Patent Application
20170231464
The present application relates to a mobile dishwasher for collecting and cleaning eating utensils in food centres and the like. The eating utensils may simply be known as utensils, which include bowls, plates, cups, saucers and cutleries. The application also relates to methods of using, maintaining, upgrading and servicing the mobile dishwasher.
The present application claims the priority date of the earlier Singapore patent application “Automatic Dishwasher for Eateries”, which has the serial number of 10201406555X and filing date of 13 Oct. 2014. All content and/or subject matter of this priority application is hereby incorporated entirely.
Most food centres (e.g. coffee shops or hawker centres), hotels, restaurants and other eateries serve food and drinks without using disposable utensils. Instead, porcelain, metal and glass utensils are commonly deployed, which are repeatedly washed and used. Often, the food centres and restaurants employ dedicated groups of workers to gather and wash soiled utensils. After being cleansed, the cleaned utensils are sorted and distributed back to respective stalls in the food centres and restaurants. The process from collecting dirty utensils to redistributing clean utensils is continuously repeated throughout operation hours of the food centres and restaurants. Even though industrial dishwashers with high washing capacities are available, this process of washing utensils inevitably requires complex systems of transportation, inventory control and manpower management. Besides, the collection, cleaning and distributing of utensils are labour intensive, tedious and time-consuming, which inevitably add to the operation costs of the food centres and restaurants, which in turn increases the cost of dining to customers.
The present invention aims to provide a new and useful mobile dishwasher. The application also intends to provide new and useful methods for using, maintaining, upgrading and servicing the mobile dishwasher. Essential features of the invention are provided by one or more independent claims, whilst advantageous features are presented by their dependent claims respectively.
It may be a further objective of the present application to provide a mobile dishwasher that comprises a cart and a washer that can be separated or coupled together. In use, a cleaner pushes the cart around a restaurant and collect soiled utensils into baskets of the cart. The cart is subsequently coupled to the washer for cleaning the soiled utensils inside the mobile dishwasher. The baskets may be detachably mounted onto the cart, and one or more of the baskets has one or more jigs for fastening the soiled utensils in place. The jigs may be detachable from the baskets. The cart additionally may have a bin for accumulating disposed food waste. The mobile dishwasher is compact such that the mobile dishwasher can be easily installed in a food centre or restaurant without occupying much space.
According to a first aspect of the application, the present application provides a mobile dishwasher that comprises a washer having one or more nozzles for discharging a cleaning fluid (e.g. clean water, recycled water and detergent) into the washer, and a first cart. The first cart is configured or adapted to be detachably coupled to the washer for providing an enclosure with the washer in order to wash soiled utensils. In other words, the first cart is able to be detachably coupled or joined to the washer. The first cart comprises two or more side-openings for receiving soiled utensils into the first cart or the enclosure before the first cart being coupled to the washer in forming the enclosure.
The multiple side openings allows an operator of the mobile dishwasher or the first cart to load soiled eating utensils onto the cart easily because an interior of the first cart is exposed for easy access. In fact, when opposite sides of the first cart are opened (e.g. lateral opposite sides), the operator can conveniently and fully fill the first carts with the soiled utensils so that the loading of the utensils become fast, efficient and convenient. For example, if a width of the first cart is less than two meters, the operator can reach and placed a soiled dish/plate at a centre of the first cart without requiring additional tools. In contrast, a length of the first cart may be from 0.5 meters to 2 meters or more, without causing difficulty in loading soiled utensils onto any part of the first cart. The first cart is desired to be lower than a normal height of the operator (e.g. 1.7 meters), but higher than 0.5 meters so that the operator does not have to stretch or bend his body excessively for handling the first cart.
