Cleaning facility

Abstract

Cleaning device for applying a medium to a narrow cavity provided by an item of washware to be cleaned, comprising a holder (10) which is designed to receive a plurality of items of washware to be cleaned in a positionally secure manner, separated from one another, and comprising a medium distribution chamber (12) which has a medium inlet (13) and a plurality of medium outlets, wherein an item of washware received by the holder (10) is assigned to a medium outlet, characterized in that the medium distribution chamber (12) has two compartments (22, 23) separated from one another by a partition wall (21), wherein the first compartment (22) provides the medium inlet (13) and the second compartment (23) provides the medium outlets, wherein the second compartment (23) has a medium distributor which fluidically interacts with the medium outlets, which is designed to be rotatable and which is fluidly connected to the first compartment (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device for applying a medium to a narrow cavity provided by a wash item to be cleaned, comprising a holder which is designed to hold a plurality of wash items to be cleaned in a positionally secure manner, separated from one another, and comprising a medium distribution chamber which has a medium inlet and a plurality of medium outlets, wherein a wash item held by the holder is assigned to a medium outlet.

[0002] Cleaning devices of this type are well known in the art, so a separate written reference is not required here. In its intended use, a cleaning device of this type is housed in a cleaning appliance, such as a dishwasher. The cleaning device is supplied with a medium by the cleaning appliance, so that the items being cleaned can be exposed to the medium on the device side.

[0003] A typical cleaning process usually involves at least two cleaning steps. The first step involves the actual cleaning process, in which the items to be cleaned are exposed to a rinsing liquid, also known as the rinsing solution. During the first cleaning step, the cleaning device is supplied with rinsing liquid as a medium. During the second cleaning step, drying takes place. For this purpose, the items to be cleaned are exposed to drying air, so that during the second cleaning step, drying air is supplied to the cleaning device as a medium.

[0004] A cleaning device of this type serves to supply a medium, i.e., rinsing liquid or drying air, to a narrow-lumen cavity provided by an item to be cleaned, depending on the cleaning step to be performed. For the purposes of the invention, an item providing a narrow-lumen cavity is, in particular, a pipette. However, narrow-lumen cavities of other items can also be supplied with a medium using the cleaning device of this type.

[0005] The cleaning device of this type consists of two components: a holder and a medium distribution chamber. In its intended use, the medium distribution chamber is typically positioned below the holder in terms of the cleaning device's height.

[0006] The holder is designed to securely hold a plurality of items to be cleaned, separated from one another. For example, the holder can be equipped with a wire frame or mesh that, when used as intended, holds a plurality of items to be cleaned in an upright position. The items to be cleaned are therefore normally aligned perpendicular to the horizontal. The purpose of the holder is to securely position the items it holds, spaced apart from one another, in their respective positions.

[0007] When used as intended, the medium distribution chamber is used to apply a medium to the items to be washed that are securely held in place by the holder. For this purpose, the medium distribution chamber has a medium inlet on the one hand and a plurality of medium outlets on the other. During normal operation, the medium distribution chamber is supplied with a medium, i.e. rinsing liquid or drying air, with the medium entering the medium distribution chamber via the medium inlet. The medium thus introduced into the medium distribution chamber leaves the medium distribution chamber via the designated medium outlets. Each medium outlet is assigned to an item of wash held by the holder, as a result of which the narrow cavity provided by the respective item of wash is pressurised with medium.

[0008] Although the cleaning system described above has proven itself in everyday practical use, there is still room for improvement. It has been found that, after a rinsing process, i.e., after the completion of the initial cleaning step, residues of rinsing liquid remain adhering to the narrow cavities of the items to be cleaned. These residues cannot be completely removed even with subsequent exposure to drying air. This is because the residual amount of rinsing liquid absorbed by the narrow cavities provides only a relatively small evaporation surface. This surface is not sufficiently large to ensure complete drying through evaporation during the duration of a conventionally lengthy drying step.As a result, after completing a cleaning program, the items to be washed are not all completely dry or the drying time has to be extended several times over, which does not make economic sense.

