(19)
(11) EP 2 545 839 B2

(12) NEW EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
After opposition procedure

(45) Date of publication and mentionof the opposition decision:
27.04.2022 Bulletin 2022/17

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
11.02.2015 Bulletin 2015/07

(21) Application number: 12176400.5

(22) Date of filing: 13.07.2012
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47L 15/24(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
A47L 15/241; A47L 15/247; A47L 15/4291

(54)

Improved multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers, and a tunnel dishwasher provided with such a module

Verbesserte mehrstufige Spülstation für Tunnelgeschirrspüler, und mit einer solchen Station ausgestatteter Tunnelgeschirrspüler

Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages améliorée pour lave-vaisselle à tunnel, et lave-vaisselle à tunnel équipé d'une telle station


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 15.07.2011 IT MI20111324

(43) Date of publication of application:
16.01.2013 Bulletin 2013/03

(60) Divisional application:
14198104.3 / 2881028

(73) Proprietor: Ali Group S.r.l.
20063 Cernusco sul Naviglio (MI) (IT)

(72) Inventors:
  • Berti, Luciano
    20060 Bussero (MI) (IT)
  • Colombo, Marco
    20125 Milano (IT)

(74) Representative: Biallo, Dario et al
Barzanò & Zanardo Milano S.p.A. Via Borgonuovo, 10
20121 Milano
20121 Milano (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 042 983
EP-A1- 2 881 028
EP-A2- 0 838 190
EP-A2- 1 968 481
WO-A1-2009/092404
DE-A1-102004 030 003
DE-A1-102007 009 252
DE-C1- 4 100 164
EP-A1- 1 042 983
EP-A2- 0 838 190
EP-A2- 1 815 779
WO-A1-2006/081914
WO-A1-2010/144307
DE-A1-102005 039 139
DE-A1-102009 024 569
US-A1- 2011 017 234
   
       


    Description


    [0001] The present invention refers to a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers and to a tunnel dishwasher that is provided with such a module.

    [0002] In particular, the present invention refers to a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers that is capable of carrying out a preliminary pre-rinsing cycle before the final rinsing of the dishes.

    [0003] By the term "dishes" we mean plates, cutlery and glasses, as generally understood, but also sauce-pans, containers, kitchen utensils and other similar objects. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, by the term "dishes" we shall also mean the mobile means which support the aforementioned dishes during their forward movement in the dishwasher.

    [0004] In such a way also such supports shall be effectively washed and rinsed by the multistage rinsing module according to the present invention.

    [0005] By the term "tunnel" machine we mean all those dishwashers in which the dishes are moved so as to go, in succession, through a plurality of operation steps such as the pre-washing, washing, pre-rinsing and final rinsing steps.

    [0006] One example of a tunnel dishwasher of the known type is shown in figure 1 in which reference numerals 101, 102, 103 and 104 indicate the pre-washing station, the first and second washing stations and the rinsing station.

    [0007] As visible the rinsing station 104 comprises two substations 105 and 106 inside of it for pre-rinsing and final rinsing, respectively.

    [0008] In the case in which there are no problems of length of the machines, inside the rinsing station 104 downstream of the washing station 103 and immediately upstream of the pre-rinsing zone 105, a neutral zone 107 is provided, visible in figure 2, which is useful for draining the water "with detergent" from the dishes.

    [0009] In other words, before the dishes enter the pre-rinsing zone 105 they stop, or transit, in such a draining zone 107 where, spontaneously by gravity, part of the water "with detergent" from the dishes is released.

    [0010] Currently, it is the common goal of many manufacturers, as well as the purpose of the present invention, to study new solutions that are capable of reducing the consumption of water drawn from the net used in the final rinsing step of the dishes.

    [0011] Indeed, advantageously, by decreasing the amount of water used there is also a corresponding substantial saving in terms of energy used for heating it, as well as a lower consumption of detergents and rinse aid.

    [0012] A first solution proposed for such a purpose is described for example in patent EP1815779.

    [0013] In such a patent it is foreseen for the water that is used for the pre-rinsing to be, at least partially, the same water used in the previous rinsing cycle.

    [0014] Indeed in such machines there is a collection tank of the water used for rinsing, or rather heated net water with rinse aid added to it, which is re-used in the preceding pre-rinsing step for removing most of the detergent from the dishes before their final rinsing, by means of "new" net water.