In fact, the mobile dishwasher provides an open cart concept which may drastically increases loading efficiency of the utensils without having to pull out racks or baskets for loading. The mobile dishwasher may have one or more standard racks or baskets for loading of smaller or larger plates and bowl found in eateries. The mobile dishwasher is wide (e.g. larger than 50 centimetres) for holding bigger plates and bowls. The side-openings or doors of the cart facilitate efficient washing. The mobile dishwasher may use water, detergent (e.g. electrolysis of water for providing acid & alkaline), steam or other cleaning agents for removing stubborn stains, depending on nature the soiled utensils, such as by oil/butter or sauces. The mobile dishwasher may also adopt different washing programmes (e.g. detergent usage or steam temperature) for cleaning diverse types of soiled utensils.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise a guiding mechanism for directing the first cart to the washer for coupling. The guiding mechanism can include wedges, rails, tracks, magnets or other cooperating parts on the first cart and the washer so that the first cart is easily guided into the washer or mobile dishwasher for easy coupling. For example, the guiding mechanism can comprise two sleeves on the first cart, and two rods on the washer. The two rods are inserted into the two sleeves respectively when coupling the first cart and the washer together such that the first cart and washer can be easily joined together for washing the soiled utensils. The guiding mechanism can provide assistance for aligning the two separated parts (i.e. the first cart and the washer) possibly before their physical contact and/or after their physical contact. Hence, the guiding mechanism allows the ease of joining the first cart and the washer together, avoiding collision or hard landing. Soft-close/positive-close mechanism and/or locking mechanism can be additionally incorporated. The soft-close mechanism enables the first cart and the washer to be coupled quietly, or which are coupled fully after being joined only partially. The locking mechanism can either manually or automatically (e.g. connected to a computer) operated so that the first cart is prevented from being decoupled when the washer is in washing operation.
The mobile dishwasher may comprise a strainer for preventing solid particles or slurry from blocking an internal or external drainage system connected to the mobile dishwasher. The strainer allows rinsed or used water to pass through so that the rinsed or used water can be recycled to nozzles for flushing soiled utensils again. Clean water consumption by the mobile dishwasher is drastically reduced.
The strainer can comprise a cyclone filter that is adapted to automatically purge out the solid particles, slurry or food debris from recycled water. The cyclone reduces or avoid usage of filtering screen or net so that the mobile dishwasher is less dependent on the supply of consumables, such as filtering screens.
The strainer further may comprise a waste collector for storing the solid particles or the slurry. The waste collector may be periodically cleaned so that food waste may be collected for recycling. Additionally, the solid particles or the slurry may be removed from waste water discharge from the mobile dishwasher so that a sewage system or drainage system of a food court or restaurant will be blocked. The strainer may comprise a fluid trap for draining sewage water from the mobile dishwasher to the drainage system without spillage (e.g. dirtying floor of the food court).
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise one or more fluid seals that are configured to withstand heat, acid, alkali, pressure or a combination of any of these for hermetically sealing the mobile dishwasher during operation. The one or more fluid seals (also known as mechanical seal) helps join parts or mechanisms together by preventing leakage (e.g. in a plumbing system), containing pressure, or excluding contamination. The effectiveness of the fluid seal is dependent on adhesion in the case of sealants and compression in the case of gaskets. Examples of the fluid seals include O-ring and hermetic seal.
The mobile dishwasher may further comprise a monitoring system that is configured to observe operation of the mobile dishwasher. The monitoring system may include cameras, computers, sensors and glass windows for observing operation status of the first mobile dishwasher (also known as mobile dishwasher). The cameras may include a thermographic camera (infrared camera or thermal imaging camera), a camcorder, a digital camera and X-ray camera.
The monitoring system can comprise a safety mechanism that is adapted to suspend the operation of the mobile dishwasher when detecting system fault (e.g. improper coupling between the washer and the first cart). The safety mechanism can detect gas leakage, water spillage, hazardous electric current discharge or any other safety issues so that the mobile dishwasher cannot start washing process without resolving these safety issues. For example, the safety mechanism cuts off electricity supply to a pump of the mobile dishwasher if the first cart and the washer are coupled or locked to each other securely.
The monitoring system may further comprises one or more indicators for showing operation status of the mobile dishwasher. The indicators may give audio or visual signals to operators so that the operators may observe status of the mobile dishwasher.
The one or more indicators can comprise a display screen, a warning light, an audio alarm, a loud speaker, a touchscreen, a transparent window on the mobile dishwasher or a combination of any of these. These indicators can give access or interfaces for regulating or observing the mobile dishwasher.
The monitoring system may further comprise one or more cameras for taking images (e.g. photos or movies) of the operation. The monitoring system may further comprise one or more audio or video recorders for recording operation of the mobile dishwasher.
