COUNTER SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING IN PARTICULAR AT LEAST PARTIALLY UNPACKAGED FOODSTUFFS, AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING CUSTOMER-SPECIFIC AND IN PARTICULAR PERSONALIZED ORDERS IN A COUNTER SYSTEM

Abstract

A counter system (10) for transferring at least partially unpackaged foodstuffs, wherein the counter system (10) has a first region (11) assigned to the counter staff and a second region (12) segregated therefrom and assigned to the customer. The counter system (10) has a dishwasher (1) for cleaning items of washware (2). The dishwasher (1) has at least one treatment zone (3) and at least one conveyor apparatus (6) for conveying the items of washware (2) to be cleaned from an introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) through the treatment zone (3) of the dishwasher (1) to a removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) is accessible from the second region (12) of the counter system (10) and the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1) is accessible from the first region (11) of the counter system (10).

Claims

1. A counter system (10) for transferring at least partially unpackaged foodstuffs, wherein the counter system (10) has a first region (11) assigned to the counter staff and a second region (12) segregated therefrom and assigned to the customer, and wherein the counter system (10) has a dishwasher (1) for cleaning items of washware (2) in the form of mugs, cups, glasses, bowls or plates, wherein the dishwasher (1) has at least one treatment zone (3) and at least one conveyor apparatus (6) for conveying the items of washware (2) to be cleaned from an introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) through the at least one treatment zone (3) of the dishwasher (1) to a removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) is accessible from the second region (12) of the counter system (10) and the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1) is accessible from the first region (11) of the counter system (10).

2. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first region (11) of the counter system (10) is segregated from the second region (12) of the counter system (10) via a counter (14).

3. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) is separated from the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) and the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1) are formed in or at opposite end regions of the dishwasher (1), and/or wherein the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) is segregated from the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1).

4. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter system (10) has a counter (14) that segregates the first region (11) of the counter system (10) from the second region (12) of the counter system (10), wherein the counter (14) has a first region for receiving the dishwasher (1) and at least one second region arranged next to the first region.

5. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) lies in the same horizontal plane as the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the horizontal plane lies above or below the counter plane; or wherein the introduction region (4) and the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1) lie in different horizontal planes.

6. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter system (10) has a counter (14) that segregates the first region of the counter system (10) from the second region of the counter system (10), wherein the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) is connected to the at least one treatment zone (3) of the dishwasher (1) via at least one conveying track, in the form of a conveyor belt, such that items of washware (2) to be cleaned are able to be conveyed automatically from the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) to the at least one treatment zone (3).

7. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor apparatus (6) has at least one conveying track, in the form of a conveyor belt, wherein the at least one conveying track has an effective width of at most 30 cm.

8. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dishwasher (1) has a control device that is configured to activate the at least one conveyor apparatus (6) of the dishwasher (1) such that the items of washware (2) to be cleaned are conveyed discontinuously from the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) through the at least one treatment zone (3) to the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1) by the at least one conveyor apparatus (6); or wherein the dishwasher (1) has a control device that is configured to activate the at least one conveyor apparatus (6) such that the items of washware (2) to be cleaned are conveyed continuously and at a previously defined or definable conveying speed through the at least one treatment zone (3) by the at least one conveyor apparatus (6).

9. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one treatment zone (3) is configured to subject at least one item of washware fed to the at least one treatment zone (3) via the at least one conveyor apparatus (6), temporally in succession, to a washing treatment and a downstream final rinse treatment and optionally drying downstream of the final rinse treatment.

10. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dishwasher (1) has at least one first treatment zone (3), which is in the form of a washing zone, and at least one second treatment zone (3), which is downstream of the at least one first treatment zone (3)—as seen in the conveying direction of the items of washware (2)—and is in the form of a rinse zone, in particular a final rinse zone, wherein optionally the dishwasher (1) also has at least one third treatment zone (3), which is in the form of a drying zone and is downstream of the at least one second treatment zone (3)—as seen in the conveying direction of the items of washware (2).

11. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one treatment zone (3) of the dishwasher (1) is assigned a suction-extraction device for the suction extraction of water vapor; and/or wherein the at least one treatment zone (3) of the dishwasher (1) is assigned a splash guard for preventing water vapor and/or liquid from escaping from the at least one treatment zone (3).

12. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter system (10) has a conveyor apparatus (6) for automatically and selectively conveying a cleaned item of washware from the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1) to a dispenser, to a dispenser for a cold or hot drink of a drinks machine or a coffee machine, wherein the dishwasher (1) also has a device for positioning and/or orienting the item of washware with respect to the dispenser.

13. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dishwasher (1) is embodied as an under-counter or top-counter machine and has dimensions adapted to a counter size, wherein the footprint of the dishwasher (1) has dimensions of at most 700 mm×1000 mm.

14. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a freshwater tank that is fluidically connectable selectively to the freshwater system in order to supply the dishwasher (1) with fresh water is integrated in the counter system (10); and/or wherein a wastewater tank that is fluidically connectable selectively to the wastewater system is integrated in the counter system (10) in order to temporarily store wastewater that arises during operation of the dishwasher (1), wherein the wastewater tank is assigned a heat-exchanger system for reusing at least some of the thermal energy of the wastewater that arises during operation of the dishwasher (1).

15. The counter system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dishwasher (1) has a door (8), in the form of a tambour door, for selectively closing an access opening to the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the access opening has a height of at most 300 mm and a width of at most 500 mm, wherein the dishwasher (1) has a first door (8), in the form of a tambour door, for selectively closing the access opening to the introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) and also has a second door (8), in the form of a tambour door, for selectively closing an access opening to the removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] Exemplary embodiments of the counter system according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0090] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, an exemplary embodiment of the counter system according to the invention;

[0091] FIG. 2 shows, schematically and in a side view, a first exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention;

[0092] FIG. 3A shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is open and no item of washware is accommodated in the introduction region;

[0093] FIG. 3B shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 3A;

[0094] FIG. 3C shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is closed;

[0095] FIG. 3D shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 3C;

[0096] FIG. 3E shows, schematically and in a side view, the second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention;

[0097] FIG. 3F shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is open and at least one item of washware is accommodated in the introduction region;

[0098] FIG. 3G shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 3F;

[0099] FIG. 3H shows, schematically and in a sectioned side view, the second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which at least one item of washware is in each case present in the introduction region, in the at least one treatment zone and in the removal region of the dishwasher;

[0100] FIG. 4A shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is open and no item of washware is accommodated in the introduction region;

[0101] FIG. 4B shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 4A;

[0102] FIG. 4C shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is closed;

[0103] FIG. 4D shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 4C;

[0104] FIG. 4E shows, schematically and in a side view, the third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention;

[0105] FIG. 4F shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is open and at least one item of washware is accommodated in the introduction region;

[0106] FIG. 4G shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 4F;

[0107] FIG. 4H shows, schematically and in a sectioned side view, the third exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which at least one item of washware is in each case present in the introduction region, in the at least one treatment zone and in the removal region of the dishwasher;

[0108] FIG. 5A shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is open and no item of washware is accommodated in the introduction region;

[0109] FIG. 5B shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 5A;

[0110] FIG. 5C shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is closed;

[0111] FIG. 5D shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 5C;

[0112] FIG. 5E shows, schematically and in a side view, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention;

[0113] FIG. 5F shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which a door of the dishwasher to the introduction region is open and at least one item of washware is accommodated in the introduction region;

[0114] FIG. 5G shows, schematically and in a view of the introduction region, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 5F;

[0115] FIG. 5H shows, schematically and in a sectioned side view, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which there is at least one item of washware in each case in the introduction region, in the at least one treatment zone and in the removal region of the dishwasher;

[0116] FIG. 6A shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a fifth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which an item of washware is accommodated in the removal region of the dishwasher;

[0117] FIG. 6B shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the fifth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention, specifically in a state in which two items of washware are accommodated in the removal region of the dishwasher;

[0118] FIG. 6C shows, schematically and in a sectioned top view, the fifth exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention according to FIG. 6B;

[0119] FIG. 7 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a further variant embodiment of a dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention;

[0120] FIG. 8 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a further variant embodiment of a dishwasher belonging to the counter system according to the invention;

