Patent Application
20240306879
The invention relates typically to the field of industrial washing.
Specifically, the invention relates to a special dishwasher that is in particular optimized for use in a coffee shop and/or a fast-food restaurant for cleaning washware items. Furthermore, the invention relates to a transport apparatus for such a dishwasher that is specifically designed for use in a coffee shop and/or in a fast-food restaurant.
The dishwasher according to the invention is designed as a transport apparatus dishwasher and comprises a transport apparatus for transporting washware items from an input region associated with the dishwasher to a treatment region of the dishwasher and from there to an output or removal region of the dishwasher. The input region associated with the dishwasher represents the dirty zone, while the output or removal region of the dishwasher represents the clean zone of the machine.
Conveyor dishwashers of this type are used in the commercial sector. Unlike domestic dishwashers, wherein the washware items to be cleaned remain stationary in the dishwasher during cleaning, these conveyor dishwashers transport the washware items through different treatment zones of the machine.
By contrast to the batch processes of stationary programmed machines, such as domestic dishwashers or under-counter dishwashers, continuous operation is possible because conveyor dishwashers transport the washware items through different treatment zones (in particular wash zones and rinse zones) of the machine. The disadvantage of conveyor dishwashers, however, is the relatively large footprint requirement in the installation space.
Nevertheless, there is an increasing need to utilize the advantages of a conveyor dishwasher in applications that only provide limited installation floorspace.
Nowadays hot beverage vending machines, in particular coffee machines, of various models and sizes are almost always available for self-service in hotels, company cafeterias, public buildings, hospitals, schools, and highway rest regions. These hot beverage vending machines are typically configured so as to fill drinking containers (beverage cups) with a selected hot beverage; however, plastic cups are also used by vending machines installed in businesses or public buildings.
This applies likewise in coffee shops or fast-food restaurants, where it is common practice to serve a coffee specialty selected by the customer to the customer in a so-called coffee-to-go cup. Given the enormous amount of plastic waste generated every day by disposable tableware, there is an effort to reduce the amount of disposable tableware used, in particular in coffee shops or fast-food restaurants.
One approach to reducing the ecological footprint of coffee shops or fast-food restaurants is to use disposable tableware, such as disposable coffee-to-go cups, that are recyclable. In this context, disposable tableware made of cellulose acetate or so-called oxo-biodegradable plastics, for example, are known.
The problem with such disposable tableware, however, is that the oxo-biodegradable plastics can degrade only under specific defined conditions, whereby these specific conditions are generally not in place for recycling. As a result, the material of the disposable tableware breaks down into microplastics and can continue to burden health and the environment.
Moreover, the production of disposable tableware made of oxo-biodegradable plastic is relatively complex and therefore likewise has a negative impact on the ecological footprint.
Given this situation, the problem addressed by the invention is therefore based on providing a solution, in particular for coffee shops or fast-food restaurants, that can significantly reduce their ecological footprint.
There is thus in particular a need for a dishwasher, in particular for a coffee shop and/or a fast-food restaurant, for cleaning washware items, in particular and preferably exclusively items issued by the coffee shop and/or the fast-food restaurant, such as drinking cups, wherein the dishwasher is associated with an input region, which is configured in particular as a return device and in particular as a return machine for reusable washware items. Care must be taken to ensure that the dishwasher can also be loaded with items as easily as possible by untrained personnel. The input region is designed in particular so as to be self-explanatory so that the washware items to be cleaned are intuitively input in the correct orientation.
The dishwasher according to the invention is configured in particular so as to clean the washware items and, in particular, the washware items issued exclusively by the coffee shop and/or fast-food restaurant. The dishwasher is preferably set up in the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant so that the customers of the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant can, for example, clean their drinking vessels.
In particular, the dishwasher comprises an input region. The input region is designed in particular as a return device and preferably as a return machine for reusable washware items.
The dishwasher preferably further comprises a transport apparatus for transporting washware items from the input region of the dishwasher to a treatment region of the dishwasher and from there to an output or removal region of the dishwasher. The treatment region of the dishwasher comprises in particular a washing and rinsing system for washing and rinsing the washware items and, optionally, a drying system for drying the rinsed washware item, said drying system being located downstream when viewed in the transport direction of the washware items.
