Transport system and method for automatically transporting items to be cleaned

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport system (110) for automatically transporting items (112) to be cleaned, wherein the transport system (110) comprises: a) at least one conveying apparatus (114) for transporting soiled items (112) to be cleaned for feeding the items (112) to be cleaned into at least one cleaning apparatus; b) at least one loading area (120) for placing a tray (122) which carries items (112) to be cleaned, wherein the loading area (120) is designed such that at least some of the items (112) to be cleaned can be transferred from the placed tray (122) onto the conveying apparatus (114); c) at least one sensor (128), wherein the sensor (128) is configured such that it detects, on the placed tray (122), the presence of the at least some of the items (112) to be cleaned which are to be transferred onto the conveying apparatus (114); d) at least one signal-emitting device (134), wherein the signal-emitting device (134) is configured such that it emits a release signal if the sensor (128) does not detect, on the placed tray (122), the presence of the at least some of the items (112) to be cleaned, wherein the release signal indicates that the placed tray (122) is free of the at least some of the items (112) to be cleaned, wherein the release signal indicates to a guest whether the guest has completely transferred the at least some of the items (112) to be cleaned and that the transfer process is complete. The invention also relates to a method for automatically transporting items (112) to be cleaned and to a cleaning system for cleaning items (112) to be cleaned.

Description

[0001] Transport system and method for the automatic transport of cleaning items

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a transport system for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned, a method for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned, and a cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned. The transport system for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned, the method for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned, and the cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned of the type mentioned can be used, for example, in the field of dishwashing technology, in particular in the field of commercial dishwashing technology. The invention can thus be used in particular in relation to commercial kitchens in which items to be cleaned for the preparation, storage, and presentation of food and beverages must be cleaned in large quantities, for example trays, plates, bowls, dishes, cups, drinking glasses, and cutlery. It is also conceivable that the invention is used in the catering industry, fast-food chains, or similar.The invention relates in particular to the loading of soiled items to be cleaned in a dining room and the transport of these items to be cleaned to a scullery.

[0004] However, other types of cleaning systems, transport elements, dishwashers and / or items to be cleaned can also be modified in principle according to the invention, and / or the invention can be used to clean other types of items to be cleaned.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] In the dining room or dining hall of a communal catering establishment, e.g., a canteen, a restaurant, a fast-food chain, a cafeteria, or similar, guests place their food tray containing crockery, cutlery, and other items such as napkins and leftover food onto a conveyor belt or place it into a compartment of a tray trolley without further handling. Guests generally do not perform any further actions during this process. Only in exceptional cases are guests asked to dispose of their napkin directly in a trash can. In other cases, guests are asked to place drinking glasses and / or bottles in a separate basket.

[0007] The tray is transported to the dishwashing area via a conveyor system. Alternatively, the filled tray trolley is pushed into the dishwashing area manually. In both cases, the trays are then manually cleared by the dishwashing staff, the dishes and other items are sorted, and fed into a dishwashing system. This requires numerous manual operations and, in some cases, walking by the staff. Facilities are known in which the tray is transported by conveyor system to the various workstations with the respective operator, so that their movements are ergonomically optimized. It is also known that cutlery items are removed from the tray fully automatically and fed into a dishwasher.

[0008] The current procedure requires a significant amount of time and personnel in the dishwashing area to sort the dishes and prepare them for the dishwashing equipment. Due to the unfavorable working conditions in the dishwashing area, it is difficult for operators to find dishwashing staff.

[0009] Object of the invention

[0010] It would therefore be desirable to provide a transport system for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned, a method for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned and a cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned, which at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods.

[0011] In particular, a transport system for the automatic transport of cleaning items, a method for the automatic transport of cleaning items, and a cleaning system for cleaning cleaning items are to be provided that maximizes efficiency in the dishwashing area. In particular, a minimum number of operators should be able to process the largest possible number of soiled items and feed them to a cleaning device, so that the cleaning device can operate at its maximum capacity.

[0012] In particular, a transport system for the automatic transport of cleaning items, a method for the automatic transport of cleaning items, and a cleaning system for cleaning cleaning items are to be provided that relieves as many work steps as possible from the operating personnel. To this end, a large number of steps are to be automated, enabling, in particular, the automatic synchronization of the cleaning items.

[0013] General description of the invention

[0014] This problem is addressed by the transport system for the automatic transport of cleaning items, the method for the automatic transport of cleaning items, and the cleaning system for cleaning cleaning items with the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments, which can be implemented individually or in any combination, are presented in the dependent claims.

[0015] In the following, the terms "have", "have", "comprise" or "include" or any grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive manner. Accordingly, these terms can refer both to situations in which, apart from the features introduced by these terms, no further features are present, or to situations in which one or more further features are present. For example, the expression "A has B", "A has B", "A comprises B" or "A includes B" can refer both to the situation in which, apart from B, no further element is present in A (i.e., to a situation in which A consists exclusively of B), and to the situation in which, in addition to B, one or more further elements are present in A, for example element C, elements C and D, or even further elements.

[0016] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "at least one" and "one or more," as well as grammatical variations of these terms, when used in connection with one or more elements or features and intended to express that the element or feature may be provided singly or multiple times, are generally used only once, for example, when the feature or element is first introduced. When the feature or element is subsequently mentioned again, the corresponding term "at least one" or "one or more" is generally no longer used, without limiting the possibility that the feature or element may be provided singly or multiple times.

[0017] Furthermore, the terms “preferably”, “in particular”, “for example” or similar terms are used below in connection with optional features, without this limiting alternative embodiments. Features introduced by these terms are optional features, and these features are not intended to limit the scope of the claims and in particular the independent claims. Thus, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the invention can also be carried out using other embodiments. Similarly, features introduced by “in one embodiment of the invention” or by “in an embodiment of the invention” are understood as optional features, without this being intended to limit alternative embodiments or the scope of the independent claims.Furthermore, these introductory expressions are intended to leave untouched all possibilities of combining the features introduced thereby with other features, whether optional or non-optional.

[0018] In a first aspect of the present invention, a transport system for the automatic transport of cleaning items is proposed. For the disclosure of the application relating to this aspect, references and / or cross-references may be made to any further aspect, embodiment, and / or definition.

[0019] The term “transport system,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not restricted to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any device designed to set at least one element, upon which the transport system acts, in motion, in particular in a linear motion, and thus to transport it. The transport system can be designed such that it feeds items to be cleaned to a cleaning device, and thus transports items to be cleaned at least close to the cleaning device. The transport system can be designed to transport trays, specifically by means of a further conveyor device.Alternatively or additionally, the transport system can be designed to transport additional items to be cleaned, especially plates, bowls, glasses, cups and / or cutlery, in particular by means of a conveyor device.

[0020] The term “item to be cleaned,” as used herein, is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and customary meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any objects which can be cleaned in the cleaning device. One object can be cleaned, or several objects can be cleaned simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the item to be cleaned can be objects which are used directly or indirectly for the preparation and / or storage and / or presentation of food and / or beverages, for example dishes, cutlery, trays, plates, bowls, glasses, cups, pots, pans or similar objects.In the following, the term glasses can be understood to mean drinking glass-shaped drinking vessels in general, regardless of the material from which they are made.

[0021] Accordingly, the cleaning device can also be designed, for example, as a dishwasher, for example, as a dishwasher for commercial use in commercial kitchens or communal catering kitchens. Of particular importance for the present invention, the term "items to be cleaned" can refer specifically to plates, glasses, and / or cutlery.

[0022] The transport system comprises a) at least one conveyor device for transporting contaminated items to be cleaned for feeding the items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device; b) at least one loading station for depositing a tray with items to be cleaned, wherein the loading station is configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned can be transferred from the deposited tray to the conveyor device; c) at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured such that it detects the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned, which are to be transferred to the conveyor device, on the deposited tray, d) at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured such that it emits a release signal if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least one portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray.

