U.S. patent application number 17/611334 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-23 for method for cleaning cutlery or cutlery parts, cutlery holder for holding cutlery to be cleaned in a dishwasher, and dishwasher.
The applicant listed for this patent is ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Harald DISCH, Bjorn S. HIMMELSBACH, Matthias KUDERER, Martin SCHREMPP.
Application Number | 20220192461 17/611334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006257402 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220192461 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DISCH; Harald ; et
al. |
June 23, 2022 |
METHOD FOR CLEANING CUTLERY OR CUTLERY PARTS, CUTLERY HOLDER FOR
HOLDING CUTLERY TO BE CLEANED IN A DISHWASHER, AND DISHWASHER
Abstract
A method for cleaning cutlery or cutlery parts, wherein the
method includes the method step of filling a cutlery holder with
the cutlery to be cleaned, the method step of treating the cutlery
to be cleaned with a washing liquid, and the method step of
treating the washed cutlery with a clear rinsing liquid. The
cutlery holder is filled with the cutlery to be cleaned such that
the individual cutlery parts are movable relative to each other
and/or relative to the cutlery holder, wherein at least during
clear rinsing and preferably also during washing, the cutlery parts
are moved at least once and preferably several times relative to
each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder in order to avoid
static contact points between the individual cutlery parts and/or
between the cutlery parts and the cutlery holder. A corresponding
cutlery holder, and a dishwasher are also provided.
Inventors: |
DISCH; Harald; (Elzach,
DE) ; KUDERER; Matthias; (Offenburg, DE) ;
SCHREMPP; Martin; (Biberach, DE) ; HIMMELSBACH; Bjorn
S.; (Offenburg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. |
Glenview |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006257402 |
Appl. No.: |
17/611334 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
May 19, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2020/033524 |
371 Date: |
November 15, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/0005 20130101;
A47L 15/0081 20130101; A47L 15/46 20130101; A47L 15/48 20130101;
A47L 15/0007 20130101; A47L 15/501 20130101; A47L 15/0013 20130101;
A47L 15/502 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/50 20060101
A47L015/50; A47L 15/00 20060101 A47L015/00; A47L 15/48 20060101
A47L015/48; A47L 15/46 20060101 A47L015/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2019 |
DE |
10 2019 114 116.8 |
Claims
1. Method for cleaning cutlery or cutlery parts, wherein the method
comprises the following method steps: filling a cutlery holder with
the cutlery to be cleaned; treating the cutlery to be cleaned with
a washing liquid; and treating the washed cutlery with a clear
rinsing liquid; wherein the cutlery holder is filled with the
cutlery to be cleaned such that the individual cutlery parts are
movable relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery
holder, wherein at least during clear rinsing and also during
washing, the cutlery parts are moved at least once relative to each
other and/or relative to the cutlery holder in order to avoid
static contact points between the individual cutlery parts and/or
between the cutlery parts and the cutlery holder.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the cutlery parts are moved
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder via a
mechanical impulse that is applied to the cutlery parts and/or to
the cutlery holder, at least once.
3. Method according to claim 1, wherein to move the cutlery parts,
the cutlery holder is tilted or swivelled relative to the
horizontal, and wherein the cutlery parts move relative to each
other and/or relative to the cutlery holder under the force of
gravity acting on the cutlery parts.
4. Method according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic field is applied
to move the cutlery parts, and wherein the cutlery parts move
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder
because of the magnetic field acting on the cutlery parts and/or on
the cutlery holder.
5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method furthermore
comprises the following method step, after the method step of clear
rinsing: drying of the rinsed cutlery, wherein during drying, the
cutlery parts are moved at least once relative to each other and/or
relative to the cutlery holder in order to avoid static contact
points between the individual cutlery parts and/or between the
cutlery parts and the cutlery holder; and/or wherein at least
during drying, the cutlery parts are accelerated and/or moved such
that a centrifugal force acting on any water droplets adhering to
the cutlery parts is at least partially greater than the adhesion
force with which the water droplets adhere to the cutlery
parts.
6. Cutlery holder for holding cutlery to be cleaned in a
dishwasher, wherein the cutlery holder is configured to hold the
cutlery to be cleaned such that the individual cutlery parts are
movable relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery
holder, wherein the cutlery holder comprises a pulse generator, or
a pulse generator is assigned to the cutlery holder, wherein the
pulse generator is configured to apply at least one mechanical
impulse to the cutlery holder and/or to any cutlery which may be
held by the cutlery holder such that, to avoid static contact
points between the individual cutlery parts held in the cutlery
holder or with the cutlery holder, the cutlery parts which may be
held by the cutlery holder are movable at least once relative to
each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder.
7. Cutlery holder according to claim 6, wherein the pulse generator
comprises at least one oscillation exciter, wherein the oscillation
exciter is configured as a piezo-electric oscillation exciter, an
ultrasound exciter or a mechanical imbalance motor.
8. Cutlery holder according to claim 6, wherein the cutlery holder
has a tilt or swivel device, or a tilt or swivel device is assigned
to the cutlery holder, wherein the tilt or swivel device is
configured to tilt or swivel the cutlery holder relative to the
horizontal such that the cutlery parts move relative to each other
and/or relative to the cutlery holder under the force of gravity
acting on the cutlery parts.