The monitoring system can be configured to cause the mobile dishwasher to perform self-clean operation according to predetermined programmes. The mobile dishwasher has sensors that detects cleanness of the mobile dishwasher so that the self-clean operation is performed according to predetermined time intervals or programmes. For example, when using hard water, the mobile dishwasher can discharge acidic fluid within its fluid circulation system for removing calcium and magnesium carbonates.
The first cart may comprise one or more racks for holding one or more baskets on each of the racks. The racks are fixtures of the first cart for receiving containers. The one or more racks may be resistive to corrosion and/or mechanical shocks so that the first cart becomes durable for long-term operation.
The one or more racks may comprise a first rack and a second rack for holding the utensils of different heights. The utensils may have diverse shapes, sizes and/or heights. Two or more racks of the first cart with different heights provides suitable space for receiving the utensils into the baskets without wasting space/height between loaded utensils and their upper rack. More utensils may be packed into the first cart such that an interior space or room in the first cart may be effectively utilised. Instead of having racks with same sizes, a rack or basket with a short distance from a base of the rack to a bottom of its upper rack (known as the height of the rack or basket) accepts utensils with suitable sizes, wasting less loading capacity of the first cart. For example, a top rack of the first cart having a small height (e.g. 15 centimetres) can hold mugs well; a middle rack of the first cart having a medium height (e.g. 25 centimetres) can receive bowls and plates; and a bottom rack of the first cart having a large height (e.g. 50 centimetres) can accommodate trays.
The one or more racks can be configured to detachably hold the one or more baskets. Baskets of diverse sizes are suitable for holding a variety of eating utensils so that the same mobile dishwasher is suitable for food catering of different preferences, culture or duty of usage.
The one or more racks may comprise a height adjustment mechanism for holding the baskets of different heights. The height adjustment may be discrete or continuous so that the baskets or utensil of diverse sizes may be contained by the first cart for washing. The height adjustment mechanism may be electrically or mechanically regulated so that the height adjustment may be achieved with simplify, accuracy or reliability.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise a fluid circulation mechanism for reusing the cleaning fluid. The fluid circulation mechanism can circulate clean water, used water, detergent, steam or hot air of different temperatures depending on washing schemes of the mobile dishwasher.
The mobile dishwasher may further comprise a dryer that may utilise UV (ultraviolet), infrared, hot air/gas, super-heated steam for drying washed eating utensils. The dryer may include one or more blowers, lamps or orifices at diverse locations of the mobile dishwasher so that parts of whole of the mobile dishwasher may be dried with different or same capacity.
The washer, the first cart or both the washer and the first cart can comprise one or more ground propulsion (e.g. wheel or track) for moving the first cart, the washer or both on a floor. The ground propulsion can be manually or electrically powered. Other means (e.g. internal combustion engine) can also be suitable as replacement, compliments or backup. The one or more ground propulsion (e.g. wheel or track) can further comprise one or more locks for bolting the ground propulsion so that the first cart or both the washer and the first cart can be parked at designated places for operation. The washer, the first cart or both the washer and the first cart can additionally comprise one or more legs, hooks or other anchors for fastening, locating or locking the first cart or both the washer and the first cart at the designated places. The one or more ground propulsion can be detachable, replaceable or height adjustable.
The mobile dishwasher may further comprise a storage tank for keeping detergent, sanitizing agent or other cleaning agents. The storage tank may be incorporated or detachable for easy handling. The storage tank may also have housing and connectors of standard shapes or sizes for receiving cartridges or containers of the detergent, sanitizing agent or other cleaning agents.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise a metre for showing remaining volume of the detergent, sanitizing agent or other cleaning agents for refilling. The meter is a measuring gauge that indicates or communicates remaining volumes of relevant consumables, such as the detergent.
The mobile dishwasher may further comprise a communication host for transmitting operation information of the mobile dishwasher remotely. The communication host uses Information and communications technology (ICT) for providing automatic data transmission of the mobile dishwasher so that the mobile dishwasher may be locally or remotely monitored or operated.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise an instant steam generator (not boiler or without boiler) for providing saturated, super-heated steam, pressurised steam or a combination of any of these. The mobile dishwasher can additionally include a boiler and/or heater connected for supplying steam of different temperatures.
