consumables, in which, for example, the interior of the housing and/or the collecting container and/or corresponding lines are rinsed by at least one solvent, for example water.

If different consumables are produced in the input unit, the at least one optional reading device can be used. For example, depending on the at least one piece of information read out, the consumable material in the form of, for example, a premixed substance consisting of active ingredient and solvent, also referred to as an application solution, can be supplied to the storage container provided for this purpose. The control of the input unit and/or the cleaning device can, for example, activate corresponding valves and block other valves. The above-mentioned collecting container can be made very small overall. Furthermore, the collection container of the input unit does not necessarily have to be used for storage. For example, in the interior in which the perforation of the active ingredient container takes place, only the active ingredient container can be emptied and optionally the active ingredient container can be rinsed out with solvent. The resulting liquid can then be passed from the collecting container into the storage container, for example directly and without being stored in the collecting container. The storage container can then function simultaneously as a storage container and as a mixing container. For this purpose, as stated above, in particular at least one mixing device can be provided in the storage container.

When feeding to the at least one storage container, valve control can again be carried out by the at least one control of the input unit and/or the cleaning device. In this case, for example, the at least one piece of information about the active ingredient and/or the active ingredient container read out by the reading device can be used. For example, the consumable material produced can be fed from the collecting container to the designated storage container, for example by appropriately controlling valves.

If the production of the homogeneous consumable material and/or an at least partial or complete mixture of the at least one solvent and the at least one active ingredient is carried out in the storage container, then, as stated above, this homogenization and/or mixture can be carried out in particular by means of the at least one optional mixing device or be supported. The storage container, which can accordingly also function as a mixing container, can comprise, for example, at least one pump and/or at least one agitator.

After emptying the active ingredient container and, if necessary, rinsing it out, as well as after transferring the liquids released in the process, in particular the consumables including the active ingredient and the solvent, into the storage container, the input unit can be used again. The active ingredient from the at least one storage container can be forwarded directly and/or also stored there. In the meantime, another input process for an active ingredient can be started in the input unit. This can again be done with the same active ingredient as before, or with one or more other active ingredients. This means that different active ingredients, for example different ones, can also be used via the same input unit detergent-active substances and/or various additives are entered, mixed with solvent and/or diluted and premixed/diluted and supplied to various storage containers, which can optionally also act as mixing containers. This means, for example, that active ingredients can be dosed in different amounts and/or diluted in different concentrations depending on the required requirements of the cleaning process.

The input unit can generally be set up to carry out at least one flushing process. During the rinsing process, for example, the collecting container can be rinsed with solvent without, for example, active ingredient being added. Other components of the input unit can also be flushed with the solvent during the flushing process, for example a pipe system which can drain liquid from the collecting container, for example to a valve, a metering pump or a storage container. The rinsing process can, for example, be connected to an input process, with active ingredient being entered via the input device in the input process. The rinsing process can be carried out, for example, in all liquid-carrying areas, for example in the at least one collecting container, in the at least one storage container, which can also function as a mixing container, and in the corresponding lines of the input unit or part of these lines.

By means of the proposed input unit, for example, a diluted active ingredient, for example in the form of a diluted liquid process chemical in application concentration, can be supplied to the cleaning device, for example to the loading device of the cleaning device. For example, the application device can have at least one rinsing strand, by means of which the items to be cleaned are applied with rinsing liquid. The rinsing strand can, for example, comprise at least one rinsing tank, at least one rinsing nozzle system and at least one rinsing line system. The consumable material in the form of the diluted active ingredient can, for example, be fed to the final rinse strand, for example by dosing it into the final rinse tank.

Furthermore, in addition to the at least one consumable material from the at least one input unit, further additives can be supplied to the at least one cleaning fluid of the cleaning device, for example from other sources. For example, one or more additional chemicals from other sources can be added to the final rinse, such as acid, complexing agents, polymers or combinations of the chemicals mentioned and/or other chemicals, provided they are not already included contained in the active ingredient. The active ingredient can therefore be further processed by the cleaning device before use, for example by further dilution and/or by supplying one or more additional chemicals.

As stated above, the input unit can have at least one mixing device. The at least one mixing device can, for example, be fluidly connected to the at least one collecting container and/or to the at least one optional storage container. This mixing device can in particular be set up to mix the at least one active ingredient with the at least one solvent. In addition, the mixing device can also take on other functions. For example, the mixing device can also be set up and/or used to premix other process liquids, for example surface-active substances or defoamers or disinfectants.

As stated above, the input unit comprises at least one holder for receiving the at least one active ingredient container. The holder can also be designed variably, for example by movable holder elements, so that, for example, active ingredient containers of different sizes and/or different shapes can be accommodated in the holder. For example, adapters, movable elements and/or variably pluggable elements in the holder can be used for this purpose. Spring elements can also be used to accommodate different types of active ingredient containers. In particular, active ingredient containers, in particular containers, with different volumes can be used in this way. In general, the holder can be set up to adapt to different containers.

In summary, the following embodiments are proposed, without limiting further possible configurations:

Embodiment 1.: Input unit for inputting at least one liquid active ingredient into a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising: i. at least one housing with at least one interior and with at least one pivoting door, the pivoting door being pivotable about at least one pivot axis from at least one open position to at least one closed position; ii. at least one holder arranged on a side of the swing door facing the interior and connected to the swing door for receiving at least one active ingredient container; iii. at least one piercing device arranged in the interior for piercing the active ingredient container; and iv. at least one collecting container arranged in a floor area of the interior for receiving the liquid active ingredient, the input unit being set up in such a way that when the swing door is pivoted from the open position into the closed position, at least one area of the active ingredient container is pressed against at least one cutting edge of the piercing device , whereby the piercing device perforates the area, and wherein the active ingredient container is oriented in the closed position such that the liquid active ingredient flows through the perforated area from the active ingredient container into the collection container.

Embodiment 2: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the input unit is set up to dilute the liquid active ingredient with at least one solvent, in particular to a predetermined concentration.

Embodiment 3.: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising: v. at least one solvent supply, the solvent supply having at least one solvent connection and at least one solvent lance fluidly connected to the solvent connection, the lance being set up to feed at least one solvent through the perforated in the closed position of the swing door area to be introduced into the active ingredient container.

Embodiment 4: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the solvent lance is set up to at least partially rinse out the active ingredient container with the solvent, the container being oriented in the closed position in such a way that the solvent flows out of the active ingredient container through the perforated area flows through the collection container.

Embodiment 5: Input unit according to one of the two previous embodiments, wherein the cutting edge of the piercing device at least partially encloses the lance. Embodiment 6: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the cutting edge is designed in a ring shape, the cutting edge enclosing the solvent lance in a ring shape, in particular concentrically.

Embodiment 7: Input unit according to one of the two previous embodiments, wherein the piercing device has a piercing nozzle, the solvent lance running at least partially within the piercing nozzle.

Embodiment 8: Input unit according to one of the five previous embodiments, wherein the solvent supply further has at least one valve for controlling a supply of the solvent.

Embodiment 9: Input unit according to one of the six previous embodiments, wherein the solvent lance projects essentially vertically into the active ingredient container in the closed position.

Embodiment 10: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the piercing device is rigidly accommodated in the interior of the housing.

Embodiment 11: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the piercing device is designed to be drive-free.

Embodiment 12.: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the interior has the collecting container and a receiving area for receiving the active ingredient container, the collecting container and the receiving area being separated by at least one fluid-permeable partition, in particular by at least one sieve base.

Embodiment 13: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the piercing device is mechanically connected to the fluid-permeable partition.

Embodiment 14: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the piercing device projects upwards from the fluid-permeable partition wall into the receiving area. Embodiment 15: Input unit according to one of the three previous embodiments, wherein the piercing device forms at least one fluid channel between the receiving area and the collecting container.