The input region associated with the dishwasher and in particular configured as a return device, and preferably in particular configured as a return machine for reusable washware items, need not be part of the dishwasher itself. This can in particular be a return station arranged remotely from the actual dishwasher that is ultimately connected to the treatment zones of the dishwasher via the transport apparatus in order to feed the washware items handed over by a customer at the input region in particular to the treatment region of the dishwasher.
For example, it can be provided that the input region associated with the dishwasher, in particular as a return device, and preferably as a return machine for reusable washware items, is arranged separately from the treatment region of the dishwasher, and in particular from an inlet tunnel of the dishwasher leading to the treatment region of the dishwasher.
Preferably, the input region associated with the dishwasher, and in particular configured as a return device, preferably configured as a return machine for reusable washware items, comprises a refund device.
Alternatively or additionally, it is contemplated that the input region associated with the dishwasher and in particular configured as a return device and preferably in particular configured as a return machine for reusable washware items, comprises a user interface and an identification apparatus for washware items that cooperates with a data processing device via a data memory device, wherein the identification apparatus in particular comprises an optical detection system and/or wherein the identification apparatus is configured for barcode recognition, RFID detection, three-dimensional surface analysis, 3D matching, logo recognition, OCR detection, and/or color detection.
According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the input region of the dishwasher comprises at least one receptacle opening, which is configured such that a washware item to be cleaned can be manually inserted into a loading region of the dishwasher. The receptacle opening is associated with a closure element (door) that is movable relative to a machine frame of the dishwasher between an open position in which insertion of the washware item to be cleaned into the loading region is possible and a closed position in which the receptacle opening is closed and an insertion of the washware item to be cleaned in the loading region is prevented.
To ensure that only certain washware items can be received from the input region of the dishwasher configured in particular as a return machine, it is provided in the dishwasher according to the invention that it comprises an insertion control system that cooperates with the closure element and is configured such that the closure element is only moved into its open position when it is detected and/or verified using the insertion control system that the operator of the dishwasher is authorized to clean the washware item to be cleaned.
Various embodiments can be considered for the insertion control system. It is contemplated, for example, that the insertion control system comprises a scanner device, which is provided in or at the input region of the dishwasher such that a type of washware item to be inserted into the loading region of the dishwasher can be detected with the aid of the scanner device. The scanner device can in particular be a code-reading device, in particular a barcode-reading device.
However, other devices that are configured so as to visually identify the washware item to be handed over or determine its type are also possible. In addition to barcode detection, for example, three-dimensional surface analysis, 3D-matching logo recognition, OCR recognition, and/or color recognition are also possible.
The insertion control system is configured in particular so as to verify, based on the type of washware item that is detected with the scanner device, that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher is authorized. In particular, the insertion control system is further configured such that, upon verification that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher is authorized, it causes the closure element of the dishwasher to be transferred into its open position so that the washware item can be inserted into the loading region of the dishwasher.
Instead of a scanner device, however, it is also contemplated that the insertion control system comprises a reader device, which is configured so as to detect a type of a washware item to be inserted into the loading region of the dishwasher, in particular with the aid of electromagnetic waves. For example, such a reader device is an RFID detection device.
Here, too, it is advantageous that that insertion control system is configured so as to verify, based on the type of washware item that is detected with the reader device, that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher is authorized. The insertion control system is further configured such that, upon verification that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher is authorized, it causes the closure element of the dishwasher to be transferred into its open position so that the washware item can be inserted into the loading region.
Preferably, the insertion control system is associated with a data memory and a data processing device, wherein the data processing device is configured so as to identify whether the washware item is a washware item issued or accepted by the coffee shop owner or the fast-food restaurant owner.
If the washware item is identified as a washware item that is stored in the data memory and accepted by the owner of the dishwasher, for example the coffee shop owner or the fast-food restaurant owner, then, in addition to the fact that the closure element of the dishwasher is transferred into its open position, an amount to be refunded for this item can be displayed on a display of the user interface of the dishwasher. Said amount can for example be paid out in the form of a cash disbursement. However, it is also possible that the person is granted a credit, wherein the purchase price of a new beverage or food item is reduced by the amount refunded for the returned washware item. The person can then decide if they would like to have the appropriate amount paid out or wish to buy a new food item/merchandise at a reduced price.
It is also contemplated that one option is for the person to refuse the amount to be paid and not insert the washware item through the opened receptacle opening into the dishwasher.
Thus, the input region associated with the dishwasher is preferably configured as a type of return machine for reusable washware items and preferably has a refund device. With regard to the refund device, it is generally contemplated that the person will be issued a paper slip or paper ticket as is known on empty container machines.