[0121] FIG. 9A to 9D show, in different views and in each case schematically, a variant embodiment of the counter system according to the invention; and

[0122] FIG. 10A to 10D show, in different views and in each case schematically, a variant embodiment of the counter system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0123] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, an exemplary embodiment of the novel counter concept, specifically using the example of a coffee shop. The counter concept is designed in such a manner that an offer for (re-)filling reusable mugs that have been brought along and belong to customers with hot drinks to go can be realized, with it being ensured that the applicable hygiene rules or hygiene regulations are maintained by the coffee shop without additional staff being required for serving the customers and without the working sequence for the acceptance of an order and for processing the order being slowed down.

[0124] The counter system 10 serves here for receiving customer-specific orders, optionally for billing the orders and in particular for the transfer of the ordered products. The ordered products are in particular at least partially unpackaged foodstuffs, such as, for example, drinks or cookies, etc.

[0125] As is customary in catering establishments, in the catering industry, in community catering and in the retail trade, the counter system 10 has a first region 11 assigned to the counter staff and a second region 12 segregated therefrom and assigned to the customer.

[0126] The counter system 10 that is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 is distinguished by the latter having a dishwasher 1 for cleaning items of washware 2 in particular in the form of mugs, cups, glasses, bowls or plates.

[0127] As will be subsequently explained with respect to the embodiments of possible dishwashers 1 that are shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, the dishwasher 1 has at least one treatment zone 3 and at least one conveyor apparatus 6 for conveying the items of washware 2 to be cleaned from an introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 through the at least one treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1 to a removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1. In particular, it is provided in this connection that the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 is accessible from the second region 12 of the counter system 10 and the removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1 is accessible from the first region 11 of the counter system 10.

[0128] In this case, the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 corresponds to the “unclean region” in the context of commercial dishwashing. Said “unclean region” of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 is accessible exclusively only from the second region 12 of the counter system 10, that is to say from that region of the counter system 10 which is assigned to the customer.

[0129] The customer can thus feed a container 2 that is possibly not yet cleaned and does not comply with the applicable hygiene rules and/or hygiene regulations into the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1, wherein said container 2 is then conveyed, preferably automatically, through the at least one treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1 and is made available in the cleaned state at the removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1 to the counter staff. The dishwasher 1 is preferably designed here in such a manner that the cleaning of an item of washware takes up less than 60 seconds and preferably less than 40 seconds.

[0130] During this period of time necessary for cleaning the containers 2 belonging to customers, the order can be taken at the same time by the counter staff. The ordering, the billing of the ordered products, etc. customarily lasts at least one minute per customer.

[0131] The item of washware 2 cleaned by the dishwasher 1 can then be filled with the ordered foodstuffs, such as, for example, with a hot drink from a coffee machine 13, by the counter staff and subsequently transferred to the customer.

[0132] Variant embodiments of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention will be described below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8.

[0133] FIG. 2 shows, schematically and in a side view, a first exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention. The dishwasher 1 is suitable in particular for cleaning items of washware 2 in the form of drinking vessels, in particular in the form of mugs, cups, glasses or bottles.

[0134] For this purpose, the dishwasher 1 has at least one treatment zone 3 and at least one conveyor apparatus 6 for conveying the items of washware 2 to be cleaned from an introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 through the at least one treatment zone 3 of the dishwasher 1 to a removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1.

[0135] The conveyor apparatus 6 is configured here to convey a previously defined or definable group of items of washware 2 to be cleaned batch by batch from the introduction region 4 through the at least one treatment zone 3 and then to supply the group of items of washware 2 as cleaned items of washware 2 to the removal region 5, or to individually convey the items of washware 2 to be cleaned from the introduction region 4 through the at least one treatment zone 3 and then to supply them as cleaned items of washware 2 to the removal region 5.

[0136] Specifically, the dishwasher 1 has a housing in which a washing zone and a final rinse zone are accommodated as treatment zones 3.

[0137] The final rinse zone is a fresh-water final rinse zone, in which fresh water with final rinse agent possibly added is sprayed onto the washware which is to be treated.