9. Cutlery holder according to claim 6, wherein the cutlery holder
comprises a drive, or a drive is assigned to the cutlery holder, so
as to accelerate and/or move any cutlery parts held by the cutlery
holder such that a centrifugal force acting on any water droplets
adhering to the cutlery parts is at least partially greater than
the adhesion force with which the water droplets adhere to the
cutlery parts; and/or that an electric motor is assigned to the
cutlery holder such that the cutlery holder can be rotated with a
cyclically changing rotation direction by means of the electric
motor.
10. Cutlery holder according to claim 6, wherein the cutlery holder
is configured as a flat basket or as a cutlery compartment.
11. Dishwasher, which is configured as a programmable machine with
a treatment chamber or as a continuous transport dishwasher with at
least one treatment zone, wherein the dishwasher comprises a
cutlery holder, which can be exchangeably received at least
partially and/or in regions in the treatment chamber or in the at
least one treatment zone and which can hold cutlery to be treated
in the dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher has at least one feature
of the features listed below: (a) a pulse generator which is
assigned to the cutlery holder and is configured to apply at least
one mechanical impulse to the cutlery holder and/or to the cutlery
which may be held by the cutlery holder such that, to avoid static
contact points between the cutlery parts which may be held in the
cutlery holder or with the cutlery holder, the cutlery parts which
may be held by the cutlery holder are movable at least once
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder; (b) a
tilt or swivel device which is assigned to the cutlery holder and
is configured to tilt or swivel the cutlery holder relative to the
horizontal such that the cutlery parts which may be held by the
cutlery holder move relative to each other and/or relative to the
cutlery holder under the force of gravity acting on the cutlery
parts; and/or (c) a drive which is assigned to the cutlery holder
and is configured so as to accelerate and/or move the cutlery parts
which may be held by the cutlery holder such that a centrifugal
force acting on any water droplets adhering to the cutlery parts is
at least partially greater than the adhesion force with which the
water droplets adhere to the cutlery parts.
12. (canceled)
13. Dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the dishwasher is
configured as a programmable machine, and wherein a drive is
integrated completely in the treatment chamber of the dishwasher
configured as a programmable machine, via which drive the cutlery
holder is movable relative to the treatment chamber such that the
cutlery parts which may be held by the cutlery holder are movable
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder,
and/or that a centrifugal force acting on any water droplets
adhering to the cutlery parts is at least partially greater than
the adhesion force with which the water droplets adhere to the
cutlery parts, wherein the drive is configured to rotate the
cutlery holder relative to the treatment chamber about a horizontal
rotation axis, to swivel this about a vertical rotation axis,
and/or move this in linear fashion as required.
14. Dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein at least one drive
element is provided in the treatment chamber or in the at least one
treatment zone of the dishwasher and has a plurality of magnet
poles carried on a shaft that is rotatable relative to the
treatment chamber or treatment zone, and wherein the cutlery holder
has a driven element, wherein the driven element is configured to
be actively connected to the drive element as required via a
magnetic coupling in order for a torque or rotation force to be
transmitted from the drive element to the driven element and to the
cutlery holder.
15. Dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the pulse generator
and/or the tilt or swivel device and/or the drive is configured to
be actuated as required via a control device, such that the pulse
generator and/or the tilt or swivel device and/or the drive is/are
activated during a drying phase or in a drying zone and/or during a
clear rinsing phase or in a clear rinsing zone, and/or during a
washing phase or in a washing zone.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the technical
field of commercial rinsing.
[0002] Specifically, the invention relates, according to a first
aspect, to a method for cleaning cutlery or cutlery parts which are
held by a cutlery holder.
[0003] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a
corresponding cutlery holder for holding cutlery to be cleaned in a
dishwasher, and to a corresponding dishwasher, in particular
commercial crockery or utensil dishwasher, which is configured as a
batch dishwasher with a treatment chamber or as a continuous
transport dishwasher with at least one treatment zone and which is
designed to receive at least one cutlery holder in order to
correspondingly clean the cutlery held by the cutlery holder.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Batch dishwashers are manually loadable and unloadable
dishwashers. The batch dishwashers may be dish-rack-type
pass-through dishwashers, also referred to as hood-type dishwashers
or front loaders. Front loaders may be undercounter machines,
countertop machines or free-standing dishwashers with front loading
configuration.
[0005] A dishwasher configured as a batch dishwasher normally has a
treatment chamber for the cleaning of items of washware. In
general, under the treatment chamber, there is arranged a wash
tank, in particular a single wash tank, into which liquid can flow
back from the treatment chamber under the force of gravity. For
this reason, batch dishwashers are also occasionally referred to as
"single tank dishwashers".
[0006] In the commonly single wash tank of a batch dishwasher,
there is situated washing liquid, commonly water, to which
detergents may be added if appropriate.
[0007] A dishwasher configured as a batch dishwasher furthermore
has a wash system with a wash pump, with a line system connected to
the wash pump, and with a plurality of spray nozzles formed on at
least one wash arm. The washing liquid situated in the wash tank
can, by way of the wash pump, be delivered by way of the line
system to the spray nozzles and sprayed through the spray nozzles
in the treatment chamber onto the items of washware to be cleaned.
The sprayed washing liquid subsequently flows back into the wash
tank.
[0008] Continuous transport dishwashers are in particular
flight-type dishwashers or rack-conveyor dishwashers. Continuous
transport dishwashers are commonly used in the commercial sector.
In contrast to batch dishwashers, in which the items of washware to
be cleaned remain positionally fixed in the machine during the
cleaning, in continuous transport dishwashers, the items of
washware are conveyed through various treatment zones of the
continuous transport dishwasher.
