Technical domain

The present invention relates to a dishwashing system and more particularly to a dishwashing system in which the dishes and utensils are placed on a dishwashing basket. The present invention also relates to a method of cleaning dishes and utensils and more particularly to a method of cleaning dishes and utensils wherein the dishes and utensils are placed on a dishwashing basket.

Prior art

Dishwashers through which baskets are pushed are known from the prior art. NL671 1590 describes, for example, a dishwasher with a transported basket wherein the basket with dirty articles is placed at one end of the machine and is mechanically moved along rails between upper and lower spray nozzles in order to then be removed from the machine at the other end.

Such dishwashers make use of washing curtains between two modules on the one hand and at the inlet and outlet opening on the other hand. However, these washing curtains have a large number of disadvantages. First of all these curtains are liable to become dirty so that they have to be regularly cleaned. On the one hand this takes up time as these washing curtains can only be cleaned properly after first being removed. On the other hand these washing curtains are made of soft material such as silicone which makes cleaning a very difficult task to carry out. In addition, regular replacement of these washing curtains is necessary. Another disadvantage of these washing curtains is that at the e time the curtains are pushed aside by the dishes and utensils these curtains come to lie over the dishes and utensils so that for a period of the cycle these dishes and utensils are not reached by certain water jets and warm and/or cold air and washing and rinsing water, with or without chemicals, from a particular zone can reach a preceding or following zone, i.e. so-called 'mixing' or 'splashing'. These effects are particularly disadvantageous for the efficiency of the dishwashing machine. The purpose of the washing curtains is after all to direct warm air, cold air and water circulation in such a way that for each zone separated by washing curtains warm air, cold air and water currents remain within the zones as much as possible and that water used in a zone is collected in corresponding washing tank lying under this zone. This is particularly important when the water is reused in another zone for example.

In addition to dishwashing machines with baskets, known as the

"rack type", "flight type" dishwashing machines are also known in the prior art. Such dishwashing machines are equipped with a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is driven by a step chain. The conveyor belt transports the dirty dishes between the modules of the dishwashing machine. In this way the dirty dishes and utensils can placed be without baskets directly on or in subdivisions on the conveyor belt or in baskets. Between two modules and at the inlet and outlet opening wash curtains are again provided with the same disadvantages as described above for dishwashing machines with baskets.

Additionally in a dishwashing system the costs of water, chemicals

(detergent and rinse aid) and energy are essential for the operating costs. Furthermore, the costs of cleaning and maintaining the machine are also of essential importance. Description of the invention

One aim of the present invention is to provide a dishwashing system which remedies one or more problems in the prior art.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a method of cleaning the dishes and utensils which remedies one or more problems in the prior art.

This aim is achieved by means of a dishwashing system comprising one or more dishwashing modules, each module comprising a housing in which a free opening is arranged at the inlet and a free opening at the outlet, and at least one dishwashing basket, each dishwashing basket comprising a base and at least one side wall, characterised in that the free opening at the inlet and the free opening at the outlet are approximately of the same size and in that at least one of the at least one side wall of the dishwashing basket is a sealing side wall which is dimensioned in such a way that the sealing side wall prevents liquids, when these are used in the one or more dishwashing modules, leaving the dishwashing modules through the free opening at the inlet or the free opening at the outlet when the sealing side wall is positioned in the free opening at the inlet or the free opening at the outlet respectively.

In the first instance the system has the advantage that no washing curtains are necessary. Through this the system avoids time losses and therefore costs. This system also ensures a very compact structure with optimal separation between modules.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing system also comprises detection means configured in such a way that the detection means detect whether a sealing side wall is positioned in the free opening at the inlet and in the free opening at the outlet.

Through these detection means it is possible to prevent the sealing wall not being optimally positioned in the free openings in the system so that it is prevented that liquid leaves the dishwashing modules.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing basket has one sealing side wall and the dishwashing system comprises at least two dishwashing baskets.

This has the advantage that a module with a free opening at the inlet and a second free opening at the outlet can be used, wherein the sealing side walls of the two dishwashing baskets prevent liquid leaving the module through the opening.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the free opening at the inlet and the free opening at the outlet are formed at the top by a flexible or hinged component over the breadth of the opening.

