DISHWASHER FOR POTS AND PANS

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher, and more particularly to a dishwasher for pots and pans.

Background

[0002] Commercial dishwashers for cleansing heavily soiled articles such as pots, pans, and other utensils are used in food service industry, such as catering trade, hotel industry, restaurants, hospital kitchens, schools etc.

[0003] While a relatively low washer fluid spray pressure is used for washing dishes a relatively high pressure spray is used for washing pots and pans.

[0004] US3858595 describes a utensil washing apparatus providing a washer fluid spray pressure in the range of 1.7 - 2.8 bar (25-40 psi) for washing pots and pans to remove baked-on types of soil.

[0005] However, pots and pans are generally large and bulky utensils, and a problem is that the interior surfaces of the pots and pans that have become caked with food residue as the result of the cooking operations may be shielded from or remote form the wash nozzles even with a relatively high pressure spray.

[0006] US5131419 describes a multi-function warewashing machine having a plurality of operating modes each providing different spray patterns and different impact forces. The warewashing machine includes an upper wash nozzle manifold, a lower wash nozzle manifold, and upper rinse nozzle manifold and a lower rinse nozzle manifold. A recirculation pump draws wash water from a wash water storage chamber and delivers the wash water at a boosted pressure to the upper wash nozzle manifold and lower wash nozzle manifold through a recirculation line. For the purpose of providing a specialized spray pattern for pot and pan washing, the warewashing machine includes an orbiting-type spray nozzle assembly. The spray nozzle assembly includes a nozzle rotatably mounted on a base and having a slotted orifice, and a pair of rotator arms, which extend outward radially from the nozzle defining oppositely directed outlet orifices. The spray nozzle produces a "knife" pattern jet of wash water which is directed through an aperture in the rack to the inner surfaces of the pot or pan contained in the rack at and near the bottom thereof. The spray nozzles direct spray patterns to the inner side walls of the pot or pan, and by virtue of the oppositely directed orifices cause rotation of the spray nozzle assembly when wash water is supplied to the nozzles of the rotator arms.

[0007] FR2265337 describes a washing machine for utensils having washing and rinsing ramps arranged on a mobile cart moving transversely and alternately in the washing chamber and that a lower washing and rinsing ramps are oriented from front to back. During an outward journey of the carriage and back and forth during its return journey a coaxial semi-rotation is performed of the ramps, the angle of which can be adjusted by means of a manual stop with a bias profile.

[0008] US 2014/290696 describes a dishwasher using granules for washing pots and pans, which comprises a water pump, which can operate at different speeds, leading to different water pressures and flows. Elongated spraying nozzles are arranged on washing tubes A low speed is used for washing up crockery, cutlery and glasses and a higher speed is used for pot washing. The high water pressure is about 0.8-1.0 atm gauge (1.8-2.0 atm absolute) and the low water pressure is about 0.2-0.4 atm gauge (1.2-1.4 atm absolute). The water flow is about 800-1100 liters per minute at high pressure, and it is about 300-450 liters per minute at low pressure.

[0009] US 2018/242812 describes a dishwashing machine comprising a circulating pump which sucks washing liquid from a catchment sink assembly, and feeds said washing liquid to nozzles with a given pressure preferably ranging between 1.5 and 3 bars.

[0010] US2051233 describes a dishwashing machine, which comprises spray pipes provided with regularly spaced slots for providing fan-shaped spray of liquid.

[0011] US5497798 describes a dishwasher for cleaning commercial quantities of dishware. The dishwasher comprises spray manifolds, each having a series of orifices which direct cleaning fluid toward the dishware, wherein each orifice provides a fan-shaped spray pattern. The cleaning fluid pressure is preferably between about 4 to 8 pounds per square inch. The amount of cleaning fluid sprayed from the spray arm is between about 8 to 35 gallons per minute.US2019/290097 describes contemporary automatic dishwashers for use in a typical household. A set of fan spray nozzles can be provided on a manifold of a sprayer.

[0012] US 2014/054395 describes a nozzle device for a spray arm of a dishwasher for spraying cleaning fluid out into a dishwashing space, with a fluid outflow surface for the outflow of the cleaning fluid from the nozzle device.

[0013] Although, prior art warewashing machines may provide a relatively high pressure spray in combination with a specialized spray pattern for pot and pan washing, they can still not provide sufficient stripping action and thereby leaving spots and streaks of food residue of the pots and pans, particularly for pots and pans of various shapes and sizes due to the spray patterns being shaded.

