Method for cleaning, sterilising and disinfecting dishes and other kitchen utensils and cleaning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cleaning, sterilising and disinfecting dishes and other kitchen utensils by means of a wash liquid ( 5 ). In order to permit an economically and technically advantageous cleaning, an electrical current is directly applied to an electrode ( 15, 16 ), arranged in the wash liquid ( 5 ) and embodied as a diamond and/or lead-tin electrode, to generate OH radicals ( 14 ) in said wash liquid ( 5 ), which permit cleaning, sterilising and disinfecting of dishes and other kitchen utensils. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method, wherein an electrolytic cell ( 20 ) with a pair of electrodes ( 15, 16 ), comprising a diamond electrode for generating OH radicals ( 14 ), is directly integrated into a wash water circuit of a dishwasher ( 1 ).

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A process for cleaning, sterilizing and disinfecting dishes and other kitchen utensils by means of a wash liquid wherein, by direct application of electrical current to a diamond and/or lead-tin electrode arranged in the wash liquid, OH radicals are generated in the wash liquid which radicals effect the cleaning, sterilization and disinfection of the dishes or other kitchen utensils. 
   
   
       18 . A process according to  claim 17 , wherein the electrode is an anode. 
   
   
       19 . A process according to  claim 17 , wherein the wash liquid is mixed with an agent for increasing electrical conductivity. 
   
   
       20 . A process according to  claim 19 , wherein the agent is a dishwashing detergent. 
   
   
       21 . A process according to  claim 17 , wherein a pulsating or continuous current is applied directly to the electrode arranged in the wash liquid. 
   
   
       22 . A process according to  claim 17 , where an alternating current is applied directly to the electrode arranged in the wash liquid. 
   
   
       23 . A process according to  claim 17 , wherein a mixture of organic and/or inorganic wash solutions is used for cleaning, sterilization and disinfection of the dishes and other kitchen utensils. 
   
   
       24 . A process according to  claim 23 , wherein the mixture is one of commercially available detergents. 
   
   
       25 . A process according to  claim 17 , wherein the dishes or other kitchen utensils are cleaned by OH radicals and simultaneous chemical and physical removal of soiling. 
   
   
       26 . A process according to  claim 17 , where the wash liquid consists of a mixture of water and an inorganic salt or a mixture of inorganic salts. 
   
   
       27 . A process according to  claim 26 , wherein the organic salt is sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride or boric acid. 
   
   
       28 . A process according to  claim 17 , wherein the wash liquid is a mixture of water and a commercially available detergent and/or an inorganic salt and/or a mixture thereof and/or a mixture of organic/inorganic aqueous solutions used as an electrolyte. 
   
   
       29 . A process according to  claim 28 , wherein the inorganic salt is sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride or boric acid. 
   
   
       30 . A process according to  claim 17 , wherein the current density on the electrode is set in amperes per area unit specific to the material to be cleaned and the current density is between about 5 A/dm 2  and about 300 A/dm 2 . 
   
   
       31 . A device for cleaning, sterilizing and disinfecting dishes and other kitchen utensils by a liquid wash process, the device comprising an electrolysis cell that has an electrode pair having an anode and a cathode one of which is a diamond electrode for generating OH radicals and integrated directly in a wash water circuit. 
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 31 , further comprising an electrically insulated spacer that prevents an electrical short-circuit between the anode and the cathode. 
   
   
       33 . A device according to  claim 31 , further comprising a circulation pump for feeding the electrolysis cell from a wash water sump, and a spray arm for contacting the dishes and kitchen utensils to be cleaned, sterilized and disinfected. 
   
   
       34 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the anode is made of a material that that permits an overvoltage of the anode and thus the generation of OH radicals. 
   
   
       35 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the anode comprises a synthetically manufactured diamond. 
   
   
       36 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the anode comprises a platinum-coated metal electrode.