However, a paperless and customer-simplified refund slip preparation method is preferred. A paperless method could be to transmit such a refund slip to a smartphone. Transmission to the smartphone can be accomplished by wireless devices. One of these works, for example, by means of NFC (Near Field Communication). Because most smartphones and many credit cards support this transmission standard, it is also preferable to pay for further merchandise/food items in the coffee shop/fast-food restaurant at a later date using this transmission standard.
According to design variants of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided that only the input region of the dishwasher, which is designed in particular as a return machine, is visible to the customer.
In other words, the input region of the dishwasher is thus separated from the washing and/or rinsing system as well as the optional downstream drying system of the dishwasher. In this way, the dishwasher can be integrated in the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant in a particularly harmonious manner.
In order to prevent misuse, the insertion control system is preferably equipped with a further sensory system, in particular in the form of a scanner device or in the form of a reader device, which is configured so as to detect a type of a washware item inserted into the loading region of the dishwasher, wherein the insertion control system is configured so as to verify, based on the type of washware item detected with the further sensory system, that the operator of the dishwasher is authorized to clean the washware item, wherein the insertion control system is further configured such that, upon verification that the operator of the dishwasher is authorized to clean the washware item, it causes the closure element of the dishwasher to be transferred into its closed position.
In this way, it can be effectively prevented that an authorized washware item is used in order to transfer the closure element of the dishwasher into its open position, but then not the authorized washware item but rather a non-authorized washware item is inserted into the loading region of the dishwasher.
According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention, the insertion control system is equipped with a sensor technology, which works in particular in a touchless manner, and is configured so as to detect whether a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a stack of washware items, are received in the loading region of the dishwasher. In this context, for example, it is contemplated that the sensors are configured so as to perform a height check once or as soon as the loading region of the dishwasher is filled with at least one washware item.
This measure ensures that the washware items to be cleaned are only individually inserted into the loading region of the dishwasher, which is a prerequisite for proper and in particular hygienic further treatment/cleaning of the washware item.
In this context, it is contemplated, for example, that the insertion control system comprises a device based on the Poka-Yoke principle, which is configured so as to prevent a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a stack of washware items, from being received in the loading region. An example of such a device based on the Poka-Yoke principle would be an insertion motion link or insertion diaphragm, which only permits a transfer of a washware item into the loading region if a single washware item is to be transferred into the loading region.
According to a realization of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided that the insertion control system is further configured so as to check the washware item received or to be received in the loading region of the dishwasher for marking, damage, level of soiling, and/or leakage.
In this way, the washware items are optimally cleaned by the dishwasher from a hygienic perspective, while simultaneously preventing waste. For example, the dishwasher or the insertion control system is configured so as to detect whether a washware item, such as a drinking cup, has been used as a waste container. If this is the case, the acceptance or cleaning of the washware item is prevented. Cups or washware items assessed to be waste cups can also be sorted out, so that only washware items that are actually assessed as reusable are subjected to cleaning. These cleaned washware items can then be forwarded for at least one further use.
The insertion control system thus performs a kind of intake inspection, wherein by means of this intake inspection, waste cups classified as non-usable and empty cups classified as usable can be sorted from one another.
Preferably, a sensory and, even more preferably, an optical intake control is used for this purpose.
Preferably, the insertion control system is further configured in this context so as to issue an alert and/or to prevent transport of the washware item to the treatment region of the dishwasher, when it is sensed by the insertion control system that the washware item received or to be received in the loading region has a marking, damage, a level of soiling exceeding a threshold value, and/or does not have at least sufficient protection against leakage.
According to the implementations of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided that the loading region of the dishwasher has at least one insertion region dedicated to a washware item to be cleaned. The at least one dedicated insertion region with respect to a washware item to be cleaned is configured so as to receive a washware item to be cleaned in a predefined orientation of the washware item. This pre-determined orientation of the washware item is preferably an upside-down position with respect to the intended use of the washware item.
In this context, it is further contemplated that the insertion control system is configured so as to detect whether a washware item is received in the predetermined orientation in the insertion region. The insertion control system should further be configured so as to issue an alert and/or to prevent a transport of the washware item to the treatment region of the dishwasher if it is detected by the insertion control system that a washware item is not received in the predetermined orientation in the insertion region.