Summary

[0014] It is an object of the teachings of this application to obviate at least some of the above disadvantages and to provide an improved dishwasher for pots and pans, and more particularly an improved dishwasher for pots and pans of various shapes and sizes.

[0015] According to a first aspect, this is achieved by a dishwasher for pots and pans, comprising at least one liquid pump, a dishwashing chamber, at least one spray arm provided with a number of spray nozzles arranged in the dishwashing chamber, wherein the at least one liquid pump is arranged to provide a liquid flow of 100 - 250 l/min, the spray nozzles are flat fan nozzles and the at least one liquid pump is arranged in fluid connection with the at least one spray arm to supply high pressure spray through the spray nozzles, within the range of 3-7 bar.

[0016] In some embodiments, the at least one liquid pump is arranged to provide fluid spray pressure within the range of 4-6 bar.

[0017] In some embodiments, two liquid pumps of the at least one liquid pump are arranged to operate in separate pump systems to supply liquid pressure to separate spray arms.

[0018] In some embodiments, the at least one liquid pump is a centrifugal pump or a multistage centrifugal pump.

[0019] In some embodiments, the flat fan nozzles are arranged to generate sharp edge shaped jets.

[0020] Advantageously, the flat fan nozzles are elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles.

[0021] In some embodiments, the elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles have an orifice width of 2 to 4 mm, and preferably 2 to 3 mm.

[0022] In some embodiments, the elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles have an orifice length of 5 to 10 mm.

[0023] In some embodiments, each of the spray arms is provided with 4-6 interspaced spray nozzles.

[0024] In some embodiments, the dishwasher comprises two motor-driven oscillating spray arms arranged in parallel in the lower part of the chamber, and an electric motor arranged to operate the oscillating spray arms by means of a linkage mechanism connected to the two oscillating spray arms and to the electric motor via a joint coupling.

[0025] In some embodiments, the dishwasher comprises a rectangular basket for pots or pans, wherein the basket comprises a rectangular open grid-shaped bottom wall and four grid-shaped sidewalls, wherein the bottom wall comprises a plurality of round metal rods crossed and bound to provide a spaced grid, wherein the rods are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles as arranged on the at least one spray arm.

[0026] In some embodiments, the dishwasher comprises a rectangular basket for pots or pans, wherein the basket comprises a rectangular open grid-shaped bottom wall and four grid-shaped sidewalls, wherein the bottom wall comprises a plurality of round metal rods arranged in parallel between two sidewalls, wherein the rods are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles as arranged on the at least one spray arm.

[0027] In some embodiments, the basket has arched rods or rails arranged to hold two angled pans in place in the dishwasher. Advantageously, the pans are fixed to the basket even under exerted high pressure spray jets.

[0028] In some embodiments, dishwasher comprises attachment means for holding a basket for pots and pans in place in the dishwasher even under exerted high pressure spray jets.

[0029] In some embodiments, the dishwasher comprises a lower horizontal spray arm arranged in the lower part of the chamber, an upper horizontal spray arm arranged in the upper part of the chamber, a vertical spray arm arranged in the back part of the chamber, and a motor driven circular rotating basket for pots or pans, and an electric motor arranged to rotate the basket.

[0030] In some embodiments, the circular basket comprises a circular grid-shaped bottom wall and a grid-shaped circumferential wall, wherein the circular grid-shaped bottom wall comprises a plurality of round metal rods crossed and bound to provide a spaced grid, wherein the rods are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles as arranged on the spray arms.

[0031] Other aspects and features of the invention and its embodiments are further explained in the detailed description and the drawings, and are defined by the appended claims.

[0032] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] Further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description of embodiments, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a dishwasher with two liquid pumps according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of the dishwasher as shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a schematic front view of a dishwasher with a single liquid pump according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1D is a schematic side view of the dishwasher as shown in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a sink in the lower portion of a dishwashing chamber of the dishwasher in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the lower portion of the dishwashing chamber in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a schematic front view of the dishwasher in FIG. 1 in operation;

FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of the dishwasher in operation as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a locally enlarged view of the dishwasher as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of a flat fan spray nozzle of a dishwasher;

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the spray nozzle in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a basket for pots and pans according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a basket for pots and pans according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the basket in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10A is a schematic front view of a dishwasher with a rotating basket according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 10B is a schematic side view of the dishwasher as shown in FIG. 10A.

Detailed Description

[0034] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 1-10, which illustrate schematically an example arrangement to some embodiments. The same reference signs are used for corresponding features in different figures. The terminology used in the detailed description and drawings of the embodiments is not intended to be limiting.

