Dish stocker and washing system

Abstract

To reduce a treatment time and costs without taking photographs with a camera and analyzing images, when sorting washed dishes.SOLUTION: A dishware stocker 4 comprises: a dish sorting part 41 for sorting washed dishes corresponding to heights; and a dish storage part 45 for storing the sorted dishes. The dish sorting part 41 comprises: a dish transport conveyor 411; and a plurality of sorting bars 421 to 426 arranged above the dish transport conveyor 411, with different height positions at a lower end corresponding to individual heights of the dishes. The dishes that come into contact with the sorting bars 421 to 426 are guided to the sorting bars 421 to 426 to slide, while being conveyed by the dish transport conveyor 411, and the dishes are stored in the dish storage part 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dish storage unit and a washing system equipped with the dish storage unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In facilities such as employee cafeterias and staff dining halls, washing systems are used to efficiently wash large amounts of tableware at once (see, for example, Patent Document 1). These washing systems are equipped with a dish storage section that stores washed dishes separately by type. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-127194 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the dish storage unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, the dishes are photographed with a camera after washing, the image is analyzed to determine the type of dish, and different types of dishes are stored separately. This results in problems such as time-consuming processing and increased costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, this dish storage unit comprises a dish sorting section that sorts dishes according to height after washing, and a dish storage section that stores the dishes sorted by the dish sorting section.The dish sorting section comprises a dish transport conveyor that transports the dishes, and a plurality of sorting bars arranged above the dish transport conveyor, the lower ends of which have different height positions corresponding to the height of each dish.Dishes that come into contact with the sorting bars slide while being guided by the sorting bars as they are transported by the dish transport conveyor, and the dishes are stored in the dish storage section. The dish storage unit may preferably include a dish sensor that detects the dishes sliding along the side of the sorting bar, and an air ejection unit that ejects air toward the dishes in the direction of the slide when the dish sensor detects the dishes. The above-mentioned dish storage unit is provided with a dish storage sensor that detects when the dishes have entered the dish storage section, and the dish storage section is provided with a dish stand that can be raised and lowered, and when the dish storage sensor detects the dishes, the dish stand is lowered by a set height. The tableware storage unit may be provided with a tableware full sensor that detects when the tableware table has reached its lowest position and is full of tableware, and a tableware full display that indicates that the tableware is full. The tableware stocker may be provided with a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the sorting bar. The tableware storage unit may have a plurality of sorting bars whose lower ends are positioned at the same height, and the lifting mechanism may raise a sorting bar among the plurality of sorting bars that does not store tableware in the tableware storage section. The washing system also includes a food waste disposal device that removes food waste remaining on dishes, a washing device that washes the dishes and trays on which the dishes are placed that are transported from the food waste disposal device, a trace stocker that stores the trays that have been washed in the washing device, and a dish stocker that stores the dishes that have been washed in the washing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In this tableware storage unit, tableware is transported by a tableware transport conveyor while sliding along multiple sorting bars whose bottom ends are positioned at different heights to correspond to the height of each individual dish, so that dishes of different heights can be sorted and stored in the tableware storage section. This allows for sorting without the need for photography, improving the efficiency of tableware sorting and reducing costs. The dish storage unit is provided with a dish sensor for detecting the sliding dishes and an air ejection part for ejecting air toward the dishes in the sliding direction when the dish sensor detects the dishes, so that the dishes are pushed by the pressure of the air and can be stored securely in the dish storage part. The dish storage device is provided with a dish storage sensor that detects that dishes have entered the dish storage section, and a dish stand that can be raised and lowered in the dish storage section, and when the dish storage sensor detects the dishes, the dish stand is lowered by a set height, thereby minimizing the dropping of the dishes and storing the dishes one after another in the dish storage section. By providing a dish full sensor that detects when the dish tray has reached the lowest position and is full of dishes, and a dish full display that displays that the tray is full of dishes, workers can know that dishes have piled up and that they should be removed. By providing a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the sorting bar, it is possible to switch between raising the sorting bar to allow dishes to pass through and lowering the sorting bar to store dishes. Therefore, when the dish storage section is full of dishes, for example, the sorting bar can be raised to stop dishes from being stored in the corresponding area of ​​the dish storage section. The storage device is provided with a plurality of sorting bars whose lower ends are at the same height position, and an elevation mechanism raises the sorting bars among the plurality of sorting bars that do not store dishes in the dish storage section, thereby providing a plurality of areas in which dishes of the same height can be stored, and enabling dishes to be stored in areas that are not fully loaded with dishes. This washing system is equipped with a food waste disposal device that removes food waste remaining on dishes, a washing device that washes dishes transported from the food waste disposal device and the trays on which the dishes were placed, a trace stocker that stores the trays washed in the washing device, and the above-mentioned dish stocker, so it can perform everything from washing dishes to storing dishes and trays, and when storing dishes, it can sort dishes by type without having to take photos with a camera, which makes dish sorting more efficient and reduces costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a cleaning system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a food waste disposal apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a toyo. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a sorting section of a tableware storage unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a tableware storage unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of tableware. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a trace stocker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The washing system 1 shown in Figure 1 is a system that washes and stores dishes, trays, chopsticks, spoons, knives, etc. returned by diners, and is equipped with a waste disposal device 2 that removes leftover food from dishes, a washing device 3 for dishes, trays, chopsticks, spoons, knives, etc., a dish storage device 4 that sorts and stores washed dishes by type, a trace storage device 5 that stacks and stores washed trays, and a dish transport device 6 that transports washed dishes to the dish storage device 4. Note that "leftover food" refers to all food that is left over, including staple foods such as rice and bread, side dishes, soups, desserts, etc. that are left uneaten or uneaten from served dishes and remain on dishes or food that is left attached to dishes. Tableware also comes in a variety of types, including plates, bowls, and bowls.

