U.S. patent application number 13/989890 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for conveyor dishwasher.
This patent application is currently assigned to PREMARK FEG L.L.C.. The applicant listed for this patent is Harald Disch, Klaus Padtberg, Frank Zoller. Invention is credited to Harald Disch, Klaus Padtberg, Frank Zoller.
Application Number | 20130240001 13/989890 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45217727 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130240001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Padtberg; Klaus ; et
al. |
September 19, 2013 |
CONVEYOR DISHWASHER
Abstract
A conveyor dishwasher (1) having at least one wash zone (10,
11.1, 11.2, 12) and at least one final rinse zone (13) and also
having a conveyor apparatus (2) for conveying washware (100, 101,
102, 103) through the at least one wash zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12)
and the at least one final rinse zone (13). In order to make the
entire washing and rinsing process more efficient, provision is
made for the conveyor apparatus (2) to have a first conveyor belt
(50) for trays or tray-like washware (100) and a second conveyor
belt (51), which runs parallel to the first conveyor belt (50), for
other washware (101, 102, 103), with the first conveyor belt (50)
having a width which is reduced in comparison to the second
conveyor belt (51) in such a way that a tray or a tray-like item
(100) of washware can be held by the first conveyor belt (50) only
when it is in a state in which it is placed on edge and is oriented
parallel to the conveying direction (T).
Inventors: |
Padtberg; Klaus; (Korbach,
DE) ; Disch; Harald; (Elzach, DE) ; Zoller;
Frank; (Offenburg-Elgersweier, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Padtberg; Klaus
Disch; Harald
Zoller; Frank |
Korbach
Elzach
Offenburg-Elgersweier |
|
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
45217727 |
Appl. No.: |
13/989890 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
November 30, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2011/062542 |
371 Date: |
May 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/0092 20130101;
A47L 15/241 20130101; A47L 2401/19 20130101; A47L 15/0023 20130101;
A47L 15/248 20130101; A47L 15/245 20130101; A47L 15/4291 20130101;
A47L 2501/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/127 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/24 20060101
A47L015/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 6, 2010 |
DE |
102010062471.3 |
Claims
1. A conveyor dishwasher (1), having at least one wash zone (10,
11.1, 11.2, 12) and at least one final rinse zone (13) and also
having a conveyor apparatus (2) for conveying washware (100, 101,
102, 103) through the at least one wash zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12)
and the at least one final rinse zone (13), characterized in that
the conveyor apparatus (2) has a first conveyor belt (50) for trays
or tray-like washware (100) and a second conveyor belt (51), which
runs parallel to the first conveyor belt (50), for other washware
(101, 102, 103), and in that the first conveyor belt (50) has a
width which is reduced in comparison to the second conveyor belt
(51) in such a way that a tray or a tray-like item (100) of
washware can be held by the first conveyor belt (50) only when it
is in a state in which it is placed on edge and is oriented
parallel to the conveying direction (T).
2. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, with the tray or
tray-like washware (100) which is to be held by the first conveyor
belt (50) having a peripheral border or a peripheral edge, and with
the first conveyor belt (50) being designed to hold the tray or
tray-like item of washware (100) which is supported on the first
conveyor belt (50) by means of a border or edge region (100').
3. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with a guide which
is associated with the first conveyor belt (50) being provided for
guiding a tray or tray-like item (100) of washware which is held by
the first conveyor belt (50) as it is conveyed through the at least
one wash zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one final rinse
zone (13).
4. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 3, with the guide
having a guide groove (60), which is formed in the first conveyor
belt (50) and runs in the longitudinal direction of the first
conveyor belt (50), for holding a border or edge region (100') of a
tray or tray-like item (100) of washware which is placed on the
first conveyor belt (50).
5. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 3 with the guide
having at least one upper guide element (61), which is situated
opposite the first conveyor belt (50), for holding a region (100'')
of a tray or tray-like item (100) of washware which is placed in
the first conveyor belt (50), with this region (100'') being
situated opposite the border or edge region (100') by means of
which the tray or tray-like item (100) of washware is supported on
the first conveyor belt (50).
6. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, with the at least
one upper guide element (61) being in the form of a guide rail.
7. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 5 with the at least
one upper guide element (61) being adjustable in the vertical
direction for the purpose of matching the guide to the height of a
tray or tray-like item (100) of washware which is to be held by the
first conveyor belt (50) and is placed on edge.
8. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 3 with a machine
outlet being provided downstream of the at least one final rinse
zone (13) as seen in the conveying direction (T), with the guide
which is associated with the first conveyor belt (50) being
designed to transfer a tray or tray-like item (100) of washware,
which is held on the first conveyor belt (50), from its state in
which it is placed on edge to its horizontally oriented normal
state and to destack said tray or tray-like item of washware at the
machine outlet.
9. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with a belt guide
(62) which is associated with the first conveyor belt (50) being
provided for guiding the first conveyor belt (50), with the belt
guide (62) being fixed to belt rod shafts (55) which are part of
the second conveyor belt (51).
10. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, with the belt
guide (62) being designed to support and/or to guide a border or
edge region (100') of a tray or tray-like item (100) of washware
which is placed on edge.
11. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with the first
conveyor belt (50) being embodied by means of drive belts, in
particular by means of flat belts, V-belts, toothed belts or round
belts.
12. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with at least one
further conveyor belt (52) which runs parallel to the first and
second conveyor belts (50, 51) also being provided, in particular a
further conveyor belt (52) for cutlery (103), this further conveyor
belt running directly next to the first conveyor belt (50) and
between the first and second conveyor belts (50, 51).
13. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 12, with a common
drive apparatus being provided for the second and the at least one
further conveyor belt (51, 52), the second and the at least one
further conveyor belt (51, 52) being jointly driven by means of the
said common drive apparatus.
14. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with a common
drive apparatus being provided for the first and second conveyor
belts (50, 51), the first and second conveyor belts (50, 51) being
jointly driven by means of the said common drive apparatus.
15. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 14, with the first
conveyor belt (50) being connected to the common drive apparatus by
means of a first drive shaft which is associated with the first
conveyor belt (50) and a first gear mechanism apparatus which is
associated with the first conveyor belt (50), with the second
conveyor belt (51) being connected to the common drive apparatus by
means of a second drive shaft which is associated with the second
conveyor belt (51) and a second gear mechanism apparatus which is
associated with the second conveyor belt (51), and with the
respective transmission ratio of the first and the second gear
mechanism apparatus being different in such a way that the
conveying speed at which an item (100) of washware which is held by
the first conveyor belt (50) is conveyed through the at least one
wash zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one final rinse
zone (13) is higher than the conveying speed at which an item of
washware (101, 102, 103) which is held by the second conveyor belt
(51) is conveyed through the at least one wash zone (10, 11.1,
11.2, 12) and at least one final rinse zone (13).
16. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 13 with the
respective conveyor belts (50, 51, 52) being connected to the
common drive apparatus by means of a common drive shaft.
17. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with an associated
drive apparatus being provided for each conveyor belt (50, 51, 52)
for the purpose of driving the corresponding conveyor belt (50, 51,
52) in such a way that an item (100, 101, 102, 103) of washware
which is held by the respective conveyor belt (50, 51, 52) is
conveyed through the at least one wash zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12)
and the at least one final rinse zone (13) at a conveying speed
which is or can be set individually for the respective conveyor
belt (50, 51, 52).
18. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 17, with the
conveying speed at which an item (100) of washware which is held by
the first conveyor belt (50) is conveyed through the at least one
wash zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one final rinse
zone (13) being higher than the conveying speed at which an item
(101, 102, 103) of washware which is held by the second conveyor
belt (51) is conveyed through the at least one wash zone (10, 11.1,
11.2, 12) and the at least one final rinse zone (13).
19. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with the
respective upper faces of the conveyor belts (50, 51, 52) of the
conveyor apparatus (2) lying in a common horizontal plane in such a
way that washware (100, 101, 102, 103) can be held by a plurality
of conveyor belts (50, 51, 52) at the same time.
20. Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 with the second
conveyor belt (51) being subdivided into a plurality of conveyor
belts (51a, 51b) which run parallel to one another and can in each
case be associated with a specific type of washware.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher and, in
particular, to a conveyor dishwasher having at least one wash zone
and at least one final rinse zone and also having a conveyor
apparatus for conveying washware through the at least one wash zone
and the at least one final rinse zone.
[0002] The conveyor dishwasher according to the invention is, in
particular, a commercial conveyor dishwasher and can be in the form
of a flight-type dishwasher (flight-type warewasher) or a
rack-conveyor dishwasher (rack-conveyor warewasher).
[0003] Conveyor dishwashers (conveyor warewashers) are used in the
commercial sector. In contrast to domestic dishwashers, in which
the washware to be cleaned remains stationary in the machine during
cleaning, in conveyor dishwashers the washware is conveyed through
various treatment zones of the machine.
[0004] In the case of conveyor dishwashers, the washware, for
example trays, tableware, pots, glasses, cutlery and other articles
which are to be cleaned, is conveyed through a plurality of
treatment zones, for example prewash zone(s), main wash zone(s),
postwash or prerinse zone(s), final rinse zone(s) and drying
zone(s). A conveyor apparatus which generally has compartments for
holding washware is used to convey washware in a conveying
direction through the conveyor dishwasher. In the case of a
flight-type dishwasher, the compartments can be formed by
supporting fingers on a conveyor belt of the conveyor apparatus. In
the case of rack-conveyor dishwashers, dish racks in which
compartments can be formed in order to hold the washware to be
treated serve as the conveyor apparatus. It is feasible here for
the dish racks to be conveyed through the rack-conveyor dishwasher
by a conveying device.
[0005] The washware to be cleaned is usually presorted before being
placed on the conveyor belt. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,996
B2 discloses a rack-conveyor dishwasher in which the washware to be
treated is fed to the respective treatment zones in a state in
which it is presorted in dish racks.
[0006] With regard to tray or tray-like articles, the presorting
process is usually performed by the set of tableware and cutlery
being removed from a tray to be cleaned and the tray then being
stacked in front of the conveyor apparatus or in the feed region
(dirty side) of the conveyor dishwasher. The trays from this stack
of trays are from time to time placed, in manner sorted by type, in
the conveyor belt of the dishwasher and cleaned. This procedure of
sorting by type has the advantage that trays cannot cast spray
shadows over smaller items of washware which have been stacked
behind the trays. Furthermore, this procedure greatly simplifies
the sequence of work for stacking and destacking and makes it more
efficient in comparison to mixing the washware with the trays to be
cleaned.
[0007] However, while the trays from this stack of trays are
placed, in a manner sorted by type, in the conveyor belt of the
dishwasher and cleaned, it is not possible to clean other washware,
for example plates, bowls or other tableware, since the trays which
are to be placed in the conveyor belt usually have to be placed in
the conveyor belt transverse to the conveying direction and
therefore take up all the available surface area of the conveyor
belt. Therefore, a relative large amount of time is required to
clean trays in comparison to other types of washware.