[0035] The following description describes embodiments applicable to the field of dishwashing apparatuses for equipment surface treatment, such as dishwashers, including but not limited to dishwashers for small, medium, and large sized commercial kitchens, such as pot washers. The dishwashing apparatuses may be, but is not limited to, dishwashers for heavily soiled articles to be washed, for example dishwashers for pots and pans or other coarse articles to be washed.

[0036] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show an embodiment of a dishwasher 100 for heavily soiled articles to be washed, for example pots, pans, canteens, utensils, ovenware, grids, ladles, bowls etc., wherein the dishwasher may be arranged to provide washing liquid, including but not limited to water, or water and detergent, or any other suitable liquid for dishwashing that is sprayed under pressure towards the articles to be washed. In some embodiments the dishwasher may be arranged to circulate liquid with and without detergent.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the dishwasher 100 according to some embodiments comprises a stand 101, a dishwashing chamber 102, a washing tank 103 for washing liquid located below the dishwashing chamber and arranged on the stand, and a first washing liquid conduit system 104 and a rinse liquid conduit system (not shown). The washing liquid conduit system 104 connects the washing tank 103 to the dishwashing chamber 102. Similarly, the rinse liquid conduit system connects a rinse tank (not shown) to the dishwashing chamber 102. A back wall 105 of the stand, a sink 106 and a hood 107 may form the chamber 102. In this embodiment, the hood 107 is movably arranged to the back wall 105 of the stand. The hood 107 may be moved between a closed position as shown in FIG. 1 when the dishwasher is ready for operation, and an open position, in which dishes, preferably on a washing rack, basket or ware holder, may be put into or removed from the chamber 102. The hood 107 may be moved by means of a handle 108 arranged on the exterior of the hood.

[0038] Further, the dishwasher 100 comprises a first liquid pump 109, which may be high pressure liquid or water pump arranged in the lower part of the stand 101. The pump may be arranged to operate at different speeds, leading to different liquid pressures and flow of wash water through at least one, but not limited to, first and second motor-driven oscillating spray arms 111, 112. The spray arms 111, 112 are arranged in the sink 106 in the lower portion of the chamber 102. Further, the spray arms 111, 112 are arranged in fluid connection with the washing tank 103 via the washing liquid conduit system 104 and the pump 109. Each of the oscillating spray arms 111, 112 are provided with a number of spray nozzles 120. The spray nozzles 120 are flat fan nozzles according to the present invention, or preferably elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles.

[0039] The high pressure water pump 109 is configured to operate to provide fluid spray pressure within the range of approximately 3-7 bar, and preferably in the range of 4-6 bar, through the spray nozzles 120.

[0040] The water pump 109 may be a centrifugal pump or a multistage centrifugal pump or any other pump that may create required pressure and flow to handle food residuals of typical, but not limited to, 3-5mm. Depending on the wash area and the number of nozzles of each oscillating spray arm, the water flow provided by the water supply pump is about 100 - 250 l/min.

[0041] In this embodiment, the dishwasher is provided with a second liquid pump 125, which may be a water pump 125 arranged to operate in a second liquid conduit system 126 to supply dishwater at a pressure within the range of approximately 0.2-0.6 bar, and preferably in the range of 0.3-0.5 bar to an upper rotating spray arm 127 and/or a lower rotating spray arm 128 for supplying washing liquid on the utensils, pots or pans to be washed.

[0042] A low speed of the second water pump 125 may be used for washing up crockery, cutlery and glasses and a higher speed may be used for supporting pot washing. The speed of the second supply pump and the resulting liquid pressure may be adjusted to the specific dishwasher and the type of dishes, for example glassware or pots etc that are to be washed up.

[0043] The dishwasher may have a rinse system, including a rinse tank, a rinse liquid conduit system, and a rinse pump configured to provide rinsing through an upper rotating rinse spray arm 129 and/or a lower rotating rinse spray arm 130 connected to the rinse liquid conduit system. The rinse liquid conduit system is arranged to provide rinsing liquid, i.e fresh water, circulation water, or any other suitable liquid, with or without rinsing agent, to the upper and lower rotating rinse spray arms 129, 130.

[0044] Moreover, an electric cabinet 131 may be arranged in the lower part of the stand 101 configured for main connection and power supply of the high pressure water pump 109, the second water pump 125, heaters in the washing tank 103, and the rinse pump of the rinse tank. The electric cabinet 131 may contain circuitry and/or a program-control device configured to run one or more different washing programs for operating the dishwasher 100 in response to user input via a user interface, such as a control panel, arranged on and accessible from the exterior of the dishwasher and operatively connected to the circuitry.