The mobile dishwasher may further comprise a washing gun that is connected to the mobile dishwasher via a flexible or rigid hose for spraying the cleaning agent. The washing gun, also known as spray gun, provides an additional tool to the operator for cleaning a specific item or corner including washing the washer itself as well as surrounding flooring. In fact, the first cart, the second cart or both are optionally washable by the washer so that the first cart or the second cart can be automatically cleaned when necessary or depending on operator settings. For example, the first cart, the second cart or the washer are automatically washed by the washer if sensors of the mobile washer detects excessive contaminations on them.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise a hub connector for receiving electrical power supply, fluid supply or both from an external source. Accordingly, the hub connector provides a single connector instead of multiple couplings. The hub connector includes an electric hub connector for electric (power or signal) cables, a fluid hub connector for fluids and a common hub connector for both fluid and cables.
The first cart may comprise a rubbish bin. The rubbish bin facilitates the operator for collecting food debris when collecting soiled utensils. Accordingly, large food particles are removed before loading to the first cart (also known as cart).
The rubbish bin can be rotatable, detachable or both rotatable and detachable for emptying rubbish. The operator can easily flip the rotatable rubbish bin for emptying. If a full rubbish bin is removed, an empty rubbish bin is conveniently attached to the first cart for resuming collection of soiled utensils. The rubbish bin can comprise two containers, which enclose each other. An inner container has perforations for draining sewage water and collecting solid food debris, whilst an outer container has an enclosed bottom for keeping the sewage water dripped from the solid food debris or slurry. The rubbish bin can additionally comprise a side rubbish bin for collecting sewage water from rubbish in the rubbish bin. The side rubbish bin can be attached to a perforated bottom of the rubbish bin so that sewage water can be dripped and collected at the side rubbish bin.
The first cart or the washer may further comprises of an auxiliary bin for holding cleaning tools. The cleaning tools help the operator to clean dining tables when collecting the soiled utensils.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise a second cart or more carts. The second cart can be configured to couple with the washer from a same side, a different side or an opposite side of the first cart. In fact, the mobile dishwasher can receive multiple carts from several sides, thus having higher efficiency for washing.
The mobile dishwasher may further comprise an electrolyser (i.e. electrolyzer) for generating acidic cleaning agent, alkaline washing agent or both. For example, proton exchange membrane electrolyzers may be used in industrial and laboratory applications. Hence, the mobile dishwasher may avoid using market available chemical detergent (e.g. anionic detergents, cationic detergents, and non-ionic and zwitterionic detergents) for cost reduction. Known chemical detergent is a mixture of surfactants with “cleaning properties in dilute solutions.” These substances are usually alkylbenzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are more soluble in hard water, because the polar sulfonate (of detergents) is less likely than the polar carboxyl (of soap) to bind to calcium and other ions found in hard water. In most household contexts, the term detergent by itself refers specifically to laundry detergent or dish detergent, as opposed to hand soap or other types of cleaning agents. Besides, users of the mobile dishwasher are no longer required to purchase or refill the chemical detergent. The mobile dishwasher may further mix used acidic water and alkaline water together for neutralisation before discharging to external sewage system, which is environment friendly. The electrolyser, also known as electrolysis detergent generator, thus provide better sanitizing and green washing.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise a washing mechanism that comprises one or more spray arms. The at least one spray arm has orifices for ejecting the cleaning fluid. The one or more spray can discharge water from several angles around the soiled utensils with or without high pressure so that the soiled utensils are speedily washed. More sprayer arms for different racks, baskets or layers reduce the number of row thus reduces loading quantities. Height in each row is also reduced which is unable to cater to larger plates and/or bowls. Also water usage and powerful pump is required.
The one or more spray arms may be rotatable, which may be driven by fluid pressure or electric motor directly or indirectly. Rotary movement of the spray arms ejects swirling fluids for effective scrubbing on the soiled utensils.
The first cart may further comprise one or more jigs for spreading the utensils apart from each other. The one or more jigs may further hold the utensils at desired positions so that cleaning fluid is not accumulated at the utensils during washing process. Suitable space between neighbouring utensils further permit the cleaning fluid (e.g. clean water) to reach exposed utensils from diverse directions.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise a hand washing and sterilizing compartment that has a basin, tap water, steam, spray head, scrubber, sanitizer, washing cloth, detergent, drying towel or other cleaning accessories. The operator can easily access these cleaning tools for cleaning the dining table or his hands.