[0009] A continuous transport dishwasher normally has at least one
pre-washing zone and also at least one main washing zone which is
arranged downstream of the pre-washing zone(s) as seen in the
conveying direction of the items of washware. As seen in the
conveying direction, downstream of the main washing zone(s), there
is generally arranged at least one post-washing zone and at least
one final rinsing zone, in particular a fresh-water final rinsing
zone, which is connected downstream of the post-washing zone. As
seen in the conveying direction, the items of washware which are
either held directly on a conveyor belt or retained by racks
typically run, in the conveying direction, through an inlet tunnel,
the subsequent pre-washing zone(s), main washing zone(s),
post-washing zone(s), final rinsing zone(s) and a drying zone into
an outlet section.
[0010] The aforementioned washing zones of the continuous transport
dishwasher are each assigned a wash system which has a wash pump
and a line system connected to the wash pump, said line system
being used to supply liquid to the spray nozzles of the washing
zone. The washing liquid supplied to the spray nozzles is sprayed
in the respective washing zone onto the items of washware, which
are conveyed by a conveying device of the continuous transport
dishwasher through the respective washing zones. Each washing zone
is assigned a tank, in which sprayed liquid is held and/or in which
liquid for the spray nozzles of the relevant zone is provided.
[0011] In the continuous transport dishwashers known typically from
the prior art, final rinsing liquid in the form of fresh water,
which can be pure or admixed with further additives, such as, for
example, rinsing agents, is sprayed onto the items of washware by
way of the spray nozzles of the final rinsing zone. At least some
of the sprayed final rinsing liquid is conveyed from zone to zone,
counter to the conveying direction of the items of washware, by way
of a cascade system.
[0012] The sprayed final rinsing liquid is collected in a tank
(post-wash tank) of the post-washing zone, from which tank it is
delivered to the spray nozzles (post-washing nozzles) of the
post-washing zone by way of the wash pump of the wash system which
is part of the post-washing zone. In the post-washing zone, washing
liquid is rinsed off from the items of washware. The liquid accrued
here flows into the wash tank of the at least one main washing
zone, which is connected upstream of the post-washing zone as seen
in the conveying direction of the items of washware. Here, the
liquid is typically provided with a detergent and sprayed, by a
pump system (wash pump) which is part of the wash system of the
main washing zone, by way of the nozzles (washing nozzles) onto
items of washware. If no further main washing zone is provided, the
liquid subsequently flows from the wash tank of the main washing
zone into the pre-wash tank of the pre-washing zone. The liquid in
the pre-wash tank is sprayed, by way of a pump system which is part
of the wash system of the pre-washing zone, by way of the
pre-washing nozzles of the pre-washing zone onto the items of
washware in order to remove coarse contaminants from the items of
washware.
[0013] Irrespective of whether the dishwasher is configured as a
batch dishwasher or as a continuous transport dishwasher, the
proper cleaning and drying of cutlery or cutlery parts in the
dishwasher is increasingly challenging, particularly in the
commercial sector. For instance, it has been determined for example
in the context of customer surveys that cutlery parts account for
up to 4% of the workload in commercial sculleries. The largest part
of this work effort involves polishing and drying the cutlery
parts. Reasons for the high polishing and manual drying outlay
include, primarily, the residual moisture on the cutlery but also
salt and detergent residues.
[0014] Further causes for the formation of spots and streaks on the
cleaned and dried cutlery parts may include an unsatisfactory water
quality.
[0015] To improve the rinsing result, in particular of cutlery
parts, it is already known from commercial rinsing practice to
improve the quality of the water used during the fresh-water final
rinsing operation by using an osmosis water filtration system, thus
preventing the formation of spots on cutlery parts as a result of
salts and minerals dissolved in the water.
[0016] Even if a corresponding water treatment system is employed
for the water used for the fresh-water final rinsing, it is
generally not possible to achieve an optimum cleaning result for
cutlery parts. The reason for this is that, for the cleaning of
cutlery parts, said cutlery parts are supplied to the dishwasher,
with said cutlery parts being held in cutlery holders. However, the
cutlery holders known from the prior art are considered to be
disadvantageous in relation to the avoidance of disruptive contact
points between the cutlery parts and between the cutlery parts and
the cutlery holder. Use is generally made of flat baskets or
cutlery compartments as cutlery holders.
[0017] The so-called "flat baskets" are basically in the form of a
large-surface-area rack-like carrying device with a base part for
horizontally carrying cutlery parts, said base part being enclosed
by a surround which prevents the cutlery parts from sliding off
from the base part. In the case of said flat baskets, the cutlery
parts are arranged horizontally in arbitrary fashion on the base
part. In other words, the cutlery parts are scattered randomly and
in some cases one above the other on the base part.
[0018] In contrast thereto, a cutlery holder known as a cutlery
compartment has four high side walls along the peripheries of a
base part, in order to orient the cutlery parts essentially
vertically. A cutlery compartment thus has one or more deep cutlery
racks in which in each case a plurality of cutlery parts can be
held vertically (i.e. in an upright state). The vertical (upright)
orientation of the cutlery achieved by the cutlery compartments
reduces the quantity of moisture adhering to the cutlery in
comparison with the orientation which can be realized with the flat
basket. It is also the case that the number and type of contact
points between the cutlery parts is improved by the known cutlery
compartments, and this results in the adhering moisture being
reduced further.
