EP2825086B1 - Unloading system for conveyor warewashers - Google Patents
Unloading system for conveyor warewashers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2825086B1 EP2825086B1 EP13710955.9A EP13710955A EP2825086B1 EP 2825086 B1 EP2825086 B1 EP 2825086B1 EP 13710955 A EP13710955 A EP 13710955A EP 2825086 B1 EP2825086 B1 EP 2825086B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- conveyor belt
- conveyor
- warewasher
- tray
- guide
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims description 115
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 34
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 16
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012432 intermediate storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/24—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with movement of the crockery baskets by conveyors
- A47L15/241—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with movement of the crockery baskets by conveyors the dishes moving in a horizontal plane
- A47L15/245—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with movement of the crockery baskets by conveyors the dishes moving in a horizontal plane the dishes being placed directly on the conveyors, i.e. not in dish racks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/0092—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware specially adapted to wash large items like pots, trays, baking trays, cooking grids
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/24—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with movement of the crockery baskets by conveyors
- A47L15/247—Details specific to conveyor-type machines, e.g. curtains
- A47L15/248—Details specific to conveyor-type machines, e.g. curtains relating to the conveyors
Definitions
- the invention relates to an unloading system for conveyor warewashers for the automatic unloading of upended trays in a tray stacking station, and also to a conveyor warewasher comprising an unloading system of this type.
- the invention also relates to a conveyor warewasher comprising at least one washing zone and at least one clear rinsing zone and also comprising a transport apparatus for transporting wash ware through the at least one washing zone and the at least one clear rinsing zone, wherein, in the end region of the conveyor warewasher on the outlet side, an unloading system is provided for the automatic removal and unloading of trays transported through the treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher.
- the conveyor warewasher according to the invention is in particular a commercial conveyor warewasher and can be formed as a flight-type warewasher or as a rack-conveyor warewasher.
- Conveyor warewashers are used in the commercial field. In contrast to domestic warewashers, in which the wash ware to be cleaned remains stationary in the machine during the cleaning process, with conveyor warewashers the wash ware is transported through various treatment zones of the machine.
- the wash ware such as trays, crockery, pans, glassware, cutlery and other utensils to be cleaned, is conveyed through a number of treatment zones, such as a pre-washing zone or zones, a main washing zone or zones, a post-washing or pre-rinsing zone or zones, a clear rinsing zone or zones and a drying zone or zones.
- a transport apparatus is used, which generally has compartments for receiving wash ware.
- the compartments may be formed by support fingers on a conveyor belt of the transport apparatus.
- dish racks in which compartments may be formed for receiving the wash ware to be treated, are used as a transport apparatus.
- the dish racks it is conceivable for the dish racks to be transported through the rack-conveyor warewasher by means of a conveying device.
- the wash ware to be cleaned is normally presorted before being put into the conveyor belt.
- a rack-conveyor warewasher is known from document US 6 530 996 B2 , with which the wash ware to be treated is presorted in dish racks and is then fed to the respective treatment zones.
- the presorting process is usually carried out in such a way that the set of crockery and cutlery is removed from a tray to be cleaned and the tray is then stacked in front of the transport apparatus or in the inlet region (dirty side) of the conveyor warewasher. Every now and then, the trays from this tray stack, once sorted, are put into the conveyor belt of the warewasher and are cleaned.
- This sorted approach has the advantage that trays cannot throw any spray shadows onto smaller wash ware items stacked behind the trays.
- the workflow of the stacking and unloading is highly simplified and more efficient compared to a mixing of the wash ware with the trays to be cleaned.
- the operating staff of the conveyor warewasher have to integrate each tray twice into their workflow at the machine inlet: firstly when removing the cutlery and crockery items from the tray to be cleaned and secondly when actually putting the tray into the conveyor belt of the conveyor warewasher.
- the object of the invention is to develop a conveyor warewasher of the type described in the introduction, in such a way that it is possible to make the entire washing and rinsing process more efficient, whereby in particular the labor time of the ware-washing staff can be shortened and the resource consumption of the warewasher can be reduced.
- US 3 522 872 discloses an unloading system for the conveyor warewashers according to the preamble of claim 1.
- an unloading system for conveyor warewashers for the automatic unloading of upended trays in a tray stacking station, in which the unloaded trays are oriented horizontally is therefore proposed.
- the unloading system has a sliding surface inclined in the direction of the tray stacking station and a guide, with which upended trays can be transferred in succession to the sliding surface, preferably in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, by a combined tilting and linear movement.
- the unloading system according to the invention is suitable in particular for a conveyor warewasher, preferably a commercial conveyor warewasher, which has at least one washing zone and at least one clear rinsing zone as well as a transport apparatus in order to transport wash ware through the at least one washing zone and the at least one clear rinsing zone.
- the transport apparatus has a first conveyor belt for receiving trays or tray-like wash ware in an upended state.
- the unloading system according to the invention is provided in the end region of the conveyor warewasher on the outlet side of the warewasher machine in order to automatically unload the trays, received by the first conveyor belt in an upended state, in a tray stacking station in which the unloaded trays are oriented horizontally.
- the work of the operating staff is considerably lessened, in particular at the outlet of the conveyor warewasher, since the trays, which are generally transported with a high transport speed through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher and which consequently arrive at the outlet of the warewasher machine with a high throughput rate, are deposited automatically, that is to say without manual intervention, in a corresponding tray stacking station.
- the tray stacking station may be a trolley, on which the unloaded trays are arranged one above the other, oriented horizontally.
- tray used herein is to be understood to mean not only trays in the literal sense, but also tray-like wash ware, that is to say flat wash ware such as flat plates, etc., for example.
- the transport apparatus of the conveyor warewasher in addition to the first conveyor belt, also has at least one second conveyor belt, running parallel thereto, for other wash ware, such as pans, cutlery or glassware.
- the first conveyor belt preferably has a width which is reduced compared to the second conveyor belt, such that a tray or a tray-like wash ware can only be received by the first conveyor belt if said tray or tray-like wash ware is provided in an upended state and is oriented parallel to the direction of transport.
- width of the conveyor belt used herein is to be understood to mean the horizontal extension of the conveyor belt transversely, that is to say perpendicularly, to the direction of transport.
- a separate conveyor belt (first conveyor belt) is provided, in which trays or tray-like objects can be placed in an upended state and oriented parallel to the direction of transport, it is possible to clean the trays or tray-like objects simultaneously with other wash ware, without a risk of the trays or tray-like objects throwing a spray shadow during the cleaning process onto the wash ware to be cleaned simultaneously with the trays or the tray-like objects.
- the orientation of the trays or tray-like objects parallel to the direction of travel of the first and second conveyor belt requires a minimal utilization of the total belt area.
- This minimal area utilization means that the second conveyor belt, which is provided for the other wash ware, remains usable, virtually without limitations. Both glassware racks and GN containers can be put onto the second conveyor belt next to a tray placed on the first conveyor belt.
- the arrangement of two conveyor belts thus shortens the total washing and rinsing process in a commercial scullery area and therefore represents a shortening of the labor time of the ware-washing staff and also a reduction of the resource consumption of the conveyor warewasher.
- the transport speed of the first conveyor belt is increased compared to the transport speed of the second conveyor belt.
- This increase in transport speed enables each tray to be put in place without delay at the moment at which all cutlery and crockery items are removed from the tray. It is therefore possible for the trays not to be deposited on a stack after removal of the crockery and cutlery items possibly present on the tray, but to be put directly into the first conveyor belt. In this embodiment, there is thus no second process step with the respective tray.
- Automatic tray unloading at the machine outlet is likewise preferable for this machine configuration, since the operating staff may possibly be overburdened at the machine outlet with the unloading of the conveyor warewasher due to the cleaning processes being carried out in parallel on both conveyor belts.
- the set of cutlery falls automatically (propelled by the force of gravity) from the upright tray into the cutlery lane (further conveyor belt) and also into a provided container after the washing and drying processes. The handling of the cutlery is thus omitted completely.
- wash ware types such as plates and/or bowls
- automatic unloading systems are already known for all of these wash ware types from partial and full automatic machine technology. Due to the increased degree of automation as a result of these special lanes in conjunction with automated unloading, labor time can be saved both on the clean side and dirty side of the conveyor warewasher. The rinsing process thus proceeds more efficiently and the overall time for said process is shortened, and therefore resources can also be saved in addition to labor time.
- the guide of the unloading system is preferably associated with a conveyor belt of the conveyor warewasher, on which the trays or the tray-like objects can be transported through the conveyor warewasher in an upended state.
- the guide is offset laterally, at least in some regions, in relation to the conveyor belt and extends above the conveyor belt and is inclined in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane.
- conveyor belt plane used herein is to be understood to mean the horizontal plane in which the conveyor belt extends, onto which the wash ware to be cleaned in the conveyor warewasher is put in order to be transported through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher. Since the guide is offset laterally, at least in some regions, in relation to the conveyor belt and extends above the conveyor belt, this guide is not only used to guide the upended wash ware through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher, but simultaneously also to support the upended wash ware.
- this guide Since, in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, this guide is inclined, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane, the support point defined by the guide moves in this region in the direction of the conveyor belt plane, as a result of which a tilting movement of the upended trays is caused.
- the end of the guide which is inclined in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane, lies before the actual end of the conveyor belt, as viewed in the direction of transport of the conveyor belt. It is thus ensured in a manner that can be implemented easily, but is still effective, that the upended trays can be transferred to the sliding surface in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher by a combined tilting and linear movement.
- Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveyor warewasher 1, with which a transport apparatus 2 is used for transporting wash ware (not illustrated in figure 1 ) in a direction of transport T through the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the conveyor warewasher 1 shown in figure 1 is suitable in particular for providing an unloading system according to the present invention in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher 1 in order to automatically unload in a tray stacking station the wash ware transported through the conveyor warewasher 1 with the aid of the transport apparatus 2.
- Exemplary embodiments of suitable unloading systems will be described hereinafter with reference to the illustrations in figures 5 to 12 .
- the conveyor warewasher 1 comprises at least one washing zone, for example as illustrated in figure 1 , a pre-washing zone 10 and two main washing zones 11.1, 11.2, which are arranged after the pre-washing zone 10, as viewed in the direction of transport T.