[0009] As shown in Figure 2, the food waste disposal device 2 is equipped with a food waste removal section 21, which is a space with an open top and a bottom and sides, where food waste remaining on dishes is removed, a dish transport section 22 that transports the dishes from which food waste has been removed in the food waste removal section 21 to the washing device 3, and a tray transport section 23 that transports the trays on which the dishes are placed to the washing device 3.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the waste drop section 21 is provided on the side of the return opening 24 where diners return their trays and dishes. As shown in Figure 2, the upper opening of the waste drop section 21 is partially covered by two stands 25a, 25b. Each of the stands 25a, 25b is a flat stand on which diners can temporarily place their trays, and when two stands 25a, 25b are provided as in the example shown, two diners can stand side by side at the return opening 24. Note that one, three or more stands 25a, 25b may be provided depending on the width of the waste drop section 21, etc.

[0011] 1 and 2, the dish transport section 22 is located further in the depth direction than the leftover dish removal section 21. The dish transport section 22 is composed of a dish transport conveyor 221 that moves widthwise to transport the dishes, and a dish transfer section 222 that is located downstream of the dish transport conveyor 221 in the movement direction and slides the dishes to transfer them to the washing device 3 shown in FIG.

[0012] The dish transfer section 222 has an inclined bottom plate 222a and a pair of side walls 222b standing up from the end of the bottom plate 222a, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bottom plate 222a is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the side facing the return opening 24 protruding at an acute angle. As shown in Figure 3, the dish transfer section 222 has a slope at the end of it, and the dish transfer mechanism 31 of the dish washing device 3 is located at the end of the slope, and dishes that slide down the bottom plate 222a of the dish transfer section 222 are transferred to the dish transfer mechanism 31 of the dish washing device 3.

[0013] Tray transport section 23 is provided above the rear side in the depth direction of dish transport section 22. Tray transport section 23 includes a tray transport conveyor 231 that moves in the width direction to transport trays, and a tray transfer section 232 that is provided downstream of the tray transport conveyor 231 in the movement direction and that stands up the trays transported by the tray transport conveyor 231 and transfers them to the tray transport mechanism 32 of the washing device.

[0014] The tray transfer section 232 is equipped with a roller section 232a that receives trays from the tray transport conveyor 231 and moves them further in the same direction, and a transfer section 232b that has a slope for sliding the trays that have moved from the roller section 232a and transfers the trays in an upright state to the tray transport mechanism 32 of the cleaning device 3.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a pair of eater's leftover nozzles 26a, 26b are provided below the mounting bases 25a, 25b. Each eater's leftover nozzle 26a, 26b is a nozzle that sprays water diagonally downward, and is composed of a pair of nozzles provided on the left and right sides of the mounting bases 25a, 25b. Note that the number and positions of the eater's leftover nozzles 26a, 26b are not limited to the example shown in the figures.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, water supply unit 263 is connected to user leftover removal nozzles 26a and 26b via electromagnetic valves 261a and 261b and flow path 262. When electromagnetic valve 261a is opened, water is sprayed from pair of user leftover removal nozzles 26a, and when electromagnetic valve 261b is opened, water is sprayed from pair of user leftover removal nozzles 26b.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, eater sensors 27a, 27b that detect the presence or absence of an eater are provided on the front of waste removal section 21 at positions corresponding to each of mounting tables 25a, 25b. Eater sensors 27a, 27b are, for example, optical sensors, and when eater sensor 27a detects an eater, it opens solenoid valve 261a shown in Figure 3 to spray water from a set of eater waste removal nozzles 26a, and when eater sensor 27b detects an eater, it opens solenoid valve 261b to spray water from a set of eater waste removal nozzles 26b.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom surface of the waste food drop section 21 forms a valley section 213 consisting of slopes 211 that descend from both widthwise ends toward the center and connecting surfaces 212 that connect the lower ends of the left and right slopes 211. The valley section 213 receives the dropped water and waste food. The upper end of the slope 211 is provided with a nozzle 215 for causing water to flow along the slope. As shown in Fig. 4, the connecting surface 212 has a slope that descends toward the back in the depth direction, and at the end of the slope is formed a hole 214 through which the water and waste food that flows along the slope passes.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the leftovers removal section 21, a tray 28 is arranged at the back side of the hole 214. The tray 28 has a slope 281 that slopes toward one side in the width direction, and a leftovers storage section 284 for storing leftovers is placed at the lower end side of the slope 281.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, below the dish transport conveyor 221, there is provided a conveyor nozzle 223 that sprays water upward onto the dishes placed on the dish transport conveyor 221. The conveyor nozzle 223 is provided at a position just before the dishes move to the dish transfer section 222. As shown in Figure 2, the dish transport conveyor 221 is made up of multiple thin conveyor belts, and water sprayed upward from the conveyor nozzle 223 passes through the gaps between the conveyor belts and reaches the dishes, thereby removing any leftover food that was not completely removed by the water sprayed from the eater leftover removal nozzles 26a, 26b.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 5, the toilet 28 has at least a slope 281 that slopes downward and side walls 282 that stand up on both sides of the slope 281 in the depth direction. The slope 281 has a plurality of water drip holes 283 that allow water to drip downward. As shown in Fig. 3, a food waste storage section 284 is placed at the end of the lower end of the slope 281 of the toilet 28.

