Utensil washer with air-assisted pre-scraping

Abstract

An appliance washing machine for washing utensils includes a chamber for receiving utensils, the chamber having an entry side, an exit side, a plurality of spray zones between the entry side and the exit side, and a conveyor structure for moving utensils along a conveyor path in a utensil travel direction through the plurality of spray zones. A pre-deboning zone is positioned toward the entry side of the chamber, the pre-deboning zone having a blow-off system including a plurality of pre-deboning nozzles and a compressed air supply line for delivering compressed air to the pre-deboning nozzles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to appliance washers used in commercial applications such as cafeterias and restaurants, and more specifically, to systems and methods for pre-de-dandruffing operations in such appliance washers using air. Background Technology

[0002] Commercial appliance scrubbers typically include a housing that defines one or more internal washing and rinsing zones for dishes, pots, pans, and other appliances. In conveyor-type machines, appliances move through multiple distinct spray zones within the housing for cleaning (e.g., ASR zone, pre-wash zone, washing zone, post-wash (also known as intensive rinse) zone, and rinsing zone). One or more zones include a tank in which the liquid to be sprayed onto the appliances is heated to achieve the desired cleaning. In batch-type machines, appliances are typically moved manually to a generally fixed location within the cleaning process and then manually removed from the machine after all operations / steps of the cleaning cycle are completed.

[0003] Given the increasing demand for water and the growing number of arid regions, reducing water consumption is becoming increasingly important in some areas.

[0004] The aim is to provide a appliance washing system and method that reduces water consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Water conservation was achieved by incorporating an air system for pre-dandruff removal into existing appliance washing machines.

[0006] In one aspect, an appliance washing machine for washing appliances includes a chamber for receiving appliances, the chamber having an inlet side, an outlet side, a plurality of spray zones between the inlet and outlet sides, and a conveyor structure for moving the appliances through the plurality of spray zones along a conveyor path in the appliance travel direction. A pre-dandruff zone is positioned toward the inlet side of the chamber and has a blow-off system including a plurality of pre-dandruff nozzles and compressed air supply lines for delivering compressed air to the pre-dandruff nozzles.

[0007] In the foregoing respect, the pre-de-shaving zone may be located (i) outside the chamber, upstream of the chamber entrance relative to the direction of appliance travel, or (ii) inside the chamber, downstream of the chamber entrance and upstream of any liquid spraying zone within the chamber.

[0008] In the foregoing aspect, the pre-de-chip nozzle is oriented to deliver an airflow to the appliance in the pre-de-chip zone in order to remove at least some food waste from the appliance and into the waste collection system of the pre-de-chip zone.

[0009] To this end, a plurality of pre-scrape nozzles can be provided on the conveyor path and oriented to deliver air down onto the ware, and the dirt collection system is located below the conveyor path.

[0010] In one embodiment, the dirt collection system includes a collection compartment having walls that direct food dirt toward the filter, and a liquid spray system including a plurality of collection system nozzles for spraying liquid onto one or more of the walls to facilitate movement of food dirt toward the filter.

[0011] The dirt collection system can also include a compressed air delivery structure located below the conveyor path to facilitate movement of food dirt toward the filter. In this case, the compressed air delivery structure supplies compressed air to (i) the collection system nozzles so that a combined liquid and air stream is output by the collection system nozzles; and / or (ii) a second set of nozzles below the conveyor path so that only air is output by this second set of nozzles.

[0012] The liquid spray system can include a liquid supply line connected to receive liquid from a tank of one of a plurality of spray zones in the room via operation of a pump associated with a liquid recirculation system of the spray zone.

[0013] A valve can be positioned along the liquid supply line between the pump and the dirt collection system nozzles to selectively control whether liquid is delivered from the tank to the dirt collection system nozzles when the pump is operated.