- a post-washing zone 12 is arranged after the at least one washing zone 10, 11.1, 11.2, and at least one clear rinsing zone, for example merely a single clear rinsing zone 13 as illustrated, is arranged after the post-washing zone 12.
- the clear rinsing zone 13 is adjoined in the direction of transport T of the wash ware by a drying zone 14 in the case of the conveyor warewasher 1 illustrated in figure 1 .
- the respective zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13, 14 of the conveyor warewasher 1 can be separated from one another by separating curtains 5.
- the inlet tunnel 3 of the conveyor warewasher 1 is also itself separated from the inlet 4 by a separating curtain 5. Due to the provision of the separating curtains 5, washing liquid and final rinse liquid are prevented from overspraying, and vapors are prevented from exiting from the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the aforementioned treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 of the conveyor warewasher 1 are associated with rinse nozzles 30a, 30b, 31.1a, 31.1b, 31.2a, 31.2b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b, 33c.
- These rinse nozzles 30a, 30b, 31.1a, 31.1b, 31.2a, 31.2b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b, 33c are used to spray liquid onto the wash ware to be treated when said wash ware is transported through the respective treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 by the transport apparatus 2.
- the individual rinse systems of the treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 ensure that the wash ware to be treated is rinsed down both from the upper side and from the underside.
- the final rinsing zone 13 comprises not only downwardly directed upper final rinse nozzles 33a and upwardly directed lower final rinse nozzles 33b however, but also transversely directed lateral final rinse nozzles 33c on each side of the transport apparatus 2.
- the use of lateral final rinse nozzles 33c enables selective spraying of the wash ware surfaces (crockery surfaces) with final rinse liquid, even in shadow zones.
- the use of lateral final rinse nozzles 33c in the clear rinsing zone 13 has a significant advantage in terms of the final rinse result (effective rinsing-off of detergent residues on crockery surfaces, even in shadow zones) compared to systems in which only upper and lower clear rinsing zones 33a, 33b are provided in the clear rinsing zone 13, with no transversely directed lateral final rinse nozzles 33c.
- the post-washing or pre-rinsing zone 12, main washing zones 11.1, 11.2 and pre-washing zone 10 are also associated with tanks (post-washing tank 22, main washing tanks 21.1, 21.2, pre-washing tank 20) for receiving sprayed liquid and/or for providing liquid for the rinse nozzles 30a, 30b, 31.1a, 31.1b, 31.2a, 31.2b, 32a, 32b of the respective treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12.
- final rinse liquid which is composed of fresh water with added rinse aid, is sprayed in the conveyor warewasher 1 illustrated in figure 1 onto the wash ware (not illustrated) via the final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c arranged above and below the transport apparatus 2 and arranged laterally.
- Some of the sprayed final rinse liquid is transported from treatment zone to treatment zone, against the direction of transport T of the wash ware, via a cascade system.
- the rest of the final rinse liquid sprayed in the clear rinsing zone 13 is conveyed directly into the pre-washing tank 20 associated with the pre-washing zone 10 via a valve V1 and a bypass line 6.
- the final rinse liquid sprayed by the final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c flows by means of the force of gravity from the clear rinsing zone 13 into the post-washing tank 22 associated with the post-washing zone 12.
- the final rinse liquid collected by the post-washing tank 22 and sprayed in the clear rinsing zone 13 is then conveyed with the aid of a post-washing pump 36 to the rinse nozzles in the post-washing zone 12 (upper and lower post-washing nozzles 32a, 32b).
- Washing liquid is rinsed from the wash ware in the post-washing zone 12.
- the liquid (post-washing liquid) accumulating in this case flows by means of the force of gravity into the main washing tank 21.1 associated with the first main washing zone 11.1.
- a drainage element 7, for example a drainage floor or a baffle plate, is preferably provided for this purpose and guides the post-washing liquid sprayed by the post-washing nozzles 32a, 32b into the main washing tank 21.1.
- the drainage element 7 can be omitted if the main washing tank 21.1 extends below the post-washing nozzles 32a, 32b of the post-washing zone 12.
- the liquid received by the main washing tank 21.1 of the first main washing zone 11.1 is usually provided with a detergent and is sprayed onto the wash ware with the aid of a first main washing pump 35.1 via the rinse nozzles of the first main washing zone 11.1 (upper and lower main washing nozzles 31.1a, 31.1b).
- the washing liquid sprayed by the main washing nozzles 31.1a, 31.1b then flows back into the main washing tank 21.1 by means of the force of gravity.
- the main washing tank 21.1 is in fluid connection via an overflow line 9.1 with the main washing tank 21.2 associated with the second main washing zone 11.2. Via this overflow line 9.1, the washing liquid sprayed in the first main washing zone 11.1 reaches the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2 when a sufficient amount of washing liquid is received in the main washing tank 21.1 of the first main washing zone 11.1.
- the liquid received by the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2 is sprayed onto the wash ware with the aid of a second main washing pump 35.2 via the rinse nozzles of the second main washing zone 11.2 (upper and lower main washing nozzles 31.2a, 31.2b).
- the washing liquid sprayed by means of the main washing nozzles 31.2a, 31.2b then flows by means of the force of gravity back into the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2.
- the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2 is in fluid connection via an overflow line 9.2 with the pre-washing tank 20 associated with the pre-washing zone 10. Via this overflow line 9.2, the washing liquid sprayed in the second main washing zone 11.2 reaches the pre-washing tank 20 when a sufficient amount of washing liquid is received in the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2.
- the liquid received in the pre-washing tank 20 of the pre-washing zone 10 is then sprayed onto the wash ware with the aid of a pre-washing pump 34 via the rinse nozzles of the pre-washing zone 10 (upper and lower pre-washing nozzles 30a, 30b) in order to remove coarse contaminations from the wash ware.
- the washing liquid sprayed by means of the pre-washing nozzles 30a, 30b then flows back into the pre-washing tank 20 by means of the force of gravity.
- the pre-washing tank 20 is provided with an overflow line 8, which is used, when a specific liquid level in the pre-washing tank 20 is exceeded, to feed the excess volume of liquid to a wastewater network.
- the liquid sprayed in the main washing zones 11.1, 11.2 and in the pre-washing zone 10 preferably contains detergent, which for example is added in a metered manner to the liquid received in the main washing tank 21.1 of the first main washing zone 11.1 with the aid of a detergent metering apparatus (not shown in the drawings).
- the clear rinsing zone 13 is adjoined in the direction of transport T by the drying zone 14.
- the wash ware is dried using dry and heated air in order to blow off or dry moisture located on the wash ware.
- the warm and moist air in the drying zone 14 is then removed from the drying zone 14 via a further opening, for example with the aid of a fan 15.
- a device 16 for heat recovery in which a condenser may be provided for example.
- the device 16 for heat recovery is used to recover at least some of the heat energy contained in the exhaust air. This recovered heat energy can be used for example to heat the liquid to be sprayed in the clear rinsing zone 13.
- the tanks (pre-washing tank 20, main washing tanks 21.1, 21.2, post-washing tank 22) associated with the treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12 are empty or are only filled insufficiently, they must first be filled via a fresh water line 18 and/or by the spraying of final rinse liquid in the clear rinsing zone 13.
- the fresh water line 18 is connectable to a fresh water supply network via a controllable valve V3.
- the volume of washing liquid available in the main washing zones 11.1, 11.2 and in the pre-washing zone 10 can be monitored respectively with the aid of a level sensor provided in the main washing tank 21.1, 21.2 of the first and/or second main washing zone 11.1, 11.2 or with the aid of a level sensor provided in the pre-washing tank 20, and signaled to a control apparatus 40.
- the clear rinsing zone 13 may be associated with a fresh water container 23 for the intermediate storage of at least some of the fresh water provided for the final rinsing process.
- the fresh water container 23 is provided on the one hand with a fresh water connection, which can be connected to a fresh water supply network via a controllable fresh water feed valve V2.
- the fresh water container 23 is connected to the intake side of a final rinse pump 37.
- the delivery side of the final rinse pump 37 is connected to the upstream end region 47 of a main line system 44, via which fresh water from the fresh water container 23 is conveyed to the final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c upon actuation of the final rinse pump 37.
- the main line system 44 connects the delivery side of the final rinse pump 37 to a water heater 17 (boiler).
- the main line system 44 is designed in such a way that the liquid fed from the final rinse pump 37 to the final rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c first passes the device 16 for heat recovery, before it reaches the water heater 17. It is thus possible to use at least some of the thermal energy of the exhaust air conducted away from the drying zone 14 to heat the liquid fed via the main line system 44 to the rinse nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c.
- a region of a first exemplary embodiment of a transport apparatus 2 is shown schematically in figures 2a and 2b and is suitable for use in a conveyor warewasher 1 according to the illustration in figure 1 .
- a plan view of the region of the transport apparatus 2 on the outlet side of the warewasher machine is shown in figure 2a , whereas the corresponding cross-sectional view is illustrated in figure 2b .
- the transport apparatus 2 illustrated in figures 2a and 2b has a first conveyor belt 50 for trays or tray-like wash ware 100 as well as a second conveyor belt 51, extending parallel to the first conveyor belt 50, for other wash ware, in particular plates 101, bowls 102 and/or cutlery 103.
- the first conveyor belt 50 is relatively narrow, such that a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 can only be received by the first conveyor belt 50 in an upended state and oriented parallel to the direction of transport T.
- the orientation of the wash ware 100 to be received by the first conveyor belt 50 parallel to the direction of travel of the first conveyor belt 50 results in a minimal utilization of the total belt area.
- the first conveyor belt 50 has a reduced width, such that only a minimal area of the total belt area is occupied by the first conveyor belt 50, which allows trays or tray-like wash ware 100 to be put onto said conveyor belt precisely when said wash ware 100 is provided in an upended state and is oriented parallel to the direction of transport T.
- the second conveyor belt 51 makes it possible for the second conveyor belt 51 to still have a sufficient width to remain usable practically without limitations for the transport of other wash ware, in particular plates 101, bowls 102 and/or cutlery 103, through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- glassware racks or GN containers can thus still also be put onto the second conveyor belt 51 beside the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on the first conveyor belt 50.