[0138] It is conceivable in this connection for yet another treatment zone 3, in the form of a pump-assisted final rinse zone, to be provided between the washing zone and the final rinse zone. In this pump-assisted final rinse zone, the liquid sprayed previously in the fresh-water final rinse zone is sprayed onto the washware with recirculating action.

[0139] The individual treatment zones 3 of the dishwasher 1 can be spatially segregated from one another, wherein a corresponding splash guard, for example in the form of a curtain, can be provided between the treatment zones 3 in order to prevent excess splashing of liquid and to prevent the washware from becoming dirty again.

[0140] In order, however, to obtain as compact a design of the dishwasher 1 as possible, it is of advantage for the treatment zones 3, or for at least some of the treatment zones 3, of the dishwasher 1 to be formed in a common treatment chamber of the dishwasher 1. In this case, the dishwasher 1 should have a control device that is configured to activate the at least one conveyor apparatus 6 such that the items of washware 2 to be cleaned are conveyed discontinuously from the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 through the at least one treatment zone 3 to the removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1 by the at least one conveyor apparatus 6.

[0141] The exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention, as is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2, is distinguished in that it has an introduction region 4, into which the washware which is to be cleaned in the dishwasher 1 can be fed in/inserted manually. Also provided is a removal region 5, which is formed separately from the introduction region and via which the washware treated/cleaned in the treatment zones 3 of the dishwasher 1 is discharged.

[0142] The introduction region 4 and the removal region 5 are configured, in particular, on opposite sides of the housing of the dishwasher 1.

[0143] The dishwasher 1 also has the at least one conveyor apparatus 6 that has already been mentioned and by means of which the (dirty) washware fed into the introduction region 4 is conveyed through the treatment zones 3 of the dishwasher 1 to the removal region 5.

[0144] The compactness of the dishwasher 1 means that the loading opening of the introduction region 4 can be correspondingly small. If, as is the case in the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, the dishwasher 1 serves for cleaning drinking vessels, in particular reusable drinking vessels such as coffee cups, the loading opening to the introduction region 4 can be a little higher than the drinking vessel 2 which is to be treated.

[0145] Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, the access opening of the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 can be assigned a guideway which corresponds to the drinking vessel 2 which is to be cleaned, in order to predetermine an orientation of the drinking vessel 2 when the drinking vessel 2 is introduced into the introduction region 4.

[0146] The removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1 according to FIG. 2 is designed in the form of a storage region and serves for the interim storage of a previously defined or definable number of cleaned drinking vessels 2. In the same way, the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 can likewise be designed in the form of a storage region, for the interim storage of a previously defined or definable number of drinking vessels 2 which are to be cleaned. This allows what is referred to as a batch operation of the dishwasher 1.

[0147] The dishwasher 1 preferably has a control device for correspondingly activating the conveyor apparatus 6 and the activatable components assigned to the washing and final rinse zone. The control device is configured to activate the conveyor apparatus 6 of the dishwasher 1 and optionally the activatable components of the washing and final rinse zone in dependence on a presence or absence, or in dependence on a number, of drinking vessels 2 in the introduction region 4 and/or removal region 5.

[0148] Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, it is conceivable for the dishwasher 1 to be configured in the form of a reverse vending machine for reusable drinking vessels 2, in particular coffee cups, and preferably to have a corresponding money-return device.

[0149] The solution according to the invention can save time in respect of handling. Dirty washware (drinking vessels 2) passes directly into the dishwasher 1, i.e. there is no need for dirty drinking vessels 2 to be conveyed into a kitchen or for clean drinking vessels 2 to be conveyed back from the kitchen to the hot-drinks machine.

[0150] The dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention is suitable in particular as a special coffee-cup dishwasher 1 which ideally is located in the immediate vicinity of the coffee machine 13 or even as an integral part in a coffee shop or similar installation site. The dishwasher 1 has a feed-in location in which the dirty crockery is introduced and a discharging location, which is segregated therefrom, where the clean crockery can be removed. The cups, glasses, etc. can be fed in and also removed individually (i.e. one after another), and loading in relatively small groups should optionally also be possible.

