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EP-4470444-B1 - DISHWASHER FOR A COFFE SHOP AND/OR A QUICK-RESTAURANT

EP4470444B1EP 4470444 B1EP4470444 B1EP 4470444B1EP-4470444-B1

Inventors

  • DISCH, HARALD
  • SCHREMPP, MARTIN

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240328

Claims (14)

  1. A dishwasher (1), in particular for a coffee shop and/or a fast food restaurant for cleaning washware items, in particular, and preferably exclusively washware items dispensed by the coffee shop and/or the fast food restaurant, wherein the dishwasher (1) is associated with an input region (2), which is configured in particular as a return device and in particular as a return machine for reusable, washware items, and wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a transport device (3) for transporting the washware items from the input region (2) to a treatment area (4) of the dishwasher (1) and from there to a dispensing or removal area (16) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the treatment area (4) of the dishwasher (1) comprises a washing and rinsing system for washing and rinsing the washware items, and optionally a downstream drying system for drying the rinsed washware items, when viewed in the transport direction of the washware items, wherein the input region (2) of the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one receptacle opening (5), which is configured so that a washware item to be cleaned can be manually inserted into a loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the receptacle opening (5) is associated with a closure element (6) that is movable relative to a machine frame of the dishwasher (1), which is movable between an open position, in which it is possible to insert the washware items to be cleaned into the loading region (9), and a closed position, in which the receptacle opening (5) is closed and insertion of the washware items to be cleaned into the loading region (9) is prevented, wherein the input region (2) of the dishwasher (1) comprises an insertion control system (7) cooperating with the closure element (6), which is configured so that the closure element (6) is only moved to its open position when, by means of the insertion control system (7), it is detected and/or verified that cleaning of the washware items to be cleaned is authorized by the operator of the dishwasher (1), wherein the loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one insertion region (12) dedicated to a washware item be cleaned, which is configured to receive a washware item to be cleaned in a predetermined orientation of the washware item, in particular in an upside-down position in relation to the intended use of the washware item, wherein the insertion control system (7) comprises a device based on the Poka-Yoke system, which is configured to prevent a washware item from being received in the insertion region (12) if it is not in the predetermined orientation of the washware item, wherein the Poka-Yoke principle based device comprises at least one locking element (11), which is configured to prevent a washware item from being received in the insertion region (12) if it is not in the predetermined orientation of the washware item, wherein the at least one locking element (11) is configured to extend into the insertion region (12) at least when the closure element (6) is transferred into its open position so that a washware item cannot be received into the insertion region (12) if the washware item is not in the predetermined orientation of the washware item.
  2. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insertion control system (7) comprises a scanner device, in particular in the form of a code reader, in particular a barcode reader, which is provided in or near the input region (2) of the dishwasher (1) in such a way that, with the aid of the scanner device, a type of a washware item to be inserted into the loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1) can be detected, wherein the insertion control system (7) is configured so as to verify, based on the type of washware item detected with the scanner device, that the operator of the dishwasher (1) is authorized to clean the washware item, wherein the insertion control system (7) is further configured such that, upon verification that the operator of the dishwasher (1) is authorized to clean the washware item, it causes the closure element (6) of the dishwasher (1) to be transferred into its open position, such that the washware item can be inserted into the loading region (9).
  3. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion control system (7) comprises a reader device, which is configured so as to detect, in particular with the aid of electromagnetic waves, a type of a washware item to be inserted into the loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the insertion control system (7) is configured so as to verify, based on the type of washware item detected with the reader device, that the operator of the dishwasher (1) is authorized to clean the washware item, wherein the insertion control system (7) is further configured such that, upon verification that the operator of the dishwasher (1) is authorized to clean the washware item, it causes the closure element (6) of the dishwasher (1) to be transferred into its open position, such that the washware item can be inserted into the loading region (9).