Embodiment 16: Input unit according to one of the four previous embodiments, wherein the receiving area is arranged above the collecting container, so that the liquid active ingredient can flow from the receiving area into the collecting container due to its gravity.

Embodiment 17: Input unit according to one of the two previous embodiments, wherein the piercing device has a piercing nozzle, the piercing nozzle having an at least partially circumferential cutting edge, the cutting edge forming the cutting edge of the piercing device.

Embodiment 18: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the piercing nozzle is set up to protrude through the perforated area into an interior of the active ingredient container in the closed position of the swing door, the piercing nozzle having a nozzle wall, at least one drain opening being accommodated in the nozzle wall is, wherein the drain opening is set up in such a way that the liquid active ingredient can flow from the interior of the active ingredient container through the drain opening into an inner lumen of the piercing nozzle and from there into the collecting container.

Embodiment 19: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the drain opening has at least one opening selected from the group consisting of: a slot, in particular a slot running axially to a longitudinal axis of the piercing nozzle; a groove, in particular a groove extending axially to a longitudinal axis of the piercing nozzle; a round opening; an oval opening; a polygonal opening.

Embodiment 20: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one controller, wherein the controller is set up to control at least one function of the input unit.

Embodiment 21: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the function comprises at least one function selected from the group consisting of: a user guide for instructing a user to enter an active ingredient container into the input unit; a user guide to guide a user on removal an active ingredient container from the input unit; a lock on the swing door; an unlocking of the swing door; a control of a valve of the input unit; a control of at least one solvent supply of the input unit; a control of a dosing pump of the input unit; controlling at least one mixing device of the input unit; reading out a sensor signal from at least one sensor of the input unit, in particular a level sensor; reading out information about an identifier of an active ingredient container within the input unit; reading out at least one piece of information about an identifier of an active ingredient container outside the input unit; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient to a specific storage container of the input unit.

Embodiment 22.: Input unit according to one of the two previous embodiments, wherein the input unit further has at least one display element for displaying at least one piece of user information to a user, the control being set up to prompt a user to do at least one action using the display element, selected from the Group consisting of: an input of an active ingredient container filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit; a removal of an emptied active ingredient container from the input unit.

Embodiment 23: Input unit according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the display element comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a display; an acoustic display element; a lighting element that can be illuminated with different colors, in particular a handle element of the pivoting door of the input unit.

Embodiment 24: Input unit according to one of the two previous embodiments, wherein the control is further set up to unlock the swing door for the action.

Embodiment 25.: Input unit according to one of the five previous embodiments, wherein the input unit further has at least one reading device for reading out at least one piece of information about at least one identifier of an active ingredient container, the controller being set up to control the reading device.

Embodiment 26: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the reading device is selected from the group consisting of: an optical reading device for reading at least one optical identifier, in particular a barcode and/or QR codes; an electronic reading device for reading at least one electronic identifier, in particular an RFID chip; a magnetic reading device for reading at least one magnetic identifier.

Embodiment 27: Input unit according to one of the two previous embodiments, wherein the control is further set up to carry out at least one action in accordance with the information read out, in particular at least one action selected from the group consisting of: a visual display of at least one message to a user; an acoustic display of at least one notice to a user; a haptic display of at least one notice to a user; a release of the swing door; a blockage of the swing door; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient to at least one associated storage container, in particular through a corresponding control of at least one valve and/or at least one pump; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient to at least one associated tank of the cleaning device, in particular through a corresponding control of at least one valve and/or at least one pump; a mixing device.

Embodiment 28: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the input unit further has at least one level sensor for detecting a liquid level in the collecting container.

Embodiment 29: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the holder is designed to hold the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the swing door.

Embodiment 30: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the holder has at least one receiving geometry in order to receive the active ingredient container in a predetermined orientation relative to the pivoting door.

Embodiment 31.: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the holder has at least one bottom contact surface for contact with a bottom of the active ingredient container and at least one front contact surface for contact with an end face of the active ingredient container, wherein in the front contact surface at least one opening for carrying out a tapered neck is introduced with a mouth of the active ingredient container. Embodiment 32: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the piercing device protrudes through the opening in the end-side contact surface in the closed position of the swing door.

Embodiment 33: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the input unit further comprises at least one mixing device, the mixing device being set up to mix liquid in the collecting container.

Embodiment 34: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, wherein the mixing device comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump integrated into the collecting container; a mixing pump fluidly connected to the collecting container.

Embodiment 35: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one metering pump fluidically connected directly or indirectly to the collecting container.

Embodiment 36: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the input unit further has at least one storage container, the storage container being fluidly connected to the collecting container.

Embodiment 37: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, at least one valve being provided between the storage container and the collecting container.

Embodiment 38: Input unit according to one of the three previous embodiments, wherein the storage container comprises at least one level sensor.

Embodiment 39: Input unit according to one of the four previous embodiments, wherein the storage container comprises at least one mixing device.

Embodiment 40: Input unit according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the mixing device comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump integrated into the storage container; a mixing pump fluidly connected to the storage container. Embodiment 41: Input unit according to one of the six previous embodiments, wherein the input unit comprises at least two storage containers, the storage containers each being fluidly connected to the collecting container.

Embodiment 42: Input unit according to the previous embodiment, further comprising at least two metering pumps fluidically connected directly or indirectly to the storage containers.

Embodiment 43: Input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one electronically controllable locking mechanism for the swing door.

Embodiment 44.: Cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising at least one cleaning chamber for receiving the items to be cleaned, further comprising at least one loading device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber, further comprising at least one input unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning device is set up to use at least one liquid active ingredient provided via the input unit to generate the cleaning fluid.

Embodiment 45: Cleaning device according to the previous embodiment, wherein the cleaning device has at least one housing that at least partially encloses the cleaning chamber, the housing of the input unit being at least partially integrated into the housing of the cleaning device.

Embodiment 46.: Method for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising: a) providing at least one cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device; b) inputting at least one active ingredient container filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit of the cleaning device, wherein when the pivoting door of the input unit is closed, at least one area of the active ingredient container is pressed against the at least one cutting edge of the piercing device, whereby the piercing device perforates the area, whereby the liquid active ingredient flows through the perforated area from the active ingredient container into the collection container; c) use of the liquid active ingredient to produce at least one cleaning fluid; and d) applying the at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device.

Embodiment 47.: Method according to the previous embodiment, wherein in method step b) and / or following method step b) the active ingredient container is sprayed with at least one solvent, the solvent and the active ingredient mixing and the solvent and the active ingredient together in the Collection containers flow.

Short description of the characters

Further details and features emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in particular in connection with the subclaims. The respective features can be implemented alone or in combination with each other. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. The same reference numbers in the individual figures designate elements that are the same or have the same function or correspond to one another in terms of their functions.

Show in detail:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention in the form of a continuous dishwasher;

Figures 2 to 5 different embodiments of an input unit according to the invention, each in a cross-sectional view;

Figures 6A to 6D sequence of schematic representations to illustrate a pivoting of a pivoting door of an input unit according to the invention with a recorded active ingredient container from an open position to a closed position; Figure 7 Detailed view of Figure 6D with particular attention to an area of an active ingredient container held in the input unit that is perforated by a piercing device of the input unit; and

Figure 8 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention for cleaning items to be cleaned.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device 110 according to the invention in the form of a dishwasher 111. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this is designed as an example in the form of a conveyor dishwasher 112, also referred to as a transport dishwasher. However, other configurations are also possible.

The cleaning device 110 can have a transport device 114, by means of which items 116 to be cleaned, for example dishes, can be transported through a cleaning chamber 118 of the cleaning device 110. For example, the cleaning device 110 can be designed as a basket transport machine and can be set up to transport the items to be cleaned 116 in transport baskets 120, or as a belt transport machine in which the items to be cleaned 116 are transported directly on a conveyor belt, as shown in this exemplary embodiment.