[0014] The liquid spray system can include a liquid supply line connected to receive liquid from a tank to which water from one or more spray zones is drained, and a pump for supplying liquid from the tank to the collection system spray nozzles. The tank can be connected to a drain line that receives water drained from one or more spray zones of the ware washing machine. The tank can include an overflow to the main drain outlet of the machine.

[0015] In one embodiment of the foregoing aspect, delivery of compressed air to the pre-scrape nozzles can be automatically controlled based on (i) ware sensing, (ii) timing based on the speed of the conveyor; and / or (iii) timing based on the distance traveled by the ware.

[0016] In one embodiment of the foregoing aspect, delivery of compressed air to the pre-scrape nozzles is manually controlled by an operator pressing a button when the ware is in the pre-scrape zone or at a particular location in the pre-scrape zone.

[0017] In one embodiment of the foregoing aspect, the delivery of compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzle is automatically controlled based on one or more sensors used to detect the presence of an appliance in the pre-chip removal zone. In this case, the start time of delivering compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzle is substantially equal to or earlier than the time when the appliance enters the pre-chip removal zone, and / or the stop time of delivering compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzle is substantially equal to the time when the appliance leaves the pre-chip removal zone or after a certain lag time after the appliance leaves the pre-chip removal zone.

[0018] In one embodiment of the foregoing aspects, the machine includes: (i) a triggerable, automatic, or manual dwell mode of the conveyor structure to allow for longer pre-de-shaving periods for heavily contaminated appliances; and / or (ii) a conveyor speed regulating device capable of being triggered automatically or manually to increase or decrease the speed for a shortened or longer pre-de-shaving period, respectively; and / or (iii) an appliance contamination detection system and associated controller configured to increase or decrease the conveyor speed for appliances in the pre-de-shaving zone based on the detection of appliance contamination; and / or (iv) an appliance detection system and associated controller configured to: (a) increase or decrease the conveyor speed for appliances in the pre-de-shaving zone; and / or (b) in either case increase or decrease the compressed air speed or flow rate based on appliance material, appliance type, and / or appliance size.

[0019] On the other hand, an appliance washing machine for washing appliances includes a chamber for receiving appliances, the chamber having at least one spray zone for receiving appliances and spraying liquid thereon during a cleaning cycle. A pre-dandruff zone is located outside the chamber and includes an appliance support surface. The pre-dandruff zone includes a blow-off system having multiple pre-dandruff nozzles and a compressed air supply line for delivering compressed air to the pre-dandruff nozzles, wherein the pre-dandruff nozzles are oriented to deliver airflow onto the appliances in the pre-dandruff zone to remove at least some food contaminants from the appliances and into a contaminant collection system of the pre-dandruff zone. The multiple pre-dandruff nozzles are arranged on the appliance support surface and are oriented to deliver air downward onto the appliances, with the contaminant collection system located below the appliance support surface.

[0020] In one embodiment immediately following the foregoing aspects, the waste collection system includes a collection compartment and a liquid spraying system. The collection compartment has walls that guide food waste toward a filter, and the liquid spraying system includes a plurality of collection system nozzles for spraying liquid onto one or more walls to facilitate the movement of food waste toward the filter.

[0021] Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of an appliance washer including an air pre-de-dandruff zone;

[0023] Figure 2 Another side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of an appliance washer including an air pre-de-dandruff zone;

[0024] Figure 3 This is another side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of an appliance washer including an air pre-de-dandruff zone; and

[0025] Figure 4 This is another side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of an appliance washer that includes an air pre-de-dandruff zone. Detailed Implementation