This has the advantage that the small space between the sealing side wall of a dishwashing basket and the free opening can be smaller or even not be present. This is advantageous for the efficiency of the dishwashing system.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the free opening at the inlet and the free opening at the outlet are formed at the bottom by a flexible or hinged component.

This has the advantage that minimal spaces for offsetting tolerances can again be smaller or even not be present.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the free opening at the inlet and the free opening at the outlet are formed all around by fixed components.

Advantageously these forms of embodiment have no flexible or hinged components in the opening, which is beneficial with regard to wear and cleaning.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing system comprises a supply module, wherein the supply module comprises guide means for aligning the dishwashing basket to the inlet opening.

This has the advantage that the dishwashing system is easy to use and that the sealing side wall is guided to the correct positon in the free opening so that maximum efficiency is achieved.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing system comprises a discharge module, wherein the discharge module comprises water collection means to collect the water.

These forms of embodiment assure excellent user-friendliness. The excess water is collected immediately so that time is saved.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing basket comprises means for being detected.

This has the advantage that the positioning of the dishwashing basket in the free opening can be optimised, which increases the efficiency of the dishwashing system.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing basket comprises magnetic means for being detected.

This has the advantage that the detection of the sealing wall in a free opening is not dependent on contamination, through which the operating reliability of the system is increased.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing system comprises a control mechanism configured in such a way that liquids only flow into the module if a sealing side wall is detected in the free opening at the inlet and in the free opening at the outlet.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the inlet opening and the outlet opening are the same opening.

These forms of embodiment are extremely compact. Furthermore, as no door is necessary, time is saved during their use.

The aim of the present invention is also achieved by means of a method of cleaning dishes and utensils placed in a dishwashing basket in a dishwashing module, the dishwashing module comprising a free opening the inlet and a free opening at the outlet, the dishwashing basket comprising at least one side wall, of which one is a sealing side wall which is dimensioned in such a way that the sealing side wall prevents liquids, when these are used in the dishwashing module, leaving the dishwashing modules through the free opening at the inlet or the free opening at the outlet when the sealing side wall is positioned in the free opening at the inlet or the free opening at the outlet respectively, the method comprising the following steps:

- positioning of at least one dishwashing basket in the dishwashing module of which at least one is filled with dishes and utensils;

- detecting with detection means whether a sealing side wall is positioned in the free opening at the outlet and in the free opening at the inlet; and

- starting to spray liquid when the detection means detect a sealing side wall in the free opening at the inlet and in the free opening at the outlet.

The advantage of this method is that with a simple, compact system very high quality results can be obtained. Through positioning a sealing side wall in a free opening to prevent liquid leaving the free opening, no curtains are necessary, which, as has already been stated, has advantages. In addition, detecting the correct position of the sealing side wall ensures optimal efficiency of the method. Finally, the conditional starting of spraying of liquid ensures increases safety so that no water with, for example, chemicals, can flow into an adjoining module

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing basket has one sealing side wall and the method of cleaning dishes and utensils comprises the positioning of at least two dishwashing baskets.

This has the advantage that in this method a module with a free opening at the inlet and a second free opening at the outlet can be used, wherein the sealing side walls of the two dishwashing baskets prevent liquid leaving the module through the opening.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing basket comprises means for being detected and the step in the method for detecting whether a sealing side wall is positioned in the free opening at the inlet and in the free opening at the outlet comprises that the detection means detect the means for being detected in the dishwashing basket.

In these forms of embodiment of a method, through detecting with detection means it is possible to prevent the sealing wall not being optimally positioned in the free openings in the system so that it is prevented that liquid leave the dishwashing modules. This increases the efficiency of the dishwashing system.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the means in the dishwashing basket for being detected are magnetic. This method, wherein the means in the dishwashing basket for being detected are magnetic, has the advantage that the detection of the sealing wall in a free opening is not dependent on contamination, through which the operating reliability of the system is increased.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention the aim of the invention is achieved through a method of cleaning dishes and utensils in a dishwashing system, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

- positioning of at least one dishwashing basket in the dishwashing module of which at least one is filled with dishes and utensils;

- detecting with detection means whether a sealing side wall is positioned in the free opening at the outlet and in the free opening at the inlet; and

- starting to spray liquid when the detection means detect a sealing side wall in the free opening at the inlet and in the free opening at the outlet.