[0008] Furthermore, the operating personnel of the conveyor
dishwasher at the machine inlet have to include each tray twice in
their sequence of work: the first time when removing the items of
cutlery and tableware from the tray to be cleaned and the second
time when actually placing the tray in the conveyor belt of the
conveyor dishwasher.
[0009] On the basis of this problem, the object of the present
invention is to develop a conveyor dishwasher of the type cited in
the introductory part in such a way that this enables the entire
washing and rinsing process to be made more efficient, as a result
of which, in particular, the working time of the dishwashing
personnel can be reduced and the consumption of resources by the
dishwasher can be reduced.
[0010] According to the invention, this object can be achieved by
the subject matter claimed below.
[0011] In this regard, a typical tray or tray-like item of washware
has a lengthwise dimension and a widthwise dimension, where the
widthwise dimension is smaller than the lengthwise dimension. The
end edges of the tray or tray-like washware item define the
lengthwise dimension and the sides edges of the tray or tray-like
washware item define the widthwise dimension.
[0012] In accordance with the subject matter, the invention
proposes that the conveyor apparatus of the conveyor dishwasher has
a first conveyor belt for trays or tray-like washware, and a second
conveyor belt, which runs parallel to the first conveyor belt, for
other washware, with the first conveyor belt having a width which
is reduced in comparison to the second conveyor belt in such a way
that a tray or a tray-like item of washware can be held by the
first conveyor belt only when it is in a state in which it is
placed on edge and is oriented parallel to the conveying
direction.
[0013] The tray or tray-like washware may typically be placed on
either an end edge or a side edge on the first conveyor belt. The
tray or tray-like washware item is considered oriented parallel to
the conveying direction if either the lengthwise dimension or the
widthwise dimension of the tray or tray-like washware item runs
substantially paralallel to the conveying direction.
[0014] The term "width of the conveyor belt" used here is to be
understood to mean the horizontal extent of the conveyor belt
transverse, that is to say perpendicular, to the conveying
direction.
[0015] Since a separate conveyor belt (first conveyor belt) is
provided in the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention for
trays or tray-like articles, it being possible for trays or
tray-like articles to be in a state in which they are placed on
edge and are oriented parallel to the conveying direction in the
conveyor belt, it is possible for the trays or tray-like articles
to be cleaned with other washware at the same time, without the
risk of the trays or tray-like articles casting a spray shadow on
the washware which is to be cleaned at the same time as the trays
or tray-like articles during cleaning.
[0016] Furthermore, the orientation of the trays or tray-like
articles parallel to the direction in which the first and second
conveyor belts run results in minimal utilization of the surface
area of the total belt surface area. This minimal utilization of
surface area means that the second conveyor belt, which is provided
for the other washware, can continue to be used virtually without
restriction. Both racks of glasses and GN containers can be placed
on the second conveyor belt next to a tray which is disposed on the
first conveyor belt.
[0017] Therefore, the arrangement of two conveyor belts reduces the
length of the overall washing and rinsing process in a commercial
scullery and therefore reduces the working time of the dishwashing
personnel and also, secondly, reduces the consumption of resources
by the conveyor dishwasher.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the solution according to the
invention, provision is made for the conveying speed of the first
conveyor belt to be increased relative to the conveying speed of
the second conveyor belt. This increase in the conveying speed
enables each tray to be placed in position, without delay, at the
time at which all the items of cutlery and tableware are removed
from the tray. Accordingly, it is possible for the trays to not be
deposited in a stack after the items of tableware and cutlery
possibly present on the tray are removed from them, but rather for
the trays to be placed directly into the first conveyor belt.
Therefore, a second working step involving the respective tray is
dispensed with in this embodiment. Automatic destacking of trays at
the machine outlet is likewise preferred for this machine
configuration since, under certain circumstances, the operating
personnel at the machine outlet may be unable to cope with
destacking the conveyor dishwasher on account of the cleaning
processes running in parallel on the two conveyor belts.
[0019] The concept of providing a separate conveyor belt for
specific types of washware can be extended as desired and various
combinations of individual conveyor belts are possible. Therefore,
in a preferred embodiment of the solution according to the
invention, provision is also made for at least one further conveyor
belt, which runs parallel to the first and second conveyor belts,
to be used, with this further conveyor belt preferably being
provided for items of cutlery. In this case, it is preferred when
the further conveyor belt which is provided for items of cutlery
runs directly next to the first conveyor belt and between the first
and second conveyor belts. In this embodiment, it is no longer
necessary for the operator of the conveyor dishwasher to manually
remove the set of cutlery from the respective tray at the machine
inlet. Since the tray is placed on edge in order to be fed and
placed on the first conveyor belt, the set of cutlery falls
automatically--driven by the force of gravity--from the upended
tray into the cutlery lane (further conveyor belt) and likewise
into a provided container after washing and drying. Therefore, the
handling actions for the cutlery are completely dispensed with.
[0020] Furthermore, special lanes for individual types of washware,
for example plates and/or bowls, can be provided since automatic
destacking systems for all these types of washware are already
known from semi- and fully automatic technology. On account of the
degree of automation which is increased by virtue of these special
lanes in conjunction with automated destacking, working time can be
saved both at the clean end and at the dirty end of the conveyor
dishwasher. The dishwashing process therefore runs more efficiently
and its overall length is reduced, so that, in addition to working
time, resources can be saved.
[0021] The invention will be described below by way of example on
the basis of various embodiments and with reference to the
drawings. Parts which are the same or have the same functions are
provided with the same reference numerals here.