By means of the transport device 114, the items to be cleaned 116 can be transported in a transport direction 122 from a feed zone 124 to an outlet zone 126. The cleaning chamber 114 can be divided into several zones, for example a pre-cleaning zone 128, a washing zone 130 and a final rinsing zone 132 can be provided. Adjoining these zones, at least one drying zone 134 can also be provided, in which the items to be cleaned 116 are dried by means of a blower 136.

The one or more zones 128, 130, 132 can generally be referred to as rinsing zones 138, within which one or more application devices 140, in the form of nozzle systems with nozzles 142, are provided in order to apply at least one cleaning fluid 144 to the items to be cleaned 116. A pre-clearing nozzle system 146 can be provided in the pre-clearing zone 128, which is fed from a pre-clearing tank 150 via a pre-clearing pump 148. A washing zone nozzle system 152 can be provided in the washing zone 130, which can be fed from a washing tank 156 of a washing device 157 via a washing zone pump 154. The final rinse zone 132 can have a pump rinse 158 and a fresh water rinse 160 that follows in the transport direction 122. The pump rinse 158 has a pump rinse nozzle system 162, and the fresh water rinse 160 has a fresh water rinse nozzle system 164. While the pump rinse nozzle system 162 is fed from a rinse tank 166 via a rinse pump 168, the fresh water rinse nozzle system 164 is fed via a fresh water supply 170 is fed with fresh water from a fresh water connection 172 on the building. The fresh water supply 170 can, for example, include a temperature control device 174 in the form of a heating device 176, by means of which the fresh water supplied can be warmed up, for example to a temperature of 80 ° C to 100 ° C, preferably to a temperature of at least 85 ° C. The fresh water supply 170 can optionally be routed via at least one heat recovery device 178, in which waste heat from the cleaning device 110 can be used to warm up fresh water supplied.

By means of the transport device 114, the items to be cleaned 116 can be guided continuously or discontinuously through the rinsing zones 138 before the items to be cleaned 116 are dried in the drying zone 134. The rinsing zones 138 can each be closed off by separating curtains 180.

The cleaning device 110 preferably uses several types of cleaning fluid 144 in the form of rinsing liquids, which are preferably all aqueous rinsing liquids. In the fresh water rinse 160, fresh water is preferably used as the rinsing liquid, usually with an addition of rinse aid. In the fresh water rinse 160, the rinsing liquid only comes into contact with the items 116 to be cleaned once. In the pump rinse 158, however, the items to be cleaned 116 are acted upon in a circulation operation with rinse liquid from the rinse tank 166. In the wash tank 156, for example, cleaning agents can be added to the rinse liquid, for example cleaning solution, for example as a solution of a liquid cleaning concentrate in water. In the washing zone 130, the items to be cleaned 116 can be cleaned in circulation mode with the rinsing liquid from the washing tank 156. In the pre-clearing zone 128, the items to be cleaned 116 can be acted upon in circulation mode. As stated above, one or more detergent-active substances can be added to the cleaning fluid 144 in the form of the rinsing liquids in the tanks 150, 156 and 166. For this purpose, one or more metering devices, for example one or more metering pumps 264, can be provided, which are shown as an example in FIG. 1 and which will be explained in more detail below. For example, a metering device can optionally be provided on the fresh water supply 170, by means of which a rinse aid and/or a disinfectant can be supplied to the fresh water rinse 160. The at least one metering device can be connected, for example, upstream or downstream of the heating device. Alternatively or additionally, a dosing device can be provided on the rinse aid tank 166, by means of which a rinse aid and/or a disinfectant can be metered into the rinse aid tank 166. Alternatively or additionally, at least one metering device can optionally be provided in the washing zone 130, by means of which one or more cleaning agents can be metered into the washing tank 156. Alternatively or additionally, at least one metering device can be provided in the pre-cleaning zone 128, by means of which at least one cleaning agent can be dosed into the pre-cleaning tank 150. The dosing devices can be implemented individually, in pairs or in the combinations mentioned. However, a different arrangement, combination and type of dosage is also possible in principle.

Furthermore, the dishwasher 110 can have at least one controller 182 in the arrangement shown. This can be, for example, a central machine control, which, however, can in principle also be designed in a decentralized manner. The controller 182 may, for example, include at least one processor 186 and at least one data memory 188. The controller 182 can further have at least one user interface 190 and/or at least one data interface 192, for example for wireless or wired exchange of data and/or control commands.

By means of the at least one controller 182, for example, one or more cleaning programs in the dishwasher 110 can be controlled. The controller 182 can in particular be connected to at least one supply valve 184, which can control a fresh water supply, and/or to one or more of the metering devices mentioned and can control these elements. Furthermore, the controller 182 can, for example, be completely or partially connected to the pumps 148, 154 and 168 and control these pumps. Furthermore, the controller 182 can, for example, be connected to the at least one transport device 114 and control the transport device 114. The Control 182 can, for example, be designed entirely or partially as a control device and/or include at least one control.

The dishwasher 110 can in turn have one or more sensors for detecting one or more operating parameters. For example, the dishwasher 110 may have one or more sensors for detecting a supply and/or a concentration of one or more components of the washing liquid. The sensors may generally be connected directly or indirectly to the at least one controller 182. For example, the dishwasher 110 can have at least one flow meter for detecting a volume flow and/or mass flow of a supply of fresh water. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device 110, in particular the dishwasher 111, can also have one or more sensors in the tanks 150, 156 and 166. For example, turbidity sensors and/or conductivity sensors can be provided there, by means of which, for example, a cleaning agent concentration and/or a degree of contamination can be detected. To carry out the regulation of a supply of one or more components of the cleaning fluid or the washing liquids of the dishwasher! 11, for example to regulate a fresh water supply and/or to regulate a dosage of cleaning agent, the controller 182 can comprise, for example, one or more controllers, which can be implemented, for example, in the form of software and/or in the form of hardware. These can, for example, detect one or more actual values by means of the sensors and/or by means of a flow meter and, for example by means of the mentioned metering devices and/or the supply valve 184, regulate a supply to at least one setpoint.

1 shows a sectional view of the cleaning device 110 parallel to the transport direction 122. In an analogous manner, however, sectional views could in principle also be shown at other locations within the continuous dishwasher 112, for example through the pre-cleaning zone 128, the washing zone 130 or through the final rinse zone 132 in the area of the fresh water final rinse 160.

The cleaning device 110 in the form of the continuous dishwasher 112 shown in Figure 1 also has an input unit 194 for entering at least one liquid active ingredient 195 into the cleaning device 110 for cleaning the items to be cleaned 116, as illustrated in Figure 1. The input unit 194 comprises at least one housing 196 and at least one line 262, also referred to as a metering line, into which, for example, the at least one metering pump 264 is inserted and which is in this Embodiment example opens into the fresh water supply 170. Alternatively or additionally, however, other embodiments are also conceivable, as shown above.

Furthermore, the input unit 194, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1, can optionally comprise at least one controller 222. The controller 222 may be set up to fully or partially control and/or regulate operation of the input unit. In particular, the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be set up to change, in particular control and/or regulate, one or more operating parameters of the input unit 194, for example at least one pump output and/or at least one valve position, for example a pump output and/or valve position to control the input of the liquid active ingredient 195 into the fresh water supply 170, as illustrated in Figure 1. The controller 222 of the input unit 194 can in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor 186.

The controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be designed independently, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively or additionally, the control 222 can also be completely or partially integrated into a higher-level control, for example in the control 182 of the cleaning device 110, of which the input unit 194 can be a component. The control 182 of the cleaning device 110 can be, for example, a central or decentralized machine control. The controller 182 of the cleaning device 110 can in particular be a one-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device 110, which is set up to completely or partially control and/or regulate an operation of the cleaning device 110, as, for example, already explained above. The controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be connected to the controller 182 of the cleaning device 110, for example wired and/or wirelessly, as illustrated by the dashed double-sided arrow in FIG. The controller 222 of the input unit 194 can in particular be set up, for example in terms of programming, to control at least one function of the input unit 194. In particular, the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be set up in terms of programming to control at least one input program for inputting the at least one liquid active ingredient, for example by controlling a valve of the input unit 194, as illustrated by an arrow in FIG. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 222 of the input unit 194 can be set up programmatically to control the processing of the active ingredient 195 into at least one consumable material within the cleaning device 110. ern, for example to generate at least one cleaning fluid of the cleaning device 110. For this purpose, the controller 222 can, for example, be set up to implement the method described in more detail below.

As described in more detail below, the liquid active ingredient 195 can be supplied undiluted or diluted, for example after dilution with at least one solvent, in particular water, for example to the fresh water rinse 160. For this purpose, the fresh water of the fresh water supply 170 can, for example, first be heated by the temperature control device 174 in the form of the heating device 176 to a temperature of 80 ° C to 100 ° C, preferably to a temperature of at least 85 ° C, before it is given the liquid active ingredient 195, for example is supplied in diluted form, in particular also referred to as user solution, user concentrate or consumables. A release of the liquid active ingredient 195 into the fresh water supply 170 can be controlled and/or regulated in particular via a controllable pump power and/or a controllable valve position.

Embodiments of the input unit 194, which can be used in the cleaning device 110 according to FIG. 1 or in other types of cleaning devices, are shown in FIGS. 2 to 7. The common features of these embodiments are first described below before their respective special features are discussed.

In general, the input unit 194 in the embodiments shown comprises at least one interior 198 and at least one pivoting door 200. The pivoting door 200 can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis 202 from at least one open position 204 to at least one closed position 206. The input unit 194 further has at least one holder 208 for receiving at least one active ingredient container 210, which is arranged on a side of the swing door 200 facing the interior 198 and is connected to the swing door 200. The input unit 194 further comprises at least one piercing device 112 arranged in the interior 198 for piercing the active ingredient container 210 and at least one collecting container 216 arranged in a bottom region 214 of the interior 198 for receiving the liquid active ingredient 195. The input unit 194 is set up in this way that when the swing door 200 is pivoted from the open position 204 into the closed position 206, at least one area 218 of the active ingredient container 210 is pressed against at least one cutting edge 220 of the piercing device 212. As a result, the piercing device 212 perforates this area 218. The container 210 is oriented in the closed position 206 of the swing door 200 in such a way that the liquid active ingredient 195 flows through the perforated area 218 from the active ingredient container 210 into the collecting container 216.

Figures 2 to 5 show different embodiments of the input unit 194, each in a cross-sectional view. In Figures 2 to 5, the input unit 194 can be seen with the active ingredient container 210 inserted and with the pivoting door 200 in the closed position 206. The input unit 194 includes the housing 196 with the interior 198. The housing 196 can be made entirely or partially from at least one rigid material, for example at least one metallic material and/or at least one plastic material. In particular, the housing 196 can be made entirely or partially from sheet metal, for example stainless steel sheet. The at least one interior 198 can be completely or partially enclosed by the housing 196. In particular, the housing 196 can seal off the interior 198 in a liquid-tight manner from an exterior space.

The input unit 194 includes the pivoting door 200 which can be pivoted about the pivot axis 202. As shown in Figure 2, the pivot axis 202 can in particular be designed essentially horizontally, so that, for example, the closed position 206 can be a position in which an input opening of the housing 196 passes through the Swing door 200 is closed and/or in which the swing door 200 is arranged substantially vertically. As the expression “substantially” indicates in the angle information, there can generally be an angular tolerance, for example a deviation of no more than 20°, in particular no more than 10° and in particular no more than 5° from the horizontal or vertical Alignment.

The open position 204 can in particular be a position in which an input opening of the housing 196 is released for an input of active ingredient, for example a position in which the pivoting door 200 is arranged obliquely to the vertical and/or horizontally.

The swing door 200 can be opened and/or closed continuously or gradually. In the closed position 206 and/or the open position 204, the swing door 200 can also be fixed, for example by a corresponding fixing device 224, as can be seen in FIG. In addition to the at least one pivot axis 202, the pivot door 200 can optionally have at least one mechanism that supports the pivot movement from the open position to the closed position and/or vice versa, for example at least one linkage (not shown). As can be seen in Figure 2, the input unit 194 also has the holder 208 connected to the swing door 200 for receiving the active ingredient container 210. The holder 208 can be set up to accommodate, hold stationary and/or align the active ingredient container 210. In particular, the holder 208 may be made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a metallic material and a plastic material. The holder 208 can in particular be designed entirely or partially as a basket, for example as a wire basket. The holder 210 can, for example, have at least one insertion opening, via which the at least one active ingredient container 210 can be reversibly introduced into the holder 208. The holder 208 can be firmly or detachably connected to an inside 225 of the swing door 200, as shown in FIG.

Figure 2 shows an example of the holder 208 with the active ingredient container 210 accommodated therein. The active ingredient container 210 can in particular contain the liquid active ingredient 195. The active ingredient container 210 can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: a bottle; a screw-cap container; a canister; a tubular bag; a stand-up pouch. The active ingredient container 210 can in particular be made entirely or partially from a material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); a paper material; a metallic material, in particular a metal sheet, in particular aluminum. Combinations of the materials mentioned are also conceivable in principle, for example a composite of metal and plastic or a composite of metal and paper. For example, the active ingredient container 210 can have a container wall 226 which has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 3 mm, in particular a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

The input unit 194 further includes the piercing device 212 with the cutting edge 220. The piercing device 212 can in particular be at least partially tubular, as shown in Figure 2. In particular, the tube 228 can be cut obliquely to a tube axis, so that a cutting plane running obliquely to the tube axis is created, for example at a cutting angle of 10° to 80°, in particular at a cutting angle of 20° to 70°. Where the tube wall of the tube 228 touches the cutting plane or at least along part of this contact line, the cutting edge 220 can arise in the form of the cutting edge. Other ways of producing cutting edges 220 are also generally known to those skilled in the art. In particular, the piercing device 212 can be set up to perforate the active ingredient container 210 by means of the cutting edge 220 when the active ingredient container 210 received in the holder 208 is caused by the movement of the active ingredient container 210 Swing door 200 is pressed into the closed position 206 against the cutting edge 220. Figure 2 shows the active ingredient container 210 with a perforated area 218.

2, the container 210 is oriented in the closed position 206 in such a way that the liquid active ingredient 195 flows through the perforated area 218 from an interior 230 of the active ingredient container 210 into the collecting container 216, as through the two of the active ingredient container 210 arrows pointing downwards. With the swing door 200 closed, the piercing device 212 can be arranged completely or at least partially below the holder 208 and/or below the active ingredient container 210 accommodated in the holder 208, although, for example, a part of the piercing device 212 can protrude through the perforated area into the active ingredient container 210, as shown in Figure 2. The liquid active ingredient 195 can flow in particular through the piercing device 212, for example through an interior of the tube 228 into the collecting container 216. The liquid active ingredient 195 can also reach the collecting container by draining the active ingredient 195 outside the piercing device 212, for example through the perforated area of the active ingredient container 210, which, for example, can only be incompletely occupied by the piercing device 212. The collecting container 216 is arranged in the bottom area 214 of the interior 198 of the housing 196. The collecting container 216 can, for example, be completely or partially, directly or indirectly enclosed by the housing 196 of the input unit 194, as can be seen in FIG. Alternatively or additionally, the collecting container 216 can be enclosed by an inner housing arranged within the housing 196 of the input unit 194. The collecting container 216 can, for example, be designed entirely or partially cubic and/or entirely or partially conical, for example with at least one funnel-shaped course at its lower end as further explained in connection with FIG. 5.