[0026] refer to Figure 1 An exemplary appliance washing machine 10 is shown, wherein a housing 12 defines an internal chamber 14 for receiving appliances for cleaning. The exemplary machine is a conveyor-type machine, including a conveyor structure 16 (e.g., continuous or reciprocating) to supply appliances along a conveyor path 18 in the appliance travel direction 20 to the inlet side 22 of the chamber and to pass the appliances through multiple spray zones within the chamber to the outlet side 24. Here, the machine is illustrated with an Automatic Stain Removal (ASR) system zone 30 and a pre-wash zone 32, wherein additional zones such as a washing zone (and possibly a post-wash zone), a rinsing zone, and possibly a drying zone are located in a downstream section 34 of the machine. The length of section 34 of the machine housing can be varied depending on the number of zones introduced into the machine, as suggested. The machine also includes a pre-dandruff removal zone 36 positioned towards the inlet side of the chamber. Here, the pre-dandruff removal zone 36 is located outside the chamber and adjacent to the inlet side 22, but in other variations, the pre-dandruff removal zone 36 may be the first zone within the chamber.

[0027] The pre-de-chip zone 36 includes a blow-off system 38 having a plurality of pre-de-chip nozzles 40 and compressed air supply lines 44 for delivering compressed air to the nozzles. The nozzles 40 may be located in one or more air manifolds 42 extending along the delivery path of the appliance and intersecting the delivery direction 20. A valve 46 is used to control the flow of compressed air to the nozzles. The compressed air supply lines can be connected from the equipment where the machine is located or from a compressor mounted on the machine to an external source as a separate unit.

[0028] Pre-chip removal nozzles 40 are oriented to deliver an airflow to appliances in the pre-chip removal zone 36 (e.g., appliance 50 in shelf 52) to remove at least some food waste from the appliance and into the waste collection system 54 of the pre-chip removal zone. Here, the pre-chip removal nozzles 40 are positioned above the conveying path of the appliance and oriented to deliver air downwards onto the appliance, as shown, and the waste collection system 54 is positioned below the conveying path. Therefore, shelf 52 may have a bottom support surface that is substantially open to allow food waste to pass downwards therethrough, and the conveyor structure may similarly be open to allow food waste to pass downwards into the waste collection system 54. The waste collection system 54 includes a collection compartment 56 having a wall 58 that guides or otherwise directs food waste toward the filter 60. The filter can be of a removable type (e.g., liftable and removed from compartment 56 or pullable from one side of the compartment, such as in the form of a drawer) to allow captured food waste to be carried by the operator to the processing area without being transported down to the discharge path line 62. A liquid spraying system 64 can also be configured as part of a waste collection system, as shown. System 64 includes a plurality of collection system nozzles 66 for spraying liquid onto one or more walls 58 to promote movement of food waste toward the filter, preventing it from adhering to the walls. For this purpose, the liquid spray can be guided along the wall surface. Here, a liquid supply line 68 for nozzle 66 is connected to receive liquid from a collection tank 70 of one of the spray zones in chamber 14 (here, pre-wash zone 32, although alternatively it could be a downstream spray zone) via operation of a pump 72 associated with a liquid recirculation system 74 for a spray zone. The liquid recirculation system supplies liquid to the spray nozzles 76 of the spray zone 32 (here, both the upper and lower nozzles), and the liquid falling under gravity moves backward into the tank 70.

[0029] Valve 78 is positioned along the liquid supply line between the pump and the sludge collection system nozzle to selectively control whether liquid is delivered from the tank to the sludge collection system nozzle and / or control the flow rate along the feed line when the pump is operated. Various factors can be used to control when the valve is open / closed and / or to control the flow area through the valve, as described in more detail below. For this purpose, controller 80 is configured in the automated machine and is illustrated herein as being connected to pump 72 and valves 46 and 78, although connections of controller 80 to other components of the machine (for controlling these components) (e.g., other pumps and valves, blowers, heaters, and conveyor drives, etc.) will also exist. As used herein, the term "controller" is intended to broadly encompass any circuit (e.g., solid-state circuitry, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuitry, combinational logic circuitry, and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), processor (e.g., shared, dedicated, or grouped – including hardware or software executing code), software, firmware, and / or other components, or some or all of the above combinations, that performs control functions of the machine or any component thereof.

