Cutlery washer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutlery washer, and more specifically, is characterized by comprising: a cutlery input section into which cutlery is fed; a brush section that conveys the cutlery fed through the input section while bringing it into contact with a rotating brush; a washing section that includes at least one high-pressure nozzle spaced above the brush section and spraying high-pressure washing water toward the cutlery passing through the brush section; a conveying section that conveys the cutlery passing through the washing section to the rear; a rinsing section that sprays rinsing water toward the cutlery conveyed by the conveying section; a drying section that includes an air knife that sprays high-speed air toward the cutlery passing through the rinsing section to remove moisture remaining on the cutlery; an air circulation section that sucks in air discharged from the drying section and circulates the sucked air to resupply it to the air knife; and a cutlery discharge section into which the cutlery passing through the drying section is discharged. The cutlery washer according to the present invention can recover air discharged from the drying section through an air circulation section and supply it back to the air knife after dehumidification, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the drying process. In addition, the amount of high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged to the outside can be reduced, thereby improving the working environment around the cutlery washer.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutlery washer that automatically performs washing, rinsing, and drying processes for cutlery, including various tableware used for meals such as spoons, chopsticks, forks, and knives. Background Technology

[0002] As large quantities of cutlery, such as spoons, forks, and knives, are repeatedly used in restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and hospitals, there is an increasing demand for cutlery washers that can quickly and hygienically clean cutlery after use.

[0003] A typical cutlery washer is configured such that after inserting cutlery, it washes it using a spray of wash water, removes detergent by spraying rinse water, and then removes moisture remaining on the cutlery using hot air or high-speed air.

[0004] However, in conventional cutlery washers, the high-temperature air used in the drying process is often discharged directly outside the washer while still containing moisture from the cutlery surfaces. In this case, there is a problem where the thermal energy input into the drying process is lost to the outside, resulting in reduced energy efficiency.

[0005] Furthermore, since the air discharged after the drying process is relatively hot and humid, if a large amount is released outside the dishwasher, it can cause moisture to re-adsorb onto the cutlery discharged after drying, increase the humidity and temperature of the installation space, and degrade the surrounding working environment. In particular, in enclosed or poorly ventilated kitchen environments, problems such as increased humidity, condensation, and increased discomfort may occur.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for the development of a cutlery washer that can reduce energy consumption and decrease the amount of humid air discharged to the outside by efficiently recovering and recycling the high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged after the drying process while maintaining the washing and drying performance of cutlery. Prior art literature

[0007] 1. Korean Registered Patent No. 10-2894112 (2025.11.27) The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a cutlery washer that can reduce energy consumption used in the drying process and prevent humid air discharged from the drying section from being directly or in large quantities discharged outside the washer.

[0009] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0010] The present invention, for solving the above-mentioned problems, relates to a cutlery washer, and more specifically, comprises: a cutlery input section into which cutlery is fed; a brush section that conveys the cutlery fed through the input section while bringing it into contact with a rotating brush; a washing section that includes at least one high-pressure nozzle spaced above the brush section and spraying high-pressure washing water toward the cutlery passing through the brush section; a conveying section that conveys the cutlery passing through the washing section to the rear; a rinsing section that sprays rinsing water toward the cutlery conveyed by the conveying section; a drying section that includes an air knife that sprays high-speed air toward the cutlery passing through the rinsing section to remove moisture remaining on the cutlery; an air circulation section that sucks in air discharged from the drying section and circulates the sucked air to resupply it to the air knife; and a cutlery discharge section into which the cutlery passing through the drying section is discharged. Effects of the invention

[0011] The cutlery washer according to the present invention can draw in high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drying section through the air circulation section and supply it back to the air knife, thereby allowing the air and thermal energy used in the drying process to be recycled. Consequently, the energy burden required to heat or supply fresh external air at high speed can be reduced, which has the effect of reducing energy consumption compared to conventional cutlery washer.