- a tray 100 as well as two plates 101 are arranged beside one another in the embodiment illustrated in figures 2a and 2b , wherein the tray 100 is placed onto the first conveyor belt 50 of the transport apparatus 2 and the plates 101 are placed on the second conveyor belt 51 of the transport apparatus 2.
- the plates 101 are held on the second conveyor belt 51 with the aid of compartments, wherein these compartments are formed by support fingers 63 provided on the second conveyor belt 51.
- the second conveyor belt 51 (in spite of the provision of a first conveyor belt 50 extending parallel to the second conveyor belt 51) has a sufficient width to also receive conventional glassware racks, etc. This is achieved without the need for the conveyor warewasher 1 to have a transport apparatus 2 that is wider on the whole.
- the solution according to the invention thus makes it possible to simultaneously clean both trays or tray-like wash ware 100 and other wash ware, in particular plates 101, bowls 102 and/or cutlery 103. Cleaning processes taking place in parallel can therefore be implemented over both conveyor belts 50, 51, which ultimately shortens the overall washing and rinsing process in a commercial scullery area. This in turn shortens the labor time of the ware-washing staff and leads to a reduction of the resource consumption of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the first conveyor belt 50 is designed to receive trays or tray-like wash ware 100, wherein said wash ware is supported on the first conveyor belt area via a rim or edge region 100'.
- a guide associated with the first conveyor belt 50 is provided. This guide is preferably used not only to hold the wash ware 100 on the first conveyor belt 50, but also to guide the wash ware 100 received on the first conveyor belt 50 when said wash ware is transported through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- a guide of this type is implemented in the form of a lower guide groove on the one hand and in the form of an upper guide rail on the other hand. It can be deduced in particular from the illustration in figure 2b that a guide groove 60 formed in the first conveyor belt 50 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the first conveyor belt 50 is designed to guide and hold the tray-like wash ware 100 received on the first conveyor belt 50. This guide groove 60 is used to receive a rim or edge region 100' of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto the first conveyor belt 50.
- an upper guide element 61 arranged opposite the first conveyor belt 50 is used in the embodiment illustrated in figures 2a and 2b and is formed here as a guide rail. As indicated in figure 2b , this guide element 61 is designed to receive a region 100" of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto the first conveyor belt 50 and to guide the wash ware 100 during transport through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1. It can be seen that, as a result of the provision of the lower guide groove 60 and of the upper guide element 61, the wash ware 100 put in an upended manner onto the first conveyor belt is securely held on the first conveyor belt 50.
- the upper guide element 61 is preferably designed to receive a region 100" of the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto the first conveyor belt 50, said region being arranged opposite the rim or edge region 100' via which the tray or the tray-like wash ware 100 is supported on the first conveyor belt 50.
- the upper guide element 61 is adjustable in the vertical direction.
- the upper guide element 61 can thus be adapted to the height of an upended tray or tray-like wash ware 100 to be received by the first conveyor belt 50, in a manner that can be easily implemented.
- the first conveyor belt 50 is therefore suitable for receiving trays 100 that are supported on the first conveyor belt 50 via their longitudinal side edge, and also for receiving trays 100 that are supported on the first conveyor belt 50 via their transverse side edge.
- the first conveyor belt 50 can thus be used in a versatile manner for different applications.
- a belt guide 62 associated with the first conveyor belt 50 is provided.
- a belt guide 62 of this type is in particular advantageous if, as with the embodiment illustrated in figures 2a and 2b , the first conveyor belt 50 is formed as an endless drive belt.
- the first conveyor belt 50 is formed as a flat belt, V-belt, toothed belt or round belt in order to provide an additional guide of the first conveyor belt 50.
- the belt guide 62 associated with the first conveyor belt 50 may be fastened for example to belt rod shafts 55 of the second conveyor belt 51, whereby a compact design of the transport apparatus 2 is achieved.
- the belt guide 62 may also be considered.
- a guide groove 60 formed in the first conveyor belt 50 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the first conveyor belt 50 is provided, in which a rim or edge region 100' of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto the first conveyor belt 50 can be received in order to guide the wash ware 100 put onto the first conveyor belt 50 in an upended manner during transport through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the belt guide 62 is used in order to guide not only the first conveyor belt 50, but also the wash ware 100 put onto the first conveyor belt 50 during transport through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the belt guide 62 is formed as a vertically oriented guide surface
- said vertically oriented guide surface can simultaneously also be used as a stop surface for a rim or edge region 100' of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on the first conveyor belt 50 and positioned in an upended manner.
- the rim or edge region 100' of the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on the first conveyor belt 50 and positioned in an upended manner can be supported at the vertically oriented guide surface of the belt guide 62, which enables guidance of the wash ware 100 received on the first conveyor belt 50 through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the upper guide element 61 is formed as a guide rail.
- This guide rail preferably extends in such a way that at the outlet of the conveyor warewasher 1, that is to say after the at least one clear rinsing zone 13 as viewed in the direction of transport T, a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on the first conveyor belt 50 is transferred from its upended state into its horizontally oriented normal state and is then unloaded.
- the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 originally received on the first conveyor belt 50 is automatically unloaded at the machine outlet, which enables a further reduction of the operating staff at the machine outlet.
- the first conveyor belt 50 which is provided for the transport of trays or tray-like wash ware 100
- the increase in transport speed enables the trays or the tray-like wash ware 100 to be put in place without delay at the moment at which all cutlery and crockery items are removed from the tray.
- the trays 100 therefore are not deposited in a stack once the crockery and cutlery items have been removed, but are put directly into the first conveyor belt 50. A second process step with the respective tray 100 is thus omitted.
- a common drive apparatus via which the first and second conveyor belts 50, 51 are driven jointly, is provided for the first and second conveyor belt 50, 51.
- first conveyor belt 50 In order to implement different transport speeds with a common drive apparatus for the first and second conveyor belt 50, 51, it is conceivable for the first conveyor belt 50 to be connected to the common drive apparatus via a first drive shaft associated with the first conveyor belt 50 and via a first gear apparatus associated with the first conveyor belt 50, whereas the second conveyor belt 51 is connected to the common drive apparatus via a second drive shaft associated with the second conveyor belt 51 and via a second gear apparatus associated with the second conveyor belt 51.
- the respective transmission ratio of the first and second gear apparatus is preferably selected in such a way that the transport speed at which a wash ware 100 received by the first conveyor belt 50 is transported through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1 is greater than the transport speed at which a wash ware 101, 102, 103 received by the second conveyor belt 51 is transported through the respective treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the embodiment of the transport apparatus 2 illustrated in figures 3a and 3b differs from the embodiment described previously with reference to the illustrations in figures 2a and 2b in that, in addition to the first and second conveyor belt 50, 51, a further conveyor belt 52 is provided.
- This further conveyor belt 52 extends in the embodiment illustrated in figures 3a and 3b parallel to the first and the second conveyor belt 50, 51 and is used to receive cutlery or cutlery-like wash ware 103.
- the further conveyor belt 52 preferably extends directly beside the first conveyor belt 50 and between the first and second conveyor belt 50, 51.
- the further conveyor belt 52 also has a reduced width compared to the total belt area, and in particular compared to the width of the second conveyor belt 51, so as to ensure a minimal utilization of the total belt area.
- the second conveyor belt 51 is still suitable for receiving glassware racks for example or two wash ware items arranged side-by-side, such as a plate 101 and a bowl 102.
- the cutlery 103 received by the further conveyor belt 52 falls into a container provided at the machine outlet after passing through the conveyor warewasher 1, which enables a further reduction of the operating staff at the machine outlet.
- this embodiment makes it possible both at the machine inlet (dirty side of the conveyor warewasher 1) and at the machine outlet (clean side of the conveyor warewasher 1) to dispense completely with any handling of the cutlery.
- an automatic stacking or unloading device is provided for each conveyor belt 51a, 51b at the machine inlet (dirty side of the conveyor warewasher 1) and/or at the machine outlet (clean side of the conveyor warewasher 1) in order to stack or unload plates 101 on the conveyor belt 51a and in order to stack or unload bowls 102 on the conveyor belt 51b.
- the degree of automation of the conveyor warewasher 1 is increased, such that labor time both on the clean side and on the dirty side of the conveyor warewasher 1 can be saved.
- the rinsing process thus proceeds more efficiently and is shortened on the whole, such that resources can also be saved in addition to labor time.
- each conveyor belt 50, 51, 51a, 51b, 52 can preferably be set individually.
- the unloading system 70 is suitable in particular for conveyor warewashers 1 of the previously described type in order to unload upended trays 100 in a tray stacking station 80 in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the tray stacking station 80 is formed in the manner of a trolley, which is designed to receive, in a stacked state, the trays 100 cleaned in the conveyor warewasher 1.
- other embodiments may also be considered as a tray stacking station 80.
- the tray stacking station 80 formed in the manner of a trolley is arranged to the side of the conveyor warewasher 1 in the outlet region.
- the unloading system 70 may however also be formed in such a way that the trays 100 are unloaded in a tray stacking station 80 provided at the front end of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the unloading system 70 is particularly suitable with conveyor warewashers 1, of which the transport apparatus 2 comprises a separate (first) conveyor belt 50, which is designed to receive trays or tray-like objects 100 in an upended state and to transport these through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the transport apparatus 2 of the conveyor warewasher 1 preferably comprises at least one further (second) conveyor belt 51, extending parallel to the first conveyor belt 50, for other wash ware.
- the first conveyor belt 50 has a reduced width compared to the second conveyor belt 51, such that a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 can then only be received from the first conveyor belt 50 when said tray or tray-like wash ware is provided in an upended state and is oriented parallel to the direction of transport T.
- the tray 100 received by the first conveyor belt 50 is supported via its lower edge or its lower rim by the conveyor belt 50.
- a guide 72 is provided in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher 1 and guides the upended tray 100 as said tray is transported in the direction of transport T.
- the guide 72 extends in a laterally offset manner, at least in some regions, in relation to the first conveyor belt 50 and above the first conveyor belt 50 such that the guide 72 not only performs a guiding function, but also a supporting function, since the guide 72 accordingly supports the tray 100 put in an upended manner onto the first conveyor belt 50.
- the guide 72 is provided not only in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher 1, but extends through the entire treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1 in order to accordingly support and guide the upended wash ware 100 during transport thereof through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher 1.
