Transport device for a dishwasher and dishwasher with such a transport device

Description

[0001] The invention relates generally to the field of commercial dishwashing.

[0002] Specifically, the invention relates to a special dishwasher optimized for use in a coffee shop and / or fast-food restaurant for cleaning dishes. Furthermore, the invention relates to a transport device for such a dishwasher, specifically designed for use in a coffee shop and / or fast-food restaurant.

[0003] The dishwasher according to the invention is designed as a conveyor dishwasher and has a transport device for transporting the items to be washed from an input or setting area associated with the dishwasher to a treatment area of ​​the dishwasher and from there to an output or removal area of ​​the dishwasher. The input or setting area associated with the dishwasher represents the soiled side area, while the output or removal area of ​​the dishwasher represents the clean side area of ​​the machine.

[0004] Conveyor dishwashers of this type are used in commercial settings. Unlike household dishwashers, where the items to be cleaned remain stationary during the cleaning process, conveyor dishwashers transport the items through various treatment zones within the machine.

[0005] Because conveyor dishwashers transport the dishes through various treatment zones (especially wash and rinse zones) within the machine, continuous operation is possible – unlike the batch processes of stationary, program-based dishwashers such as household or undercounter models. However, the disadvantage of conveyor dishwashers lies in their relatively large footprint.

[0006] However, there is a growing need to utilize the advantages of a transport dishwasher in applications where only a small installation area is available.

[0007] Nowadays, hotels, company canteens, public buildings, hospitals, schools, and rest stops almost always have self-service hot beverage vending machines, especially coffee machines of various models and sizes. These machines are generally designed to dispense a selected hot beverage into a drinking cup, although plastic cups are also used in vending machine installations in businesses or public buildings.

[0008] The same applies to coffee shops or fast-food restaurants, where it is common practice to hand a customer's chosen coffee specialty in a so-called "coffee-to-go" cup. Due to the enormous amounts of plastic waste generated daily by disposable tableware, there is a drive to reduce the amount of disposable tableware used, particularly in coffee shops and fast-food restaurants.

[0009] One approach to improving the environmental footprint of coffee shops and fast-food restaurants in particular is to use disposable tableware, such as disposable "coffee-to-go" cups, which are recyclable. Disposable tableware made from cellulose acetate or so-called oxo-degradable plastic is one example.

[0010] The problem with this type of disposable tableware, however, is that the oxo-degradable plastic can only decompose under certain defined conditions, which are generally not met during recycling. As a result, the material of the disposable tableware breaks down into microplastics and can continue to pollute the environment and pose a health risk.

[0011] Furthermore, the production of disposable tableware from oxo-degradable plastic is relatively complex and therefore also negatively impacts the environmental footprint.

[0012] Based on this problem statement, the task is therefore to provide a solution, especially for coffee shops or fast-food restaurants, with which their environmental footprint can be significantly improved.

[0013] Conventional conveyor dishwashers, designed primarily for large dishwashing areas, are only conditionally suitable, if at all, for the intended use in a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant. This is partly because conveyor dishwashers designed for large dishwashing areas require a relatively large footprint, which is generally not available in a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant, especially if the dishwasher is to be loaded by the customers.

[0014] Apart from this, conventional conveyor dishwashers designed for commercial kitchens use transport systems that are also not really suitable for use in a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant. These conventional conveyor dishwashers typically use a relatively wide conveyor belt, onto which the dishwashing staff places the items to be cleaned into designated compartments. The staff usually ensures the correct orientation and secure positioning of the items.

[0015] However, this cannot be expected of customers of a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant. Therefore, there is also a need for an optimized transport device in which the items to be cleaned can be picked up in a self-explanatory manner, while simultaneously ensuring secure fixation of the picked-up items on the one hand and correct and optimal alignment of the items on the other.

[0016] Document CN 109247888 A relates to a transport device for a dishwasher according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0017] The publication EP 0 600 125 A1 concerns a dishwasher for cleaning drinking glasses.

[0018] The publication KR 2004 0087763 A concerns another dishwasher for cleaning drinking glasses.

[0019] With regard to the transport device, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1, with advantageous further developments of the transport device according to the invention being mentioned in dependent claims 2 to 6, 8 and 9.

[0020] With regard to the dishwasher, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of dependent claim 12.

[0021] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a transport device for a dishwasher, especially for a dishwasher in a coffee shop and / or a fast-food restaurant, for transporting items to be cleaned, in particular drinking vessels, through at least one treatment zone of the dishwasher and / or for feeding items to be cleaned, in particular drinking vessels, to the dishwasher. The transport device according to the invention has a circulating conveying system, which is in particular designed in the form of a circulating transport chain or in the form of a circulating conveyor belt.

[0022] According to the invention, the transport device comprises a plurality of holding elements connected to the circulating conveying system and designed to receive and / or retain removable cleaning items, particularly drinking vessels, in a form-fitting manner, preferably at least partially or partially. Furthermore, the transport device includes a support system that serves to support at least partially and / or in specific areas the cleaning items, particularly drinking vessels, received by the holding elements of the transport device.

[0023] In contrast to conventional conveyor belts used in commercial dishwashers, the transport device according to the invention has significant advantages that make it particularly suitable for dishwashers in a coffee shop and / or a fast food restaurant.

[0024] By providing a multitude of retaining elements, each designed to detachably hold and securely grip the items to be cleaned, particularly in a form-fitting manner and preferably at least partially or partially, the transport device can be optimally loaded with items to be cleaned even by personnel not belonging to the dishwashing staff. The retaining elements, which serve to grip the items to be cleaned, in a form-fitting manner, allow for intuitive loading of the transport device with items to be cleaned, i.e., a self-explanatory method for loading the transport device with items to be cleaned, even for untrained personnel. For example, it is conceivable in this context that the retaining elements are designed in such a way that they only allow the loading of a specific type of item, such as drinking vessels.Alternatively and additionally, it is conceivable that the holding elements also intuitively indicate to the user the orientation of the items belonging to the type of item being washed.

[0025] This ensures that, with the help of the holding elements, the items to be cleaned, especially drinking vessels, are positioned in the specified location and, in particular, in the specified orientation, which guarantees an optimal washing / rinsing result.

[0026] On the other hand, the holding elements are designed so that the items being washed, especially drinking vessels, are held detachably by the holding elements. This ensures that the positioning and orientation of the items being washed is not changed during their transport to or through the dishwasher.