[0019] It is considered to be a problem of the cutlery holders
known from the prior art that the number and type of contact points
between the cutlery parts and between said cutlery parts and the
holder itself entail disadvantages in respect of the overall
cleaning result that can be achieved, as a result of which
additional manual polishing and/or post-treatment steps are
necessarily required.
SUMMARY
[0020] On account of these problems, the present invention is based
on the object of specifying a method for cleaning cutlery or
cutlery parts, with which method it is possible to achieve a more
optimum cleaning result overall. In particular, at the end of the
cleaning process, the intention is for the cleaned cutlery to be as
streak-free and as spot-free as possible, without additional manual
polishing and post-treatment steps.
[0021] Furthermore, the intention is to specify a cutlery holder,
by means of which it is possible to optimize the overall achievable
cleaning result of cutlery parts.
[0022] In addition, an object of the present invention consists in
specifying a dishwasher, in particular commercial crockery or
utensil dishwasher, which is configured as a batch dishwasher with
a treatment chamber or as a continuous transport dishwasher with at
least one treatment zone and which is designed to treat cutlery
parts with an optimized cleaning result.
[0023] The object on which the invention is based is achieved, with
regard to the method, by the subject matter of independent patent
claim 1, with regard to the cutlery holder, by the subject matter
of independent patent claim 6 and, with regard to the dishwasher,
by the subject matter of further independent patent claim 11, with
developments of the invention advantageously being specified in the
corresponding dependent claims.
[0024] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a method
for cleaning cutlery or cutlery parts, with a cutlery holder, for
example a cutlery holder which is configured as a flat basket or as
a cutlery compartment, initially being filled with the cutlery to
be cleaned or with the cutlery parts to be cleaned.
[0025] The cutlery to be cleaned is subsequently treated with a
washing liquid. This takes place for example during a washing phase
in the treatment chamber of a dishwasher configured as a batch
dishwasher or in one of the washing zones of a dishwasher
configured as a continuous transport dishwasher.
[0026] After the cutlery or the cutlery parts have been treated
with the washing liquid (during the washing phase or in at least
one washing zone), the washed cutlery is finally rinsed with fresh
water or a final rinsing liquid. This takes place for example
during a final rinsing phase in the case of a dishwasher configured
as a batch dishwasher or in at least one final rinsing zone, in
particular a fresh-water final rinsing zone, of a dishwasher
embodied as a continuous transport dishwasher.
[0027] According to embodiments, the finally rinsed cutlery or the
finally rinsed cutlery parts can subsequently be dried, for example
during a drying phase in the treatment chamber of the dishwasher
configured as a batch dishwasher or in at least one drying zone of
a dishwasher embodied as a continuous transport dishwasher. The
drying of the finally rinsed cutlery or the finally rinsed cutlery
parts, said drying being optionally provided herein, can be
effected, for example, with in particular heated air. As an
alternative thereto, the drying is effected passively, that is to
say on account of the amount of heat introduced into the cutlery
during final rinsing, for example.
[0028] According to the invention, provision is made, in the first
method step relating to the filling of the cutlery holder, for the
cutlery holder to be filled with the cutlery to be cleaned or with
the cutlery parts to be cleaned such that the individual cutlery
parts are movable relative to each other and/or relative to the
cutlery holder.
[0029] In other words, according to the invention, the cutlery to
be cleaned is not fixed by the cutlery holder, as is the case, for
example, with cutlery drawers, which are employed in particular in
domestic dishwashers and in which the cutlery parts are arranged,
and fixed, horizontally.
[0030] Furthermore, according to the invention, provision is made,
at least during final rinsing and preferably also during washing,
for the cutlery parts to be moved at least once relative to each
other and/or relative to the cutlery holder in order to thereby
avoid, or at least reduce, static contact points between the
individual cutlery parts and/or between the cutlery parts and the
cutlery holder.
[0031] In this case, the invention is based on the finding that,
during the conventional cleaning of cutlery or cutlery parts, the
static contact points between the cutlery parts and/or between the
cutlery parts and the cutlery holder represent a (major) cause for
unsatisfactory cleaning results. In particular, at contact points,
no or at least incomplete rinsing off of the washing liquid
solution and/or of the final rinsing liquid is achieved during the
fresh-water final rinsing phase or in the fresh-water final rinsing
zone. Consequently, after drying, spots remain on the surface of
the cutlery parts, said spots being produced from constituent parts
of washing liquid solution and post-rinsing water. The greater the
loading of the cutlery holder, the more contact points arise and
also the greater the size of the contact surfaces.
[0032] The term "contact points" used herein is understood to mean
punctiform, linear or areal contacts between the cutlery parts or
between the cutlery parts and the cutlery holder.
[0033] In practice, this means that, with the conventional methods
and conventional cutlery holders, it is virtually impossible to
clean cutlery parts without contact points. Thus, a perfect
cleaning result, that is to say a cleaning result completely devoid
of spots and streaks, is not possible according to the prior art;
however, this would be required in eating and drinking
establishments, which put emphasis on a perfect cutlery result.
Consequently, it has hitherto been customary for such eating and
drinking establishments to also manually polish the cutlery after a
completed automatic cleaning cycle, which represents a considerable
additional expenditure of time (depending on the amount of cutlery,
up to several hours per day). This is also not ideal in hygiene
terms, since the moist dish towels or polishing cloths that are
generally used can represent a source of germs.