- the guide 72 is inclined in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher 1, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane. More specifically, the guide 72 no longer runs in this region in a horizontal plane extending parallel to the conveyor belt plane, but at an incline with respect to the conveyor belt plane. As a result, a tray 100, which is transported with the aid of the first conveyor belt 50 in the direction of transport T along the guide 72, is tilted in the inclined region of the guide 72, whereas the tray 100 is simultaneously moved further in the direction of transport T by the first conveyor belt 50.
- the tilting movement is produced since the support provided by the guide 72 is shifted further in the direction of the conveyor belt in the inclined region of the guide 72.
- the upended tray 100 is tilted after a foreseeable sequence of events in the direction of its horizontally oriented state.
- the end of the guide 72 is arranged before the end of the conveyor belt, as viewed in the direction of transport T of the first conveyor belt 50.
- the trays 100 transported with the aid of the first conveyor belt 50 are already provided in a horizontally oriented state before the end of the conveyor belt.
- a sliding surface 71 is also used.
- This sliding surface 71 is arranged offset laterally in relation to the first conveyor belt 50, as can be deduced in particular from the illustration in figure 5 , and is inclined away from the first conveyor belt 50.
- the trays 100 previously transferred with the aid of the inclined region of the guide 72 into their horizontally oriented state are thus fed via the sliding surface 72 to the tray stacking station 80 provided to the side of the first conveyor belt 50.
- the sliding surface 71 may be arranged after the end of the first conveyor belt 50 on the outlet side of the warewasher machine, as viewed in the direction of transport T of the first conveyor belt 50.
- the tray stacking station 80 can be arranged after the end of the conveyor belt 50 on the outlet side of the warewasher machine.
- the unloading system 70 according to the second exemplary embodiment may preferably be used with conveyor warewashers 1 with wall installation.
Landscapes
- Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to an unloading system for conveyor warewashers for the automatic unloading of upended trays in a tray stacking station, and also to a conveyor warewasher comprising an unloading system of this type.
- The invention also relates to a conveyor warewasher comprising at least one washing zone and at least one clear rinsing zone and also comprising a transport apparatus for transporting wash ware through the at least one washing zone and the at least one clear rinsing zone, wherein, in the end region of the conveyor warewasher on the outlet side, an unloading system is provided for the automatic removal and unloading of trays transported through the treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher.
- The conveyor warewasher according to the invention is in particular a commercial conveyor warewasher and can be formed as a flight-type warewasher or as a rack-conveyor warewasher.
- Conveyor warewashers are used in the commercial field. In contrast to domestic warewashers, in which the wash ware to be cleaned remains stationary in the machine during the cleaning process, with conveyor warewashers the wash ware is transported through various treatment zones of the machine.
- With conveyor warewashers, the wash ware, such as trays, crockery, pans, glassware, cutlery and other utensils to be cleaned, is conveyed through a number of treatment zones, such as a pre-washing zone or zones, a main washing zone or zones, a post-washing or pre-rinsing zone or zones, a clear rinsing zone or zones and a drying zone or zones. To transport wash ware in a direction of transport through the conveyor warewasher, a transport apparatus is used, which generally has compartments for receiving wash ware. With a flight-type warewasher, the compartments may be formed by support fingers on a conveyor belt of the transport apparatus. With rack-conveyor warewashers, dish racks, in which compartments may be formed for receiving the wash ware to be treated, are used as a transport apparatus. In this case, it is conceivable for the dish racks to be transported through the rack-conveyor warewasher by means of a conveying device.
- The wash ware to be cleaned is normally presorted before being put into the conveyor belt. For example, a rack-conveyor warewasher is known from document
US 6 530 996 B2 , with which the wash ware to be treated is presorted in dish racks and is then fed to the respective treatment zones. - With regard to trays or tray-like objects, the presorting process is usually carried out in such a way that the set of crockery and cutlery is removed from a tray to be cleaned and the tray is then stacked in front of the transport apparatus or in the inlet region (dirty side) of the conveyor warewasher. Every now and then, the trays from this tray stack, once sorted, are put into the conveyor belt of the warewasher and are cleaned. This sorted approach has the advantage that trays cannot throw any spray shadows onto smaller wash ware items stacked behind the trays. Furthermore, as a result of this approach, the workflow of the stacking and unloading is highly simplified and more efficient compared to a mixing of the wash ware with the trays to be cleaned.
- Whilst the trays from this tray stack are put in a sorted manner into the conveyor belt of the warewasher and are cleaned, it is not possible however to clean other wash ware, such as plates, bowls or other crockery, since the trays to be put into the conveyor belt normally have to be put into the conveyor belt transversely to the direction of transport and thus fill the entire available area of the conveyor belt. Compared to other wash ware types, a relatively long period of time is therefore required for the cleaning of trays.
- Furthermore, the operating staff of the conveyor warewasher have to integrate each tray twice into their workflow at the machine inlet: firstly when removing the cutlery and crockery items from the tray to be cleaned and secondly when actually putting the tray into the conveyor belt of the conveyor warewasher.
- Lastly, there are also further process steps to be carried out manually in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, since here the wash ware previously placed manually into the conveyor warewasher in the inlet region (dirty side) of the conveyor warewasher has to be removed again.
- Based on this problem, the object of the invention is to develop a conveyor warewasher of the type described in the introduction, in such a way that it is possible to make the entire washing and rinsing process more efficient, whereby in particular the labor time of the ware-washing staff can be shortened and the resource consumption of the warewasher can be reduced.
-
US 3 522 872 discloses an unloading system for the conveyor warewashers according to the preamble ofclaim 1. - This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by the subject of
independent patent claim 1. - In accordance with the invention, an unloading system for conveyor warewashers for the automatic unloading of upended trays in a tray stacking station, in which the unloaded trays are oriented horizontally, is therefore proposed. The unloading system has a sliding surface inclined in the direction of the tray stacking station and a guide, with which upended trays can be transferred in succession to the sliding surface, preferably in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, by a combined tilting and linear movement.
- The unloading system according to the invention is suitable in particular for a conveyor warewasher, preferably a commercial conveyor warewasher, which has at least one washing zone and at least one clear rinsing zone as well as a transport apparatus in order to transport wash ware through the at least one washing zone and the at least one clear rinsing zone. Here, it is preferable if the transport apparatus has a first conveyor belt for receiving trays or tray-like wash ware in an upended state. The unloading system according to the invention is provided in the end region of the conveyor warewasher on the outlet side of the warewasher machine in order to automatically unload the trays, received by the first conveyor belt in an upended state, in a tray stacking station in which the unloaded trays are oriented horizontally.
- Due to the provision of such an unloading system, the work of the operating staff is considerably lessened, in particular at the outlet of the conveyor warewasher, since the trays, which are generally transported with a high transport speed through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher and which consequently arrive at the outlet of the warewasher machine with a high throughput rate, are deposited automatically, that is to say without manual intervention, in a corresponding tray stacking station. For example, the tray stacking station may be a trolley, on which the unloaded trays are arranged one above the other, oriented horizontally.
- The term "tray" used herein is to be understood to mean not only trays in the literal sense, but also tray-like wash ware, that is to say flat wash ware such as flat plates, etc., for example.
- In a preferred embodiment of the previously described conveyor warewasher, with which an unloading system according to the present invention is used in the end region on the outlet side of the warewasher machine, the transport apparatus of the conveyor warewasher, in addition to the first conveyor belt, also has at least one second conveyor belt, running parallel thereto, for other wash ware, such as pans, cutlery or glassware. The first conveyor belt preferably has a width which is reduced compared to the second conveyor belt, such that a tray or a tray-like wash ware can only be received by the first conveyor belt if said tray or tray-like wash ware is provided in an upended state and is oriented parallel to the direction of transport.
- The term "width of the conveyor belt" used herein is to be understood to mean the horizontal extension of the conveyor belt transversely, that is to say perpendicularly, to the direction of transport.
- Since, with the last-mentioned preferred embodiment of the conveyor warewasher for trays or tray-like objects, a separate conveyor belt (first conveyor belt) is provided, in which trays or tray-like objects can be placed in an upended state and oriented parallel to the direction of transport, it is possible to clean the trays or tray-like objects simultaneously with other wash ware, without a risk of the trays or tray-like objects throwing a spray shadow during the cleaning process onto the wash ware to be cleaned simultaneously with the trays or the tray-like objects.
- Furthermore, the orientation of the trays or tray-like objects parallel to the direction of travel of the first and second conveyor belt requires a minimal utilization of the total belt area. This minimal area utilization means that the second conveyor belt, which is provided for the other wash ware, remains usable, virtually without limitations. Both glassware racks and GN containers can be put onto the second conveyor belt next to a tray placed on the first conveyor belt.
- The arrangement of two conveyor belts thus shortens the total washing and rinsing process in a commercial scullery area and therefore represents a shortening of the labor time of the ware-washing staff and also a reduction of the resource consumption of the conveyor warewasher.
- In a preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention, with the conveyor warewasher of the previously discussed type, the transport speed of the first conveyor belt is increased compared to the transport speed of the second conveyor belt. This increase in transport speed enables each tray to be put in place without delay at the moment at which all cutlery and crockery items are removed from the tray. It is therefore possible for the trays not to be deposited on a stack after removal of the crockery and cutlery items possibly present on the tray, but to be put directly into the first conveyor belt. In this embodiment, there is thus no second process step with the respective tray. Automatic tray unloading at the machine outlet is likewise preferable for this machine configuration, since the operating staff may possibly be overburdened at the machine outlet with the unloading of the conveyor warewasher due to the cleaning processes being carried out in parallel on both conveyor belts.
- The concept of providing a separate conveyor belt for specific wash ware types can be extended as desired, and various combinations of individual conveyor belts are possible. In a preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention, at least one further conveyor belt extending parallel to the first and second conveyor belt is therefore used, wherein this further conveyor belt is preferably provided for cutlery items. Here, it is preferable if the further conveyor belt provided for cutlery items runs directly beside the first conveyor belt and between the first and second conveyor belt. With this embodiment, it is no longer necessary for the operator of the conveyor warewasher to remove the set of cutlery from the respective tray at the machine inlet. Since, to feed the trays and to put said trays onto the first conveyor belt, the trays are positioned in an upended manner, the set of cutlery falls automatically (propelled by the force of gravity) from the upright tray into the cutlery lane (further conveyor belt) and also into a provided container after the washing and drying processes. The handling of the cutlery is thus omitted completely.