[0027] This is further supported by the fact that the transport device according to the invention has, in addition to the holding elements, a support system to support the items of goods being washed, in particular drinking vessels, which are held by the holding elements, in the state in which they are held by the holding elements.

[0028] In the transport device according to the invention, the holding elements are preferably designed as carriers that project radially from the conveying system with respect to the conveying direction of the circulating conveying system and are transported or transportable horizontally with the circulating conveying system at least in certain areas or sections.

[0029] Each carrier has a corresponding receiving area in which a dishwashing item, in particular a drinking vessel, can be received, at least partially or in sections. In this context, it is provided that the receiving area of ​​each carrier is pocket-shaped, and preferably star-shaped. The pocket-shaped, and preferably star-shaped, receiving area can be adapted, at least partially or in sections, to the outer contour of the dishwashing item to be cleaned.

[0030] This allows the holding elements to be loaded with items to be washed, particularly of a predetermined or definable type, according to the Poka-Yoke principle. The receiving areas of the holding elements are designed, for example, so that items to be washed, particularly of the predetermined or definable type, can only be picked up in a predetermined orientation.

[0031] According to implementations of the latter embodiment, the particularly pocket-shaped and preferably star-shaped receiving areas are formed by at least one circular segment-shaped section of each retaining element designed as a driver.

[0032] The holding elements are each designed as carriers projecting radially from the conveying system with respect to the conveying direction of the circulating conveying system and being transported or transportable horizontally with the circulating conveying system at least in certain areas or sections, wherein, however, the receiving area between two adjacent carriers is designed or can be designed for at least partial or partial receiving of the part of the item to be cleaned, in particular the drinking vessel to be cleaned.

[0033] The receiving area, which is formed between two adjacent drivers, is pocket-shaped and, even more preferably, star-shaped.

[0034] According to implementations of this embodiment, it is conceivable that the pocket-shaped and preferably star-shaped receiving area between two adjacent drivers is preferably formed by a first circular segment-shaped section of a first driver of the two adjacent drivers and by a second circular segment-shaped section of a second driver of the two adjacent drivers.

[0035] Regardless of how the retaining elements are designed in detail, further developments of the last-mentioned embodiments provide that the pocket-shaped and preferably star-shaped receiving area is designed to be flexible in such a way that items to be washed and in particular drinking vessels of different sizes and in particular with different diameters and / or items to be washed and in particular drinking vessels with different external geometries can be received in the pocket-shaped and preferably star-shaped receiving area at least partially or in part.

[0036] The flexible design of the holding element's mounting area allows the transport device to be suitable for different items, especially those of the same type, such as drinking vessels of varying sizes. At the same time, the flexible design of the mounting area ensures that the items held by the mounting elements can be safely transported to and, in particular, through the dishwasher without altering their orientation or alignment at the dishwasher's loading point.

[0037] The flexible design of the receiving area can be achieved in various ways. For example, it is conceivable that at least part or all of the receiving area could be made of an elastically flexible material.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the receiving area is formed from two sections, in particular circular segments, which are movable relative to each other - at least over a certain range of travel, and that the two sections, in particular circular segments, should be pre-tensioned into a position directed towards each other by means of a pre-tensioning element, for example a spring.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned embodiments of the holding elements, one aspect of the invention provides that the holding elements are preferably designed as receiving fingers or receiving pins that project radially from the conveying system with respect to the conveying direction of the circulating conveying system and are transported vertically with the circulating conveying system at least partially or in sections. Each receiving finger or receiving pin is preferably designed to receive an upside-down drinking vessel at least partially or in sections.

[0040] The provision of such receiving fingers or receiving pins ensures, in an easily implemented yet effective manner, that, for example, a drinking vessel can only be connected to the holding elements of the transport device in the correct orientation, i.e., in an upside-down position.

[0041] As already explained, the transport device according to the invention is characterized not only by the holding elements but also by the support system, which serves to support, at least partially and / or in certain areas, the items to be washed, in particular drinking vessels, that are held by the holding elements. This, in combination with the holding elements, ensures that the positioning and relative orientation of the items to be washed are not changed, even when the items are being treated in at least one treatment zone of the dishwasher.

[0042] In the transport device according to the invention, with regard to the support system, it is provided that this has a guide extending at least partially parallel to the conveying system and / or at least one guide running at least partially parallel to the conveying system and in particular running with the conveying system.

[0043] By providing such a guide, which is either statically arranged or moves with the conveying system, it is possible in an easily implemented yet effective way to transport the items to be washed, especially drinking vessels, which are held by the holding elements of the transport device, to or through the dishwasher according to a predetermined sequence of events.

[0044] According to the invention, the guide runs below the retaining elements and serves to vertically support the items to be washed, in particular drinking vessels, which are received or held by the retaining elements.

[0045] In this context, it is stipulated that the guide must have at least one guide rail extending at least partially parallel to the conveying system, or at least one guide belt extending at least partially parallel to the conveying system. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the at least one guide must have at least one guide rail running at least partially parallel to the conveying system and, in particular, moving with the conveying system, or at least one guide belt running at least partially parallel to the conveying system and, in particular, moving with the conveying system.

[0046] By using a guide rail or guide belt as a guide, it is still possible to spray the items to be washed from below with washing or rinsing fluid without restrictions, and without the guide casting at least any significant spray shadows on the items to be treated.

[0047] The transport device according to the invention is designed such that the holding elements are configured to allow drinking vessels to be picked upside down for cleaning. In a position held by the holding elements, the drinking vessels are pivotably mounted about an axis running parallel to the conveying system and / or relative to the holding elements – at least over a certain angular range, preferably up to a maximum of 25°.

[0048] Such a pivoting mounting of the drinking vessels, in their position held by the retaining elements, allows the drinking vessels to be slightly tilted during transport, particularly through the dishwasher, compared to their original upside-down horizontal orientation. This offers significant advantages, as the washing and / or rinsing liquid sprayed onto the items being washed can run off more easily in the tilted position.

[0049] For example, it is conceivable that at least one guide rail or guide belt is designed in such a way that, during the transport of the drinking vessels held by the retaining elements in a predetermined or predeterminable area or section of the dishwasher, the drinking vessels held by the retaining elements are pivoted around the axis running parallel to the conveying system.

[0050] In a specific implementation of the latter embodiment, which is characterized in particular by its simple yet effective design, it is provided that the at least one guide has a first guide rail or a first guide belt and at least a second guide rail or at least a second guide belt, wherein the first guide rail or the first guide belt and the at least one second guide rail or the at least one second guide belt run at least partially parallel and in a common plane extending parallel to the conveyor system, in particular a horizontal plane.