[0034] With the present invention and in particular with the method
according to the invention, said deficits can be eliminated in an
easily realizable, but nevertheless effective, way. By, firstly,
the cutlery parts to be cleaned deliberately being held "loosely"
by the cutlery holder, that is to say being held by the cutlery
holder in such a way that the cutlery parts to be cleaned can move
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder, and
by, secondly, at least during the (fresh-water) final rinsing
operation and preferably also during the washing operation and/or
during an optionally provided drying operation, the cutlery parts
being moved at least once and preferably continuously or cyclically
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder, it is
possible to effectively prevent static contact points between the
individual cutlery parts and the cutlery holder. The direct result
thereof is that it is possible to achieve perfect (fresh-water)
final rinsing results and overall perfect cleaning results, since
the main cause for spot or streak formation is eliminated as a
result of the avoidance of static contact points.
[0035] For the deliberate moving of the cutlery parts relative to
each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder, various
approaches are suitable:
[0036] According to embodiments of the present invention, the
cutlery parts are moved relative to each other and/or relative to
the cutlery holder in that a mechanical impulse is applied to the
cutlery parts and/or to the cutlery holder, at least once (and
preferably continuously or cyclically). As a result, the cutlery
parts are at least briefly accelerated and their position relative
to each other or their position relative to the cutlery holder is
changed, such that static contact points are effectively prevented.
Here, it should be borne in mind that the mechanical impulse to be
applied to the cutlery parts and/or the cutlery holder does not
need to be so great that the adhesion force of any water droplets
adhering to the cutlery parts is overcome, since the application of
the mechanical impulse is primarily used to change the position of
the cutlery parts relative to each other or with respect to the
cutlery holder, in order to thus avoid static contact points.
[0037] As an alternative or in addition thereto, it is conceivable
that, to move the cutlery parts (and thus to avoid static contact
points), the cutlery holder is tilted or swiveled relative to the
horizontal, wherein the cutlery parts move relative to each other
and/or relative to the cutlery holder under the force of gravity
acting on the cutlery parts.
[0038] A further approach for moving the cutlery parts relative to
each other and relative to the cutlery holder consists in applying
a magnetic field at least once, in particular for a short period or
cyclically, the magnetic field being selected in such a way that
the cutlery parts move relative to each other and/or relative to
the cutlery holder because of the magnetic force acting on the
cutlery parts and/or on the cutlery holder.
[0039] According to developments of the method according to the
invention, provision is made, at least during drying, for the
cutlery parts to be accelerated and/or moved such that a
centrifugal force acting on any water droplets adhering to the
cutlery parts is at least partially greater than the adhesion force
with which the water droplets adhere to the cutlery part.
[0040] In other words, according to this development, the cutlery
parts can, for example during the drying operation, be set in
rotation in such a way that at least some of the water droplets
adhering to the cutlery parts are detached because of the acting
centrifugal force.
[0041] As an alternative or in addition to a rotating movement of
the cutlery parts, it is however also conceivable to apply a
shaking or vibratory movement to the cutlery parts in order to
"shake off" at least some of the water droplets adhering to the
cutlery parts.
[0042] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the
latter relates to an optimized cutlery holder for holding cutlery
to be cleaned in a dishwasher, wherein the cutlery holder is
configured to hold the cutlery to be cleaned such that the
individual cutlery parts are movable relative to each other and/or
relative to the cutlery holder.
[0043] In particular, in this context, it is conceivable that the
cutlery holder comprises a pulse generator, or that a pulse
generator is assigned to the cutlery holder, which pulse generator
is configured to apply mechanical impulses, as required,
continuously, periodically or cyclically, to the cutlery holder
and/or to any cutlery which may be held by the cutlery holder such
that the cutlery parts which may be held by the cutlery holder move
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder, in
order to thereby avoid static contact points between the cutlery
parts which may be held in the cutlery holder or between the
cutlery parts and the cutlery holder.
[0044] In a preferred realization of the cutlery holder according
to the invention, provision is made for the pulse generator, which
is part of the cutlery holder or which is assigned to the cutlery
holder, to be configured in particular as a piezo-electric
oscillation exciter, an ultrasound exciter or a mechanical
imbalance motor.
[0045] As an alternative or in addition thereto, it is conceivable
that an electric motor, such as, for example, a stepper motor, is
assigned to the cutlery holder, the cutlery holder being able to be
rotated with a cyclically changing rotation direction by means of
the electric motor. It is advantageous here for the changes in
(rotation) direction to be effected as abruptly as possible so that
high acceleration forces act for a short period on the cutlery
parts held in the cutlery holder, and therefore the cutlery parts
which may be held by the cutlery holder move relative to each other
and/or relative to the cutlery holder because of the acceleration
forces acting on the cutlery parts. In this way, it is also
possible to effectively prevent static contact points between the
cutlery parts and between the cutlery parts and the cutlery
holder.
[0046] As an alternative or in addition thereto, it is conceivable
that the cutlery holder has a tilt or swivel device, or that a tilt
or swivel device is assigned to the cutlery holder, which tilt or
swivel device is configured to tilt or swivel the cutlery holder
relative to the horizontal as required such that the cutlery parts
which may be held by the cutlery holder move relative to each other
and/or relative to the cutlery holder under the force of gravity
acting on the cutlery parts. In this way, it is also possible to
effectively prevent static contact points between the cutlery parts
and between the cutlery parts and the cutlery holder.
