Automatic dishwasher

Abstract

An automatic dishwasher comprises a washing chamber (3) housing a basket (4) for supporting one or more articles to be washed, the basket (4) being rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis (R); motor means (5) associated with the basket (4) to drive its rotation about the rotation axis (R); one or more supply devices (6) of steam jets located in the washing chamber (3). The motor means (5) are adapted to impart an oscillating motion having a predetermined amplitude (β) to the basket (4), the supply devices (6) of steam jets comprising one or more nozzles (9) aligned with each other in a substantially axial direction and adapted to direct respective steam jets in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally pertains to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a machine for the automatic washing of tableware, in particular cups, plates, knives, forks and spoons, designed for use in domestic and commercial contexts. BACKGROUND

[0002] As is known, for the washing of tableware, in the home, office, bar or commercial context where the on-the-spot dispensing of beverages and food is provided, the most common alternative to manual washing of tableware is the use of a tableware washing machine, equipped with a washing chamber of a size that can accommodate a relatively large quantity of tableware.

[0003] Inside the washing chamber there are fixed or movable baskets to facilitate the loading of the tableware to be washed and the subsequent removal of the clean tableware.

[0004] Inside the washing chamber there are nozzles for the projection of water and / or steam jets at settable pressure and temperature values to intercept the objects placed on the baskets.

[0005] These solutions, although optimized in terms of washing cycles, are bulky and not suitable for the exclusive washing of small tableware, such as tea cups and coffee cups.

[0006] In fact, it is observed that most tea cups and mugs are equipped with a lower base from which a generally annular handle protrudes, which prevents the liquid from reaching the lower base, causing unnecessary stagnation of water.

[0007] Furthermore, the tableware washing machines currently on the market are designed to accommodate any type of kitchen utensil, including large items such as pots, lids and serving tableware.

[0008] The washing chamber must therefore have sufficient height to accommodate objects much larger than tea cups, mugs and glasses.

[0009] Therefore, when there are no large items, it is practically impossible to use the entire volume of the washing chamber of the traditional tableware washing machines, which can only be effectively used after cooking activities.

[0010] Therefore, the structural configuration of the tableware washing machines currently available limits their use to a limited number of glasses and / or tea cups and mugs.

[0011] From the same inventor of the present invention, EP2925206 is known a machine for the automatic washing of tableware, in particular coffee cups, which is sized to wash coffee cups, possibly together with the relative plate and one or more small-sized tableware, such as coffee spoons, which can solve the problem of stagnation.

[0012] The machine comprises a basket suitable for containing coffee cups, which is rotated by an electric motor to perform a predetermined number of complete 360° rotations.

[0013] The cleaning action is exerted by two groups of nozzles arranged below the basket and connected to the boiler, to generate jets of steam which are directed vertically to be directed in turn to the inner and outer surfaces of the coffee cups.

[0014] The first limitation of this solution is related to the position of the nozzles and to the fact that the basket rotates completely around its axis.

[0015] In fact, it has been observed that, by such a way, although a good cleaning of the entire coffee cup is obtained, it is not possible to produce a substantial sterilization action on the rim of the coffee cup, which is usually the dirtiest and most attention- requiring part, since it is the part designed to come into contact with the lips.

[0016] Secondly, the size of the basket is designed to wash single cups, so that a single washing cycle requires a long unit time and a high unit dishware water consumption, which is inconvenient for domestic use or for washing small quantities of elements at a time.

[0017] A solution similar to the previous one but not able to solve the above-mentioned problems is also described in FR 926 315, which describes a rotating basket inserted into a truncated-cone-shaped washing chamber having a lower wall that is inclined and nozzles arranged above the rotating drum to spray according to a vertical or radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the drum, and in FR 480 252, which describes a dishwashing machine having a fixed drum inserted into a cylindrical chamber and nozzles arranged below the fixed drum. SUMMARY

[0018] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, implementing a machine for automatic washing of dishes which is highly efficient and relatively inexpensive.

[0019] A specific aim is to provide a machine for automatic washing of dishes which is particularly optimized for washing small dishes, such as coffee cups and mugs.

[0020] A further aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for automatic washing of dishes which allows a thorough disinfection, if not a real sterilization, of the most critical part of one or more cups in a manner that is optimized from both the energy consumption and the water consumption point of view.

[0021] A further aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for automatic washing of dishes which has a relatively high production rate, allowing the processing of multiple dishes, in particular at least two coffee cups, in the same cycle, thus optimizing the time and the consumption of washing.

[0022] An important aim of the present application is to provide a machine for the automatic washing of dishes which has sufficiently small dimensions to be used in domestic environments or offices as well as in bars and similar commercial premises.

[0023] These aims, as well as others that will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an automatic dishwashing machine according to the independent claim, which comprises: a washing chamber which houses a basket for supporting one or more dishes to be washed, the basket being rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis; motor means associated with the basket to drive the rotation of the basket about the rotation axis; means for supplying one or more jets of steam into the washing chamber.