[0009] The above problem is particularly evident with pipettes as items to be cleaned. Pipettes have a tapered, narrow-lumen cavity at at least one end. Even when cleaned as intended, this tapering not only leads to the accumulation of residual liquids, but also to the formation of veritable water columns within the pipette due to the prevailing capillary effect. Despite the prevailing gravity, this water column does not flow away, so the drying process alone is crucial for the complete removal of such a water column. However, since the water column on the opening side of the pipette provides only very small evaporation surfaces, complete removal of a water column by drying as a result of evaporation effects during a normally long drying step is not possible for the reasons already explained.As a result, even with properly performed cleaning procedures, cleaning and complete drying of pipettes in particular cannot be achieved.

[0010] Based on this, it is the object of the invention to provide a cleaning device of the generic type which structurally enables complete drying, in particular of pipettes, during the execution of a typical cleaning program, i.e. to avoid an unnecessary extension of a cleaning program while at the same time ensuring a sufficient drying result.

[0011] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a generic cleaning device which is characterized in that the medium distribution chamber has two compartments separated from one another by a partition wall, wherein the first compartment provides the medium inlet and the second compartment provides the medium outlets, wherein the second compartment has a medium distributor which interacts fluidically with the medium outlets, which is designed to be rotatable and which is in fluid connection with the first compartment.

[0012] In contrast to the prior art, the medium distribution chamber according to the invention provides not just one distribution chamber, but two compartments separated from each other by a partition wall. Thus, two distribution chambers are provided, which are at least substantially fluidically decoupled from each other by the partition wall.

[0013] The first of the two compartments provides the medium inlet. During normal operation, the medium is fed through the medium inlet into the first compartment.

[0014] The medium outlets, however, are provided by the second compartment. When used as intended, the medium supplied to the medium distribution chamber flows out via the medium outlets of the second compartment.

[0015] According to the invention, a medium distributor is also provided. This is provided by the second compartment and interacts fluidically with the medium outlets of the second compartment. In the intended use, the medium outlets are therefore not directly supplied with medium, but rather via the interposition of the medium distributor, which in turn interacts fluidically with the medium outlets.

[0016] The medium distributor, in turn, is fluidically connected to the first compartment. The medium introduced into the first compartment thus first flows from the first compartment into the medium distributor, from where it is then pressurized to the medium outlets, through which the medium then leaves the medium distribution chamber.

[0017] According to the invention, the medium distributor is designed to be rotatable. When used as intended, the medium distributor rotates, thus releasing the medium supplied to it in a rotating manner.

[0018] The inventive design enables targeted exposure of the items to be dried with drying air. This ensures that any residual liquid is expelled as a result of the exposure to drying air, even from narrow-bore cavities. Evaporation is therefore no longer the sole determining factor. Any residual rinsing liquid or even water columns are literally blown away and thus expelled, even from narrow-bore cavities of pipettes.

[0019] The two-part design of the distribution chamber has the advantage that uniform pressure is generated within the first compartment. Both the first compartment and the second compartment each have a desired leakage opening, although the desired leakage opening of the first compartment is smaller in the passage opening than the desired leakage opening of the second compartment. The desired leakage opening of the first compartment is preferably significantly smaller in the passage opening than the desired leakage opening of the second compartment, for example at least 5 times smaller, in particular 10 to 20 times smaller. The desired leakage opening of a compartment can be provided by one or more through-bores through which flushing fluid can flow out of the compartment. This results in a higher pressure build-up within the first compartment.In addition, homogenization takes place within the first compartment, resulting in a uniform pressure distribution within the first compartment.

[0020] The drying air, homogenized and pressure-equalized by the interposition of the first compartment, then enters the medium distributor. Due to its rotating movement, this distributor ensures equal pressure at the outlets, i.e., the medium outlets, when used as intended. As a result of this equalized pressure, the individual flushing elements connected to the medium outlets are each supplied with drying air, whereby any residual moisture in the cavities provided by the flushing elements is expelled vertically from the items being washed.

[0021] In contrast to the prior art, an optimized drying result advantageously does not depend on the cleaning device holder being fully loaded with items to be cleaned. Since the medium outlets are not directly supplied with drying air, but rather the drying air is discharged via the medium distributor, unoccupied slots in the holder do not lead to an unwanted pressure drop. Consequently, the cleaning device according to the invention can achieve an optimized drying result even if the holder is not fully loaded with items to be cleaned.