[0023] As already explained, the transport system comprises at least one conveyor device for transporting contaminated cleaning material for feeding the cleaning material into at least one cleaning device.

[0024] The term “conveying device” as used here is a broad term which should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not restricted to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to any element designed to transport at least one object. The conveying device can transport the object from a first location to a second location. The conveying device can engage the object in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner such that the object can be set in a conveying movement. The object can be items to be cleaned, in particular plates, bowls, glasses, cups and / or cutlery. The at least one conveying device can have a transport device for baskets for items to be cleaned.Alternatively or additionally, the conveying device can be selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt, a modular belt.

[0025] The conveying device can be operated independently of the sensor for detecting the presence of at least some of the items to be cleaned. The conveying device can be operated independently of the release signal. The conveying device can transport even during transfer. The transport system can be configured such that the conveying device always conveys at a constant conveying speed. Alternatively, the conveying device can be configured such that the transferred items to be cleaned are only conveyed when the sensor no longer detects the presence of at least some of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray. In this case, a control unit of the conveying device can take into account a first sensor signal and / or a first interpreted sensor signal and / or the release signal. The signals are explained in more detail below.

[0026] The transport system can comprise a plurality of conveyor devices. The conveyor devices can be configured to supply corresponding items to be cleaned to a different cleaning device according to the type of items to be cleaned. In particular, to be configured in this way, the conveyor devices can convey corresponding items to be cleaned at least close to a corresponding cleaning device. In this respect, a specific conveyor device of the plurality of conveyor devices can supply a specific item to be cleaned, such as plates, bowls, glasses, cups or cutlery, to a specific cleaning device or at least bring it close to it. The specific cleaning device can be provided for cleaning the specific item to be cleaned and / or the cleaning of the specific item to be cleaned.Another specific conveyor device of the plurality of conveyor devices can feed a specific other item to be cleaned, such as plates, bowls, glasses, cups, cutlery, or trays, to a specific other cleaning device or at least bring it into proximity thereto. The specific other cleaning device can be provided for cleaning the specific other item to be cleaned and / or can carry out the cleaning of the specific other item to be cleaned.

[0027] The transport system can comprise a plurality of removal conveyor devices. The removal conveyor devices can be arranged downstream of the at least one conveyor device. The removal conveyor devices can be configured to feed the items to be cleaned to different cleaning devices depending on the type of items to be cleaned. In this regard, reference is made to the preceding paragraph, which applies accordingly.

[0028] The term “removal conveyor device” as used here is a broad term which should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not restricted to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any element designed to transport at least one object. The removal conveyor device can transport the object from a first location to another, second location, in particular removing it from the conveyor device. The removal conveyor device can engage the object in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner such that the object can be set in a conveying movement. The object can be items to be cleaned, in particular plates, bowls, glasses, cups and / or cutlery, which are conveyed in particular on the conveyor device.The removal conveyor device can comprise a transport device for cleaning item baskets. Alternatively or additionally, the conveyor device can be selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt; and a modular belt.

[0029] The removal conveyor device can be an additional conveyor device that picks up the object from the conveyor device, in particular from its downstream end, and transports it to the cleaning device. A plurality of removal conveyor devices can be assigned to a specific conveyor device. The items to be cleaned, which are conveyed on the specific conveyor device, can be distributed among the plurality of removal conveyor devices. Depending on the type of items to be cleaned, the items to be cleaned can be transferred to a specific removal conveyor device.

[0030] The transport system may include at least one sorting device. The sorting device may be configured such that the items to be cleaned are transferred from the conveyor device to the corresponding removal conveyor devices depending on the type of items to be cleaned.

[0031] The term "sorting device" as used herein is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to any element intended for sorting any objects. Sorting can be carried out according to at least one predefined criterion. According to the invention, the sorting device can act mechanically on the items to be cleaned in such a way that the items to be cleaned are assigned to a specific removal conveyor device. The specific removal conveyor device can be the removal conveyor device intended for a corresponding type of items to be cleaned.

[0032] The following components can work together for sorting

[0033] - another sensor for collecting sensor data about the predefined criterion, and / or

[0034] - another control unit for analyzing the recorded sensor data to generate a sorting decision, and / or

[0035] - a mechanism for implementing the sorting decision that interacts with the control unit.

[0036] A preferred object according to the invention can be a tray, plate, bowl, cup, glass, and / or cutlery. A preferred criterion according to the invention can be the type of item being cleaned, whereby a distinction can be made, in particular, between trays, plates, bowls, glass, cups, and / or cutlery.

[0037] The sorting device, specifically the mechanism for implementing the sorting decisions, can be selected from the group consisting of: a switch; a lifting / lowering device; a deflection barrier; a multidirectional roller table; a cross-shifter; a robotic arm. The term "switch," as used herein, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be attributed, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to any element intended to guide any object. The switch can serve as the mechanism for implementing the sorting decisions.This switch may have a wing, the wing being pivotable about a rotational axis, in particular such that the wing can be brought into contact with the item to be cleaned, so that the switch can guide the item to be cleaned in a specific direction during movement of the item to be cleaned by contacting the item to be cleaned. The movement may be caused by conveying it by a corresponding conveyor device.

[0038] As already explained, the transport system can have at least one additional sensor. The at least one additional sensor can be configured to detect the type of item to be cleaned, so that the sorting device, particularly taking into account the detection of the type of item to be cleaned by the additional sensor, transfers the item to be cleaned from the conveyor device to the corresponding removal conveyor device according to the type of item to be cleaned.

[0039] The term "type of item to be cleaned," as used herein, is a broad term to which its ordinary and customary meaning should be given, as understood by one skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term may refer, without limitation, specifically to a type of item to be cleaned. The type of item to be cleaned may distinguish between a purpose of the item to be cleaned, particularly in the intended use of the item to be cleaned. Typical different types of items to be cleaned may be trays, plates, bowls, glasses, cups, and / or cutlery.

[0040] The term "sensor" as used herein is a broad term to which its ordinary and common meaning should be given, as understood by one skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term may refer, without limitation, in particular to a device configured to detect at least one property of another device, a substance, or an environment, for example, at least one physical, chemical, or biological property. The "sensor for detecting the type of cleaning item" may be designed such that, depending on the type of cleaning item detected, it generates a specific sensor signal from which the type of cleaning item can be inferred.The sensor for detecting the type of item to be cleaned can be designed in such a way that it detects the item to be cleaned, in particular with a detection zone, and determines the type of item to be cleaned, in particular by means of an evaluation unit. Once the type of item to be cleaned has been determined, the sensor can emit a corresponding sensor signal.

[0041] If the additional sensor is a camera, the type of item to be cleaned can be determined using image analysis software. The type of item to be cleaned can also be determined using at least one machine-learning algorithm.

[0042] The term “machine learning algorithm” as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or customized meaning. The term may, without limitation, specifically refer to an algorithm configured to generate a model based on the training dataset. The machine learning algorithm may be a self-adaptive algorithm. The machine learning algorithm may utilize and / or include an artificial neural network. The artificial neural network may comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of: hierarchical decision trees, Hough forest, regression forest, convolutional neural network, residual neural network, pixel-wise voting, pixel-wise fusion network, and deep learning.

[0043] The term "training dataset" as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or customized meaning. The term may, without limitation, refer in particular to a dataset used to parameterize a model, in particular to train a machine learning algorithm. The training dataset may be a realistic simulation dataset.