[0045] The dishwasher 100 may comprise attachment means 135, for example but not limited to a rest, bar, or holder, arranged on opposite inside walls of the chamber 102 for holding a basket och rack for pots and pans in place in the dishwasher.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, a dishwasher 100' according to some embodiments comprises a stand 101', a dishwashing chamber 102', a washing tank 103', a washing liquid conduit system 104' and a rinse liquid conduit system (not shown). The washing liquid conduit system 104' connects the washing tank 103' to the dishwashing chamber 102'. Similarly, the rinse liquid conduit system connects a rinse tank (not shown) to the dishwashing chamber 102'. A back wall 105' of the stand, a sink 106' and a hood 107' may form the chamber 102'. The hood 107' may be moved between a closed position when the dishwasher is ready for operation, and an open position, in which dishes, preferably on a washing rack or ware holder, may be put into or removed from the chamber 102'. The hood 107' may be moved by means of a handle 108' arranged on the exterior of the hood.

[0047] Further, the dishwasher 100' comprises a liquid pump 109', which is a high pressure liquid or water pump, arranged in the lower part of the stand 101', which can operate at different speeds, leading to different liquid pressures and flow of wash water through at least one, but not limited to, first and second motor-driven oscillating spray arms 111', 112'. The spray arms 111', 112' arranged in the sink 106' in the lower portion of the chamber 102'. Further, the spray arms 111', 112' are arranged in fluid connection with the washing tank 103' via the washing liquid conduit system 104' and the pump 109'. Each of the oscillating spray arms 111', 112' are provided with a number of spray nozzles 120'. The spray nozzles 120' are flat fan nozzles according to the present invention, or preferably elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles.

[0048] The high pressure water pump 109' is configured to operate to provide fluid spray pressure within the range of approximately 3-7 bar, and preferably in the range of 4-6 bar, through the spray nozzles 120'.

[0049] The water pump 109' may be a centrifugal pump or a multistage centrifugal pump or any other pump that may create required pressure and flow to handle food residuals of typical, but not limited to, 3-5mm. Depending on the wash area and the number of nozzles of each oscillating spray arm, the water flow provided by the water supply pump is about 100 - 250 l/min.

[0050] The dishwasher may have a rinse system, including a rinse tank, a rinse liquid conduit system, and a rinse pump configured to provide rinsing through an upper rotating rinse spray arm 129' and/or a lower rotating rinse spray arm 130' connected to the rinse liquid conduit system. The rinse liquid conduit system is arranged to provide rinsing liquid, i.e fresh water, circulation water, or any other suitable liquid, with or without rinsing agent, to the upper and lower rotating rinse spray arms 129', 130'.

[0051] Moreover, an electric cabinet 131' may be arranged in the lower part of the stand 101' configured for main connection and power supply of the high pressure water pump 109', heaters in the washing tank 103', and the rinse pump of the rinse tank. The electric cabinet 131' may contain circuitry and/or a program-control device configured to run one or more different washing programs for operating the dishwasher 100 in response to user input via a user interface, such as a control panel, arranged on and accessible from the exterior of the dishwasher and operatively connected to the circuitry.

[0052] The dishwasher 100' may comprise attachment means 135', for example but not limited to a rest, bar, or holder, arranged on opposite inside walls of the chamber 102 for holding a basket och rack for pots and pans in place in the dishwasher.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sink 106 in the lower portion of the dishwashing chamber of the dishwasher 100. In this embodiment, two motor-driven oscillating spray arms 111, 112 are arranged in parallel in the sink 106 in the lower portion of the chamber. An electric motor 200 is arranged to operate the oscillating spray arms 111, 112 by means of a linkage mechanism 210. The linkage mechanism connects the two oscillating spray arms 111, 112 to the electric motor 200 via a jointed coupling 220. The oscillating spray arms 111, 112 are arranged to supply a high pressure spray upwards through the spray nozzles 120 during the oscillation generated by means of a rotary movement of the electric motor 200 of about 5-10 r.p.m , preferably about 8 r.p.m, being transferred to an oscillating movement of the spray arms 111, 112 via the linkage mechanism 210.

[0054] Similarly, an electric motor 200' is arranged to operate the oscillating spray arms 111', 112' by means of a linkage mechanism 210' as illustrated in the embodiment with a single water pump 109' shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D. In this embodiment, the linkage mechanism connects the two oscillating spray arms 111', 112' to the electric motor 200' via a jointed coupling 220'.