The mobile dishwasher may allow baskets or drawer be pulled out or pushed into the cart. The racks or baskets of the cart may have double staggered sides. The cart may have a front frame support, back frame support or side frame support. The mobile dishwasher may use reusable energy (e.g. hot spring, solar). The mobile dishwasher may comprise service compartment that has a basin, a water tap, a spray head, a scrubber or other cleaning tools. The mobile dishwasher may additionally has a camera or a sensor for observing status of washing operation.
The mobile dishwasher can further comprise one multiple entrances, exits, or several entrances together with exits for receiving washing soiled utensils on several carts concurrently, sequentially or both. Thus, the mobile dishwasher can also be known as mobile dishwashing station because washing capacity of the mobile dishwashing station is greater than washing by using a single cart. The mobile dishwasher or the mobile dishwashing station may be installed in a stall for providing commercial services. The mobile dishwasher or mobile dishwashing station can adopt computers to control and monitor dishwashing process, providing regulation to resources (e.g. water, gas, electricity) cost and billings. For example, utensil items carry electronic identification (e.g. RFID embedded or tagged) so that the computers of the washer, the first cart or the mobile dishwasher can gather the usage and tabulate bills for users (e.g. each stall owner) on a use-as-you-pay scheme.
The mobile dishwasher may have one or more washing modes for operation. These modes may be manually determined, configured or modified. These modes may also be automatically selected depending machine setting, such as based on sensor detection on uncleanness, time periodical control or detergent application status. For example, the mobile dishwasher has an eco-wash mode for washing lightly-soiled utensils at 45 seconds (i.e. short wash); a standard/normal wash mode at 90 seconds (i.e. medium wash); and a strong/soil wash mode at 120 seconds (i.e. long wash) for heavily contaminated/oily/greasy utensils. Detergentless (washing mode without using chemical detergent) washing mode may be executed by electrolysis water, whilst extreme washing mode may be performed by using super-heated steam (e.g. spraying utensils with super-heated or dry steam at 125° C.).
According to a second aspect of the application, the present application provides a method for using a mobile dishwasher or any of the mobile dishwasher as illustrated before. The method comprises a first step of moving a first cart of the mobile dishwasher for collecting soiled utensils of a food court; a second step of loading the soiled utensils onto the first cart from a first side-opening, a second side-opening, a top side-opening or any of the side-openings; a third step of coupling the first cart with a washer of the mobile dishwasher together; and fourth step of washing the soiled utensils by the washer; a fifth step of detaching the first cart from the washer; and a sixth step of unloading washed utensils from the first cart. These steps can be repeated or change in sequence when required. Hence, the mobile dishwasher can effectively and efficiently clean soiled utensils of a food court locally at low cost. The method may further comprises a step of distributing the washed utensils in the food court. The method avoid the restriction of loading the soiled utensils only from one side (e.g. front side). Once interior of the first cart is allowed to be accessed from lateral or multiple sides (e.g. two opposite lateral sides across width of the first cart), an operator does not have to stretch his arm to a deep interior of the first cart. Handling of the first cart becomes much easier.
According to a third aspect, the application provides a method for operating a mobile dishwasher or any of the mobile dishwasher as illustrated before. The method comprises a first step of monitoring operation status of the mobile dishwasher; and a second step of replenishing consumables when detecting low storage level of consumables. The step of monitoring can further comprise a step of collecting information of the mobile dishwasher via a remote electronic device connected to the mobile dishwasher. Therefore, the mobile dishwasher is examined during its operation, which offers reliability and durability for long term operation. The method can further comprise a step of suspending operation of the mobile dishwasher when detecting safety issues so that safety of operators or consumers is not compromised.
According to a fourth aspect, the application provides a method for servicing a mobile dishwasher or any of the mobile dishwasher as illustrated before, which comprises a first step of connecting to the mobile dishwasher via an electronic communication device; a second step of diagnosing the mobile dishwasher with a computer programme on the electronic communication device; and a third step of configuring the mobile dishwasher by the electronic communication device. Some of these steps may be repeated or changed in sequence.
