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(11) | EP 1 769 713 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Dishwashing machine with additional rapid washing section |
| (57) The dishwashing machine (10) comprises a first washing section (12) for washing individual
dishes and a second washing section (14) for washing any kind of crockery. The first
washing section (12) comprises: a first degreasing unit (32) comprising a pair of
first spraying devices (36, 38) provided with nozzles for spraying a degreasing liquid
and positioned facing each other in such a way that each time a single dish (P) to
be washed can be inserted between them; a second rinsing unit (34) comprising a pair
of second spraying devices (42, 44) provided with nozzles for spraying a rinsing liquid
and positioned facing each other in such a way that each time a single dish (P) to
be rinsed can be inserted between them; and a conveyor device (48) for transferring
each time a single dish (P) from the first unit (32) to the second unit (34).
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[0002] The operation of known dishwashing machines provides for the user to insert into a loading basket a set of crockery of various kinds, such as dishes, glasses, cutlery, pots and the like, then to start the washing program and lastly to withdraw the washed crockery from the same basket, after a certain period of time (which is generally in the order of minutes or tens of minutes).
[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a dishwashing machine that enables dishes to be washed in an extremely shortened time, electrical energy consumption to be reduced and dishes to be washed at different times according to requirements.
[0004] This and other objects are fully achieved according to the invention thanks to a dishwashing machine having the characteristics specified in Claim 1.
[0005] Briefly, the invention is based on the idea of producing a dishwashing machine comprising a first and a second washing section, respectively intended for washing individual dishes and other crockery, in which the first washing section includes a first degreasing unit comprising a pair of spraying devices provided with nozzles for spraying a degreasing liquid, between which spraying devices a single dish to be washed can be inserted each time, a second rinsing unit comprising a pair of spraying devices provided with nozzles for spraying a rinsing liquid, between which spraying devices a single dish to be rinsed can be inserted each time, and a conveyor device adapted to transfer each time a dish from the degreasing unit to the rinsing unit.
[0006] Thanks to the presence of a specific washing section, the dishwashing machine enables the user to wash a single dish at a time in an extremely short time, in the order of a few seconds. The capability to wash a single dish and the use, both in the degreasing unit and in the rinsing unit, of a pair of spraying devices that act on the opposite sides of the dish enable in fact the time required to execute the cycle for washing a dish to be minimized.
[0007] The dishwashing machine is preferably constructed in the form of a wall unit, on whose front face are provided a first slot through which the dish to be washed is inserted between the spraying devices of the degreasing unit and a second slot through which the washed and rinsed dish is withdrawn from the rinsing unit.
[0008] Preferably, the two degreasing and rinsing units are positioned one after the other along an inclined direction, so as to exploit the weight force of the dish to transfer the dish from the degreasing unit to the rinsing unit.
[0009] According to a preferred variant of embodiment, the rinsing unit is arranged to dry the dish after rinsing it.
[0010] The second washing section features a basket for the crockery to be washed (in particular cups, glasses, cutlery and possibly also pots), below and above which are positioned a series of spraying devices provided with nozzles for spraying the degreasing liquid and the rinsing liquid.
[0011] The spraying devices are preferably constructed in the form of rotors, but they can also be fixed.
[0012] Preferably, programming means are provided which enable the user to set the washing cycle according to the type of crockery introduced in the basket, e.g. providing a shorter washing cycle in the case of glasses, cups and cutlery and a longer washing cycle in the case of pots and the like.
[0013] The adoption of two distinct washing sections enables, all things considered, to save time and energy and to reduce the overall sizes relative to traditional dishwashing machines.
[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become readily apparent from the detailed description that follows, given purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dishwashing machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the dishwashing machine of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 is a lateral elevation view of the dishwashing machine of Figure 1.
[0015] With reference to Figure 1, a dishwashing machine according to the invention is generally indicated 10 and, in the illustrated constructive example, is constructed in the form of a wall unit able to be installed with its rear face 10a against a wall (not shown).
[0016] The dishwashing machine 10 fundamentally comprises a first upper washing section 12, intended to wash individual dishes, and a second lower washing section 14, intended to wash the other crockery, such as cups, glasses, cutlery and possibly also pots and the like. As shall be better explained in the following part of the description, both washing sections 12 and 14 are of the kind with spraying nozzles positioned on spraying devices (constructed in the form of rotors in the illustrated embodiment) and with housing compartments or baskets in which crockery to be washed is positioned stationary to be subjected to the action of jets of degreasing and rinsing liquid emitted by the nozzles. Underneath the lower washing section 14 a housing area 16 is provided in which are installed various components of the dishwashing machine 10, all per se well known to the person skilled in the art and thus not described in detail herein, such as in particular a pump 18, a filter 20, a pressure switch 22, a water inlet connector 24, a water discharge connector 26, a salt container 28 and a decalcifying device 30.
[0017] The first washing section 12 (dishes only) includes a degreasing unit 32 and a rinsing unit 34.