[0055] In this embodiment the lower rotating spray arm 128 for supplying washing liquid and the rotating rinse spray arm 130 are arranged on top of each other for rotating above the oscillating spray arms 111, 112. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower rotating spray arm 128 and the lower rotating rinse spray arm 130 may stop in unsuitable positions, wherein they may "shadow" spray jets from one or more of the spray nozzles 120 of the oscillating spray arms 111, 112. However, the dishwasher may be arranged to move the rotating spray arm 128 and the rotating rinse spray arm 130 into suitable positions as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thereby, unobstructed spacy is provided for the spray jets from the spray nozzles 120 towards the pots or pans to be washed. This movement of the rotating spray arm 128 and the rotating rinse spray arm 130 may be initiated by a washing program being run on the program control device of the dishwasher.

[0056] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrates the dishwasher 100 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B in operation. For the purpose of illustration, only elements in the lower portion of the dishwasher involved in the sequence of operation of the dishwasher 100 providing high pressure spray through the oscillating spray arms 111, 112 are described. However, the upper rotating spray arm 127 may be operated to support the pot washing in some embodiments. Two pots 132a, 132b and two pans 133a, 133b are placed in a dish rack or basket 700 inserted in the dishwashing chamber 102. An angle of oscillation of the spray arms 111, 112 and the correspond coverage of a spray pattern generated by the spray jets provided by the spray nozzles 120 due to the oscillation is illustrated by schematic circular sectors 134a, 134b as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0057] The spray pattern is further illustrated by sharp edge shaped jets 140 generated by the spray nozzles 120. Thereby, a particular spray pattern is directed through apertures in the basket 700 towards the inside of the pots 132a, 132b and pans 133a, 133b.

[0058] The advantageous spray pattern, which is generated by the movement of the oscillating spray arms 111, 112 and the spray jets generated by the spray nozzles 120, is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 5. It is evident that the generated spray pattern provides sufficient stripping action removing every spot and streak of food residue from the pots and pans of various shapes and sizes.

[0059] According to an embodiment, each of the spray nozzles 120 is a flat fan spray nozzle as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. In this embodiment, the flat fan spray nozzle 120 is an elliptical orifice flat fan nozzle, i.e has an elliptical orifice 145, providing an advantageous sharp edged spray jet 140 for efficient removing of food residue from the pots and pans.

[0060] The dish rack or basket may be, but is not limited to, a rectangular basket 700 for pots or pans as shown in FIG. 7. The basket 700 comprises a rectangular open grid-shaped bottom wall 710 and four grid-shaped sidewalls 720. The bottom wall 710 comprises a plurality of round metal rods 730 crossed and bound to provide a spaced grid with apertures 735. The rods 730 are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles 120; 120' as arranged on the spray arms 111, 112; 111', 112'. The shape and size of the apertures 735 is adapted to the spray pattern generated by the spray nozzles 120; 120' providing improved passage of spray towards the inside of pots and pans placed and preferably attached by means of attachment means of the basket. The attachment means may be, but is not limited to, arched rods or rails 740. The attachment means may be arranged to hold two angled pans 133a, 133b in place in the dishwasher 100; 110' as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0061] In another embodiment, the dishwasher may comprise a rectangular basket 800 for pots or pans, wherein the basket 800 comprises a rectangular open grid-shaped bottom wall 810 and four grid-shaped sidewalls 820. The bottom wall 810 comprises a plurality of round metal rods 830 arranged in parallel between two sidewalls forming apertures 835, wherein the rods 830 are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles 120 as arranged on the at least one spray arm 111, 112; 111'; 112'. The shape and size of the apertures 835 is adapted to the spray pattern generated by the spray nozzles 120, 120' providing improved passage of spray towards the inside of pots and pans placed and preferably attached by means of attachment means of the basket. The attachment means may be, but is not limited to, arched rods or rails 840. The attachment means may be arranged to hold two angled pans 133a, 133b in place in the dishwasher 100; 110' as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a side view of the basket in FIG. 7 illustrating the arched rods 740 for attachment of pans to the basket.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, a dishwasher 1000 according to some embodiments comprises a stand 1101, a dishwashing chamber 1102, a washing tank 1103, a washing liquid conduit system 1104 and a rinse liquid conduit system (not shown). The washing liquid conduit system 1104 connects the washing tank 1103 to the dishwashing chamber 1102. Similarly, the rinse liquid conduit system connects a rinse tank (not shown) to the dishwashing chamber 1102. A back wall 1105 of the stand, a sink 1106 and a hood 1107 may form the chamber 1102. The hood 1107 may be moved between a closed position when the dishwasher is ready for operation, and an open position, in which dishes, preferably on a washing rack or ware holder, may be put into or removed from the chamber 1102. The hood 1107 may be moved by means of a handle 1108 arranged on the exterior of the hood.