[0022] In the drawings:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal view of a conveyor
dishwasher in which a conveyor apparatus according to the invention
can be used to treat (clean and dry) a plurality of types of
washware, which are arranged next to one another, at the same
time;
[0024] FIG. 2a shows a plan view of a sub-region of a first
exemplary embodiment of a conveyor apparatus which can be used in a
conveyor dishwasher according to FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 2b shows a cross-sectional view of the conveyor
apparatus according to FIG. 2a;
[0026] FIG. 3a shows a plan view of a sub-region of a second
exemplary embodiment of a conveyor apparatus which can be used in a
conveyor dishwasher according to FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the conveyor
apparatus according to FIG. 3a;
[0028] FIG. 4a shows a plan view of a sub-region of a third
exemplary embodiment of a conveyor apparatus which can be used in a
conveyor dishwasher according to FIG. 1; and
[0029] FIG. 4b shows a cross-sectional view of the conveyor
apparatus according to FIG. 4a.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal view of an exemplary
embodiment of a conveyor dishwasher 1 in which a conveyor apparatus
2 is used for conveying washware (not illustrated in FIG. 1)
through the conveyor dishwasher 1 in a conveying direction T. As
will be described later with reference to the illustrations in
FIGS. 2 to 4, the conveyor apparatus 2 is designed, according to
the invention, to treat (clean and dry) a plurality of types of
washware, which are arranged next to one another, at the same time,
in order to thus make the entire washing and rinsing process more
efficient, as a result of which, in particular, the working time of
the dishwashing personnel can be reduced and the consumption of
resources by the dishwasher can be reduced.
[0031] As can be seen in the illustration in FIG. 1, the conveyor
dishwasher 1 according to the exemplary embodiment has at least one
wash zone (as illustrated in FIG. 1 for example), a prewash zone 10
and two main wash zones 11.1, 11.2 which are arranged downstream of
the prewash zone 10 as seen in the conveying direction T.
[0032] As seen in the conveying direction T, a postwash zone 12 is
arranged downstream of the at least one wash zone 10, 11.1, 11.2,
and at least one final rinse zone, for example only a single final
rinse zone 13 as illustrated, is arranged downstream of the
postwash zone 12. In the conveyor dishwasher 1 illustrated in FIG.
1, the final rinse zone 13 is followed in the conveying direction T
of the washware by a drying zone 14.
[0033] The respective zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13, 14 of the
conveyor dishwasher 1 can be separated from one another by means of
separating curtains 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the
inlet tunnel 3 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 itself is also
separated from the inlet 4 by means of a separating curtain 5. The
provision of the separating curtains 5 prevents wash liquid and
final rinse liquid spraying between zones and prevents vapours
escaping from the conveyor dishwasher 1.
[0034] The treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 of the conveyor
dishwasher 1 have associated spray nozzles 30a, 30b, 31.1a, 31.1b,
31.2a, 31.2b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b, 33c. These spray nozzles 30a,
30b, 31.1a, 31.1b, 31.2a, 31.2b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b, 33c serve to
spray liquid onto the washware which is to be treated as the
washware is conveyed through the respective treatment zones 10,
11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 by the conveyor apparatus 2. The individual
spray systems of the treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 ensure
that the washware which is to be treated is hosed down both from
the top and from the bottom.
[0035] However, in the conveyor dishwasher 1 schematically
illustrated in FIG. 1, the final rinse zone 13 not only has
downwardly directed upper spray nozzles 33a and upwardly directed
lower spray nozzles 33b, but also transversely directed lateral
final rinse nozzles 33c on either side of the conveyor apparatus 2.
The use of lateral final rinse nozzles 33c permits areas of the
washware (areas of the tableware) to be sprayed with final rinse
liquid in a targeted manner in shadow zones too. The use of lateral
final rinse nozzles 33c in the final rinse zone 13 has a
significant advantage in terms of the final rinse result (effective
rinsing-off of detergent residues from surfaces of the tableware in
shadow zones too) compared to systems in which only upper and lower
final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b and no transversely directed lateral
final rinse nozzles 33c are provided in the final rinse zone 13,
specifically when the conveying system is fully loaded, for example
with plate-to-plate loading of the dish rack.
[0036] The postwash or prerinse zone 12, main wash zones 11.1, 11.2
and prewash zone 10 also have associated tanks (postwash tank 22,
main wash tank 21.1, 21.2, prewash tank 20) for accommodating
sprayed liquid and/or for providing liquid for the spray nozzles
30a, 30b, 31.1a, 31.1b, 31.2a, 31.2b, 32a, 32b of the relevant
treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12.
[0037] As already indicated, final rinse liquid, which comprises
fresh water with rinse aid which is added in a metered fashion, is
sprayed onto the washware (not illustrated) by means of final rinse
nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c which are arranged above and below the
conveyor apparatus 2 and on the side in the conveyor dishwasher 1
illustrated in FIG. 1. A portion of the sprayed final rinse liquid
is conveyed from treatment zone to treatment zone via a cascade
system in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T of
the washware. The remaining portion of the final rinse liquid
sprayed in the final rinse zone 13 is conducted directly to the
prewash tank 20 which is associated with the prewash zone 10 via a
valve V1 and a bypass line 6.
[0038] In the cascade system, the final rinse liquid sprayed by the
final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c flows from the final rinse zone
13 into the postwash tank 22, which is associated with the postwash
zone 12, due to the force of gravity. The final rinse liquid
sprayed in the final rinse zone 13 and collected by the postwash
tank 22 is then delivered to the spray nozzles of the postwash zone
12 (upper and lower postwash nozzles 32a, 32b) with the aid of a
postwash pump 36.
