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WO-2026096550-A1 - CONVEYOR CURTAIN MOUNTING BRACKET

WO2026096550A1WO 2026096550 A1WO2026096550 A1WO 2026096550A1WO-2026096550-A1

Abstract

A dishwashing machine curtain having a header element and a curtain element suspended below the header element. The header element is formed by a loop of material forming a pocket along a width of the header element. A rigid element extends through the pocket. The header element and the rigid element are bonded. A plurality of apertures are formed through the header element and the rigid element to allow the dishwashing machine curtain to be installed in a commercial, tunnel-type dishwashing machine.

Inventors

  • KNIGHT, Peter, H.

Assignees

  • Hayes-Ivy Manufacturing, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251028
Priority Date
20251024

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A dishwashing machine curtain, comprising: a curtain element; a header element positioned at a top of the curtain element; and a rigid element bonded to the header element.
  2. 2. The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 1, wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through the header element and the rigid element.
  3. 3. The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 1, wherein a pocket is formed in a width of the header element by a loop of material.
  4. 4. The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 3, wherein the rigid element extends through the pocket.
  5. 5. The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 4, wherein rigid element is sealed within the pocket to prevent moisture and contamination within the pocket.
  6. 6. The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 1, wherein rigid element is sealed to the header element to prevent moisture and contamination around header element.
  7. 7. A dishwashing machine curtain, comprising: a curtain element; a header element positioned at a top of the curtain element; and Docket No . 01573 a rigid element , wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through the header element and the rigid element .
  8. 8 . The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 7 , wherein the rigid element is bonded to the header element .
  9. 9. The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 7 , wherein a pocket is formed in a width of the header element by a loop of material .
  10. 10 . The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 9 , wherein the rigid element extends through the pocket .
  11. 11 . The dishwashing machine curtain of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of apertures are uniquely spaced corresponding to a speci fic attachment position within a dishwashing machine .
  12. 12 . A dishwashing machine curtain system, comprising : a first dishwashing machine curtain having : a first curtain element ; a first header element positioned at a top of the first curtain element ; and a first rigid element , wherein a first plurality of apertures are formed through the first header element and the first rigid element ; and a second dishwashing machine curtain having : a second curtain element; a second header element positioned at a top of the second curtain element ; and a second rigid element , wherein a second plurality of apertures are formed through the second header element and the second rigid element . Docket No . 01573
  13. 13 . The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 12 , wherein the first rigid element is bonded to the first header element , and wherein the second rigid element is bonded to the second header element .
  14. 14 . The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 12 , wherein a first pocket is formed in a width of the first header element by a loop of material .
  15. 15. The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 14 , wherein the first rigid element extends through the pocket .
  16. 16. The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of apertures have a first spacing corresponding to a first attachment position within a dishwashing machine , and wherein the second plurality of apertures have a second spacing corresponding to a second attachment position within the dishwashing machine .
  17. 17 . The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 16 , wherein the first spacing of the first plurality of apertures includes even spacing in a height and a width dimension .
  18. 18 . The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 16 , wherein the first spacing of the first plurality of apertures includes uneven spacing in a height dimension .
  19. 19. The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 16 , wherein the first spacing of the first plurality of apertures includes uneven spacing in a width dimension . Docket No . 01573
  20. 20 . The dishwashing machine curtain system of claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of apertures have a first aperture shape corresponding to a shape of first attachment points within a dishwashing machine, and wherein the second plurality of apertures have a second aperture shape corresponding to a shape of second attachment points within the dishwashing machine .

Description

Docket No. 01573 CONVEYOR CURTAIN MOUNTING BRACKET FIELD [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to commercial dishwashing machines, and more particularly to conveyor curtains. BACKGROUND [0002] Rudimentary dishwashing machines first appeared in the 1850s, and were typically fashioned of wood and handoperated cranking mechanisms. Nearly a century later electric dishwashing machines were introduced, first in commercial, but eventually in residential settings. [0003] By the 1970s, energy efficiency became the focus of advancements in dishwashing technology, culminating in the formation of the Energy Star program in the 1990s. Since that time, dishwashing machines have advanced to include various types of sensing, cycles, and systems. [0004] Nevertheless, there are vast differences between commercial dishwashing machines and those employed within residential settings. Where residential dishwashing machines operate as an enclosed system, commercial dishwashing machines may have a tunnel-type pass through, including multiple zones, and a conveyor for continuously passing dishes through the machine. Each zone may perform a different cycle. [0005] Commercial dishwashing machines have a number of drawbacks. They have a high initial cost and reguire regular maintenance. Further, modern dishwashing machines may have a learning curve in order for proper set up and operation. Failure to properly maintain the dishwashing machine and provide training on use may cause higher energy cost, higher water consumption, increased noise during use, increased Docket No . 01573 consumption of chemicals , higher maintenance costs , and so forth . [ 0006 ] Therefore , it would be desirable to optimize curtain placement and/or orientation within the tunnel-type dishwashing machine in order to improve performance of the operations performed within the tunnel . SUMMARY [ 0007 ] A dishwashing machine curtain comprising a curtain element, a header element positioned at a top of the curtain element, and a rigid element bonded to the header element . [ 0008 ] A dishwashing machine curtain comprising a curtain element, a header element positioned at a top of the curtain element, and a rigid element, wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through the header element and the rigid element . [ 0009 ] A dishwashing machine curtain comprising a curtain element, a header element positioned at a top of the curtain element, and a rigid element bonded to the header element, wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through the header element and the rigid element . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [ 0010 ] Various aspects and advantages will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which : [ 0011 ] FIG . 1 illustrates a front view of a dishwashing machine curtain; [ 0012 ] FIG . 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mounting bracket of a dishwashing machine curtain; [ 0013 ] FIG . 3 illustrates a front view of a dishwashing machine curtain; Docket No . 01573 [ 0014 ] FIG . 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mounting bracket of a dishwashing machine curtain . DETAILED DESCRIPTION [ 0015 ] The following disclosure includes a method and apparatus for forming a mounting bracket at the top of a dishwashing machine curtain which overcomes the drawbacks of commercial dishwashing machines . The mounting bracket presented in this disclosure may reduce the cost of regular maintenance . In particular, incorrect placement of curtains to partition the adj acent zones of the dishwashing machine may reduce premature wear and tear on various components of the dishwashing machine . Further, the mounting bracket presented in this disclosure may reduce the requisite learning curve needed to properly set up and operate dishwashing machines . In particular, staf f may be prevented from improperly placing curtains between adj acent zones . The mounting bracket presented in this disclosure may ensure proper maintenance of the dishwashing machine and thereby prevent higher energy cost , higher water consumption, increased noise during use , increased consumption of chemicals , higher maintenance costs , and so forth . [ 0016 ] A dishwashing machine curtain may have a header element and a curtain element suspended below the header element . The header element may be formed by a loop of material forming a pocket along a width of the header element . A rigid element may extend through the pocket . The header element and the rigid element may be bonded and/or sealed . A plurality of apertures may be formed through the header element and the rigid element to allow the dishwashing machine curtain to be installed in a commercial dishwashing machine ( e . g . , a tunnel-type dishwashing machine ) . Docket No. 01573 [0017] FIGs . 1 and 2 illustrate a dishwashing machine curtain 100 having a curtain element 110 and a header element 120. Header element 120 may be positioned at the top of