Cleaning device with individually switchable rinse aid nozzle system

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device and a method for cleaning items. This cleaning device is a continuous flow dishwasher, particularly for commercial use, such as in catering establishments, including company canteens, canteens in schools, government offices, hospitals, or nursing homes. The cleaning device and the method can be used, in particular, for cleaning items that are used directly or indirectly for the preparation, storage, or serving of food and beverages. These items can include, in particular, dishes and / or trays. Other applications of the present invention are also conceivable. State of the art:

[0002] Numerous cleaning devices are known from the prior art. Without limiting further possible embodiments of the present invention, particular reference is made below to dishwashers. Besides single-chamber dishwashers, so-called continuous dishwashers are also known, in which the items to be cleaned are transported through one or more cleaning chambers by means of a transport device. For example, such continuous dishwashers have different treatment or cleaning zones for the items. In many cases, there is at least one wash zone for the main cleaning of the items and at least one subsequent rinse zone. The rinse zone typically includes at least one fresh water rinse (FKSP).In the fresh water rinse, fresh water, which may optionally be heated and / or mixed with a rinse aid, is applied to the items being cleaned via at least one nozzle, particularly as a so-called rinse solution. The fresh water rinse typically removes any remaining dirt and wash fluid residue from the items to achieve a flawless cleaning result.

[0003] Typically, several nozzles are used in the fresh water rinsing zone to apply the rinsing solution to the items being cleaned. These nozzles are usually integrated into at least one pipe, which is positioned transversely, for example perpendicularly, to the direction of transport within the fresh water rinsing zone.

[0004] Generally, depending on factors such as the width of the continuous flow dishwasher, a specific number of nozzles are required to create the desired spray pattern. This spray pattern should be sufficient to wet the items being cleaned as evenly as possible across the entire width of the passage. If too few nozzles are used, gaps will appear in the film of cleaning fluid on the items. Furthermore, a nozzle typically requires a minimum amount of rinse aid per unit of time to produce a good spray pattern. Falling below this amount usually results in a poor spray pattern and consequently uneven wetting of the items.

[0005] Continuous dishwashers are described, for example, in DE 10 2004 046 758 A1, DE 10 2007 053 381 B3, DE 10 2009 035 668 A1, or in the subsequently published German patent application number DE 10 2011 077 660. Many continuous dishwashers have two rinse tubes in the rinsing zone, one of which is located above and one below the conveyor. These rinse tubes can each have, for example, six evenly distributed nozzles, so that the dishes are rinsed from both above and below. The rinsing effect is generally uniform across the entire width of the passage, i.e., the maximum width of the conveyor perpendicular to the direction of travel. For example, typical continuous dishwashers can have widths of 500 mm, 750 mm, 1000 mm, or even 1200 mm.Depending on the passage width, for example the flushing pipes of the fresh water rinsing zone, also called nozzle pipes, can be designed to be longer or shorter, and the number of nozzles in these nozzle pipes can be selected accordingly.

[0006] The number and size of the nozzles (e.g., their opening cross-section) and / or the pressure in the fresh water rinse system can significantly influence the throughput of rinse aid fluid and thus the consumption of fresh water. However, the total fresh water consumption substantially impacts the resource consumption of the continuous flow dishwasher. Fresh water typically needs to be heated, for example, to an operating temperature between 80°C and 100°C, or 85°C-90°C. Furthermore, rinse aid and / or detergent usually need to be added to the rinse aid fluid according to the incoming fresh water volume.

[0007] During operation of a continuous dishwasher, there are always phases and / or periods of time when there is little laundry to clean. During these phases, areas on the transport system, such as a conveyor belt, may be empty. Alternatively, in the case of a rack-type continuous dishwasher, where racks containing the laundry are transported through the machine, these racks may only be partially filled, or the transport system may be incompletely equipped with racks.

[0008] In principle, devices are known from the prior art that can detect whether or not items for cleaning are present on the transport system. Depending on the load of items on the transport system, individual cleaning zones of the dishwasher can then be switched on or off according to the progress of the transport. The operation of the fresh water rinse zone can also be influenced in this way. This allows for the saving of fresh water.

[0009] AT 254453 discloses a dishwasher which has a conveyor belt for transporting dishes through a washing zone and a rinsing zone. Dishes are detected by means of a photocell control system, which also controls the switching on and off of the rinsing water.

[0010] German patent DE 1 968 268 discloses a dishwasher with wash water regulation in which dishes are conveyed past a washing and rinsing unit by means of a conveyor belt. A pivoting grid is provided in front of a rinsing zone, within the movement area of ​​the dishes, for switching the wash water on and off. The grid, as moved by the dishes, immediately switches on the wash water when moving upwards and switches it off when moving downwards.

[0011] German patent application DE 1 963 534 U discloses a rinsing device for dishwashers with continuous or incremental dish transport. This device has a pivotally mounted push button. As dishes pass through, an electrical circuit to a solenoid valve is closed and water flow is enabled as long as the passing dishes keep the push button in an inclined position.

[0012] EP 1 704 809 A2 describes a belt dishwasher with a conveying device having compartments extending transversely to the conveying direction for receiving items to be washed. A washing area has at least one transversely directed, lateral spray nozzle on at least one side for spraying washing fluid onto the items to be washed. DE 10 2008 037 344 A1 describes a conveyor dishwasher comprising a transport device for conveying items to be washed through a clear rinsing zone, wherein the transport device has a plurality of compartments for receiving items to be washed.

[0013] Despite the advantages achieved with existing devices, particularly in terms of resource savings, further optimization potential exists, especially for commercial dishwashers. In particular, it must be considered that if the conveyor is not fully loaded with items, rinse aid fluid is still unnecessarily splashed in empty sections of the conveyor belt, resulting in wasted fresh water. Object of the invention

[0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device and a method for cleaning items which at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods. In particular, fresh water consumption should be further reduced, as should the heating energy expended for a rinsing zone and the consumption of rinse aid and / or cleaning additives. Disclosure of the invention

[0015] This problem is solved by a cleaning device and a method for cleaning items, comprising the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in any combination, are described in the dependent claims.

[0016] The proposed method can be carried out using a cleaning device according to the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device can also be configured to carry out a method according to the invention. Accordingly, for possible embodiments of the method, reference can be made to the description of the cleaning device and vice versa. However, other embodiments are also fundamentally possible.

[0017] It should be noted that the terms "have," "include," and "comprise" can be understood in both exhaustive and non-exhaustive terms. Accordingly, for example, the expression "A" includes "B" can be understood to mean that A has no other elements besides B (exhaustive meaning). Alternatively, the expression can also mean that A has one or more other elements besides B, for example, the element C.

[0018] In a first aspect of the present invention, a cleaning device for cleaning items is proposed. Within the scope of the present invention, a cleaning device is generally understood to be a device in which the items are cleaned by means of at least one cleaning fluid in order to at least partially remove adhering dirt or other contaminants. Additionally, the cleaning device can also have a germicidal or even a disinfecting effect on the items. Accordingly, a method for cleaning items, hereinafter also referred to as a cleaning method, is understood to be the application of at least one cleaning fluid to the items for the purpose of at least partially removing adhering dirt from them.Additionally, the cleaning process can have a germicidal or even a disinfecting effect on the items being cleaned.

