DISHWASHER FOR CLEANING ITEMS IN THE SHAPE OF DRINKING VESSELS AND COUNTER MODULE WITH SUCH A DISHWASHER

Abstract

A dishwasher (1) includes a treatment zone (3) and a conveyor apparatus (4) for transporting washware items (2) from a placement area (5) through the treatment zone (3) to a removal area (6). A washing and/or rinsing system has at least one washing and/or rinsing pump (9) and washing and/or rinsing nozzles. The dishwasher (1) is spatially partitioned into an over table area (7), which, when the dishwasher (1) is used as intended, is positioned above a counter level (13), and an under table area (8), which, when the dishwasher (1) is used as intended, is positioned below the counter level (13), wherein the placement area (5), the removal area (6) and the treatment zone (3) are respectively part of the over table area (7), and wherein at least the washing and/or rinsing pump (9) of the washing and/or rinsing system is part of the under table area (8).

Claims

1. Dishwasher (1) for cleaning washware items (2) in the form of drinking vessels, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one treatment zone (3) and at least one conveyor apparatus (4) for transporting the washware items (2) to be cleaned from a placement area (5) of the dishwasher (1) through the at least one treatment zone (3) to a removal area (6) of the dishwasher (1), and wherein the dishwasher (1) further comprises a washing and/or rinsing system having at least one washing and/or rinsing pump (9) and washing and/or rinsing nozzles, via which cleaning liquid, can be sprayed onto the washware items (2) to be cleaned in the at least one treatment zone (3), characterized in that the dishwasher (1) is spatially partitioned into an over table area (7), which, when the dishwasher (1) is used as intended, is positioned above a counter level (13), and an under table area (8), which, when the dishwasher (1) is used as intended, is positioned below the counter level (13), wherein the placement area (5), the removal area (6) and the at least one treatment zone (3) are respectively part of the over table area (7), and wherein at least the at least one washing and/or rinsing pump (9) of the washing and/or rinsing system is part of the under table area (8).

2. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the washing and/or rinsing system further comprises at least one of the following components: a rinse aid dosing system for selective and/or as needed dosing of rinse aid to the cleaning liquid to be sprayed in the at least one treatment zone (3); a cleaner dosing system for selective and/or as needed dosing a cleaner chemical to the cleaning liquid to be sprayed in the at least one treatment zone (3); a wash tank (11) for at least temporarily storing the cleaning liquid to be sprayed in the at least one treatment zone (3) and/or for temporarily storing the cleaning liquid sprayed in the at least one treatment zone (3); a rinsing liquid tank (11) for providing rinsing liquid to be sprayed in the at least one treatment zone (3), to which rinse aid is added as necessary; a wastewater tank for at least temporarily storing wastewater produced during the cleaning of the washware items (2); and/or a water heater (booster) for selective and/or as needed heating of the cleaning liquid to be sprayed in the at least one treatment zone (3), wherein the at least one component of the washing and/or rinsing system is part of the under table area (8) of the dishwasher (1).

3. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a body (12) having an upper horizontal plane, which is positioned below the counter level (13), wherein the under table area (8) of the dishwasher (1) is formed by the body (12), and wherein the body (12) is supported by height-adjustable feet (14) or castors or by an height-adjustable substructure, base or frame.

4. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 3, wherein the upper horizontal plane of the body (12) is configured at least partly as an upper floor (15), the surface of which is below the counter level (13), wherein in the region of the at least one treatment zone (3) the upper floor (15) comprises at least one passage or opening, via which cleaning liquid can be transferred from the under table area (8) to the over table area (7) and vice versa.

5. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor apparatus (4) is disposed at least partly below the at least one treatment zone (3) in the over table area (7) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the conveyor apparatus (4) is disposed at least partly in a base (17) which is provided at least partly in the under table area (8) of the dishwasher (1).

6. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the placement area (5), the at least one treatment zone (3) and the removal area (6) of the dishwasher (1) are disposed in series such that the placement area (5) and the removal area (6) are disposed opposite one another with the interposition of the at least one treatment zone (3), and wherein the conveyor apparatus (4) is configured to transport washware items (2), in batches, in a translatory movement from the placement area (5) through the at least one treatment zone (3) to the removal area (6), wherein, when the washware items (2) are transported through the at least one treatment zone (3), the translatory movement of the washware items (2) is a non-uniform translatory movement and even more a translatory movement that is temporally interrupted and/or delayed, in which the washware items (2) are temporarily stopped in the at least one treatment zone (3) and/or in which the movement of the washware items (2) is delayed.

7. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor apparatus (4) is configured to transport washware items (2), in batches, at least partially in a circular movement from the placement area (5) through the at least one treatment zone (3) to the removal area (6), wherein when the washware items (2) are transported through the at least one treatment zone (3), the movement of the washware items (2) is a non-uniform movement that is temporally interrupted and/or delayed, in which the washware items (2) are temporarily stopped in the at least one treatment zone (3) and/or in which the movement of the washware items (2) is delayed.

8. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor apparatus (4) comprises a horizontal and circular placement surface (18) which is rotatable relative to the machine frame of the dishwasher (1) about a vertical axis of rotation, wherein the placement surface (18) is implemented as a screen or lattice, wherein the placement area (5), the at least one treatment zone (3) and the removal area (6) of the dishwasher (1) are disposed with respect to the placement surface (18) of the conveyor apparatus (4) such that at all times a first circular segment area of the placement surface (18) is in the placement area (5), a second circular segment area of the placement surface (18) is in the region of the at least one treatment zone (3) and a third circular segment area of the placement surface (18) is in the removal area (6), wherein the first, second and third circular segment area are the same size.

9. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dishwasher (1) is associated with a control device, via which the treatment parameters necessary and/or desired for cleaning the washware items (2) can be selected and/or set, wherein the control device is configured to control the washing and/or rinsing system of the dishwasher (1) for treating the washware items (2) in the at least one treatment zone (3) such that first at least one washing phase and then at least one rinsing phase, a fresh water rinsing phase, is carried out in chronological succession.

10. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, wherein the control device is further configured to control the washing and/or rinsing system of the dishwasher (1) for treating the washware items (2) in the at least one treatment zone (3) such that at least one disinfecting phase is carried out between the at least one washing phase and the at least one rinsing phase.

11. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one washing phase lasts between 5 to 30 seconds, wherein the disinfecting phase lasts between 1 to 10 seconds, and wherein the rinsing phase lasts between 1 to 10 seconds.

12. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to control the conveyor apparatus (4) as a function of a selected and/or set treatment program, wherein the control device is configured to control the conveyor apparatus (4) such that: washware items (2) are transported from the placement area (5) into the at least one treatment zone (3) within 1 to 5 seconds; and/or washware items (2) are transported through the at least one treatment zone (3) within 10 to 50 seconds; and/or washware items (2) are transported from the at least one treatment zone (3) to the removal area (6) of the dishwasher (1) within 1 to 5 seconds.

13. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dishwasher (1) has a dimension adapted to a counter size, wherein the footprint of the over table area (7) of the dishwasher (1) has a dimension of no more than 500 mm×500 mm, and wherein the footprint of the under table area (8) of the dishwasher (1) has a dimension of no more than 400 mm×600 mm; and/or wherein an access opening to the placement area (5) of the dishwasher (1) as needed, wherein the access opening has a height of no more than 330 mm and a width of no more than 350 mm, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a first door, in the form of a Tambour door (19), for closing the access opening to the placement area (5) of the dishwasher (1) as needed, and also a second door, in the form of a Tambour door (19), for closing an access opening to the removal area (6) of the dishwasher (1) as needed.

14. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the controllable components of the over table area (7), are releasably connected to the under table area (8) or the components of the under table area, via at least one quick-release coupling or plug connection.

15. Counter module for a counter system, wherein the counter system comprises a counter area having a horizontal counter surface, and wherein the counter module comprises a dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the over table area (7) of the dishwasher (1) is disposed above the counter surface of the counter area and an under table area (8) of the dishwasher (1) is disposed below the counter surface of the counter area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Example embodiments of the dishwasher according to the invention are described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0093] FIG. 1 schematically and in an isometric view, an example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention;

[0094] FIG. 2A schematically and in an isometric view, the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with a washware item (drinking cup) accommodated in the placement area of the dishwasher;

[0095] FIG. 2B schematically and in an isometric view, the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with a washware item (drinking cup) accommodated in the placement area of the dishwasher and an indicated counter;

[0096] FIG. 3 schematically and in a plan view, the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 2A;

[0097] FIG. 4 schematically and in a first side view, the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 2A;

[0098] FIG. 5 schematically and in a second side view, the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 2A;

[0099] FIG. 6 schematically and in a view onto the placement area of the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 2A;

[0100] FIG. 7 schematically and in a view onto the removal area of the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 2A;

[0101] FIG. 8 schematically and in an isometric view, the over table area of a second example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, specifically with a washware item (drinking cup) in the treatment zone for the dishwasher;