[0051] In the specified or specifiable area or section of the dishwasher, however, the at least one second guide rail or the at least one second guide belt can still run parallel to the at least one first guide rail or the at least one first guide belt, but in a plane extending parallel to the conveyor system, in particular a horizontal plane, which is different from the plane extending parallel to the conveyor system, in particular a horizontal plane, in which the first guide rail or the first guide belt extends in the specified or specifiable area and preferably also outside the specified or specifiable area or section of the dishwasher.

[0052] In other words, this design provides that, viewed in the transport direction of the conveyor system, a guide rail or guide belt runs slightly horizontally upwards or downwards relative to the first guide rail or guide belt, as a result of which a tilting movement of the washing items / drinking vessels supported by the first and second guide rail or guide belt is forced.

[0053] Preferably, the at least one guide also has a guide extending laterally to the holding elements in order to guide the items of goods to be washed, in particular drinking vessels, which are picked up or held by the holding elements, particularly laterally, when these are transported from a loading area of ​​the dishwasher to and through the treatment area of ​​the dishwasher with the help of the conveying system and the holding elements.

[0054] The circulating conveyor system is designed to transport the holding elements connected to the conveyor system, along with any items to be washed (especially drinking vessels) held by the holding elements, to the dishwasher and, in particular, through various areas or sections of the dishwasher. According to preferred embodiments, the conveyor system has a corresponding drive, which is preferably an electric motor. The conveyor system is operatively connected to, or operatively connectable to, this electric motor.

[0055] It is advantageous for the conveyor system – viewed from above – to have a stage-like structure, and the compactness of the dishwasher can be improved if the conveyor system – viewed from above – has a meandering shape. In this way, a large number of different treatment zones within the dishwasher can be implemented with a relatively small footprint.

[0056] The various areas or sections of the dishwasher include, in particular, the following: A loading area of ​​the dishwasher in which the items to be cleaned, in particular drinking vessels, are preferably oriented upside down and can be detachably connected, in particular manually and at least partially or partially, to at least one holding element of the transport device; a treatment area of ​​the dishwasher in which the items to be cleaned, in particular drinking vessels, which are picked up or held by the holding elements, can be treated, in particular washed and rinsed and, if necessary, dried; if necessary.A feed area of ​​the dishwasher, located between the loading area and the treatment area, in which the items to be washed, particularly drinking vessels, received in the loading area are fed to the treatment area of ​​the dishwasher; an unloading area of ​​the dishwasher, in which the items to be washed, particularly drinking vessels, received or held by the holding elements, can be dispensed or stacked from the dishwasher after their treatment in the treatment area; and a return area of ​​the dishwasher, in which the holding elements are transported from the unloading area of ​​the dishwasher back to the loading area of ​​the dishwasher by means of the conveyor system.

[0057] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by the subject matter of claim 15, which relates to a dishwasher, particularly for a coffee shop and / or a fast-food restaurant, for cleaning dishes. The dishes to be treated / cleaned by the dishwasher are, for example, dishes that are preferably served exclusively by the coffee shop or the fast-food restaurant.

[0058] The dishwasher according to the invention is provided to have an input or setting area, designed in particular as a return device and preferably as a return machine for reusable washing items.

[0059] The dishwasher according to the invention further comprises a transport device of the aforementioned type for transporting the items to be washed from the input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher to a treatment area of ​​the dishwasher and from there to a discharge or removal area of ​​the dishwasher. The treatment area of ​​the dishwasher is associated with a washing and rinsing system for washing and rinsing the items to be washed and, optionally, a downstream drying system – viewed in the transport direction of the items to be washed – for drying the rinsed items.

[0060] The input or placement area associated with the dishwasher, designed as a return facility and, in particular, as a return machine for reusable dishwashing items, does not itself have to be part of the dishwasher. It can, in particular, be a return station located remotely from the actual dishwasher, which is ultimately connected to the dishwasher via the transport device in order to feed the dishwashing items handed in by a customer at the input or placement area, specifically to the dishwasher's treatment area.

[0061] For example, it may be provided that the input or setting area assigned to the dishwasher and designed as a return facility and in particular as a return machine for reusable washing items is arranged separately from the treatment area of ​​the dishwasher and in particular from an inlet tunnel of the dishwasher leading to the treatment area of ​​the dishwasher.

[0062] Preferably, the input or setting area associated with the dishwasher and designed as a return device and in particular as a return machine for reusable dishwashing parts has a refund device.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the input or setting area assigned to the dishwasher and designed as a return facility and in particular as a return machine for reusable dishwashing parts has a user interface and an identification device for dishwashing parts that interacts with a data processing device and a data storage device, wherein the identification device in particular has an optical recognition system and / or wherein the identification device is designed for barcode recognition, RFID recognition, three-dimensional surface analysis, 3D matching, logo recognition, OCR recognition and / or color recognition.

[0064] According to implementations of the invention, the input or setting area associated with the dishwasher and designed as a return device and in particular as a return machine for reusable dishwashing parts has at least one access opening for receiving dishwashing parts, wherein the access opening is associated with a closing element adjustable between an open position and a closed position.

[0065] In this context in particular, it is possible that the input or setting area assigned to the dishwasher and designed as a return facility and especially as a return machine for reusable dishwashing parts has at least one access opening with a backdrop corresponding to the dishwashing part to be cleaned in order to specify an orientation of the dishwashing part when the dishwashing part is manually inserted into the input or setting area.

[0066] According to implementations of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided that the dishwasher and in particular the input or setting area associated with the dishwasher and designed as a return device and in particular as a return machine for reusable dishwashing parts has a device for sorting the dishwashing parts according to their size and / or type, wherein preferably the dishwashing parts sorted according to size and / or type are automatically fed to a corresponding transport track of the transport device.

[0067] According to embodiments of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided that, viewed in the transport direction of the items being washed, a destacking device is provided downstream of the drying system at the discharge or removal area of ​​the dishwasher for the automatic destacking of the items being washed that have been dried in the drying system.

[0068] The stacking device can be designed to stack the items dried in the drying system – in particular sorted according to the size and / or type of items – into a corresponding stack of items.

[0069] The dishwasher preferably has a length of about 1 to 3 meters, a height of about 1 to 1.75 meters and a width of about 0.3 to 1 meter.