[0019] The term "items to be cleaned" can generally be understood to mean any goods that can be subjected to cleaning or a cleaning process. Without limiting further possible variations, the following refers to items to be cleaned in the form of dishes or other items to be washed. These include any objects intended for the preparation, serving, or storage of food and beverages. Examples include dishes such as cups, plates, glasses, bowls, and dishes. Pots, trays, cutlery, warming devices, and similar items are also included.

[0020] The cleaning device is designed as a continuous flow dishwasher. A continuous flow dishwasher is a dishwasher, specifically a machine for cleaning dishes, which is designed to transport the dishes through a cleaning chamber. In particular, it can be a belt conveyor dishwasher and / or a rack conveyor dishwasher, meaning a dishwasher in which the dishes are transported through the cleaning device by means of a conveyor belt, for example, a conveyor belt onto which the dishes are placed directly and / or onto which one or more racks containing the dishes to be cleaned are placed. The continuous flow dishwasher can be designed specifically for commercial use, for example, in one or more of the aforementioned catering establishments.

[0021] The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber and at least one transport device configured to move the item to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber in one direction. A cleaning chamber is generally understood to be a chamber in which the cleaning process described above is carried out completely or partially. In particular, the cleaning chamber can be supplied with the cleaning fluid or one of several cleaning fluids. The chamber is preferably completely or partially enclosed by a housing. In particular, the cleaning chamber can be designed as a tunnel or comprise part of a tunnel, for example with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the item to be cleaned is introduced into the cleaning chamber at the inlet and exits the cleaning chamber at the outlet.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, a transport device is generally understood to be any device configured to transport the items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber in the transport direction. For example, this transport device may be selected from a belt transport device with at least one conveyor belt and a roller transport device with at least one or more transport rollers, for example one or more driven transport rollers, by means of which, for example, the items to be cleaned can be transported directly and / or one or more baskets receiving the items to be cleaned can be transported through the cleaning chamber in the transport direction.

[0023] The cleaning device further comprises at least one rinse nozzle system for applying at least one rinse fluid to the items being cleaned. As described above, the cleaning process is carried out using at least one cleaning fluid. The rinse fluid is thus one embodiment of a cleaning fluid. In addition to the rinse fluid, other cleaning fluids can be used in the cleaning device, for example, to wash the items before applying the rinse fluid and to rinse off coarse dirt residues. The rinse fluid ultimately serves to rinse away any adhering residues of previous cleaning fluids with which the items were previously treated, so that preferably no cleaning fluid residues remain on the items.The rinse fluid is therefore preferably the last cleaning fluid in a series of multiple cleaning fluids, with which the items being cleaned are rinsed, preferably residue-free. For this purpose, the rinse fluid can, for example, be an aqueous rinse fluid to which one or more rinse aids are preferably added. A rinse aid is generally understood to be a liquid that improves the drying of the items being cleaned. The rinse aid can, for example, comprise one or more surfactants, such as non-ionic surfactants, which reduce the surface tension of the rinse fluid, such as the surface tension of water, so that, for example, the rinse fluid can run off without forming droplets.Alternatively or additionally, the rinse aid may contain other substances, such as one or more organic acids like citric acid and / or lactic acid, for example, to form complexes with hardness-causing ions like calcium or magnesium ions. These one or more acids may also serve to neutralize alkaline components. Furthermore, the rinse aid may contain one or more solvents, preservatives, solubilizers, and, if applicable, one or more fragrances. The rinse aid fluid can therefore be, in particular, an aqueous solution of a rinse aid, whereby the rinse aid may contain one or more of the aforementioned components, especially one or more non-ionic surfactants and / or one or more organic acids. Alternatively or additionally, however, the rinse aid fluid may simply be or consist of fresh water.The rinse aid can be temperature-controlled, for example, between 80°C and 100°C, preferably between 85°C and 95°C. This temperature control can, for example, promote the residue-free drying effect described above, preferably without droplet formation on the items being cleaned.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, a nozzle system is generally understood to be a device comprising one or more nozzles. A nozzle is generally understood to be a device to which a fluid can be supplied, for example, by means of a piping and / or pipe system, so that it can exit through one or more openings of the nozzle. For example, a nozzle itself can comprise one or more openings. For example, the supplied fluid can exit through these one or more openings under pressure, resulting in a spraying and / or spraying process in which the fluid, for example, the cleaning fluid and in this case, in particular, the rinse fluid, is sprayed and / or sprayed onto the item being cleaned.A rinse aid nozzle system is therefore understood to be a nozzle system as defined above, through which rinse aid fluid can be dripped, sprayed or sprayed onto the item being cleaned.

[0025] The rinse aid nozzle system comprises at least two rinse aid nozzle units arranged at different positions transversely to the transport direction. The transport direction thus defines a spatial direction, at least locally at the location of the rinse aid nozzle system. Transverse to this spatial direction of the transport direction, the rinse aid nozzle system defines at least one further spatial direction. "Transverse" here refers to a spatial direction that is not parallel to the transport direction. This is a spatial direction perpendicular to the transport direction at the location of the rinse aid nozzle system, i.e., a spatial direction that runs at an angle of less than 90° to the transport direction. However, deviations from exact orthogonality are permissible, preferably deviations of no more than 45°, for example, no more than 30°, for example, no more than 20°, and particularly preferably no more than 10° or even no more than 5°.

[0026] The rinse aid nozzle system thus comprises at least two rinse aid nozzle units. A nozzle unit is defined as a unit of the nozzle system that includes at least one nozzle, i.e., an element with at least one opening through which the cleaning fluid, in particular the rinse aid, can exit, i.e., drip, spray, or dispense. The rinse aid nozzle system therefore has two, three, four, five, six, or more such rinse aid nozzle units, which are arranged transversely to the transport direction, such that they are positioned at least two different locations transversely to the transport direction. Thus, viewed in the direction of transport, at least two rinse aid nozzle units are arranged side by side. For example, the transport device can have a transport width, i.e., a maximum width that can be loaded with the items being cleaned.This transport width can also be referred to as the passage width. Preferably, the rinse nozzle system is designed such that the rinse nozzle units cover the entire transport width of the transport device. This means that the different positions perpendicular to the transport direction and / or the number of rinse nozzle units are selected such that any item being cleaned, regardless of its position on the transport device, is always covered by the rinse fluid exiting the rinse nozzle units, for example, regardless of whether the item is located in the middle or at the edge of the transport device, such as in the middle or at the edge of the conveyor belt.The rinse nozzle units can, for example, form a chain of nozzle units which are arranged transversely to the transport direction and which can preferably spray or sprinkle the entire width of the transport device, for example the entire width of the conveyor belt.