[0044] The transport system can have at least one turning device. The turning device can be configured to turn the items to be cleaned, thereby removing debris from the items to be cleaned. The turning device can be arranged on the conveyor, so that the turning device turns items to be cleaned that are on the conveyor. Alternatively or additionally, the turning device can be arranged on the removal conveyor and / or the additional conveyor.

[0045] The term “turning device,” as used herein, is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to any system and / or element that is configured to change the orientation of at least one object in space by rotating it about at least one axis. For example, the turning device can be configured to turn the items being cleaned. The term “turning,” as used herein, is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning.The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a process in which an orientation and / or a position of any object, for example any element, is changed such that a top and a bottom of the element are swapped. Thus, the top of the element arranged on top before turning can be the bottom of the element arranged on the bottom after turning, and vice versa. In particular, turning can be a process in which the object and / or the element is rotated by approximately 180° about a horizontal axis, in particular about a horizontal axis arranged orthogonal to a direction of gravity. For example, turning can comprise a rotation cp of the object by 120° < cp < 240°, for example by 150° < cp < 210°, in particular by 160° < cp < 200°, preferably by 175° < cp < 185°.

[0046] The transport system can additionally have an intermittent device. The intermittent device can be designed such that it works to standardize the number of items to be cleaned per unit of time that are fed to the corresponding cleaning device. Thus, the intermittent device can in particular be designed such that it works to ensure that the number of items to be cleaned per unit of time remains constant. A further possible functionality of the intermittent device can be that the number of items to be cleaned per unit of time is synchronized with the transport speed of the cleaning device. The intermittent device can be arranged on and / or downstream of the conveyor device, such that the intermittent device acts on the items to be cleaned that are on the conveyor device. Alternatively or additionally, the intermittent device can be arranged accordingly on the removal conveyor device or the further conveyor device.The turning device can be used as a single-cycle device.

[0047] The transport system can have a waste device. The waste device can be configured to dispose of at least some of the waste on a tray into the waste device. To be configured in this way, the waste device can receive the waste. The waste can be selected from the group: food scraps, napkins. The waste device can comprise at least one waste device selected from the group consisting of: waste bin, discharge chute, input point of an automated food scrap treatment system. As already explained, the transport system comprises at least one loading station for depositing a tray with items to be cleaned, wherein the loading station is configured such that at least some of the items to be cleaned can be transferred from the deposited tray to the conveyor device, thus can be picked up by the deposited tray and placed on the conveyor device.Reference is made to the above definition of the conveyor system. To achieve this, the drop-off point can be located near the conveyor system, allowing a guest to pick up the items to be cleaned from the tray and place them on the conveyor system at the most ergonomically convenient distance and position, e.g., within arm's reach. The distance between the drop-off point and the conveyor system can be less than 0.5 m.

[0048] The term “loading station” as used here is a broad term which should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not restricted to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a location at which at least one object can be placed, wherein the object can be placed in particular in such a way that the object can be introduced into the conveying process of the conveying device. The loading station can be provided such that the object can be placed on the loading station before the object is introduced into the conveying process of the conveying device. According to the invention, it is provided that a tray with further items to be cleaned arranged on the tray, such as a plate, bowl, glass, cup and / or cutlery, is placed thereon.A detection area of ​​the sensor can at least partially or completely detect the loading station, so that the sensor detects the tray placed at the loading station during the transfer of the items to be cleaned. A plurality of loading stations can be provided for depositing a plurality of trays.

[0049] The transfer from the loading station to the conveyor can be done manually. The transfer from the loading station can be arranged in a dining room. The dining room is preferably separated from a scullery. The cleaning device can be located in the scullery.

[0050] In this respect, the invention can provide for a guest to place the tray on the drop-off point. The guest can pick up the items to be cleaned from the placed tray by hand and place them on the conveyor device. The term "manual", as used here, is a broad term which should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not restricted to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a process being carried out at least partially without the use of an automated device. Preferably, the transfer of the items to be cleaned can take place entirely without the use of an automated device. The process can preferably be carried out manually, i.e. by using the hands, for example the hands of the guest. This can save on personnel.

[0051] The loading location can be a stationary loading location, wherein the stationary loading location is configured such that the tray is stationary during transfer. The tray can be stationary with respect to the transport system. The term “stationary,” as used herein, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to the fact that a position of an object and / or a system is fixed, such that the object and / or the system does not experience any change in its position, particularly in a vertical direction. The object and / or the system can therefore occupy a position that is unchanging over a certain period of time.

[0052] The loading station can be provided on a loading conveyor for transporting the tray. The at least one loading station can be provided on the loading conveyor so that the tray is conveyed during transfer. As the tray is conveyed during transfer, its position changes. The tray can change its position relative to the transport system.

[0053] The term “feed conveyor device” as used here is a broad term which should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not restricted to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can refer, without limitation, in particular to any element designed to transport at least one object. The feed conveyor device can transport the object from a first location to another, second location, in particular transport it away with respect to the conveyor device. The feed conveyor device can engage the object in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner such that the object can be set in a conveying movement. The object can be a tray.Alternatively or additionally, the conveying device can be selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt; a modular belt. The feed conveyor device can be selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt; a modular belt.

[0054] The transport system can comprise a further conveyor device. The further conveyor device can be the loading conveyor device. The further conveyor device can be configured such that the tray is conveyed away from the loading location if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray. A control unit can take into account the first sensor signal and / or the first interpreted sensor signal and / or the release signal. The further conveyor device can also be configured such that the tray is fed to at least one further cleaning device.

[0055] The transport system may further comprise at least one lifting magnet. The lifting magnet may be configured to remove magnetic objects, in particular cutlery, from the tray. The lifting magnet may be arranged to remove the magnetic objects from the tray when the tray is located on the further conveyor device. The removed magnetic objects may be fed to a cleaning device.

[0056] As already explained, the transport system comprises at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned, which are to be transferred to the conveyor device, on the deposited tray. The at least a portion of the items to be cleaned may be non-metallic objects, especially dishes, glasses, and / or cups. Metallic items to be cleaned, especially cutlery, may not be transferred and may remain on the tray.

[0057] As already explained, a "sensor" can be understood as a device that is configured to detect at least one property of another device, a substance, or an environment, for example at least one physical, chemical, or biological property. The sensor can detect this property within a "detection range." The detection range of the sensor can describe the spatial extent of an area within which the sensor can detect the property. The term "presence" as used here is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to the physical presence and / or existence of an object and / or an element at a specific location.The term "absence" can refer to the absence and / or non-existence of an object and / or element in a particular place. Presence can be the opposite of absence.

[0058] According to the invention, the detection area of ​​the sensor can be directed at least partially toward the loading area, so that the placed tray can be detected. The sensor can be configured to distinguish between the absence of the part of the items to be cleaned and the presence of the part of the items to be cleaned, in particular when detecting the presence of at least one part of the items to be cleaned on the tray.

[0059] The sensor can have a processing unit that interprets the sensor signals from the sensor to determine the presence and / or absence of at least one part of the items to be cleaned on the tray. The sensor can output a first sensor signal or a first interpreted sensor signal when it detects the presence of the part of the items to be cleaned. The first sensor signal or the first interpreted sensor signal can be the indication signal and / or trigger the emission of the indication signal. The sensor can output a second sensor signal or a second interpreted sensor signal when it detects the absence of the part of the items to be cleaned. The second sensor signal or the second interpreted sensor signal can be the release signal and / or trigger the emission of the release signal. In this context, it can be relevant that the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal differ.One of the sensor signals can therefore also be an empty signal and / or a zero signal, where the sensor does not emit any signal. This can also apply to the interpreted sensor signal.

[0060] The sensor may comprise at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor; a camera; a metal detector; a light barrier; a mechanical switch; an electromagnetic sensor.