[0030] In some embodiments, the waste collection system may further include a compressed air delivery structure 82 located below the delivery path to facilitate the movement of food waste toward the filter. For example, the compressed air delivery structure supplies compressed air to the collection system nozzles (e.g., via line 84 from valve 46) such that a combined liquid and air flow is output from the collection system nozzles; and / or (ii) supplies it to a second set of nozzles 86 below the delivery path such that only air is output from the second set of nozzles.

[0031] In some embodiments, in addition to the compressed air supplied to the nozzle 40, some liquid may also be supplied to the nozzle 40 to use a combined liquid and air spray to remove food contaminants from the appliance. For example, a feed line 68 may also be connected to supply liquid to the nozzle 40.

[0032] In some implementations, controller 80 may be configured to automatically control the delivery of compressed air to pre-chip removal nozzle 40 based on (i) appliance sensing (e.g., from appliance sensor structure 90 connected to controller 80), (ii) timing based on conveyor speed, and / or (iii) timing based on the distance traveled by the appliance. The delivery of compressed air to pre-chip removal nozzle 40 may also be manually controlled by an operator pressing button 92 (e.g., a mechanical button or a button on a display) when the appliance is in a specific location within the pre-chip removal zone.

[0033] The controller 80 can be configured to automatically control the delivery of compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzle based on one or more sensors 90, which detect the presence of an appliance in or at a specific location within the pre-chip removal zone 36. The controller 80 can be configured such that the start time of the delivery of compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzle 40 is substantially equal to or earlier than the time when the appliance enters the pre-chip removal zone 36. The controller 80 can also be configured such that the stop time of the delivery of compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzle 40 is substantially equal to the time when the appliance leaves the pre-chip removal zone 36 or after a certain lag time following the appliance's departure from the pre-chip removal zone 36.

[0034] The controller 80 may also be configured such that the machine 10 includes: (i) a triggerable, automatic, or manual dwell mode for the conveyor structure to allow for longer pre-de-shaving periods for heavily contaminated appliances; and / or (ii) a conveyor speed regulating device that can be automatically or manually triggered to increase or decrease the speed for a shortened or longer pre-de-shaving period, respectively; and / or (iii) the controller is configured to increase or decrease the conveyor speed for appliances in the pre-de-shaving zone based on appliance contamination detected by the appliance contamination detection system; and / or (iv) the controller is configured to: (a) increase or decrease the conveyor speed for appliances in the pre-de-shaving zone; and / or (b) in either case increase or decrease the compressed air speed or flow rate based on appliance material, appliance type, and / or appliance size detected by the appliance detection system.

[0035] Other machine variants are possible, as described below.

[0036] See Figure 2 Machine 110, similar to machine 10, is shown, with similar parts indicated by the same reference numerals. The main difference between machine 110 and machine 10 is that the ASR zone 30 is omitted in machine 110. Therefore, in some cases, the introduction of a pre-de-scraping zone with air blowing function will allow the machine to operate normally even without an ASR zone.

[0037] refer to Figure 3 Machine 210, similar to machine 10, is shown, with similar parts indicated by the same reference numerals. The main difference between machine 210 and machine 10 is that a liquid supply line 68' of the liquid spraying system is connected to receive liquid from tank 70', to which water from one or more spraying zones is drained (e.g., to each drain path 212 of the main drain line 214), and a separate pump 216 is provided to supply liquid from tank 70' to collection system nozzles 66. Tank 70' includes an overflow device 218 to the drain path line 62.

[0038] refer toFigure 4 The diagram shows a machine 310 similar to machine 210, with similar parts indicated by the same reference numerals. The main difference between machine 310 and machine 210 is that in machine 310, the ASR zone 30 has been omitted. Therefore, in some cases, the introduction of a pre-de-scraping zone with air blowing function will allow the machine to operate normally even without an ASR zone.

[0039] Regarding machines 110, 210, and 310, controller 80 can be configured to be similar to machine 10 in terms of the manner and timing in which the pre-de-chipping zone 36 is adjusted to open / close or otherwise changed, and in terms of the manner in which the conveyor is controlled.