[0027] The rinse aid nozzle units can be switched independently of one another in order to apply the rinse aid fluid to the items being cleaned at different positions independently. In the context of the present invention, "switching" generally refers to controlling the outlet of a fluid from a nozzle unit. A nozzle unit is thus understood to be a unit of one or more nozzles that can be controlled together in this way. For example, the switching process can be a digital switching process in which it is possible to switch between a state in which fluid outlets from the nozzle unit (switched-on state) and a switched-off state in which no fluid outlets from the nozzle unit.As an alternative to a purely digital state (realizable, for example, by means of an on / off switching element), the switching process can also include one or more intermediate states and / or intermediate switching states, or a stepless switching process, whereby one or more intermediate states can be provided between the states of the switched-on state and the switched-off state described above, in which fluid with a reduced volume flow and / or mass flow rate compared to the switched-on state exits the nozzle unit.

[0028] To perform the switching process described above, numerous different technical possibilities are conceivable, which are generally known to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more switching elements can be provided to carry out the switching process. For instance, one or more switching elements can be provided for switching the rinse aid nozzle units, in particular selected from the group consisting of: a valve; a gate valve; a tap. The at least one switching element can be configured, in particular, to interrupt or enable at least one supply of rinse aid fluid to the rinse aid nozzle units. Alternatively or additionally, the switching can also be achieved, for example, by several separate pump systems, so that the switching process can involve pressurizing or depressurizing the respective rinse aid nozzle unit.Other technical implementations are also conceivable in principle and generally known to experts.

[0029] In the context of the present invention, "independently switchable" generally means that the at least two nozzle units can be switched in such a way that one nozzle unit can be switched independently of another. Thus, at least one switching state is selected for each rinse nozzle unit, regardless of the switching state of one or more other rinse nozzle units. This allows for selective switching of the rinse nozzle units. In particular, individual rinse nozzle units of a fresh water rinse can be switched selectively. In this way, the cleaning fluid can be applied to the items being cleaned independently at the at least two different positions described above, transverse to the direction of transport.In this context, independent application of rinse aid fluid means that at at least one of the different positions, the release or non-release of rinse aid fluid from a rinse aid nozzle unit located there can be switched on and off in order to apply the cleaning item, regardless of whether rinse aid fluid also releases from the nozzle unit located at at least one of the different positions.

[0030] As stated above, the cleaning device can be selected, in particular, from the group consisting of a belt conveyor dishwasher and a rack conveyor dishwasher. Accordingly, the transport device can, in particular, comprise at least one conveyor belt and / or one or more transport rollers. The transport device can, in particular, be loaded with several items of the cleaning material side by side, transversely to the transport direction. For example, the transport device can have a transport width of at least 300 mm transversely to the transport direction, for example, perpendicular to the transport direction. For example, transport widths of 500 mm or more, 750 mm or more, 1000 mm or more, or even 1200 mm or more can be provided.The transport width can be determined, for example, by a corresponding width of a conveyor belt and / or a roller system of the transport device, which can be loaded with the cleaning material at most.

[0031] The rinse aid nozzle system can, in particular, have at least three rinse aid nozzle units arranged side by side transversely to the transport direction. In particular, at least four, and especially preferably at least six, rinse aid nozzle units can be provided. Each rinse aid nozzle unit can, in turn, have one or more nozzles, for example, one or more outlet openings for the rinse aid fluid. The rinse aid nozzle units can, for example, be arranged in at least one nozzle arm arranged transversely to the transport direction. A nozzle arm is understood to be, for example, a rigidly installed or pivotable arm that provides a mechanical support for the rinse aid nozzle units and preferably also a supply for the rinse aid fluid.Alternatively or additionally to being arranged in a nozzle arm, the rinse nozzle units can also be arranged, for example, in a ceiling and / or floor section of the cleaning chamber and / or in some other way within the cleaning device. As will be explained in more detail below, the rinse nozzle units can, for example, comprise at least a first group of rinse nozzle units above the items being cleaned and at least a second group of rinse nozzle units below them, for example, a nozzle arm arranged above the transport device that applies the rinse fluid to the items from above, and at least one nozzle arm arranged below the items being cleaned that applies the rinse fluid to them from below.

[0032] Further optional features concern the independent switching of the nozzle units. This can be ensured, for example, by having an associated valve upstream of each rinse-rinse nozzle unit, whereby the associated valve can be switched to control the flow of rinse-rinse spray to the items being cleaned. As described above, this circuit can, for example, be a digital circuit between an on state and an off state, or a circuit that allows one or more intermediate positions, either in steps or continuously.As explained above, alternatively or in addition to switching using at least one valve, other configurations are also conceivable, for example configurations via independent pressurization, so that, for example, to switch on a rinse aid nozzle unit, the respective rinse aid nozzle unit can be pressurized with pressurized cleaning fluid, for example via a corresponding pump, whereby to switch off, for example, the pressurization is removed.

[0033] If one or more switching elements are generally used to ensure the independent switching of the at least two rinse aid nozzle units, these elements can be designed in various ways. For example, the at least one switching element can be selected from the group consisting of: a valve, in particular a solenoid valve and / or an electromagnetic valve and / or a valve with at least one piezo actuator; a gate valve, in particular a mechanically actuated gate valve; a tap. However, other designs are also possible in principle. In particular, the at least one switching element can be electrically switchable, so that it can be switched, for example, by a control unit of the cleaning device. Alternatively or additionally, mechanically, pneumatically, or hydraulically actuated switching elements can also be used, for example, for the independent switching of the at least two rinse aid nozzle units.

[0034] The rinse aid nozzle units can each be supplied with rinse aid fluid via at least one rinse aid fluid supply. The rinse aid nozzle units can, for example, be supplied via a common rinse aid fluid supply, particularly a common fresh water supply. Alternatively or additionally, the rinse aid nozzle units can also have independent rinse aid fluid supplies.

[0035] If a common rinse fluid supply is provided, the rinse nozzle units can be connected to it via rinse lines, with each rinse line potentially containing at least one associated switching element. For example, the common rinse fluid supply can include a common rinse fluid tank and / or a common rinse fluid treatment device. Alternatively or additionally, the common rinse fluid supply can also include a common fresh water supply, such as a common fresh water tap and / or a common fresh water connection (e.g., provided by the customer), through which all rinse nozzle units can be supplied with fresh water.For example, the cleaning device can include a central fresh water connection that can be connected to a common on-site fresh water supply. This common connection then branches out, for example, via rinse lines leading directly or indirectly to the individual rinse nozzle units. One or more switching elements and / or one or more treatment devices can be interposed. These elements can be located, for example, in the individual rinse lines and / or upstream of a branch point in the individual rinse lines.

[0036] The rinse aid fluid supply to the rinse aid nozzle units can be equipped with at least one additional control element. This at least one optional control element can be configured to maintain a constant hydraulic pressure in the rinse aid system. This control element ensures that a constant pressure is always present at the rinse aid nozzle units, even when one or more rinse aid nozzle units are switched off, according to the invention. "Constant" in this context preferably refers to absolute constancy, although deviations and / or fluctuations are also tolerable, preferably not exceeding 50% of the mean pressure, particularly not exceeding 20% ​​of the mean pressure, and most preferably not exceeding 10%.The optional at least one control element offers the advantage that pressure fluctuations occurring when switching the rinse aid nozzle units can be largely avoided. In particular, without a control element, under unfavorable conditions, the pressure in the system can increase, causing a larger quantity of rinse aid fluid to flow through the remaining activated rinse aid nozzle units. The optional at least one control element can thus further support the effect of the invention, namely the saving of rinse aid fluid.