[0012] In addition, the cutlery washer according to the present invention can suppress the discharge of humid air generated after the drying process directly to the outside of the washer, thereby preventing moisture from adsorbing again onto the cutlery discharged after the drying process, and has the effect of reducing the increase in humidity in the space around the washer, the occurrence of condensation, and the deterioration of the working environment. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutlery washer according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a cutlery washer according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the brush section and the washing section of a cutlery washer according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the drying section and air circulation section of a cutlery washer according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates a conveying section of a cutlery washer according to an example of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0014] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments; specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the present invention.

[0015] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0016] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0017] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example for explaining the present invention and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutlery washer according to the present invention may include a housing (10), a cutlery input section (100), a brush section (200), a washing section (300), a conveying section (400), a rinsing section (500), a drying section (600), an air circulation section (700), and a cutlery discharge section (800).

[0019] In the present invention, the housing (10) forms the exterior of a cutlery washer and provides an internal space in which components for washing, rinsing, drying, and discharging cutlery are arranged. A cutlery input section (100) into which cutlery is inserted is provided on one side of the housing (10), and a cutlery discharge section (800) into which cutlery that has been washed, rinsed, and dried is discharged is provided on the other side. The housing (10) may be configured to prevent washing water, rinsing water, and drying air from scattering or leaking to the outside, and may include an openable cover or inspection door for inspection, washing, or maintenance as needed.

[0020] In the present invention, the cutlery input section (100) is a part into which cutlery, which is the object to be washed, is fed into the cutlery washer. Here, cutlery may include various tableware used for meals, such as spoons, chopsticks, forks, knives, etc. The cutlery input section (100) may be formed on the front or upper side of the housing (10), and according to FIG. 6, the cutlery input section (100) may preferably include an input port (110), an inclined guide plate (120), and a cutlery alignment guide section (130). The above-mentioned input port (110) is open at the top so that a user can insert a certain amount of cutlery, and the above-mentioned inclined guide plate (120) is inclined to guide the cutlery inserted through the input port (110) toward the brush section (200). As a result, even if the user inserts the cutlery in a random direction, the cutlery can be supplied to the brush section (200) along the cleaning path inside the housing (10). Additionally, the above-mentioned cutlery alignment guide section (130) is positioned on the above-mentioned inclined guide plate (120) to guide the cutlery inserted in a random direction through the input port (110) toward the entry direction of the brush section (200). Accordingly, the cutlery is prevented from entering the brush section (200) irregularly and can come into contact with the brush (210) while aligned in the direction of travel. According to the embodiment of FIG. 6, the cutlery alignment guide (130) may be formed as a plate-shaped member protruding upward from the upper surface of the inclined guide plate (120), and when the cutlery comes into contact with the cutlery alignment guide (130) while moving downward along the inclined guide plate (120), the cutlery may be guided to the entry side of the brush part (200) with its direction aligned in the direction of travel.

[0021] In the present invention, the brush unit (200) is a part that primarily removes food residue, foreign substances, or contaminants attached to the surface of the cutlery while conveying the cutlery introduced through the cutlery input unit (100) by rotating the brush (210). According to FIG. 3, the brush unit (200) may include a plurality of brushes (210), and the plurality of brushes (210) may be spaced apart from each other along the direction of conveying the cutlery. Each brush (210) may be installed to be rotatable around a rotation axis, and brush bristles capable of contacting the cutlery may be formed on its outer surface. As the brush (210) rotates, the cutlery moves backward by the rotational force of the brush (210) and comes into contact with the brush bristles, and in this process, contaminants on the surface of the cutlery can be physically removed.

[0022] The brush unit (200) can perform not only the function of simply rubbing and cleaning the cutlery, but also the function of transporting the cutlery to the next process position. That is, the brush (210) contacts the cutlery to move it to the cleaning area of ​​the cleaning unit (300), and can guide the cutlery to stay at or pass through the spraying position of the cleaning water. The plurality of brushes (210) may be configured to rotate in the same direction or, if necessary, rotate in different directions, and the rotation speed or spacing of the brushes (210) may be adjusted according to the shape, weight, size, and amount of cutlery.