[0070] Preferably, the input or setting area associated with the dishwasher is designed as a dish return system similar to an empty container return system, forming the user interface with the customer of the coffee shop or fast food restaurant. For this purpose, the input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher includes at least one access opening for receiving dish items, wherein the access opening is associated with a closing element adjustable between an open position and a closed position.

[0071] The customer of the coffee shop or fast food restaurant places the item to be cleaned into the dishwasher via the access opening of the input or setting area.

[0072] The user interface of the dishwasher at the input or setting area preferably comprises an identification device with a data processing unit and a data storage unit, wherein the identification device is designed to identify the item to be washed placed by the customer via the at least one access opening at the input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher.

[0073] For example, the identification device can include an optical recognition system. Alternatively or additionally, the identification device can be configured for barcode recognition, RFID recognition, three-dimensional surface analysis, 3D matching, logo recognition, OCR recognition, and / or color recognition. A customer of the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant can place an item to be returned, such as a drinking cup, into the dishwasher's loading or setting area through at least one access opening. The identification device recognizes the item being washed, for example, its type (drinking cup, plate, etc.). Preferably, the identification device is...The data processing device associated with the identification device is further designed to identify whether the dishwashing item is a dishwashing item issued or accepted by the coffee shop operator or the fast food restaurant operator.

[0074] If the returned item is recognized as one stored in the data storage system and accepted by the dishwasher operator, such as the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant owner, the user interface will display the amount due for that item. This amount can be paid out in cash, for example. Alternatively, the customer can be credited with a discount, reducing the purchase price of a new beverage or food item by the amount due for the returned item. The customer can then choose to receive the credit or purchase a new food item at the discounted price.

[0075] It is also conceivable that the person could choose to decline the payment and remove the item from the dishwasher's loading or setting area. Similarly, the person could be asked to remove the item from the dishwasher's loading or setting area if the item could not be identified.

[0076] Accordingly, the input or setting area associated with the dishwasher is designed as a return machine for reusable dishwashing parts and preferably has a refund device.

[0077] With regard to the refund system, it is generally conceivable that the person will be issued a paper receipt or a paper ticket, as is known from reverse vending machines.

[0078] However, a paperless and customer-friendly deposit receipt system is preferred. One paperless method would be to transfer such a deposit receipt to a smartphone. This transfer to the smartphone can be achieved wirelessly. One such method uses NFC (Near Field Communication). Since most smartphones and many credit cards support this standard, it would also be preferable to use it later to pay for another item or food product in the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant.

[0079] Preferably, the input or setting area, which is designed in particular as a return machine, is separated from the washing and rinsing system and the downstream drying system of the dishwasher in such a way that only the input or setting area designed as a return machine is visible to the customer.

[0080] In this context, it is particularly advantageous for the dishwasher's loading or adjustment area to have at least one access opening for receiving items to be washed, with a locking element adjustable between an open and a closed position associated with this access opening. The locking element associated with the at least one access opening preferably opens automatically after activation of a corresponding switch at the user interface of the dishwasher's loading or adjustment area. It is also conceivable to manipulate the locking element using a proximity sensor.

[0081] The input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher is connected to the dishwasher and its treatment zones via the transport device, so that the item placed by the customer at the input or setting area can be fed to the washing and rinsing system and subsequently to the drying system. It is preferred that the dishwasher's treatment zones are not visible to the customer, for example, behind a suitable building partition or the like.

[0082] This allows the dishwasher to be integrated into the coffee shop or fast food restaurant in a particularly harmonious way.

[0083] Once the customer has placed the item to be cleaned in the dishwasher's input or loading area (designed as a return machine), and once the optional identification device has accepted the item, it is transported by the conveyor system to the dishwasher's treatment zones. There, it undergoes washing, followed by rinsing, disinfection (if necessary), and then drying. Afterward, the cleaned item is automatically stacked at the (clean-side) discharge or removal area of ​​the dishwasher using a destacking device.

[0084] According to preferred implementations of the dishwasher according to the invention, the input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher has at least one access opening with a cam corresponding to the item to be cleaned, in order to specify an orientation of the item to be cleaned when manually inserting the item into the input or setting area.

[0085] This is a particularly easy-to-implement method, based on the Poka-Yoke principle and easily understood by the customer, to indicate the orientation in which the item to be washed should be placed. Preferably, the item should be placed upside down into the infeed or loading area.

[0086] According to preferred embodiments of the dishwasher according to the invention, it has a device for automatically determining the cleanliness of the items cleaned in the washing and rinsing system. This measure ensures that only sufficiently clean items are dispensed at the dishwasher's output or removal area, which can then be reused by the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant operator for serving food.

[0087] The device for determining the cleanliness of the items cleaned in the washing and rinsing system preferably operates automatically to enable an objective assessment. For example, a camera can be used to capture a digital image of the item being tested. Furthermore, the device can include a control unit for processing the captured digital image.

[0088] The device for automatically determining the cleanliness of the items cleaned in the washing and rinsing system is preferably specifically tailored to the items being inspected, which may include providing suitable lighting, camera settings, and camera position relative to the item. In this way, the inspection system can generate a brightness value according to controlled environmental settings.

[0089] According to further training on the last-mentioned aspect, it can be provided that an item is automatically returned to the washing and rinsing system if its cleanliness level does not meet a defined threshold. Alternatively, it is conceivable that an item identified as insufficiently clean could be placed in a predefined area of ​​the dishwasher's discharge or removal area.

[0090] The input or setting area associated with the dishwasher, or an area of ​​the dishwasher upstream of the dishwasher's treatment area, may be designed as a storage area to temporarily store a predetermined or definable number of items to be cleaned.

[0091] The same applies alternatively or additionally to the dispensing or removal area of ​​the dishwasher.

[0092] In this context, it is conceivable that the dishwasher has a control device designed to control the transport device in such a way that the items to be cleaned are transported discontinuously, i.e. in a time-interrupted manner, from the input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher through the washing and rinsing system and the drying system to the output or removal area of ​​the dishwasher, preferably also at different speeds.

[0093] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the dishwasher has a control device which is designed to control the transport device in such a way that the items to be cleaned are continuously transported through the washing and rinsing system and the drying system, in particular at a predetermined or definable transport speed or at a variable transport speed.

[0094] The dishwasher may also have a control unit to operate the transport device and / or the controllable components associated with the washing and rinsing system and / or the drying system. It is advantageous for the transport device and, if applicable, the controllable components associated with the washing and rinsing system and / or the drying system to be controlled depending on the presence or absence of items in the loading or setting area and / or the discharge or unloading area of ​​the dishwasher.