[0064] Further, the dishwasher 1000 comprises a liquid pump 1109, which is high pressure liquid or water pump, arranged in the lower part of the stand 1101, which can operate at different speeds, leading to different liquid pressures and flow of wash water through

[0065] A lower horizontal spray arm 1111 arranged in the lower part of the chamber 1102, an upper horizontal spray arm 1112 arranged in the upper part of the chamber, a vertical spray arm 1113 arranged in the back part of the chamber,

[0066] Further, the spray arms 1111, 1112, 1113 are arranged in fluid connection with the washing tank 1103 via the washing liquid conduit system 1104 and the pump 1109. Each of the spray arms 1111, 1112, 1113 are provided with a number of spray nozzles 1120. The spray nozzles 1120 are flat fan nozzles according to the present invention, or preferably elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles.

[0067] The high pressure water pump 1109 is configured to operate to provide fluid spray pressure within the range of approximately 3-7 bar, and preferably in the range of 4-6 bar, through the spray nozzles 120.

[0068] The water pump 1109 may be a centrifugal pump or a multistage centrifugal pump or any other pump that may create required pressure and flow to handle food residuals of typical, but not limited to, 3-5mm. Depending on the wash area and the number of nozzles of each oscillating spray arm, the water flow provided by the water supply pump is about 100 - 250 l/min.

[0069] The dishwasher is provided with a motor driven circular rotating basket 1700 for pots or pans 113a, 133b, and an electric motor 1200 arranged to rotate the basket. The circular basket 1700 comprises a circular grid-shaped bottom wall 1710 and a grid-shaped circumferential wall 1720. The circular grid-shaped bottom wall 1710 comprises a plurality of round metal rods crossed and bound to provide a spaced grid, wherein the rods are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles as arranged on the spray arms.

[0070] Moreover, an electric cabinet 1131 may be arranged in the lower part of the stand 1101 configured for main connection and power supply of the high pressure water pump 1109, heaters in the washing tank 1103, and the rinse pump of the rinse tank. The electric cabinet 1131 may contain circuitry and/or a program-control device configured to run one or more different washing programs for operating the dishwasher 1100 in response to user input via a user interface, such as a control panel, arranged on and accessible from the exterior of the dishwasher and operatively connected to the circuitry.

[0071] The features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the scope of the claims.

[0072] In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "an", "first", "second" etc do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (100; 100'; 1000) for pots and pans, comprising:

at least one liquid pump (109; 109'; 1109);

a dishwashing chamber (102; 102'; 1102);

at least one spray arm (111, 112; 111',112'; 1111, 1112, 1113) provided with a number of spray nozzles (120; 120') arranged in the dishwashing chamber (102; 102'; 1102); wherein the at least one liquid pump (109, 109', 1109) is arranged in fluid connection with the at least one spray arm (111, 112; 111', 112', 1111, 1112, 1113) to supply spray through the spray nozzles (120; 120'):

characterized in that

the at least one liquid pump (109; 109'; 1109) is arranged to provide a liquid flow of 100 - 250 l/min;

the spray nozzles (120; 120'; 1120) are flat fan nozzles and the at least one liquid pump (109; 109'; 1109) is arranged to supply high pressure spray through the spray nozzles (120; 120'; 1120), within the range of 3-7 bar.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid pump (109; 109'; 1109) is arranged to provide fluid spray pressure within the range of 4-6 bar.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two liquid pumps of the at least one liquid pump (109; 109'; 1109) are arranged to operate in separate pump systems to supply liquid pressure to separate spray arms (111, 112; 111', 112'; 1111, 1112, 1113).

4. The dishwasher according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the at least one liquid pump (109; 109'; 1109) is a centrifugal pump or a multistage centrifugal pump.

5. The dishwasher according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the flat fan nozzles (120; 120'; 1120) are arranged to generate sharp edge shaped jets (140).

6. The dishwasher according to claim 5, flat fan nozzles (120; 120'; 1120) are elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 6, wherein each of the elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles (120; 120'; 1120) have an orifice (145) width of 2 to 4 mm, and preferably 2 to 3 mm.