[0023] In the present invention, the cleaning unit (300) is installed spaced apart from the upper part of the brush unit (200) and is a part that sprays high-pressure cleaning water onto cutlery passing through the brush unit (200). According to FIG. 3, the cleaning unit (300) may include at least one high-pressure nozzle (310), and preferably, a plurality of high-pressure nozzles (310) may be arranged along the conveying direction of the cutlery. The high-pressure nozzle (310) may be installed to spray cleaning water from above to below the brush unit (200), and accordingly, cleaning water may be strongly sprayed onto the upper surface, side surface, and crevice portion of the cutlery being conveyed and stirred by the brush (210).

[0024] The above cleaning unit (300) can perform a physical cleaning action by the brush unit (200) and a water pressure cleaning action by the high-pressure nozzle (310) simultaneously or continuously. That is, as the cutlery moves in contact with the brush (210), the cleaning water sprayed from the high-pressure nozzle (310) collides with the surface of the cutlery, thereby effectively removing contaminants that are difficult to remove with the brush (210) alone. At this time, the high-pressure nozzle (310) may be configured so that the spraying direction, spraying angle, or spraying pattern of the cleaning water can be adjusted, and may be positioned so that the cleaning water reaches the entire width direction of the cutlery.

[0025] In the present invention, the conveying unit (400) is a part that conveys cutlery that has passed through the washing unit (300) to subsequent processes, such as the rinsing unit (500) and the drying unit (600). According to FIG. 5, the conveying unit (400) may include a belt (410), a driving roller (420), and a driven roller (430). The belt (410) may be installed to be wound around the driving roller (420) and the driven roller (430) to move in a circular motion, and the belt (410) may move as the driving roller (420) rotates by a driving source such as a motor. The driven roller (430) may rotate in response to the rotation of the driving roller (420) while maintaining the tension and movement path of the belt (410).

[0026] The belt (410) provides a conveying surface on which cutlery is placed, and may be formed with a mesh structure, a perforated structure, or a drainable structure so that washing water or rinsing water can be discharged downward without accumulating on the belt (410). Additionally, the belt (410) may be positioned so as to be inclined upward from the washing section (300) side toward the cutlery discharge section (800) side. Accordingly, water adhering to the cutlery during the washing and rinsing process is easily discharged downward by gravity, and some moisture can be naturally removed as the cutlery moves toward the drying section (600).

[0027] In the present invention, the conveying unit (400) may preferably include an attachment (440) that is arranged at predetermined intervals on the outer surface of the belt (410) and functions as a hooking member for hooking or supporting cutlery. The attachment (440) extends in the width direction of the belt (410) and can be formed in various shapes, such as protrusions or rib shapes, and can prevent the cutlery from sliding backward in the reverse direction due to high-speed air discharged from the air knife (610) of the drying unit (600). In addition, since the attachment (440) can convey the cutlery while dispersing it at regular intervals, the rinsing water and drying air in the rinsing unit (500) and drying unit (600) can act more uniformly on the cutlery.

[0028] In particular, in the present invention, since the attachment (440) causes noise and vibration when it comes into contact with high-speed air discharged from the air knife (610) of the drying unit (600), thereby causing a problem of poor working environment, it may be preferable for the attachment (440) to have a structure in which irregularities are formed at predetermined intervals on a bar shape extending in the width direction of the belt (410).

[0029] In the present invention, the rinsing unit (500) is a part that sprays rinsing water onto cutlery being transported by the transport unit (400) to remove washing water, detergent components, or residual contaminants. The rinsing unit (500) may be positioned on the upper or side of the transport unit (400) and may include one or more rinsing nozzles that spray rinsing water toward cutlery moving along the belt (410). The rinsing unit (500) may be positioned at the rear end of the washing unit (300) to perform a separate rinsing process on cutlery that has finished the washing process.

[0030] The rinsing unit (500) can improve the hygiene of the cutlery by removing washing water, detergent components, or fine foreign substances remaining on the surface of the cutlery. Additionally, the rinsing unit (500) may be configured to spray rinsing water over the entire width direction of the conveying unit (400), and may be configured as an upper spraying method, a lower spraying method, or an upper and lower simultaneous spraying method as needed. The cutlery that has passed through the rinsing unit (500) is moved to the drying unit (600) by the conveying unit (400).