- Furthermore, special lanes for individual wash ware types, such as plates and/or bowls, may also be provided, since automatic unloading systems are already known for all of these wash ware types from partial and full automatic machine technology. Due to the increased degree of automation as a result of these special lanes in conjunction with automated unloading, labor time can be saved both on the clean side and dirty side of the conveyor warewasher. The rinsing process thus proceeds more efficiently and the overall time for said process is shortened, and therefore resources can also be saved in addition to labor time.
- With regard to the unloading system according to the invention, which is preferably used in the end region of the conveyor warewasher on the outlet side of the warewasher machine in order to unload there in a tray stacking station upended trays, which have been transported previously through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher, the guide of the unloading system is preferably associated with a conveyor belt of the conveyor warewasher, on which the trays or the tray-like objects can be transported through the conveyor warewasher in an upended state. The guide is offset laterally, at least in some regions, in relation to the conveyor belt and extends above the conveyor belt and is inclined in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane. The term "conveyor belt plane" used herein is to be understood to mean the horizontal plane in which the conveyor belt extends, onto which the wash ware to be cleaned in the conveyor warewasher is put in order to be transported through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher. Since the guide is offset laterally, at least in some regions, in relation to the conveyor belt and extends above the conveyor belt, this guide is not only used to guide the upended wash ware through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor warewasher, but simultaneously also to support the upended wash ware. Since, in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, this guide is inclined, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane, the support point defined by the guide moves in this region in the direction of the conveyor belt plane, as a result of which a tilting movement of the upended trays is caused.
- In a possible implementation of the unloading system according to the invention, the end of the guide, which is inclined in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane, lies before the actual end of the conveyor belt, as viewed in the direction of transport of the conveyor belt. It is thus ensured in a manner that can be implemented easily, but is still effective, that the upended trays can be transferred to the sliding surface in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher by a combined tilting and linear movement.
- The invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings on the basis of various embodiments by way of example. In this instance, like or functionally like parts are provided with like reference signs.
- In the drawings:
- figure 1
- shows a schematic longitudinal view of a conveyor warewasher, with which an unloading system according to the invention can be used in the end region of the conveyor warewasher on the outlet side of the warewasher machine in order to automatically unload in succession upended trays or tray-like objects;
- figure 2a
- shows a plan view of a partial region of a first exemplary embodiment of a transport apparatus, which can be used with a conveyor warewasher according to
figure 1 ; - figure 2b
- shows a cross-sectional view of the transport apparatus according to
figure 2a ; - figure 3a
- shows a plan view of a partial region of a second exemplary embodiment of a transport apparatus, which can be used with a conveyor warewasher according to
figure 1 ; - figure 3b
- shows a cross-sectional view of the transport apparatus according to
figure 3a ; - figure 4a
- shows a plan view of a partial region of a third exemplary embodiment of a transport apparatus, which can be used with a conveyor warewasher according to
figure 1 ; - figure 4b
- shows a cross-sectional view of the transport apparatus according to
figure 4a ; - figure 5
- shows a perspective view of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 1 with a first exemplary embodiment of the unloading system according to the invention; - figure 6
- shows a side view of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 5 ; - figure 7
- shows a front view, against the direction of transport, of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 5 ; - figure 8
- shows a plan view of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 5 ; - figure 9
- shows a perspective view of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 1 with a second exemplary embodiment of the unloading system according to the invention; - figure 10
- shows a side view of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 9 ; - figure 11
- shows a front view, against the direction of transport, of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 9 ; and - figure 12
- shows a plan view of the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher according to
figure 9 . -
Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal view of an exemplary embodiment of aconveyor warewasher 1, with which atransport apparatus 2 is used for transporting wash ware (not illustrated infigure 1 ) in a direction of transport T through theconveyor warewasher 1. The conveyor warewasher 1 shown infigure 1 is suitable in particular for providing an unloading system according to the present invention in the outlet region of theconveyor warewasher 1 in order to automatically unload in a tray stacking station the wash ware transported through theconveyor warewasher 1 with the aid of thetransport apparatus 2. Exemplary embodiments of suitable unloading systems will be described hereinafter with reference to the illustrations infigures 5 to 12 . - With the
conveyor warewasher 1 illustrated infigure 1 , it is conceivable, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the illustrations infigures 2 to 4 , for thetransport apparatus 2 to be designed for simultaneous treatment (cleaning and drying) of a plurality of wash ware types arranged in succession in order to thus make the entire washing and rinsing process more efficient, whereby in particular the labor time of the ware-washing staff can be shortened and the resource consumption of the warewasher can be reduced. - As can be deduced from the illustration in
figure 1 , theconveyor warewasher 1 according to the exemplary embodiment comprises at least one washing zone, for example as illustrated infigure 1 , apre-washing zone 10 and two main washing zones 11.1, 11.2, which are arranged after thepre-washing zone 10, as viewed in the direction of transport T. - As viewed in the direction of transport T, a
post-washing zone 12 is arranged after the at least onewashing zone 10, 11.1, 11.2, and at least one clear rinsing zone, for example merely a singleclear rinsing zone 13 as illustrated, is arranged after thepost-washing zone 12. Theclear rinsing zone 13 is adjoined in the direction of transport T of the wash ware by a dryingzone 14 in the case of theconveyor warewasher 1 illustrated infigure 1 . - The
respective zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13, 14 of theconveyor warewasher 1 can be separated from one another by separatingcurtains 5. In the embodiment illustrated infigure 1 , theinlet tunnel 3 of theconveyor warewasher 1 is also itself separated from the inlet 4 by a separatingcurtain 5. Due to the provision of the separatingcurtains 5, washing liquid and final rinse liquid are prevented from overspraying, and vapors are prevented from exiting from theconveyor warewasher 1. - The
aforementioned treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 of theconveyor warewasher 1 are associated with rinsenozzles nozzles respective treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 by thetransport apparatus 2. The individual rinse systems of thetreatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12, 13 ensure that the wash ware to be treated is rinsed down both from the upper side and from the underside. - With the
conveyor warewasher 1 illustrated schematically infigure 1 , thefinal rinsing zone 13 comprises not only downwardly directed upper final rinsenozzles 33a and upwardly directed lower final rinse nozzles 33b however, but also transversely directed lateral final rinse nozzles 33c on each side of thetransport apparatus 2. The use of lateral final rinse nozzles 33c enables selective spraying of the wash ware surfaces (crockery surfaces) with final rinse liquid, even in shadow zones. - Even with a fully loaded transport system, for example with plate-to-plate loading of the crockery carrier, the use of lateral final rinse nozzles 33c in the
clear rinsing zone 13 has a significant advantage in terms of the final rinse result (effective rinsing-off of detergent residues on crockery surfaces, even in shadow zones) compared to systems in which only upper and lowerclear rinsing zones 33a, 33b are provided in theclear rinsing zone 13, with no transversely directed lateral final rinse nozzles 33c. - The post-washing or pre-rinsing
zone 12, main washing zones 11.1, 11.2 andpre-washing zone 10 are also associated with tanks (post-washing tank 22, main washing tanks 21.1, 21.2, pre-washing tank 20) for receiving sprayed liquid and/or for providing liquid for the rinsenozzles respective treatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12. - As already indicated, final rinse liquid, which is composed of fresh water with added rinse aid, is sprayed in the
conveyor warewasher 1 illustrated infigure 1 onto the wash ware (not illustrated) via the final rinsenozzles 33a, 33b, 33c arranged above and below thetransport apparatus 2 and arranged laterally. Some of the sprayed final rinse liquid is transported from treatment zone to treatment zone, against the direction of transport T of the wash ware, via a cascade system. The rest of the final rinse liquid sprayed in theclear rinsing zone 13 is conveyed directly into thepre-washing tank 20 associated with the pre-washingzone 10 via a valve V1 and a bypass line 6. - In the cascade system the final rinse liquid sprayed by the final rinse
nozzles 33a, 33b, 33c flows by means of the force of gravity from theclear rinsing zone 13 into thepost-washing tank 22 associated with thepost-washing zone 12. The final rinse liquid collected by thepost-washing tank 22 and sprayed in theclear rinsing zone 13 is then conveyed with the aid of a post-washing pump 36 to the rinse nozzles in the post-washing zone 12 (upper and lowerpost-washing nozzles - Washing liquid is rinsed from the wash ware in the
post-washing zone 12. The liquid (post-washing liquid) accumulating in this case flows by means of the force of gravity into the main washing tank 21.1 associated with the first main washing zone 11.1. A drainage element 7, for example a drainage floor or a baffle plate, is preferably provided for this purpose and guides the post-washing liquid sprayed by thepost-washing nozzles conveyor warewasher 1, the drainage element 7 can be omitted if the main washing tank 21.1 extends below thepost-washing nozzles post-washing zone 12. - The liquid received by the main washing tank 21.1 of the first main washing zone 11.1 is usually provided with a detergent and is sprayed onto the wash ware with the aid of a first main washing pump 35.1 via the rinse nozzles of the first main washing zone 11.1 (upper and lower main washing nozzles 31.1a, 31.1b). The washing liquid sprayed by the main washing nozzles 31.1a, 31.1b then flows back into the main washing tank 21.1 by means of the force of gravity.
- The main washing tank 21.1 is in fluid connection via an overflow line 9.1 with the main washing tank 21.2 associated with the second main washing zone 11.2. Via this overflow line 9.1, the washing liquid sprayed in the first main washing zone 11.1 reaches the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2 when a sufficient amount of washing liquid is received in the main washing tank 21.1 of the first main washing zone 11.1.