[0039] Wash liquid is rinsed off from the washware in the postwash
zone 12. The liquid (postwash liquid) produced in the process flows
into the first main wash tank 21.1, which is associated with the
first main wash zone 11.1, due to the force of gravity. A discharge
element 7, for example a discharge base or a baffle plate, which
conducts the postwash liquid sprayed by the postwash nozzles 32a,
32b into the main wash tank 21.1 is preferably provided for this
purpose. According to another embodiment (not illustrated) of the
conveyor dishwasher 1, the outlet element 7 can be dispensed with
if the main wash tank 21.1 extends as far as beneath the postwash
nozzles 32a, 32b of the postwash zone 12.
[0040] The liquid accommodated by the main wash tank 21.1 of the
first main wash zone 11.1 is usually provided with a detergent and
sprayed onto the washware by means of the spray nozzles of the
first main wash zone 11.1 (upper and lower main wash nozzles 31.1a,
31.1b) with the aid of a first main wash pump 35.1. The wash liquid
which is sprayed by the main wash nozzles 31.1a, 31.1b then flows
back into the main wash tank 21.1 due to the force of gravity.
[0041] The main wash tank 21.1 is fluidically connected to the main
wash tank 21.2, which is associated with the second main wash zone
11.2, via an overflow line 9.1. The wash liquid which is sprayed in
the first main wash zone 11.1 enters the main wash tank 21.2 of the
second main wash zone 11.2 via this overflow line 9.1 when there is
a sufficient quantity of wash liquid in the main wash tank 21.1 of
the first main wash zone 11.1.
[0042] The liquid accommodated by the main wash tank 21.1 of the
second main wash zone 11.2 is sprayed onto the washware by means of
the spray nozzles of the second main wash zone 11.2 (upper and
lower main wash nozzles 31.2a, 31.2b) with the aid of a second main
wash pump 35.2. The wash liquid which is sprayed by the main wash
nozzles 31.2a, 31.2b then flows back into the main wash tank 21.2
of the second main wash zone 11.2 due to the force of gravity.
[0043] The main wash tank 21.2 of the second main wash zone 11.2 is
fluidically connected to the prewash tank 20 which is associated
with the prewash zone 10 via an overflow line 9.2. The wash liquid
which is sprayed in the second main wash zone 11.2 enters the
prewash tank 20 via this overflow line 9.2 when there is a
sufficient quantity of wash liquid in the main wash tank 21.2 of
the second main wash zone 11.2.
[0044] The liquid accommodated in the prewash tank 20 of the
prewash zone 10 is then sprayed onto the washware by means of the
spray nozzles of the prewash zone 10 (upper and lower prewash
nozzles 30a, 30b) with the aid of a prewash pump 34, in order to
remove coarse particles of dirt from the washware. The wash liquid
which is sprayed by the prewash nozzles 30a, 30b then flows back
into the prewash tank 20 due to the force of gravity.
[0045] The prewash tank 20 is provided with an overflow line 8
which is used to feed the excess quantity of liquid to a waste
water system if a specific liquid level in the prewash tank 20 is
exceeded.
[0046] As already indicated, the liquid which is sprayed in the
main wash zones 11.1, 11.2 and in the prewash zone 10 preferably
contains detergent which is added in a metered fashion with the aid
of a detergent metering apparatus (not shown in the drawings), for
example, to the liquid which is accommodated in the main wash tank
21.1 of the first main wash zone 11.1.
[0047] As already mentioned, the final rinse zone 13 is followed by
the drying zone 14 in the conveying direction T. In the drying zone
14, the washware is dried using dry and heated air in order to blow
off and/or dry up the moisture on the washware. In order to keep
the moisture content of the air in a range which is expedient for
drying, it is feasible, for example, to supply external room air to
the drying zone 14 via an opening, for example through the outlet
opening for the washware.
[0048] The warm and moisture-laden air in the drying zone 14 is
then drawn-off from the drying zone 14 via a further opening, for
example with the aid of a fan 15. It is advantageous here if the
exhaust-air stream from the drying zone 14 passes a heat recovery
device 16 in which, for example, a condenser can be provided. The
heat recovery device 16 serves to recover at least some of the
thermal energy contained in the exhaust air. This recovered thermal
energy can be used, for example, to heat the liquid which is to be
sprayed in the final rinse zone 13.
[0049] If, before initial starting of the conveyor dishwasher 1,
the tanks (prewash tank 20, main wash tank 21.1, 21.2, postwash
tank 22) which are associated with the treatment zones 10, 11.1,
11.2, 12 are empty or insufficiently filled, the tanks first have
to be filled via a fresh water line 18 and/or by spraying final
rinse liquid in the final rinse zone 13. The fresh water line 18
can be connected to a fresh water supply system via an actuable
valve V3. The quantity of wash liquid available in the main wash
zones 11.1, 11.2 and in the prewash zone 10 can in each case be
monitored and signalled to a control device 40 with the aid of a
level sensor which is provided in the main wash tank 21.1, 21.2 of
the first and/or second main wash zone 11.1, 11.2 and with the aid
of a level sensor which is provided in the prewash tank 20.
[0050] The final rinse zone 13 can--as illustrated in FIG. 1--have
an associated fresh water container 23 for temporarily storing at
least a portion of the fresh water which is provided for final
rinsing purposes. The fresh water container 23 is firstly provided
with a fresh water connection which can be connected to a fresh
water supply system via an actuable fresh water feed valve V2.
Secondly, the fresh water container 23 is connected to the intake
end of a final rinse pump 37.