[0061] If the sensor is a camera, the presence of at least some of the items to be cleaned can be determined using image analysis software. The presence of at least some of the items to be cleaned can also be determined using a machine-learning algorithm. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor can detect the height of the items to be cleaned on the tray. The detected height can be compared to a predefined maximum height to determine the height. If the detected height is less than the predefined maximum height, the sensor can output the first sensor signal or the first interpreted sensor signal.

[0062] As already explained, the transport system comprises at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured to emit a release signal if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray. For this purpose, the signaling device can interact with the sensor, specifically via a control unit.

[0063] The term "signaling device" as used herein is a broad term to which its ordinary and customary meaning should be given, as understood by one skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term may refer, without limitation, to any element that generates and / or delivers a perceptible stimulus. The perceptible stimulus may include a message, such as an indication of a circumstance. The perceptible stimulus may, in particular, be perceptible by the guest who has placed their tray. The signaling device may receive signals from the sensor and / or the control unit to deliver the appropriate indication.

[0064] In particular, when the signaling device receives the first sensor signal or the first interpreted sensor signal, the signaling device can emit and / or generate a release signal. The release signal indicates that the placed tray is free of at least one of the items to be cleaned. This indicates to the guest that they have completely transferred at least one of the items to be cleaned and that the transfer process is complete. This can prompt the guest to vacate the drop-off area and make it available for another guest.

[0065] The release signal can be selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal. The signaling device can have a visual signaling device for emitting a visual release signal. The visual signaling device can be selected from the group consisting of: a screen, a light source. The light source can have an illumination area, the illumination area can be directed towards the drop-off location, in particular so that the release signal is at least partially visible on the placed tray. The release signal can be a specific first color and / or a specific first shade of gray and / or a specific brightness. The signaling device can have an auditory signaling device for emitting an auditory release signal. The auditory signaling device can be selected from the group consisting of: a loudspeaker, a piezoelectric sound generator.

[0066] In particular, when the signaling device receives the second sensor signal or the second interpreted sensor signal, the signaling device can emit and / or generate an indication signal. The signaling device can further be configured to emit an indication signal when the sensor detects the presence of the part of the items to be cleaned. The indication signal can indicate that the tray placed on the tray is not free of at least part of the items to be cleaned. This can indicate to the guest that they still have to transfer at least part of the items to be cleaned and / or that they still have to transfer further. The indication signal can therefore indicate to the guest that the transfer process is not complete. This can prompt the guest to start or continue transferring the items to be cleaned.

[0067] The indication signal can be selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal. The signaling device can have a visual signaling device for emitting a visual indication signal. The visual signaling device can be selected from the group consisting of: a screen, a light source. The light source can have an illumination area, the illumination area can be directed towards the tray location, in particular such that the indication signal is at least partially visible on the tray placed thereon. The indication signal can be a specific second color and / or a specific second shade of gray that differs from the specific second color and / or the specific second shade of gray. The signaling device can have an auditory signaling device for emitting an auditory indication signal.The auditory signaling device can be selected from the group consisting of: a loudspeaker, a piezoelectric sound generator.

[0068] In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device is proposed. The method comprises the steps described below. The described steps can in particular be carried out in the order stated. However, a different order is also possible in principle. Furthermore, it is possible for two or more of the method steps to be carried out in an overlapping manner or simultaneously. Furthermore, it is possible for one or more of the method steps to be carried out once or multiple times. The method can comprise further method steps which are not shown. For the disclosure of the application relating to this aspect, reference and / or reference can be made to any further aspect, any embodiment and / or any definition.

[0069] The method comprises the following steps: i. Placing a tray with items to be cleaned on a loading station which is configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned can be transferred from the deposited tray to at least one conveyor device, wherein the conveyor device is configured to transport contaminated items to be cleaned for feeding the items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device; ii. Detecting the deposited tablet with at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured such that it detects the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned, which are to be transferred to the conveyor device, on the deposited tray; iii. Emitting a release signal with at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured such that it emits the release signal if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray.

[0070] The method may further comprise the following step: iv. Commencing conveying the tray with a removal conveyor if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray, wherein the removal conveyor is configured such that the tray is conveyed away from the loading location.

[0071] The method may further comprise the following step: v. Emitting an indication signal with the at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured to emit the indication signal when the sensor detects the presence of at least one part of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray.

[0072] The method can be carried out with a transport system as already described. In a further aspect of the present invention, a cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed, comprising

[0073] - at least one cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device is designed for cleaning items to be cleaned;

[0074] - at least one transport system.

[0075] For the disclosure of the application relating to this aspect, reference and / or reference may be made to any further aspect, embodiment and / or definition.

[0076] The term "cleaning device," also referred to as "dishwasher," as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a device designed to free items to be cleaned from adhering macroscopic or even microscopic contaminants or to at least partially remove such contaminants, particularly in a cleaning chamber. In addition, a disinfection effect can optionally be exerted.

[0077] The cleaning device can be selected from the group consisting of: a program dishwasher, a hood dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher, a conveyor dishwasher.

[0078] The term "programmable dishwasher" or "programmable automatic dishwasher," as used here, is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a cleaning device in which the items to be cleaned are stored stationary in a cleaning chamber and can be subjected there to at least one cleaning program that has a defined or definable start and a defined or definable end and during which the cleaning fluid is applied. For example, the cleaning program can have a predetermined or predeterminable duration.The term "cleaning program" can thus refer to a process in which items to be cleaned are exposed to at least one cleaning fluid, wherein the cleaning program has a defined or definable start and a defined or definable end and / or a defined or definable duration. For example, the cleaning program can comprise several sequential cleaning steps, each of which involves exposure to cleaning fluid, but which differ in at least one parameter. For example, the cleaning program can comprise several sequential cleaning steps with different cleaning fluids.For example, the cleaning program can comprise at least one washing step in which the items to be cleaned are exposed to at least one washing fluid or at least one washing liquid, as well as at least one final rinsing step, in particular downstream of the washing step, in which the items to be cleaned are exposed to at least one final rinsing fluid or at least one final rinsing liquid. The washing step can, for example, take place in circulation mode, using at least one circulation pump, whereas the final rinsing step takes place, for example, by a single application of the final rinsing liquid, without circulation mode. The cleaning program can optionally comprise one or more further steps, for example at least one drying step downstream of the final rinsing step.The program dishwasher can, for example, have at least one controller, for example the machine controller described in more detail below, which is configured to control the execution of the cleaning program. The automatic program can, for example, be configured to allow a user to select from several possible cleaning programs with different parameters and / or to adjust the operating parameters of the at least one cleaning program.

[0079] The term “hood-type dishwasher,” as used herein, is a broad term to which its ordinary and customary meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a dishwasher as defined above, which has at least one hood. The hood can, in particular, be designed as a part of a housing of the dishwasher, which part comprises at least two side walls of the housing and which is movable in a vertical movement. For example, the vertical movement can be designed such that it includes a lower position, which can correspond to the closed state, in which the hood is closed off from other parts of the housing and / or the cleaning device.Furthermore, the vertical movement can be designed such that it includes an upper position which corresponds to the open state, in which a gap or an opening is created between the hood and the other housing parts, so that a cleaning chamber is accessible. For example, the housing of the cleaning device can be cuboid-shaped, with two side walls, a rear wall, a front side, a roof and optionally a base, whereby the hood can, for example, form at least the two side walls and the front side, and optionally also the rear wall and / or the roof. The hood can, for example, sit on a base and / or a frame of the cleaning device. During the vertical movement from the closed state to the open state, the rear wall can optionally remain stationary, so that the hood moves relative to the rear wall.Optionally, the roof can remain stationary, so that only a hood shell partially enclosing the cleaning chamber on both side walls and the front is moved vertically. Various configurations are possible.

