Kitchen hygiene station with an ionization device

Abstract

Kitchen hygiene station (1), comprising: - a station housing (2), - at least one treatment room (3) for kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) formed in the station housing (2), wherein the treatment room (3) is accessible via an access opening (6) which can be closed by an adjustable wall closure (5) of the station housing (2) in order to be able to bring the kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) into and take them out of the treatment room (3), and - an ionization device (7) designed to release ions or ionized air into the treatment room (3) so that odor molecules adhering to the kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) present in the treatment room (3) can be destroyed and / or existing germs can be inactivated.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a kitchen hygiene station comprising a station housing, at least one treatment room for kitchen utensils formed in the station housing, wherein the treatment room is accessible via an access opening which can be closed by an adjustable wall closure of the station housing, in order to be able to bring the kitchen utensils into the treatment room and to remove them from the treatment room.

[0002] WO 2008 / 148389 A1 describes a container unit for storing and disinfecting various items, such as dishcloths, sponges, brushes, and the like, wherein the unit comprises an outer casing and an inner movable rack. The inner movable rack has a reservoir, the rack and the reservoir being connected to the outer casing such that the inner rack can be moved from a position within the casing where the casing substantially encloses the rack and the container to a position where the rack and at least part of the container are accessible, with means for disinfecting items on the rack being present either in the casing or in the rack.

[0003] The object of the invention is to create a kitchen hygiene station that is particularly user-friendly to operate and that enables a high cleaning and / or disinfection effect.

[0004] The task is solved by a kitchen hygiene station, comprising: - a station housing, - at least one treatment room for kitchen utensils formed within the station housing, wherein the treatment room is accessible via an access opening that can be closed by an adjustable wall closure of the station housing, in order to be able to bring the kitchen utensils into and take them out of the treatment room, and - an ionization device designed to release ions or ionized air into the treatment room so that odor molecules adhering to the kitchen utensils present in the treatment room can be destroyed and / or existing germs can be inactivated.

[0005] The kitchen hygiene station according to the invention not only serves to store kitchen utensils, such as kitchen sponges, dish brushes, and dishcloths, in fixed, designated places, but also serves to easily and reliably rid these kitchen utensils of germs and unpleasant odors. By reducing the number of germs on the kitchen utensils, hygiene is improved and health risks that could arise from germs are minimized.

[0006] The possibility of neatly storing kitchen utensils at the kitchen hygiene station in designated fixed places also results in a tidier and improved visual appearance of the kitchen, since each kitchen utensil has its fixed place at the kitchen hygiene station and the kitchen utensils can also be stored visually hidden within the station housing when not in use.

[0007] The station housing can, for example, be placed near a kitchen sink or attached to a nearby kitchen wall, particularly by hanging it. Hygienic treatment of the kitchen utensils can occur automatically, especially when the utensils are placed inside the station housing and are therefore not currently in use, and particularly when the adjustable wall closure seals the access opening to the treatment room, allowing the kitchen utensils to be treated in a treatment room isolated from the surrounding environment.

[0008] The adjustable wall closure can be, for example, a flap, a door, or a drawer front. In the case of a flap or door, it can be mounted on the station housing either pivotally or linearly. If the flap or door is pivotally mounted, the pivot axis can extend horizontally, allowing the flap or door to be opened or closed upwards or downwards. Alternatively, the pivot axis can extend vertically, allowing the flap or door, hinged on the left or right, to be opened or closed laterally. If the flap or door is linearly mounted, it can be slidably mounted on opposing guide rails. The flap or door can be mounted either horizontally (i.e., laterally) or vertically (i.e., vertically).

[0009] The adjustment of the wall closure from an open position, in which the wall closure allows access to the treatment room and the respective kitchen utensil can be removed or inserted, to a closed position, in which the wall closure closes the access to the treatment room, can be designed either by mechanical guides so that the wall closure can be closed manually, or by electromechanical drives so that the wall closure can be closed automatically, in particular by actuating an input device. For this purpose, a suitable input device can, for example, be arranged on the front or side of the station housing.

[0010] The ionization unit can be automatically controlled. For this purpose, the kitchen hygiene station can have a control unit that operates the ionization unit. The control unit can automatically start the ionization unit, for example, when a kitchen utensil is placed in the treatment area and the wall is closed. Alternatively, the control unit can start the ionization unit on demand, for example, when a user of the kitchen hygiene station activates a corresponding input device, and the control unit activates the ionization unit when the input device sends a signal indicating its activation.