[0022] According to a further feature of the invention, a medium outlet is preferably a circular opening designed to engage with a wash item held by the holder at one end. This results in a particularly simple design that is inexpensive to manufacture and robust in use.

[0023] When used as intended, the washware held by the holder extends into an opening provided by the medium distribution chamber, which serves as a medium outlet. This provides a direct fluidic connection of the washware to the medium distribution chamber and also ensures additional positioning of the washware relative to the medium distribution chamber.

[0024] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that an opening on the dishware receiving side is equipped with a sleeve plug made of a soft-elastic material.

[0025] The sleeve plug offers two main advantages. Firstly, it creates a seal between the medium distribution chamber and the washware, preventing drying air from accidentally flowing past the washware. Secondly, the sleeve plug protects the washware, particularly from damage, as it prevents the washware from coming into direct contact with the medium distribution chamber.

[0026] According to a further feature of the invention, the second compartment comprises a second medium distributor fluidically interacting with the medium outlets, which is rotatable and fluidically connected to the first compartment. The second medium distributor is structurally identical to the previously described first medium distributor. The capacity of the cleaning device is thus doubled. Of course, more than two medium distributors can also be provided.

[0027] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that a medium distributor is a spray arm equipped with outlet nozzles.

[0028] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the medium distributor is a spray arm, preferably having two branches. The spray arm provides a plurality of outlet nozzles arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the spray arm. When used as intended, pressurizing the spray arm with a medium causes the spray arm to automatically rotate. The spray nozzles provided by the spray arm can be equipped accordingly to support the rotating movement, particularly with regard to speed.

[0029] According to a further feature of the invention, at least some of the outlet nozzles are adjustable. This allows the desired spray pattern to be designed accordingly. In particular, it is possible to align the spray nozzles with respect to the medium outlets of the medium distribution chamber.

[0030] According to a further feature of the invention, a medium distributor is arranged on the partition wall separating the two compartments. The medium distributor is thus supported by the partition wall. This ensures a simple construction overall, particularly with regard to assembly and disassembly in the event of a defect. This makes the medium distributor particularly accessible and easy to install or replace in the event of a defect.

[0031] According to a further feature of the invention, the partition wall has a passage opening to form a fluidic connection between the first compartment and a medium distributor. Such a passage opening can simply be a through-hole. The medium distributor is connected to this through-hole, optionally with the interposition of a medium seal. This design detail also ensures a simple and therefore cost-effective construction. Furthermore, a long service life is guaranteed, since disruptive wear phenomena essentially do not occur.

[0032] According to a further feature of the invention, a medium distributor has a nozzle on the partition side that engages the corresponding through-opening of the partition. This creates the fluidic connection between the medium distributor and the first compartment described above in a structurally simple manner. The nozzle also serves as a rotation axis around which the spray arm rotates during its intended use.

[0033] According to a further feature of the invention, the partition wall is provided with leakage openings. These leakage openings ensure that any residual water or liquid accumulating in the second compartment can be transferred to the first compartment, thus preventing the second compartment, which serves as the drying chamber, from being accidentally flooded with rinsing liquid.

[0034] According to a further feature of the invention, a medium distributor is arranged vertically in the medium distribution chamber below the medium outlets provided by the medium distribution chamber. When used as intended, a medium distributor thus discharges drying air or, in the case of rinsing, rinsing liquid upwards in the vertical direction toward the items to be washed arranged above. This ensures direct air flow into the narrow cavities provided by the items to be washed. As a result, both good cleaning and drying results can be achieved.

[0035] According to a further feature of the invention, the medium outlets are formed in an overlapping area with a medium distributor. The distribution chamber therefore only has medium outlets in those areas that can also be supplied with a medium by a medium distributor. Those areas of the medium distribution chamber that cannot be supplied with a medium by means of a medium distributor, however, are advantageously designed free of medium outlets. This reliably eliminates unnecessary pressure losses or unnecessary consumption of medium.