[0095] Preferably, the washing and rinsing system as well as the drying system and in particular the dispensing or removal area of ​​the dishwasher are centrally located in a dishwashing area, with the input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher, designed as a return machine, being arranged separately from this.

[0096] With the solution according to the invention, a change from disposable to reusable tableware by a coffee shop or fast food restaurant even offers economic advantages, since no logistics, in particular in the form of workers, need to be provided to collect the soiled dishes.

[0097] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: FIG. 1 schematically and in a partially cut-away side view an exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention with a configuration of the transport device according to the invention; FIG. 2 schematically and in a partially cut-away top view the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention. FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 schematically and in an isometric view the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention FIG. 1 Transport device used with items for washing (drinking vessels) held by the holding elements of the transport device; FIG. 4 schematically and in a top view the exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention. FIG. 3 FIG. 5 schematically and in a side view the exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention. FIG. 4 FIG. 6 schematically and in a longitudinal view in the transport direction of the washed goods the exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention. FIG. 4 FIG. 7 schematically and in a side view the exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention. FIG. 5 , however without items of dishwashing / drinking vessels picked up by the holding elements of the transport device; FIG. 8 schematically and in a top view the exemplary embodiment of the transport device according to the invention. FIG. 4, however without items of dishwashing / drinking vessels picked up by the holding elements of the transport device; FIG. 9 schematically and in a side view or top view an alternative embodiment of the transport device according to the invention; FIG. 10 schematically and in a side view an alternative embodiment of the transport device according to the invention; FIG. 11 schematically and in a top view or longitudinal view an alternative design of the transport device according to the invention; FIG. 12 schematically and in a side view an alternative embodiment of the transport device according to the invention; and FIG. 13 schematically and in a top view an alternative embodiment of the transport device in which the conveying system runs in a meandering shape.

[0098] An exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2schematically represented. Dishwasher 1 is particularly suitable for coffee shops or fast-food restaurants where reusable dishes are used, which are returned by the customer.

[0099] For this purpose, dishwasher 1, according to the in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 The exemplary embodiment shown includes an input or setting area 2. The input or setting area 2 can, for example, be designed as a return machine for reusable dishwashing parts.

[0100] In the present case, the invention, i.e., the transport dishwasher 1 and the transport device 10 of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention, is described in connection with the cleaning of drinking vessels 100. The drinking vessels 100 are, in particular, cup-shaped drinking vessels that are dispensed in coffee shops or fast-food restaurants for hot drinks (coffee drinks, etc.) or cold drinks.

[0101] However, the solution according to the invention is not limited to the transport or treatment of this type of dishwashing item. By slightly modifying and adapting the holding elements 12, 13 of the transport device 10, the dishwasher 1 or the transport device 10 is also suitable for other, and in particular for several different, types of dishwashing items, such as plates, bowls, etc.

[0102] The dishwasher 1 or the transport device 10 according to the invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, is particularly suitable for the (safe) transport and treatment of items to be washed of different sizes and / or shapes. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, drinking vessels 100 of different sizes are used in particular.

[0103] The input or setting area 2 of the dishwasher 1, which – as described – can be designed in particular as a return machine for reusable dishware, is preferably positioned in a location accessible to the customer of the coffee shop or fast-food restaurant. It can have a user interface and an identification device for dishware items, which interacts with a data processing unit and a data storage unit, in order to identify the dishware item returned by the customer or placed at the input or setting area 2 of the dishwasher 1.

[0104] Preferably, the input or setting area 2 of the dishwasher 1 has at least one access opening, wherein the access opening may be assigned a locking element that can be locked between an open position and a closed position.

[0105] From the input or setting area 2 of the dishwasher 1, the loaded and, if applicable, appropriately identified item 100 is transported by means of the transport device 10 to the treatment area of ​​the dishwasher 1. The treatment area of ​​the dishwasher 1 consists in particular of a treatment zone 6 with a washing and rinsing system and a drying zone 7 downstream of it – viewed in the transport direction of the item 100.

[0106] Preferably, the input or setting area 2 of the dishwasher 1 has at least one access opening with a cam corresponding to the item to be cleaned 100, in order to specify an orientation of the item to be cleaned 100 when the item to be cleaned 100 is manually inserted into the input or setting area 2.

[0107] Alternatively or additionally, the dishwasher 1 may preferably have a device for sorting the items to be washed 100 according to their size and / or type at the input or setting area 2 or upstream of the treatment area 6, 7 of the dishwasher 1, wherein the items to be washed 100 sorted according to size and / or type can then be fed to the corresponding treatment zones 6, 7 of the dishwasher 1.

[0108] In the exemplary embodiments of the transport device 10 shown in the drawings, it has a single transport track, which is designed to transport the items to be cleaned 100 arranged in a row to the dishwasher 1 and through the dishwasher 1.

[0109] In principle, it is also conceivable that the transport device 10 has several parallel transport tracks which are designed to transport at least two items 100 to be washed through the dishwasher 1 simultaneously and in parallel.

[0110] At the dispensing or removal area 4, a destacking device may be provided which is designed to destackle the items 100 dried in the drying system 7 of the dishwasher 1 into a corresponding stack of items.

[0111] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cleaned and dried dishware items 100 are dispensed into an area provided at the dispensing or removal area 4 of the dishwasher 1, or into a container or the like, i.e. without stacking.

[0112] The dishwasher 1 according to the invention, as shown schematically by means of an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2As shown, it is characterized in particular by a special transport device 10, specifically adapted and optimized for use in a coffee shop and / or a fast-food restaurant. The transport device 10, which is shown in the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 The transport device 10 used in the dishwasher 1 shown is subsequently described with reference in particular to the illustrations in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 described in more detail.

[0113] As already indicated, the exemplary embodiment of the in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 The transport device 10 shown is specifically designed to transport drinking vessels 100 to or through the dishwasher 1 for cleaning. However, the use of the transport device 10 for transporting drinking vessels 100 is not to be considered limited.

[0114] In general, the transport device 10 has a circulating conveyor belt, in particular in the form of a circulating transport chain or in the form of a circulating conveyor belt. A plurality of holding elements 12 are connected to the circulating conveyor system. The holding elements 12 are designed to receive items 100 to be cleaned (here: drinking vessels), in particular in a form-fitting manner and preferably at least partially or partially in a form-fitting manner, and then to hold them in a detachable manner.

