Under-Counter Conveyor Dishwasher for Compact Reusable Cup Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor dishwashers require significant space, making them unsuitable for installations with limited surface area, such as near hot beverage vending machines, which complicates logistics for cleaning reusable cups and glasses.
Innovation Solution
A compact dishwasher design partitioned into an over-table area for loading and unloading and an under-table area for technology, allowing for continuous operation and integration near beverage vending machines, with a conveyor apparatus that can transport washware individually or in batches through a treatment zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional conveyor dishwasher is used to enable continuous cleaning operation, then productivity is improved, but the area requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal conveyor system to a vertical conveyor system. The conveyor apparatus moves washware items vertically through the treatment zone, allowing the dishwasher to fit into a compact footprint while maintaining continuous operation capability. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by enabling productivity improvement without proportionally increasing the installation surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The dishwasher is divided into distinct functional zones (placement area, treatment zone, removal area) arranged vertically. The conveyor apparatus is segmented to transport items through each zone sequentially. This segmentation allows the system to maintain continuous operation while compacting the overall structure into a space-efficient vertical configuration.
2Productivity
If a conveyor apparatus is implemented for transporting washware through treatment zones, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical conveyor systems with a simplified vertical transport mechanism. The conveyor apparatus uses a straightforward vertical path with minimal moving parts, substituting elaborate horizontal conveyor arrangements. This reduces device complexity while maintaining the productivity benefits of continuous washware transport through the treatment zone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient cleaning of reusable cups and glasses in a compact format, reducing resource consumption and integrating seamlessly into counter systems, minimizing contamination risks and water usage.
Implementation Method 1
a washing and/or rinsing system having at least one washing and/or rinsing pump and having washing and/or rinsing nozzles, via which cleaning liquid, in particular washing and/or rinsing liquid, can be sprayed onto the washware items to be cleaned
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher (1) includes a treatment zone (3) and a conveyor apparatus (4) for transporting washware items (2) from a placement area (5) through the treatment zone (3) to a removal area (6). A washing and/or rinsing system has at least one washing and/or rinsing pump (9) and washing and/or rinsing nozzles. The dishwasher (1) is spatially partitioned into an over table area (7), which, when the dishwasher (1) is used as intended, is positioned above a counter level (13), and an under table area (8), which, when the dishwasher (1) is used as intended, is positioned below the counter level (13), wherein the placement area (5), the removal area (6) and the treatment zone (3) are respectively part of the over table area (7), and wherein at least the washing and/or rinsing pump (9) of the washing and/or rinsing system is part of the under table area (8).