[0022] The water drop holes 283 are through holes that allow water that has flowed along the slope 281 to fall downward. A drainage section 285 that drains the fallen water is provided below the water drop holes 283. The water drop holes 283 in the example of Fig. 5 are elongated holes that are long in the width direction, but the shape and arrangement are not limited to this example.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, the dish storage unit 4 includes a dish sorting section 41 that sorts washed dishes by type, and a dish storage section 45 that stores the dishes sorted by the dish sorting section 41.

[0024] The dish sorting section 41 includes a dish transport conveyor 411 that transports dishes, and multiple sorting bars 421-426 that are disposed above the dish transport conveyor 411 and have lower ends positioned at different heights corresponding to the height of each dish. The sorting bars 421-426 are fixed to support members 431-436, respectively, by screws, for example. As shown in FIG. 6, the side surfaces of the sorting bars 421-426 are non-parallel to the conveyance direction and also non-parallel to the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and are oriented in a direction that forms an acute angle with the direction of travel of the dish transport conveyor 411. The side surfaces of the sorting bars 421-426 are also approximately perpendicular to the surface of the dish transport conveyor.

[0025] The dish transport conveyor 411 receives the washed dishes transported by the dish transport device 6 shown in FIG. 1 and moves them in the transport direction.

[0026] 6 and 7, sorting bars 421 and 422 have the same bottom height, sorting bars 423 and 424 have the same bottom height, and sorting bars 425 and 426 have the same bottom height. Also, sorting bars 421 and 422 have the highest bottom height, sorting bars 423 and 424 have the next highest bottom height, and sorting bars 425 and 426 have the lowest bottom height.

[0027] The height of the lower end of each of the sorting bars 421-426 is set according to the height of the tableware, for example, the height of the rib 71 at the bottom of the tableware 7 shown in Figure 8, and the transport of the tableware flowing on the tableware transport conveyor 411 is blocked depending on the height position of the lower ends of the sorting bars 421-426. Then, while receiving a force in the transport direction from the tableware transport conveyor 411, the blocked tableware is guided by one of the sides of the sorting bars 421-426 and slides towards the front in the depth direction, sliding towards the tableware storage section 45.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, dish sorting section 41 is provided with transfer sections 441-446 located at the front depth side of dish transport conveyor 411 for transferring dishware sorted on dish transport conveyor 411 to dish storage section 45. Transfer sections 441-446 are formed with inclined surfaces 441a-446a that descend toward dish storage section 45 to slide the dishware, and cutout sections 441b-446b for dropping the dishware into dish storage section 45. Sloped surfaces 441a-446a have a width corresponding to the diameter of the dish, and cutout sections 441b-446b are formed in a semicircular shape with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the dish.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, the dish sorting unit 41 is equipped with dish sensors 461-466 that detect dishes sliding along the sorting bars 421-426, and air ejection units 471-476 that eject air in the sliding direction of the dishes when the dish sensors 461-466 detect the dishes.

[0030] The dish sensors 461-466 are provided at height positions corresponding to the height of the dishes to be stored. In the example of Figure 7, three types of dishes, 7a, 7b, and 7c, are assumed, and dish sensors 461 and 462 are provided at a height position where they can detect the tallest dish 7c but cannot detect dishes 7a and 7b. Dishes sensors 463 and 464 are provided at a height position where they can detect the second tallest dish 7b but cannot detect dish 7a. Dishes sensors 465 and 466 are provided at a height position where they can detect the shortest dish 7a.