[0011] Similarly, an operating ionization unit can be automatically switched off by the control unit as soon as the wall seal is opened. The control unit can also switch off the ionization unit after a programmed disinfection program has been completed. The adjustable wall seal can remain closed after the disinfection program has finished, or, if necessary, be automatically opened by the control unit.

[0012] The ionization device can, for example, be designed to utilize the physical principle of corona discharge. In this process, conductive tips are supplied with a high voltage of several thousand volts, causing an electrical discharge at the tips that generates ions from the air molecules in the immediate vicinity. These airborne ions, particularly oxygen ions, can then be drawn into the treatment room along with an airflow containing them and directed towards the kitchen utensils located within.

[0013] The ions introduced into the kitchen utensils, which may be, for example, reactive oxygen species such as dioxygen radials, can promote chemical degradation processes and, in particular, convert odors perceived as unpleasant by humans into less odorous or odorless substances, and inactivate or reduce existing germs. In the context of the invention, germs are defined as pathogens that cause infections or diseases, especially in humans, and may include, in particular, algae, bacteria, parasites, fungi, prions, protists, viruses, and / or viroids.

[0014] The ionization device can be arranged in the station housing spatially separate from the treatment room and may include an ion generator which generates ions and releases them into an airflow generated by a fan of the ionization device, which, together with the ions carried by the airflow, is directed into the treatment room via an air duct.

[0015] The ionization device can accordingly be designed in a separate assembly. Such an assembly can comprise a separate housing, in particular a plastic housing, in which a first receiving space for the ion generator and a second receiving space for the fan can be formed. The fan can, for example, be a radial fan. The fan can draw in air from the environment, for example, in an axial direction to the fan's axis of rotation, and expel it radially. In the discharge direction, the air guide can be connected to the fan. This guide is designed to first direct the airflow delivered by the fan through or along the ion generator so that the airflow can be ionized. The ionized airflow is then introduced into the treatment chamber via the air guide. The air guide can be designed as an air duct or as an air hose.The air duct can also be composed partly of duct sections, in particular rigid duct sections, and partly of hose sections, in particular flexible hose sections.

[0016] The ionization unit can be installed and mounted inside the station housing. Alternatively, the ionization unit can be separated from the treatment chamber by a partition within the station housing.

[0017] The fan can be, in particular, an electric fan comprising a mechanical impeller rotatably mounted in a fan housing and driven by an electric motor. The electric motor can be connected to the sequence control device via electrical wires, allowing the electric motor to be automatically controlled by a program implemented in the sequence control device.

[0018] The kitchen hygiene station may have a heating device designed to provide heated air in the treatment room.

[0019] The heating device can be, for example, an electric resistance heater. The heating device can be integrated into the air duct of the ionization unit, so that the ionized airflow provided by the ionization unit can be heated to the desired temperature within the air duct itself. The electric heating device can include electrical leads for connecting it to the control unit, allowing the electric heating device to be automatically controlled by a program implemented in the control unit to heat the ionized airflow to the desired temperature.

[0020] The heating device can also be implemented in a separate heating circuit from the ionization device. This separate heating circuit may optionally include its own fan heater, which delivers the air heated by the heating device as a hot air stream into the treatment room and / or circulates it within the treatment room.

[0021] The heating device can be used to increase the effectiveness of the ionized air on the kitchen utensils in the treatment room.

[0022] The heating device can be an electrically controlled heating device, in particular an electrically controlled heating device as described above, and the kitchen hygiene station can have a heating control device designed to electrically control the heating device and configured to control the heating device in such a way that the kitchen utensils present in the treatment room are dried either before ionization, after ionization or during ionization, depending on the control of the ionization device.

[0023] The heating control device can be a separate control device from the process control device. Alternatively, the heating control device can be an electronically communicating component or an integral control part of the process control device.

[0024] Accordingly, the heating control device can not only serve to increase the effectiveness of the ionized air on the kitchen utensils in the treatment room, but can also, independently of such an effect, simply serve to dry the damp kitchen utensils present in the treatment room.

