Dishwasher basket

Abstract

Rinsing basket for a washing machine, in particular a cleaning and / or disinfection machine, with a holder (3) for aligning and holding EndoWrist instruments during a rinsing process and with a spray device (23) for externally applying rinsing solution to the EndoWrist instruments (6), wherein the spray device (23) has a rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) extending in the width direction (8) of the holder (3), characterized in that the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) has a plurality of spray openings (11) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (12) of the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7), wherein adjacent spray openings (11) are aligned radially offset from one another, wherein the radial offset angle between adjacent spray openings (11) is between 2° and 8°.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rinsing basket for a rinsing machine, in particular for a cleaning and / or disinfection machine, with a holder for aligning and holding EndoWrist instruments during a rinsing process and with a spray device for externally applying rinsing solution to the EndoWrist instruments, wherein the spray device has a rinsing solution distribution pipe extending in the width direction of the holder.

[0002] Dishwashers and dishwashing baskets for dishwashers are well known in the art, which is why there is no need for separate printed documentation at this point.

[0003] Dishwashing machines are used to clean and / or disinfect items to be washed and for this purpose have a washing container that provides a washing chamber and holds the items to be cleaned when used as intended.

[0004] Dishwasher baskets are typically used to load the wash cabinet with wash ware. These baskets hold the ware to be cleaned when used as intended. Dishwasher baskets can be moved into and out of the wash cabinet by the user via a loading opening provided by the wash tub.

[0005] A spray device on the machine is used to apply wash liquor to the items to be cleaned. This device usually has several spray arms arranged rotatably within the wash tub. Alternatively or in addition to this, a spray device on the wash basket can also be provided. This spray device dispenses the wash liquor to the outside of the items to be cleaned. The spray device of a generic wash basket has a wash liquor distribution pipe for this purpose, which extends in the width direction of the wash liquor holder. The wash liquor distribution pipe of the basket-side spray device is equipped with nozzles that are assigned to the respective items held by the holder.When used as intended, the washware is not only sprayed with wash liquor by the machine's spray device, but also in a targeted manner by the nozzles provided by the wash liquor distribution pipe of the rack-side spray device. This results in optimized washware cleaning.

[0006] GB 1138291 A shows a rinsing basket with a frame consisting of interconnected tubular elements for receiving and holding the objects to be washed and having a plurality of holes through which rinsing jets can be applied to the objects held in the frame.

[0007] Although the above-described design has proven itself in everyday practical use, there is still room for improvement, particularly with regard to simplified handling. Therefore, the object of the invention is to propose a dishwashing basket of the type mentioned above that allows for simplified handling by the user.

[0008] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a rinsing basket having the features of claim 1.

[0009] The rinse water distribution pipe according to the invention has individual spray openings. A plurality of such spray openings are provided, arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the rinse water distribution pipe.

[0010] The number of spray openings provided by the wash liquor distribution pipe is not limited to the number of wash items that the wash basket holder can accommodate. Rather, a number of spray openings is provided that exceeds the number of wash items that the wash basket can accommodate. These are all of the same diameter and are equidistant from one another in the longitudinal direction of the wash liquor distribution pipe. They are preferably evenly distributed along the longitudinal direction of the wash liquor distribution pipe.

[0011] According to the invention, it is further provided that adjacent spray openings are radially offset from one another. Radially offset from one another means that adjacent spray openings are offset in the circumferential direction of the rinse water distribution pipe.

[0012] As a result of this inventive design, when used as intended, a spray curtain of rinse water is released from the rinse water distribution pipe toward the items to be cleaned, which fan out in accordance with the radial offset of adjacent spray openings. Thus, unlike the prior art, there is no precise alignment of the items to be cleaned. Instead, a rinse water discharge with a triangular cross-section is achieved, which is directed toward the receptacle for the items to be cleaned.

[0013] The design according to the invention offers two essential advantages. Firstly, there is no need for precise positioning of the items to be cleaned in the designated holder. The spray curtain emitted by the wash solution distribution pipe ensures proper cleaning, even for items that are not positioned precisely enough by the user within the designated wash basket holder. Secondly, the design according to the invention allows for the reliable cleaning of items of different sizes. With regard to EndoWrist instruments, it is particularly possible to clean and / or disinfect EndoWrist instruments from different manufacturers equally well. This is not possible with the conventional wash basket design according to the state of the art, since the nozzles provided by the wash solution distribution pipe require both precise positioning of the items to be washed and identical items to be washed.The design according to the invention provides a remedy here, resulting in a simplification for the user, particularly when loading the washing basket, and at the same time expanding the range of applications, since the design according to the invention also enables the intended cleaning of different sizes and / or types of wash ware.