[0031] The air ejectors 471-476 play a role in increasing the force of the sliding of the tableware by ejecting air in the direction of the sliding of the tableware as the tableware slides along one of the sorting bars 421-426. The air ejectors 471-476 eject air when one of the corresponding tableware sensors 461-466 detects the passage of the tableware.

[0032] Of the support members 431-436 that support the sorting bars 421-426, at least the support members 432, 434, 436 are driven by lifting mechanisms 481, 483, 485 and can be raised and lowered. That is, when two sorting bars are arranged side by side with their lower ends positioned at the same height, the support member and sorting bar on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the tableware can be raised and lowered. Note that a lifting mechanism may be provided for each of the support members 431-436 and sorting bars 421-426.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 7, the dish storage section 45 is equipped with dish stacking sections 451-456 corresponding to the types of dish. The dish stacking sections 451-456 are equipped with dish trays 451a-456a that catch fallen dishes, lifting drive sections 451b-456b that independently raise and lower the dish trays 451a-456a, support rods 451c-456c that support the dishes from the outer periphery, dish storage sensors 451d-456d provided for each dish stacking section 451-456 that detect when dishes to be stored have fallen from the dish sorting section 41 and been stored, initial position sensors 451e-456e that detect when the dish trays 451a-456a are in their initial positions, and dish full-load sensors 451f-456f that detect when the dish trays 451a-456a have reached their lowest positions and are full of dishes. The support rods 451c to 456c can be opened outward, allowing the tableware to be removed.

[0034] When the dish storage sensors 451d to 456d detect a dish, the lifting drive units 451b to 456b lower the dish tables 451a to 456a by the thickness of one dish so that the dish can be stored.

[0035] The full tableware sensors 451f to 456f detect that the table is at the lowest position, that is, that the table is full of tableware.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, above the dish sorting section 41, there are provided full dish indicators 491-496 that indicate that the full dish sensors 451f-456f have detected that the dish sorter is fully loaded with dishes. These full dish indicators 491-496 also function as lift switches for lifting the dish tables 451a-456a. The full dish indicators 491-496 and the lift switches may be provided separately.

[0037] The number of sorting bars is optional and can be increased or decreased depending on the type of tableware, and the number of dish stacking sections also varies accordingly. Also, in the examples of Figures 6 and 7, two dish stacking sections for storing the same type of tableware are arranged side by side, but there may be only one, or three or more.

[0038] Also, although not shown in Figures 6 and 7, if there is a variety of tableware with irregular shapes and diameters and it is difficult to stack them, a large storage section may be provided for each height of the dishes to drop them without stacking.

[0039] As shown in Figure 9, the trace stocker 5 has a loading section 51 that stacks the cleaned trays transported from the cleaning device 3 shown in Figure 1, and a stock section 52 that slides the stacked trays and stores them.

[0040] The loading section 51 includes a tray stand 511 on which trays are placed, and a tray stand lifting mechanism 512 that lifts and lowers the tray stand 511.

[0041] Tray stand 511 is a rectangular frame with an interior that is open in the vertical direction. The initial position of tray stand 511 is a height position where a tray transported from cleaning device 3 can be placed on it. A tray placement sensor 513 that detects the presence of a tray is provided at the height of a tray placed on tray stand 511 located in the initial position, and when tray placement sensor 513 detects a tray, tray stand 511 descends by the set height so that the next tray transported can be stacked on it.

[0042] The lower part of the loading section 51 is equipped with a plurality of rollers 514 that rotate in contact with the tray located at the lowest level of the tray stand 511, and a lower tray stand sensor 515 that detects the position of the tray stand 511 when a predetermined number of trays 500 (for example, 100 trays) are stacked.

[0043] The stock unit 52 includes a plurality of stock areas 521 to 525 and tray sensors 521a to 525a that detect the presence or absence of trays in each of the stock areas 521 to 525. The tray sensors 521a to 525a are used to determine whether or not a tray is stocked in each of the stock areas 521 to 525.

[0044] Conveyor rollers 521b to 525b are provided in the respective stock areas 521 to 525. The conveyor rollers 521b to 525b are driven independently for each stock area in accordance with the detection results of the respective tray sensors 521a to 525a.

[0045] When there are no trays in the loading section 51, the tray stand 511 is located in the initial position shown in Fig. 9. When a tray is carried from the cleaning device 3, the tray 500 is placed in a lying position on the tray stand 511 located in the initial position. When the tray is placed on the tray stand 511, the tray placement sensor 513 detects the tray 500 and lowers the tray stand 511 by a set height. When the next tray is carried in, the same operation is performed.