[0037] The at least one optional control element can, for example, be arranged in one or more sections of a rinse aid fluid supply to the rinse aid nozzle units. Each rinse aid nozzle unit can be assigned its own control element, or a common control element can be provided for a group of rinse aid nozzle units.

[0038] The at least one optional control element can, for example, comprise at least one valve, coupled, for example, with at least one sensor, in particular at least one flow sensor and / or at least one pressure sensor. For example, the at least one control element can comprise at least one needle valve, for example, at least one electrically actuated needle valve. A valve position can, for example, be set or controlled by means of a signal from the sensor such that a constant pressure is maintained in the rinse aid supply. For example, at least one controller can be provided for this purpose.

[0039] As already indicated above, the cleaning device may further comprise at least one conditioning device. A conditioning device can generally be understood as a device configured to adjust at least one property of the rinse aid fluid before it is supplied to the rinse aid nozzle system. For example, this at least one property may be selected from the group consisting of the rinse aid fluid's temperature, its purity, and the concentration of at least one component of the rinse aid fluid, such as a rinse aid.Accordingly, the treatment device can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of: a temperature control device for setting the temperature of the rinse aid fluid, in particular a heating device and, most preferably, an instantaneous water heater and / or a boiler; a treatment system for adjusting the purity of the rinse aid fluid, in particular a filter and / or an osmosis system (which also includes the possibility of a reverse osmosis system); a dosing device for adjusting at least one concentration of a component of the rinse aid fluid, in particular a rinse aid. Alternatively or additionally, other types of treatment devices are also conceivable.

[0040] The cleaning device may further include at least one control unit. A control unit is generally understood to be an electronic device that can control and / or regulate one or more operating sequences of the cleaning device. For example, the control unit may be programmed to execute at least one cleaning program and / or a plurality of cleaning programs in the cleaning device. For this purpose, the control unit may, for example, actuate one or more elements of the cleaning device. Particularly preferably, the control unit may be configured to switch the rinse aid nozzle units. For example, for this purpose, one or more electronic connections may be provided between the control unit and the rinse aid nozzle units and / or one or more switching elements that ensure the independent switching of the rinse aid nozzle units (e.g., valves and / or pumps).

[0041] The control system can, for example, include at least one data processing device, such as at least one computer or microcontroller. The control system can also include at least one interface, such as an electronic interface and / or a human-machine interface, such as an input / output device like a display and / or a keyboard. The control system can be centralized or decentralized. For example, multiple decentralized control systems can be provided, such as one control system per switching element and / or one control system per rinse aid nozzle unit and / or one control system per item sensor. Other configurations are also conceivable.

[0042] The control system can be configured, in particular, to group several rinse aid nozzle units as needed, with the rinse aid nozzle units of each group being activated together. Other configurations are also possible. "As needed" means, as explained in more detail below, that the control system detects whether there is currently a need for rinse aid in the area covered by the respective group of rinse aid nozzle units, i.e., whether or not there is cleaning material present in this area.

[0043] The cleaning device can further comprise at least one item sensor. For the purposes of this invention, an item sensor is generally understood to be a device capable of detecting the presence of items to be cleaned and / or their position. Detection can be achieved, for example, by one or more of the following measurement principles: electrical, electromechanical, mechanical, inductive, ultrasonic, infrared, optical, or by means of at least one image acquisition system, such as a camera system. For example, the at least one item sensor can have at least one detection area, which can be, for example, one-dimensional or two-dimensional and which preferably covers the entire width of the transport device.In this way, the presence of items to be cleaned within this detection area can be detected one-dimensionally, two-dimensionally, or, if necessary, three-dimensionally. For example, the transport device can be divided into sectors in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, whereby, for example, at least one item sensor can detect whether a respective sector contains items to be cleaned or not. The sectors can, for example, correspond to the areas of the rinse aid nozzle units described above, so that, for example, the detection of the items to be cleaned can determine whether the respective rinse aid nozzle unit assigned to a sector should be activated or not, because items to be cleaned are located in that sector or not.

[0044] In general, the item sensor can be configured to detect the presence and / or position of the item being cleaned. The cleaning device can then be configured to switch the rinse aid nozzle units on or off according to a demand detected by the item sensor. As explained above, a demand is understood to be the presence of an item being cleaned, for example, in a sector of the transport device assigned to the rinse aid nozzle unit. If an item is present, a demand is detected and the unit is switched on; if an item is absent, no demand is detected and the respective rinse aid nozzle unit is switched off.

[0045] As explained above, the rinse-jet system can have multiple spray zones arranged side-by-side transversely to the transport direction. These spray zones can, for example, be the transport sector described above. Each spray zone can be assigned, for example, at least one rinse-jet unit, whereby items to be cleaned within the spray zone can be sprayed with rinse fluid from the assigned rinse-jet unit. The cleaning device can then be configured, in particular, to activate the assigned rinse-jet unit of a spray zone when the item sensor detects that items are located within the spray zone.Furthermore, the cleaning device can be set up to switch off the respective rinse nozzle unit if the item sensor detects that there is no item being cleaned within the area of ​​application.

[0046] As described above, the cleaning material sensor can be based on various measuring and / or detection principles. Preferably, the cleaning material sensor can be selected from the group consisting of: a mechanical or electromechanical probe, an optical sensor, a light barrier, an image acquisition sensor, in particular a camera system. Other cleaning material sensors are also fundamentally suitable.For example, the at least one cleaning object sensor can be selected from the group consisting of: an electrical cleaning object sensor, for example a capacitive and / or inductive cleaning object sensor; an electromechanical cleaning object sensor, for example a cleaning object sensor in the form of an electromechanical push button and / or switch and / or in the form of an electromechanical lever; a mechanical cleaning object sensor, in particular a mechanical switch and / or a mechanical push button; an inductive cleaning object sensor; an ultrasonic cleaning object sensor; an optical cleaning object sensor, in particular an infrared-based and / or ultraviolet-based and / or visible-light-based cleaning object sensor, for example at least one light barrier and / or at least one optical reflection sensor; an image capture sensor, for example a camera system.The sensor for the items being cleaned can, for example, have a detection area, which can be point-like, one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or even three-dimensional. A two-dimensional detection area can be implemented, for example, using a camera system. A point-like detection area can be implemented, for example, using an electromechanical sensor.

[0047] The cleaning device can, in particular, have multiple item sensors. For example, as described above, several spray zones can be provided, with each spray zone having at least one item sensor assigned to it. Alternatively or additionally, each rinse nozzle unit or group of rinse nozzle units can have its own item sensor assigned to it. Other configurations are also possible in principle.

