A system (10) for loading different conveying tracks (2, 3, 4) of at least one in particular commercial conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′). The system (10) includes a feed conveyor belt (11) for delivering washware (9a, 9b, 9c) to loading regions of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′). The system (10) further includes a sorting arrangement for sorting the washware (9a, 9b, 9c) delivered to the loading regions of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′) via the feed conveyor belt (11) according to previously defined or definable washware groups. The sorting arrangement is associated with at least one loading arrangement (13a, 13b, 13c) for automatically loading the different conveying tracks of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1′) with washware (9a, 9b, 9c) of one of the previously defined or definable washware groups.

The automatic cookware cleaning apparatus, covered in the present invention, personalizes cookware cleaning and drying operations, reducing energy consumption and water wastage. Cleaning method, plan, duration and intensity, among other parameters, can be optimized considering variables such as the cookware geometry, materials, amount and type of dirt. Moreover, assigning an ID of the cookware combined with a computer vision, which determines the amount and type of residue on the cookware and identifies its properties, enables utilization of the cleaning and drying process parameters. Nevertheless, the cleaning and drying process is utilized when the apparatus is combined with an automated cooking system and dish cooking parameters, such as ingredients and heating regime, are analyzed.

The invention proposes a cleaning device (110) for cleaning washware (130). The cleaning device (110) comprises at least one cleaning chamber (114) with at least one application device (148) for applying at least one cleaning liquid (150) to the washware (130) in the cleaning chamber (114). The cleaning device (110) furthermore comprises at least one transportation device (136) for transporting the washware (130) through the cleaning chamber (114) in a transportation direction (138). The cleaning device (110) furthermore has at least one outlet region (142), which is arranged downstream of the cleaning chamber (114) in the transportation direction (138), for removing the washware (130) from the transportation device (136). The cleaning device (110) furthermore has at least one sensor (168) for identifying at least one prespecified type of washware (130). The cleaning device (110) furthermore has at least one slide (170) and is designed to automatically push the washware (130) of the prespecified type from the transportation device (136) transversely to the transportation direction (138).

A dishwasher includes: a washing container having a washing compartment and a loading opening for loading items to be washed; a washing compartment door by which the loading opening is closeable in a fluid-tight manner; and a camera unit for visually sensing the washing compartment. The camera unit is integrated into a dispenser provided by the washing compartment door.

A system includes a dishwasher including a receptacle for items to be washed, a control apparatus configured to execute a wash program in dependence upon a loading of the receptacle with items to be washed and a camera configured to capture an image of at least one partial region of the receptacle in dependence upon a pull-out position of the receptacle. The captured image is stored by the control apparatus in dependence upon the pull-out position in a memory location of a number of memory locations, which memory location is assigned to the pull-out position, with each of the number of memory locations being assigned a set of pull-out positions. An image analysis unit determines the loading of the receptacle in dependence upon images that are stored in the memory locations.

The invention is a system for cleaning an article comprising: a static nozzle to spray a fluid, wherein the position and the orientation of said nozzle remains unchanged; a robotic arm to grasp and move said article so that said fluid is sprayed on said article; a camera to acquire an image of said article; a processor to execute an algorithm based on said image to determine a cleaning protocol, wherein said cleaning protocol lists time sequence of a plurality of robot positions; whereby said article is cleaned thoroughly in real-time. The invention is a also a system for cleaning an article comprising a wash module having the means to transform a soiled article into a clean article, wherein the position of said wash module remains unchanged; a first module for holding said article, wherein said first module pulls out, rises in height, lowers in height, and pulls back in, wherein said article is loaded or unloaded after said first module rises in height; a second module for holding said article, wherein said second module pulls out and pulls back in, wherein said article is loaded or unloaded after said second module pulls out; whereby said article can be loaded or unloaded comfortably without bending.

A system includes a dishwasher having a dishwasher cavity which can be closed by a door. Receptacles are provided for accommodating items to be washed, and a control device carries out a washing program from a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed. An optical sensor records an optical sensor signal of the dishwasher cavity, and a determining unit determines a load state of the dishwasher cavity as a function of the optical sensor signal recorded by the optical sensor. An output unit outputs a positioning recommendation to a user for the purpose of positioning at least one of the items to be washed in one of the receptacles based on the load state determined by the determining unit.

An article-distribution system for a dishwasher is provided having a camera assembly directed at a rack assembly of the dishwasher, a display screen spaced apart from the rack assembly, and a controller in operative communication with the camera assembly and the display screen. The controller may be configured to direct a dishwasher coverage operation. The dishwasher coverage operation may include receiving an image of the rack assembly from the camera assembly, identifying an uncleanable article, presenting the image at the display screen, and overlaying an identifier onto the presentation of the image based on the identified uncleanable article. The step of identifying the uncleanable article may be based on the received image. The uncleanable article may be in in an uncleanable position within the rack assembly.

A discrete zone energy transmission system is provided. The system includes an object treatment area, an array of energy transmission elements configured to direct energy toward predetermined zones in the treatment area, a sensor configured to detect a presence and a location of an object in the treatment area, and a controller in communication with the array of energy transmission elements and the sensor. The controller is configured to receive presence and location data from the sensor, assign the data to the predetermined zones, and control an operation of the array of energy transmission elements to selectively radiate energy from the array of energy transmission elements only toward a select number of zones in the object treatment area based on the presence and location data, thereby selectively radiating the energy from the array of energy transmission elements only toward the object in the treatment area.

Dishwashing and dish drying apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus comprises three parallel rods which each have a screw thread on an outer surface. In use, the screw thread on each rod engages with a rim or lip of a dish and when the rods are rotated the dish is caused to move through the apparatus. This allows the whole of the dish to be exposed to a liquid in the dishwashing apparatus or to an air flow in a dish drying apparatus.