[0080] The term "pass-through dishwasher," as used herein, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a dishwasher as defined above, which has a pass-through mechanism. The pass-through mechanism can be designed such that soiled items to be cleaned in containers, especially cleaning baskets, can be introduced into a cleaning chamber of the pass-through dishwasher via a carrier. The pass-through dishwasher can have a basket feed, which is designed in particular such that one or more cleaning baskets can be actively or passively fed into the cleaning chamber.The pass-through dishwasher can have a basket outlet which is designed in particular such that one or more cleaning baskets can be actively or passively removed from or out of the cleaning chamber.

[0081] The term “conveyor dishwasher,” as used here, is a broad term to which its usual and common meaning should be given, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a dishwasher within the meaning of the above definition, which has at least one transport device. In particular, the conveyor dishwasher can have at least one cleaning chamber, but in principle also a plurality of cleaning chambers, for example at least one cleaning tunnel, in which the items to be cleaned and / or one or more items of crockery are subjected to at least one cleaning fluid, in particular by means of at least one application device. The transport device can be configured to transport the items to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber.

[0082] The proposed cleaning system and transport system offer numerous advantages over existing cleaning systems and transport systems. For example, a very large number of soiled items can be processed with a minimum of personnel. For example, dishes can be efficiently placed on the turning device and then transported to a cleaning device, i.e., a dishwasher, for cleaning.

[0083] The items to be cleaned are pre-sorted by the guest. A final sorting process can then be performed, particularly by the sorting device. This ensures that the items to be cleaned are transported to the correct dishwasher via the appropriate conveyor. This also ensures automatic scheduling. This can have the additional advantage that the washed items can be transported from the dishwasher sorted by type and processed accordingly, for example, stacked and stored, without further sorting steps.

[0084] The system according to the invention enables many work steps currently carried out by dishwashing staff to be automated.

[0085] For example, a turning and / or infeed device can be provided which eliminates the need for manual removal of food residue from the items to be cleaned. Instead, the removal of food residue from the items to be cleaned can be carried out by the turning and infeed device. An operator can thus manually remove the items to be cleaned from the conveyor device and feed them manually to the turning and / or infeed device. In this way, the items to be cleaned can be fed to the cleaning device automatically. If a separate infeed device is provided, the items to be cleaned can be automatically infeeded onto a conveyor belt of the cleaning device once the food residue has been removed from the items to be cleaned. The aim of the invention presented can be to eliminate the need for at least one or more operators, i.e. personnel, at the turning and / or infeed device.

[0086] With the invention presented here, the guest can place the tray on a designated area, the drop-off point, in the dining room. This area can be monitored, for example, by a camera or a camera system.

[0087] The tray can be at least partially cleared by the guest returning it. The guest places the items to be cleaned on a conveyor belt. A special conveyor belt can be provided for specific items to be cleaned. For example, glasses and / or bottles can be transferred to a special conveyor belt. Alternatively or additionally, special compartments can be provided on the conveyor belt and / or specific items to be cleaned can remain on the tray. Napkins and similar waste can remain on the tray, or the guest can preferably discard these items in a designated waste bin and / or waste chute.

[0088] Once the tray has been completely cleared, although some of the items to be cleaned may remain on the tray, this is indicated to the guest, for example, visually. The visual indication can be provided via a color signal and / or a screen; for example, the tray can be illuminated green. The person can then leave.

[0089] For color coding, it is also conceivable that immediately after the tray containing the items to be cleaned is placed and detected by the camera system, the tray is initially illuminated in red. This indicates that the items to be cleaned have not yet been completely removed. Only when it is determined that the intended items have been removed from the tray can the color of the illumination change to green. The above color code is an example. At least one other color can also be provided, particularly to counteract red-green color blindness. Acoustic signaling is also possible.

[0090] Once the tray has been sufficiently cleared, it is transferred, preferably automatically, to another conveyor and transported away. This frees up the loading area, allowing another tray to be placed in the loading area.

[0091] A loading conveyor can also be provided, onto which the tray can be placed directly by guests. The loading conveyor can move continuously, for example, toward the dishwashing area. During this movement, which also includes the tray, the guest sorts the items to be cleaned and / or places them on the conveyor. The loading conveyor can also have multiple loading stations.

[0092] The conveyor device for the items to be cleaned can preferably be a belt conveyor, a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor, a plate conveyor, a honeycomb belt, or a modular belt. The additional transport device for the trays can preferably be a belt conveyor. However, the conveyor devices can also be designed differently.

[0093] As already explained, several loading stations can also be provided, for example, next to each other. This allows the size of the dining room and / or the number of guests to be taken into account. The transferred cleaning items can be fed on the conveyor device to another camera or another camera system, which can recognize and classify the cleaning items. A control system can then operate a tracking switch so that the cleaning items are distributed according to their type and / or type, and can therefore be fed to the respective assigned turning and / or infeed device. Additionally or alternatively, handling devices can also be provided, which, for example, remove glasses from the conveyor belt and feed them to a separate cleaning process.

[0094] The tray can also be fed to a dishwashing system via another conveyor system. Beforehand, cutlery, for example, can be removed from the tray using a lifting magnet. If the tray has not been completely cleared and the guest moves away from the tray loading station, the corresponding tray cannot be transported away by the other conveyor system. The tray loading station can then be blocked initially. To draw attention to this situation, an error message can be issued, for example in the form of a visual signal. If, for example due to an error, the customer is not given permission and the customer does not know what else they are supposed to clear away, the tray loading station can also remain blocked initially. To draw attention to this situation, an error message can also be issued.

[0095] In summary, without limiting further possible embodiments, the following embodiments are proposed:

[0096] Embodiment 1: Transport system for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned, the transport system comprising: a) at least one conveyor device for transporting contaminated items to be cleaned for feeding the items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device; b) at least one loading station for depositing a tray with items to be cleaned, the loading station being configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned can be transferred from the deposited tray to the conveyor device; c) at least one sensor, the sensor being configured such that it detects the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned, which are to be transferred to the conveyor device, on the deposited tray, d) at least one signaling device, the signaling device being configured such that it emits a release signal if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray.

[0097] Embodiment 2: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the at least one conveying device comprises a transport device for cleaning item baskets.

[0098] Embodiment 3: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the conveying device is selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt, a modular belt.

[0099] Embodiment 4: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport system comprises a plurality of conveying devices, wherein the conveying devices are configured to supply the cleaning material to different cleaning devices according to the type of cleaning material.

[0100] Embodiment 5: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport system has a plurality of removal conveyor devices, wherein the removal conveyor devices are arranged downstream of the at least one conveyor device, wherein the removal conveyor devices are configured to supply the cleaning items to different cleaning devices according to the type of cleaning items.

[0101] Embodiment 6: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the transport system has at least one sorting device, wherein the sorting device is configured such that the items to be cleaned are transferred from the conveying device to the corresponding removal conveying devices depending on the type of items to be cleaned.

[0102] Embodiment 7: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the sorting device is selected from the group consisting of: a switch; a lifting / lowering device; a deflection barrier; a multidirectional roller table; a cross-shifter; a robot arm. Embodiment 8: Transport system according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the transport system has at least one further sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the type of item to be cleaned, so that the sorting device, in particular taking into account the detection of the type of item to be cleaned by the further sensor, transfers the item to be cleaned from the conveyor device to the corresponding removal conveyor device according to the type of item to be cleaned.

[0103] Embodiment 9: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport system has at least one turning device, wherein the turning device is configured such that the turning device turns the items to be cleaned so that the items to be cleaned are freed from waste.

[0104] Embodiment 10: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport system comprises a waste device, wherein the waste device is configured to dispose of at least a portion of the waste on a tray into the waste device.

[0105] Embodiment 11: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the waste is selected from the group: food scraps, napkins.