[0048] The cleaning device can, in particular, comprise multiple cleaning zones. The transport device can, for example, be configured to move the items to be cleaned through the cleaning zones sequentially. The items to be cleaned can be exposed to a cleaning fluid in each cleaning zone. For example, the cleaning fluids used in the different cleaning zones can differ from one another. The cleaning zones can include at least one rinsing zone, in which the rinsing nozzle system can be located. The rinsing zone can, for example, include a fresh water rinsing zone. Furthermore, the rinsing zone can, alternatively or additionally, also include at least one pump-fed rinsing zone.

[0049] The cleaning device may in particular comprise at least one cleaning zone upstream of the rinsing zone, in particular the fresh water rinsing zone, in the direction of transport, wherein the upstream cleaning zone may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of: a pre-clearing zone, a washing zone, a pump rinsing zone.

[0050] The cleaning device can, in particular, include at least one tank for supplying cleaning fluid to a nozzle system of the upstream cleaning zone. The cleaning device can, in particular, be configured to supply rinse fluid, especially fresh water, from the rinse nozzle units to the at least one tank after the items to be cleaned have been treated with the rinse fluid, especially fresh water. In particular, a plurality of tanks can be provided, wherein at least one of the tanks can have an overflow and / or other liquid transfer device to a tank located upstream in the direction of transport. The upstream tank can, in particular, supply a nozzle system located upstream in the direction of transport. For example, the cleaning device can comprise a tank system with several tanks, wherein one or more overflows and / or other liquid transfer devices can be provided between the tanks.In this way, for example, cleaning zones upstream in the direction of transport can be supplied with a lower-quality cleaning fluid than those downstream. The cleaning zone with the highest-quality cleaning fluid can then be, in particular, the rinsing zone.

[0051] The rinsing zone can be followed by one or more further zones in the direction of transport. For example, at least one drying zone can be followed by the rinsing zone in the direction of transport. In the drying zone, the items being cleaned can dry independently and / or can be exposed to an airflow to assist drying, for example by means of a blower, and preferably by means of a hot air blower.

[0052] In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning items is proposed. The items are transported by means of at least one transport device through at least one cleaning chamber of a cleaning device. The items are then treated with at least one rinsing fluid by means of at least one rinsing nozzle system. The rinsing nozzle system comprises at least two rinsing nozzle units arranged at different positions transversely to the transport direction. The rinsing nozzle units are switched independently of one another in order to treat the items with the rinsing fluid independently at the different positions. As stated above, the cleaning device can, in particular, be a cleaning device according to one or more of the embodiments described above or according to one or more of the embodiments described below.

[0053] As described above, the process can, in particular, utilize at least one item sensor to detect the presence and / or position of the item being cleaned. Based on the demand detected by the item sensor, the rinse aid nozzle units can then be switched on or off.

[0054] The rinse-rinse nozzle system can, in particular, have a plurality of spray zones arranged side by side transversely to the transport direction. Each spray zone can be assigned at least one rinse-rinse nozzle unit, whereby items being cleaned within the spray zone can be sprayed with rinse fluid from the assigned rinse-rinse nozzle unit. The method can, in particular, be carried out such that the assigned rinse-rinse nozzle unit is switched on when the item sensor detects that items are within the spray zone. The respective rinse-rinse unit can also be switched off when the item sensor detects that no items are within the spray zone.

[0055] The proposed cleaning device and cleaning method offer numerous advantages over known cleaning devices and methods. In particular, they offer significant advantages over conventional cleaning devices where a rinsing system, such as a fresh water rinse, is switched on or off across the entire area of ​​a dishwasher. As explained above, such systems have considerable disadvantages when the transport device, such as the conveyor belt, is only partially occupied across the dishwasher's passage width. In this case, rinse fluid is unnecessarily splashed onto empty areas of the transport device, such as empty belt sections, resulting in the waste of fresh water.The proposed cleaning device, on the other hand, can lead to minimal fresh water consumption in the fresh water rinsing system of a dishwasher, in order to further reduce, for example, the required fresh water and the optional heating energy used for it, as well as the consumption of optional rinse aids and / or cleaning additives.

[0056] The proposed invention allows, in particular, the implementation of a rinsing system, for example a fresh water rinsing system, which is designed such that each rinsing nozzle unit can be switched independently of other rinsing nozzle units. In particular, each rinsing nozzle unit can be assigned a device for switching the flow at the respective nozzle unit on or off. This can be done, for example, in conjunction with a system for detecting points on the transport device, such as belt sections that are occupied by items being cleaned or are empty.

[0057] For example, similar to a printhead in an inkjet printer, rinse aid fluid can be sprayed only where needed. At unoccupied points on the conveyor system, such as unoccupied belt sections, one or more nozzle units can be deactivated to reduce rinse aid fluid consumption, particularly fresh water consumption. Alternatively or additionally, individual nozzles or nozzle units can be grouped together, allowing the nozzles or nozzle units within a group to be switched on and off simultaneously. This allows, for instance, the entire width of the conveyor system to be divided into two, three, four, or more zones, the occupancy of which can be monitored and analyzed, and the corresponding nozzle groups for each zone to be controlled.For example, under partial load, fresh water consumption can be reduced to two-thirds or one-third of the full amount by dividing the system into three areas.

[0058] As explained above, the cleaning device can, in particular, include a system for detecting items to be cleaned, especially items to be rinsed. As explained above, the system can include one or more item sensors. The item detection system can, for example, be designed to detect when the transport device is loaded with items to be cleaned, such as a conveyor belt, in several contact zones distributed across the width of the passage, and then either directly or via the control system integrated into the cleaning device, activate the corresponding nozzles in the occupied contact zones, for example, upon reaching the rinse zone, or deactivate the rinse nozzle units in the unoccupied zones.

[0059] The at least one item sensor, preferably several, used for detecting occupied conveyor belt sections, for example, can be designed in a simple and cost-effective manner. For instance, these can be implemented as mechanical pushbuttons. Optical sensors are also conceivable, such as optical pushbuttons (e.g., in the form of reflective photoelectric sensors), imaging sensors (e.g., camera systems), or other types of sensors. For example, a single item sensor could scan the entire passage width (e.g., the entire belt width) for items being present, for instance, using a camera. Based on this scan, switching on and / or off individual rinse aid nozzle units could then be triggered.Alternatively, the cleaning material sensor system can also, for example, have a single cleaning material sensor for each individual nozzle unit. Alternatively, all configurations between the aforementioned extremes are possible. The switching of individual nozzle units or groups of nozzle units can also be implemented simply. As described above, one or more switching elements can be provided by means of which individual nozzle units or groups of nozzle units can be switched on or off. For example, one or more valves, taps, or slide gates can be provided. A simple switching process can be achieved, for example, using a solenoid valve and / or one or more piezoelectric valves and / or a mechanically actuated slide gate. Other switching elements for the flow of the rinse fluid to the nozzle units are also conceivable.

[0060] The described method and the proposed cleaning device can be efficiently used with various types of rinse nozzle systems. For example, the method according to the invention can be applied to fresh water rinse systems in which all fresh water rinse nozzles share a common supply of rinse fluid and / or fresh water. Alternatively or additionally, fresh water rinse systems can also be designed according to the invention to be supplied from several different sources. In this case, one or more different types of treatment processes can also be supplied.For example, the supply may include a device for heating the rinse fluid, such as a boiler and / or an instantaneous water heater, or a general supply of fresh water, such as tap water, water from a treatment plant (such as an osmosis system or reverse osmosis system).