- The liquid received by the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2 is sprayed onto the wash ware with the aid of a second main washing pump 35.2 via the rinse nozzles of the second main washing zone 11.2 (upper and lower main washing nozzles 31.2a, 31.2b). The washing liquid sprayed by means of the main washing nozzles 31.2a, 31.2b then flows by means of the force of gravity back into the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2. The main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2 is in fluid connection via an overflow line 9.2 with the
pre-washing tank 20 associated with the pre-washingzone 10. Via this overflow line 9.2, the washing liquid sprayed in the second main washing zone 11.2 reaches thepre-washing tank 20 when a sufficient amount of washing liquid is received in the main washing tank 21.2 of the second main washing zone 11.2. - The liquid received in the
pre-washing tank 20 of thepre-washing zone 10 is then sprayed onto the wash ware with the aid of apre-washing pump 34 via the rinse nozzles of the pre-washing zone 10 (upper andlower pre-washing nozzles pre-washing nozzles pre-washing tank 20 by means of the force of gravity. - The
pre-washing tank 20 is provided with an overflow line 8, which is used, when a specific liquid level in thepre-washing tank 20 is exceeded, to feed the excess volume of liquid to a wastewater network. - As already indicated, the liquid sprayed in the main washing zones 11.1, 11.2 and in the
pre-washing zone 10 preferably contains detergent, which for example is added in a metered manner to the liquid received in the main washing tank 21.1 of the first main washing zone 11.1 with the aid of a detergent metering apparatus (not shown in the drawings). - As already mentioned, the
clear rinsing zone 13 is adjoined in the direction of transport T by the dryingzone 14. In the dryingzone 14, the wash ware is dried using dry and heated air in order to blow off or dry moisture located on the wash ware. In order to keep the moisture content of the air in a range favorable for the drying process, it is conceivable for example to feed room air from outside to the dryingzone 14 via an opening, for example through the discharge opening for the wash ware. - The warm and moist air in the drying
zone 14 is then removed from the dryingzone 14 via a further opening, for example with the aid of afan 15. Here, it is advantageous if the exhaust air flow from the dryingzone 14 passes adevice 16 for heat recovery, in which a condenser may be provided for example. Thedevice 16 for heat recovery is used to recover at least some of the heat energy contained in the exhaust air. This recovered heat energy can be used for example to heat the liquid to be sprayed in theclear rinsing zone 13. - If, before a first start of the
conveyor warewasher 1, the tanks (pre-washing tank 20, main washing tanks 21.1, 21.2, post-washing tank 22) associated with thetreatment zones 10, 11.1, 11.2, 12 are empty or are only filled insufficiently, they must first be filled via afresh water line 18 and/or by the spraying of final rinse liquid in theclear rinsing zone 13. Thefresh water line 18 is connectable to a fresh water supply network via a controllable valve V3. The volume of washing liquid available in the main washing zones 11.1, 11.2 and in thepre-washing zone 10 can be monitored respectively with the aid of a level sensor provided in the main washing tank 21.1, 21.2 of the first and/or second main washing zone 11.1, 11.2 or with the aid of a level sensor provided in thepre-washing tank 20, and signaled to acontrol apparatus 40. - As illustrated in
figure 1 , theclear rinsing zone 13 may be associated with afresh water container 23 for the intermediate storage of at least some of the fresh water provided for the final rinsing process. Thefresh water container 23 is provided on the one hand with a fresh water connection, which can be connected to a fresh water supply network via a controllable fresh water feed valve V2. On the other hand, thefresh water container 23 is connected to the intake side of a final rinsepump 37. - The delivery side of the final rinse
pump 37 is connected to theupstream end region 47 of amain line system 44, via which fresh water from thefresh water container 23 is conveyed to the final rinsenozzles 33a, 33b, 33c upon actuation of the final rinsepump 37. More specifically, themain line system 44 connects the delivery side of the final rinsepump 37 to a water heater 17 (boiler). Here, themain line system 44 is designed in such a way that the liquid fed from the final rinsepump 37 to the final rinsenozzles 33a, 33b, 33c first passes thedevice 16 for heat recovery, before it reaches thewater heater 17. It is thus possible to use at least some of the thermal energy of the exhaust air conducted away from the dryingzone 14 to heat the liquid fed via themain line system 44 to the rinsenozzles 33a, 33b, 33c. - Different embodiments of
transport apparatuses 2 for transporting wash ware through theconveyor warewasher 1 illustrated schematically infigure 1 will be described hereinafter with reference to the illustrations infigures 2a to 4b . - More specifically, a region of a first exemplary embodiment of a
transport apparatus 2 is shown schematically infigures 2a and 2b and is suitable for use in aconveyor warewasher 1 according to the illustration infigure 1 . In this case, a plan view of the region of thetransport apparatus 2 on the outlet side of the warewasher machine is shown infigure 2a , whereas the corresponding cross-sectional view is illustrated infigure 2b . - Accordingly, the
transport apparatus 2 illustrated infigures 2a and 2b has afirst conveyor belt 50 for trays or tray-like wash ware 100 as well as asecond conveyor belt 51, extending parallel to thefirst conveyor belt 50, for other wash ware, inparticular plates 101, bowls 102 and/orcutlery 103. Compared to thesecond conveyor belt 51, thefirst conveyor belt 50 is relatively narrow, such that a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 can only be received by thefirst conveyor belt 50 in an upended state and oriented parallel to the direction of transport T. The orientation of thewash ware 100 to be received by thefirst conveyor belt 50 parallel to the direction of travel of thefirst conveyor belt 50 results in a minimal utilization of the total belt area. In other words, thefirst conveyor belt 50 has a reduced width, such that only a minimal area of the total belt area is occupied by thefirst conveyor belt 50, which allows trays or tray-like wash ware 100 to be put onto said conveyor belt precisely when saidwash ware 100 is provided in an upended state and is oriented parallel to the direction of transport T. - This makes it possible for the
second conveyor belt 51 to still have a sufficient width to remain usable practically without limitations for the transport of other wash ware, inparticular plates 101, bowls 102 and/orcutlery 103, through the individual treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. For example, glassware racks or GN containers can thus still also be put onto thesecond conveyor belt 51 beside the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50. - Merely by way of example, a
tray 100 as well as twoplates 101 are arranged beside one another in the embodiment illustrated infigures 2a and 2b , wherein thetray 100 is placed onto thefirst conveyor belt 50 of thetransport apparatus 2 and theplates 101 are placed on thesecond conveyor belt 51 of thetransport apparatus 2. In this embodiment, theplates 101 are held on thesecond conveyor belt 51 with the aid of compartments, wherein these compartments are formed bysupport fingers 63 provided on thesecond conveyor belt 51. - As already indicated, the second conveyor belt 51 (in spite of the provision of a
first conveyor belt 50 extending parallel to the second conveyor belt 51) has a sufficient width to also receive conventional glassware racks, etc. This is achieved without the need for theconveyor warewasher 1 to have atransport apparatus 2 that is wider on the whole. - The solution according to the invention thus makes it possible to simultaneously clean both trays or tray-
like wash ware 100 and other wash ware, inparticular plates 101, bowls 102 and/orcutlery 103. Cleaning processes taking place in parallel can therefore be implemented over bothconveyor belts conveyor warewasher 1. - As can be deduced in particular from the illustration in
figure 2b , in the exemplary embodiment of thetransport apparatus 2 thefirst conveyor belt 50 is designed to receive trays or tray-like wash ware 100, wherein said wash ware is supported on the first conveyor belt area via a rim or edge region 100'. To securely hold the tray-like wash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50 and positioned in an upended manner, it is in particular advantageous if a guide associated with thefirst conveyor belt 50 is provided. This guide is preferably used not only to hold thewash ware 100 on thefirst conveyor belt 50, but also to guide thewash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50 when said wash ware is transported through the respective treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. - In the embodiment of the
transport apparatus 2 illustrated infigures 2a and 2b , a guide of this type is implemented in the form of a lower guide groove on the one hand and in the form of an upper guide rail on the other hand. It can be deduced in particular from the illustration infigure 2b that aguide groove 60 formed in thefirst conveyor belt 50 and extending in the longitudinal direction of thefirst conveyor belt 50 is designed to guide and hold the tray-like wash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50. Thisguide groove 60 is used to receive a rim or edge region 100' of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto thefirst conveyor belt 50. - In addition to the (lower)
guide groove 60, anupper guide element 61 arranged opposite thefirst conveyor belt 50 is used in the embodiment illustrated infigures 2a and 2b and is formed here as a guide rail. As indicated infigure 2b , thisguide element 61 is designed to receive aregion 100" of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto thefirst conveyor belt 50 and to guide thewash ware 100 during transport through the individual treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. It can be seen that, as a result of the provision of thelower guide groove 60 and of theupper guide element 61, thewash ware 100 put in an upended manner onto the first conveyor belt is securely held on thefirst conveyor belt 50. - As can be deduced from the illustration in
figure 2b , theupper guide element 61 is preferably designed to receive aregion 100" of the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto thefirst conveyor belt 50, said region being arranged opposite the rim or edge region 100' via which the tray or the tray-like wash ware 100 is supported on thefirst conveyor belt 50. - So that trays or tray-like wash ware having different dimensions can be received on the
first conveyor belt 50, it is advantageous if theupper guide element 61 is adjustable in the vertical direction. Theupper guide element 61 can thus be adapted to the height of an upended tray or tray-like wash ware 100 to be received by thefirst conveyor belt 50, in a manner that can be easily implemented. Thefirst conveyor belt 50 is therefore suitable for receivingtrays 100 that are supported on thefirst conveyor belt 50 via their longitudinal side edge, and also for receivingtrays 100 that are supported on thefirst conveyor belt 50 via their transverse side edge. Thefirst conveyor belt 50 can thus be used in a versatile manner for different applications. - It can be deduced in particular from the illustration in
figure 2b that, with the exemplary embodiment of thetransport apparatus 2 shown schematically therein, abelt guide 62 associated with thefirst conveyor belt 50 is provided. Abelt guide 62 of this type is in particular advantageous if, as with the embodiment illustrated infigures 2a and 2b , thefirst conveyor belt 50 is formed as an endless drive belt. As a result of the provision of abelt guide 62 of this type, it can be ensured in a manner that is easily implemented, yet still effective, that thefirst conveyor belt 50 always extends parallel to thesecond conveyor belt 51. In addition, it has proven to be advantageous if thefirst conveyor belt 50 is formed as a flat belt, V-belt, toothed belt or round belt in order to provide an additional guide of thefirst conveyor belt 50. - As is indicated in
figure 2b , thebelt guide 62 associated with thefirst conveyor belt 50 may be fastened for example to beltrod shafts 55 of thesecond conveyor belt 51, whereby a compact design of thetransport apparatus 2 is achieved. Of course, other embodiments for fastening of thebelt guide 62 may also be considered. - As already mentioned, with the embodiment illustrated in
figures 2a and 2b , aguide groove 60 formed in thefirst conveyor belt 50 and extending in the longitudinal direction of thefirst conveyor belt 50 is provided, in which a rim or edge region 100' of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 put onto thefirst conveyor belt 50 can be received in order to guide thewash ware 100 put onto thefirst conveyor belt 50 in an upended manner during transport through the respective treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. Instead of aguide groove 60 of this type, it is also conceivable however if thebelt guide 62 is used in order to guide not only thefirst conveyor belt 50, but also thewash ware 100 put onto thefirst conveyor belt 50 during transport through the respective treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. If, as illustrated infigure 2b , thebelt guide 62 is formed as a vertically oriented guide surface, said vertically oriented guide surface can simultaneously also be used as a stop surface for a rim or edge region 100' of a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50 and positioned in an upended manner. Although not illustrated in the drawings, it is therefore conceivable for the rim or edge region 100' of the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50 and positioned in an upended manner to be supported at the vertically oriented guide surface of thebelt guide 62, which enables guidance of thewash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50 through the respective treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. - In one possible variant, the