[0025] When kitchen utensils are used as intended, for example for cleaning dishes, cutlery and other items, they become wet from the dishwater. As is well known, germs can multiply particularly well on kitchen utensils in a damp environment.

[0026] Therefore, rapid and thorough drying of kitchen utensils also helps to prevent germs from multiplying so quickly on them. In the treatment room, kitchen utensils can therefore also be dried independently of treatment by the ionization device.

[0027] However, drying the kitchen utensils can also be advantageous with regard to the treatment process by the ionization device.

[0028] For example, it may be advantageous to dry kitchen utensils first and only then subject them to treatment by the ionization device once they are dry. This can be particularly useful because, for instance, a kitchen sponge that is very damp, with its cellular structure sealed by moisture, might not be reached by the ionized airflow and therefore could not be disinfected, or only insufficiently. If the kitchen sponge is dry, however, all its cellular structures can be reached by the ionized airflow.

[0029] On the other hand, it may be advantageous, for example, to first subject the kitchen utensils to treatment by the ionization device when the kitchen utensils are still damp, and only then to dry the kitchen utensils.

[0030] Alternatively, it may be advantageous, for example, to subject kitchen utensils to treatment by the ionization device while they are still damp, and then allow them to dry during the treatment. For instance, germs adhering to the surface of a dish brush can be carried away by the evaporating moisture during the drying process and detach from the brush. This allows the germs to be treated by the ionization device when they are suspended in the air of the treatment chamber and thus more easily reached by the ionized airflow.

[0031] The heating device can be an electrically controlled heating device and the kitchen hygiene station can have a heating control device designed to electrically control the heating device, wherein the heating control device is configured to control the heating device in such a way that, after ionization of the kitchen utensils present in the treatment room, the breakdown of the reactive substances remaining in the treatment room is accelerated by the application of heat.

[0032] The reactive substances may, for example, be reactive oxygen species such as dioxygen radials or possibly even ozone that are still present in the treatment room after treatment by the ionization device and have not yet been degraded.

[0033] The kitchen hygiene station may have at least one UV-C lamp that is designed and set up to emit UV-C rays into the treatment room, so that odor molecules adhering to kitchen utensils present in the treatment room can be destroyed by the UV-C rays and / or existing germs can be inactivated by the UV-C rays.

[0034] At least one UV-C lamp can be positioned outside the treatment room and oriented and / or optically coupled to the treatment room in such a way that the UV-C rays generated outside the treatment room can shine into the treatment room. At least one light guide can be used to direct UV-C rays from outside into the treatment room.

[0035] Alternatively or in addition to arranging at least one UV-C lamp outside the treatment room, at least one UV-C lamp can be arranged directly in the treatment room and emit UV-C rays directly therein.

[0036] One or more UV-C lamps can be automatically movable within the kitchen hygiene station, for example, by being linearly adjustable, swiveling back and forth, or rotating. Such a UV-C lamp can, for example, be driven by an electric motor and automatically controlled by the process control device.

[0037] The at least one UV-C lamp can be provided with a heat sink for cooling purposes. The heat sink can optionally form the heating element as already described within the scope of the invention. The heat sink can be cooled by means of a cooling airflow guided in cooling channels. To convey the cooling airflow, either a separate cooling fan can be integrated into the kitchen hygiene station, or the fan already described within the scope of the invention for conveying the heating airflow, in particular the described heating fan, can also be used to convey the cooling airflow when the electric heating element is not in operation.

[0038] The adjustable wall end can be formed by a drawer front of a drawer which is mounted in the station housing in a way that allows it to be extended and retracted.

[0039] The drawer can have a shelf and side walls, in particular four side walls, and be open at the top. One of the side walls is designed as the drawer front. The drawer front is designed such that, when the drawer is closed, it seals the access opening to the treatment room, in particular sealing it in a liquid-tight, vapor-tight, airtight, and / or light-tight manner. Accordingly, the drawer front can be shaped to closely resemble the shape and contour of the access opening.

[0040] The drawer can be mounted on rails, allowing it to be extended and retracted within the station housing. The kitchen hygiene station can have one or more drawers. Each drawer can be adapted to the type, size, and / or shape of a specific kitchen utensil. The drawer can optionally be driven by an electric motor. This allows the drawer to be opened and / or closed automatically, for example, by the control unit.