[0106] Embodiment 12: Transport system according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the waste device comprises at least one waste device selected from the group consisting of: waste bin, discharge chute, input point of an automated food waste treatment system.

[0107] Embodiment 13: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein a plurality of loading locations are provided for depositing a plurality of trays.

[0108] Embodiment 14: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transfer from the loading location to the transport conveyor device is carried out manually.

[0109] Embodiment 15: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transfer from the loading station is provided in a dining room. Embodiment 16: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the loading station is a stationary loading station, wherein the stationary loading station is configured such that the tray is stationary during the transfer.

[0110] Embodiment 17: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the loading location is provided on a loading conveyor device for transporting the tray, wherein the at least one loading location is provided on the loading conveyor device so that the tray is conveyed during the transfer.

[0111] Embodiment 18: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the feed conveyor device is selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt, a modular belt.

[0112] Embodiment 19: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport system comprises a further conveying device, wherein the further conveying device is configured such that the tray is conveyed away from the loading location if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least part of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray.

[0113] Embodiment 20: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the further conveying device is further configured such that the tray is fed to at least one further cleaning device.

[0114] Embodiment 21: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transport system further comprises at least one lifting magnet, wherein the lifting magnet is configured to remove magnetic objects, in particular cutlery, from the tray.

[0115] Embodiment 22: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the lifting magnet is arranged such that it removes the magnetic objects from the tray when the tray is located on the further conveyor device. Embodiment 23: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sensor has a detection area, wherein the detection area is at least partially directed toward the loading location so that the deposited tray can be detected.

[0116] Embodiment 24: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sensor is configured to distinguish between the absence of the part of the item to be cleaned and the presence of the part of the item to be cleaned. a. Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the sensor comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor; a camera; a metal detector; a light barrier; a mechanical sensor; and an electromagnetic sensor.

[0117] Embodiment 25: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the release signal is selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal.

[0118] Embodiment 26: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the signaling device for emitting a visual release signal comprises a visual signaling device.

[0119] Embodiment 27: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the visual signaling device is selected from the group consisting of: a screen, a light source.

[0120] Embodiment 28: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the signaling device for emitting an auditory release signal comprises an auditory signaling device.

[0121] Embodiment 29: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the audible signaling device is selected from the group consisting of: a loudspeaker, a piezoelectric sound generator. Embodiment 30: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the signaling device is further configured to emit an indication signal when the sensor detects the presence of the part of the item to be cleaned.

[0122] Embodiment 31: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the indication signal is selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal.

[0123] Embodiment 32: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the signaling device for emitting a visual indication signal comprises a visual signaling device.

[0124] Embodiment 33: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the visual signaling device is selected from the group consisting of: a screen, a light source.

[0125] Embodiment 34: Transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the signaling device for emitting an auditory indication signal has an auditory signaling device.

[0126] Embodiment 35: Transport system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the auditory signaling device is selected from the group consisting of: a loudspeaker, a piezoelectric sound generator.

[0127] Embodiment 36: Method for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device, the method comprising the following steps: i. Placing a tray with items to be cleaned onto a loading station which is configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned can be transferred from the deposited tray onto at least one conveyor device, the conveyor device being configured to transport contaminated items to be cleaned for feeding the items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device; ii. Detecting the deposited tray with at least one sensor, the sensor being configured such that it detects the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned, which are to be transferred to the conveyor device, on the deposited tray, iii.Emitting a release signal with at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured to emit the release signal when the sensor does not detect the presence of at least part of the items to be cleaned on the placed tray.

[0128] Embodiment 37: Method according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the method further comprises the following step: iv. Commencing the conveyance of the tray with a removal conveyor device when the sensor does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray, wherein the removal conveyor device is configured such that the tray is conveyed away from the loading location.

[0129] Embodiment 38: Method according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the method further comprises the following step: v. Emitting an indication signal with the at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured such that it emits the indication signal when the sensor detects the presence of the at least part of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray.

[0130] Embodiment 39: Method according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the method is carried out with a transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a transport system.

[0131] Embodiment 40: Cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising

[0132] - at least one cleaning device;

[0133] - at least one transport system according to one of the preceding embodiments related to a transport system.

[0134] Embodiment 41: Cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the cleaning device is selected from the group consisting of: a program dishwasher, a hood dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher, a conveyor dishwasher.

[0135] Brief Description of the Figures Further details and features will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, particularly in conjunction with the subclaims. The respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are illustrated schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate identical or functionally identical elements, or elements that correspond to one another in terms of their functions.

[0136] In detail:

[0137] Figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary transport system for the automatic transport of cleaning items; and

[0138] Figure 2 is a plan view of the exemplary transport system for the automatic transport of cleaning items;

[0139] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of an alternative, exemplary transport system for the automatic transport of cleaning items;

[0140] Figure 4 shows an exemplary method for the automatic transport of cleaning items.

[0141] Description of the embodiments

[0142] Figure 1 shows an example of a section of a transport system 110 according to the invention for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned 112.

[0143] The transport system 110 comprises at least one conveyor device 114 for transporting contaminated items to be cleaned and feeding the items to be cleaned 112 into at least one cleaning device 116, 130. The conveyor device 114 conveys the items to be cleaned 112 in a conveying direction 118. The cleaning device 116, 130 is shown in a highly simplified manner in Figure 1. The at least one cleaning device 116, 130 and at least one transport system 110 can together form a cleaning system 154.

[0144] The cleaning device 116, 130 can be selected from the group consisting of: a program dishwasher, a hood-type dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher, and a conveyor dishwasher. The at least one conveyor device 114 can have a transport device for washware baskets. The conveyor device 114 can be selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt; a modular belt; and a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor.

[0145] The transport system 110 further comprises at least one loading station 120 for depositing a tray 122 with items to be cleaned 112. Figure 1 shows an example of a loading station 120. A tray 122 is deposited on the loading station 120. The loading station 120 can, as shown, be a stationary loading station 120, wherein the stationary loading station 120 is configured such that the tray 122 is stationary during transfer. According to the invention, the transfer from the loading station 120 can be provided in a dining room 129. The loading station 120 can be located in the dining room 129.

[0146] In the transport system 110, the loading station 120 can be provided on a loading conveyor device for transporting the tray. In this case, the loading station 120 is not stationary, but is conveyed, thus moving in a loading conveying direction, in particular during a transfer of the items to be cleaned 112 from the tray 122 to the conveyor device 114. The loading conveyor device can be selected from the group consisting of: a belt conveyor; a plate conveyor; a honeycomb belt; a modular belt; a belt conveyor, in particular a round belt conveyor. Additionally or alternatively, a plurality of loading stations 120 can be provided for depositing a plurality of trays 122.

[0147] The at least one loading station 120 is configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned 112 can be transferred from the deposited tray 122 to the conveyor device 114. The transfer from the loading station 120 to the transport conveyor device can be done manually, in particular by the guest 156. To be configured such that the guest 156 can easily transfer the items to be cleaned onto the conveyor device 114. Typically, a distance between the conveyor device 114 and the loading station 120 can be less than 0.5 m.

[0148] The transport system 110 can comprise a plurality of conveyor devices 114. The conveyor devices 114 can be configured to supply the cleaning items 112 to different cleaning devices 116 according to the type of cleaning items 112. The guest 156 can thus be instructed to transfer the corresponding cleaning items 112 to the designated conveyor device 114.

[0149] The transport system 110 can include an additional conveyor device 126. The additional conveyor device 126 can be configured such that the tray 122 is conveyed away from the loading station 120 if a sensor 128 detects no presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned 112 on the deposited tray 122. For this purpose, a control unit 176 can be provided, which interacts with the sensor 128 and the additional conveyor device 126. The additional conveyor device 126 can further be configured such that the tray 122 is fed to at least one additional cleaning device 130.