[0061] Overall, the cleaning device and method according to the invention ensure efficient cleaning of items, which can result in significant resource savings compared to conventional cleaning devices and methods. For example, fresh water consumption, a key component of overall resource consumption, can be considerably reduced. Furthermore, electrical energy consumption can also be significantly reduced, such as the energy required to heat the rinse aid. Since the rinse aid can also contain additives, such as rinse aid and / or cleaning agents, the overall reduction in the amount of rinse aid used in the cleaning process also significantly reduces the need for such resources in the form of additives. Brief description of the characters

[0062] Further optional details and features of the invention are explained below with reference to preferred embodiments. These optional features can be implemented in isolation as well as in any possible combination, as will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments. The embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. In these figures, identical reference numerals denote identical or functionally comparable elements.

[0063] They show: Figure 1: a sectional view of an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention in a section plane parallel to a transport direction; Figure 2: a sectional view of the embodiment according to Figure 1 in a section plane perpendicular to the transport direction; and Figure 3: a to Figure 2Alternative embodiment of a cleaning device in a sectional view in a section plane perpendicular to the transport direction. Examples of implementation

[0064] In Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning device 110 according to the invention for cleaning items 112. The items 112, which are symbolically represented in Figure 110, are shown in Figure 110. Figure 1 The illustration is shown by way of example in the form of glasses 114 and / or plates 116. Alternatively or additionally, other forms of items to be cleaned 112 can be used.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the item to be cleaned 112 is transported by means of a transport device 118 in a transport direction 120 through a cleaning chamber 122 of the cleaning device 110. The cleaning chamber 122 can, for example, be designed as a cleaning tunnel 124 and can, for example, have a housing.

[0066] The cleaning device 110 is therefore generally designed as a continuous flow dishwasher 126 in this or other embodiments. The items to be cleaned 112, for example, the dishes, are transported by the transport device 118 through an inlet opening 128 into the interior of the cleaning chamber 122. The inlet opening 128 can, for example, be closed by a partition curtain 130, which can be opened by the items to be cleaned 112. Inside the cleaning chamber 122, the items to be cleaned 112 pass through a plurality of cleaning zones 132, which will be explained in more detail below. These zones can, in turn, be separated from each other by partition curtains 130. Finally, the items to be cleaned 112 leave the cleaning chamber 122, for example, again through a partition curtain 134, and enter, for example, a drying zone 136.There, for example via a blower 138, the item to be cleaned 112 is dried before the item to be cleaned 112 is transported by the transport device 118 into an outlet 140, in which it can be removed from the cleaning device 110.

[0067] The transport device 118 can, for example, be or include a belt transport device and / or a basket transport device. For example, it can include at least one conveyor belt and / or a roller transport system. The cleaning material 112 can, for example, be applied directly to the transport device 120, as shown in Figure 1This is exemplified by the plates 116, so that the continuous dishwasher 126 can, for example, be designed as a belt conveyor dishwasher. Alternatively or additionally, the items to be cleaned 112 can also be applied to the transport device 118, for example, by means of one or more transport baskets 142, as shown in the illustrated embodiment using glasses 114 as an example. Accordingly, the cleaning device 110 can, for example, be designed as a basket conveyor dishwasher. In any case, an inlet 144 can, for example, be provided at which the items to be cleaned 112 can be applied directly or indirectly, for example by means of the transport baskets 142, to the transport device 118.

[0068] In Figure 1The cleaning device 110 is shown in a sectional view in a section plane parallel to the transport direction 120. An example of the arrangement of several cleaning zones 132 is shown. These cleaning zones include, for example, a washing zone 146, which in turn may, for example, have a pre-wash zone 148 and a main washing zone 150. The pre-wash zone 148 can also be referred to as a pre-cleaning zone. The washing zone 146 may, for example, comprise two tanks: a pre-wash zone tank 152 and a main washing zone tank 154. The pre-wash zone tank 152 is preferably located upstream of the main washing zone tank 154 in the transport direction 120.

[0069] Furthermore, the cleaning zones 132, downstream of the washing zone 146, include a rinsing zone 156. This rinsing zone 156 can, for example, in turn include a pump rinsing zone 158 and a fresh water rinsing zone 160 downstream of this pump rinsing zone 158 in the transport direction 120. The rinsing zone 156 also includes a rinsing tank 162, which can also be referred to as a rinsing zone tank or a pump rinsing zone tank. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the following cleaning zones 132 are provided in the transport direction 120 by way of example: a pre-wash zone 148, a main wash zone 150, a pump rinsing zone 158, and a fresh water rinsing zone 160. Other arrangements of cleaning zones 132 are also conceivable in principle. Furthermore, the following tanks are provided as examples: a pre-wash zone tank 152, a main wash zone tank 154 and a rinse tank 162. Other tank arrangements are also possible in principle.For example, the purity of a cleaning fluid can increase in tanks 152, 154, and 162 in the transport direction 120. This can be achieved, for example, by providing an overflow from the rinse tank 162 into the main wash zone tank 154 and / or an overflow from the main wash zone tank 154 into the pre-wash zone tank 152.

[0070] The cleaning device 110 in the illustrated embodiment further comprises a plurality of cleaning systems 164, each of which can be configured as a nozzle system. These cleaning systems 164 or nozzle systems can, for example, include a pre-cleaning zone nozzle system 166, which can also be configured as a pre-cleaning zone spray nozzle system and which can, for example, include at least one spray arm above and below the item to be cleaned 112. The pre-cleaning zone nozzle system 166 can, for example, be supplied with cleaning fluid from the pre-wash zone tank 152 via a pre-wash zone pump 168.

[0071] Furthermore, the cleaning system 164 can have at least one main wash zone nozzle system 170, which can, for example, be designed as a main wash zone spray nozzle system and which in turn can, for example, be configured as shown in Figure 1The system can have at least one spray arm above the item being cleaned 112 and at least one spray arm below the item being cleaned 112. The main wash zone nozzle system 170 can, for example, be supplied with cleaning fluid from the main wash zone tank 154 via a main wash zone pump 172.

[0072] Several cleaning systems 164 can also be provided within the rinse zone 156. In the illustrated embodiment, a pump-driven rinse zone nozzle system 174 is provided, which can, for example, have a spray arm above the item being cleaned 112 and a spray arm below the item being cleaned 112. This pump-driven rinse zone nozzle system 174, which can, for example, be configured as a pump-driven rinse zone spray nozzle system, can be supplied with cleaning fluid in the form of rinse fluid from the rinse tank 162 via at least one pump-driven rinse zone pump 176. Downstream of the pump-driven rinse zone nozzle system 174 in the transport direction 120, a further cleaning system 164 in the form of a fresh water rinse zone nozzle system 178 is provided, which can, for example, be configured as a fresh water rinse zone spray nozzle system.This can be supplied with fresh water, for example, via a fresh water inlet 180 from a fresh water connection 182. One or more treatment devices 184 can be provided to adjust at least one property of the fresh water. In the illustrated embodiment, two temperature control devices are provided as examples to heat the fresh water. For example, a first treatment device 184 can be in the form of a heat recovery device 186, for example with an intake fan 188 for drawing in warm air from the cleaning chamber 122 and a heat exchanger 190 for transferring the recovered heat from the exhaust air to the fresh water.

