Cleaning device and cleaning method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device ( 10 ) and to a cleaning method performed using a cleaning device, in particular for cleaning, sterilizing or disinfecting dishes, working equipment, foodstuffs or the like, the cleaning device comprising a liquid cycle ( 11 ), wherein a cleaning liquid ( 17 ) can circulate in the liquid cycle, wherein items to be cleaned can be exposed to the cleaning liquid within the liquid cycle, the cleaning device comprising an electrolytic device ( 25 ) having a diamond electrode ( 28 ) for producing an oxidizing agent, the cleaning device having a feed line ( 21 ) that is connected to the liquid cycle, wherein the electrolytic device is connected to the feed line in such a manner that the oxidizing agent can be introduced into the liquid cycle via the feed line.

1 . A cleaning device ( 10 ,  36 ,  53 ), in particular for cleaning, sterilizing or disinfecting items, the cleaning device comprising a liquid cycle ( 11 ,  54 ), wherein a cleaning liquid ( 17 ) can circulate in the liquid cycle, wherein items to be cleaned can be exposed to the cleaning liquid within the liquid cycle, the cleaning device comprising an electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ) having a diamond electrode ( 28 ) for producing an oxidizing agent, the cleaning device having a feed line ( 21 ,  37 ,  56 ) that is connected to the liquid cycle,
 characterized in that   the electrolytic device is connected to the feed line in such a manner that the oxidizing agent can be introduced into the liquid cycle via the feed line.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   a circulator pump ( 16 ) and a cleaning chamber ( 15 ) for receiving and for spraying the items to be cleaned with cleaning liquid ( 17 ) are arranged in the liquid cycle ( 11 ,  54 ).   
     
     
         3 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   an admixing device of the cleaning device is arranged in the liquid cycle ( 11 ,  54 ), wherein the oxidizing agent can be admixed to the cleaning liquid ( 17 ) in the liquid cycle via the admixing device.   
     
     
         4 . The cleaning device according to  claim 3 ,
 characterized in that   the admixing device comprises a jet pump ( 55 ) within the liquid cycle ( 54 ).   
     
     
         5 . The cleaning device according to  claim 3 ,
 characterized in that   the admixing device comprises a buffer tank ( 58 ).   
     
     
         6 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   the cleaning device ( 10 ,  36 ,  53 ) has a dosing device ( 30 ,  44 ) for an electrolyte, the dosing device being connected to the electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ) and/or to the feed line ( 21 ,  37 ,  56 ) in such a manner that the electrolyte can be introduced into the electrolytic device.   
     
     
         7 . The cleaning device according to  claim 2 ,
 characterized in that   the electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ) is arranged in a shared housing with the admixing device, the circulator pump ( 16 ) and/or the dosing device ( 30 ,  44 ), the housing being connected to the liquid cycle ( 11 ,  54 ).   
     
     
         8 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that   for an anode or cathode, the electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ) has a diamond electrode ( 28 ) and/or a pyrolytically coated graphite electrode and/or a stainless steel electrode.   
     
     
         9 . A cleaning method, performed using a cleaning device ( 10 ,  36 ,  53 ), in particular for cleaning, sterilizing or disinfecting items, a cleaning liquid ( 17 ) being circulated in a liquid cycle ( 11 ,  54 ) of the cleaning device, wherein items to be cleaned can be exposed to the cleaning liquid within the liquid cycle, an oxidizing agent being produced by means of an electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ) having a diamond electrode ( 28 ) of the cleaning device, the cleaning device having a feed line ( 21 ,  37 ,  56 ) that is connected to the liquid cycle,
 characterized in that   the electrolytic device is connected to the feed line, the oxidizing agent being introduced into the liquid cycle via the feed line.   
     
     
         10 . The cleaning method according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   the oxidizing agent is admixed to the cleaning liquid ( 17 ) in the liquid cycle ( 11 ,  54 ).   
     
     
         11 . The cleaning method according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   the electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ) is supplied with fresh water.   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning method according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   electric current is conducted via the diamond electrode ( 28 ) at defined intervals.   
     
     
         13 . The cleaning method according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   electric current is conducted via the diamond electrode ( 28 ) only towards the end of a cleaning cycle.   
     
     
         14 . The cleaning method according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   ozone is produced by means of the electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ).   
     
     
         15 . The cleaning method according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   free chlorine is produced by means of the electrolytic device ( 25 ,  38 ).   
     
     
         16 . The cleaning method according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   cleaning liquid ( 17 ) is stored in a sump ( 18 ) of the liquid cycle ( 11 ,  54 ) for a cleaning cycle that follows after an undefined period of time.