[0047] As an alternative or in addition to such a tilt or swivel
device, it is conceivable that the cutlery holder comprises a
drive, or that a drive is assigned to the cutlery holder, which
drive is configured to accelerate and/or move any cutlery parts
held by the cutlery holder such that a centrifugal force acting on
any water droplets adhering to the cutlery parts is at least
partially greater than the adhesion force with which the water
droplets adhere to the cutlery parts.
[0048] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the
latter relates to a dishwasher, in particular commercial crockery
or utensil dishwasher, which is configured as a batch dishwasher
with a treatment chamber or as a continuous transport dishwasher
with at least one treatment zone.
[0049] According to the invention, provision is in particular made
for the dishwasher to comprise at least one cutlery holder, which
can be received, or is received, at least partially and/or in
regions in the treatment chamber or in the at least one treatment
zone and which can hold, or holds, the cutlery parts to be treated
in the dishwasher.
[0050] Furthermore, according to the invention, provision is made
for the dishwasher to have a pulse generator which is assigned to
the cutlery holder and/or a tilt or swivel device which is assigned
to the cutlery holder and/or a drive which is assigned to the
cutlery holder.
[0051] The pulse generator can comprise at least one oscillation
exciter, which is configured in particular as a piezo-electric
oscillation exciter, an ultrasound exciter or a mechanical
imbalance motor. However, in this context, an electric motor, such
as, for example, a stepper motor, which is assigned to the cutlery
holder and which is configured/designed to rotate the cutlery
holder with a cyclically changing rotation direction, or to move it
in some other way, such that relatively high acceleration forces
temporarily act on the cutlery parts held in the cutlery holder and
thereby at least indirectly generate an impulse, would also be
conceivable.
[0052] Irrespective of the specific realization of the pulse
generator, the latter should be configured to apply at least one
mechanical impulse and preferably a plurality of mechanical
impulses, as required, cyclically or continuously, to the cutlery
holder and/or to any cutlery which may be held by the cutlery
holder such that, to avoid static contact points, the cutlery parts
are moved relative to each other and in particular also relative to
the cutlery holder.
[0053] The dishwasher according to the invention is in particular
provided such that the latter is configured to tilt or swivel the
cutlery holder relative to the horizontal as required such that the
cutlery parts move relative to each other and in particular also
relative to the cutlery holder under the force of gravity acting on
the cutlery parts and thus avoid static contact points.
[0054] With regard to the drive which is assigned to the cutlery
holder, provision is in particular made for said drive to be
configured to accelerate and/or move any cutlery parts held by the
cutlery holder such that a centrifugal force acting on any water
droplets adhering to the cutlery parts is at least partially
greater than the adhesion force with which the water droplets
adhere to the cutlery parts.
[0055] In particular, in the dishwasher according to the invention,
provision is made for the cutlery holder to be a cutlery holder of
the type described above according to the invention.
[0056] Preferably, the cutlery holder can be exchangeably received
in the treatment chamber or in the at least one treatment zone of
the dishwasher, with a corresponding mount or similar device being
able to be provided for this purpose in order to exchangeably
receive the cutlery holder in the treatment chamber or in the at
least one treatment zone of the dishwasher. By embodying the
cutlery holder to be exchangeably receivable in the treatment
chamber or in the at least one treatment zone of the dishwasher, it
is possible to also use the cutlery holder to pre-soak the cutlery
parts held by the cutlery holder in a pre-cleaning station.
[0057] In one realization of the dishwasher according to the
invention, the latter is configured as a batch dishwasher, wherein
a drive is integrated preferably completely in the treatment
chamber of the dishwasher configured as a batch dishwasher, via
which drive the cutlery holder is movable relative to the treatment
chamber, in particular such that the cutlery parts which may be
held by the cutlery holder are movable relative to each other
and/or relative to the cutlery holder.
[0058] As an alternative or in addition, the drive is configured to
move the cutlery holder relative to the treatment chamber such that
a centrifugal force acting on any water droplets adhering to the
cutlery parts is at least partially greater than the adhesion force
with which the water droplets adhere to the cutlery parts. By way
of example, in this context, the drive can be configured to rotate
the cutlery holder about a horizontal rotation axis, to swivel said
cutlery holder about a vertical rotation axis, and/or to move said
cutlery holder in linear fashion, relative to the treatment chamber
in particular as required or in a continuous, periodic or cyclic
manner.
[0059] According to preferred realizations of the dishwasher
according to the invention, use is made of a magnetic drive or
magnetic coupling, via which a drive integrated in the dishwasher
can be actively connected to the cutlery holder being used as
output in order to correspondingly move the cutlery holder.
[0060] By way of example, it is conceivable that at least one drive
element is provided in the treatment chamber of the dishwasher or
in the at least one treatment zone of the dishwasher and has for
example a plurality of magnet poles, in particular permanent magnet
poles, carried on a shaft that is rotatable relative to the
treatment chamber or relative to the treatment zone. Furthermore,
in this context, it is conceivable that the cutlery holder has a
driven element, wherein said driven element can be actively
connected to the drive element of the dishwasher as required, and
in particular in a contact-free manner, via a magnetic coupling in
order for at least a torque or a rotation force to be transmitted
from the drive element to the driven element and to the cutlery
holder.
[0061] In principle, with regard to the dishwasher according to the
invention, it is advantageous for the pulse generator and/or the
tilt or swivel device and/or the drive of the dishwasher to be
actuated as required via a control device, in particular a control
device of the dishwasher, in particular such that the pulse
generator, the tilt or swivel device and/or the drive is/are
activated during a drying phase or in a drying zone and/or during a
final rinsing phase, in particular a fresh-water final rinsing
phase, or in a final rinsing zone, in particular a fresh-water
final rinsing zone.