[0073] Furthermore, a treatment device 184 in the form of an instantaneous water heater 192 and / or a fresh water boiler can be provided, for example, to heat the fresh water to an operating temperature, for example, a temperature of 80°C–100°C, or a temperature of 85°C–95°C. Other configurations are also possible.

[0074] The cleaning device 110 can further comprise a control unit 194, for example, a control unit with a data processing device. The control unit 194 can, for example, be configured to control a program sequence of the cleaning device 110, for example, by querying various sensors and / or controlling pumps 168, 172, 176 and / or by controlling the transport device 118. Various configurations are possible and are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0075] The inventive design of the cleaning device 110 relates in particular to the design of the rinse zone 156 and, in particular, to the cleaning system 164 arranged therein. The inventive design is described below, especially with reference to the fresh water rinse zone nozzle system 178, by means of which the items to be cleaned 112 can be supplied with cleaning fluid in the form of fresh water, optionally with the addition of one or more auxiliary substances or additives, for example, rinse aid. It should be noted, however, that the invention could, in principle, also be implemented in all other washing systems in the dishwasher.

[0076] In the Figures 2 and 3In a sectional view perpendicular to the transport direction 120 through the fresh water rinsing zone 160, two different configurations of the fresh water rinsing zone 160 are shown. In each embodiment, it is evident that the fresh water rinsing zone nozzle system comprises a plurality of rinse nozzle units 196. Each of these rinse nozzle units can include one or more rinse nozzles 198, which, for example, each direct one or more spray jets 200 onto the (in the Figures 2 and 3 The cleaning material 112 (not shown) can be discharged onto the transport device 118. The rinse-rinse nozzle units 196 are arranged in different positions along a direction transverse to the transport direction 120, for example perpendicular to the transport direction 120, in both embodiments. For example, in the Figures 2 and 3A spatial direction perpendicular to the transport direction 120 and parallel to a surface of the transport device 118 is designated by x. As in the Figures 2 and 3 As can be seen, the rinse-rinse nozzle units 196 are arranged offset from one another in this direction x transversely to the transport direction 120. This results in a plurality of adjacent, i.e., offset transversely to the transport direction in the spatial direction x, application areas 202 for the items being cleaned on the transport device 118, which are located in the Figures 2 and 3The spray areas 202 are symbolically indicated, and each can be sprayed with rinse fluid by one or more rinse aid nozzle units 196 assigned to these spray areas 202. For example, for each spray area 202, an assigned rinse aid nozzle unit 196 can be provided above this spray area 202 and an assigned rinse aid nozzle unit 196 below the respective spray area 202. This can be achieved, for example, by an upper spray arm 204 and a lower spray arm 206. Other configurations are also possible.

[0077] In both embodiments in the Figures 2 and 3According to the invention, the rinse-rinse nozzle units 196 are each switchable independently of the other rinse-rinse nozzle units 196, for example between an on state and an off state. For this purpose, the fresh water rinse zone nozzle system 178 can, for example, have a plurality of switching elements 208, which can be designed, for example, as valves 210. By means of these switching elements 208, in particular the valves 210, the rinse-rinse nozzle units 196 can be switched independently of one another, so that, for example, controlled by the control unit 194, the application areas 202 can be supplied with rinse fluid or not independently of one another by a corresponding switching of the switching elements 208.

[0078] The examples of implementation differ in the Figures 2 and 3 in that, in the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 2Each rinse aid nozzle unit 196 comprises exactly one rinse aid nozzle 198, which can be switched by a corresponding switching element 208. In the embodiment according to Figure 3 In contrast, several rinse nozzles 198 are grouped together, each forming a switchable rinse nozzle unit 196, which can each be switched via a switching element 208, for example a valve 210. Accordingly, in the embodiment according to Figure 3 Each rinse aid nozzle unit 196 comprises a plurality of rinse aid nozzles 198 arranged side by side in the direction x.

[0079] The special feature of the inventive design for the independent switching of the adjacent rinse nozzle units 196 is that the application of the rinse nozzles can be adapted to the load on the transport device 118 with cleaning material 112. For example, the rinse nozzle units 196 can be switched on as needed, depending on the load on the transport device 118 at the location of the fresh water rinse zone nozzle system 178. To detect the load, for example, as shown in Figure 1As shown, one or more cleaning material sensors 212 are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning material sensor 212 is provided at the inlet opening 128. Alternatively or additionally, this at least one cleaning material sensor 212 can also be arranged at other locations inside or outside the cleaning device 110, for example, inside the cleaning chamber 122. For example, the cleaning material sensor 212 can comprise an optical sensor, such as a camera system. In this way, for example, the occupancy of the transport device 118, such as the conveyor belt, can be detected.Since the transport speed of the transport device 118 is generally known, for example through appropriate control and / or due to corresponding signals in the control unit 194, and the distance of the item sensor 212 from the fresh water rinse zone nozzle system 178 is also known, the belt occupancy in the application areas 202 in the area of ​​the fresh water rinse zone nozzle system 178 can be known at any given time, even if the item sensor 212 is arranged at a distance from the fresh water rinse zone 160 in the transport direction 120. Accordingly, the control unit 194 can be configured to activate only those rinse nozzle units 196 that apply rinse fluid to an application area 202 in which item 112 is actually present.The remaining rinse aid nozzle units 196 can be switched off or remain switched off by a corresponding switching of the switching elements 208, so that no unnecessary spraying of rinse aid fluid occurs in these application areas 202. In this way, regardless of the specific configuration chosen, for example according to . Figure 2 or according to Figure 3 , by switching off the rinse aid nozzle units 196 as needed, significant quantities of rinse aid fluid, especially fresh water, can be saved. Reference symbol list 110 Cleaning device 178 Fresh water rinsing zone nozzle system 112 items to be cleaned 114 glasses 180 Fresh water inlet 116 plate 182 Fresh water connection 118 Transport device 184 Processing device 120 Direction of transport 186 Heat recovery device 122 Cleaning chamber 188 Intake blower 124 Cleaning tunnel 190 Heat exchanger 126 Continuous dishwasher 192 Instantaneous water heater 128 Inlet opening 194 steering 130 Partition curtain 196 Rinse aid nozzle unit 132 Cleaning zones 198 Rinse nozzles 134 Partition curtain 200 spray jet 136 Drying zone 202 Impact area 138 fan 204 upper spray arm 140 Run 206 lower spray arm 142 Transport basket 208 Switching element 144 Enema 210 valve 146 Washing area 212 Cleaning Item Sensor 148 Pre-wash zone 150 Main washing area 152 Pre-wash zone tank 154 Main wash zone tank 156 Rinse zone 158 Pump rinse zone 160 Freshwater rinsing zone 162 rinse tank 164 Cleaning system, nozzle system 166 Pre-clearing zone nozzle system 168 Pre-wash zone pump 170 Main wash zone nozzle system 172 Main wash zone pump 174 Pump rinse zone nozzle system 176 Pump rinse zone pump