This system has the advantage that again no washing curtains are necessary. Through this this method ensures a compact, cost-saving manner of cleaning dishes and utensils.

In some forms of embodiment of the invention this aim is achieved by means of a dishwashing system wherein dishes and utensils are transported through one or more dishwashing modules, comprising one or more dishwashing modules, each module comprising a housing in which a free opening is arranged at the inlet and a free opening at the outlet, and a conveyor belt for transporting the dishes and utensils through the one or more dishwashing modules, characterised in that the dishwashing system also comprises partition walls, wherein the partition walls are dimensioned so that the partition walls prevent liquid, when this being used in the one or more dishwashing modules, leaving the dishwashing modules through the free opening at the inlet or the free opening at the outlet when the partition wall is positioned in the free opening at the inlet and in the free opening at the outlet.

This system also has the advantage that no washing curtains are necessary. Through this the system also avoids time losses and therefore costs. This system also ensures a very compact structure with optimal separation between modules.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be described below in more detail by way of the following description and the attached drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a dishwashing system according to one form of embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the dishwashing system of figure 1 with specific dishwashing baskets and during the spraying of liquid according to one form of embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a dishwashing system with several dishwashing modules according to one form of embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a dishwashing module according to one form of embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a dishwashing basket according to one form of embodiment of the invention.

Forms of embodiment of the invention

The present invention will be described below by way of well- defined forms of embodiment and with reference to certain drawings, though the invention is not restricted to these and is only defined by the claims. The drawings shown here are only schematic representations and are not restrictive. In the drawings the dimensions of certain components can be shown in an enlarged manner which means that the components are therefore not shown to scale, this being simply for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond with the actual practical embodiments of the invention.

In addition, terms such as "first", "second", "third" and suchlike are used in the description and the claims in order to differentiate between identical components and not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms in question are interchangeable in suitable circumstances, and the forms of embodiment of the invention can operate in different sequences from those described or illustrated here.

In addition, terms such as "top", "bottom", "over", "under" and suchlike are used in the description and the claims in order to differentiate between identical components and not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms in question are interchangeable in suitable circumstances, and the forms of embodiment of the invention can operate in different orientations from those described or illustrated here.

The term "comprising" and terms derived therefrom as used in the claims, must or must not be interpreted as being restricted to the means set out thereafter; the term does not exclude other elements or steps. The term must be interpreted as a specification of the stated properties, whole numbers, steps, or components being referred to, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more additional properties, whole numbers, steps or components or groups thereof. The scope of an expression such as "a device comprising means A and B" is also not just restricted to devices that purely consist of components A and B. What is meant is that with regard to the present invention the only relevant components are A and B.

Figure 1 illustrates a dishwashing system according to one form of embodiment of the invention wherein the dishwashing system 1 comprises a dishwashing module 5, a supply module 7 for applying one or more dishwashing baskets 20 and a discharge module 9 for removing the dishwashing baskets 20 after passing through the dishwashing module 5. The supply module 7 is provided with supply guides 12 on both sides of the supply module surface in order to guide the dishwashing baskets 20 to an opening 14. Opposite the inlet opening 14 the dishwashing module 5 has an outlet opening 16 of approximately the same dimensions. The outlet opening 16 can have exactly the same dimensions as the inlet opening 14. The discharge module 9 is provided with discharge guides 18. As dishwashing baskets which are wet come to rest on this discharge 9, the discharge 9 is optionally provided with a discharge reservoir 19 with an outlet for the collected water. Both the supply module 7 and the discharge module 8 can be designed with one, two, four or more support pillars 27.

The dishwashing module 5 has spray nozzles 4 in the upper section of the module as well as spray nozzles 3 in the lower section of the module. In this way the dishes and utensils can be cleaned from different directions. In the lower part of the dishwashing module 5 a water tank 6 is provided which collects the used water. Depending on the type of dishwashing module the water that reaches the water tank 6 can be directly discharged, reused in the same module or taken to another module for reuse.