[0062] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more
detail below with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0063] In the drawings:
[0064] FIG. 1 schematically shows a front view of a first exemplary
embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, with the
dishwasher being embodied as a hood-type dishwasher, and with the
dishwasher being shown in the open state thereof in FIG. 1;
[0065] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of the exemplary
embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according
to FIG. 1;
[0066] FIG. 3 schematically shows a plan view of the drive unit,
which is integrated in the treatment chamber of the dishwasher
according to FIG. 1 and is configured to correspondingly manipulate
a cutlery holder received in the treatment chamber of the
dishwasher;
[0067] FIG. 4 schematically shows a front view of a further
exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention,
with the dishwasher being embodied as an undercounter dishwasher,
and being shown in an open state, in FIG. 4;
[0068] FIG. 5 schematically shows a side view of the dishwasher
according to the invention according to FIG. 4;
[0069] FIG. 6 schematically shows a front view of the drive unit
for manipulating a cutlery holder received in the treatment chamber
of the dishwasher, said drive unit being used in the exemplary
embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according
to FIG. 4 and being integrated therein in the treatment chamber;
and
[0070] FIG. 7 schematically shows a partially sectional view of the
drive unit according to FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0071] It is the aim of the present invention, which is described
in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments
shown in the drawings, to eliminate the contact points between the
cutlery parts held by the cutlery holder and between said cutlery
parts and the cutlery holder itself, using a cutlery holder which
is movable relative to the treatment chamber or to the at least one
treatment zone of the dishwasher, by virtue of the fact that the
movement of the cutlery holder during the cleaning and/or drying
process continually changes the position of each individual cutlery
part slightly, and there are consequently no longer any static
contact points.
[0072] Rather, the contact points change continually during the
cleaning and/or drying cycle. This ensures that the entire cutlery
surface of each individual cutlery part, during the cleaning and/or
drying cycle, is freely accessible, for example to washing liquid
solution, final rinsing liquid and heated air for drying. As a
result, it is possible to provide a spot-free, shiny result for the
cutlery parts, with in particular manual work effort for manual
polishing, or additional post-processing steps, being
eliminated.
[0073] In the attached drawings, exemplary embodiments of the
dishwasher according to the invention are illustrated
schematically. These are commercial dishwashers, which are each
configured as batch dishwashers.
[0074] Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1
according to the invention, which embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 to
FIG. 3, concerns a batch dishwasher which is embodied as a
hood-type or (rack-type) pass-through dishwasher 1, whereas the
exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 concerns a batch
dishwasher which is embodied as an undercounter dishwasher 1.
[0075] A commercial dishwasher 1 embodied as a batch dishwasher
usually has a program control device 11 for the control of at least
one cleaning program, and has a treatment chamber 2, which can be
closed by way of at least one door and/or at least one hood, in a
machine housing for receiving items of washware to be cleaned, such
as, for example, crockery, cutlery 4, pots, pans, trays and/or
glasses.
[0076] Although not illustrated in the drawings, from an ergonomic
point of view, it is advantageous for in particular a batch
dishwasher embodied as a pass-through dishwasher 1 to be equipped,
on the infeed and run-out sides thereof, with a respective table
(infeed table and run-out table, respectively). The washing baskets
loaded with soiled items of washware can thus be pushed into the
dishwasher 1 on the infeed table. After the items of washware have
been treated in the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1, the
washing basket with the then cleaned items of washware is moved out
of the machine onto the run-out table.
[0077] The action time, that is to say the time during which
cleaning or washing liquid wets the items of washware within the
treatment chamber 2 of a batch dishwasher, is dependent in
particular on the duration of the washing phase defined by way of
the treatment program. For normally soiled items of washware, such
as plates, bowls, cups and/or glasses, a cleaning cycle composed of
a washing phase and of a subsequent final rinsing phase generally
requires between 50 and 100 seconds. However, longer treatment of
the items of washware may be necessary, in particular if these are
relatively heavily soiled.
[0078] The exemplary embodiments of the dishwasher 1 according to
the invention which are shown in the drawings each have a cutlery
holder 3 which can be received in the treatment chamber 2 of the
dishwasher 1. In the exemplary embodiments, the cutlery holder 3 is
configured as a cutlery compartment. In principle, however, it
would also be conceivable that the cutlery holder 3 is configured
as a flat basket.
[0079] The cutlery holder 3 is used to hold cutlery 4 to be cleaned
in the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1. In this case, the
cutlery holder 3 (cutlery compartment) is configured to hold the
cutlery 4 to be cleaned in such a way that the individual cutlery
parts 4 are movable relative to each other and in particular also
relative to the cutlery holder 3 itself.
[0080] The exemplary embodiments of the dishwasher 1 according to
the invention which are shown schematically in the drawings each
have a drive 5, which can be received, or is received, preferably
completely in the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1 and which
is used to correspondingly drive a cutlery holder 3 which may be
received in the treatment chamber 2. In particular, the drive 5 is
configured to apply at least one mechanical impulse and preferably
a plurality of mechanical impulses, as required, continuously,
periodically or cyclically, to the cutlery holder 3 and thus also
to the cutlery 4 held by the cutlery holder 3 such that the
individual cutlery parts 4 held by the cutlery holder 3 are moved
relative to each other and relative to the cutlery holder 3 itself,
such that static contact points between the cutlery parts 4, but
also between the cutlery parts 4 and the cutlery holder 3, are
thereby effectively eliminated.