[0024] According to a particular feature of the application, the motor means are adapted to impart to the basket an oscillating motion having a predetermined oscillation amplitude, the steam supply means comprising one or more nozzles which are mutually aligned in a substantially axial direction and are adapted to direct the respective jets of steam in a direction which is inclined with respect to the vertical.

[0025] With this method, the action of the jets of steam emitted by the nozzles will be concentrated mainly on the rim of the cup (which must be suitably inverted at the start of the cycle), i.e. on the most important part of the cup to be cleaned (as this is the part which will come into contact with the user's lips), thus being suitable for substantially eliminating any pathogenic bacteria present and obtaining a bactericidal effect.

[0026] The machine will thus allow the dishes to be treated quickly and effectively, thus obtaining the best thorough cleaning in a relatively short time.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the machine are obtained according to the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Further features and advantages of the machine according to the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the machine, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying tables of drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the machine of the present application, in which some of the elements are not shown to allow the observation of the interior;

[0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the basket according to the preferred embodiment, in which two cups have been loaded;

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the basket of Figure 2 in the unloaded condition;

[0032] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the washing chamber loaded with the basket and in the fully closed condition;

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the washing chamber with the basket and in the open door condition;

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic front view of the basket during use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] With reference to the attached drawings, a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a machine for the automatic washing of tableware according to the present application is schematically illustrated.

[0036] According to this configuration, the machine is sized to allow the simultaneous treatment of two typical coffee cups, of the type commonly used in bars or in homes, for the serving of espresso or macchiato coffee.

[0037] However, the machine can be sized to accommodate a different number of cups, even a single cup, or other tableware, such as mugs and / or glasses.

[0038] From Figure 1 It can be seen that the machine as a whole, indicated with 1, comprises a containing casing 2, inside which there is a tableware washing chamber 3, and inside which there is housed a basket 4 to support one or more tableware to be washed, according to the illustrated configuration, in particular two coffee cups C.

[0039] The basket 4 is rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis R and is connected to a drive shaft of an electric motor 5, which is arranged at an axial end of the rotation axis R and is located outside the basket 4, to drive the rotation of the basket about its rotation axis R.

[0040] Inside the casing 2 there is also housed a supply device 6 for supplying one or more jets of steam inside the washing chamber 3.

[0041] According to the preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the drawings, the supply device 6 of the jets of steam comprises a container 7 of cleaning water, which is suitably equipped with a limescale filter and a pump (not shown) and is connected to a heating device 8, which is adapted to transform the water into steam to be supplied inside or outside the basket 4 through one or more nozzles 9 located inside the washing chamber 3.

[0042] The heating device 8 can for example comprise a small electric resistance boiler designed to obtain superheated steam, for example at a minimum temperature of 130°C if a sanitizing effect of the jets is required.

[0043] Inside the casing 2 there is also a water tank 10 for the collection of dirty condensate produced after the steam has come into contact with the tableware and has cooled down, which will be in fluid communication with the washing chamber 3 through a special exhaust duct 11.

[0044] To facilitate the discharge of the dirty water, the bottom wall of the washing chamber 3 will be suitably inclined towards a drain hole communicating with the evacuation duct 11.

[0045] For example, the basket 4 can be inclined at an inclination angle a less than 10°.

[0046] Therefore, in the case of a cylindrical washing chamber 3, the basket 4 can also have its rotation axis R inclined by the same angle a, as in the configuration shown.

[0047] According to a variant not shown, the washing chamber 3 can have a truncated-cone shape and the rotation axis R of the basket 4 can be horizontal.

[0048] Conveniently, the motor 5 will be a stepper motor associated with the basket 4 by means of a mechanical cam (not visible in the figures) and will be configured to impart an oscillating motion to the basket 4 so as to have a predetermined oscillation amplitude b about its rotation axis R.

[0049] In turn, the supply device 6 of the steam jets will comprise one or more nozzles 9 aligned with each other in a substantially axial direction and adapted to direct the respective steam jets in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical.

[0050] Preferably, the maximum oscillation amplitude b of the basket 4 will not be higher than 60° with respect to the vertical median plane p passing through the rotation axis R.

[0051] This value will allow the entire inner and outer surface of the cup C to be covered by the steam jets, in particular concentrated on the open edge of the cup.

[0052] The maximum oscillation amplitude b refers to the oscillation amplitude of the basket 4 with respect to the median plane p of the washing chamber 3 passing through the rotation axis R, so that a complete oscillation will have an angle equal to twice the amplitude b with respect to the median plane.

[0053] In particular, the motor 5 will be configured to impart to the basket 4 an oscillation about its rotation axis R symmetrical with respect to the vertical median plane p.

[0054] Preferably, the supply device 6 of the steam jets will comprise an axial rod provided with a plurality of emission nozzles defined by suitably calibrated holes to emit respective steam jets not directed perpendicularly but in an inclined direction.

[0055] The exit hole of each nozzle 9 will have a preferably radial exit direction and the rod will be arranged at the periphery of the basket 4 and in a position angularly offset with respect to the vertical median plane p by a distance not greater than the maximum oscillation amplitude b to guarantee that the steam jets mainly impact the open edge of the cup C and the cup interior.