[0041] In one version, the drawer may have a shelf designed for storing a kitchen sponge inside the drawer.

[0042] The shelf can be perforated, i.e., equipped with drainage holes, so that water running off the kitchen sponge can drip away. A drip tray can optionally be placed below the shelf to collect the water dripping from the sponge. The drawer's side walls can also be fitted with corresponding openings, cutouts, or windows, allowing the ionized airflow to easily reach the sponge from the sides and below, passing through the drawer.

[0043] In a second version, the drawer can be designed in the style of an apothecary drawer and include a stand for storing a dish brush and / or a holder for carrying a dishcloth.

[0044] The stand can be designed so that a dish brush can be placed in it, leaned against it, or even hung on it. The holder for the dishcloth can be designed like a towel rack, so that the dishcloth can be thrown over a bar or rail of the holder.

[0045] Within the station housing, a detergent dispenser for liquid dishwashing detergent can be arranged, comprising a detergent container in which detergent is stored, a detergent dispensing nozzle designed to dispense a predetermined quantity of detergent, and comprising a pump for automatically conveying detergent and a detergent line leading from the detergent container to the detergent dispensing nozzle for transporting the detergent from the detergent container to the detergent dispensing nozzle.

[0046] The detergent dispenser can, for example, be stored in its own drawer, or the dispenser can be kept within the station housing by closing the drawer. The detergent dispensing nozzle can, for example, be located on a lower side wall of the station housing, thus dispensing detergent below the housing, for instance, when a person holds a kitchen sponge or dishcloth under the nozzle.

[0047] The dishwashing liquid dispenser can optionally include a primary optical sensor, such as a proximity switch, that detects when a person holds a kitchen sponge or dishcloth under the dispenser nozzle. The pump can be electric and, for example, automatically controlled by the drain control device, dispenses a predetermined amount of dishwashing liquid from the nozzle when the primary optical sensor detects the presence of a sponge, dishcloth, or other kitchen utensil below the nozzle.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally to a dishwashing liquid dispenser, a liquid soap dispenser for a liquid handwashing liquid may be arranged within the station housing, comprising a handwashing liquid container in which handwashing liquid is stored, a handwashing liquid dispensing nozzle designed to dispense a predetermined quantity of handwashing liquid, a pump for automatically conveying handwashing liquid, and a handwashing liquid line leading from the handwashing liquid container to the handwashing liquid dispensing nozzle for transporting the handwashing liquid from the handwashing liquid container to the handwashing liquid dispensing nozzle.

[0049] The handwashing detergent container can, for example, be stored in its own drawer, or it can be kept within the station housing by closing the drawer. The handwashing detergent dispensing nozzle can, for example, be located on a lower side wall of the station housing, thus dispensing handwashing detergent below the housing, for instance, when a person holds their hand under the nozzle.

[0050] The handwashing liquid dispenser can optionally include a second optical sensor, such as a second proximity switch, which can detect when a person places a hand under the dispenser nozzle. The pump can be an electric pump, which, for example, can be automatically controlled by the dispensing control device to dispense a predetermined amount of handwashing liquid from the nozzle when the second optical sensor detects the presence of a person's hand below the nozzle.

[0051] The kitchen hygiene station can have a process control device, as well as a display controllable by the process control device, at least one input device and / or at least one display device controllable by the process control device.

[0052] For example, there may be a first input device that is designed and set up, when manually activated, to cause the process control device to operate the ionization device in order to start and / or end a disinfection process in the treatment room.

[0053] For example, a second input device may be present which is designed and configured, when manually activated, to cause the flow control device to dispense a portion of detergent from the detergent outlet nozzle.

[0054] For example, a third input device may be present which is designed and configured, when manually activated, to cause the flow control device to dispense a portion of handwashing detergent from the handwashing detergent outlet nozzle.

[0055] Another input device or several other input devices may be provided to automatically open or close one or more drawers of the kitchen hygiene station, or, in the case of manual operation, to lock the wall closure in the closed state of the wall closure or in the closed state of the drawer against pulling out the drawer.

[0056] The display can show operating states of the kitchen hygiene station, such as the remaining time of a disinfection process, the temperature in the treatment room, the fill level of the handwashing detergent container and / or the fill level of the dishwashing detergent container.