upper guide element 61 is formed as a guide rail. This guide rail preferably extends in such a way that at the outlet of theconveyor warewasher 1, that is to say after the at least oneclear rinsing zone 13 as viewed in the direction of transport T, a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 received on thefirst conveyor belt 50 is transferred from its upended state into its horizontally oriented normal state and is then unloaded. In this embodiment, the tray or tray-like wash ware 100 originally received on thefirst conveyor belt 50 is automatically unloaded at the machine outlet, which enables a further reduction of the operating staff at the machine outlet. - In principle, it is preferable if the
first conveyor belt 50, which is provided for the transport of trays or tray-like wash ware 100, has an increased transport speed compared to thesecond conveyor belt 51, which is provided for other wash ware. The increase in transport speed enables the trays or the tray-like wash ware 100 to be put in place without delay at the moment at which all cutlery and crockery items are removed from the tray. Thetrays 100 therefore are not deposited in a stack once the crockery and cutlery items have been removed, but are put directly into thefirst conveyor belt 50. A second process step with therespective tray 100 is thus omitted. - In a preferred variant of the last-mentioned embodiment, a common drive apparatus, via which the first and
second conveyor belts second conveyor belt - In order to implement different transport speeds with a common drive apparatus for the first and
second conveyor belt first conveyor belt 50 to be connected to the common drive apparatus via a first drive shaft associated with thefirst conveyor belt 50 and via a first gear apparatus associated with thefirst conveyor belt 50, whereas thesecond conveyor belt 51 is connected to the common drive apparatus via a second drive shaft associated with thesecond conveyor belt 51 and via a second gear apparatus associated with thesecond conveyor belt 51. The respective transmission ratio of the first and second gear apparatus is preferably selected in such a way that the transport speed at which awash ware 100 received by thefirst conveyor belt 50 is transported through the respective treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1 is greater than the transport speed at which awash ware second conveyor belt 51 is transported through the respective treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. - Alternatively, it is of course also possible however to provide an associated drive apparatus for each
conveyor belt conveyor belt respective conveyor belt conveyor warewasher 1 at a transport speed that is set or can be set individually for therespective conveyor belt
A further embodiment of the solution according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the illustrations infigures 3a and 3b . More specifically, these figures schematically show the region, on the outlet side of the warewasher machine, of a second exemplary embodiment of atransport apparatus 2, which is suitable for use in aconveyor warewasher 1 according to the illustration infigure 1 . - The embodiment of the
transport apparatus 2 illustrated infigures 3a and 3b differs from the embodiment described previously with reference to the illustrations infigures 2a and 2b in that, in addition to the first andsecond conveyor belt further conveyor belt 52 is provided. Thisfurther conveyor belt 52 extends in the embodiment illustrated infigures 3a and 3b parallel to the first and thesecond conveyor belt like wash ware 103. Here, thefurther conveyor belt 52 preferably extends directly beside thefirst conveyor belt 50 and between the first andsecond conveyor belt - Similarly to the
first conveyor belt 50, thefurther conveyor belt 52 also has a reduced width compared to the total belt area, and in particular compared to the width of thesecond conveyor belt 51, so as to ensure a minimal utilization of the total belt area. In other words, in spite of the provision of thefirst conveyor belt 50 and of thefurther conveyor belt 52, thesecond conveyor belt 51 is still suitable for receiving glassware racks for example or two wash ware items arranged side-by-side, such as aplate 101 and abowl 102. - Nevertheless, it is preferable if the
cutlery 103 received by thefurther conveyor belt 52 falls into a container provided at the machine outlet after passing through theconveyor warewasher 1, which enables a further reduction of the operating staff at the machine outlet. In particular, this embodiment makes it possible both at the machine inlet (dirty side of the conveyor warewasher 1) and at the machine outlet (clean side of the conveyor warewasher 1) to dispense completely with any handling of the cutlery. - The concept of the plurality of conveyor belts extending in parallel can be expanded practically arbitrarily in this sense, and various combinations of conveyor belts provided especially for specific wash ware types are possible. As a supplement to the previously described solutions, with which up to three
conveyor belts plates 101 and bowls 102, since automatic unloading systems for these wash ware types are already known from partial and fully automatic machine technology. - In view of a
conveyor warewasher 1 operating as efficiently as possible, it is therefore advantageous if, in addition to thefirst conveyor belt 50, which is formed specifically for receiving trays or tray-like wash ware 100, and additionally to thefurther conveyor belt 52, which is formed specifically for receivingcutlery 103, further conveyor belts or conveyor belt lanes formed with respect to a specific wash ware type are provided. - In this regard, reference is made to the embodiment illustrated in
figures 4a and 4b . Thetransport apparatus 2 illustrated in part in these figures corresponds substantially to the embodiment described previously with reference to the illustrations infigures 3a and 3b , wherein however thesecond conveyor belt 51 has now been divided into a transport lane for the wash ware type "plates" and a further transport lane for the wash ware type "bowls". In other words, in the embodiment illustrated infigures 4a and 4b , thesecond conveyor belt 51 is divided into twoconveyor belts conveyor belt plates 101 on theconveyor belt 51a and in order to stack or unloadbowls 102 on theconveyor belt 51b. - As a result of this division of the
second conveyor belt 51 into specific lanes and as a result of an automated stacking or unloading, the degree of automation of theconveyor warewasher 1 is increased, such that labor time both on the clean side and on the dirty side of theconveyor warewasher 1 can be saved. The rinsing process thus proceeds more efficiently and is shortened on the whole, such that resources can also be saved in addition to labor time. - It is conceivable for a common drive apparatus to be provided for the
second conveyor belt 51 and the at least onefurther conveyor belt 52, or for theconveyor belt 51 divided into twoconveyor belts further conveyor belt 52, the correspondingconveyor belts conveyor belt - It can be deduced from the illustration in
figure 4b that the respective upper sides of theconveyor belts transport apparatus 2 lie in a common horizontal plane. This allows wash ware to also be received over a plurality ofconveyor belts conveyor belts - Exemplary embodiments of the
unloading system 70 according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the illustrations infigures 5 to 12 . - As already mentioned, the
unloading system 70 is suitable in particular forconveyor warewashers 1 of the previously described type in order to unload upendedtrays 100 in atray stacking station 80 in the outlet region of theconveyor warewasher 1. In the exemplary embodiments of theunloading system 70 according to the invention illustrated infigures 5 to 12 , thetray stacking station 80 is formed in the manner of a trolley, which is designed to receive, in a stacked state, thetrays 100 cleaned in theconveyor warewasher 1. Of course, other embodiments may also be considered as atray stacking station 80. - In the first exemplary embodiment of the
unloading system 70 according to the invention illustrated infigures 5 to 8 , thetray stacking station 80 formed in the manner of a trolley is arranged to the side of theconveyor warewasher 1 in the outlet region. Alternatively and as is illustrated infigures 9 to 12 , theunloading system 70 may however also be formed in such a way that thetrays 100 are unloaded in atray stacking station 80 provided at the front end of theconveyor warewasher 1. - As already mentioned, the
unloading system 70 according to the invention is particularly suitable withconveyor warewashers 1, of which thetransport apparatus 2 comprises a separate (first)conveyor belt 50, which is designed to receive trays or tray-like objects 100 in an upended state and to transport these through the individual treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. In addition to thisfirst conveyor belt 50 for upended trays or upended tray-like objects 100, thetransport apparatus 2 of theconveyor warewasher 1 preferably comprises at least one further (second)conveyor belt 51, extending parallel to thefirst conveyor belt 50, for other wash ware. As can be deduced in particular from the illustrations infigures 8 and12 , here thefirst conveyor belt 50 has a reduced width compared to thesecond conveyor belt 51, such that a tray or tray-like wash ware 100 can then only be received from thefirst conveyor belt 50 when said tray or tray-like wash ware is provided in an upended state and is oriented parallel to the direction of transport T. - It can be inferred from the perspective illustrations in
figures 5 and9 that thetray 100 received by thefirst conveyor belt 50 is supported via its lower edge or its lower rim by theconveyor belt 50. At the same time, aguide 72 is provided in the outlet region of theconveyor warewasher 1 and guides the upendedtray 100 as said tray is transported in the direction of transport T. In particular, theguide 72 extends in a laterally offset manner, at least in some regions, in relation to thefirst conveyor belt 50 and above thefirst conveyor belt 50 such that theguide 72 not only performs a guiding function, but also a supporting function, since theguide 72 accordingly supports thetray 100 put in an upended manner onto thefirst conveyor belt 50. - Although it cannot be deduced explicitly from the drawings, it is conceivable and preferable if the
guide 72 is provided not only in the outlet region of theconveyor warewasher 1, but extends through the entire treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1 in order to accordingly support and guide the upendedwash ware 100 during transport thereof through the individual treatment zones of theconveyor warewasher 1. - As can be deduced in particular from the illustrations in
figures 5 ,6 ,9 and10 , theguide 72 is inclined in the outlet region of theconveyor warewasher 1, at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane. More specifically, theguide 72 no longer runs in this region in a horizontal plane extending parallel to the conveyor belt plane, but at an incline with respect to the conveyor belt plane. As a result, atray 100, which is transported with the aid of thefirst conveyor belt 50 in the direction of transport T along theguide 72, is tilted in the inclined region of theguide 72, whereas thetray 100 is simultaneously moved further in the direction of transport T by thefirst conveyor belt 50. The tilting movement is produced since the support provided by theguide 72 is shifted further in the direction of the conveyor belt in the inclined region of theguide 72. As a result, the upendedtray 100 is tilted after a foreseeable sequence of events in the direction of its horizontally oriented state. - In the embodiment of the
unloading system 70 according to the invention illustrated infigures 5 to 8 , the end of theguide 72 is arranged before the end of the conveyor belt, as viewed in the direction of transport T of thefirst conveyor belt 50. As a result, thetrays 100 transported with the aid of thefirst conveyor belt 50 are already provided in a horizontally oriented state before the end of the conveyor belt. - In the embodiment illustrated in
figures 5 to 8 , a slidingsurface 71 is also used. This slidingsurface 71 is arranged offset laterally in relation to thefirst conveyor belt 50, as can be deduced in particular from the illustration infigure 5 , and is inclined away from thefirst conveyor belt 50. Thetrays 100 previously transferred with the aid of the inclined region of theguide 72 into their horizontally oriented state are thus fed via the slidingsurface 72 to thetray stacking station 80 provided to the side of thefirst conveyor belt 50. - Alternatively, and as can be deduced for example from the illustration in
figure 9 , it is also conceivable however for the slidingsurface 71 to be arranged after the end of thefirst conveyor belt 50 on the outlet side of the warewasher machine, as viewed in the direction of transport T of thefirst conveyor belt 50. In this embodiment, thetray stacking station 80 can be arranged after the end of theconveyor belt 50 on the outlet side of the warewasher machine. As a result, theunloading system 70 according to the second exemplary embodiment may preferably be used withconveyor warewashers 1 with wall installation. - It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated previously with reference to the drawings, but is also provided from an overview of all individual features disclosed herein.