    [0015] Such a method of re-using water in the pre-rinsing step that was previously used for rinsing allows to significantly reduce the consumption of water from the net and, therefore, also the consumption related to energy, detergent and rinse aid.

    [0016] In parallel with the efforts aimed at reducing consumption of net water used for rinsing dishes, it is however necessary to safeguard the overall efficiency of the washing cycle.

    [0017] For such a purpose EP1815779 has the drawback of conveying the solutions delivered by many nozzles, for example those for rinsing and those for pre-rinsing, in the same tank thus making the independent analysis of the various rinsing steps present in the dishwasher difficult.

    [0018] Patent application WO10144307 indeed describes a tunnel machine of the type described above, or rather a machine that recycles the water previously used for rinsing in the pre-rinsing step of the following cycle, in which it is further provided for the sensors arranged actually inside the tank in which such water to be re-used is collected.

    [0019] In particular, such sensors are connected to a control unit which controls a possible increase of detergent in the washing step, wherein said increase is a function of some parameters measured in the collection tank.

    [0020] In WO10144307 there is no suggestion concerning using the values measured for controlling the delivery of the net water or of the pumps for supplying the nozzles.

    [0021] DE4100164 discloses another example of a multistage tunnel dishwasher according to the prior art.

    [0022] The purpose of the present invention is that of making a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers that is capable of solving, in a different manner with respect to the prior art, the problems relative to the decreasing of the consumption of net water without jeopardising the overall efficiency of the washing cycle.

    [0023] These purposes according to the present invention are achieved by making a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers and a tunnel dishwasher provided with such a module as outlined in claims, 1 and 9, respectively.

    [0024] Further characteristics of the invention are highlighted in the dependent claims.

    [0025] The characteristics and the advantages of a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:
    • figures 1 and 2 are schematic views of tunnel dishwashers according to the prior art;
    • figure 3 is a schematic view of a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers according to the present invention;
    • figure 4 is a schematic view of a tunnel dishwasher that is provided with the multistage rinsing module of figure 3.


    [0026] With reference to figures 3 and 4, reference numeral 10 shows one embodiment of a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers according to the present invention. Such a module or multistage rinsing station 10 comprises in succession from upstream to downstream following the movement of the dishes three independent zones: a draining zone 11 of the dishes full of detergent, a pre-rinsing zone 12 of the drained dishes and a final rinsing zone 13 of the drained and pre-rinsed dishes, respectively.

    [0027] The final rinsing zone 13 is provided with rinsing nozzles 14 for delivering net water 15 and a pre-rinsing tank 18 for exclusively collecting the net water 15 delivered by the rinsing nozzles 14.

    [0028] The pre-rinsing zone 12 is provided with pre-rinsing nozzles 16 for delivering the pre-rinsing solution 17 collected in the pre-rinsing tank 18.

    [0029] The pre-rinsing solution 17 therefore consists of the net water 15 used in the preceding cycle during the rinsing step and the substances removed from the rinsed dishes.

    [0030] The pre-rinsing zone 12 is also provided with a draining tank 21 for exclusively collecting the pre-rinsing solution 17 delivered by the pre-rinsing nozzles 16.

    [0031] The draining solution 21 contained in the draining tank 21 thus consists of the pre-rinsing solution 17 used in the preceding cycle during the pre-rinsing step and the substances removed from the pre-rinsed dishes.

    [0032] In the previous paragraph, like in the rest of the description, for the sake of clarity, the word "cycle" is used to indicate all the actions which are carried out in succession on the dishes from when they are introduced to when they come out from the machine. However, it is worth clarifying that it is not an actual cycle but rather a series of operations that are carried out in succession, in different work stations or modules, on moving dishes.

    [0033] In particular, according to the invention, the draining zone 11 is not a passive zone in which there is no forced rinsing action on the stopped or transiting dishes, but rather, contrary to the current state of the art, it is provided with draining nozzles 19 for delivering the previously described draining solution 20 collected in a draining tank 21.

    [0034] In other words such draining nozzles 19 are configured so as to create a jet having speed, flow-rate, nebulization characteristics such as to generate the drawing of water with detergent present on the dishes, thus amplifying the draining effect which would otherwise occur only through gravity or by simple dilution.