[0014] According to a further feature of the invention, the radial angular offset between adjacent spray openings is between 2° and 8°, preferably between 3° and 7°, and even more preferably between 4° and 6°. The offset angle determines the width of the spray curtain formed during intended use. The offset angle should be selected such that a sufficiently wide spray curtain is created, but at the same time, not too much wash solution is sprayed unused past the items to be cleaned.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a first and a second row of spray nozzles are provided, each arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the rinse water distribution pipe. These two rows are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the rinse water distribution pipe around a rinse water opening, i.e., with a gap. Furthermore, the two rows are offset from one another in the circumferential direction by an offset angle of the size already mentioned. This results in an alternating arrangement of spray openings arranged offset back and forth. In use, this creates a uniformly formed spray curtain, thus achieving an optimized cleaning and / or disinfection result.

[0016] According to a further feature of the invention, the wash liquor distribution pipe supports a spring clip at one end that interacts with an abutment of the wash basket. This design enables an interchangeable arrangement of the wash liquor distribution pipe on the wash basket. During intended use, the wash liquor distribution pipe is securely held to the corresponding abutment of the wash basket by means of its spring clip. The user can easily replace the wash liquor distribution pipe by pivoting the spring clip against its spring force, which releases the operative connection to the abutment and allows the user to remove the wash liquor distribution pipe.

[0017] The replaceable arrangement of the wash liquor distribution pipe is advantageous in that it can be easily detached from the wash basket for cleaning. After cleaning, it can be easily reinstalled and used as intended. Another advantage of this design is that wash liquor distribution pipes can be provided with different spray opening patterns, i.e., with differently distributed spray openings. These can be optionally interchanged and inserted into the wash basket depending on the items to be cleaned.

[0018] According to a further feature of the invention, the wash liquor distribution pipe has a connecting section at its other end for forming a fluid connection with a wash liquor supply system. This fluid connection is preferably designed as a plug-in connection for the purpose of simplified assembly and disassembly. In the assembled state, this plug-in connection is securely held by the interaction of the spring clip on the one hand and the abutment on the other.

[0019] The connecting section carries a seal, for example, in the form of a circumferential ring seal. This seal serves two purposes. Firstly, it ensures a tight connection between the rinse water distribution pipe and the rinse water supply system. Secondly, it compensates for tolerances and, in combination with the spring clip interacting with the abutment, acts as a position-locking element. This ensures that the rinse water distribution pipe remains securely in place during its intended use, while simultaneously allowing for interchangeable positioning.

[0020] According to a further feature of the invention, the rinse water distribution pipe has an inner diameter of 10 mm to 35 mm, preferably 15 mm to 30 mm. The spray openings preferably have a diameter of 1 mm to 3 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description based on the figures. These show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a washing basket according to the invention; Fig. 2 in a detailed view of the rinsing basket according to the invention Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a rinsing solution distribution pipe according to the invention; Fig. 4 in a detailed view the connection section of the rinsing solution distribution pipe according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 in a side view the end section of the rinsing solution distribution pipe opposite the connection section; Fig. 6 in a schematic perspective view of the end section of the rinsing solution distribution pipe opposite the connection section; Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the rinsing solution distribution pipe in the assembled position; Fig. 8 in a schematic perspective view of the connection section of the rinsing solution distribution pipe in disassembled position; Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of the connection section of the rinsing solution distribution pipe in the mounted position and Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a washing basket according to the prior art.

[0022] Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a washing basket 1 according to the prior art.

[0023] The washing basket 1 has, in a manner known per se, a base 2 which has a holder 3 which serves to align and hold wash items 6 during a washing process. Fig. 10 shows 6 EndoWrist instruments as items to be rinsed.

[0024] The washing basket 1 has a washing liquor supply system 4. When used as intended, this is fluidly connected to a washing liquor supply system of a dishwasher not shown in detail in the figures.

[0025] A dispensing device 5 is fluidically connected to the rinsing solution supply system 4, which, when used as intended, ensures that the items 6 to be cleaned are supplied with rinsing solution from the inside.

[0026] A spray device 23, which is also fluidically coupled to the rinse water supply system 4, serves to apply rinse water to the distal ends 10 of the wash items 6. This spray device provides a rinse water distribution pipe 7 that extends in the width direction 8 of the holder 3 and provides nozzles 9. Each nozzle 9 is assigned to one of the wash items 6, i.e., the total number of nozzles 9 provided corresponds to the sections provided by the holder 3 for each respective holder of a wash item 6.

[0027] The nozzles 9 are precisely aligned to the geometric configuration of the items to be washed 6 and their secure positioning in the holder 3, so that when used as intended, the nozzles 9 can be used to apply targeted rinsing solution to the respective distal ends 10.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows the embodiment according to the invention. This is characterized in that the spray device 23 has a rinsing solution distribution pipe 7 which, in contrast to the prior art, does not have nozzles 9, but is equipped with rinsing solution openings 11, as is particularly evident in the illustration according to Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0029] As a summary of the Fig. 3 to 6, the rinse water openings 11 of the rinse water distribution pipe 7 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction 12 of the rinse water distribution pipe 7, with adjacent spray openings 11 being radially offset from one another. The embodiment shown in the figures is preferred, according to which a first and a second row 17, 18 of spray openings 11 are provided, each arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction 12 of the rinse water distribution pipe 7, with the two rows 17, 18 being offset by one spray opening 11 in the longitudinal direction 12 of the rinse water distribution pipe 7, on the one hand, and offset by an offset angle in the circumferential direction 13 of the rinse water distribution pipe 7, on the other hand. This creates a regular structure, according to which the spray openings 11 are arranged offset from one another in the manner of a zigzag pattern.