[0057] The display can optionally also be designed as a touch screen, so that the described input means can be formed by programmed surface areas of the display.

[0058] Other indicators can include lights, especially LEDs, which can visually show whether the kitchen hygiene station is operational or switched off. A currently running disinfection cycle can also be indicated, for example, by a flashing light or LED.

[0059] The process control device can be designed and configured to control the ionization device in several process steps and to display at least one state characterizing the current process step on the display and / or on the at least one display means.

[0060] This allows the user to see the current status of the kitchen hygiene station. Possible process steps include, for example, disinfection, UV-C treatment, heating, drying, and standby mode. In standby mode, the kitchen hygiene station is therefore not in operation.

[0061] The kitchen hygiene station may have a sensor designed and configured to detect a closed state and / or an open state of the adjustable wall closure, and the process control device may be designed and configured to operate the ionization device only when the sensor provides a signal indicating that the access opening of the treatment room is closed by the adjustable wall closure.

[0062] The sensor serves to ensure that no ionized air and / or UV-C rays can escape from the kitchen hygiene station. This constitutes a safety device that protects people in the vicinity of the kitchen hygiene station from health risks.

[0063] The control system may be designed and configured such that, before a disinfection cycle is started (i.e., before the ionization unit and / or a UV-C lamp is switched on), the control system automatically uses a sensor to check whether the access opening to the treatment room is closed by the adjustable wall closure. Only when the control system has detected that the access opening to the treatment room is closed by the adjustable wall closure does it start the disinfection cycle.

[0064] Additionally, the control unit can be designed and configured such that, during an ongoing disinfection process—that is, after the ionization unit and / or a UV-C lamp have been switched on—the control unit automatically and continuously monitors, via its sensor, whether the access opening to the treatment room remains closed by the adjustable wall closure. If the control unit detects, via its sensor, that the access opening to the treatment room has been opened by the adjustable wall closure, it immediately stops the disinfection process.

[0065] If the adjustable wall closure is automatically adjustable by means of an electric motor drive, the process control device can automatically coordinate the switching on and off of the ionization device and / or the UV-C lamp depending on the automatic adjustment of the wall closure, so that it is ensured that no ionized air and / or no UV-C rays escape from the kitchen hygiene station.

[0066] The kitchen hygiene station may have a locking device controlled by the drain control device, which is designed and configured to hold the adjustable wall closure in its closed state and to prevent manual opening of the adjustable wall closure while the drain control device is operating the ionization device or the heating control device is operating the heating device.

[0067] Especially if the adjustable wall closure is not automatically adjustable but only manually adjustable, it is advisable to provide a locking device controlled by the process control unit to ensure that the access opening to the treatment room is not manually opened during a disinfection operation, and thus no ionized air and / or UV-C rays can escape from the kitchen hygiene station.

[0068] A wall bracket can be attached to the station housing, which is designed for attaching the kitchen hygiene station to a wall.

[0069] The wall bracket can, for example, be designed as a fitting that is attached to the back of the station housing. The fitting can have hangers or cutouts by means of which the kitchen hygiene station can be hung on hooks on a wall in a room, particularly a kitchen.

[0070] It may also be provided that the wall bracket is designed in such a way that the wall bracket is first screwed to a wall of a room, in particular a kitchen, and then the station housing of the kitchen hygiene station is hung or snapped onto the wall bracket attached to the wall.

[0071] Specific embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. Specific features of these exemplary embodiments, regardless of the specific context in which they are mentioned, and optionally also individually or in further combinations, may represent advantageous features of alternative embodiments of the invention.

[0072] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an exemplary first embodiment of a kitchen hygiene station according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a modified exemplary second embodiment of a kitchen hygiene station according to the invention, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the kitchen hygiene station according to Fig. 2 partially from the side, so that an upper access opening into the treatment room and a lower storage space for a dishwashing liquid container and a handwashing liquid container are visible, Fig. 4 a sectional view of the kitchen hygiene station according to Fig. 2 with an ionization device arranged in the station housing, Fig. 5. A perspective view of an exemplary drawer with a shelf on which a kitchen sponge is placed, in a solitary position. Fig. 6 a perspective view of an exemplary apothecary's extract with a stand for a dish brush and a holder for a dishcloth, in a single position, and Fig. 7 a perspective view of the station housing of the kitchen hygiene station according to Fig. 2 from the rear with a wall bracket attached to the back of the station housing.