[0102] FIG. 9 schematically, and in an isometric view, the over table area according to FIG. 8, specifically without a washware item in the treatment zone of the dishwasher;

[0103] FIG. 10 schematically, and in an isometric view, the over table area of the example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention according to FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, specifically with a closed access opening to the treatment zone;

[0104] FIG. 11A schematically and in an isometric view, the over table area of a further example embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a washware item (drinking vessel) is accommodated in the removal area of the dishwasher;

[0105] FIG. 11B schematically and in an isometric view, the example embodiment of the over table area according to FIG. 11A, specifically in a state in which two washware items (drinking vessels) are accommodated in the removal area of the dishwasher; and

[0106] FIG. 11C schematically and in a sectional plan view, the example embodiment of the over table area of the dishwasher according to FIG. 11B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0107] A first example embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention is first described in the following with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7. The dishwasher 1 is in particular suitable for cleaning washware items 2 in the form of drinking vessels, in particular in the form of drinking cups, mugs, glasses or bottles. Of course, the dishwasher 1 is also suitable for cleaning other utensils, for example in particular coffee spoons, lids of drinking cups, etc.

[0108] For cleaning the washware items 2, the dishwasher 1 comprises a treatment zone 3 (in this case: only one) and a conveyor apparatus 4 for transporting the washware items 2 to be cleaned from a placement area 5 of the dishwasher 1 through the treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1 to a corresponding removal area 6 of the dishwasher 1.

[0109] The conveyor apparatus 4 is configured to transport washware items 2 individually or a previously defined or definable group of washware items 2 to be cleaned in batches from the placement area 5 through the treatment zone 3, and then deliver the washware item 2 or the group of washware items 2 in the cleaned state to the removal area 6.

[0110] More specifically, the dishwasher 1 comprises a housing 16, in which the treatment zone 3 is accommodated. In the design example shown, the treatment zone 3 is used to carry out a washing phase, then optionally a disinfecting phase, and then a rinsing phase, in chronological succession. In this context, it is in principle also conceivable for a drying phase to subsequently take place in the treatment zone 3.

[0111] The washing phase is a cleaning phase, in which the washware items 2 or the washware item 2 in the treatment zone 3 are washed with a washing liquid. The optional disinfecting phase is a cleaning or treatment phase, in which the washed washware item 2 is exposed to either a disinfectant chemical or hot fresh water or hot steam to effect appropriate disinfection. The rinsing phase is a cleaning phase, in which the washed washware item 2 and the possibly disinfected washware item 2 are rinsed with heated fresh water and optionally added rinse aid.

[0112] To be able to carry out these process steps, the dishwasher 1 preferably comprises two independent liquid systems. A first liquid system is a washing water circuit which is responsible for washing the washware item or the washware items 2, whereby washing is carried out with recirculated water from a wash tank 10 of the dishwasher 1. The other liquid system is a fresh water system, which is responsible for rinsing. As already mentioned, rinsing is carried out with fresh water, preferably fresh water from a water heater (booster). After the spraying in the treatment zone 3, the fresh water is likewise taken into the wash tank 10 of the dishwasher 1.

[0113] The primary task of rinsing is to remove any remaining suds on the washware item 2. The rinsing water flowing in the wash tank 10 during the rinsing phase is additionally used to regenerate the washing water in the wash tank 10.

[0114] Before fresh water is sprayed as a rinsing liquid by the rinsing phase and thereby fed into the wash tank 10 of the dishwasher 1, a quantity of washing liquid equal to the quantity of fresh water is preferably pumped out of the wash tank 10.

[0115] Even though only one respective treatment zone 3 is used in the example embodiments of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, it is in principle also conceivable to provide a separate treatment zone for each cleaning phase, whereby the individual treatment zones are disposed spatially separated from one another, and whereby a respective splash guard, for example in the form of a curtain, can preferably be provided between the treatment zones to prevent splashing of liquid and resoiling of the washware items 2.

[0116] In order to achieve the most compact structure of the dishwasher 1 possible, however, it is advantageous that the cleaning phases or at least some cleaning phases of the dishwasher 1 are carried out in a common treatment chamber of the dishwasher 1. In this case, the dishwasher 1 should comprise a control device, which is configured to control the conveyor apparatus 4 of the dishwasher 1 such that the washware items 2 to be cleaned are transported non-continuously through the treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1 by the conveyor apparatus 4.