[0051] The delivery end of the final rinse pump 37 is connected to
the upstream end region 47 of a main line system 44 by means of
which fresh water is conveyed from the fresh water container 23 to
the final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c when the final rinse pump 37
is operated. Specifically, the main line system 44 connects the
delivery end of the final rinse pump 37 to a water heater 17
(boiler). In this case, the main line system 44 is designed in such
a way that the liquid which is supplied from the final rinse pump
37 to the final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c first passes the heat
recovery device 16 before reaching the water heater 17. In this
way, it is possible to use at least some of the thermal energy of
the exhaust air which is discharged to the drying zone 14 to heat
up the liquid which is supplied to the spray nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c
via the main line system 44.
[0052] Various embodiments of conveyor apparatuses 2 for conveying
washware through the conveyor dishwasher 1 which is schematically
illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the
illustrations in FIGS. 2a to 4b.
[0053] Specifically, FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically show a region of
a first exemplary embodiment of a conveyor apparatus 2 which is
suitable for use in a conveyor dishwasher 1 according to the
illustration in FIG. 1. In this case, FIG. 2a shows a plan view of
the machine outlet-end region of the conveyor apparatus 2, while
FIG. 2b illustrates the corresponding cross-sectional view.
[0054] Accordingly, the conveyor apparatus 2 which is illustrated
in FIGS. 2a and 2b has a first conveyor belt 50 for trays or
tray-like washware 100 and also a second conveyor belt 51, which
runs parallel to the first conveyor belt 50, for other washware, in
particular plates 101, bowls 102 and/or cutlery 103. The first
conveyor belt 50 is relatively narrow in comparison with the second
conveyor belt 51, and therefore a tray or tray-like item 100 of
washware can be held by the first conveyor belt 50 only in a state
in which it is placed on edge and is oriented parallel to the
conveying direction T. The orientation of the washware 100 which is
to be held by the first conveyor belt 50 parallel to the direction
in which the first conveyor belt 50 runs results in minimal
utilization of the surface area of the total belt surface area. In
other words, the first conveyor belt 50 has a width which is
reduced in such a way that only a minimal surface area of the total
belt surface area is occupied by the first conveyor belt 50, this
specifically permitting trays or tray-like washware 100 to be
placed in position when this washware 100 is in a state in which it
is placed on edge and is oriented parallel to the conveying
direction T.
[0055] This means that it is possible for the second conveyor belt
51, as before, to have a sufficient width in order to continue to
be able to be used almost without restriction for conveying other
washware, in particular plates 101, bowls 102 and/or cutlery 103,
through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher
1. Therefore, for example, racks of glasses or GN containers can,
as before, also be placed on the second conveyor belt 51 next to
the tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which is held on the
first conveyor belt 50.
[0056] In the embodiment which is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a
tray 100 and two plates 101 are arranged next to one another merely
as an example, with the tray 100 being disposed on the first
conveyor belt 50 of the conveyor apparatus 2 and the plates 101
being disposed on the second conveyor belt 51 of the conveyor
apparatus 2. In this embodiment, the plates 101 are retained on the
second conveyor belt 51 with the aid of compartments, with these
compartments being formed by supporting fingers 63 which are
provided on the second conveyor belt 51.
[0057] As already indicated, the second conveyor belt 51
has--despite the provision of a first conveyor belt 50 which runs
parallel to the second conveyor belt 51--a sufficient width to also
be able to accommodate conventional racks of glasses etc. This is
achieved without the conveyor dishwasher 1 having to have a
conveyor apparatus 2 which is wider overall.
[0058] The solution according to the invention therefore allows
both trays or tray-like washware 100 and other washware, in
particular plates 101, bowls 102 and/or cutlery 103, to be cleaned
at the same time. Therefore, cleaning processes which proceed in
parallel can be implemented on both conveyor belts 50, 51, this
ultimately reducing the total length of the washing and rinsing
process in a commercial scullery. This in turn reduces the working
time of the dishwashing personnel and leads to a reduction in the
consumption of resources by the conveyor dishwasher 1.
[0059] As can be seen in the illustration in FIG. 2b in particular,
the first conveyor belt 50 is designed to hold trays or tray-like
washware 100 in the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor apparatus
2, with this washware being supported on the first conveyor belt
surface by means of a border or edge region 100'. In order to
securely retain the tray-like washware 100 which is held on the
first conveyor belt 50 and is placed on edge, it is advantageous,
in particular, if a guide which is associated with the first
conveyor belt 50 is provided. This guide preferably serves not only
to retain the washware 100 on the first conveyor belt 50, but also
to guide the washware 100 which is held on the first conveyor belt
50 as it is conveyed through the respective treatment zones of the
conveyor dishwasher 1.
[0060] In the embodiment of the conveyor apparatus 2 which is
illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a guide of this kind is implemented
in the form of a lower guide groove at one end and in the form of
an upper guide rail at the other end. The illustration in FIG. 2b
shows, in particular, that a guide groove 60, which is formed in
the first conveyor belt 50 and runs in the longitudinal direction
of the first conveyor belt 50, is designed to guide and retain the
tray-like item 100 of washware which is held on the first conveyor
belt 50. This guide groove 60 serves to hold a border or edge
region 100' of a tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which is
placed on the first conveyor belt 50.
[0061] In addition to the (lower) guide groove, 60, an upper guide
element 61, which is situated opposite the first conveyor belt 50
and is implemented as a guide rail in this case, is used in the
embodiment which is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. As indicated in
FIG. 2b, this guide element 61 is designed to hold a region 100''
of a tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which is placed on the
first conveyor belt 50 and to guide the washware 100 as it is
conveyed through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor
dishwasher 1. It is clear that the washware 100 which is placed on
edge on the first conveyor belt is securely retained on the first
conveyor belt 50 on account of the provision of the lower guide
groove 60 and of the upper guide element 61.