The monitoring that a washware item is received in the pre-determined orientation in the insertion region of the dishwasher is preferably carried out with the aid of suitable sensors, in particular with the aid of touchless sensors.
Alternatively, or in addition to the latter aspect, it is contemplated that the loading region of the dishwasher has at least one insertion region dedicated to a washware item to be cleaned, which is configured so as receive a washware item to be cleaned, wherein the insertion control system is configured so as to capture data as to whether a single washware item is received in the insertion region, or whether a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a stack of washware items, is received in the insertion region. In this context, it is contemplated that the insertion control system is further configured so as to issue an alert and/or to prevent a transport of the washware item to the treatment region of the dishwasher if it is detected by the insertion control system that a plurality of washware items is received in the insertion region.
Here, too, this insertion control is carried out using suitable, in particular touchless sensors.
Alternatively or additionally, it is also contemplated that the insertion control system comprises a device based on the Poka-Yoke system, which is configured so as to prevent a washware item from being received in the insertion region if it is not in the predetermined orientation of the washware item.
In this context, it is contemplated that the device based on the Poka-Yoke principle is configured so as to only allow a receiving of the washware item in the insertion region of the dishwasher when the washware item is intended to be received in the insertion region in the predetermined orientation of the washware item. For example, the device based on the Poka-Yoke system can be configured in the form of an insertion motion link or insertion diaphragm, which only permits a transfer into the insertion region when the washware item is received in its predetermined orientation.
Alternatively or in addition, the device based on the Poka-Yoke principle can comprise at least one blocking element, which is configured so as to prevent a washware item from being received in the insertion region of the dishwasher if it is not in the predetermined orientation.
The at least one blocking element can be, for example, a pin-shaped or rod-shaped element provided in the insertion region and configured so as to extend into the insertion region at least when the closure element of the dishwasher is transferred into its open position, such that a washware item cannot be received in the insertion region when the washware item is not present in its predetermined orientation.
In a preferred implementation of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided in this context that the dishwasher comprises a corresponding mechanism configured so as to initiate an extension of the pin-shaped or rod-shaped element upon a movement of the closure element into its open position and to initiate a retraction of the pin-shaped or rod-shaped element upon a movement of the closure element into its closed position.
In view of the dedicated insertion region of the dishwasher, it is provided in particular that the dedicated insertion region is configured at least in regions as a receptacle and/or recess into which a washware item to be cleaned can be inserted in a predetermined insertion position.
Moreover, it is advantageous that the loading region and/or the input region of the dishwasher comprises a drip tray with a strainer cover.
According to design variants of the dishwasher, in order to prevent the vapors from leaking out of the input region of the dishwasher, it is provided that the dishwasher comprises a vapor suction system associated with the input region of the dishwasher, which is configured so as to at least partially suck vapors exiting from the treatment region of the dishwasher into the loading region of the dishwasher.
In order to be able to realize an especially compact design of the dishwasher, the insertion control system is configured so as to actuate the transport apparatus of the dishwasher such that washware items are fed from the input region to the treatment region of the dishwasher discontinuously and in particular in batches. In this way, the dishwasher can have a length of preferably 1 to 3 m, a height of about 1 to 1.75 m, and a width of about 0.3 to 1 m.
In particular, the transport apparatus is controlled such that the transport apparatus transports the washware items to be cleaned discontinuously, e.g., in a chronologically interrupted manner, from the input region of the dishwasher through the washing and rinsing system and any provided drying system to the output or removal region of the dishwasher, preferably also at different speeds.
The dishwasher can further comprise a control device for controlling the transport apparatus and/or controllable components associated with the washing and rinsing system and/or the drying system. It is expedient that the transport apparatus and, if necessary, the controllable components associated with the washing and rinsing system and/or the drying system can be controlled as a function of a presence or absence, or as a function of a number of washware items in the input region and/or the output or removal region of the dishwasher.
The inventive solution even gives a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant economic advantages by switching from disposable tableware to reusable tableware, since no logistics are to be provided in particular in the form of workers to collect the soiled tableware.
An exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention is described in further detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The following are shown in the drawings:
For this purpose, the dishwasher 1 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in
In the present case, the dishwasher 1 according to the invention is described in connection with the cleaning of drinking vessels. The drinking vessels are in particular cup-shaped drinking vessels, which are issued in coffee shops or fast-food restaurants for warm drinks (coffee drinks, etc.) or cold drinks.