The input unit 194 can in particular be set up to mix, in particular dilute, the liquid active ingredient 195 with at least one solvent. For this purpose, the input unit 194 can in particular comprise at least one solvent supply 232, as shown in FIG. For example, this solvent supply 232 can be set up to add at least one solvent from at least one solvent connection 234 and/or at least one solvent supply to the at least one active ingredient 195. Accordingly, the input unit 194 can in particular have at least one solvent supply line 236, which can open into the collecting container 216, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the solvent supply line 236 can also be guided into the active ingredient container 210 and/or into at least one storage area. container 237, as described in more detail, for example, in connection with Figures 4 and 5. Various ways of supplying solvent are possible. In particular, the input unit 194 can have at least one solvent lance 238 fluidly connected to the solvent connection 234, the lance 238 being set up to introduce at least one solvent into the active ingredient container 210 through the perforated area 218 in the closed position 206 of the pivoting door 200 , as seen in Figure 2. By means of the fluidic connection, solvent can be conveyed from the solvent port 234 to the solvent lance 238, for example by a fluidic pressure exerted from the solvent source, which can be connected to the solvent port 234. The solvent lance 238 can be, for example, an elongated nozzle 240 and/or a finger-shaped device which can protrude into a cavity and through which solvent can be introduced into the cavity by means of at least one channel 242 accommodated in the finger-shaped device , in particular can be sprayed or injected, as illustrated in Figure 2 by an arrow pointing from the nozzle 240 into the interior 230 of the active ingredient container 210. The nozzle 240 can, for example, have a cylindrical base body, for example with a length of 10 mm to 200 mm, in particular a length of 20 mm to 150 mm. The length of the nozzle 240 can be adapted in particular to the length of the piercing device 212 and/or to the size of the active ingredient container 210. In particular, at least one mouth of the at least one nozzle 240 can be arranged inside the active ingredient container 210 when the pivoting door 200 is in the closed position 206, as shown in Figure 2. For example, when the swing door 200 is closed, the solvent lance 238 can also be partially introduced into the active ingredient container 210 with the perforation. In particular, the length of the solvent lance 238 can be dimensioned such that it does not protrude beyond the cutting edge 220 of the piercing device 212.

As shown as an example in FIG. 2, the input unit 194 can generally include a controller 222 in this or in the other exemplary embodiments. The controller 222 can in particular control at least one function of the input unit 194. The at least one function, which can be controlled by the controller 222 of the input unit 194, can in particular comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of: a user guide for instructing a user to enter an active ingredient container 210 into the input unit 194; a user guide for instructing a user to remove an active ingredient container 210 into the input unit 194; a lock of the swing door 200; unlocking the swing door 200; a control of a valve 223 of the input unit 194; a control of at least one Solvent supply of the input unit 194; a control of a metering pump of the input unit 194; controlling at least one mixing device of the input unit 194; reading out a sensor signal from at least one sensor of the input unit, in particular a level sensor; reading out information about an identifier of an active ingredient container 210 within the input unit 194; reading out at least one piece of information about an identifier of an active ingredient container 210 outside the input unit 194; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient 195 to a specific storage container of the input unit 194.

The controller 222 of the input unit 194 can in particular be set up to monitor, control and/or regulate a total supply of solvent, so that, for example, a predetermined amount of solvent can be supplied. The input unit 194 can accordingly be set up in particular to dilute the active ingredient 195 to a predetermined or predeterminable concentration. If several solvent supply lines 236 are provided, the streams can be added together so that a total amount of solvent supplied can be taken into account for the dilution. Figure 2 illustrates such monitoring of the supply of solvent by means of the controller 222. For example, the solvent supply 232 can have at least one valve for controlling a supply of the solvent. For example, this can be a valve which is arranged in the fluidic connection between the solvent connection 234 and the solvent lance 238, as shown in Figure 2. The valve can in particular be electrically controllable, for example by the control 222 of the input unit 194 and/or the control 182 of the cleaning device 110, which has already been described, for example, in connection with FIG.

As already described in connection with FIG. 1, the solvent can in particular be water, for example fresh water, in the heated or cold state, and/or at least one aqueous solvent. However, other types of solvents are also conceivable, depending on the liquid active ingredient used.

The collecting container 216, which can in particular hold the liquid active ingredient 195 diluted with the solvent, is arranged in a bottom region 214 of the interior 198 of the input unit 194. The interior 198 can optionally have at least one further area. For example, the interior 198 can also have at least one receiving area 244 for receiving the active ingredient container, with the active ingredient container 210 being introduced into the receiving area 244 when the swing door 200 is closed. The receiving area 244 and the collecting container 216, in particular its interior, can in particular be separated by at least one fluid-permeable partition 246. For example, this fluid-permeable partition 246 can comprise at least one partition with at least one opening, for example a plurality of openings, which can be designed, for example, round, oval, slot-shaped or polygonal. In particular, the fluid-permeable partition 246 can comprise at least one sieve base 248, as shown in FIG. As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the piercing device can, for example, be mechanically connected to the fluid-permeable partition 246. In particular, the piercing device 212 can be integrated completely or partially into the fluid-permeable partition 246. In particular, the piercing device 212 can protrude upwards from the fluid-permeable partition 246 into the receiving area 244. For example, the fluid-permeable partition can comprise a sieve base 248, wherein the piercing device 212 comprises at least one piercing nozzle 250, which can protrude upwards from the sieve base 248 into the receiving area 244. As shown in Figure 2, the sieve base 248 can be interrupted in the interior of the piercing nozzle 250, so that in the interior of the piercing nozzle 250, for example, a continuous channel 252 is created between the receiving area 244, in particular the interior of the perforated active ingredient container 210, and the collecting container 216, in which in particular the solvent lance 238 can be guided. The piercing socket 250 can, for example, be welded to the sieve base 148 or be mechanically connected in another way to the sieve base 248 or the interior of the input unit.

As shown in Figure 2, the input unit 194 can further have at least one level sensor 254 for detecting at least one liquid level 256 in the collecting container 216. In this way, for example, the current liquid level in the collecting container 216 can be monitored. This can be done, for example, by the controller 222 of the input unit 194. In this way, for example, overflowing of the collecting container 216 can be prevented.

The input unit 194 may further comprise at least one mixing device 258. The mixing device 258 can in particular be set up to mix liquid in the collecting container 216. The mixing device 258 may in particular comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump 260 integrated into the collecting container; a mixing pump 260 fluidly connected to the collecting container 216. Figure 2 shows an example of an input unit 194 with a mixing pump 260 integrated into the collecting container 216. The collecting container 216 can, as shown by way of example in FIG. For example, there can be a fluidic connection of the collecting container 216 to at least one tank of the cleaning device 110, for example a washing tank 156 and/or a final rinse or final rinse tank 166. As shown in Figure 2, the collecting container 216 can also be connected to at least one metering pump 264, by means of which, for example, at least a defined amount of consumables can be provided from the collecting container 216 to another device of the cleaning device 110. For further options, please refer, for example, to the description of FIG. 1 above.

Figure 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the input unit 194 in a cross-sectional view. Like Figure 2, Figure 3 also shows the input unit 194 with the active ingredient container 210 inserted and with the pivoting door 200 in the closed position 206. The exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3 is largely identical to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2. For the description of FIG. 3, reference can therefore largely be made to the detailed description of FIG. 2. The same applies to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are therefore described below primarily with regard to the differences from the exemplary embodiment of the input unit 194 shown in FIG. The mixing of the liquid active ingredient 195, which can flow from the active ingredient container 210 into the collecting container, with the solvent can also take place outside the collecting container 216, for example by means of an external mixing pump 260, which is fluidly connected to the collecting container 216, as in Figure 3 to see.