[0030] The above-described orientation of the spray openings 11, when used as intended, results in a curtain of rinse water being discharged by the rinse water distribution pipe 7 toward the items 6 to be cleaned, which fan out from the rinse water distribution pipe 7. The fan-out angle is determined by the offset angle between the individual spray openings 11. In the illustrated embodiment, this offset angle is between 3° and 7°.

[0031] As can be seen from the above statements, in contrast to the prior art, a targeted application of the rinsing solution to the distal ends 10 of the items 6 to be washed is not achieved, but rather a wedge-shaped fanned-out application.

[0032] This essentially provides two advantages. Firstly, the items 6 to be washed do not require precise positioning within the holder 3. Secondly, items 6 of other geometric shapes and configurations, in particular items from different manufacturers and different items from the same manufacturer, can be cleaned equally safely with the inventive wash basket design.

[0033] The rinsing solution distribution pipe 7 is preferably arranged in a replaceable manner on the rinsing basket 1. For this purpose, the rinsing solution distribution pipe 7 has a spring clip 16 at one end, as is particularly the case with the Fig. 5 to 7. When used as intended, the spring clip 16 engages with a bent portion 19 under a web 21 provided by an abutment 20 on the basket side. This ensures that the wash liquor distribution pipe 7 is securely fixed to the wash basket 1. To remove the wash liquor distribution pipe 7, i.e., to disassemble it, the spring clip must be pivoted against its spring force, as a result of which the bent portion 19 provided by the spring clip 16 is released from the abutment 20.

[0034] At the other end, the rinse water distribution pipe 7 has a connecting section 14 which is equipped with a seal 15. This connecting section 14 points to a connecting piece 22 of the rinse water supply system 4, as can be seen in particular from a summary of the Fig. 8 and Fig.9. During assembly, the rinse water distribution pipe 7 is to be inserted with its connecting section 14 into the connecting piece 22 of the rinse water supply system 4. The rinse water distribution pipe 7 can then be pressed down with its end section carrying the spring clip 16 until the spring clip 16, in the manner already described, engages behind the web 21 of the abutment 20 with its unwound portion 19. In this position, the rinse water distribution pipe 7 is securely held in position by the wash basket 1. Reference symbol 1 dishwashing basket 2 Base 3 Recording 4 Rinse solution supply system 5 Dispensing facility 6 Dishes 7 Rinse solution distribution pipe 8 Latitude direction 9 Nozzle 10 distal end 11 Rinse water opening 12 Longitudinal direction 13 Circumferential direction 14 Connection section 15 Seal 16 spring clips 17 row 18 row 19 Bending 20 abutments 21 jetty 22 connecting pieces 23 Spray device

Claims

[1] Rinsing basket for a rinsing machine, in particular a cleaning and / or disinfection machine, with a holder (3) for aligning and holding EndoWrist instruments during a rinsing process and with a spray device (23) for externally applying rinsing solution to the EndoWrist instruments (6), wherein the spray device (23) has a rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) extending in the width direction (8) of the holder (3), characterized by in that the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) has a plurality of spray openings (11) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (12) of the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7), wherein adjacent spray openings (11) are aligned radially offset from one another, wherein the radial offset angle between adjacent spray openings (11) is between 2° and 8°. [2] Washing basket according to claim 1, characterized bythat the radial offset angle between adjacent spray openings (11) is between 3° and 7°, more preferably between 4° and 6°. [3] Washing basket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by in that a first and a second row (17, 18) of spray openings (11) are provided, each arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (12) of the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7), wherein the two rows (17, 18) are offset by one rinsing opening (11) in the longitudinal direction (12) of the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) and are offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) by an angle of 2° to 8°, preferably of 3° to 7°, even more preferably of 4° to 6°. [4] Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the washing solution distribution pipe (7) carries at one end a spring clip (16) which interacts with an abutment (20) of the washing basket (1). [5] Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) has a connecting section (14) at the other end for forming a fluid connection with a rinsing solution supply system (4). [6] Washing basket according to claim 5, characterized by that the connecting section (14) carries a seal (15). [7] Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rinsing solution distribution pipe (7) has an inner diameter of 10 mm to 35 mm, preferably 15 mm to 30 mm. [8] Washing basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rinsing water openings have a diameter of 1 mm to 3 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

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