According to a fifth aspect of the application, the application provides a method of repairing a mobile dishwasher or any of the mobile dishwasher as illustrated before that comprises a first step of receiving an electronic signal on a faulty part of the mobile dishwasher; and a second step of replacing the faulty part. Users of the mobile dishwasher have peace in mind because the mobile dishwasher is maintained in good condition throughout its lifespan.
According to a sixth aspect, the present application provides a parking lot for accommodating a mobile dishwasher or any of the mobile dishwasher as illustrated before. The parking lot, which may also be known as a stall, comprises a tap for providing water to the mobile dishwasher; an electrical socket for offering electricity to the mobile dishwasher; a drainage system for draining waste water from the mobile dishwasher; and a passageway for allowing access of a cart, a washer or both of the mobile dishwasher. The parking lot can be easily constructed, which further provides protection to parts of the mobile dishwasher. The mobile dishwasher can be locked or shielded by the parking lot when not in use.
The method of repairing a mobile dishwasher or the mobile dishwasher as illustrated before may further comprise step of providing a software patch to the mobile dishwasher. The software patch include firmware update package, software update package, diagnostic software package, driver software package for hardware components, additional software packages for new functions or new components, and any software configurations. The method thus facilitates repairing or upgrading the mobile dishwasher locally onsite, or remotely offsite, depending on situations.
The accompanying figures (Figs.) illustrate embodiments and serve to explain principles of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that these figures are presented for purposes of illustration only, and not for defining limits of relevant applications.
Exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the present application will now be described with references to the above-mentioned figures. Embodiments of the application comprise parts or method steps that are similar or identical to each other. These parts or method steps are thus denoted with similar or identical names or reference numerals. Description of these relevant parts of method steps is hereby incorporated by reference, wherever relevant or appropriate.
The coupling of the first cart 56 with the washer 54 is performed linearly. The linear movement is achieved by a guiding mechanism 68 that comprises two parallel rails (not shown) on the washer 54, which cooperate with two tracks (not shown) on the first cart 56. The tracks fit with the rails when the first cart 56 is pushed into the washer 54 so that the first cart 56 is aligned with the washer 54 throughout a coupling process of the two parts 54, 56.
The mobile dishwasher 50 has a control unit 410 that regulates operation of the mobile dishwasher 50 and communicates with external electronic devices (not shown). For example, the control unit 410 transmits operation data to a remote computer sever for data analysis and operation monitoring. The control unit 410 comprises indicators 412, a display screen 414, warning lights 416, an audio alarm 418, a loud speaker 420, a touchscreen 422, a transparent window 424, a camera 426, a dryer 428, a meter 430, a storage tank 432, a communication host 434 (e.g. computer) and a hub connector 436. The indicators 412 are LED light bulbs that have several colours for representing status of the mobile dishwasher 50. A red LED light 412 indicates faulty states, a yellow LED light 412 indicates shortage of supply (e.g. detergent) and a green LED light 412 indicates stable operation of the mobile dishwasher 50. Both the red LED light 412 and the yellow LED light 41 are also known as warning lights 416. The display screen 414 is a touchscreen 422 that allows an operator 152 to change setting or parameters of the mobile dishwasher 50. The control unit 410 additionally includes the audio alarm 418 for giving audible alarm noise, and a loud speaker 420 for broadcasting messages of the control unit 410.
The transparent window 424 is mounted onto the control unit 410, whilst the camera 426 is fixed inside the control unit 410. The dryer 428 is connected to the washer 54 for drying cleaned utensils, and the meter 430 keeps monitoring supplies of the first mobile dishwasher 50, such as detergent storage level and water tank level. The storage tank 432 has compartments for storing clean water, used water and detergent. The communication host 434 (e.g. computer) has antennas and communication ports for computer networking or diagnosis so that the first mobile dishwasher 50 can communicate with a neighboring mobile dishwasher and a remote data center (not shown). The control unit 410 further has a hub connector 436 that combines electric cables and fluid pipes together into a single bus.