[0151] The feed-in location is preferably located on a dirty side and the discharging location on a spatially segregated clean side. For example, the cup can be introduced on the one side by a customer and can be removed on the opposite side by the same customer, or by a different customer, or even by service staff

[0152] The dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention is suitable, for example, for use in coffee shop chains, for example Starbucks: a customer enters the coffee shop with “their” cup and requests re-filling into “their” cup.

[0153] The cup is automatically washed by the dishwasher 1 and then re-filled. So that the customer also actually gets “their” own cup back, the cup is identified, either by analog or digital means.

[0154] In order to realize this embodiment, it is conceivable for the dishwasher 1 to have, preferably in or at the introduction region 4, a system 7 for identifying an item of washware, wherein the system 7 for identifying an item of washware is configured to assign an item of washware 2 in or at the introduction region 4 with an identifier which permits an unambiguous identification of the item of washware, which is fed in in the introduction region 4, in the removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1.

[0155] In this connection, it is conceivable for the dishwasher 1 to have, preferably in or at the introduction region 4, a system 7 for identifying an item of washware, wherein the system 7 for identifying an item of washware is configured to assign an item of washware 2 in or at the introduction region 4 with an identifier which permits an unambiguous identification of the item of washware, which is fed in into the introduction region 4, in the removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1.

[0156] In principle, it is of advantage for the system 7 for identifying an item of washware to be configured to, preferably automatically or optionally automatically, detect at least one feature of an item of washware fed in in the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1, wherein the system 7 for identifying an item of washware is furthermore configured to use the at least one feature detected in the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 to again recognize the corresponding item of washware 2 in the removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1 and to preferably correspondingly identify same, or to personalize, highlight or to separate it from other items of washware 2 in the removal region 5.

[0157] In particular, the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention is configured, on account of its design and overall size, to be integrated in the counter region, for example of a coffee shop, such that the dirty cup can be placed by the customer into the machine in a region in front of the counter, and then, after the washing process has taken place, the clean cup can be removed from the machine by the staff behind the counter 14 in order then to use said cup directly for re-filling as per the customer's order.

[0158] The removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1 can additionally be provided with a type of conveyor belt/conveyor, with which it is possible to convey the clean washware from the actual removal region 5 into an additional storage region, for example next to the dishwasher 1 or on the other side of the coffee machine 13, in order thereby to increase the capacity, or the maximum possible number of cups and glasses which can be circulated, as desired without having to increase the size of the actual dishwasher 1 for this purpose.

[0159] In particular, it is conceivable in this connection that the clean washware is not conveyed by the additional conveyor belt/conveyor into a separate storage region; instead, there is a direct connection to a coffee machine 13 (including rotation of the cup by 180° such that the opening faces upward), and therefore, directly after the washing process has taken place, the clean cup can be completely automatically filled with the drink according to the customer's order.

[0160] Further embodiments of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 3A to FIG. 8.

[0161] Specifically, these embodiments are each designed as top-counter machines such that they can easily be placed onto a counter, for example, of a coffee shop. The embodiments of the dishwashers 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention are configured to convey items of washware 2 from the introduction region 4 through the at least one treatment zone 3 batch by batch and then to supply the items of washware 2 as cleaned items of washware 2 to the removal region 5.

[0162] The dishwasher 1 here can have a door 8, in particular a tambour door, for selectively closing an access opening to the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1. The door 8 can be actuable manually or automatically. In the case of an automatic actuation of the door 8, the introduction region 4 can be assigned a sensor arrangement which is configured to detect the presence of an item of washware 2 in the introduction region 4, wherein the sensor arrangement on detecting an item of washware 2 in the introduction region 4 activates a door mechanism to close the door 8 and to start a treatment program of the dishwasher 1.

[0163] The dishwashers 1 according to the embodiments shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 8 are therefore in particular suitable for coffee shops in which the customers bring their own cup, but wherein said cup still has to be cleaned in situ prior to being filled, for example, with a hot drink. The cup which is to be cleaned can then be conveyed individually from the introduction region 4 through the treatment zone 3 and then supplied to the removal region 5.

[0164] On the other hand, the dishwashers 1 are also suitable for situations in which a plurality of items of washware 2 have to be cleaned simultaneously, as is the case, for example, whenever there is washware 2 which should not be personalized. In this case, the items of washware 2 to be cleaned can be conducted batch by batch through the treatment zone 3 as a group.