[0062] As can be seen in the illustration in FIG. 2b, the upper
guide element 61 is preferably designed to hold a region 100'' of
the tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which is placed on the
first conveyor belt 50, which region 100'' is situated opposite the
border or edge region 100' by means of which the tray or tray-like
item 100 of washware is supported on the first conveyor belt
50.
[0063] In order to be able to hold trays or tray-like washware with
different dimensions on the first conveyor belt 50, it is
advantageous if the upper guide element 61 is adjustable in the
vertical direction. In this way, the upper guide element 61, in a
manner which is simple to implement, can be matched to the height
of a tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which is to be held by
the first conveyor belt 50 and is placed on edge. Accordingly, the
first conveyor belt 50 is suitable firstly for holding trays 100
which are supported on the first conveyor belt 50 by means of their
longitudinal side edge, and secondly for holding trays 100 which
are supported on the first conveyor belt 50 by means of their
transverse side edge. Therefore, the first conveyor belt 50 can be
used flexibly for various applications.
[0064] The illustration in FIG. 2b, in particular, shows that a
belt guide 62 which is associated with the first conveyor belt 5 is
provided in the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor apparatus 2
which is schematically shown in said illustration. A belt guide 62
of this kind is advantageous, in particular, when--as in the
embodiment which is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b--the first
conveyor belt 50 is in the form of an endless drive belt. The
provision of a belt guide 62 of this kind ensures, in a simple to
implement yet effective manner, that the first conveyor belt 50
always runs parallel to the second conveyor belt 51. Furthermore,
it has proven advantageous if the first conveyor belt 50 is in the
form of a flat belt, a V-belt, a toothed belt or a round belt, in
order to provide additional guidance of the first conveyor belt
50.
[0065] As indicated in FIG. 2b, the belt guide 62 which is
associated with the first conveyor belt 50 can be fixed, for
example, to belt rod shafts 55 of the second conveyor belt 51, as a
result of which the conveyor apparatus 2 is provided with a compact
design. However, it goes without saying that other embodiments for
fixing the belt guide 62 are feasible.
[0066] As already cited, a guide groove 60, which is formed in the
first conveyor belt 50 and runs in the longitudinal direction of
the first conveyor belt 50, is provided in the embodiment which is
illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, it being possible for a border or
edge region 100' of a tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which
is placed on the first conveyor belt 50 to be held in the guide
groove in order to guide the washware 100 which is placed on edge
on the first conveyor belt 50 as it is conveyed through the
respective treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher 1. However,
instead of a guide groove 60 of this kind, it is also feasible for
the belt guide 62 to be used to not only guide the first conveyor
belt 50, but also the washware 100, which is placed on the first
conveyor belt 50, as it is conveyed through the respective
treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher 1. If--as illustrated in
FIG. 2b--the belt guide 62 is in the form of a vertically oriented
guide face, this vertically oriented guide face can, at the same
time, serve as a stop face for a border or edge region 100' of a
tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which is held on the first
conveyor belt 50 and is placed on edge. Although not illustrated in
the drawings, it is therefore feasible for the border or edge
region 100' of the tray or tray-like item 100 of washware which is
held on the first conveyor belt 50 and is placed on edge to be
supported on the vertically oriented guide face of the belt guide
62, this enabling the washware 100 which is held on the first
conveyor belt 50 to be guided through the respective treatment
zones of the conveyor dishwasher 1.
[0067] In one possible implementation, the upper guide element 61
is in the form of a guide rail. This guide rail preferably runs in
such a way that a tray or tray-like item 100 of washware, which is
held on the first conveyor belt 50, is transferred from its state
in which it is placed on edge to its horizontally oriented normal
state and then destacked at the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher
1, that is to say downstream of the at least one final rinse zone
13 as seen in the conveying direction T. In this embodiment, the
tray or tray-like washware 100 which was originally held on the
first conveyor belt 50 is therefore automatically destacked at the
machine outlet, this enabling a further reduction in operating
personnel at the machine outlet.
[0068] It is preferred, in principle, if the first conveyor belt
50, which is provided for conveying trays or tray-like washware
100, has a higher conveying speed in comparison to the second
conveyor belt 51 which is provided for other washware. The increase
in the conveying speed enables the trays or the tray-like washware
100 to be placed in position, without delay, at the time at which
all the items of cutlery and tableware are removed from the tray.
Therefore, the trays 100 are not deposited in a stack after the
items of tableware and cutlery are removed, but rather are placed
directly into the first conveyor belt 50. Therefore, a second
working step with the respective tray 100 is dispensed with in this
embodiment.
[0069] In a preferred implementation of the last-mentioned
embodiment, provision is made for a common drive apparatus to be
provided for the first and second conveyor belts 50, 51, the first
and second conveyor belts 50, 51 being jointly driven by means of
the common drive apparatus. The provision of a common drive
apparatus simplifies the overall design of the conveyor
dishwasher.
[0070] In order to be able to implement different conveying speeds
in a common drive apparatus for the first and second conveyor belts
50, 51, it is feasible for the first conveyor belt 50 to be
connected to the common drive apparatus by means of a first drive
shaft which is associated with the first conveyor belt 50 and a
first gear mechanism apparatus which is associated with the first
conveyor belt 50, while the second conveyor belt 51 is connected to
the common drive apparatus by means of a second drive shaft which
is associated with the second conveyor belt 51 and a second gear
mechanism apparatus which is associated with the second conveyor
belt 51. The respective transmission ratio of the first and the
second gear mechanism apparatus is preferably selected in such a
way that the conveying speed at which an item 100 of washware which
is held by the first conveyor belt 50 is conveyed through the
respective treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is higher
than the conveying speed at which an item 100 of washware 101, 102,
103 which is held by the second conveyor belt 51 is conveyed
through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher
1.