However, the solution according to the invention is not limited to the treatment of such a washware item type. By a slight modification of the dishwasher 1, and in particular of the transport apparatus 3 of the dishwasher 1, it is also suitable for other and in particular for a plurality of different types of washware to be cleaned, such as plates, bowls, etc.
The dishwasher 1 according to the invention comprises a transport apparatus 3, which is in particular suitable for the safe transport and treatment of washware items of different sizes and/or shapes.
The input region 2 of the dishwasher 1, which, as stated, can in particular be designed as a return machine for reusable washware items, is preferably set up so as to be accessible to the customer of the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant. It can comprise a user interface 8 and an identification apparatus for washware items that cooperates with a data processing device and a data memory device and is part of a corresponding insertion control system 7 of the dishwasher 1 in order to identify the washware item returned by the customer or placed at the input region 2 of the dishwasher 1.
Preferably, the input region 2 of the dishwasher 1 comprises at least one access or receptacle opening 5, wherein the access or receptacle opening 5 comprises a closure element 6 that is movable relative to a machine frame of the dishwasher 1. In the present case, this is a revolving door that is guided via a corresponding guide 10 and is rotatably supported about an axis of rotation that extends vertically.
From the input region 2 of the dishwasher 1, the washware item that has been placed and possibly identified is transported to the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1 with the aid of the transport apparatus 3. The treatment region 4 of the conveyor 1 is in particular a treatment zone having a washing and rinsing system as well as a drying zone that is positioned downstream when viewed in the transport direction of the washware.
In the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention as shown in the drawings, a transport apparatus 3 is used, which comprises overall a single transport track, which is configured so to transport the washware items to be cleaned, arranged in a row, to the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1 and through the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1.
In principle, however, it is also contemplated that the transport apparatus 3 comprises a plurality of transport lanes running in parallel, which are configured so as to simultaneously and in parallel transport at least two washware items through the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1.
A stacking apparatus can be provided at the output or removal region 16 of the dishwasher 1, which is configured so as to stack the washware items treated in the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1 into a corresponding stack of washware items.
Alternatively, however, it is also contemplated that the cleaned and dried washware items are output into a region or a container or the like provided at the output or removal region 16 of the dishwasher 1, i.e., without forming a stack.
As can be seen in the partially cut view according to
In general, the transport apparatus 3 comprises a circulating conveyor belt, in particular in the form of a circulating conveyor chain or in the form of a circulating conveyor belt. A plurality of retaining elements is connected to the circulating conveyor system. The retaining elements are configured so as to receive the washware items that are to be cleaned in a releasable manner, in particular in a positively locking manner and preferably at least in a regionally or partially positively locking manner, and then hold them releasably.
The input region 2 of the dishwasher 1 is intuitive and comprises a user interface 8, via which necessary information can be presented to the user. The user interface 8 is part of an insertion control system 7, which serves, among other things, to coordinate the movement of the closure element 6.
The closure element 6, which in the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention as shown in the drawings is configured as a revolving door, is specifically movable between an open position in which a washware item to be cleaned can be inserted into a loading region 9 of the dishwasher 1 and a closed position. In the closed position of the closure element 6, the receptacle opening 5 is closed and an insertion of the washware item to be cleaned into the loading region 9 is thus prevented.
The insertion control system 7 cooperates with the closure element 6 accordingly. Specifically, the insertion control system 7 is configured such that the closure element 6 is only moved into its open position when it is recognized and/or verified with the aid of the insertion control system 7 that the operator of the dishwasher 1 is authorized to clean the washware item to be cleaned.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, for this purpose, the insertion control system 7 comprises a scanner device in the form of a barcode reader device. This is provided in the input region 2 of the dishwasher 1 such that a type of washware item to be inserted in the loading region 9 of the dishwasher 1 can be detected with the aid of the scanner device. The insertion control system 7 is configured so as to verify, based on the type of washware item that is detected with the scanner device, that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher 1 is authorized.
Preferably, the insertion control system 7 is further configured such that, upon verification that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher 1 is authorized, it causes the closure element 6 of the dishwasher 1 to be transferred into its open position so that the washware item can be inserted into the loading region 9.
Instead of a scanner device, however, it is also contemplated that the insertion control system 7 can comprise a reader device, in particular an RFID reader device.