[0040] It should be clearly understood that the above description is by way of illustration and example only and is not intended to be limiting, and changes and modifications are possible. Therefore, other embodiments are conceivable, and modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this application. While conveyor-type machines are primarily described, it is recognized that batch machines with similar pre-de-shaving zones and associated waste collection systems are possible, but without the feature of conveyor transport.

Claims

1. A appliance washing machine for washing appliances, comprising: A chamber for receiving an appliance, the chamber having an inlet, an outlet, a plurality of spray zones between the inlet and the outlet, and a conveyor structure for moving the appliance through the plurality of spray zones along a conveyor path in the appliance's forward direction; The plurality of spray zones include a pre-wash spray zone with a plurality of spray nozzles, a liquid collection tank and a pump, the liquid collection tank being below the conveyor structure for collecting spray liquid falling into the pre-wash spray zone, and the pump being connected for recirculating the liquid from the liquid collection tank back to the plurality of spray nozzles. A pre-drying zone is located upstream of the pre-washing spray zone and adjacent to the inlet relative to the direction of travel of the appliance, wherein the pre-drying zone includes a blow-off system comprising a plurality of pre-drying nozzles above the conveying path, and wherein the pre-drying zone includes a dirt collection system below the conveying path. The blow-off system further includes a compressed air supply line for delivering compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzle, wherein the pre-chip removal nozzle is oriented downward toward the conveying path to remove food waste from the appliance and move it downward into the waste collection system. The waste collection system includes a collection compartment below the conveying path, the collection compartment having walls configured to guide food waste toward a filter below the conveying path, and the waste collection system further includes a liquid spraying system comprising a plurality of waste collection system spray nozzles below the conveying path, the plurality of waste collection system spray nozzles being oriented to spray liquid onto one or more of the walls to facilitate the movement of food waste toward the filter.

2. The appliance washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: The pre-de-shaving zone is located inside the chamber and downstream of the chamber's entrance.

3. The appliance washing machine of claim 1, wherein the waste collection system further includes a compressed air conveying structure below the conveying path to facilitate the movement of the food waste toward the filter.

4. The appliance washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the compressed air delivery structure supplies compressed air to the spray nozzle of the waste collection system, such that a combined liquid and airflow is output from the spray nozzle of the waste collection system.

5. The appliance washing machine of claim 1, wherein the liquid spraying system includes a liquid supply line connected to receive liquid from the liquid collection tank.

6. The appliance washing machine of claim 5, wherein a valve is located along the liquid supply line between the pump and the waste collection system spray nozzles to selectively control whether liquid is delivered from the liquid collection tank to the waste collection system spray nozzles when the pump is operated.

7. The appliance washing machine of claim 5, wherein the waste collection system further comprises a drain line that receives liquid flowing through the filter.

8. The appliance washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a controller, a valve along the compressed air supply line, and at least one sensor for detecting the presence of an appliance in the pre-drying zone, wherein the controller is connected to control the valve and is connected to the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control the valve such that the delivery of compressed air to the pre-drying nozzle is automatically controlled based on the detection of the presence of an appliance in the pre-drying zone by the at least one sensor.

9. The appliance washing machine of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to control the valve such that compressed air is delivered to the pre-dandruff nozzle when the appliance enters the pre-dandruff zone.

10. The appliance washing machine of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to control the valve such that compressed air delivery to the pre-drying nozzle is stopped when the appliance leaves the pre-drying zone.

11. The appliance washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine comprises: An appliance detection system and an associated controller, wherein the controller is connected to control the conveyor structure and the blow-off system, wherein the controller is configured to increase or decrease the conveyor speed for appliances in the pre-de-shaving zone based on at least one of appliance material, appliance type, or appliance size detected by the appliance detection system.