Claims

1. Cleaning device (110) for cleaning washware (112), wherein the cleaning device is a conveyor dishwasher (126), comprising at least one cleaning chamber (122) and at least one transportation device (118), wherein the transportation device (118) is designed to transport the washware (112) through the cleaning chamber (122) in a transportation direction (120), wherein the cleaning device (110) has at least one final-rinse nozzle system (178) for applying at least one final-rinse fluid, in particular fresh water, to the washware (112), wherein the final-rinse nozzle system (178) is a nozzle system through which final-rinse fluid can be dropped, sprinkled or sprayed onto the washware, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system (178) has at least two final-rinse nozzle units (196) which are arranged in different positions transverse to the transportation direction (120), wherein a direction in space transverse to the transportation direction (120) is a direction in space perpendicular to the transportation direction (120) at the site of the final-rinse nozzle system (196), wherein the at least two final-rinse nozzle units (196) are arranged next to one another as seen in the direction of the transportation direction (120), wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) are arranged offset in relation to one another in a direction x transverse to the transportation direction (120), wherein x denotes a direction in space perpendicular to the transportation direction (120) and parallel to a surface of the transportation device (118), wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) can be switched independently of one another in order to apply the final-rinse fluid to the washware (112) in the different positions independently of one another, wherein the at least two final-rinse nozzle units (196) can be switched in such a way that one final-rinse nozzle unit (196) can be switched independently of the switching of another final-rinse nozzle unit (196), wherein at least one switching state is selected for any final-rinse nozzle unit (196), irrespective of the switching state of one or more other final-rinse nozzle units (196), wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) are selectively switched.

2. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system (178) has at least three final-rinse nozzle units (196), preferably at least four, and particularly preferably at least six final-rinse nozzle units (196), which are arranged next to one another transverse to the transportation direction (120).

3. Cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an associated switching element (208) is connected upstream of each final-rinse nozzle unit (196), wherein the associated switching element (208) can be switched in order to switch the application by means of the final-rinse nozzle unit (196) to the washware (112) by means of the associated switching element (208).

4. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the switching element (208) is selected from the group consisting of: a valve, in particular a magnetic valve and / or a solenoid valve and / or a valve having at least one piezo actuator; a slide, in particular a slide which can be mechanically operated; and a tap.

5. Cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) has at least one treatment device (184) which is designed to adjust at least one property of the final-rinse fluid before said final-rinse fluid is supplied to the final-rinse nozzle system (178).

6. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the treatment device (184) is selected from the group consisting of: a temperature-control device for adjusting a temperature of the final-rinse fluid, in particular a flow heater (192) and / or a boiler; a treatment system for adjusting a purity of the final-rinse fluid, in particular a filter and / or an osmosis system; a metering device for adjusting at least one concentration of one component of the final-rinse fluid, in particular of a final-rinse aid.

7. Cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) further has at least one control means (194), wherein the control means (194) is designed to switch the final-rinse nozzle units (196).

8. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control means (194) is designed to combine several final-rinse nozzle units (196) into groups as required, wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) in a respective group are switched together.

9. Cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) has at least one washware sensor (212), wherein the washware sensor (212) is designed to identify the presence of the washware (112) and / or a position of the washware (112), wherein the cleaning device (110) is designed to switch on or to switch off the final-rinse nozzle units (196) in accordance with a requirement which is detected by means of the washware sensor (212).

10. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system has a plurality of application regions (202) which are arranged next to one another transverse to the transportation direction (120), wherein at least one final-rinse nozzle unit (196) is associated with each application region (202), wherein final-rinse fluid from the associated final-rinse nozzle unit (196) can be applied to washware (112) within the application region (202), wherein the cleaning device (110) is designed to switch on the associated final-rinse nozzle unit (196) when the washware sensor (212) identifies that there is washware (112) within the application region (202), and wherein the cleaning device (110) is further designed to switch off the respective final-rinse nozzle unit (196) when the washware sensor (212) identifies that there is no washware (112) within the application region (202).

11. Cleaning device (110) according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the washware sensor (212) is selected from the group consisting of: an electrical washware sensor; a capacitive washware sensor; an inductive washware sensor; an electromechanical washware sensor; a mechanical washware sensor; an inductive washware sensor; an ultrasound washware sensor; an optical washware sensor; and an image-recording sensor.

12. Cleaning device (110) according to any one of the three preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (110) has a plurality of washware sensors (212), wherein a washware sensor (212) is associated with a respective final-rinse nozzle unit (196) or a group of final-rinse nozzle units (196).

13. Method for cleaning washware (112), wherein the washware (112) is transported through at least one cleaning chamber (122) of a cleaning device (110) by means of at least one transportation device (118), wherein the cleaning device is a conveyor dishwasher (126), wherein at least one final-rinse fluid is applied to the washware (112) by means of at least one final-rinse nozzle system (178), wherein the final-rinse nozzle system (178) is a nozzle system through which final-rinse fluid can be dropped, sprinkled or sprayed onto the washware, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system (178) has at least two final-rinse nozzle units (196) which are arranged in different positions transverse to the transportation direction (120), wherein a direction in space transverse to the transportation direction (120) is a direction in space perpendicular to the transportation direction (120) at the site of the final-rinse nozzle system (196), wherein the at least two final-rinse nozzle units (196) are arranged next to one another as seen in the direction of the transportation direction (120), wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) are arranged offset in relation to one another in a direction x transverse to the transportation direction (120), wherein x denotes a direction in space perpendicular to the transportation direction (120) and parallel to a surface of the transportation device (118), wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) are switched independently of one another in order to apply the final-rinse fluid to the washware (112) in the different positions independently of one another, wherein the at least two final-rinse nozzle units (196) can be switched in such a way that one final-rinse nozzle unit (196) can be switched independently of the switching of another final-rinse nozzle unit (196), wherein at least one switching state is selected for any final-rinse nozzle unit (196), irrespective of the switching state of one or more other final-rinse nozzle units (196), wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) are selectively switched.

14. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one washware sensor (212) is used in order to identify the presence of the washware (112) and / or a position of the washware (112), wherein the final-rinse nozzle units (196) are switched on or switched off in accordance with a requirement which is detected by means of the washware sensor (212).

15. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system (178) has a plurality of application regions (202) which are arranged next to one another transverse to the transportation direction (120), wherein at least one final-rinse nozzle unit (196) is associated with each application region (202), wherein final-rinse fluid from the associated final-rinse nozzle unit (196) can be applied to washware (112) within the application region (202), wherein the associated final-rinse nozzle unit is switched on when the washware sensor (212) identifies that there is washware (112) within the application region (202), and wherein the respective final-rinse nozzle unit (196) is switched off when the washware sensor (212) identifies that there is no washware (112) within the application region (202).