The input unit 194 can furthermore in particular have at least one storage container 237. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the input unit 194, which has two storage containers 237 designed separately from the collecting container 216. It goes without saying that the input unit 194 can also include exactly one, or more than two, for example three or more storage containers 237. The storage containers 237 can, for example, be arranged outside the housing 196 of the input unit 194, for example at another location within the cleaning device 110. A wall 265 of the storage container 237 can, for example, be made completely or partially from at least one metallic material and/or from at least one plastic material . The storage containers 237 can in particular be fluidically connected directly or indirectly Collecting container 216 can be connected, for example via at least one hose and / or via at least one pipeline 262. In the fluidic connection, for example, at least one branch 266 and / or at least one switch can be provided, so that, for example, several storage containers 237 can be supplied with liquid from the collecting container 216 at the same time can be filled or one or more storage containers 237 can be filled, whereas one or more other storage containers 237 are not filled. As can be seen in Figure 4, one or more valves 223 can be provided independently of one another in the individual fluidic branches, so that if several storage containers 237 are provided, these can each be controlled and/or filled individually. In particular, the valves 223 can be controlled by the controller 222 of the input unit 194, for example individually. In this way, for example, liquid can be drained and/or pumped out of the collecting container 216 into at least one of the storage containers 237 as required, or a fluidic separation can take place between the collecting container 216 and at least one of the storage containers 237 through the valve 223 as required.

If the input device 194 includes two or more storage containers 237, these can be used for different purposes. On the one hand, separate stocks of consumables can be prepared and/or stored separately using the storage containers 237. Alternatively or additionally, different consumables can be stored in the different storage containers 237. This can be done, for example, by the controller 222 first asking the user via a display element 294 to enter a first active ingredient container 210 with a first active ingredient 195 into the input unit 194, which is diluted in the input unit 194, for example with solvent, and stored in a first storage container 237 becomes. When the collecting container 216 is emptied again, optionally followed by a rinsing process with solvent, this process can then be repeated one or more times, for example by the controller 222 via the display element 294 prompting the user to select a second active ingredient container after removing the first storage container 237 210 with a second active ingredient 195 into the input unit 194, which is diluted in the input unit 194, for example with the same solvent as the first active ingredient 195 or with a different solvent, and stored in a second storage container 237. One and the same input unit 194 can be used to provide different active ingredients 195 to the cleaning device 110. - n -

As shown in Figure 4, the at least one storage container 237 can in particular comprise at least one level sensor 254. As in the case of the collecting container 210, the at least one level sensor 254 can, for example, be designed in one or more stages. The at least one level sensor 254 of the storage container 237 can, for example, be connected to the controller 222 of the input unit 194 and/or to a controller 182 of the cleaning device 110.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the at least one storage container 237, in particular each of the storage containers, can be connected to at least one metering pump 264. Similar to the collection container 216, which is optionally fluidly connected to a dosing pump, at least a defined amount of consumables from the storage container 237 can be provided via the dosing pump 264 to another device of the cleaning device 110, for example to at least one tank. If several storage containers 237 are provided, these can each be connected to independent metering pumps 264, so that, for example, at least one metering pump 264 is assigned to a storage container 237, as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, it is also possible to fluidly connect the storage containers 237 to one and the same metering pump 264.

Analogous to the collecting container 216, the at least one storage container 237 can also optionally comprise at least one mixing device 258. 5 shows an embodiment of the input unit 194 with two storage containers 237, each with a mixing device 258, in the form of a mixing pump 260 switched in an external circuit and connected to the storage container 237. In principle, the mixing device 258 can in turn comprise in particular at least one device selected from the Group consisting of: an agitator; a mixing pump 260 integrated into the storage container; a mixing pump 260 fluidly connected to the storage container.

5 further illustrates a further possible design of the collecting container 216, which in this embodiment of the input unit 194 has a funnel-shaped course 270 at its lower end. This can in particular facilitate the removal of the active ingredient 195 located in the collecting container 216, which can in particular be in diluted or undiluted form, for example into one or more storage containers 237 which are fluidically connected to the collecting container 216.

In all of the exemplary embodiments shown or in other exemplary embodiments, the input unit 194 can have at least one reading device 219 for reading at least one ner information of at least one identifier of the active ingredient container 210. This reading device 219 is shown symbolically as an example in Figure 2. The reading device 219 can, for example, be connected directly or indirectly electronically, wirelessly and/or wired to the controller 222 or be integrated into it. For example, it can be a reading device 219 in the form of a hand scanner or a reading device 219 integrated into the controller 222 or the housing 196, near which the active ingredient container 210 can be brought before being introduced into the input unit 194, so that the at least one piece of information can be read. Alternatively or additionally, the reading device 219 can also be arranged, for example, inside the input unit 194, so that the at least one piece of information about an active ingredient container in the holder 208 can be read. Alternatively or additionally, the reading device 219 can also be fully or partially integrated into other electronic devices, for example into personal electronics, for example into a portable computer or a mobile phone. For example, the reading device 219 can also be fully or partially integrated into a smartphone, for example as a software application and can, for example, rely on a camera and/or a barcode reader or NFC reader of a smartphone. Various configurations are conceivable.

The at least one identifier can be designed, for example, as a contactlessly readable identifier, for example as an optically readable identifier and/or as an electronically readable identifier, for example as a barcode and/or QR code and/or as an RFID code. In general, the identifier can be readable, for example, in at least one way selected from the group consisting of: an electronic readout; an optical readout; a magnetic readout. The at least one identifier can, for example, contain at least one piece of readable information, for example at least one piece of readable information selected from the group consisting of: a type of active ingredient container 210; an identity of the active ingredient container 210; a property of the active ingredient container 210; an intended or intended use or processing of the active ingredient container 210.

The controller 222 of the input unit 194 and/or the cleaning device 110 can generally be set up to control and/or read out the at least one reading device. For example, the controller 222 can be set up to start a reading process. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 222 can also be set up to process and/or forward the information read from the identifier. According to the at least one piece of information read out, at least one action can be controlled by the controller 222, in particular at least an action selected from the group consisting of: a visual display of at least one notice to a user; an acoustic display of at least one notice to a user; a haptic display of at least one notice to a user; a release of the swing door 200; a blockage of the swing door 200; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient 195 to at least one associated storage container 237, in particular through a corresponding control of at least one valve 223 and/or at least one pump; an assignment of the liquid active ingredient 195 to at least one associated tank of the cleaning device 110, in particular through a corresponding control of at least one valve 223 and / or at least one pump.

6A to 6D illustrate, in a sequence of schematic representations, a pivoting of the pivoting door 200 of an embodiment of the input unit 194 with the active ingredient container 210 received from an open position 204 into a closed position 206. These figures are explained together below. The input unit 194 can only be seen in sections in FIGS. 6A to 6D. In particular, the collecting container 216 of the input unit 194 is not completely depicted. For further possible details of the input unit 194, reference can be made to Figures 2 to 5 above as an example. However, other configurations are also possible.

As can be seen in particular in the movement sequence shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the pivoting door 200 can be designed as a flap 272, for example. The swing door 200 can in particular have a side facing the interior 198, also referred to as the inside 225, and at least one outside 274 facing the outside space outside the interior 198. For example, the swing door 200 can be designed as a flat door, with the inside 225 and the outside 274 being arranged parallel to one another, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D. However, other configurations are also possible in principle

The input unit includes the holder 208 connected to the swing door 200 for receiving the active ingredient container 210, as can be seen in FIGS. 6A to 6D. The holder 208 can, in particular, be set up to hold the active ingredient container 210 in a predetermined orientation relative to the swing door 200. This can be done, for example, by a corresponding geometry of the holder 208, which enables the active ingredient container 210 to be accommodated only in the desired geometry. For example, the holder 208 can have at least one receiving geometry 276 in order to ensure the effective material container 210 in a predetermined orientation relative to the swing door 200. The receiving geometry 276 can be generated, for example, by appropriately shaping the holder 208. As shown in Figures 6A to 6D, the holder 208 can have at least one bottom contact surface 278 for contact with a bottom 280 of the active ingredient container 210. Furthermore, the holder 208 can have at least one front contact surface 282 for contact with an end face 284 of the active ingredient container 210. In this way, the active ingredient container 210 can be held, for example, on the bottom and front side, for example in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, for example by being clamped.