[0031] In the present invention, the drying unit (600) is a part that removes moisture remaining on the cutlery by spraying high-speed air onto the cutlery that has passed through the rinsing unit (500). According to FIG. 4, the drying unit (600) may include an air knife (610), and the air knife (610) may be configured to spray high-speed air in the form of a narrow, fast air film toward the cutlery being transported by the transport unit (400). The air knife (610) may be positioned on the upper or side of the transport unit (400), and preferably may be positioned to extend in a direction across the transport path of the cutlery and spray air over the entire width direction of the belt (410).

[0032] The above drying unit (600) can remove water droplets attached to the surface of the cutlery by the impact force of high-speed air. In particular, the cutlery may include a structure in which moisture is likely to remain, such as the concave part of the spoon, the branch part of the fork, and the contact part between the chopsticks, and the air knife (610) can improve the efficiency of moisture removal by intensively spraying high-speed air into these parts.

[0033] The above drying unit (600) may preferably include a heater for heating the air as needed. This is to ensure that air at a high temperature above a certain level can be supplied again through the air knife (610), as the temperature of the air discharged from the drying unit (600) may decrease slightly during the process of circulating through the air circulation unit (700).

[0034] In the present invention, the air circulation unit (700) is a part that sucks in air discharged after performing a drying process for cutlery in the drying unit (600), and circulates the sucked air to supply it back to the air knife (610). According to FIG. 4, the air circulation unit (700) may include: a dehumidifying filter (710) that removes moisture from the sucked air; a device (720) that collects air passing through the dehumidifying filter (710) into a suction port (not shown) that communicates with a suction pipe; and a suction pipe (730) that communicates with the suction port of the device and guides the sucked air to be circulated. The suction pipe (730) can suck in air around the drying unit (600), particularly high-temperature and high-humidity air generated during the drying process of cutlery, and guide it into the air circulation unit (700).

[0035] The dehumidifying filter (710) performs the function of removing or reducing moisture contained in the air discharged from the drying unit (600). The dehumidifying filter (710) may include, but is not limited to, a moisture adsorbent, a hygroscopic material, a porous filter, or a moisture separation structure. The substrate (720) may function as a support body that supports or fixes the dehumidifying filter (710) and may form a flow path so that the inhaled air passes through the dehumidifying filter (710). The air, whose humidity has been lowered while passing through the dehumidifying filter (710), can be supplied back to the air knife (610) and reused for drying cutlery.

[0036] The air circulation unit (700) may preferably include a high-pressure ring blower (not shown) to provide air suction power to the suction pipe (730) and simultaneously supply high-pressure air to the air knife (610) of the drying unit (600). The high-pressure ring blower sucks in external air or air recovered through the air circulation unit, pressurizes it, and supplies it to the air knife (610). The air knife (610) can remove moisture remaining on the cutlery surface by spraying the air supplied from the high-pressure ring blower at high speed through a slit-shaped discharge port.

[0037] The above air circulation unit (700) can recover and recycle the high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drying unit (600) without discharging it outside the dishwasher. Accordingly, the thermal energy and blower energy used in the drying process can be reused, thereby reducing energy consumption. In addition, the amount of humid air discharged outside the dishwasher can be reduced, thereby suppressing the rise in humidity, condensation, and deterioration of the working environment in the kitchen or workspace where the cutlery dishwasher is installed.

[0038] In the present invention, the cutlery discharge section (800) is a part through which cutlery that has passed through the drying section (600) is discharged to the outside. The cutlery discharge section (800) may be positioned on the other side of the housing (10) and may include a discharge guide or a collection container that guides the cutlery transported by the transport section (400) to a collection location. The cutlery discharge section (800) may be formed with an inclined structure to allow the cutlery that has finished drying to be smoothly discharged to the outside, and may further include a cushioning structure to reduce noise or damage that may occur when the cutlery falls or collides.

[0039] The above cutlery discharge unit (800) can be positioned in conjunction with the rear end of the conveying unit (400), and when the cutlery is delivered to the discharge unit (800) by the movement of the belt (410), the cutlery can move along the discharge guide to an external collection location by its own weight. Accordingly, the user can collect the cutlery, which has been washed, rinsed, and dried, in bulk from the cutlery discharge unit (800).