In figure 2 specific dishwashing baskets 20 are added to the system. Such a dishwashing basket 20 is also shown separately in figure 5. The dishwashing basket 20 of figure 5 has a water-penetrable base 21 , four side walls 23, of which one is a sealing side wall 22 with specific dimensions. In an alternative embodiment the dishwashing basket 20 only has one, two or three side wall 23. In other alternative forms of embodiment the dishwashing basket can have several sealing side walls 22. With reference to figure 2, sealing side wall 22 is dimensioned in such a way that when the dishwashing basket 20 is positioned in the dishwashing module 5 with the sealing side wall 22 in the outlet opening 16, the outlet opening 16 is sealed by side wall 22. Subsequently, when a following dishwashing basket 20 is positioned adjacent to the first dishwashing basket 20, the sealing side wall 22 of the following dishwashing basket 20 seals the inlet opening 14. This system in which the dishwashing module 5 has openings corresponding to the specific sealing side wall 22 of the dishwashing basket 20 has the advantage that no washing curtains are necessary in the dishwashing module 5 in order to seal the opening. This increases the efficiency of the used water as no water falls on the washing curtains when these are lying folded over the dishes and utensil. This also avoids the cost of cleaning the washing curtains. It is also a space-efficient design as no additional breadth of the modules is necessary in order to allow the washing curtains to overlap with the dishwasher outside the spraying zone. In order words, the module does not have to be broader than the spraying zone. The presence of the sealing side walls 22 in the inlet and outlet openings 14, 16 also has the advantage that there is less heat loss compared with washing curtains.

In the openings 14 and 16 the dishwashing module 5 has a sensor, sensor 15 and sensor 17 respectively. The sensors 15 and 17 detect whether a specific sealing side wall 22 is present in the openings 14 and 16. The sensors 15 and 17 can be positioned on the top, at the bottom or on one of the side edges. For working with maximum efficiency of the used water the dishwashing module 5 only sprays water when both sensors 15 and 17 detect a specific side wall 22 in the openings 14 and 16. In an alternative form of embodiment there is only one sensor 15, 17 for detecting whether a specific sealing side wall 22 is present in the openings 14 and 16. In a preferred form of embodiment the dishwashing module 5 has a magnetic sensor. In a further alternative form of embodiment the dishwashing basket is positioned in the dishwashing module by way of a mechanical sensor, such as, for example, an end run switch.

In order to determine the correct position of the dishwashing basket, in one form of embodiment of the invention a mechanical stop is used. The mechanical stop can be, for example, a pneumatic stop which in a first position forms a stop for a dishwashing basket. In this first position of the mechanical stop the dishwashing basket cannot then be pushed further against the mechanical stop. The pneumatic stop also has a second position. In this second position the dishwashing basket can move freely through the openings of the module. The mechanical stop can be controlled both manually and automatically.

Figure 3 illustrates how several dishwashing modules 5 can be placed modularly next to each other in order to create a system with, for example, a prewashing machine 51 and a main washing machine 52. Such dishwashing modules 5 can than operate completely independently and discharge the used water. However, in an alternative embodiment, the water used in one module can still be reused in another module. At the partition between the two dishwashing modules 5 the outlet opening 16 of the module 51 adjoins the inlet opening 14 of the module 52. During use the partition is again sealed by the specific wall 22 of the dishwashing basket 20. At the partition a sensor 53 is provided in order to detect whether a specific wall 22 is present in the partition. Optimal operation is spraying water periodically, i.e. when the sensors 15 and 53 detect that a specific wall is in the respective opening, water will be sprayed into the dishwashing module 51 . When the sensors 53 and 17 detect that a specific wall is in the respective opening the dishwashing module 52 sprays water onto the dishes and utensils in the dishwashing basket 20.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a dishwashing module 5. The form of embodiment in figure 4 has a rotating washing or rinsing arm 3. Alternative forms of embodiment can have a fixed washing or rinsing arm. In yet another alternative form of embodiment the dishwasher also has lateral spray nozzles. The internal side walls 40 are generally made of stainless steel or another material that is easy to clean. In one form of embodiment the side walls 40 abut the dishwashing baskets 20. This has the advantage that dishes and utensils being transported by the pressure of the water cannot be outside the dimensions of the outlet opening 17 or partition opening 53 during the cleaning process. If this were to happen the module can be blocked by dishes and utensils outside these dimensions. Important in this form of embodiment is that the dishwasher basket 20 lets sufficient water through. This can take place, for example, through specific zones in which no dishes and utensils are placed. In an alternative embodiment the internal side walls 40 are designed in an undulating pattern, a stepped serrated pattern, a pattern with slanting notches or any other form which ensures that water can flow effectively along the dishwashing basket 20 to the water tank 6.