[0073] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a kitchen hygiene station 1 according to the invention. Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a modified second embodiment of a kitchen hygiene station 1 according to the invention.

[0074] Each kitchen hygiene station 1 has a station housing 2 and at least one treatment room 3 for kitchen utensils 4 formed in the station housing 2, wherein the treatment room 3 is accessible via an access opening 6 which can be closed by an adjustable wall closure 5 of the station housing 2, in order to be able to bring the kitchen utensils 4 into the treatment room 3 and to remove them from the treatment room 3.

[0075] Each kitchen hygiene station 1 includes an ionization device 7, as described in Fig. 4 is shown, which is designed to release ions or ionized air into the treatment room 3, so that odor molecules adhering to the kitchen utensils 4 present in the treatment room 3 can be destroyed and / or existing germs can be inactivated.

[0076] In the present embodiments, the ionization device 7 is arranged spatially separated from the treatment chamber 3 in the station housing 2, as shown in Fig. 4 is shown, and comprises an ion generator 8, which generates ions and releases them into an airflow generated by a fan 9 of the ionization device 7, and which, together with the ions mixed into the airflow, is directed into the treatment room 3 via an air duct 10.

[0077] In the present embodiments, the kitchen hygiene station 1 also includes a heating device 11, which is designed to provide heated room air in the treatment room 3. The heating device 11 can, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the heating unit 11 can be integrated into the ionization unit 7. Alternatively, the heating unit 11 can be arranged separately from the ionization unit 7 in the station housing 2.

[0078] The heating device 11 can be an electrically controllable heating device 11a and the kitchen hygiene station 1 can have a heating control device 12a which is designed for electrically controlling the heating device 11 and which is configured to control the heating device 11 in such a way that the kitchen utensils 4 present in the treatment room 3 are dried either before ionization, after ionization or during ionization, depending on a control of the ionization device 7.

[0079] The heating control device 12a can also be designed to electrically control the heating device 11 and be configured to control the heating device 11 in such a way that, after ionization of the kitchen utensils 4 present in the treatment room 3, the breakdown of the reactive substances remaining in the treatment room 3 is accelerated by the application of heat.

[0080] Kitchen hygiene station 1 can, as is described in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, at least one UV-C lamp 13 must be designed and configured to emit UV-C rays into the treatment room 3, so that odor molecules adhering to kitchen utensils 4 present in the treatment room 3 can be destroyed by the UV-C rays and / or existing germs can be inactivated by the UV-C rays.

[0081] The adjustable wall termination 5 can, as is realized in the two embodiments, be formed by a drawer front 5a of at least one drawer 14, which is mounted in the station housing 2 in a way that allows it to be extended and retracted.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the kitchen hygiene station 1 has a first drawer 14.1 and a second drawer 14.2.

[0083] The first drawer 14.1 has a shelf 15 and side walls 16, in particular four side walls 16, and is open at the top. One of the side walls 16 is designed as the drawer front 5a. The drawer front 5a is designed such that, when the drawers 14, 14.1, 14.2 are closed, it seals the access opening 6 to the treatment chamber 3, in particular in a liquid-tight, vapor-tight, airtight, and / or light-tight manner. The drawer front 5a can therefore be shaped to closely resemble the shape and contour of the opening of the access opening 6.

[0084] The first drawer 14.1 can, in the first embodiment, have a shelf 15 designed for storing a kitchen sponge 4.1 within the first drawer 14.1. The first drawer 14.1 together with the kitchen sponge 4.1 is in Fig. 5 is presented in more detail in a unique position.

[0085] The shelf 15 can be perforated, i.e., provided with drainage openings, so that water flowing from the kitchen sponge 4.1 can drip off. A drip tray 16 can optionally be arranged below the shelf 15 to collect the water dripping from the kitchen sponge 4.1. The side walls 16 of the first drawer 14.1 can additionally be provided with corresponding openings, cutouts, or windows, so that the ionized airflow has easy access to the kitchen sponge 4.1 over a large area, laterally, and from below, through the first drawer 14.1.