    [0035] Such a draining solution 21, as already mentioned, consists of the pre-rinsing solution 17 used in the preceding pre-rinsing cycle and of the substances removed from the pre-rinsed dishes.

    [0036] The draining zone 11 is moreover provided with a discharge tank 31 for exclusively collecting the draining solution 20 delivered by the draining nozzles 19 and connected to the net 32 for discharging the discharge solution 30 collected in it.

    [0037] As visible in figure 3, every zone 11, 12, 13 is made independent from the others by means of barrier elements 33, 34 placed between the tanks 18, 21, 31 so as to ensure that the solutions delivered by the nozzles of a particular zone are collected in a particular tank without mixing together, for example, the net water used with the pre-rinsing solution.

    [0038] Such an embodiment offers an alternative solution to that described in EP18715779 in which the rinsing and pre-rinsing nozzles deliver net water and the pre-rinsing solution, respectively, in the same tank.

    [0039] On the contrary, since the invention foresees independent separate tanks, it is possible to independently control the single zones of the rinsing station, thus being able to selectively act upon the net delivery or on the pumps 23, 24 according to the requirements, through suitable sensors.

    [0040] Moreover, another special aspect of the invention consists in the fact that the discharge tank 31 in which the solution delivered by the draining nozzles 19 is collected does not foresee any return delivery to other nozzles but only the total or partial discharge to the net.

    [0041] This, differently from what is foreseen in EP18715779 in which all the tanks make the collected solutions recirculate, is due to the fact that the action of the draining nozzles 19 is not suitable for obtaining a "dilution" of the solution present on the dishes, but an actual mechanical action that forces the draining through jets of solution at high speed and flow-rate.

    [0042] In fact the flow-rate delivered by the draining nozzles 19 is greater than that of the remaining nozzles 16 and 14.

    [0043] Therefore, since the mechanical action of forcing the draining occurs at high speed and flow-rate of the solution, according to the present invention it is not provided for the control of the discharge solution 31 collected in the discharge tank 30 since it is in fact intended only for being discharged and not for being re-used in the rinsing module.

    [0044] On the contrary, since EP18715779 foresees the re-use of the solutions collected in all the tanks, the flow-rate delivered by the nozzles cannot be too high otherwise it is not possible to control the quality of the solutions and they cannot be used in the following cycle.

    [0045] As shown, the module 10 also comprises warming means 22, such as a boiler, for warming the net water 15, a pre-rinsing pump 23 that is connected to the pre-rinsing tank 18 for the delivery of a pre-rinsing solution 17 under pressure to the pre-rinsing nozzles 16 and a draining pump 24 connected to the draining tank 21 for the delivery in pressure of the draining solution 20 to the draining nozzles 19.

    [0046] Further warming means can also be foreseen acting on the solution contained in the draining tank 21 and/or in the pre-rinsing tank 18.

    [0047] As mentioned previously, the independence of the zones 11, 12 and 13 makes it possible to take care of the overall efficiency of the washing cycle with low consumption of net water.

    [0048] For such a purpose, according to the present invention, a different retroactive control system is foreseen obtained with sensors for measuring the properties of the draining 21 and pre-rinsing 17 solutions.

    [0049] Such sensors are indeed connected to a unit for controlling the delivery of the net water 15 and of the pumps 23, 24 so as to calibrate, cycle by cycle, the correct amount of net water to be used as well as the delivery flow of the nozzles 19 and 16.

    [0050] For example, in the case in which there is an increase in the flow of dishes with detergent, with consequent increase of the provision of detergent and of other pollutants in the tanks 20 and/or 17, in order to ensure a correct rinsing, the control unit, when indicated by the aforementioned sensors, controls an increase of the amount of clean net water 15 so as to ensure a correct final rinsing.

    [0051] On the other hand, when the movement of dishes with detergent decreases, with the consequent decrease in the flow of detergent present in the tanks 20 and/or 17, the control unit, when indicated by the aforementioned sensors, controls a decrease in the amount of clean net water 15 delivered for rinsing with relative saving in terms of energy consumption and rinse aid consumption.

    [0052] In a complementary manner it can also be provided for a control of the forward movement of the dishes according to the values measured in the tanks 20 and/or 17.

    [0053] As a control parameter it is possible to select at least one of the following indexes, or rather the Ph, the conductivity and/or turbidity of the draining 21 and pre-rinsing 17 solutions.