Additionally, the hand washing and sterilizing chamber 86 is connected to an electrolyser 98 (i.e. electrolyzed water generator) that passes electric current through water via an electrolyte (not shown). When selected by the user, the electrolyser 98 delivers alkali electrolysis water as the detergent via the hot water tap 90, and acid electrolysis water as the sanitizing agent. The electrolyzed water generator is also known as chlorine generator, salt cell, salt generator or salt chlorinator, which uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved salt (NaCl) to produce hypochlorous acid (HClO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). The electrolyzed water generator can installed locally such that freshly generated alkali electrolysis water and acid electrolysis water can be immediately delivered to detergent washing station and the sanitizing station respectively. Traditional chemical detergents (e.g. anionic detergents, cationic detergents & non-ionic and zwitterionic detergents) or sanitizing agent (i.e. disinfectants are antimicrobial agents) are avoided for cost reduction and environmental protection. For example, alcohols, aldehydes (e.g. formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde) and oxidizing agents (e.g. sodium hypochlorite), phenolics or other sanitizer are reduced or avoided when using the first mobile dishwasher 50.
As shown in
Each of the middle 124 and top racks 126 holds two baskets 132, 134, 136, 138, which are laid side-by side on their respective racks 124, 126. Particularly, both the first baskets 132, 134 have first jigs respectively for supporting cutlery items, such as folks, knives and chop sticks. Both the second baskets 136, 138 include second jigs 142 for holding bowl, mugs and plates. In contrast, a detachable jig 144 is mounted onto the first rack 122 for holding food trays 146 in vertical and parallel positions.
In a second view 162, the operator 152 pushes the first cart 56 around the food court 148 till the first cart 56 is fully loaded with soiled utensils 52, 146, 156, 158.
In a third view 164 of
In a fourth view 166, the operator 152 removes the first cart 56 from the washer 54 after cleaning the soiled utensils 52, 146, 156, 158. The operator 152 distribute cleaned food utensils 52 back to the stalls 168 of the food court 148 as shown in a fifth view 170, and further collect a new batch of soiled utensils 52, 146, 156, 158 with an emptied first cart 56 as shown in a sixth view 172.
Referring to
A third view 258 of
Referring to a second view 280, a fluid circulation mechanism 252 comprises a top spray arm 282, a middle spray arm 284 and a bottom spray arm 286. Both the top and bottom spray arms 282, 286 have rotary discs 288, 290 respectively such that these rotary discs 288, 290 can emit the water 60 from nozzles 58 on the rotary discs 288, 290 when in use.
Referring to a second embodiment 306, the fluid circulation mechanism 252 comprises a pump 240 that is connected to a vertical pipe 304. An inlet 308 of the pump 240 is connected to a strainer 110, which is mounted to a waste collector 310 at bottom. Rinsing water from the spray heads 294, 296, 298 are collected by the waste collector 310 as a basin, and further circulated to the spray heads 294, 296, 298 for recycling because the vertical pipe 304 is connected to an outlet 312 of the pump 240. The outlet 312 is further connected to an external drainage system (not shown) via a check valve (i.e. clack valve, non-return valve or one-way valve) (not shown). The spray heads 294, 296, 298 and the vertical pipe 304 are additionally joined to the instant steam generator 104, a detergent tank (not shown) and a hot air blower (not shown) for delivering clean, recycled (used or rinsed) water, saturated or super-heated steam, detergent, air or a combination of any of these cleaning medium from an external source.
Referring to
Referring to
In the application, unless specified otherwise, the terms “comprising”, “comprise”, and grammatical variants thereof, intended to represent “open” or “inclusive” language such that they include recited elements but also permit inclusion of additional, non-explicitly recited elements.
As used herein, the term “about”, in the context of concentrations of components of the formulations, typically means +/−5% of the stated value, more typically +/−4% of the stated value, more typically +/−3% of the stated value, more typically, +/−2% of the stated value, even more typically +/−1% of the stated value, and even more typically +/−0.5% of the stated value.
Throughout this disclosure, certain embodiments may be disclosed in a range format. The description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosed ranges. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.
It will be apparent that various other modifications and adaptations of the application will be apparent to the person skilled in the art after reading the foregoing disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the application and it is intended that all such modifications and adaptations come within the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10201406555X | Oct 2014 | SG | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SG2015/050379 | 10/8/2015 | WO | 00 |