[0046] As trays are stacked one after another in this manner, the tray stand 511 descends accordingly. When a predetermined number of trays (e.g., 100) have been stacked, the tray stand 511 is detected by the lower tray stand sensor 515. Then, a control unit (not shown), which includes, for example, a CPU, determines to which of the stock areas 521-525 the tray set 500a containing the predetermined number of stacked trays 500 can be transferred based on the state of each tray sensor 521a-525a. For example, if the tray sensors 521a-525a indicate that there are no trays in any of the stock areas 521-525, the tray set 500a is transported to the stock area 525, which is the innermost one as seen from the stacking unit 51. Specifically, under the control of the control unit, rollers 514 provided in the stacking unit 51 are driven to transfer the tray set 500a from the stacking unit 51 to the stock area 521. Next, first, conveyor roller 521b in stock area 521 is driven to transport tray set 500a to stock area 522, then conveyor roller 522b in stock area 522 is driven to transport tray set 500a to stock area 523, then conveyor roller 523b in stock area 523 is driven to transport tray set 500a to stock area 524, then conveyor roller 524b in stock area 524 is driven to transport tray set 500a to stock area 525, and finally conveyor roller 525b in stock area 525 is driven to transport tray set 500a to a predetermined position in stock area 525. This turns on tray sensor 525a in stock area 525.

[0047] Next, when a predetermined number of trays 500 are stacked on the loading section 51 and the tray stand 511 is detected by the lower tray stand sensor 515, only the tray sensor 525a in the stock area 525 is turned on and the tray sensors 521a to 524a in the stock areas 521 to 524 are turned off, so the tray set 500a is transported to the stock area 524, which is the farthest from the loading section 51 among the stock areas 521 to 524. Specifically, under the control of the control unit, the conveyor rollers 521b, 522b, 523b, and 524b are driven in this order, and the tray set 500a is transported to a predetermined position in the stock area 524. As a result, the tray sensor 524a in the stock area 524 is turned on.

[0048] Similarly, under the control of the control unit, the tray sets 500a are stocked in the stock areas 523, 522, and 521. Once the tray sets 500a are stocked in the stock areas 521 to 525 in this way, they are carried out in units of tray sets.

[0049] The washing device 3 and the tableware conveying device 6 are configured in the same manner as the washing section and the transfer section of, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-127194.

[0050] Next, the process from when leftover food is removed from dishes in the leftover food disposal device 2, to when the dishes and trays are transported to the washing device 3, when the dishes are stored in the dish storage device 4, and when the trays are stored in the trace storage device 5 will be described.

[0051] When a diner stands in front of, for example, the table 25a shown in Figure 2 to return the tray and tableware, the diner sensor 27a detects the diner, opens the solenoid valve 261a shown in Figure 3, and sprays water from the diner's leftover removal nozzle 26a.

[0052] The eater applies the water jetted from the eater's leftover removal nozzle 26a to the inside of the dish, causing any leftover food remaining on the dish to fall into the valley 213. The fallen leftover food is guided to the connecting surface 212 by the water jetted from the nozzle 215 and flowing down the slope 211, and flows through the holes 214 shown in Figure 4 to the rear in the depth direction of the valley 213. Note that the water jetted from the eater's leftover removal nozzle 26a here may be used to remove the leftover food to the same extent as conventional pre-rinsing, and does not necessarily have to be used to completely remove the leftover food.

[0053] In this way, diners can remove food residue from their dishes themselves, eliminating the need for workers to wash the dishes.

[0054] The fallen leftovers descend along the slope 281 of the toilet 28 shown in Figure 5, and fall into the leftovers storage section 284 to be stored. In this way, the toilet 28 can smoothly drain the leftovers into the leftovers storage section 284. In the toilet 28, water falls downward from the water drop hole 283 and is led to the drain section 285, so the leftovers and water can be treated separately, and the moisture content of the leftovers stored in the leftovers storage section 284 can be reduced.

[0055] Diners place their dishes, from which food scraps have been removed, face down on the dish transport conveyor 221. As the dishes move across the width and pass above the conveyor nozzle 223, they are sprayed with water from the conveyor nozzle 223. This allows any food scraps remaining on the dishes to be washed away, so that even if the water sprayed from the diner food scraping nozzles 26a and 26b is not enough to remove the food scraps, the remaining food scraps can still be removed from the dishes.

[0056] The dishes slide down the bottom plate 222a of the dish transfer section 222 and are transferred to the dish conveying mechanism 31 of the washing device 3 shown in Figure 3. Therefore, since the dishes are transferred to the washing device 3 simply by the eater placing the dishes on the dish conveying conveyor 221, there is no need for a worker to set the dishes with leftovers removed into the washing device 3.