[0117] The example embodiments of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention, as shown schematically in the drawings, are in particular characterized by the fact that they are spatially partitioned into an over table area 7 and an under table area 8. When the dishwasher 1 is used as intended, the over table area 7 is above a counter level 13 (see FIG. 2B), whereas, when the dishwasher 1 is used as intended, the under table area 8 is below the counter level 13.

[0118] It is in particular provided that the components which are necessary and can be controlled to carry out the cleaning phases in the treatment chamber are accommodated in the under table area 8. These are in particular the washing and/or rinsing pump(s) 9 of the washing and/or rinsing system of the dishwasher 1, i.e. the pumps associated with the washing water circuit and the fresh water system of the dishwasher 1.

[0119] The wash tank 10 of the dishwasher 1, and possibly a wastewater tank, are preferably likewise accommodated in the under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1. As already stated above, the wash tank 10 is used to at least temporarily store the cleaning liquid to be sprayed in the treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1 or to temporarily store the cleaning liquid sprayed in the treatment zone 3.

[0120] It is also advantageous if a fresh water tank or rinsing liquid tank 11, which provides at least a portion of the rinsing liquid or fresh water to be sprayed in the treatment zone 3, is accommodated in the under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1 as well.

[0121] A rinse aid dosing system for in particular selective and/or as needed dosing of rinse aid to the cleaning liquid to be sprayed in the treatment zone 3 and/or a cleaner dosing system for in particular selective and/or as needed dosing of a cleaner chemical to the cleaning liquid to be sprayed in the treatment zone 3 can also be accommodated in the under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1.

[0122] The same also applies to the water heater (booster), which is used for selective and/or as needed heating of the cleaning liquid (rinsing liquid) to be sprayed in the treatment zone 3.

[0123] In the over table area 7 of the dishwasher 1, on the other hand, preferably only the placement area 5, the removal area 6 and the treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1 are provided. The treatment zone 3, or a corresponding washing and/or spray nozzle system associated with the treatment zone 3, is fluidically connected to the washing liquid system and the rinsing liquid system and the corresponding components of the washing and/or rinsing system preferably accommodated in the under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1.

[0124] The washing or spray nozzle system is preferably disposed above and/or below the treatment zone 3, whereby a lateral arrangement of corresponding washing and/or spray nozzles is in principle conceivable too. In particular at least a portion of the washing and/or spray nozzles is disposed below the treatment zone 3 in a corresponding base region 17, which also belongs to the under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1, specifically with a spray direction oriented upward into the treatment zone 3.

[0125] It can be seen from the illustrations in FIG. 1, 2 and in FIGS. 4 to 7 that the example embodiment shown there comprises a body 12 having an upper horizontal plane which is positioned below the actual counter level 13. The under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1 is formed by the body 12, whereby, in this case, the body 12 comprises height-adjustable feet 14, with which the body 12 is supported.

[0126] The plan view in FIG. 3 and the partly sectional views in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show that the upper horizontal plane of the body 12 is configured at least partly as the upper floor 15. In the region of the treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1, the upper floor 15 preferably comprises a passage or opening to ensure the liquid systems for supplying fresh water and washing water to the washing and spraying arms for the components in the under table area 8.

[0127] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the conveyor apparatus 4 is disposed at least partly below the treatment zone 3 in the over table area 7 of the dishwasher 1, whereby, in this case, the conveyor apparatus 4 is preferably at least partly in the base 17 which is provided at least partly in the under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1.

[0128] As is evident in particular from the plan view in FIG. 3, the example embodiment of the dishwasher 1 shown there is provided with a conveyor apparatus 4, which is configured to transport the washware items 2 in batches at least partially in a circular movement from the placement area 5 through the treatment zone 3 to the removal area 6.

[0129] As the washware items 2 are transported through the treatment zone 3, the movement of the washware items 2 is temporally interrupted or at least delayed so that the washware items 2 are temporarily stopped in the treatment zone 3 or the movement of the washware items 2 is delayed.

[0130] More specifically, the dishwasher 1 according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 comprises a conveyor apparatus 4 having a horizontal and in particular circular placement surface 18 that is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the machine frame of the dishwasher 1. The placement surface 18 is preferably embodied as a screen or lattice.

[0131] The placement area 5, the treatment zone 3 and the removal area 6 of the dishwasher 1 are disposed with respect to the placement surface 18 of the conveyor apparatus 4 such that at all times a first circular segment area of the placement surface 18 is in the placement area 5, a second circular segment area of the placement surface 18 is in the area of the treatment zone 3 and a third circular segment area of the placement surface 18 is in the removal area 6. In the embodiment shown, the aforementioned circular segment areas are the same size.