The dishwashing basket 20 illustrated in figure 5 can also be stacked, an important property as such dishwashing baskets 20 often have to be stacked. For this, in a preferred form of embodiment the difference in height between a sealing wall 22 and another side wall 23 is equal to or smaller than the height of a side wall 23. In such a form of embodiment a dishwashing basket 20 can be stacked on another dishwashing basket by turning the dishwashing basket to be stacked about 180 degrees so that the upper edges of the side walls 23 of the two dishwashing baskets 20 come to rest against each other. For such a stacked duo of dishwashing baskets 20 the sealing side wall 22 rests against the side wall 23 which is opposite the sealing side wall 22.

In an alternative form of embodiment the supply module 7 is provided with a zone where the dishwashing basket 20 can turn about its axis. Through this the user can load the dishwashing basket 20 in the optimal position, for example, with a higher side wall towards the back and then turn the loaded dishwashing basket into the correct position in order to supply the dishwashing basket to the dishwashing module. The discharge module can be equipped with a zone where the dishwashing basket can turn about its axis. In this way the user can optimally position the dishwashing basket for unloading.

In a further alternative form of embodiment the inlet opening and outlet opening are not in parallel but turned with regard to each other about all possible angles between 0 and 180 degrees. For this, guides can be applied in the dishwashing module so that the dishwashing basket is manually or automatically turned during its progress in the dishwashing module. In an alternative embodiment the dishwashing module has a rotation zone where the dishwashing basket is manually or automatically turned after which the dishwashing basket can move further in the dishwashing module until the sealing wall is in the outlet opening.

In an alternative embodiment the inlet opening 14 and the outlet opening 16 are provided on one or more edges with a flexible or hinged component. This has the advantage that the sealing wall 22 can more closely about the openings 14 and 16 with regard to openings with simple fixed edges. An opening with fixed edges must provide a play between the opening and the sealing side wall in order on the one hand to offset tolerances and on the other hand to avoid blockages. The flexible components on the edges can be made of rubber or another flexible material. In an alternative form of embodiment it is not one or more edges of opening that is/are flexible, but one or more edge of the sealing wall 22, which results in the same advantages. In a further alternative form of embodiment one or more edge of both the opening and wall is/are flexible or movable.

In one form of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing system sprays hot water, for example at 85°, for a predetermined period of time into the rinsing zone, and during the movement of the dishwashing basket 20 into the spraying zone. This has the advantage that the top, the bottom and the side walls of the sealing wall 22 are all cleaned so that the complete dishwashing basket 20 is cleaned on leaving the rinsing zone.

In an alternative form of embodiment of the invention the dishwashing system only has one opening 14 which then functions as the inlet opening and outlet opening. In this form of embodiment the dishwashing basket is pushed into the dishwashing module until the sealing wall 22 is in the opening 14. Thereafter the dishwashing module can clean and if necessary also rinse the dishes and utensils. After cleaning and/or rinsing of the dishes and utensils the dishwashing basket can be moved back out of the module in the reverse direction. In a further form of embodiment of the invention the principle is applied to a flight-type conveyor belt dishwashing system. Upright walls are applied on the conveyor belt. When the upright walls are positioned in the inlet opening or the outlet open of the dishwashing module the upright walls ensure that the liquids such as water, chemical and rinse aid used in the module do not leave the module. The dishes and utensils can be placed on the conveyor belt with a step chain or standard dishwashing baskets can be used which are placed between the upright walls.