    [0054] Furthermore, it can be foreseen for there to be means for controlling also the state of the net water 15 in inlet to the module 10, thus excluding variables due to the change over time of the characteristics of the net water.

    [0055] Again, in order to ensure an effective rinsing, it can also be provided for level sensors of the solutions contained in the draining 21 and pre-rinsing 18 tanks connected to a unit for controlling further delivery of the net water 15 in the case in which the levels detected are below threshold values that have been determined a priori or that can be determined each time according to the cases.

    [0056] It is very simple to understand how a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers according to the present invention, object of the invention, operates. During the pre-rinsing step 12 of the drained dishes a pre-rinsing solution 17 is used comprising the net water 15 used in the preceding rinsing cycle and the substances removed from the rinsed dishes.

    [0057] During the draining step 11, an active step according to the present invention, a draining solution 20 is delivered comprising the pre-rinsing solution 17 used in the preceding pre-rinsing cycle and the substances removed from the pre-rinsed dishes.

    [0058] It is clear how in such a way it is possible to reduce the amount of net water 15 to be used during the rinsing with consequent saving of energy.

    [0059] Moreover, by means of pH sensors foreseen in the tanks 17, 20 it is possible to calibrate the aforementioned amount of net water 15 without jeopardising the overall efficiency of the washing cycle.

    [0060] It has thus been seen that a multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers according to the present invention achieves the purposes previously highlighted. Indeed, the multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers according to the present invention makes it possible to reduce the consumption of net water in the rinsing step without jeopardising the overall efficiency of the washing cycle by integrating an active step of the rinsing station into the natural draining step.

    [0061] The multistage rinsing module for tunnel dishwashers according to the present invention and the tunnel dishwasher provided with such a module thus conceived may undergo numerous modifications and variants, all covered by the same inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims; moreover, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as their dimensions, may be any according to the technical requirements.


    Claims

    1. Multistage rinsing module (10) for tunnel dishwashers (100) of the type comprising in succession from upstream to downstream following the movement of the dishes three independent zones, respectively:

    - a draining zone (11) of the dishes full of detergent supplied in said module (10),

    - a pre-rinsing zone (12) of said drained dishes,

    - a final rinsing zone (13) of said drained and pre-rinsed dishes; wherein

    - said final rinsing zone (13) being provided with rinsing nozzles (14) for delivering net water (15) and a pre-rinsing tank (18) for exclusively collecting said net water (15) delivered by said rinsing nozzles (14);

    - said pre-rinsing zone (12) being provided with pre-rinsing nozzles (16) for delivering a pre-rinsing solution (17) collected in said pre-rinsing tank (18) and

    - a draining tank (21) for exclusively collecting said pre-rinsing solution (17) delivered by said pre-rinsing nozzles (16),

    - said draining zone (11) being provided with draining nozzles (19) for delivering the draining solution (20) collected in a draining tank (21) and a discharge tank (31) for exclusively collecting said draining solution (20) delivered by said draining nozzles (19);

    - said discharge tank (31) only being connected to the net (32) for discharging the discharge solution (30); barrier elements (33, 34) being foreseen between said separation zones of said tanks (18, 21, 31);

    - said draining nozzles (19) being configured so as to deliver said draining solution (20) at a flowrate and a speed that are greater with respect to the pre-rinsing solution (17) and to the net water (15) delivered by said pre-rinsing nozzles (16) and by said rinsing nozzles (14).


     
    2. Multistage rinsing module (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises means (22) for warming the net water (15), a pre-rinsing pump (23) connected to a pre-rinsing tank (18) for delivering said pre-rinsing solution (17) to said pre-rinsing nozzles (16) and a draining pump (24) connected to a draining tank (21) for delivering said draining solution (20) to said draining nozzles (19).
     
    3. Multistage rinsing module (10) according to any one of the previous claims characterised in that it comprises further warming means acting on said solutions contained in said draining tank (21) and/or in said pre-rinsing tank (18).
     
    4. Multistage rinsing module (10) according to any one of the previous claims characterised in that it comprises sensors for measuring the properties of said draining (21) and pre-rinsing (17) solutions connected to a unit for controlling both delivery of said net water (15) and advancing of said dishes in said module (10).
     