In particular, at least one opening 286 for passing through a tapered neck 288 of the active ingredient container 210 can be made in the front contact surface 282, the tapered neck 288 having an opening 290 of the active ingredient container 210. As shown in Figures 6A to 6D, the active ingredient container 210 can be designed, for example, as a bottle 292, wherein a tapered bottle neck 288 with a mouth 290 can be inserted through the opening 286 in the front contact surface 282 when the active ingredient container 210 is inserted into the holder 208 is introduced. For example, the mouth 290 of the bottle-shaped active ingredient container 210 can protrude through the opening 286 in the direction of the piercing device 212. As can be seen in Figure 6D, the piercing device 212 can protrude through the opening 286 in the front contact surface 282 in the closed position 206 of the swing door 200. When closing the swing door 200, a force in particular can be applied to the active ingredient container 210 via the bottom contact surface 278, so that it with the area 218 to be perforated, which can be arranged in particular in the mouth 290 of the active ingredient container 210, against the piercing device 212 and in particular the cutting edge 220 of the piercing device 212 is pressed. This process is particularly illustrated in Figure 6B. The previously described elements of the holder 208, in particular the elements of the holder 208 arranged in the front area of the active ingredient container 210, as well as their interaction with the active ingredient container 210 are shown again in detail in the detailed view in Figure 7.

Figure 6A shows the pivoting door 200 in the open position 204. By pivoting the pivoting door 200, the area 218 of the active ingredient container 210 is first pressed against the cutting edge 220 of the piercing device, as can be seen in Figure 6B. As a result, the piercing device 212 perforates the area 218. Figure C shows the active ingredient container 210 with a partially perforated area 218. In the closed position of the swing door 200, the area 218 is perforated and the container 210 is oriented in such a way that the liquid Active ingredient 195 flows through the perforated area 218 into the collecting container 216. This condition is shown in Figure 6D. 6A to 6D, the piercing device 212 can, for example, remain stationary within the input unit 194, in particular within the interior 198, whereas the pivoting door 200 with the active ingredient container 210 attached to it via the holder 208 is moved, in particular pivoted, and is pressed against the piercing device 212 by the force acting on the swing door 200. The piercing device 212 can therefore in particular be designed as a rigid, immovable component in the interior 198 of the housing 196 of the input unit 194, in contrast, for example, to movable devices with one or more hinges and / or extendable elements. In particular, the piercing device 212 can be designed without a drive, for example without an actuator which would drive a longitudinal movement or a pivoting movement of the piercing device 212 or a part thereof. The pivoting of the pivoting door 200 can be effected manually, for example by a force applied to the pivoting door 200 from outside by the operating personnel. The swing door 200 can therefore be designed to be drive-free, for example without an electromechanical drive. Alternatively or additionally, however, the swing door can also have, for example, at least one drive, which is not shown here.

The input unit can in particular further have at least one display element 294 for displaying at least one piece of user information to a user. The display element 294 may in particular have at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a display; an acoustic display element; a lighting element 296 that can be illuminated with different colors, in particular a handle element 298 of the swing door 200 of the input unit 194. The exemplary embodiment of the input unit 194 shown in FIGS as a display element 294. The handle element 298 of the swing door 200 can in particular be designed to be completely or partially transparent and, depending on the user information to be conveyed to the user, be illuminated with different colors by the controller 222. For example, a specific color may prompt the user to remove an empty active ingredient container 210 and/or another specific color may prompt the user to insert a new active ingredient container 210. However, other user information is also possible as an alternative or in addition. The control 222 can in particular be set up to unlock the swing door 200 for the removal or entry of the active ingredient container, so that, for example, at the same time or with a time delay to a corresponding the display of user information, the swing door 200 is unlocked so that the user can enter an active ingredient container 210 filled with liquid active ingredient 195 into the input unit 194 and / or can remove an emptied active ingredient container 210 from the input unit 194.

Figure 7 represents a detailed view of Figure 6D, i.e. the last figure in the sequence of Figures 6A to 6D, which illustrate the pivoting process. 7 shows a section of the input unit 194 with the pivoting door 200 in the closed position 206. Shown in particular is the area 218 of the active ingredient container 210 received in the input unit 194, which is perforated by the piercing device 212 of the input unit 194. As already described, the piercing device 212 have at least one piercing nozzle 250, which in particular can have a completely or partially circumferential cutting edge 300. For example, the cutting edge 300 can completely or partially form the cutting edge 220 of the piercing device 212. As shown in Figure 7, the piercing nozzle 250 can in particular be set up to protrude through the perforated area 218 into the interior 198 of the active ingredient container 210 in the closed position 206 of the swing door 200.

If the piercing nozzle 250 in the closed position 206 of the swing door 200 protrudes through the perforated area 218 into the interior 198 of the active substance container 210, the problem can arise that a dead space is created around the piercing nozzle 250 in the active substance container 210, from which no Active ingredient 195 can flow out through the piercing nozzle 250. Different options can be implemented within the scope of the present invention in order to avoid or reduce this problem, and are explained below in particular with reference to FIG. For example, the piercing nozzle 250 can have one or more drain openings 302 through which active ingredient 195 and/or solvent can flow out of the dead space described, for example into the interior 304 of the piercing nozzle 250, shown in Figure 7, and further into those not shown in Figure 7 Collection container 216. In particular, the piercing nozzle 250 can have at least one nozzle wall 306, for example a pipe wall, with at least one drain opening 302 being accommodated in the nozzle wall 306. Alternatively or additionally, a direct outflow from the interior 198 of the active ingredient container 210 into the collecting container 216 can also be made possible, for example through a groove or through a channel. The drain opening 302 can, for example, comprise a groove 308, as can be seen in FIG. Other designs of the opening are also possible. In particular, the drain opening 302 can have at least one opening selected from the group consisting of: a slot, in particular one axial to a longitudinal axis slot running through the piercing nozzle; a groove 308, in particular a groove extending axially to a longitudinal axis of the piercing nozzle; a round opening; an oval opening; a polygonal opening.

Alternatively or in addition, the piercing device 212 can also be oriented and/or designed in such a way that it performs a rotational movement relative to the active ingredient container 210 in the area of the active ingredient container 210 during the perforation, as a result of which an opening is created during the perforation, which in the closed Position 206 of the swing door 200 is not completely filled by the piercing device 212, in particular the piercing nozzle 250. For example, the piercing nozzle 250 can protrude obliquely into the active ingredient container 210 in the closed position 206 of the swing door 200, as shown in Figure 7. An oblique orientation of the drain connection 250 can, for example, when closing the swing door 200, lead to the creation of an opening in the form of an elongated hole 310 during the perforation, which in the closed state is only incompletely filled by the piercing device 212, so that active ingredient 195 and / or solvent from the active ingredient container 210 can flow into the collecting container 216.