[0057] The washing device 3 is configured similarly to the washing unit described in, for example, JP 2023-127194 A, and after cleaning by spraying washing liquid, rinsing with water, and draining by blowing air, the dishes are transferred to the tableware conveying device 6 shown in Fig. 1. The dishes are then transferred from the tableware conveying device 6 to the tableware stocker 4 shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

[0058] Furthermore, the eater places the tray face up on the tray transport conveyor 231. The tray then moves from the tray transport conveyor 231 to the tray transfer section 232, and is then placed upright by sliding the transfer section 232b, and transferred to the tray transport mechanism 32 of the cleaning device 3. Therefore, the eater simply places the tray on the tray transport conveyor 231, and the tray is transported to the cleaning device 3, eliminating the need for a worker to set the tray in the cleaning device 3.

[0059] In the cleaning device 3, the trays are washed, rinsed and dried in the same manner as in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-127194, and then transported to a trace stocker 5 shown in FIG.

[0060] In the dish stocker 4, the dishes transferred from the dish transport device 6 are placed face down on the dish transport conveyor 411 shown in Figures 6 and 7 and transported leftward in the transport direction in Figures 6 and 7.

[0061] The height of each type of tableware varies. Here, an example will be described in which three types of tableware 7a, 7b, and 7c shown in Figure 7 are transported on the tableware transport conveyor 411. Tableware 7a is the shortest. Tableware 7c is the tallest. Tableware 7b is taller than tableware 7a but shorter than tableware 7c.

[0062] Although there is no direct relationship between the height and diameter of dishes 7a, 7b, and 7c, in the example of Figure 7, dish stacking sections 455 and 456 of dish storage section 45 are the widest, dish stacking sections 451 and 452 are the narrowest, and the width of dish stacking sections 453 and 454 is narrower than dish stacking sections 455 and 456 but wider than dish stacking sections 451 and 452.

[0063] The sorting bars 421 and 422 are formed so as to block the tableware 7c but not the tableware 7a and 7b. In other words, the lower ends of the sorting bars 421 and 422 are at a height that allows them to contact the edge of the tableware 7c placed face down on the tableware transport conveyor 411, but not the edge of the tableware 7a and 7b.

[0064] The sorting bars 423 and 424 are formed so as to block the dishes 7b and 7c but not the dish 7a. In other words, the lower ends of the sorting bars 423 and 424 are at a height that allows them to contact the edges of the dishes 7b and 7c placed face down on the dish transport conveyor 411, but not the edges of the dish 7a.

[0065] The sorting bars 425 and 426 are formed so as to hold back the tableware 7a, 7b, and 7c. That is, the lower ends of the sorting bars 425 and 426 are at a height that allows them to come into contact with the edges of the tableware 7a, 7b, and 7c placed face down on the tableware transport conveyor 411.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the dish 7a conveyed on the dish conveyor 411 is the lowest and passes without contacting the sorting bars 421-424, reaching the front of the sorting bar 425. The edge of the dish 7a then comes into contact with the bottom of the sorting bar 425. As the dish conveyor 411 moves leftward in FIG. 7, the dish 7a moves in the same direction as the conveyor 411 and slides along the side of the sorting bar 425 toward the front in the width direction. When the dish sensor 465 detects the dish 7a, air is ejected from the air ejection unit 475 in the direction of the sliding of the dish 7a, increasing the sliding force of the dish 7a. The dish 7a then slides down the slope 445a of the transfer unit 445 shown in FIG. 6 and falls downward through the notch 445b. The air pressure pushes the dish 7a, ensuring that the dish 7a is securely stored in the dish storage unit 45.

[0067] The dropped dishes 7a are received and placed on the dish stand 455a of the dish stacking unit 455. As the dishes 7a fall, the dishes 7a are detected by the dish storage sensor 455d, and the dish stand 455a is driven by the lifting / lowering drive unit 455b to lower by a set height.

[0068] The next dish 7b conveyed passes by without contacting sorting bars 421 and 422 and is conveyed to just before sorting bar 423. The edge of dish 7b then comes into contact with the lower end of sorting bar 423. As dish conveyor 411 moves leftward in FIG. 7, dish 7b moves in the same direction as sorting bar 423, sliding along the side of sorting bar 425 toward the front in the width direction. When dish sensor 463 detects dish 7b, air is ejected from air ejection section 473 in the sliding direction of dish 7b, increasing the sliding force of dish 7b. Then, dish 7b slides down inclined surface 443a of transfer section 443 shown in FIG. 6 and falls downward through notch 443b.

[0069] The dropped dishes 7b are received and placed on the dish stand 453a of the dish stacking unit 453. As the dishes 7b fall, the dishes are detected by the dish storage sensor 453d, and the dish stand 453a is driven by the lifting drive unit 453b to lower by the height of the dishes 7b.