[0150] The transport system 110 may further include at least one lifting magnet 152. The lifting magnet 152 may be configured to remove magnetic objects, in particular cutlery, from the tray. The lifting magnet 152 may be arranged to remove the magnetic objects from the tray 122 when the tray 122 is located on the further conveyor device 126.

[0151] The transport system 110 further comprises at least one sensor 128, wherein the sensor 128 is configured to detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned 112, which are to be transferred to the conveyor device 114, on the deposited tray 122.

[0152] The sensor 128 can have a detection area 132. The detection area 132 can be directed at least partially toward the drop-off location 120 so that the placed tray 122 can be detected. The sensor 128 can detect the drop-off location 120.

[0153] The sensor 128 can be configured to distinguish between the absence of the part of the item to be cleaned 112 and the presence of the part of the item to be cleaned 112, in particular when detecting the presence of at least one part of the item to be cleaned 112 on the tray 122. The sensor 128 can output a first sensor signal when it detects the presence of the part of the item to be cleaned 112. The second sensor signal can trigger the notification signal. The sensor 128 can output a second sensor signal when it detects no presence of the part of the item to be cleaned 112. The second sensor signal can trigger the release signal. For this purpose, the control unit 176 can be provided, which interacts with the sensor 128 and a signaling device 134.The sensor 128 may include at least one sensor 128 selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor; a camera (as shown in Figure 1); a metal detector; a light barrier; a mechanical switch; and an electromagnetic sensor.

[0154] The transport system further comprises at least the signaling device 134, wherein the signaling device 134 is configured to emit a release signal when the sensor 128 does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned 112 on the deposited tray 122.

[0155] The release signal can be selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal. The signaling device 134 can have a visual signaling device 134 for emitting a visual release signal. The visual signaling device 134 can be selected from the group consisting of: a screen (as shown in Figure 1), a light source. Alternatively or additionally, the signaling device can have an auditory signaling device 134 for emitting an auditory release signal. The auditory signaling device 134 can be selected from the group consisting of: a loudspeaker, a piezoelectric signal generator.

[0156] The signaling device 134 can further be configured to emit an indication signal when the sensor detects the presence of the part of the cleaning item 112. The indication signal can be selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal. The signaling device 134 can have a visual signaling device 134 for emitting a visual indication signal. The visual signaling device 134 can be selected from the group consisting of: a screen (as shown in Figure 1), a light source. Alternatively or additionally, the signaling device 134 can have an auditory signaling device for emitting an auditory indication signal. The auditory signaling device 134 can be selected from the group consisting of: a loudspeaker, a piezoelectric signal generator.The signaling device 134 for emitting the warning signal and the release signal can be the same signaling device 134.

[0157] The transport system may include a waste device 135. The waste device 135 may be configured to dispose of at least a portion of the waste 136 on a tray 122 into the waste device 135. To be configured in such a manner, the waste device 135 may be provided near the drop-off location 120 so that the guest 156 can conveniently dispose of waste on the items being cleaned into the waste device 135. Typically, a distance between the waste device 135 and the drop-off location 120 may be less than 0.5 m.

[0158] The waste 136 can be selected from the group consisting of food scraps and napkins. The waste device 135 can comprise at least one waste device 135 selected from the group consisting of: waste bin, discharge chute, and input point of an automated food waste treatment system.

[0159] Figure 2 shows a plan view of the exemplary transport system 110 for the automatic transport of cleaning items 112. Unless different reference symbols apply, the explanations for Figure 1 also apply to Figure 2.

[0160] The transport system 110 can have a plurality of removal conveyor devices 138. The removal conveyor devices 138 convey in a removal conveying direction 139. The removal conveyor devices 138 can be arranged downstream of the at least one conveyor device 114. The items to be cleaned 112 can be transferred from the conveyor device 114 to the corresponding removal conveyor devices 138, in particular automatically.

[0161] The removal conveyor devices 138 can be configured to feed the cleaning items 112 to different cleaning devices 116 depending on the type of cleaning items 112. In particular, to be configured in this way, the transport system can comprise at least one sorting device 140. The sorting device 140 can be configured such that the cleaning items 112 are transferred from the conveyor device 114 to the corresponding removal conveyor devices 138 depending on the type of cleaning items 112. The sorting device 140 can be selected from the group consisting of: a switch (as shown in Figure 2); a lifting / lowering device; a deflection barrier; a multidirectional roller table; a cross-shifter; and a robot arm.

[0162] The transport system 110 can have at least one further sensor 142. The at least one further sensor 142 for detecting the type of cleaning item 112 can be configured such that the sorting device 140, in particular taking into account the detection of the type of cleaning item 112 by the further sensor 142, transfers the cleaning item from the conveyor device 114 to the corresponding removal conveyor device according to the type of cleaning item 112. For this purpose, a further control unit 178 can be provided, which interacts with the further sensor 142 and the sorting device 140. Even if the control unit 176 and the further control unit 178 differ in their functions, they can be provided in a common physical component. For the further sensor 142 to detect the type of cleaning item 112, the further sensor 142 can have a further detection area 144 that detects the conveyor device 114.

[0163] The transport system 110 can have at least one turning device 146. The turning device 146 can be configured such that the turning device 146 turns the items to be cleaned so that the items to be cleaned are freed of waste. A turning device can be provided on or downstream of the corresponding removal conveyor device 138 and / or sorting device 140. In particular, in the case that the transport system 110 does not include a removal conveyor device 138 and / or sorting device 140, the turning device 146 can be provided on or downstream of the conveyor device 114.

[0164] The transport system can additionally have a timing device 147. The timing device 147 can be designed such that it acts to standardize the number of items to be cleaned per unit of time that are fed to the corresponding cleaning device 116. Thus, the timing device 147 can in particular be designed such that it acts to ensure that the number of items to be cleaned per unit of time that are fed to the corresponding cleaning device 116 is constant. An alternative or additional functionality of the timing device 147 can consist in synchronizing the number of items to be cleaned per unit of time with the transport speed of the cleaning device 116. The timing device 147 can be arranged on the conveyor device 114 such that the timing device 147 acts on items to be cleaned 112 that are located on the conveyor device 114.Alternatively or additionally, the infeed device 147 can be arranged on the removal conveyor device 138, the further conveyor device 126, or adjacent to the turning device 146. The turning device 146 can comprise the functionality of the infeed device and can accordingly be used as the infeed device 147 (as shown by way of example in Figure 2).

[0165] The removal conveyor devices 138 and / or the additional sensor 142 and / or the turning device 146 can be provided in a dishwashing area 148. The dishwashing area can be separated from the dining room 129 by a partition wall 150. This ensures that the guest 156 perceives as little as possible of the dishwashing operation.

[0166] Figure 3 shows a cross-section 158 of a transport system 110 as indicated in Figure 2. In contrast to the transport system shown in Figure 1, the transport system 110 of Figure 3 shows, by way of example, that the further conveying device 126 initially conveys the tray 122, particularly in a plan view of the conveying device 114, beneath the conveying device 114. From there, the further conveying device 126 can transport the tray 122 in a further conveying direction 124 parallel to the conveying direction 118 of the conveying device 114. The conveying device 114 and the further conveying device 126 can therefore run parallel and / or one above the other at least in some sections, so that in a plan view of the conveying device 114, the conveying device 114 covers the further conveying device 124.

[0167] The sensor 128 can, as shown in Figure 3, have a height measuring unit. The height measuring unit is configured to determine the height of the tray 122 and / or the items to be cleaned 112 located on the tray 122. The determined height then serves as a control variable for issuing the release signal. If the determined height does not exceed a stored maximum height, the release signal can be issued. In addition, the conveyance of the tray 122 can begin by means of the additional conveying device 126. The additional conveying device 126 can be configured to convey the tray 122 below the conveying device 114, in particular when it is ensured that the tray 122 and / or the items to be cleaned 112 remaining on the tray 122 do not exceed the stored maximum height.