[0165] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 8, provision is made for the conveyor apparatus 6 of the dishwasher 1 to have a conveying track, in particular in the form of a conveyor belt, wherein said conveying track is configured to guide the items of washware 2 individually or in pairs through the at least one treatment chamber 3 of the dishwasher 1. The width of the conveying track here is selected to be correspondingly narrow. In preferred realizations of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention, the conveying track has an effective width of preferably at most 30 cm and preferably of at most 15 cm.

[0166] The embodiments, shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 8, of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention have a control device which is configured to activate the conveyor apparatus 6 such that the items of washware 2 to be cleaned are conveyed discontinuously from the introduction region 4 of the dishwasher 1 through the at least one treatment zone 3 to the removal region 5 of the dishwasher 1 by the conveyor apparatus 6.

[0167] The items of washware 2 to be cleaned are conveyed by the conveyor apparatus 6 from the introduction region 4 into the at least one treatment zone 3, wherein the conveyor apparatus 6 is then stopped and the items of washware 2 are cleaned in a fixed position in the treatment zone 3 (washing phase and final rinse phase and optionally following drying phase), wherein then the conveyor apparatus 6 is used to convey the cleaned washware 2 to the removal region 5.

[0168] FIG. 6A-6C and FIG. 8 show an embodiment of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention, in which a carousel conveyor is used as the conveyor apparatus 6. For example, a turntable is suitable as the carousel conveyor, for allowing the washware 2 to be conveyed in a circular manner.

[0169] The access opening of the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention preferably has a height of at most 300 mm and a width of at most 500 mm and preferably of at most 350 mm.

[0170] The preferred dimensions of the dishwashers 1 shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 6 are summarized in the following table:

TABLE-US-00001 A 140 to 340 mm preferably 200 to 280 mm B 285 to 485 mm preferably 345 to 425 mm C 400 to 850 mm preferably 500 to 600 mm D 100 to 250 mm preferably 120 to 200 mm E 150 to 300 mm preferably 180 to 240 mm F 100 to 250 mm preferably 120 to 200 mm G 300 to 650 mm preferably 350 to 550 mm H 285 to 485 mm preferably 345 to 425 mm I 150 to 300 mm preferably 180 to 240 mm

[0171] The dishwasher 1 is furthermore preferably provided with a splash guard 9 in order to screen the introduction region 4 from the at least one treatment chamber 3 and in particular also to prevent water vapor from escaping.

[0172] FIG. 7 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a further variant embodiment of a dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 according to the invention.

[0173] The dishwasher 1 shown in FIG. 7 substantially corresponds in a structural and functional respect to the previously described dishwashers 1, wherein, however, provision is made in the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 7 for at least part of the dishwasher 1 to be arranged beneath the counter top, for example the lower region of the dishwasher 1, in which the pumps and the at least one wash tank of the dishwasher 1 are accommodated.

[0174] An alternative embodiment of such a dishwasher 1 which can be at least partially integrated in the counter of the counter system 10 is shown schematically and in an isometric view in FIG. 8. This dishwasher 1 comprises a conveyor apparatus 6 in the form of a carousel.

[0175] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9D show, in different views and in each case schematically, embodiments of the counter system 10 according to the invention. The counter system 10 of this embodiment comprises a dishwasher 1 in which the introduction region 4 and the removal region 5 are provided on opposite sides of the dishwasher 1.

[0176] By contrast, in the case of the counter concept shown schematically in FIGS. 10A to 10D, a dishwasher 1 is provided which has a conveyor apparatus 6 in the form of a carousel.

[0177] Rather than being restricted to those embodiments which are shown in the drawings, the invention is a combination of all of the features disclosed herein.

[0178] In particular, the invention furthermore relates to a method for receiving customer-specific and in particular personalized orders in a counter system 10 of the above-described type according to the invention. The method is distinguished in that, as the order is being taken, preferably at the same time, a container 2 belonging to a customer is cleaned by the dishwasher 1 belonging to the counter system 10 and, after the end of the ordering, is available in cleaned form to the counter staff.