[0018] The degreasing unit 32 comprises a pair of spraying devices 36 and 38, respectively upper and lower, which are preferably made as rotors and are each provided with spraying nozzles (per se known and not shown) through which jets of a degreasing liquid, generally water and detergent, are emitted. The two spraying devices 36 and 38 are positioned facing each other and mutually spaced apart so as to define between them a free space in which a single dish P to be washed can be accommodated. On a front face 10b of the dishwashing machine a first slot 40 is provided, preferably aligned with the free space between the two spraying devices 36 and 38, through which the dish to be washed P can be inserted between the two spraying devices 36 and 38 of the degreasing unit 32.
[0019] Likewise, the rinsing unit 34 comprises a pair of spraying devices 42 and 44, respectively upper and lower, which are also preferably made as rotors and are each provided with spraying nozzles (per se known and not shown) through which jets of a rinsing liquid, generally water are emitted. The two spraying devices 42 and 44 are arranged facing each other and mutually spaced apart so as to define between them a free space in which the plate P coming from the degreasing unit 32 can be accommodated. On the front face 10b of the dishwashing machine a second slot 46 is provided, preferably aligned with the free space between the two spraying devices 42 and 44, through which the dish P can be withdrawn from the machine at the end of the washing cycle. The second unit 34 can obviously be arranged to perform, after the rinsing operation, also the drying of the dish P. To this end, it is sufficient that after the rinsing operation the two spraying devices 42 and 44 emit air jets through the respective spraying nozzles.
[0020] Between the degreasing unit 32 and the rinsing unit 34 a conveyor device 48 for transferring the dish P each time from the degreasing unit 32 to the rinsing unit 34 is provided. To facilitate the transfer of the dish P from the degreasing unit 32 to the rinsing unit 34, the two units are advantageously positioned one after the other along an inclined direction. In this way, the dish P tends to move by gravity from the degreasing unit 32 to the rinsing unit 34.
[0021] As is apparent from the above explanation, using this specific first washing section the user is able to wash a single dish at a time in an extremely short time. This is possible in particular thanks to the use, both in the degreasing unit and in the rinsing unit, of a pair of spraying devices positioned on opposite sides relative to the dish so as simultaneously to spray jets of liquid (washing liquid or rinsing liquid) on both faces of the dish.
[0022] The second washing section 14 is a conventional washing section, with a collecting basket 50 for the crockery to be washed (in particular cups, glasses, cutlery and possibly pots as well), and with a series of spraying devices 52, 54 and 56, preferably made as rotors and provided with spraying nozzles (per se known and not shown) for spraying the degreasing liquid and the rinsing liquid. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment a pair of lower spraying devices 52 and 54 and a single upper spraying device 56, respectively positioned above and below the collecting basket 50, are provided. The collecting basket 50 is accessible through a front opening in the second washing section 14, which can be opened and closed by means of a door 58.
[0023] Preferably, the dishwashing machine 10 is provided with an electronic programming unit (per se known and not shown) which enables the user to set, through a control panel 60, the washing cycle to be executed according to the type of crockery introduced into the basket. In particular, a shorter washing cycle will generally be provided for glasses, cups and cutlery and a longer washing cycle for pots and crockery of similar sizes.
1. Dishwashing machine (10) characterized in that it comprises a first washing section (12) arranged to wash individual dishes and
a second washing section (14) arranged to wash any kind of crockery, in which said
first washing section (12) comprises:
a first degreasing unit (32) comprising a pair of first spraying devices (36, 38) provided with nozzles for spraying a degreasing liquid, said first spraying devices (36, 38) being positioned facing each other in such a way that each time a single dish (P) to be washed can be inserted between them;
a second rinsing unit (34) comprising a pair of second spraying devices (42, 44) provided with nozzles for spraying a rinsing liquid, said second spraying devices (42, 44) being positioned facing each other in such a way that each time a single dish (P) to be rinsed can be inserted between them; and
a conveyor device (48) for transferring each time a single dish (P) from the first unit (32) to the second unit (34).
2. Dishwashing machine according to Claim 1, wherein said first (36, 38) and/or second
(42, 44) spraying devices are made in the form of rotors.
3. Dishwashing machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, having a first slot (40) through
which the single dish (P) to be washed can be inserted into the first degreasing unit
(32) and a second slot (46) through which the single washed and rinsed dish (P) can
be withdrawn from the second rinsing unit (34).
4. Dishwashing machine according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said first
and second units (32, 34) are positioned one after the other along an inclined direction.
5. Dishwashing machine according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said second
unit (34) is arranged to perform, after the rinsing operation, also the drying of
a single dish (P).
6. Dishwashing machine according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said second
washing section (14) includes a collecting basket (50) for the crockery to be washed
and a series of spraying devices (52, 54, 56) provided with spraying nozzles and positioned
above and below the collecting basket (50).
7. Dishwashing machine according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising
programming means (60) through which the washing cycle can be set in said second washing
section (14) according to the type of crockery to be washed.