[0071] However, as an alternative to this, it goes without saying
that it is also possible to provide an associated drive apparatus
for each conveyor belt 50, 51 for the purpose of driving the
corresponding conveyor belt 50, 51 in such a way that an item of
washware which is held by the respective conveyor belt 50, 51 is
conveyed through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor
dishwasher 1 at a conveying speed which is or can be set
individually for the respective conveyor belt 50, 51.
[0072] A further embodiment of the solution according to the
invention will be described below with reference to the
illustrations in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Specifically, these figures
schematically show the machine outlet-end region of a second
exemplary embodiment of a conveyor apparatus 2 which is suitable
for use in a conveyor dishwasher 1 according to the illustration in
FIG. 1.
[0073] The embodiment of the conveyor apparatus 2 which is
illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b differs from the embodiment which is
described above with reference to the illustrations in FIGS. 2a and
2b in that, in addition to the first and second conveyor belts 50,
51, a further conveyor belt 52 is provided. In the embodiment which
is illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, this further conveyor belt 52
runs parallel to the first and second conveyor belts 50, 51 and
serves to hold cutlery or cutlery-like washware 103. In this case,
provision is preferably made for the further conveyor belt 52 to
run directly next to the first conveyor belt 50 and between the
first and second conveyor belts 50, 51.
[0074] Like the first conveyor belt 50, the further conveyor belt
52 also has a reduced width in comparison to the total belt surface
area, and in particular in comparison to the width of the second
conveyor belt 51, in order to ensure minimal utilization of the
surface area of the total belt surface area. In other words,
despite the provision of the first conveyor belt 50 and of the
further conveyor belt 52, the second conveyor belt 51 is suitable,
as before, for holding, for example, racks of glasses or two items
of washware which are arranged next to one another, for example a
plate 101 and a bowl 102.
[0075] It is likewise preferred if, after passing through the
conveyor dishwasher 1, the cutlery 103 which is held by the further
conveyor belt 52 falls into a container which is provided at the
machine outlet, this enabling a further reduction in operating
personnel at the machine outlet. In particular, this embodiment
enables handling actions for cutlery to be completely dispensed
with both at the machine inlet (dirty end of the conveyor
dishwasher 1) and at the machine outlet (clean end of the conveyor
dishwasher 1).
[0076] The concept of the plurality of conveyor belts which run in
parallel can be extended virtually as desired in this sense and
various combinations of conveyor belts which are specially provided
for specific types of washware are possible. In addition to the
above-described solutions in which up to three conveyor belts 50,
51, 52 which run in parallel are provided, it is feasible, in
particular, to provide special conveyor lanes for plates 101 and
bowls 102 since automatic destacking systems for these types of
washware are already known from semi- and fully automatic
technology.
[0077] Therefore, with regard to a conveyor dishwasher 1 which
operates as efficiently as possible, it is advantageous if, in
addition to the first conveyor belt 50 which is specially designed
for holding trays or tray-like washware 100, and in addition to the
further conveyor belt 52 which is specially designed for holding
cutlery 103, further conveyor belts or conveyor belt lanes which
are designed in respect of a special type of washware are
provided.
[0078] In this connection, reference is made to the embodiment
which is illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b. The conveyor apparatus 2
which is partially illustrated in these figures corresponds
substantially to the embodiment which is described above with
reference to the illustration in FIGS. 3a and 3b, but with the
second conveyor belt 51 now having been subdivided into a conveyor
lane for the type of washware "plates" and a further conveyor lane
for the type of washware "bowls". In other words, in the embodiment
which is illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the second conveyor belt
51 is subdivided into two conveyor belts 51a, 51b which run
parallel to one another. Although not illustrated in the drawings,
each conveyor belt 51a, 51b has an automatic stacking or destacking
device at the machine inlet (dirty end of the conveyor dishwasher
1) and/or at the machine outlet (clean end of the conveyor
dishwasher 1) in order to stack plates 101 into or to destack
plates 101 from the conveyor belt 51a and in order to stack bowls
102 into the conveyor belt 51b or to destack bowls 102 from the
conveyor belt 51b.
[0079] This subdivision of the second conveyor belt 51 into special
lanes and automated stacking and destacking increase the degree of
automation of the conveyor dishwasher 1, and therefore working time
can be saved both at the clean end and at the dirty end of the
conveyor dishwasher 1. The dishwashing process therefore runs more
efficiently and its total length is reduced, and therefore, in
addition to working time, resources can also be saved.
[0080] It is feasible for a common drive apparatus to be provided
for the second conveyor belt 51 and the at least one further
conveyor belt 52, or for the conveyor belt 51 which is subdivided
into two conveyor belts 51a, 51b and the at least one further
conveyor belt 52, the corresponding conveyor belts 51, 51a, 51b, 52
being jointly driven by means of the common drive apparatus. The
conveying speed of each conveyor belt 50, 51, 51a, 51b, 52 can
preferably be set individually.
[0081] The illustration in FIG. 4b shows that the respective upper
faces of the conveyor belts 50, 51a, 51b and 52 of the conveyor
apparatus 2 lie in a common horizontal plane. This allows washware
to also be held across a plurality of conveyor belts 50, 51a, 51b
and 52, that is to say by a plurality of conveyor belts 50, 51a,
51b and 52 at the same time.
[0082] It should be noted that the invention is not restricted to
the exemplary embodiments which are illustrated above with
reference to the drawings, but rather can be gathered by examining
all the individual features disclosed in these exemplary
embodiments together.
* * * * *