    5. Multistage rinsing module (10) according to claim 4 characterised in that said sensors are pH-reading sensors of said draining (21) and pre-rinsing (17) solutions.
     
    6. Multistage rinsing module (10) according to claim 4 characterised in that said sensors are reading sensors of the conductivity of said draining (21) and prerinsing (17) solutions.
     
    7. Multistage rinsing module (10) according to claim 4 characterised in that said sensors are reading sensors of the turbidity of said draining (21) and prerinsing (17) solutions.
    Claims for the main request cv
     
    8. Multistage rinsing module (10) according to any one of the previous claims characterised in that it comprises level sensors of said solutions contained in said draining tank (21) and/or in said pre-rinsing tank (18) connected to a unit for controlling the delivery of said net water (15).
     
    9. Tunnel dishwasher (100) comprising in succession from upstream to downstream following the movement of the dishes a pre-washing module (101), at least one washing module (102, 103) and a multistage rinsing module (10) according to any one of the previous claims.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) für Tunnelgeschirrspüler (100), die nacheinander von stromaufwärts nach stromabwärts der Bewegung des Geschirrs folgend drei unabhängige Zonen umfasst, und zwar:

    - eine Drainagezone (11) für das Geschirr voller Spülmittel, das in dieser Station (10) zugeführt wird,

    - eine Vorspülzone (12) für das drainierte Geschirr,

    - eine Klarspülzone (13) für das drainierte und vorgespülte Geschirr; wobei

    - diese Klarspülzone (13) mit Spüldüsen (14) zum Zuführen von Leitungswasser (15) und mit einem Vorspültank (18) zum ausschließlichen Sammeln dieses Leitungswassers (15) versehen ist, das von den Spüldüsen (14) zugeführt wird;

    - diese Vorspülzone (12) mit Vorspüldüsen (16) zum Zuführen einer Vorspüllösung (17), die in dem Vorspültank (18) gesammelt wird, und mit einem Ablauftank (21) zum ausschließlichen Sammeln dieser Vorspüllösung (17) versehen ist, die von den Vorspüldüsen (16) zugeführt wird,

    - diese Drainagezone (11) mit Drainagedüsen (19) zum Zuführen der Drainagelösung (20), die in einem Drainagetank (21) gesammelt wird, und mit einem Ablauftank (31) zum ausschließlichen Sammeln der Drainagelösung (20) versehen ist, die von den Drainagedüsen (19) zugeführt wird;

    - dieser Drainagetank (31) nur zum Ableiten der Ablauflösung (30) mit dem Netz (32) verbunden ist; Barriereelemente (33, 34) zwischen den Trennzonen dieser Tanks (18, 21, 31) vorgesehen sind;

    - wobei diese Drainagedüsen (19) gestaltet sind, um diese Drainagelösung (20) mit einer Durchflussmenge und einer Geschwindigkeit zuzuführen, die größer als die der Vorspüllösung (17) und des Leitungswassers (15) sind, die von den Vorspüldüsen (16) und von den Spüldüsen (14) zugeführt werden.


     
    2. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie Mittel (22) zum Erwärmen des Leitungswassers (15), eine mit einem Vorspültank (18) verbundene Vorspülpumpe (23) zum Versorgen der Vorspüldüsen (16) mit der Vorspüllösung (17) und eine mit einem Drainagetank (21) verbundene Drainagepumpe (24) zum Versorgen der Drainagedüsen (19) mit der Drainagelösung (20) umfasst.
     
    3. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ferner Erwärmungsmittel umfasst, die auf die Lösungen einwirken, die im Drainagetank (21) und/oder im Vorspültank (18) enthalten sind.
     
    4. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie Sensoren zum Messen der Eigenschaften der Drainage- (21) und Vorspül-(17) -Lösungen umfasst, die an eine Einheit zum Steuern sowohl der Zufuhr des Leitungswassers (15) als auch des Vorschubs des Geschirrs in der Station (10) angeschlossen sind.
     
    5. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sensoren Sensoren zum Messen des pH-Werts der Drainage- (21) und Vorspül- (17) -lösungen sind.
     
    6. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sensoren Sensoren zum Messen der Leitfähigkeit der Drainage- (21) und Vorspül- (17) -lösungen sind.
     
    7. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sensoren Sensoren zum Messen der Trübung der Drainage- (21) und Vorspül- (17) -lösungen sind.
     