[0115] The in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 The exemplary embodiment of the transport device 10 shown according to the invention further comprises a support system 17, 18, 19 for at least partially and / or partially supporting the items 100 (here: drinking vessels) to be washed that are held by the holding elements.

[0116] At the in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8In the exemplary embodiment of the transport device 10 shown, the retaining elements 12 are each designed as carriers projecting radially from the conveying system 11 with respect to the conveying direction and being transported horizontally with the conveying system 11, at least partially or in sections. A receiving area 14, in particular a pocket-shaped area, is formed between two adjacent carriers 12. A dishwashing item 100 (here: a drinking vessel) can be received, at least partially or in sections, in this pocket-shaped receiving area 14.

[0117] In particular, the following applies to the FIG. 3 to FIG. 8In the exemplary embodiment of the transport device 10 shown, it is provided that the pocket-shaped receiving area 14 is formed between two adjacent drivers 12, namely by a first circular segment-shaped section 15 of a first driver 12 and by a second circular segment-shaped section 16 of a second driver 12 adjacent to the first driver 12.

[0118] Although not shown in the drawings, it is conceivable in principle that the pocket-shaped receiving area 14, which is formed by the retaining elements 12, is designed to be at least partially or partially flexible in such a way that items 100 (here: drinking vessels) of different sizes and in particular with different diameters or with different external geometries can be received at least partially or partially in the pocket-shaped receiving area 14.

[0119] As an alternative to the retaining elements 12, which are used in the FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 In the transport device 10 shown, in which a pocket-shaped receiving area 14 is formed or can be formed between two adjacent holding elements 12, it is also conceivable that the holding elements 12 are designed as carriers, each carrier itself having a pocket-shaped and preferably star-shaped receiving area 14 in which a dishwashing item, such as a drinking vessel, can be received at least partially or partially. In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the pocket-shaped receiving area 14 is formed by at least one circular segment-shaped section of the carrier itself.

[0120] Of course, other designs for the retaining elements 12, 13 are also used, as is the case, for example, in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 , FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 shown.

[0121] The schematic in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 12 The embodiments of the transport device 10 shown according to the invention have in common that the holding elements of the transport device 10 have receiving fingers or receiving pins 13 that project radially from the conveying system 11 with respect to the conveying direction of the circulating conveying system 11 and are transported vertically with the circulating conveying system 11 at least partially or in sections, wherein each receiving finger or receiving pin 13 is in particular designed to receive an upside-down oriented drinking vessel 100 at least partially or in sections.

[0122] It is also conceivable that a drinking vessel 100, especially one oriented upside down, is picked up between two adjacent receiving fingers or receiving pins 13 (cf. FIG. 9 ).

[0123] The support system 17, 18, 19 of the transport device 10 according to the invention has at least one guide extending at least partially parallel to the conveying system 11.

[0124] In the embodiments of the transport device 10 according to the invention shown in the drawings, the at least one guide extending at least partially parallel to the conveying system 11 is statically designed. However, it is also conceivable that the guide runs at least partially parallel to the conveying system 11 and, in particular, moves along with the conveying system 11 when the conveying system 11 is in operation.

[0125] In this context, it is particularly suitable that at least one guide runs below the retaining elements 12, 13 and serves to support, in particular vertically, the washing items 100 (here: drinking vessels) that are received or held by the retaining elements.

[0126] As in FIG. 10However, as shown, it is also conceivable that such a guide could also run above the retaining elements 12, 13. The same applies to the one in FIG. 12 Schematic representation of a design variant.

[0127] At the in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 In the embodiment shown, the transport device 10 according to the invention has at least one guide running below the holding elements 12, 13, at least one guide rail 17, 18 extending at least partially parallel to the conveying system 11 or at least one guide belt extending at least partially parallel to the conveying system 11.

[0128] As shown in the drawings, in all exemplary embodiments of the transport device 10 according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the holding elements 12, 13 are designed such that drinking vessels 100 to be cleaned can be picked upside down. In the transport device 10 according to the invention, it is particularly provided that, in a state picked up by the holding elements, the drinking vessels 100 are pivotably mounted about an axis running parallel to the conveying system 11 relative to the conveying system 11.

[0129] In order to pivot the drinking vessels 100 held by the retaining elements about the axis running parallel to the conveyor system 11 in a given or predefinable area or section of the dishwasher 1, the following is required in the FIG. 3 to FIG. 8In the schematically shown exemplary embodiment of the transport device 10 according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one guide rail 17, 18 or the at least one guide belt is designed such that, during the transport of the drinking vessels 100 received by the holding elements, the drinking vessels 100 are pivoted about the axis running parallel to the conveying system 11.

[0130] Specifically, the following applies to the in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 In the schematically shown embodiment, a first guide rail 17 or a first guide belt and a second guide rail 18 or a second guide belt are used, wherein the first guide rail 17 or the first guide belt and the second guide rail 18 or the second guide belt run at least partially parallel and in a common plane extending parallel to the conveyor system 11, in particular a horizontal plane.

[0131] In the specified or definable area or section of the dishwasher 1, where the drinking vessels 100 held by the retaining elements 12 are to be pivoted about the axis running parallel to the conveyor system 11, the second guide rail 18 or the second guide belt continues to run parallel to the first guide rail 17 or the first guide belt, but in a plane extending parallel to the conveyor system 11, in particular a horizontal plane, which is different from the plane extending parallel to the conveyor system 11, in particular a horizontal plane, in which the first guide rail 17 or the first guide belt extends. In this way, the desired pivoting of the items 100 being washed is achieved.

[0132] The circulating conveying system 11 of the transport device 10 according to the invention is designed to transport the holding elements 12, 13 connected to the conveying system 11, together with the items to be washed (here: drinking vessels 100) that may be picked up or held by the holding elements 12, 13, through various areas or sections of the dishwasher 1. For this purpose, the conveying system 11 has a corresponding drive 20, in particular an electric motor drive.

[0133] The drive 20 of the conveyor system 11 is associated with a control device (not explicitly shown in the drawings), which is designed to control the drive 20, in particular as needed. The control device is preferably designed to control the drive 20 automatically, or optionally automatically, as needed, such that the holding elements 12, 13 are continuously transported through the areas or sections of the dishwasher 1 by the conveyor system 11 at a constant transport speed or at a varying transport speed.

[0134] Alternatively, the control device is designed to drive the conveying system 11 only when a part to be washed has been placed in the input or setting area 2, in order to prepare the input or setting area 2 again to receive another part to be washed.