  4. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the insertion control system (7) comprises a further sensory system, in particular in the form of a scanner device or in the form of a reader device, which is configured so as to detect a type of a washware item inserted into the loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the insertion control system (7) is configured so as to verify, based on the type of washware item detected with the further sensory system, that the operator of the dishwasher (1) is authorized to clean the washware item, wherein the insertion control system (7) is further configured such that, upon verification that the operator of the dishwasher (1) is authorized to clean the washware item, it causes the closure element (6) of the dishwasher (1) to be transferred into its closed position.
  5. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the insertion control system (7) comprises an in particular contactless sensory system, which is configured so as to detect whether a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a washware stack, is received in the loading region (9), wherein the sensory system is preferably configured so as to carry out a height control when, or as soon as, the loading region (9) is occupied with at least one washware item.
  6. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 5, wherein the insertion control system (7) comprises a device based on the Poka-Yoke principle, which is configured so to prevent a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a washware stack, from being received in the loading region (9), wherein the device based on the Poka-Yoke principle is configured in particular in the form of an insertion motion link or an insertion diaphragm, which only permits a transfer into the loading region (9) when a single washware item is to be transferred into the loading region (9).
  7. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 6, wherein the insertion control system (7) is further configured so as to check the washware item to be received or having been received in the loading region (9) for marking, damage, level of soiling, and/or sealing quality, wherein the insertion control system (7) is further configured so as to issue an alert and/or to prohibit or prevent transport of the washware item into the treatment region (4) when it is detected by the insertion control system (7) that the washware item to be received or having been received in the loading region (9) has a marking, damage, or a level of soiling exceeding a threshold value and/or does not have at least a sufficient sealing quality.
  8. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 7, wherein the loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one insertion region (12) dedicated to a washware item to be cleaned, which is configured so as to receive a washware item to be cleaned in a predetermined orientation of the washware item, in particular in an upside-down position in relation to the intended use of the washware item, wherein the insertion control system (7) is configured so as to detect whether a washware item is received in the insertion region (12) in the predetermined orientation, wherein the insertion control system (7) is further configured so as to issue an alert and/or to prohibit or prevent a transport of the washware item to the treatment region (4) of the dishwasher (1) when it is detected by the insertion control system (7) that a washware item is not received in the predetermined orientation in the insertion region (12).
  9. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 8, wherein the loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one insertion region (12) dedicated for a washware item to be cleaned, which is configured so as to receive a washware item to be cleaned, wherein the insertion control system (7) is configured so as to detect whether a single washware item is received in the insertion region (12), or whether a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a washware stack, are received in the insertion region (12), wherein the insertion control system (7) is further configured so as to issue an alert and/or to prohibit or prevent a transport of the washware items to the treatment region (4) of the dishwasher (1) when it is detected by the insertion control system (7) that a plurality of washware items is received in the insertion region (12).
  10. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 9, wherein the device based on the Poka-Yoke principle is configured so as to only allow a receiving of the washware item in the insertion region (12) when the washware item is intended to be received in the insertion region (12) in the predetermined orientation of the washware item; and/or wherein the device based on the Poka-Yoke system is configured in the form of an insertion motion link or insertion diaphragm, which only permits a transfer into the insertion region (12) when the washware item is present in its predetermined orientation; and/or
  11. The dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one locking element (11) is configured as a pin or rod-shaped element provided in the insertion region (12), and wherein the dishwasher (1) preferably further comprises a mechanism, which is configured to, upon movement of the closure element (6) into its open position, initiate extension of the pin or rod-shaped element (11), and upon movement of the closure element (6) into its closed position, initiate retraction of the pin or rod-shaped element (11).
  12. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 8 to 11, wherein the dedicated insertion region (12) is configured at least in regions as a receptacle and/or recess, into which a washware item to be cleaned can be inserted in a predetermined insertion position.
