Conveyor dishwasher and method of operating a conveyor dishwasher

Abstract

A conveyor dishwasher ( 1 ) has at least one wash zone ( 6, 7, 8, 9 ) and at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ), also a control arrangement ( 36 ) and a wash-ware detector ( 34 ) which can sense the type of wash ware which is to be treated. The control arrangement ( 36 ) assigns each type of wash ware sensed to a defined wash-ware group, selects automatically, for each wash-ware group, a defined treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in at least one of the treatment zones ( 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 26 ) of the conveyor dishwasher ( 1 ), and sets the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected.

1 . Conveyor dishwasher for cleaning wash ware, the conveyor dishwasher ( 1 ) having at least one wash zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) and at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ) and also a control arrangement ( 36 ),
 characterized   in that a wash-ware detector ( 34 ) is provided, and is designed to sense the type of wash ware which is to be treated; and   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to assign each type of wash ware sensed to a previously defined or definable wash-ware group,   the control arrangement ( 36 ) is also designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in the at least one wash zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ), and to set the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected; and/or   that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is also designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in the at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ), and to set the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected.   
     
     
         2 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized   in that the wash-ware detector ( 34 ) has at least one optically operating detector device ( 35 ) which is designed to sense the size of the wash ware which is to be treated and/or which is designed to sense the shape of the wash ware which is to be treated.   
     
     
         3 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized   in that the wash-ware detector ( 34 ) has at least one inductively or capacitively operating detector device ( 35 ) which is designed to sense the material of the wash ware which is to be treated.   
     
     
         4 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 1 , the wash zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) containing at least one prewash zone ( 6 ) and at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ),
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in the at least one prewash zone ( 6 ), and to set the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected; and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in the at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ), and to set the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected.   
     
     
         5 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 4 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable value for a volume-flow quantity of prewash liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one prewash zone ( 6 ), and to set to the selected value the volume-flow quantity of prewash liquid which is sprayed per unit of time; and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable value for a nozzle pressure by which the prewash liquid is sprayed in the at least one prewash zone ( 6 ), and to set the nozzle pressure to the selected value.   
     
     
         6 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 4 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable value for a volume-flow quantity of wash liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ), and to set to the selected value the volume-flow quantity of wash liquid which is sprayed per unit of time; and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to set automatically for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable value for a nozzle pressure by which the wash liquid is sprayed in the at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ), and to set the nozzle pressure to the selected value.   
     
     
         7 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 4 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable value for a volume-flow quantity of final-rinse liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ), and to set to the selected value the volume-flow quantity of final-rinse liquid which is sprayed per unit of time.   
     
     
         8 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to detect at least some of the following wash ware with reference to the type of wash ware sensed:
 plates produced from porcelain or a porcelain-like material; 
 cups produced from porcelain or a porcelain-like material, glass or a glass-like material; 
 bowls produced from porcelain or a porcelain-like material, glass or a glass-like material; 
 trays, or fray-like articles, produced from a plastic material; 
 containers, in particular GN containers, produced from a metal, in particular from stainless steel; 
 pots produced from a metal, in particular from stainless steel; 
 pans produced from a metal, in particular from stainless steel; 
 cutlery or items of cutlery produced from a metal, in particular from stainless steel; and/or 
 drinking glasses produced from glass or a glass-like material. 
   
     
     
         9 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 8 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to assign the following wash ware to a first wash-ware group: plates produced from porcelain or a porcelain-like material and plates and bowls produced from porcelain, a porcelain-like material, glass or a glass-like material; and/or in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to assign the following wash ware to a second wash-ware group: containers, in particular GN containers, pots and pans produced from a metal, in particular from stainless steel; and/or in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to assign the following wash ware to a third wash-ware group; trays, and tray-like articles, produced from a plastic material; and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to assign the following wash ware to a fourth wash-ware group: drinking glasses produced from glass or a glass-like material; and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to assign the following wash ware to a fifth wash-ware group: cutlery and items of cutlery produced from a metal, in particular from stainless steel.   
     
     
         10 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 9 , the wash zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) containing at least one prewash zone ( 6 ) and at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ),
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to set automatically to a previously defined or definable average value, as it detects wash ware belonging to the first, to the third, to the fourth or to the fifth wash-ware group, a volume-flow quantity of wash liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ), and to set to a previously defined or definable average value a nozzle pressure by which the wash liquid is sprayed in the at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ); and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to set automatically to a previously defined or definable high value, as it detects wash ware belonging to the second wash-ware group, a volume-flow quantity of wash liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ), and to set to a previously defined or definable high value a nozzle pressure by which the wash liquid is sprayed in the at least one main-wash zone ( 7 ,  8 ).   
     
     
         11 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to set automatically to a previously defined or definable average value, as it detects wash ware belonging to the first wash-ware group, a volume-flow quantity of final-rinse liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ); and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to set automatically to a previously defined or definable low value, as it detects wash ware belonging to the second or third wash-ware group, a volume-flow quantity of final-rinse liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ); and/or   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to set automatically to a previously defined or definable high value, as it detects wash ware belonging to the fourth or fifth wash-ware group, a volume-flow quantity of final-rinse liquid which is to be sprayed per unit of time in the at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ).   
     
     
         12 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable period of action during which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in at least one of the treatment zones ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  26 ) of the conveyor dishwasher ( 1 ), and to set to a value which corresponds to the period of action selected a transporting speed at which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is transported through the at least one treatment zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  26 ).   
     
     
         13 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 12 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to set automatically, as it detects wash ware belonging to the second wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable transporting speed which is lower than a transporting speed which is set upon detection of wash ware belonging to the first, third, fourth or fifth wash-ware group.   
     
     
         14 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 9 , the wash zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) containing at least one postwash zone ( 9 ),
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to provide a setting automatically, for each wash-ware group, where the feed of postwash liquid to the at least one postwash zone ( 9 ) is switched on or off.   
     
     
         15 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 9 , also having a steaming zone,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to provide a setting automatically, for each wash-ware group, where the feed of steam to the steaming zone is switched on or off, the feed of steam to the steaming zone preferably being switched on automatically upon detection of wash ware belonging to the second wash-ware group.   
     
     
         16 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 1 , also having a direct-action detergent-spray system,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to provide a setting automatically, for each wash-ware group, where the feed of detergent to the direct-action detergent-spray system is switched on or off, or the quantity of detergent is controlled in dependence on the wash-ware group.   
     
     
         17 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 1 , also having a drying zone ( 26 ) arranged downstream of the final-rinse zone ( 10 ),
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in the at least one drying zone ( 26 ), and to set the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected.   
     
     
         18 . Conveyor dishwasher according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized   in that the control arrangement ( 36 ) is designed to select optionally automatically, for each wash-ware group, a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in at least one of the treatment zones ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  26 ) of the conveyor dishwasher ( 1 ), and to set the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected.   
     
     
         19 . Method of operating a conveyor dishwasher ( 1 ) for dishwashing wash ware, the conveyor dishwasher ( 1 ) having at least one wash zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) and at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ) and also a control arrangement ( 36 ),
 characterized   in that the method has the following method steps:   i) the type of wash ware which is to be treated is sensed;   ii) each type of wash ware sensed is assigned to a previously defined or definable wash-ware group;   iii-1) a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in the at least one wash zone ( 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) is selected automatically for each wash-ware group, and the process parameters associated with the treatment programme selected are set; and/or   iii-2) a previously defined or definable treatment programme by which the type of wash ware assigned to the wash-ware group is to be treated in the at least one final-rinse zone ( 10 ) is selected automatically for each wash-ware group, and the process parameters assigned to the treatment programme selected are set.