    8. Mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie Niveausensoren für die im Drainagetank (21) und/oder im Vorspültank (18) enthaltenen Lösungen umfasst, die an eine Einheit zum Steuern der Zufuhr des Leitungswassers (15) angeschlossen sind.
     
    9. Tunnelgeschirrspüler (100), der nacheinander von stromaufwärts nach stromabwärts der Bewegung des Geschirrs folgend eine Vorreinigungsstation (101), mindestens eine Reinigungsstation (102, 103) und eine mehrstufige Spülstation (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche umfasst.
     


    Revendications

    1. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) pour lave-vaisselle à tunnel (100) du type comprenant en succession, d'amont en aval suivant le déplacement de la vaisselle, trois zones indépendantes, respectivement :

    - une zone de drainage (11) de la vaisselle pleine de détergent alimentée dans ladite station (10),

    - une zone de pré-rinçage (12) de ladite vaisselle drainée,

    - une zone de rinçage final (13) de ladite vaisselle drainée et pré-rincée ; dans laquelle

    - ladite zone de rinçage final (13) étant équipée de buses de rinçage (14) pour distribuer de l'eau de réseau (15) et un réservoir de pré-rinçage (18) pour recueillir exclusivement ladite eau de réseau (15) distribuée par lesdites buses de rinçage (14) ;

    - ladite zone de pré-rinçage (12) étant équipée de buses de pré-rinçage (16) pour distribuer une solution de pré-rinçage (17) recueillie dans ledit réservoir de pré-rinçage (18) et

    - un réservoir de drainage (21) pour recueillir exclusivement ladite solution de pré-rinçage (17) distribuée par lesdites buses de pré-rinçage (16),

    - ladite zone de drainage (11) étant équipée de buses de drainage (19) pour distribuer la solution de drainage (20) recueillie dans un réservoir de drainage (21) et un réservoir d'évacuation (31) pour recueillir exclusivement ladite solution de drainage (20) distribuée par lesdites buses de drainage (19) ;

    - ledit réservoir d'évacuation (31) étant le seul raccordé au réseau (32) pour évacuer la solution d'évacuation (30); des éléments de barrière (33, 34) étant disposés entre lesdites zones de séparation desdits réservoirs (18, 21, 31) ;

    - lesdites buses de drainage (19) étant configurées de manière à distribuer ladite solution de drainage (20) à un débit et une vitesse qui sont supérieurs par rapport à la solution de pré-rinçage (17) et à l'eau de réseau (15) distribuées par lesdites buses de pré-rinçage (16) et par lesdites buses de rinçage (14).


     
    2. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des moyens (22) pour chauffer l'eau de réseau (15), une pompe de pré-rinçage (23) connectée à un réservoir de pré-rinçage (18) pour distribuer ladite solution de pré-rinçage (17) auxdites buses de pré-rinçage (16) et une pompe de drainage (24) connectée à un réservoir de drainage (21) pour distribuer ladite solution de drainage (20) auxdites buses de drainage (19).
     
    3. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend d'autres moyens de chauffage agissant sur lesdites solutions contenues dans ledit réservoir de drainage (21) et/ou dans ledit réservoir de pré-rinçage (18).
     
    4. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des capteurs pour mesurer les propriétés desdites solutions de drainage (21) et de pré-rinçage (17), connectés à une unité pour commander à la fois la distribution de ladite eau de réseau (15) et l'avance de ladite vaisselle dans ladite station (10).
     
    5. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que lesdits capteurs sont des capteurs de mesure de pH desdites solutions de drainage (21) et de pré-rinçage (17).
     
    6. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que lesdits capteurs sont des capteurs de mesure de la conductivité desdites solutions de drainage (21) et de pré-rinçage (17).
     
    7. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que lesdits capteurs sont capteurs de mesure de la turbidité desdites solutions de drainage (21) et de pré-rinçage (17).
     
    8. Station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des capteurs de niveau desdites solutions contenues dans ledit réservoir de drainage (21) et/ou dans ledit réservoir de pré-rinçage (18) connectés à une unité pour commander la distribution de ladite eau de réseau (15).
     
    9. Lave-vaisselle à tunnel (100) comprenant en succession, d'amont en aval suivant le déplacement de la vaisselle une station de prélavage (101), au moins une station de lavage (102, 103) et une station de rinçage à plusieurs étages (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description