Conveyor dishwasher and operating method for same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A conveyor dishwasher for cleaning wares, comprising:
- a conveyor device for conveying wares in a direction of conveyance through at least two zones of the conveyor dishwasher, including at least one wash zone and at least one final rinse zone, the wash zone having spray nozzles, a tank and a pumping device for recirculating wash liquid from the tank to the spray nozzles and spraying wash liquid through the spray nozzles onto wares, the final rinse zone including spray nozzles for spraying final rinse liquid onto wares;
a storage tank for gathering sprayed final rinse liquid;
a liquid transfer device connected for controlling whether liquid is transferred from the storage tank to the wash zone;
at least one sensor device for determining liquid demand in the wash zone; and
a control unit configured for automatic operation of the liquid transfer device depending on liquid demand in the wash zone as indicated by the sensor device;
wherein the storage tank has an overflow over which liquid flows from the storage tank when liquid level in the storage tank exceeds a certain outflow level and the overflow is a path separate from a path defined by the liquid transfer device.
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Abstract
A conveyor dishwasher includes a storage tank for holding sprayed final rinse liquid and a controllable liquid transfer device for transferring liquid from the storage tank to at least one wash zone as a function of a liquid demand in at least one of the wash zones.
32 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A conveyor dishwasher for cleaning wares, comprising:
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a conveyor device for conveying wares in a direction of conveyance through at least two zones of the conveyor dishwasher, including at least one wash zone and at least one final rinse zone, the wash zone having spray nozzles, a tank and a pumping device for recirculating wash liquid from the tank to the spray nozzles and spraying wash liquid through the spray nozzles onto wares, the final rinse zone including spray nozzles for spraying final rinse liquid onto wares; a storage tank for gathering sprayed final rinse liquid; a liquid transfer device connected for controlling whether liquid is transferred from the storage tank to the wash zone; at least one sensor device for determining liquid demand in the wash zone; and a control unit configured for automatic operation of the liquid transfer device depending on liquid demand in the wash zone as indicated by the sensor device; wherein the storage tank has an overflow over which liquid flows from the storage tank when liquid level in the storage tank exceeds a certain outflow level and the overflow is a path separate from a path defined by the liquid transfer device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A conveyor dishwasher for cleaning wares, comprising:
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a conveyor device for conveying wares in a direction of conveyance through multiple zones of the conveyor dishwasher, including a front wash zone, a rear wash zone, a post-wash zone and a final rinse zone, the rear wash zone having spray nozzles, a tank and a pumping device for recirculating wash liquid from the tank to the spray nozzles and spraying wash liquid through the spray nozzles onto wares, the final rinse zone including spray nozzles for spraying final rinse liquid onto wares, the post-wash zone having spray nozzles, a tank and a pumping device for recirculating liquid to the spray nozzles and spraying liquid onto wares, the tank of the post-wash zone arranged to receive final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone; a storage tank, separate from the tank of the post-wash zone, for gathering some sprayed final rinse liquid; a liquid transfer device, including a liquid line running from the storage tank to the rear wash zone and a pump, for controlling whether liquid is transferred from the storage tank to the rear wash zone; at least one sensor device for determining liquid demand in the rear wash zone; and a control unit configured for automatic operation of the liquid transfer device depending on liquid demand in the rear wash zone as indicated by the sensor device; wherein walls are provided along a bottom part of the conveyor dishwasher where sprayed final rinse liquid collects, the walls positioned above an opening of the tank of the post-wash zone to permit a liquid level above the opening of the tank of the post-wash zone; and a storage tank opening located in the bottom part and spaced from the tank of the post-wash zone, the storage tank opening connected by flow to the storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A conveyor dishwasher for cleaning wares, comprising:
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a conveyor device for conveying wares in a direction of conveyance through multiple zones of the conveyor dishwasher, including a wash zone, a post-wash zone and a final rinse zone, the wash zone having spray nozzles, a tank and a pumping device for recirculating wash liquid from the tank to the spray nozzles and spraying wash liquid through the spray nozzles onto wares, the final rinse zone including spray nozzles for spraying final rinse liquid onto wares, the post-wash zone having spray nozzles, a tank and a pumping device for recirculating liquid from the post-wash zone tank to the spray nozzles and spraying liquid onto wares, the tank of the post-wash zone arranged to receive final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone; a storage tank, separate from the tank of the post-wash zone, for gathering some sprayed final rinse liquid; a liquid transfer device, including a pump and a liquid line running from the storage tank to the wash zone and having an outlet to deliver liquid to the tank of the wash zone, for controlling whether liquid is transferred from the storage tank to the rear wash zone; at least one sensor device for determining liquid demand in the rear wash zone; and a control unit configured for automatic operation of the liquid transfer device depending on liquid demand in the rear wash zone as indicated by the sensor device; wherein the storage tank has an overflow over which liquid flows from the storage tank when liquid level in the storage tank exceeds a certain outflow level and the overflow is a path separate from a path defined by the liquid transfer device.
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Specification