[0070] The next dish 7c being conveyed has a height that will allow it to contact the sorting bar 421. However, if the dish stacking section 451 is already fully loaded with dishes 7c, the dish tray 451a is at its lowest position, and the dish full sensor 451f detects this. In this state, no more dishes 7c can be stored, so the lifting mechanism 481 raises the support member 431 and the sorting bar 421. Therefore, the conveyed dish 7c passes through the sorting bar 421 and is blocked by the sorting bar 422. Therefore, the dish 7c slides down the inclined surface 442a of the transfer section 442 shown in FIG. 6 and falls downward through the notch 442b. Here again, the dish sensor 462 detects the passage of the dish 7c, and air is ejected from the air ejection section 472 to assist the sliding.

[0071] The dropped dishes 7c are received and placed on the dish stand 452a of the dish stacking unit 452. As the dishes 7c fall, the dish storage sensor 452d detects the dishes 7c, and the elevation drive unit 452b drives the dish stand 452a to lower by a set height. Therefore, the dishes 7c can be stored one after another in the dish stacking unit 452 while minimizing the dropping of the dishes 7c.

[0072] In this way, the dishes are stored one after another. Then, for example, when the dish stand 455a of the dish stacking section 455 is fully loaded with dishes 7a, the dish stand 455a is detected by the dish full sensor 455f, and the lifting mechanism 485 raises the support member 435 and the sorting bar 425, so that the next dish 7a conveyed is stored in the dish stacking section 456.

[0073] For example, when the dish tray 455a is detected by the dish full sensor 455f and the dish stacking section 455 is fully loaded, the dish full indicator 495 corresponding to the dish stacking section 455 lights up. This allows the worker to understand that dishes 7a have piled up and that they should be removed. The worker then opens the support rod 455c outward and removes the stacked dishes 7a toward the front in the width direction. Once the dishes 7a have been removed, the worker presses the dish full indicator 495, which also serves as a lift switch. This causes the dish tray 455a to rise to its initial position. When the initial position sensor 455e detects this, it stops the lifting of the dish tray 455a. In this state, dishes 7a can be stored, so the lifting mechanism 485 lowers the support member 435 and the sorting bar 425 so that the dishes 7a can be stored in the dish stacking section 455. In this way, the lifting mechanisms 481, 483, 485 can switch between raising the sorting bars 421, 423, 425 to allow the dishes to pass through and lowering the sorting bars 421, 423, 425 to store the dishes. It is also possible to provide individual lifting mechanisms so that all of the sorting bars 421 to 426 can be raised and lowered.

[0074] As described above, in dish stocker 4, dishes 7a, 7b, 7c are transported by dish transport conveyor 411 while sliding along a plurality of sorting bars 421-426 whose bottom ends are positioned at different heights corresponding to the height of each individual dish, so that dishes of different heights can be sorted and stored in dish storage section 45. Therefore, sorting can be performed without taking pictures with a camera, which improves the efficiency of dish sorting and reduces costs.

[0075] The trays 500 cleaned in the cleaning device 3 are transported to the trace stocker 5 shown in Fig. 9 and placed on the tray stand 511. Then, each time a tray 500 is added, the tray placement sensor 513 detects the tray, and the tray stand lifting mechanism 512 lowers the tray stand 511 by a set height.

[0076] In this way, the trays 500 are stacked one after another while the tray stand 511 is lowered. When a predetermined number of trays 500 (e.g., 100) are stacked to form the tray set 500a, the tray stand 511 moves to the lowest position, which is detected by the lower tray stand sensor 515. A control unit (not shown) then determines whether the tray sensors 521a-525a detect trays and determines to which of the stock areas 521-525 the tray set 500a can be transported. For example, if none of the tray sensors 521a-525a detect trays, it determines that the tray set 500a should be transported to the stock area 521, which is farthest from the stacker 51. Furthermore, if the tray sensor 525a detects trays but the tray sensors 521a-524a do not detect trays, it determines that the tray set 500a should be transported to the stock area 524.

[0077] For example, if it is determined that tray set 500a should be transported to stock area 524, under the control of the control unit, rollers 514 provided in stacker 51 are driven to transfer tray set 500a from stacker 51 to stock area 521. Next, the control unit first drives conveyor rollers 521b in stock area 521 to transport tray set 500a to stock area 522, then drives conveyor rollers 522b in stock area 522 to transport tray set 500a to stock area 523, and then drives conveyor rollers 523b in stock area 523 to transport tray set 500a to stock area 524. This turns on tray sensor 524a in stock area 524.

[0078] Next, when a predetermined number of trays 500 are stacked on the loading section 51 and the tray stand 511 is detected by the lower tray stand sensor 515, the tray sensor 525a in the stock area 525 and the tray sensor 524a in the stock area 524 are on, and the tray sensors 521a to 523a in the stock areas 521 to 523 are off, so the tray set 500a is transported to the stock area 523, which is the farthest from the loading section 51 among the stock areas 521 to 523.