[0086] The second drawer 14.2 can, in a second embodiment, be designed in the manner of a pharmacist's drawer and include a stand 18 for storing a dish brush 4.2 and / or a holder 19 for holding a dishcloth 4.3. The second drawer 14.2 together with the dish brush 4.2 and the dishcloth 4.3 is in Fig. 6 is presented in more detail in a unique position.

[0087] The stand 18 can be designed so that the dish brush 4.2 can be placed in it or leaned against it, or optionally hung on the stand 18. The holder 19 for carrying the dishcloth 4.3 can be designed in the manner of a towel holder, so that the dishcloth 4.3 can be thrown over a bar or rail of the holder 19.

[0088] Within the station housing 2, in the present embodiments, a detergent dispenser 20 for liquid dishwashing detergent is additionally arranged, comprising a detergent container 20a in which detergent is stored, a detergent outlet nozzle 20b designed to dispense a predetermined quantity of detergent, and a pump 20c for automatically conveying detergent and a detergent line 20d leading from the detergent container 20a to the detergent outlet nozzle 20b, for transporting the detergent from the detergent container 20a to the detergent outlet nozzle 20b.

[0089] Similarly, in the present embodiments, a liquid soap dispenser 21 for a liquid handwashing detergent is also arranged within the station housing 2, comprising a handwashing detergent container 21a in which handwashing detergent is stored, a handwashing detergent dispensing nozzle 21b designed to dispense a predetermined quantity of handwashing detergent, and a pump 21c for automatically conveying handwashing detergent and a handwashing detergent line 21d leading from the handwashing detergent container 21a to the handwashing detergent dispensing nozzle 21b, for transporting the handwashing detergent from the handwashing detergent container 21a to the handwashing detergent dispensing nozzle 21b.

[0090] The kitchen hygiene station 1 has a process control device 12, as well as a display 22 controllable by the process control device 12, and at least one input means 23 ( Fig. 1) and / or at least one display means 24 that can be controlled by the sequence control device 12 ( Fig. 3) on.

[0091] The process control device 12 is designed and configured to control the ionization device 7 in several process steps and to display at least one state characterizing the current process step on the display 22 and / or on the at least one display means 24.

[0092] The current status of kitchen hygiene station 1 can be displayed to a user. Possible process steps include, for example, disinfection, UV-C treatment, heating, drying, and standby mode. In standby mode, kitchen hygiene station 1 is therefore not in operation.

[0093] In the present embodiments, the kitchen hygiene station 1 has sensors 25 ( Fig. 4) which are designed and equipped to detect a closed state and / or an open state of the respective associated adjustable wall closure 5 or drawer front 5a and the process control device 12 is designed and equipped to operate the ionization device 7 only when the sensors 25 provide signals indicating that all access openings 6 of the treatment room 3 are closed by the adjustable wall closures 5 or drawer fronts 5a.

[0094] The kitchen hygiene station 1 can have locking means 26 controlled by the flow control device 12, which are designed and configured to keep the respective adjustable wall closure 5 or the respective drawer front 5a in a closed state and to prevent manual opening of the adjustable wall closure 5 or the respective drawer fronts 5a while the flow control device 12 operates the ionization device 7 or the heating control device 12a operates the heating device 11.

[0095] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, a wall bracket 27 can be attached to the station housing 2, which is designed for attaching the kitchen hygiene station 1 to a wall.

[0096] The wall bracket 27 can, for example, be designed as a fitting that is attached, for instance, to a rear wall of the station housing 2. The fitting can have hangers or cutouts by means of which the kitchen hygiene station 1 can be hung on hooks on a wall of a room, in particular a kitchen.