[0040] In this way, the cutlery washing machine according to the present invention can continuously perform the processes of cuttinglery input, primary foreign matter removal, high-pressure washing, rinsing, drying, and discharge by sequentially arranging the cutlery input section (100), brush section (200), washing section (300), conveying section (400), rinsing section (500), drying section (600), air circulation section (700), and cutlery discharge section (800) along the movement path of the cutlery.

[0041] In addition, the cutlery washer according to the present invention can recover air discharged from the drying unit (600) through the air circulation unit (700) and supply it back to the air knife (610) after dehumidification, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the drying process. Furthermore, by reducing the amount of high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged to the outside, it is possible to prevent moisture from adsorbing again onto the cutlery discharged after the drying process, and to reduce the increase in humidity in the space surrounding the washer, the occurrence of condensation, and the deterioration of the working environment.

[0042] As explained above, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without altering its technical concept or essential features. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0043] 10 : Housing 100: Cutlery slot 110 : Input port 120 : Slope guide sign 130: Alignment guide section 200 : Brush section 210 : Brush 300 : Washing section 310: High-pressure nozzle 400 : Transfer section 410 : Belt 420: Drive roller 430: Driven roller 440 : Attachment 500 : Rinse 600 : Drying section 610 : Air knife 700 : Air circulation unit 710 : Dehumidification filter 720 : Entry 730 : Suction piping 800: Cutlery discharge port

Claims

Claim 1 A cutlery input section into which cutlery is fed; a brush section that conveys the cutlery fed through the input section while bringing it into contact with a rotating brush; a washing section spaced above the brush section and including at least one high-pressure nozzle that sprays high-pressure washing water toward the cutlery passing through the brush section; a conveying section that conveys the cutlery passing through the washing section to the rear; a rinsing section that sprays rinsing water toward the cutlery conveyed by the conveying section; a drying section including an air knife that sprays high-speed air toward the cutlery passing through the rinsing section to remove moisture remaining on the cutlery; an air circulation section that sucks in air discharged from the drying section and circulates the sucked air to resupply it to the air knife; and a cutlery discharge section into which the cutlery passing through the drying section is discharged; wherein the conveying section includes a belt; a drive roller; A cutlery washer comprising a belt and a driven roller, wherein the belt is positioned to be inclined upward as it moves from the washing section side to the cutlery discharge section side, and the air knife is positioned to extend in a direction across the cutlery transport path and spray air over the entire width of the belt. Claim 2 A cutlery washer according to claim 1, wherein the brush portion is characterized in that a plurality of brushes are spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction of the cutlery. Claim 3 A cutlery washer according to claim 1, wherein the washing unit comprises a plurality of high-pressure nozzles arranged along the conveying direction of the cutlery, and the high-pressure nozzles are installed to spray washing water from above to below the brush unit. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A cutlery washer according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying part includes an attachment arranged at predetermined intervals on the outer surface of the belt and functioning as a hooking member for hooking or supporting cutlery. Claim 6 A cutlery washer according to claim 5, characterized in that the attachment has a structure in which irregularities are formed at predetermined intervals on a bar shape extending in the width direction of the belt. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A cutlery washer according to claim 1, wherein the air circulation unit comprises: a dehumidifying filter for removing moisture from inhaled air; a substrate for collecting air that has passed through the dehumidifying filter into a suction port connected to a suction pipe; and a suction pipe connected to the suction port of the substrate for guiding air to be inhaled and circulated. Claim 9 A cutlery washer according to claim 8, characterized in that the air circulation unit includes a high-pressure ring blower to provide air suction force to the suction pipe while simultaneously supplying high-pressure air to the air knife of the drying unit. Claim 10 A cutlery washer according to claim 1, wherein the cutlery input section comprises: an input port; an inclined guide plate inclined to guide the cutlery input through the input port toward the brush section; and a cutlery alignment guide section disposed on the inclined guide plate to align the cutlery in the direction of travel.

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