[0132] However, the present invention is not limited to a carousel solution as shown in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7. A linear solution is in fact fundamentally conceivable as well; in this context, reference is made to the schematic illustration of the over table area 7 in FIG. 9 to FIG. 10.

[0133] In the linear solution, the placement area 5, the at least one treatment zone 3 and the removal area 6 of the dishwasher 1 are disposed in series such that the placement area 5 and the removal area 6 are disposed opposite one another with the interposition of treatment zone 3.

[0134] If a conveyor apparatus 4 is used (which in particular for the linear solution is not absolutely necessary), it should be configured to transport the items of washware items 2, in particular in batches, in a translatory movement from the placement area 5 through the treatment zone 3 to the removal area 6.

[0135] In particular if only one treatment zone 3 is being used, in particular when the washware items 2 are transported through the only treatment zone 3, the translatory movement of the washware items 2 should preferably be a non-uniform translatory movement and even more preferably a translatory movement that is temporally interrupted and/or delayed, in which the washware items 2 in the at least one treatment zone 3 are temporarily stopped and/or in which the movement of the washware items 2 is delayed.

[0136] Due to the compactness of the dishwasher 1, the loading opening of the placement area 5 can be correspondingly small. If the dishwasher 1 is used to clean drinking vessels, in particular reusable drinking vessels such as coffee cups, as in the example embodiments shown in the drawings, the loading opening of the placement area 5 can be slightly higher than the drinking vessel to be treated.

[0137] Although not shown in the drawings, the access opening of the placement area 5 of the dishwasher 1 can be associated with a guide slot corresponding to the drinking vessel to be cleaned in order to provide an orientation of the drinking vessel when the drinking vessel is placed into the placement area 5.

[0138] The dishwasher 1 preferably comprises a control device for appropriately controlling the conveyor apparatus 4 and the controllable components associated with the treatment zone 3. The control device is configured to control the conveyor apparatus 4 of the dishwasher 1 and, if applicable, the controllable components of the treatment zone 3 or the washing and rinsing system of the treatment zone 3 as a function of a presence or absence or as a function of a number of drinking vessels in the placement area 5 and/or in the removal area 6.

[0139] Due to its design and size, the dishwasher 1 according to the invention is in particular configured to be integrated into the counter concept of a coffee shop, for example, so that a dirty cup can be placed into the machine in an area in front of the counter by the customer, and the clean cup can then be removed from the machine by the personnel behind the counter after the cleaning process has been carried out, to then refill said cup directly in accordance with the customer's order. More specifically, it is in particular provided that the technology for the washing and/or rinsing system is accommodated in the under table area 8 of the dishwasher 1, so that as much space as possible is available in the over table area 7 of the dishwasher 1, so that the entire dishwasher 1 can easily be integrated into the counter concept of a coffee shop, for example.

[0140] In particular in embodiments in which the over table area 7 is embodied as a linear system (see FIGS. 8 to 10), it is advantageous for the dishwasher 1 to comprise a door, in particular a Tambour door 19, to close an access opening to the placement area 5 of the dishwasher 1 as needed. The door can be manually or automatically actuatable. If the door is automatically actuated, the placement area 5 can be associated with a sensor system, which is configured to detect the presence of a washware item in the placement area 5, whereby the sensor system actuates a door mechanism to close the door and start a treatment program of the dishwasher 1 when a washware item is detected in the placement area 5.

[0141] The embodiment in FIGS. 8 to 10 also shows that, in particular in over table areas which are embodied as a linear system in which the placement area 5 and the removal area 6 are disposed on opposite sides, a conveyor apparatus 4 is not necessarily needed. More specifically, in the over table area 7 shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, it is provided that the washware item 2 to be cleaned is placed manually in the treatment zone 3.

[0142] A further configuration of an over table area 7 of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention, in which the conveyor apparatus 4 is configured as a carousel, is provided in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C.

[0143] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0144] 1 Dishwasher [0145] 2 Washware item [0146] 3 Treatment zone [0147] 4 Conveyor apparatus [0148] 5 Placement area [0149] 6 Removal area [0150] 7 Over table area [0151] 8 Under table area [0152] 9 Washing and/or rinsing pump [0153] 10 Wash tank [0154] 11 Rinsing liquid tank [0155] 12 Body [0156] 13 Counter level [0157] 14 Height-adjustable feet [0158] 15 Upper floor of the body [0159] 16 Housing for the treatment zone [0160] 17 Base [0161] 18 Circular placement surface of the conveyor apparatus [0162] 19 Tambour door