Claims (15)
- An unloading system (70) for the conveyor warewashers (1) for the automatic unloading of upended trays (100) in a tray stacking station (80), in which the unloaded trays (100) are oriented horizontally, wherein the unloading system (70) has a sliding surface (71) inclined in the direction of the tray stacking station (80) and a guide (72), with which upended trays (100) can be transferred in succession to the sliding surface (71), preferably in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher (1), wherein the guide (72) is configured to be associated with a conveyor belt (50) of the conveyor warewasher (1), on which trays (100) can be transported through the conveyor warewasher (1) in an upended state,
characterized in that
the trays (100) are oriented parallel to the direction of transport (T) in the conveyor warewasher (1) and are transferred by the guide (72) by a combined tilting and linear movement to the sliding surface (71),
the guide (72) being offset laterally, at least in some regions, in relation to the conveyor belt (50) and extending above the conveyor belt (50) and being inclined in the outlet region of the conveyor warewasher (1), at least in some regions, with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane. - The unloading system (70) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the guide (72) lies in front of the end of the conveyor belt, as viewed in the direction of transport (T) of the conveyor belt (50).
- The unloading system (70) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the region
of the guide (72) inclined with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane extends in the direction of transport (T) of the conveyor belt (50) until the guide (72) intersects the conveyor belt plane, or
wherein the region of the guide (72) inclined with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the conveyor belt plane ends before the guide (72) intersects the conveyor belt plane. - The unloading system (70) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sliding surface (71) lies behind the end of the guide (72) on the outlet side of warewasher machine, at least in some regions, as viewed in the direction of transport (T) of the conveyor belt (50), and/or
wherein the sliding surface (71) is offset laterally in relation to the conveyor belt (50) and is inclined away from the conveyor belt (50), and/or wherein the sliding surface (71) is arranged behind the end of the conveyor belt (50) on the outlet side of the warewasher machine, as viewed in the direction of transport (T) of the conveyor belt (50). - A conveyor warewasher (1), in particular a commercial conveyor warewasher, comprising at least one washing zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and at least one clear rinsing zone (13), and comprising a transport apparatus (2) for transporting wash ware (100, 101, 102, 103) through the at least one washing zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one clear rinsing zone (13), wherein the transport apparatus (2) has a first conveyor belt (50) for receiving trays or tray-like wash ware (100) in an upended state, and wherein, in the end region of the conveyor warewasher (1) on the outlet side of the warewasher machine, an unloading system (70) as claimed in one of the preceding claims is provided for the automatic unloading of the trays (100), received by the first conveyor belt (50) in an upended state, in a tray stacking station (80) in which the unloaded trays (100) are oriented horizontally.
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transport apparatus (2), in addition to the first conveyor belt (50), also has at least one second conveyor belt (51), running parallel thereto, for other wash ware (101, 102, 103), and wherein the first conveyor belt (50) has a width which is reduced compared to the second conveyor belt (51), such that a tray or a tray-like wash ware (100) can only be received by the first conveyor belt (50) if it is provided in an upended state and oriented parallel to the direction of transport (T).
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the tray or tray-like wash ware (100) to be received by the first conveyor belt (50) has peripheral rim or a peripheral edge, and wherein the first conveyor belt (50) is formed so as to receive the tray or tray-like wash ware (100) supported on the first conveyor belt (50) via a rim or edge region (100').
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the guide (72) of the unloading system (70) is associated with the first conveyor belt (50) and is formed so as to guide the tray (100) received by the first conveyor belt (50) during transport through the at least one washing zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one clear rinsing zone (13) of the conveyor warewasher (1).
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a guide groove (60) formed in the first conveyor belt (50) and running in the longitudinal direction of the first conveyor belt (50) is provided to receive a rim or edge region (100') of a tray or tray-like wash ware (100) placed on the first conveyor belt (50).
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the guide (72) is offset laterally in relation to the first conveyor belt (50) and is arranged above the first conveyor belt (50) and is formed so as to support a region (100") of a tray or tray-like wash ware (100) placed on the first conveyor belt (50), this region (100") being arranged opposite the rim or edge region (100'), via which the tray or tray-like wash ware (100) is supported on the first conveyor belt (50).
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the guide (72) is formed as a guide rail.
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in one of claims 5 to 11, wherein at least one further conveyor belt (52) extending parallel to the first and second conveyor belt (50, 51) is also provided, in particular a further conveyor belt (52) for cutlery (103), said further conveyor belt preferably running directly beside the first conveyor belt (50) and between the first and second conveyor belt (50, 51).
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a common drive apparatus is provided for the second and the at least one further conveyor belt (51, 52), the second and the at least one further conveyor belt (51, 52) being driven jointly by said common drive apparatus, or wherein a dedicated drive apparatus is provided for each conveyor belt (50, 51, 52) for driving the corresponding conveyor belt (50, 51, 52) in such a way that a wash ware (100, 101, 102, 103) received by the respective conveyor belt (50, 51, 52) is transported through the at least one washing zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one clear rinsing zone (13) at a transport speed which is set or can be set individually for the respective conveyor belt (50, 51, 52).
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transport speed at which a wash ware (100) received by the first conveyor belt (50) is transported through the at least one washing zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one clear rinsing zone (13) is higher than the transport speed at which a wash ware (101, 102, 103) received by the second conveyor belt (51) is transported through the at least one washing zone (10, 11.1, 11.2, 12) and the at least one clear rinsing zone (13).
- The conveyor warewasher (1) as claimed in one of claims 5 to 14, wherein the respective upper sides of the conveyor belts (50, 51, 52) of the transport apparatus (2) lie in a common horizontal conveyor belt plane in such a way that wash ware (100, 101, 102, 103) can be received simultaneously by a plurality of conveyor belts (50, 51, 52), and
wherein the second conveyor belt (51) is divided into a plurality of conveyor belts (51a, 51b) running parallel to one another which can each be associated with a specific type of wash ware.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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DE102012203839.6A DE102012203839B4 (en) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-03-12 | Stacking system for conveyor dishwashers |
PCT/US2013/029821 WO2013138173A1 (en) | 2012-03-12 | 2013-03-08 | Unloading system for conveyor warewashers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2825086A1 EP2825086A1 (en) | 2015-01-21 |
EP2825086B1 true EP2825086B1 (en) | 2017-10-18 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP13710955.9A Active EP2825086B1 (en) | 2012-03-12 | 2013-03-08 | Unloading system for conveyor warewashers |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2825086B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102012203839B4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013138173A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2023144317A1 (en) * | 2022-01-31 | 2023-08-03 | Winterhalter Product & Technology GmbH | Conveyor belt for a transport dishwashing machine and transport dishwashing machine having such a conveyor belt |
US11944253B2 (en) | 2018-10-05 | 2024-04-02 | Meiko Maschinenbau Gmbh & Co. Kg | Cleaning device and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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SG10201707766SA (en) * | 2017-09-20 | 2019-04-29 | Teoh Hwa Ang | Dish washing apparatus and dish drying apprartus |
EP4074238A1 (en) * | 2021-04-15 | 2022-10-19 | Ali Group S.r.l. | Multifunction tunnel machine for sanitizing tableware, and related method |
CN113768441B (en) * | 2021-07-05 | 2023-03-21 | 良基(厦门)自动化设备有限公司 | Full-automatic slag remover that washes dishes |
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DE102010062471A1 (en) * | 2010-12-06 | 2012-06-06 | Premark Feg L.L.C. | conveyor dishwasher |
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- 2013-03-08 WO PCT/US2013/029821 patent/WO2013138173A1/en active Application Filing
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US11944253B2 (en) | 2018-10-05 | 2024-04-02 | Meiko Maschinenbau Gmbh & Co. Kg | Cleaning device and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned |
WO2023144317A1 (en) * | 2022-01-31 | 2023-08-03 | Winterhalter Product & Technology GmbH | Conveyor belt for a transport dishwashing machine and transport dishwashing machine having such a conveyor belt |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2013138173A1 (en) | 2013-09-19 |
DE102012203839A1 (en) | 2013-09-12 |
EP2825086A1 (en) | 2015-01-21 |
DE102012203839B4 (en) | 2023-07-06 |
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