[0056] According to a preferred configuration, the nozzles 9 are designed to emit respective radial and inclined jets having an angle γ of between 40° and 80°, preferably 60°, with respect to the vertical median sagittal plane p.

[0057] The basket 4 will preferably be sized to house at least two cups C axially side by side.

[0058] In this way, in the same cycle, it is possible to treat at least two cups C in an optimal manner, without one of them constituting an obstacle to the emission of the steam jet to the other, thus increasing the productivity of the machine and halving the unit water consumption (as will be explained later).

[0059] In Figures 2 to 5 , a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the washing chamber 3 and the relative basket 4 is shown.

[0060] In particular, Figure 2 the basket 4 is shown in the loaded condition with two cups C, while Figure 3 the unloaded condition is shown.

[0061] It can be observed that the basket 4 comprises a first load crosspiece 12 connected to the motor 5 and from which a plurality of (in the configuration shown, four) axial support bars 13 extend, which are suitably spaced apart to facilitate the entry of the water jets and prevent the falling of the tableware.

[0062] The bars 13 will then be connected at the other end by a second load crosspiece 14, which will facilitate the extraction of the basket 4 from the washing chamber 3.

[0063] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 can be seen, the washing chamber 3 will comprise a cylindrical sheath 15 coaxial to the basket 4 and provided with a closing lid 16 of the chamber 3, through which the basket 4 can be extracted.

[0064] Operationally, from the schematic sequence of Figure 6 , we first insert the cups C inside the basket 4 with the open edge upwards.

[0065] At this point, the motor 5 will be operated to bring the cups C into the inverted position, i.e. with the open edge downwards.

[0066] From this moment on, the motor 5 will move alternately to bring the basket 4 into an oscillating movement about its rotation axis R, thus placing the open edge of the cups C in the vicinity of the nozzles 9.

[0067] At the same time, the supply means 6 of the steam jets will emit the steam jets.

[0068] At the end of the set cycle time, the electric motor 5 will interrupt its cycle by keeping the basket 4 in such a position as to have the opening edge of the cup always facing downwards, so as to avoid the condensation of water inside the cup.

[0069] As regards the operating parameters, it has been observed experimentally that, in order to achieve a substantial elimination of pathogenic germs from the edge of the cup C, the optimal working cycle provides for a total tilting time of 24 seconds and a water consumption of 40 cc.

[0070] In this way, by processing two cups C at the same time, the unit cycle time is 12 seconds and the unit water consumption is 20 cc, which makes the machine particularly efficient in terms of energy and water consumption and in terms of process running time, so as to be particularly suitable for professional use, for example in bars and similar activities.

[0071] The machine described above is susceptible to many modifications and variations. All the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can vary depending on the requirements, without departing from the scope of the application.

[0072] The reference signs used in the description and claims are used to improve the intelligibility of the application, and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection.

Claims

1. An automatic dishwashing machine, comprising: The washing chamber (3) contains a basket (4) for supporting one or more dishes to be washed, and the basket (4) is rotatable about a predetermined axis of rotation (R). A motor (5) is associated with the basket (4) to drive the basket (4) to rotate about the axis of rotation (R); One or more steam jet supply devices (6) are located in the cleaning chamber (3); Its features are, The motor (5) is adapted to transmit an oscillating motion with a predetermined oscillation amplitude (β) to the basket (4), and the steam jet supply device (6) includes one or more nozzles (9) aligned with each other in a substantially axial direction and adapted to guide the respective steam jets in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction. The steam jet supply device (6) includes an axial rod with a plurality of radial nozzles (9) for emitting corresponding steam jets. The axial rod is disposed on the periphery of the basket (4), and the axial rod is offset from the vertical midsagittal plane (p) at an angle not greater than the predetermined oscillation amplitude (β). The rotation axis (R) of the basket (4) is inclined relative to the horizontal plane and the basket (4) includes a first support cross (12) connected to the motor (5) and a plurality of axial support rods (13) extending from the first support cross (12).

2. The automatic tableware washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The predetermined oscillation amplitude (β) of the basket is no greater than 60° relative to the vertical midsagittal plane (p) passing through the axis of rotation (R).

3. The automatic tableware washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle (9) is designed to emit a corresponding oblique jet at an angle between 40° and 80° relative to the vertical midsagittal plane (p).

4. The automatic tableware washing machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The nozzle (9) is designed to emit a corresponding oblique jet at an angle of 60° relative to the vertical midsagittal plane (p).

5. The automatic dishwashing machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The nozzle (9) includes a corresponding hole extending in the radial direction.

6. The automatic dishwashing machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The basket (4) is sized to accommodate at least two coffee cups (C) in an axially side-by-side position.

7. The automatic dishwashing machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The motor (5) includes an electric stepper motor equipped with a mechanical cam.

8. The automatic dishwashing machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The steam jet supply device (6) includes a clean water container (7) connected to a heating device (8) adapted to convert water into steam and supply it to the one or more nozzles (9). The automatic dishwashing machine is also provided with a water tank (10) for collecting dirty water in fluid communication with the washing chamber (3).

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