[0036] According to a further feature of the invention, the medium inlet is equipped so that it is compatible with a medium connection of a cleaning device. The cleaning device according to the invention can thus be used advantageously with conventional cleaning devices. In the intended case of use, the cleaning device according to the invention is accommodated in a cleaning device or its rinsing chamber or cleaning chamber and is connected via the medium inlet to a medium connection on the device. In the intended case of use, either rinsing liquid or drying air is discharged via this connection, so that the cleaning device can be supplied with the respective medium, i.e. rinsing liquid or drying air.

[0037] The invention further proposes a cleaning device with a cleaning chamber provided by a cleaning container, which replaceably accommodates a cleaning device according to the invention. The cleaning device can thus be removed from the cleaning device or retracted from it, loaded with items to be washed outside the cleaning device, and then transferred back into the cleaning device, with its medium inlet connected to the device-side medium connection. Such a cleaning device provides the advantages already explained above.

[0038] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to the invention with a cleaning device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a medium distribution chamber according to the invention; Fig. 3 in schematic side view the medium distribution chamber according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 the medium distribution chamber Fig. 3 in schematic sectional view according to section line AA according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 the medium distribution chamber Fig. 3 in a schematic sectional view according to section line BB according to Fig. 3.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 1 according to the invention. This device comprises, in a conventional manner, a cleaning container 2 that provides a cleaning chamber 3. When used as intended, this cleaning chamber 3 serves to accommodate items to be cleaned, e.g., pipettes 9.

[0040] The cleaning device 1 has a spray device 4. In the illustrated embodiment, this device has two spray arms 5 and 6, which are fluidically connected to a rinsing circuit 7. During intended use, the spray arms 5 and 6 are supplied with rinsing fluid via the rinsing circuit 7, which results in external cleaning of the pipettes 9.

[0041] A cleaning device 8 according to the invention is used to position the pipettes 9 within the cleaning chamber 3. This device has a holder 10 and a medium distribution chamber 12. The holder 10 is arranged in the vertical direction 24 above the medium distribution chamber 12, as can be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 1 can be seen.

[0042] The medium distribution chamber 12 is fluidically connected to the flushing circuit 7, for which purpose the medium distribution chamber 12 has a medium inlet 13.

[0043] The cleaning device 1 further comprises a drying unit 14. This is connected to the cleaning chamber 3 of the cleaning device 1 via a drying circuit 15. Furthermore, the drying circuit 15 also flows into the medium distribution chamber 12, as symbolized by the arrow 16. The medium inlet 13 of the medium distribution chamber 12 is thus connected to both the rinsing circuit 7 and the drying circuit 15, so that the medium distribution chamber 12 can be optionally supplied with either rinsing liquid or drying air.

[0044] The medium distribution chamber 12 is designed in two parts according to the invention, as can be seen from a summary of the further Fig. 2 to 4 results.

[0045] The medium distribution chamber 12 has a housing 17. This housing is cuboid-shaped and provides a bottom wall 18, a top wall 19, and side walls 20. The distribution space enclosed by the housing is fluidically divided into two compartments 22 and 23. For this purpose, the medium distribution chamber 12 has a partition wall 21, which is formed in the vertical direction 24 between the bottom wall 18 and the top wall 19.

[0046] As can be seen particularly from a summary of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the first compartment 22, which is lower in the vertical direction 24, provides the medium inlet 13. In the intended use, either rinsing liquid or drying air flows through this compartment into the first compartment 22 of the medium distribution chamber 12.

[0047] The ceiling wall 19 is equipped with numerous openings 25. These openings 25 serve as medium outlets, which are provided by the second compartment 23.

[0048] As a summary of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, each opening 25 is equipped with a sleeve plug 26. In the intended use, a pipette 9 to be cleaned engages at one end of such a sleeve plug 26, as is particularly shown in the illustration according to Fig. 1 can be seen.

[0049] According to the invention, the second compartment 23 further comprises two spray arms 27 that fluidically interact with the openings 25 and serve as medium distributors. The spray arms 27 are rotatably mounted on the partition wall 21. They are fluidically connected to the first compartment 22 and are thus fluidically connected to the first compartment 22.

[0050] The medium distribution chamber is also equipped with two leakage openings 30 and 31, as Fig. 1. The leakage opening 30 is assigned to the second compartment 23, and the leakage opening 31 is assigned to the first compartment 22. The passage cross-section of the leakage opening 31 is smaller, in particular significantly smaller, than the passage opening of the leakage opening 30.