[0081] In particular, the drive 5 which is assigned to the cutlery
holder 3 and which is preferably received in the treatment chamber
2 of the dishwasher 1 is configured to accelerate or move the
cutlery holder 3 and thus the cutlery parts 4 held in the cutlery
holder 3, as required, periodically, continuously or cyclically,
such that any water droplets adhering to the cutlery parts 4 are
detached from the cutlery parts 4 by centrifugal force.
[0082] As can be gathered from the illustration in FIG. 3, in the
first exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the
invention, provision is made for the drive 5 to be configured as a
rotational drive, a corresponding spindle 7 being drivable by means
of a motor, the spindle 7, in turn, driving a drive disk 9 in a
rotating manner in the treatment chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1 by
way of a mechanism 8. The cutlery holder 3 embodied in particular
as a cutlery compartment can be (exchangeably) placed on said drive
disk 9 in order to achieve an active connection between the drive
5, on the one hand, and the cutlery holder 3, on the other.
[0083] However, in this context, active connections between a drive
5 and an output and the cutlery holder 3 are of course also
conceivable, said connections basically operating in a
"contactless" manner for example by way of a magnetic coupling.
[0084] The drive unit used in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 is a drive unit or a
drive 5 which is embodied as a tilt or swivel device 10 and which
is used to tilt or swivel the cutlery holder 3 relative to the
horizontal as required, continuously, periodically or cyclically,
such that the cutlery parts 4 held by the cutlery holder 3 move
relative to each other and in particular also relative to the
cutlery holder 3 under the force of gravity then acting on the
cutlery parts 4, and therefore static contact points are also
effectively eliminated thereby.
[0085] The invention is not restricted to the embodiments which are
illustrated in the drawings, but rather results from an overview of
all features disclosed herein.
[0086] In particular, in this context, it is conceivable that a
pulse generator which is assigned to the cutlery holder 3 is
arranged in the treatment chamber 2 or treatment zone of the
dishwasher 1 according to the invention, in order to apply at least
one mechanical impulse, as required, to the cutlery holder 3 to
thus move the cutlery parts 4 held by the cutlery holder 3 relative
to each other and in particular also relative to the cutlery holder
3 itself. The pulse generator can comprise for example an
oscillation exciter, in particular a piezo-electric oscillation
exciter, an ultrasound exciter or a mechanical imbalance motor.
[0087] As an alternative or in addition thereto, it is conceivable
that an electric motor, such as, for example, a stepper motor, is
assigned to the cutlery holder 3, the cutlery holder 3 being able
to be rotated with a cyclically changing rotation direction by
means of the electric motor. It is advantageous here for the
changes in (rotation) direction to be effected as abruptly as
possible so that high acceleration forces act for a short period on
the cutlery parts held in the cutlery holder 3, and therefore the
cutlery parts which may be held by the cutlery holder 3 move
relative to each other and/or relative to the cutlery holder 3
because of the acceleration forces acting on the cutlery parts.
[0088] In summary, the invention relates in particular to an, in
particular, commercial dishwasher 1 for the rinsing or cleaning of
different items of washware, said commercial dishwasher being
configured as a single tank dishwasher 1 (batch dishwasher) or
multi-tank dishwasher 1 (continuous transport dishwasher), a
movable cutlery holder 3, in particular in the form of a cutlery
rack, being located in the dishwasher 1 for the cleaning and/or
drying of cutlery parts 4.
[0089] In particular, in this context, it is conceivable that the
cutlery holder 3 (in particular cutlery rack) is movable in a
rotating manner relative to the treatment chamber 2 or treatment
zone of the dishwasher 1. As an alternative or in addition thereto,
the cutlery holder 3 can also be movable in an oscillating manner.
However, in principle, it is of course also conceivable that the
cutlery holder 3 is movable in any other desirable movement
relative to the treatment chamber 2 or to the treatment zone of the
dishwasher 1 (for example horizontally, vertically, etc.).
[0090] In particular, the cutlery holder 3 can be moved with a
change in direction by a suitable drive 5 of the dishwasher 1.
[0091] With regard to the cutlery holder 3, it is advantageous here
for said holder to be a cutlery rack which is intrinsically as
small as possible or has an as small as possible contact surface
for cutlery parts 4.
[0092] The cutlery holder is preferably moved in such a way that
water droplets detach from the the cutlery parts 4 on account of
physical forces (centrifugal force, force of gravity, etc.), such
that the drying is thereby supported.
[0093] In preferred realizations, the cutlery holder 3, together
with a base frame which is assigned to the cutlery holder 3, can be
preferably completely removed from the treatment chamber 2 or
treatment zone of the dishwasher 1 so that other washing racks can
also correspondingly be inserted.
[0094] The movement of the cutlery holder 3 during the cleaning
and/or drying process can preferably be adjusted, and controlled,
in a flexible manner, for example continuously or cyclically, with
constant rotation speed.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0095] 1 Dishwasher 1 [0096] 2 Treatment chamber 2 [0097] 3 Cutlery
holder 3 [0098] 4 Cutlery parts 4 [0099] 5 Drive 5 [0100] 6 Bearing
[0101] 7 Spindle 7 [0102] 8 Mechanism [0103] 9 Drive disk [0104] 10
Tilt or swivel device 10 [0105] 11 Control device
* * * * *