[0135] It is conceivable that the control device is designed, in particular as needed, to automatically or selectively control the drive 20 such that the holding elements 12, 13 are transported discontinuously and, in particular, in steps through the areas or sections of the dishwasher 1 by the conveyor system 11. The discontinuous transport is preferably selected such that, in particular, sensor-controlled, the conveyor system 11 always transports the holding elements 12, 13 further along a distance that is, in particular, predetermined or definable, whenever at least one item of food to be washed is present in the input or setting area 2 or in the loading area of ​​the dishwasher 1.

[0136] As already mentioned in connection with the in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2In the schematically shown exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention, the dishwasher 1 comprises various areas or sections. These include, in particular, a loading area 2 of the dishwasher 1, which corresponds to the input or setting area of ​​the dishwasher 1, and in which the items to be cleaned 100 (here: in particular drinking vessels) are preferably oriented upside down, especially manually, and in particular can be detachably connected, at least partially or partially, to at least one retaining element 12, 13 of the transport device 10.

[0137] Viewed in the transport direction of the items to be washed 100, the loading area 2 of the dishwasher 1 is followed by the treatment area 3 of the dishwasher 1, in which the items to be washed 100, which are picked up or held by the holding elements 12, 13, can be treated, in particular washed and rinsed and possibly dried.

[0138] Contrary to the in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 In the exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention, an intermediate feed area of ​​the dishwasher 1 can be formed between the loading area 2 and the treatment area 3 of the dishwasher 1, in which the items 100 loaded in the loading area 2 are fed to the treatment area 3. Such a feed area is particularly suitable if the input or setting area 2 of the dishwasher 1 is located away from the actual treatment area 3 of the dishwasher 1.

[0139] Viewed in the direction of transport of the items to be washed 100, the treatment area 3 of the dishwasher 1 is followed by an unloading area 4 of the dishwasher 1, in which the items to be washed 100, which have been picked up or held by the holding elements 12, 13, can be discharged or stacked from the dishwasher 1 after their treatment in the treatment area 3 of the dishwasher 1.

[0140] This is followed by a return section 5 of the dishwasher 1, in which the holding elements 12, 13 are transported from the unloading section 4 of the dishwasher 1 back to the loading section 2 of the dishwasher 1 using the conveyor system 11.

[0141] As in FIG. 13As indicated, in this context it is particularly suitable that - viewed from above - the conveyor system 11 of the transport device 10 runs in a meandering shape, in order to be able to pass the different areas / sections of the dishwasher 1 on the transport path specified by the conveyor system 11 without thereby significantly increasing the installation area of ​​the dishwasher 1.

[0142] Instead of such a meandering course, it is of course also conceivable that the conveying system 11 - viewed from above - runs in a stage-like manner, as in the exemplary embodiment of the transport device 10 according to the invention. FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 that is the case.

[0143] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list

[0144] 1 Dishwasher 2 Loading area / feed or setting area of ​​the dishwasher 3 Treatment area of ​​the dishwasher 4 Unloading area / dispensing or removal area of ​​the dishwasher 5 Return area of ​​the dishwasher 6 Wash / rinse zone 7 Drying zone 10 Transport device 11 Conveyor system 12 Holding element / carrying element 13 Holding element / receiving finger or receiving pin 14 Pocket-shaped receiving area 15 First circular segment-shaped section 16 Second circular segment-shaped section 17 First guide rail / first guide belt 18 Second guide rail / second guide belt 19 Lateral guide 20 Drive 100 dishwashing part

Claims

1. A transport apparatus (10) for a dishwasher (1), in particular for a dishwasher (1) of a coffee shop and / or a fast-food restaurant, for transporting dishes to be cleaned (100), in particular drinking containers, through at least one treatment zone of the dishwasher (1) and / or for feeding dishes to be cleaned (100), in particular drinking containers, to the dishwasher (1), wherein the transport apparatus (10) comprises: - a circulating conveyor system (11), in particular in the form of a circulating transport chain or in the form of a circulating conveyor belt; - a plurality of retaining elements (12, 13) connected to the circulating conveyor system (11) and configured in order to releasably receive and / or releasably retain dishes (100) to be washed, in particular drinking containers, in particular in a positively locking manner and preferably at least in a regionally or partially positively locking manner; and - a support system (17, 18, 19) for at least partially and / or regionally supporting the dishes (100) received by the retaining elements (12, 13), in particular drinking containers. wherein the retaining elements (12, 13) are respectively configured as pusher dogs (12) that radially protrude from the conveyor system (11) with respect to the conveying direction of the circulating conveyor system (11) and are at least regionally or portionally horizontally transported with the circulating conveyor system (11), wherein each pusher dog (12) comprises a pocket-shaped and preferably star-pocket-shaped receiving region (14), in which a dish (100), in particular drinking containers, is at least partially or regionally receivable, or wherein the retaining elements (12, 13) are respectively configured as pusher dogs (12) that radially protrude from the conveyor system (11) with respect to the conveying direction of the circulating conveyor system (11) and are at least regionally or portionally horizontally transported with the circulating conveyor system (11), wherein a pocket-shaped and preferably star-pocket-shaped receiving region (14) is formed or can be formed between two adjacent pusher dogs (12), in which a dish (100), in particular drinking container, is at least partially regionally receivable, wherein the pocket-shaped and preferably star pocket-shaped receiving region (14) is formed between two adjacent pusher dogs (12), wherein the support system (17, 18, 19) comprises at least one guide extending at least regionally parallel to the conveyor system (11) and / or at least one guide running at least regionally parallel to the conveyor system (11) and in particular running concurrently with the conveyor system (11), and characterized in that: the at least one guide runs below the retaining elements (12, 13) and serves to vertically support the dishes (100), in particular drinking containers, received or retained by the retaining elements (12, 13), wherein preferably the at least one guide comprises at least one guide rail extending at least regionally parallel to the conveyor system (11) or at least one guide belt extending at least regionally parallel to the conveyor system (11), or wherein the at least one guide comprises at least one guide rail running at least regionally parallel to the conveyor system (11) and in particular running concurrently with the conveyor system (11) or at least one guide belt running at least regionally parallel to the conveyor system (11) and in particular running concurrently with the conveyor system (11), and wherein the retaining element (12, 13) is thus designed so that the drinking containers to be cleaned are able to be received upside down, wherein the drinking containers in a state of having been received by one of the the retaining elements (12, 13) are pivotably mounted around an axis running parallel to the conveyor system (11) relative to the conveyor system (11) and / or relative to the retaining elements (12,13).