Further options for avoiding and/or reducing the dead space, not shown in FIG. 7, can relate in particular to the active ingredient container 210. For example, the active ingredient container 210 and/or the cutting edge 220 can be set up in such a way that when the active ingredient container 210 is perforated, for example, a tongue is created, which is pressed into the interior of the active ingredient container 210 and remains connected, for example, to the lid of the active ingredient container 210. At this point, for example, a channel can form that allows liquid to drain downwards. Alternatively or additionally, a weakening in the area 218 of the active ingredient container 210 to be perforated can be dimensioned and/or positioned in such a way that a diameter or equivalent diameter of the opening which is created during the perforation in the active ingredient container 210 is larger than a diameter and/or equivalent diameter of the piercing nozzle 250, so that the active ingredient 195 and/or the solvent can flow out of the active ingredient container 210 into the collecting container 216 through this gap. Alternatively or additionally, a suitable shape of the active ingredient container 210 can enable liquid to flow out of a dead space in the active ingredient container 210 and/or a dead space can be avoided. For example, the active ingredient container 210 can be shaped in such a way that it has an outwardly curved design of the area to be perforated, for example the lid. Other configurations are also conceivable. Figure 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for cleaning items to be cleaned. The method includes the following steps, which can be carried out, for example, in the order mentioned. A different order is also possible in principle. Furthermore, one or more of the process steps can also be carried out repeatedly or continuously. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing at least one cleaning device 110 as proposed herein, for example according to one or more of the embodiments described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described above; b) inputting at least one active ingredient container 210 filled with liquid active ingredient into the input unit 194 of the cleaning device 110, wherein when the pivoting door 200 of the input unit 194 is closed, at least one area 218 of the active ingredient container 210 is pressed against the at least one cutting edge 220 of the piercing device 212, whereby the The area 218 is perforated on the piercing device 212, whereby the liquid active ingredient flows through the perforated area 218 from the active ingredient container 210 into the collecting container 216; c) use of the liquid active ingredient to produce at least one cleaning fluid; and d) applying the at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned 116 in the cleaning chamber 118 of the cleaning device 110.

In the flowchart, step a) is identified by reference numeral 312, step b) is identified by reference numeral 314, step c) is identified by reference numeral 316 and step d) is identified by reference numeral 312.

Reference symbol list

Cleaning device dishwasher continuous dishwasher transport device transporting items to be cleaned

Cleaning chamber transport basket transport direction feed zone discharge zone

Pre-cleaning zone Washing zone

Rinse zone, drying zone, fan

Rinse zone

Pressurization device nozzle

Cleaning fluid pre-clearing nozzle system pre-clearing pump pre-clearing tank

Washing zone nozzle system Washing zone pump Washing tank

Washing device, pump rinse, fresh water rinse, pump rinse nozzle system, fresh water rinse nozzle system

Rinse tank Rinse rinse pump Fresh water supply Fresh water connection Temperature control device Heating device

Heat recovery device divider curtain

Control of the cleaning device feed valve

processor

Data storage

User interface parts Data interface Input unit Liquid active ingredient Housing

Interior of the case

Swing door

Swivel axis open position closed position bracket

Active ingredient container

piercing device

Bottom area collection container area of the active ingredient container reading device cutting edge

Control of the input unit

Valve

Fixation device

Inside of the swing door

container wall

Pipe

Interior of the active ingredient container

Solvent supply

Solvent connection Solvent supply line storage container

Solvent lance jet

Solvent lance channel

Reception area fluid-permeable partition

Sieve bottom

Piercing nozzle

Channel of the piercing nozzle

Level sensor

fluid level

Mixing device

Mixing pump

Line

Dosing pump

Wall of the storage container

Branch funnel-shaped course

flap

Outside of the swing door

Receiving geometry bottom contact surface of the holder

Bottom of the active ingredient container front contact surface of the holder

Front side of the active ingredient container

Opening tapered neck of the active ingredient container

mouth

Bottle

Display element

Lighting element

Handle element

cutting edge

Drain opening

Interior of the piercing nozzle

nozzle wall

Nut

Long hole

Step a) 314 step b)

316 step c)

318 step d)

Claims

Claims Input unit (194) for inputting at least one liquid active ingredient (195) into a cleaning device (110) for cleaning items to be cleaned (116), comprising: i. at least one housing (196) with at least one interior (198) and with at least one pivoting door (200), the pivoting door (200) about at least one pivot axis (202) from at least one open position (204) to at least one closed position (206 ) is pivotable; ii. at least one holder (208) arranged on a side of the swing door (200) facing the interior (198) and connected to the swing door (200) for receiving at least one active ingredient container (210); iii. at least one piercing device (212) arranged in the interior (198) for piercing the active ingredient container (210); iv. at least one collecting container (216) arranged in a floor area (214) of the interior (198) for receiving the liquid active ingredient (195); and V. at least one solvent supply (232), the solvent supply (232) having at least one solvent connection (234) and at least one solvent lance (238) fluidly connected to the solvent connection (234), the lance ( 238) is set up to introduce at least one solvent through the perforated area (218) into the active ingredient container (210) in the closed position (206) of the swing door (200), the input unit (194) being set up in such a way that when the Pivoting door (200) from the open position (204) into the closed position (206), at least one area (218) of the active ingredient container (210) is pressed against at least one cutting edge (220) of the piercing device (212), whereby the piercing device (212) the area (218) is perforated, and wherein the active ingredient container (210) is oriented in the closed position (206) in such a way that the liquid active ingredient (195) flows through the perforated area (218) from the active ingredient container (210) into the collecting container (216 ) flows. Input unit (194) according to the preceding claim, wherein the input unit (194) is set up to dilute the liquid active ingredient (195) with the at least one solvent. Input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting edge (220) of the piercing device (212) at least partially encloses the lance (238). Input unit (194) according to the preceding claim, wherein the piercing device (212) has a piercing nozzle (250), the solvent lance (238) extending at least partially within the piercing nozzle (250). Input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior (198) has the collecting container (216) and a receiving area (244) for receiving the active ingredient container (210), wherein the collecting container (216) and the receiving area (244) through at least a fluid-permeable partition (246) are separated, in particular by at least one sieve base (248). Input unit (194) according to the preceding claim, wherein the piercing device (212) is mechanically connected to the fluid-permeable partition (246). Input unit (194) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the piercing device (212) forms at least one fluid channel (252) between the receiving area (244) and the collecting container (216). Input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one controller (222), wherein the controller (22) is set up to control at least one function of the input unit (194). Input unit (194) according to the preceding claim, wherein the input unit (194) further has at least one display element (294) for displaying at least one piece of user information to a user, the controller (222) being set up to inform a user by means of the display element (294). to request at least one action, selected from the group consisting of: an input of an active ingredient container (210) filled with liquid active ingredient (195) into the input unit (194); a removal of an emptied active ingredient container (210) from the input unit (194). Input unit (194) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the input unit (194) further has at least one reading device (219) for reading out at least one piece of information about at least one identifier of an active ingredient container (210), the controller (222) being set up to do this To control the reader (219). Input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input unit (194) further comprises at least one level sensor (254) for detecting a liquid level (256) in the collecting container (216). Input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (208) has at least one receiving geometry (276) in order to receive the active ingredient container (210) in a predetermined orientation relative to the pivoting door (200). Input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input unit (194) further comprises at least one mixing device (258), the mixing device (258) being adapted to mix liquid in the collecting container (216). Input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input unit (194) further comprises at least one storage container (237), the storage container (237) being fluidly connected to the collecting container (216). Cleaning device (110) for cleaning items to be cleaned (116), comprising at least one cleaning chamber (118) for receiving the items to be cleaned (116), further comprising at least one loading device (140) for applying the items to be cleaned (116) in the cleaning chamber (118) with at least a cleaning fluid, further comprising at least one input unit (194) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) is set up to use at least one liquid active ingredient (195) provided via the input unit (194) to generate the cleaning fluid. Method for cleaning items to be cleaned (116), comprising: a) providing at least one cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (110); b) inputting at least one active ingredient container (210) filled with liquid active ingredient (195) into the input unit (194) of the cleaning device (110), whereby when the swing door (200) of the input unit (194) is closed, at least one area (218) of the Active ingredient container (210) is pressed against the at least one cutting edge (220) of the piercing device (212), whereby the piercing device perforates the area (218), whereby the liquid active ingredient (195) comes out of the active ingredient container (210) through the perforated area (218). ) flows into the collecting container (216); c) use of the liquid active ingredient (195) to produce at least one cleaning fluid; and d) applying the at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned (116) in the cleaning chamber (118) of the cleaning device (110).