12. The appliance washing machine of claim 1, wherein a liquid supply line is connected to supply liquid to the plurality of pre-dandruff nozzles, such that a combined liquid and air spray is output through the plurality of pre-dandruff nozzles to remove the food contaminants from the appliance.

13. A appliance washing machine for washing appliances, comprising: A chamber for receiving appliances, the chamber including multiple spray zones for receiving appliances and spraying liquid thereon during cleaning; A conveyor passing through the chamber for transporting appliances through the chamber in the appliance travel direction during cleaning; The plurality of spray zones include a first spray zone having a plurality of spray nozzles, a liquid collection tank and a pump, the liquid collection tank being below the conveyor for collecting spray liquid falling into the first spray zone, and the pump being connected for recirculating the liquid from the liquid collection tank back to the plurality of spray nozzles. A pre-de-scraping zone, located inside the chamber and upstream of the first spraying zone relative to the direction of travel of the appliance, includes a blow-off system and a waste collection system. The blow-off system includes a plurality of pre-de-scraping nozzles above the conveyor and a compressed air supply line for delivering compressed air to the pre-de-scraping nozzles. The pre-de-scraping nozzles are oriented to deliver an airflow downward to the appliance on the conveyor in the pre-de-scraping zone, thereby removing at least some food waste from the appliance and into the waste collection system, which is located below the conveyor. The waste collection system includes a collection compartment and a liquid spraying system. The collection compartment has walls that guide food waste toward a filter. The liquid spraying system includes a plurality of collection system nozzles that are oriented to spray liquid onto one or more of the walls to facilitate the movement of food waste toward the filter.

14. The appliance washing machine of claim 13, wherein a liquid supply line is connected to supply liquid to the plurality of pre-de-dandruff nozzles, such that the combined liquid and air spray is used to remove the food contaminants from the appliance.

15. The appliance washing machine according to claim 13, wherein: A liquid supply line is connected to supply liquid to the plurality of pre-de-scraping nozzles, such that the combined liquid and air spray is used to remove the food contaminants from the appliance. and Another compressed air supply line is connected to supply compressed air to the nozzles of the collection system, so that the combined liquid and air flow is output from the nozzles of the collection system.

16. A appliance washing machine for washing appliances, comprising: A chamber for receiving an appliance, the chamber having an inlet side, an outlet side, a plurality of spray zones between the inlet side and the outlet side, and a conveyor structure for moving the appliance through the plurality of spray zones along a conveyor path in the appliance's forward direction; A pre-chip removal zone facing the entrance side of the chamber, the pre-chip removal zone having a blow-off system including a plurality of pre-chip removal nozzles and a compressed air supply line for delivering compressed air to the pre-chip removal nozzles; The pre-de-chip nozzle is oriented to deliver airflow to the appliance in the pre-de-chip zone to remove at least some food waste from the appliance and into the waste collection system of the pre-de-chip zone; The plurality of pre-drip nozzles are disposed above the conveying path and oriented to deliver air downwards onto the appliance, and the dirt collection system is located below the conveying path; The waste collection system includes a collection compartment and a liquid spraying system. The collection compartment has walls that guide food waste toward a filter. The liquid spraying system includes a plurality of collection system nozzles for spraying liquid onto one or more of the walls to facilitate the movement of food waste toward the filter. and The liquid spraying system includes a liquid supply line and a pump. The liquid supply line is connected to receive liquid from a tank, and water from one or more spraying zones is discharged into the tank. The pump is used to supply liquid from the tank to the spray nozzles of the collection system.

17. The appliance washing machine of claim 16, wherein the tank is connected to a drain line that receives water discharged from one or more spray zones of the spray area of ​​the appliance washing machine.

18. The appliance washing machine of claim 17, wherein the tank includes an overflow device to the main drain outlet of the machine.

19. A appliance washing machine comprising any one of the technical features or any combination of the technical features described in claims 1-12 and 16-18.

20. A appliance washing machine comprising any one of the technical features or any combination of the technical features described in claims 13-15.

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