[0097] It may also be provided that the wall bracket 27 is designed in such a way that the wall bracket 27 is first screwed to a wall of a room, in particular a kitchen, and then the station housing 2 of the kitchen hygiene station 1 is hung or snapped onto the wall bracket 27 attached to the wall. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2008 / 148389 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Kitchen hygiene station (1), comprising: - a station housing (2), - at least one treatment room (3) for kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) formed in the station housing (2), wherein the treatment room (3) is accessible via an access opening (6) which can be closed by an adjustable wall closure (5) of the station housing (2) in order to be able to bring the kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) into and take them out of the treatment room (3), and - an ionization device (7) designed to release ions or ionized air into the treatment room (3) so that odor molecules adhering to the kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) present in the treatment room (3) can be destroyed and / or existing germs can be inactivated. [2] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the ionization device (7) is arranged in the station housing (2) spatially separated from the treatment room (3) and comprises an ion generator (8) which generates ions and releases them into an air stream generated by a fan (9) of the ionization device (7) and which, together with the ions mixed into the air stream, is directed into the treatment room (3) via an air duct (10). [3] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the kitchen hygiene station (1) has a heating device (11) designed to provide heated room air in the treatment room (3). [4] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the heating device (11) is an electrically controllable heating device (11a) and the kitchen hygiene station (1) has a heating control device (12a) which is designed to electrically control the heating device (11, 11a) and which is configured to control the heating device (11, 11a) in such a way that the kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) present in the treatment room (3) are either dried before ionization, dried after ionization or dried during ionization, depending on a control of the ionization device (7). [5] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the heating device (11) is an electrically controllable heating device (11a) and the kitchen hygiene station (1) has a heating control device (12a) which is designed to electrically control the heating device (11, 11a) and which is configured to control the heating device (11, 11a) in such a way that, after ionization of the kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) present in the treatment room (3), the degradation of the reactive substances remaining in the treatment room (3) is accelerated by the application of heat. [6] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the kitchen hygiene station (1) has at least one UV-C lamp (13) which is designed and configured to emit UV-C rays into the treatment room (3) so that odor molecules adhering to kitchen utensils (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) present in the treatment room (3) can be destroyed by the UV-C rays and / or existing germs can be inactivated by the UV-C rays. [7] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the adjustable wall termination (5) is formed by a drawer front (5a) of a drawer (14, 14.1, 14.2) which is mounted in the station housing (2) in a way that allows it to be extended and retracted. [8] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the drawer (14, 14.1, 14.2) has a shelf (15) designed to hold a kitchen sponge (4.1) inside the drawer (14, 14.1, 14.2). [9] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the drawer (14) is designed in the manner of an apothecary drawer and has a stand (18) for storing a dish brush (4.2) and / or a holder (19) for carrying a dishcloth (4.3). [10] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that within the station housing (2) a detergent dispenser (20) for liquid dishwashing detergent is arranged, comprising a detergent container (20a) in which detergent is stored, comprising a detergent dispensing nozzle (20b) designed to dispense a predetermined quantity of detergent, and comprising a pump (20c) for automatically conveying detergent and a detergent line (20c) leading from the detergent container (20a) to the detergent dispensing nozzle (20b) for transporting the detergent from the detergent container (20a) to the detergent dispensing nozzle (20b). [11] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that within the station housing (2) a liquid soap dispenser (21) for a liquid handwashing detergent is arranged, comprising a handwashing detergent container (21a) in which handwashing detergent is stored, comprising a handwashing detergent dispensing nozzle (21b) configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of handwashing detergent, and comprising a pump (21c) for automatically conveying handwashing detergent and a handwashing detergent line (21c) leading from the handwashing detergent container (21a) to the handwashing detergent dispensing nozzle (21b), for transporting the handwashing detergent from the handwashing detergent container (21a) to the handwashing detergent dispensing nozzle (21b). [12] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by, that the kitchen hygiene station (1) has a process control device (12), as well as a display (22) controllable by the process control device (12), at least one input means (23) and / or at least one display means (24) controllable by the process control device (12). [13] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 12, characterized by , that the process control device (12) is designed and configured to control the ionization device (7) in several process steps and to indicate at least one state characterizing the current process step on the display (22) and / or on the at least one display means (24). [14] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by, that the kitchen hygiene station (1) has a sensor (25) which is designed and configured to detect a closed state and / or an open state of the adjustable wall closure (5) and the flow control device (12) is designed and configured to operate the ionization device (7) only when the sensor (25) provides a signal indicating that the access opening (6) of the treatment room (3) is closed by the adjustable wall closure (5). [15] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by, that the kitchen hygiene station (1) has a locking means (26) controlled by the drain control device (12) which is designed and configured to keep the adjustable wall closure (5) in its closed state and to prevent manual opening of the adjustable wall closure (5) while the drain control device (12) operates the ionization device (7) or the heating control device (12a) operates the heating device (11, 11a). [16] Kitchen hygiene station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by , that a wall bracket (27) is attached to the station housing (2), which is designed to attach the kitchen hygiene station (1) to a wall.

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