2. The transport apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pocket-shaped and preferably star pocket-shaped receiving region (14) is formed by at least one circular segment-shaped section (15, 16) of the pusher dog (12).

3. The transport apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pocket-shaped and preferably star pocket-shaped receiving region (14) between two adjacent pusher dogs (12) is formed by a first circular segment-shaped section (15) of a first pusher dog (12) of the two adjacent pusher dogs (12) and by a second circular segment-shaped section (16) of a second pusher dog (12) of the two adjacent pusher dogs (12).

4. The transport apparatus (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pocket-shaped and preferably star pocket-shaped receiving region (14) is designed at least partially or regionally in order to be flexible in such a way that, in the pocket-shaped and preferably star pocket-shaped receiving region (14), dishes (100) and in particular drinking containers of different sizes and in particular of different diameters and / or dishes (100) and in particular drinking containers having a different outer geometry are at least partially or regionally receivable.

5. The transport apparatus (10) according to any of the claims 1 through 4, wherein the retaining elements (12, 13) are respectively configured as receiving fingers or receiving pins (13) that project radially from the conveyor system (11) with respect to the conveying direction of the circulating conveyor system (11) and are at least regionally or portionally vertically transported with the circulating conveyor system (11), wherein each receiving finger or receiving pin (13) is configured in particular in order to at least partially or regionally receive an upside-down oriented drinking container.

6. The transport apparatus (10) according to any of the claims 1 through 5, wherein the at least one guide rail or the at least one guide belt is configured such that, when transporting the drinking containers received by the retaining elements (12, 13) in a predefined or pre-definable region or portion of the dishwasher (1), the drinking containers received by the retaining elements (12, 13) are pivoted about the axis running parallel to the conveyor system (11).

7. The transport apparatus (10) according to any of the claims 1 through 6, wherein at least one guide (19) runs laterally to the retaining elements (12, 13) and serves to in particular laterally guide the dishes (100), in particular drinking containers, received or retained by the retaining elements (12, 13).

8. The transport apparatus (10) according to any of the claims 1 through 7, wherein the circulating conveyor system (11) is configured in order to transport the retaining elements (12, 13) connected to the conveyor system (11) with any dishes (100), in particular drinking containers, received or retained by the retaining elements (12, 13) to the dishwasher (1) and / or through different regions or portions of the dishwasher (1), wherein, for this purpose, the conveyor system (11) is operatively connected or operatively connectable to a corresponding drive (20), in particular an electromotive drive (20), wherein the conveyor system (11) when viewed from above is in particular meander-shaped or stadium-shaped.

9. A dishwasher (1), in particular for a coffee shop and / or for a fast-food restaurant, for the washing of dishes (100), in particular and preferably exclusively dishes provided by the coffee shop and / or fast-food restaurant (100), wherein the dishwasher (1) is associated with an input or insertion region (2) configured in particular as a return device and preferably as a return machine for reusable dishes (100), and wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a transport device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for transporting the dishes (100) from the input or insertion region (2) to a treatment region (3, 6, 7) of the dishwasher (1) and from there to an output or removal region (4) of the dishwasher (1), wherein the treatment region (3, 6, 7) of the dishwasher (1) comprises a washing and rinsing system (6) for washing and rinsing the dishes (100) and, if necessary, a drying system (7) for drying the rinsed dish (100), said drying system being located downstream when viewed in the transport direction of the dish (100).

10. A dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a transport apparatus (10) according to claim 6, and wherein the at least one guide comprises a first guide rail or a first guide belt (17) and at least one second guide rail or at least one second guide belt (18), wherein the first guide rail or the first guide belt (17) and the at least one second guide rail or the at least one second guide belt (18) run at least regionally parallel and on a common, in particular horizontal, plane extending parallel to the conveyor system (11), wherein, in the predefined or pre-definable region or portion of the dishwasher (1), the at least one second guide rail or the at least one second guide belt (18) runs parallel to the first guide rail or to the first guide belt (17), however on an in particular horizontal plane extending parallel to the conveyor system (11), in particular horizontal plane that is different from the particular horizontal plane that runs parallel to the conveyor system (11), in which the first guide rail or the first guide belt (17) extends in the predefined or pre-definable region or portion of the dishwasher (1).

11. A dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a transport apparatus (10) according to claim 8, and further comprising a control device associated with the drive (20) of the conveyor system (11) and configured to actuate the drive (20) in particular as needed, wherein the control device is configured to: (a) in particular as needed, automatically or optionally automatically, actuate the drive (20) such that the retaining elements (12, 13) are continuously transported with the conveyor system (11) at a constant transport speed or at a varying transport speed through the regions or portions of the dishwasher (1); or (b) in particular as needed, automatically or optionally automatically, actuate the drive (20) such that the retaining elements (12, 13) are transported with the conveyor system (11) discontinuously and in particular in a stepwise manner through the regions or portions of the dishwasher (1), wherein the discontinuous transport is preferably selected such that, in particular in a sensor-controlled manner, the conveyor system (11) always transports the retaining elements (12, 13) further by an in particular predefined or definable distance when at least one dish (100), in particular a drinking container, is received in the loading region of the dishwasher (1) by the at least one retaining element (12, 13).

12. A dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the various regions or portions of the dishwasher (1) comprise the following, in particular: - a loading region (2) of the dishwasher (1), in which the dishes (100), in particular drinking containers, to be washed are releasably connectable to at least one retaining element (12, 13) of the transport apparatus (10), preferably aligned upside-down, in particular manually and in particular at least regionally or partially in a positively locking manner; - a treatment region (3, 6, 7) of the dishwasher (1), in which the dishes (100) received or retained by the retaining elements (12, 13), in particular drinking containers, are treatable, in particular washable and rinsable and, if necessary, dryable; - if applicable, a feeding section provided between the loading region (2) and the treatment region (3, 6, 7) of the dishwasher (1), in which the dishes (100) received in the loading area (2), in particular drinking containers, are supplied to the treatment region (3, 6, 7); - an unloading region (4) of the dishwasher (1), in which the dishes (100) received or retained by the retaining elements (12, 13), in particular drinking containers, can be discharged or unstacked from the dishwasher (1) after their treatment in the treatment region (3, 6, 7) of the dishwasher (1); and - a return region (5) of the dishwasher (1) in which the retaining elements (12, 13) are transported from the unloading region (4) of the dishwasher (1) back to the loading region (2) of the dishwasher (1) with the aid of the conveyor system (11).