[0079] Once the tray sets 500a are stocked in the stock areas 521 to 525 in this manner, each tray set 500a is carried out.

[0080] As described above, the trace stocker 5 can stack a predetermined amount of trays by stacking multiple trays 500 on the stacking section 51. It is provided with multiple stock areas that can store tray sets 500a, and it is possible to determine which of the stock areas 521 to 525 to store the tray set in by detection by the tray sensors 521a to 525a.

[0081] This washing system 1 is equipped with a food waste disposal device 2, a washing device 3 for washing dishes and trays, a dish storage unit 4 for storing washed dishes, and a trace storage unit 5 for storing washed trays, so that it can perform everything from washing dishes to storing dishes and trays without the need for workers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1: Cleaning system 2: Food waste treatment equipment 21: Garbage Removal Section 211: Inclined surface 212: Connecting surface 213: Valley portion 214: Hole 215: Nozzle 22: Dish conveying section 221: Dish conveyor 222: Dish transfer section 222a: Bottom plate 222b: Side wall 223: Conveyor nozzle 23: Tray transport section 231: Tray transport conveyor 232: Tray transfer section 232a: Roller section 232b:Transfer section 24: Return slot 25a, 25b: Mounting table 26a, 26b: Nozzle for removing food left over from the eater 261a, 261b: solenoid valve 262: flow path 263: water supply section 27a, 27b: Eater sensor 28: Toyo 281: Slope 282: Side wall 283: Water drain hole 284: Food waste storage area 285: Drainage section 3: Cleaning equipment 31: Dish conveying mechanism 32: Tray conveying mechanism 4: Tableware storage 41: Tableware sorting department 411: Tableware conveyor 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426: Sorting bar 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436: Support members 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446: Delivery area 441a, 442a, 443a, 444a, 445a, 446a: Slopes 441b, 442b, 443b, 444b, 445b, 446b: Notch 45: Tableware storage section 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456: Dish stacking section 451a, 452a, 453a, 454a, 455a, 456a: Dish stand 451b, 452b, 453b, 454b, 455b, 456b: lifting drive unit 451c, 452c, 453c, 454c, 455c, 456c: Support rods 451d, 452d, 453d, 454d, 455d, 456d: Dish storage sensor 451e, 452e, 453e, 454e, 455e, 456e: Initial position sensors 451f, 452f, 453f, 454f, 455f, 456f: Full tableware sensor 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466: Dish sensors 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476: Air outlet 481, 483, 485: Lifting mechanism 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496: Full tableware display 5: Trace Stocker 51: Loading section 511: Tray stand 512: Tray stand lifting mechanism 513: Tray placement sensor 514: Roller 515: Lower tray base sensor 52: Stock section 521, 522, 523, 524, 525: Stock area 521a, 522a, 523a, 524a, 525a: Tray sensors 521b, 522b, 523b, 524b, 525b: Conveyor rollers 6: Tableware conveying device 7, 7a, 7b, 7c: Tableware 500: Tray 500a: Tray set

Claims

1. The washing machine comprises a dish sorting section that sorts the washed dishes according to height, and a dish storage section that stores the dishes sorted by the dish sorting section. The tableware sorting unit includes: a tableware conveyor for conveying the tableware; a plurality of sorting bars disposed above the tableware transport conveyor, the lower ends of which have different height positions corresponding to the height of each of the tableware; The tableware that has come into contact with the sorting bar slides while being guided by the sorting bar while being transported by the tableware transport conveyor, and the tableware is stored in the tableware storage section. Dish storage.

2. a dish sensor that detects the dish sliding along the side of the sorting bar; an air ejection unit that ejects air toward the tableware in the direction of the slide when the tableware sensor detects the tableware; The tableware storage unit according to claim 1.

3. a dish storage sensor for detecting when the dish is stored in the dish storage section; The dish storage section is provided with a dish stand that can be raised and lowered, When the dish storage sensor detects the dish, the dish tray is lowered by a set height. The tableware storage unit according to claim 1.

4. a dish-full sensor for detecting that the dish tray has reached its lowest position and is full of dishes; a dish fullness display unit that displays that the dish is full; Equipped with The tableware storage unit according to claim 3.

5. A lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the sorting bar is provided. The tableware storage unit according to claim 1.

6. a plurality of sorting bars each having a lower end positioned at the same height; The lifting mechanism lifts a sorting bar that does not store the tableware in the tableware storage section among the plurality of sorting bars. The tableware storage unit according to claim 5.

7. a food waste treatment device that removes food waste remaining on dishes; a washing device that washes the dishes and the trays on which the dishes are placed that are transported from the leftover food processing device; a tray stocker that stores the trays washed in the washing device; The dish storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which stores the dishes washed in the dish washing device; A cleaning system comprising:

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