[0051] Furthermore, the partition wall 21 has leakage openings 29, as can be seen from Fig. 4 results.

[0052] During intended use, a medium is introduced into the first compartment 22 via the medium inlet 13. This medium can then be distributed homogeneously within the first compartment 22, in particular at the same pressure. The medium then flows from the first compartment 22 into the spray arms 27 fluidly connected to it. As the medium enters the spray arms 27, they are set in a rotating motion. Each spray arm 27 provides spray nozzles 28 through which the medium introduced into the spray arms 27 is discharged.

[0053] By means of the spray arms 27, the medium is discharged upwards in the vertical direction 24 toward the openings 25. Due to the rotating movement of the spray arms 27, the medium is evenly distributed across the openings 25.

[0054] The medium then exits through the openings 25, being forced directly into the narrow cavities of the items to be washed inserted into the openings 25. As a result, when exposed to rinsing fluid, internal cleaning occurs, and when exposed to drying air, drying occurs, particularly by expelling any remaining rinsing fluid residues.

[0055] As a result of the design according to the invention, optimized internal cleaning including subsequent drying is possible. Reference symbol 1 cleaning device 2 cleaning containers 3 Cleaning room 4 Spray device 5 spray arm 6 spray arm 7 Flushing circuit 8 Cleaning device 9 Pipette 10 holders 12 Medium distribution chamber 13 Medium inlet 14 Drying unit 15 Drying circuit 16 Arrow 17 housings 18 Bottom wall 19 Ceiling wall 20 side wall 21 Partition wall 22 first compartment 23 second compartment 24 Altitude direction 25 Opening 26 sleeve plugs 27 Spray arm 28 Spray nozzle 29 Leakage opening 30 Leakage opening 31 Leakage opening

Claims

[1] Cleaning device for applying a medium to a narrow cavity provided by a wash item to be cleaned, comprising a holder (10) which is designed to hold a plurality of wash items to be cleaned in a positionally secure manner, separated from one another, and comprising a medium distribution chamber (12) which has a medium inlet (13) and a plurality of medium outlets, wherein a wash item held by the holder (10) is assigned to a medium outlet, characterized by in that the medium distribution chamber (12) has two compartments (22, 23) separated from one another by a partition wall (21), the first compartment (22) providing the medium inlet (13) and the second compartment (23) providing the medium outlets, the second compartment (23) having a medium distributor which interacts fluidically with the medium outlets, which is designed to be rotatable and which is in fluid connection with the first compartment (22). [2] Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by that a medium outlet is a preferably circular opening (25) which is designed so that items to be washed held by the holder (10) engage into one end thereof. [3] Cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized by that an opening (25) on the dishware receiving side is equipped with a sleeve plug (26) made of a soft elastic material. [4] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second compartment (23) has a second medium distributor which interacts fluidically with the medium outlets, which is designed to be rotatable and which is in fluid communication with the first compartment (22). [5] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a medium distributor is a spray arm (27) equipped with outlet nozzles (28). [6] Cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized by that at least some of the outlet nozzles (28) are adjustable. [7] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a medium distributor is arranged on the partition wall (21) separating the two compartments (22, 23) from each other. [8] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the partition wall (21) has a passage opening for forming a fluidic connection between the first compartment (22) and a medium distributor. [9] Cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized by that a medium distributor has a nozzle on the partition wall side which engages in an associated passage opening of the partition wall (21). [10] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the partition wall (21) provides a leakage opening (29). [11] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a medium distributor is arranged in the height direction (24) of the medium distribution chamber (12) below the medium outlets provided by the medium distribution chamber (12). [12] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the medium outlets are designed in an overlap area with a medium distributor. [13] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the medium distribution chamber is designed to be free of medium outlets outside of an overlap area with a medium distributor. [14] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the medium inlet (13) is designed to be connection-compatible with a medium connection of a cleaning device (1). [15] Cleaning device with a cleaning container (2) provided Cleaning chamber (3) which replaceably accommodates a cleaning device (8) according to one of the preceding claims.

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