  13. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 12, wherein the loading region (9) and/or the input region (2) of the dishwasher (1) comprises a drip tray (13) with a strainer cover (14); and/or wherein the dishwasher (1) further comprises a vapor suction system (15), which is associated with the input region (2) of the dishwasher (1) and is configured so as to at least partially suck vapors exiting the treatment region (4) of the dishwasher (1) into the loading region (9) of the dishwasher (1).
  14. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 to 13, wherein the insertion control system (7) is configured so as to actuate the transport apparatus (3) of the dishwasher (1) such that washware items are fed from the input region (2) to the treatment region (4) of the dishwasher (1) discontinuously and in particular in batches.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft allgemein das Fachgebiet des gewerblichen Spülens. Im Einzelnen betrifft die Erfindung eine spezielle Spülmaschine, die insbesondere für den Einsatz in einem Coffee-Shop und/oder in einem Schnellrestaurant zum Reinigen von Spülgut optimiert ist. Des Weiteren betrifft die Erfindung eine speziell für den Einsatz in einem Coffee-Shop und/oder in einem Schnellrestaurant konzipierte Transportvorrichtung für eine solche Spülmaschine. Die erfindungsgemäße Spülmaschine ist insbesondere als Transportspülmaschine ausgeführt und weist eine Transportvorrichtung auf, um das Spülgut von einem der Spülmaschine zugeordneten Eingabe- oder Einstellbereich zu einem Behandlungsbereich der Spülmaschine und von dort zu einem Ausgabe- oder Entnahmebereich der Spülmaschine zu transportieren. Der der Spülmaschine zugeordnete Eingabe- oder Einstellbereich stellt dabei den schmutzseitigen Bereich dar, während der Ausgabe- oder Entnahmebereich der Spülmaschine den reinseitigen Bereich der Maschine darstellt. Transportspülmaschinen dieser Art finden im gewerblichen Bereich Anwendung. Im Gegensatz zu Haushaltsspülmaschinen, bei welchen das zu reinigende Spülgut während der Reinigung ortsfest in der Spülmaschine verbleibt, findet hingegen bei Transportspülmaschinen ein Transport des Spülguts durch verschiedene Behandlungszonen der Maschine statt. Dadurch, dass bei Transportspülmaschinen ein Transport des Spülguts durch verschiedene Behandlungszonen (insbesondere Waschzonen und Klarspülzonen) der Maschine stattfindet, ist - im Unterschied zu den Batch-Prozessen von stationären Programmautomaten, wie etwa Haushaltsspülmaschinen oder Untertischmaschinen - ein kontinuierlicher Betrieb möglich. Der Nachteil von Transportspülmaschinen ist jedoch in dem relativ großen Platzbedarf im Aufstellraum zu sehen. Allerdings besteht zunehmender Bedarf darin, die Vorteile einer Transportspülmaschine bei Anwendungen zu nutzen, bei denen nur eine geringe Aufstellfläche zur Verfügung steht. So stehen heutzutage in Hotels, Betriebskantinen, öffentlichen Gebäuden, Krankenhäusern, Schulen und Raststätten fast immer Heißgetränkeautomaten, insbesondere Kaffeeautomaten unterschiedlicher Modelle und Größen zur Selbstbedienung bereit. In der Regel sind diese Heißgetränkeautomaten ausgebildet, um Trinkbehälter (Trinkbecher) mit einem ausgewählten Heißgetränk zu befüllen, wobei allerdings bei Automatenaufstellungen in Betrieben oder öffentlichen Gebäuden auch Kunststoffbecher zum Einsatz kommen. Gleiches gilt für Coffee-Shops oder Schnellrestaurants, bei denen es üblich ist, eine von dem Kunden ausgewählte Kaffeespezialität dem Kunden in einem so genannten "Coffee-To-Go"-Becher zu übergeben. Aufgrund der enormen Mengen an Plastikmüll, die tagtäglich durch Einweggeschirr anfällt, besteht ein Bestreben danach, die Menge des insbesondere bei Coffee-Shops oder Schnellrestaurants anfallenden Einweggeschirrs zu reduzieren. Ein Ansatz, die Ökobilanz bei insbesondere Coffee-Shops oder Schnellrestaurants zu verbessern, besteht darin, Einweggeschirr, wie beispielsweise "Coffee-To-Go"-Einwegbecher zu verwenden, welche recycelbar sein. In diesem Zusammenhang ist beispielsweise Einweggeschirr aus Celluloseacetat oder aus so genanntem oxo-abbaubarem Kunststoff bekannt. Das Problem bei derartigem Einweggeschirr ist jedoch darin zu sehen, dass sich der oxo-abbaubare Kunststoff nur unter bestimmten definierten Bedingungen zersetzen kann, wobei diese bestimmten Bedingungen in der Regel beim Recyceln nicht gegeben sind. Als Folge hiervon zerfällt das Material des Einweggeschirrs in Mikroplastik und kann die Umwelt und Gesundheit weiterhin belasten. Darüber hinaus ist die Herstellung von Einweggeschirr aus oxo-abbaubarem Kunststoff relativ aufwendig und belastet von daher auch so die Ökobilanz. Die Druckschrift DE 10 2019 119 462 A1 betrifft eine Transportspülmaschine zum Reinigen von Spülgut, insbesondere in Gestalt von Trinkgefäßen, wie Kaffeetassen, wobei die Transportspülmaschine eine Waschzone und eine hiervon räumlich getrennt ausgeführte Klarspülzone sowie ein Gehäuse aufweist, in welchem die Waschzone und die Klarspülzone aufgenommen sind. Die Transportspülmaschine weist ferner einen schmutzseitigen Eingabebereich zum manuellen Eingeben von in den Behandlungszonen der Spülmaschine zu reinigendem Spülgut und einen reinseitigen Ausgabebereich zum Ausgeben und manuellen Entnehmen von in den Behandlungszonen der Transportspülmaschine gereinigtem Spülgut auf. Ferner weist die Transportspülmaschine eine Transportvorrichtung auf, um Spülgut von dem Eingabebereich durch die Behandlungszonen zu dem Ausgabebereich zu transportieren. Dabei ist insbesondere vorgesehen, dass der Eingabebereich und der Ausgabebereich in ein und derselben Seite des Gehäuses der Transportspülmaschine oder in einander unmittelbar angrenzenden Seiten des Gehäuses der Transportspülmaschine ausgebildet sind. Die Druckschrift US 2021/0259509 A1 betrifft eine Gläser-Spülmaschine, bei welcher di