Although not shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that the insertion control system 7 comprises a further sensor technology, for example in the form of a scanner device or in the form of a reader device, which is configured so as to detect a type of a washware item already inserted in the loading region 9 of the dishwasher 1. In this context, it is contemplated that the insertion control system 7 is configured so as to verify, based on the type of the washware item detected with the further sensor technology, that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher 1 is authorized.
The insertion control system 7 should further be configured such that, upon verification that a cleaning of the washware item by the operator of the dishwasher 1 is authorized, it causes the closure element 6 of the dishwasher 1 to be transferred into its closed position so that the washware item can be transported to the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1.
Preferably, the insertion control system 7 has further functionalities.
In particular, it is advantageous that the insertion control system 7 can also monitor whether the washware item is received in the loading region 9 of the dishwasher 1 individually or as a stack of washware items. It is contemplated in this case that the insertion control system 7 has sensor technology, which works in particular in a touchless manner, and is configured so as to detect whether a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a stack of washware items, are received in the loading region 9. It is contemplated that the sensors perform a height check once or as soon as the loading region 9 is filled with at least one washware item.
Alternatively, however, it is also contemplated that the insertion control system 7 comprises a device based on the Poka-Yoke principle, which is configured so as to prevent a plurality of washware items, in particular a plurality of washware items in the form of a stack of washware items, from being received in the loading region 9 of the dishwasher 1.
Such a device based on the Poka-Yoke principle can, for example, be configured in the form of an insertion motion link or insertion diaphragm, which only permits a transfer into the loading region 9 if a single washware item is to be transferred into the loading region 9.
Preferably, a check of the washware item to be treated takes place in the loading region 9 or before insertion into the loading region 9. In this context, it is contemplated, for example, that the insertion control system 7 is configured so as to check the washware item received or to be received in the loading region 9 of the dishwasher 1 for marking, damage, level of soiling, and/or leakage. If the washware item received or to be received in the loading region 9 of the dishwasher 1 does not pass this pre-check, for example if the washware item has individual markings or damages, or if the washware item is too soiled, an alert is issued and/or a transport of the washware item to the treatment region 4 is prevented.
As can be seen in particular in the illustrations in
In particular, the dedicated insertion region 12 is configured so as to receive a washware item to be cleaned in a pre-determined orientation of the washware item. This is preferably an upside-down position that is inverted with respect to the intended use of the washware item.
The insertion control system 7 is preferably configured so as to detect whether a washware item is received in the predetermined orientation in the insertion region 12. The insertion control system 7 is preferably configured so as to issue an alert and/or to prevent a transport of the washware item to the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1 if it is detected by the insertion control system 7 that a washware item is not received in the predetermined orientation in the insertion region 12.
The check as to whether the washware item is placed in the dedicated insertion region 12 in the “correct” orientation can be carried out with the aid of sensor technology, for example.
However, alternatively or additionally, it is also contemplated that the insertion control system 7 comprises a device based on the Poka-Yoke system, which is configured so as to prevent a washware item from being received in the insertion region 12 if it is not in the predetermined orientation of the washware item. Such a device based on the Poka-Yoke system can be configured, for example, in the form of an insertion motion link or insertion diaphragm, which only permits a transfer into the insertion region 12 when the washware item is present in its predetermined orientation.
In the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, on the other hand, with respect to the device based on the Poka-Yoke principle, it is provided that it comprises a blocking element 11, which is configured so as to prevent a washware item from being received in the insertion region 12 if it is not in the predetermined orientation of the washware item.
As can be seen in particular, for example, in the illustration in
In
After the (proper or correct) insertion of the washware item in the insertion region 12, the blocking element 11 should retract again (see
For this purpose, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, a mechanism is provided that is configured so as to initiate an extension of the pin-shaped or rod-shaped element 11 upon a movement of the closure element 6 into its open position and to initiate a retraction of the pin-shaped or rod-shaped element 11 upon a movement of the closure element 6 into its closed position.
The mechanism is schematically illustrated in
If, by contrast, the closure element 6 is transferred into its closed position (cf.
It can be seen from the drawings in
As can be seen in particular from the illustrations in
It can be seen from the illustration in
In order to achieve a design that is as compact as possible, it is provided according to the invention that the transport apparatus 3 of the dishwasher 1 transports the washware items from the input region 2 to the treatment region 4 of the dishwasher 1 discontinuously, and in particular in batches.
The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 as shown in the drawings, but rather results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.
According to preferred implementations, at least one of the following aspects is provided in the dishwasher 1 according to the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2023 114 144.9 | May 2020 | DE | national |