[0168] In the exemplary example of Figure 3, the signaling device 134 is a light source, specifically a light source comprising at least one light-emitting diode that can generate and / or emit light in at least two different colors.

[0169] Figure 4 shows an exemplary method 162 for automatically transporting items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device. The method 162 comprises the following steps: i. in a step 164, placing a tray with items to be cleaned onto a loading station which is configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned can be transferred from the placed tray onto at least one conveyor device, wherein the conveyor device is configured to transport contaminated items to be cleaned for feeding the items to be cleaned into at least one cleaning device; ii. in a step 166, detecting the placed tray with at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured such that it detects the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned, which are to be transferred to the conveyor device, on the placed tray, iii.in a step 168, emitting a release signal with at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured to emit the release signal when the sensor does not detect the presence of at least part of the items to be cleaned on the placed tray.

[0170] The method may further comprise the following step: iv. in a step 170, starting the conveyance of the tray with a removal conveyor device if the sensor does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray, wherein the removal conveyor device is configured such that the tray is conveyed away from the loading location.

[0171] The method may further comprise the following step: v. in a step 172, emitting an indication signal with the at least one signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured to emit the indication signal when the sensor detects the presence of the at least part of the items to be cleaned on the deposited tray.

[0172] The method can be carried out with a transport system 110 as already described.

[0173] List of reference symbols

[0174] 110 Transport system

[0175] 112 cleaning items

[0176] 114 Conveyor device

[0177] 116 Cleaning device

[0178] 118 Conveying direction

[0179] 120 drop-off points

[0180] 122 tray

[0181] 124 further funding direction

[0182] 126 additional conveyor devices

[0183] 128 sensors

[0184] 129 Dining Room

[0185] 130 additional cleaning devices

[0186] 132 detection range

[0187] 134 Signaling device

[0188] 135 Waste device

[0189] 136 waste

[0190] 138 removal conveyors

[0191] 139 removal conveying directions

[0192] 140 sorting device

[0193] 142 additional sensors

[0194] 144 additional detection range

[0195] 146 Turning device

[0196] 147 Infeed device

[0197] 148 Scullery

[0198] 150 partition wall

[0199] 152 Lifting magnet

[0200] 154 Cleaning system

[0201] 156 guests

[0202] 158 Cross section

[0203] 162 Procedure for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned

[0204] 164 Placing a tray with items to be cleaned on a loading station

[0205] 166 Detecting the tablet with at least one sensor

[0206] 168 Emitting a release signal with at least one signaling device

[0207] 170 Starting the conveying of the tray with a removal conveyor device. Emitting an indication signal with the at least one signaling device. Control unit. Further control unit.

Claims

Claims 1. Transport system (110) for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned (112), the transport system (110) comprising: a) at least one conveyor device (114) for transporting contaminated items to be cleaned (112) for feeding the items to be cleaned (112) into at least one cleaning device (116); b) at least one loading station (120) for depositing a tray (122) with items to be cleaned (112), the loading station (120) being configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned (112) can be transferred from the deposited tray (122) to the conveyor device (114);c) at least one sensor (128), wherein the sensor (128) is configured to detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned (112) to be transferred onto the conveyor device (114) on the deposited tray (122), d) at least one signaling device (134), wherein the signaling device (134) is configured to emit a release signal if the sensor (128) does not detect the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned (112) on the deposited tray (122), wherein the release signal indicates that the deposited tray (122) is free of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned (112), wherein the release signal indicates to a guest that the guest has completely transferred at least a portion of the items to be cleaned (112) and that the transfer process is complete; 2. Transport system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transport system (110) comprises a plurality of conveying devices (114), wherein the conveying devices (114) are configured to supply the items to be cleaned (112) to different cleaning devices (116) according to the type of items to be cleaned (112).

3. Transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (110) comprises a plurality of removal conveyor devices (138), wherein the removal conveyor devices (138) are arranged downstream of the at least one conveyor device (114), wherein the removal conveyor devices (138) are configured to supply the items to be cleaned (112) to different cleaning devices (116) according to the type of items to be cleaned (112).

4. Transport system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transport system (110) has at least one sorting device (140), wherein the sorting device (140) is configured such that the cleaning material (112) is transferred from the conveying device (114) to the corresponding removal conveying devices (138) depending on the type of the cleaning material (112).

5. Transport system (110) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the transport system (110) has at least one further sensor (142), wherein the at least one further sensor (142) is designed to detect the type of item to be cleaned (112), so that the sorting device (140), taking into account the detection of the type of item to be cleaned (112) by the further sensor (142), transfers the item to be cleaned (112) from the conveyor device (114) to the corresponding removal conveyor devices (138) according to the type of item to be cleaned (112).

6. Transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (110) has at least one turning device (146), wherein the turning device (146) is configured such that the turning device (146) turns the items to be cleaned so that the items to be cleaned (112) are freed from waste.

7. Transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (110) comprises a further conveying device (126), wherein the further conveying device (126) is set up such that the tray (122) is conveyed away from the loading station (120) if the sensor (128) does not detect the presence of at least part of the items to be cleaned (112) on the deposited tray (122), wherein the further conveying device (126) is further set up such that the tray (122) is fed to at least one further cleaning device.

8. Transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (110) further comprises at least one lifting magnet (152), wherein the lifting magnet (152) is configured to remove magnetic objects, in particular cutlery, from the tray (122), wherein the lifting magnet (152) is arranged such that it removes the magnetic objects from the tray (122) when the tray (122) is located on the further conveyor device.

9. Transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (128) has a detection area (132), wherein the detection area (132) is directed at least partially towards the loading station (120) so that the deposited tray (122) can be detected, wherein the sensor (128) is configured to distinguish between the absence of the part of the items to be cleaned (112) and the presence of the part of the items to be cleaned (112).

10. Transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release signal is selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal.

11. Transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signaling device (134) is further configured to emit an indication signal when the sensor (128) detects the presence of the part of the item to be cleaned (112), the indication signal being selected from the group consisting of: an auditory signal, a visual signal.

12. A method for the automatic transport of items to be cleaned (112) into at least one cleaning device, the method comprising the following steps: i. Placing a tray (122) with items to be cleaned (112) on a loading station (120) which is configured such that at least a portion of the items to be cleaned (112) can be transferred from the deposited tray (122) to at least one conveyor device (114), the conveyor device (114) being configured to transport contaminated items to be cleaned (112) for feeding the items to be cleaned (112) into at least one cleaning device; ii. Detecting the deposited tray (122) with at least one sensor (128), the sensor (128) being configured such that it detects the presence of at least a portion of the items to be cleaned (112) to be transferred to the conveyor device (114) on the deposited tray (122); iii.Emitting a release signal with at least one signaling device (134), wherein the signaling device (134) is set up such that it emits the release signal when the sensor (128) does not detect the presence of at least one part of the items to be cleaned (112) on the deposited tab. tray (122), wherein the release signal indicates that the deposited tray (122) is free of the at least part of the cleaning items (112), wherein the release signal indicates to a guest that the guest has completely transferred the at least part of the cleaning items (112) and that the transfer process is complete.

13. Method according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the method is carried out with a transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a transport system (110).

14. Cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned (112), comprising - at least one cleaning device; - at least one transport system (110) according to one of the preceding claims related to a transport system (110).

15. Cleaning system according to the preceding claim, wherein the cleaning device is selected from the group consisting of: a program dishwasher, a hood dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher, a conveyor dishwasher.

Images