8. The dishwasher according to claims 6 or 7, wherein each of the elliptical orifice flat fan nozzles (120; 120'; 1120) have an orifice (145) length of 5 to 10 mm.

9. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims 1-8, wherein each of the spray arms (111, 112; 111', 112'; 1111; 1112; 1113 is provided with 4-6 interspaced spray nozzles (120; 120';1120).

10. The dishwasher according any of the preceding claims 1-9, wherein the at least one spray arm comprises two motor-driven oscillating spray arms (111, 112; 111', 112') arranged in parallel in the lower part of the chamber (102; 102'), and an electric motor (200; 200') arranged to operate the oscillating spray arms (111, 112; 111', 112') by means of a linkage mechanism (210;210') connected to the two oscillating spray arms (111,112; 111', 112') and to the electric motor (200; 200') via a joint coupling (220; 220').

11. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims 1-10, comprising a rectangular basket (700) for pots or pans, wherein the basket (700) comprises a rectangular open grid-shaped bottom wall (710) and four grid-shaped sidewalls (720), wherein the bottom wall (710) comprises a plurality of round metal rods (730) crossed and bound to provide a spaced grid, wherein the rods (730) are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles (120) as arranged on the at least one spray arm (111).

12. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims 1-10, comprising a rectangular basket (800) for pots or pans, wherein the basket (800) comprises a rectangular open grid-shaped bottom wall (810) and four grid-shaped sidewalls (820), wherein the bottom wall (810) comprises a plurality of round metal rods (830) arranged in parallel between two sidewalls, wherein the rods (830) are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles (120) as arranged on the at least one spray arm (111).

13. The dishwasher according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the basket (700; 800) has arched rods or rails (740; 840) arranged to hold two angled pans (133a, 133b) in place in the dishwasher (100; 110').

14. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, comprising attachment means (135) for holding a basket for pots and pans in place in the dishwasher.

15. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims 1-9, wherein the at least one spray arm comprises a lower horizontal spray arm (1111) arranged in the lower part of the chamber (1102), an upper horizontal spray arm (1112) arranged in the upper part of the chamber (1102), a vertical spray arm (1113) arranged in the back part of the chamber (1102), and a motor driven circular rotating basket (1700) for pots or pans, and an electric motor (1200) arranged to rotate the basket (1700).

16. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the circular basket (1700) comprises a circular grid-shaped bottom wall (1710) and a grid-shaped circumferential wall (1720), wherein the circular grid-shaped bottom wall (1710) comprises a plurality of round metal rods crossed and bound to provide a spaced grid, wherein the rods are separated by a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the spray nozzles (120) as arranged on the spray arms (1111, 1112, 1113).

Ansprüche

1. Geschirrspülmaschine (100; 100'; 1000) für Töpfe und Pfannen, umfassend:

wenigstens eine Flüssigkeitspumpe (109; 109'; 1109);

eine Geschirrspülkammer (102; 102'; 1102);

wenigstens einen Sprüharm (111, 112; 111', 112'; 1111, 1112, 1113), der mit einer Anzahl von Sprühdüsen (120; 120') versehen ist, die in der Geschirrspülkammer (102; 102'; 1102) angeordnet sind, wobei die wenigstens eine Flüssigkeitspumpe (109, 109', 1109) in Fluidverbindung mit dem wenigstens einen Sprüharm (111, 112; 111', 112', 1111, 1112, 1113) angeordnet ist, um Sprühmittel durch die Sprühdüsen (120; 120') zuzuführen:

dadurch gekennzeichnet

die wenigstens eine Flüssigkeitspumpe (109; 109'; 1109) angeordnet ist, einen Flüssigkeitsdurchfluss von 100-250 l/min bereitzustellen;

wobei die Sprühdüsen (120; 120'; 1120) Flachstrahldüsen sind und die wenigstens eine Flüssigkeitspumpe (109; 109'; 1109) angeordnet ist, Hochdrucksprühmittel durch die Sprühdüsen (120; 120'; 1120) im Bereich von 3-7 bar zu liefern.

2. Geschirrspülmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei die wenigstens eine Flüssigkeitspumpe (109; 109'; 1109) angeordnet ist, einen Fluidsprühdruck im Bereich von 4-6 bar bereitzustellen.

3. Geschirrspülmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei zwei Flüssigkeitspumpen der wenigstens einen Flüssigkeitspumpe (109; 109'; 1109) angeordnet sind, in separaten Pumpensystemen zu arbeiten, um separaten Sprüharmen (111, 112; 111', 112'; 1111, 1112, 1113) Flüssigkeitsdruck zuzuführen.

4. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, wobei die wenigstens eine Flüssigkeitspumpe (109; 109'; 1109) eine Kreiselpumpe oder eine mehrstufige Kreiselpumpe ist.

5. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Flachstrahldüsen (120; 120'; 1120) angeordnet sind, scharfkantige Strahlen (140) zu erzeugen.

6. Geschirrspülmaschine nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Flachstrahldüsen (120; 120'; 1120) Flachstrahldüsen mit elliptischer Öffnung sind.

7. Geschirrspülmaschine nach Anspruch 6, wobei jede der Flachstrahldüsen (120; 120'; 1120) mit elliptischer Öffnung eine Breite der Öffnung (145) von 2 bis 4 mm aufweist, vorzugsweise 2 bis 3 mm.

8. Geschirrspülmaschine nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei jede der Flachstrahldüsen (120; 120'; 1120) mit elliptischer Öffnung eine Länge der Öffnung (145) von 5 bis 10 mm aufweist.

9. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1-8, wobei jeder der Sprüharme (111, 112; 111', 112'; 1111; 1112; 1113) mit 4-6 beabstandeten Sprühdüsen (120; 120'; 1120) versehen ist.

10. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1-9, wobei der wenigstens eine Sprüharm zwei motorisch angetriebene oszillierende Sprüharme (111, 112; 111', 112') umfasst, die parallel im unteren Teil der Kammer (102; 102') angeordnet sind, sowie einen Elektromotor (200; 200'), der angeordnet ist, die oszillierenden Sprüharme (111, 112; 111', 112') mittels eines Verbindungsmechanismus (210; 210') zu betätigen, der mit den zwei oszillierenden Sprüharmen (111, 112; 111', 112') und über eine Gelenkkupplung (220; 220') mit dem Elektromotor (200; 200') verbunden ist.

11. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1-10, umfassend einen rechteckigen Korb (700) für Töpfe oder Pfannen, wobei der Korb (700) eine rechteckig offene gitterförmige Bodenwand (710) und vier gitterförmige Seitenwände (720) umfasst, wobei die Bodenwand (710) eine Vielzahl runder Metallstäbe (730) umfasst, die gekreuzt und verbunden sind, um ein beabstandetes Gitter bereitzustellen, wobei die Stäbe (730) in einem Abstand voneinander getrennt sind, der größer oder gleich dem Abstand zwischen den an dem wenigstens einen Sprüharm (111) angeordneten Sprühdüsen (120) ist.

12. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1-10, umfassend einen rechteckigen Korb (800) für Töpfe oder Pfannen, wobei der Korb (800) eine rechteckig offene gitterförmige Bodenwand (810) und vier gitterförmige Seitenwände (820) umfasst, wobei die Bodenwand (810) eine Vielzahl runder Metallstäbe (830) umfasst, die parallel zwischen zwei Seitenwänden angeordnet sind, wobei die Stäbe (830) im einem Abstand voneinander getrennt sind, der größer oder gleich dem Abstand zwischen den an dem wenigstens einen Sprüharm (111) angeordneten Sprühdüsen (120) ist.

13. Geschirrspülmaschine nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, wobei der Korb (700; 800) gewölbte Stangen oder Schienen (740; 840) aufweist, die angeordnet sind, zwei abgewinkelte Töpfe (133a, 133b) in der Geschirrspülmaschine (100; 110') örtlich festzuhalten.

14. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend Befestigungsmittel (135) zum örtlichen Festhalten eines Korbs für Töpfe und Pfannen in der Spülmaschine.

15. Geschirrspülmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1-9, wobei der wenigstens eine Sprüharm einen in dem unteren Teil der Kammer (1102) angeordneten unteren horizontalen Sprüharm (1111), einen in dem oberen Teil der Kammer (1102) angeordneten oberen horizontalen Sprüharm (1112), einen in dem hinteren Teil der Kammer (1102) angeordneten vertikalen Sprüharm (1113), und einen motorbetriebenen kreisförmigen Drehkorb (1700) für Töpfe oder Pfannen, und einen elektrischen Motor (1200) umfasst, der angeordnet ist, den Korb (1700) zu drehen.

16. Geschirrspülmaschine nach Anspruch 15, wobei der kreisförmige Korb (1700) eine kreisförmige gitterförmige Bodenwand (1710) und eine gitterförmige Umfangswand (1720) umfasst, wobei die kreisförmige gitterförmige Bodenwand (1710) eine Vielzahl runder Metallstäbe umfasst, die gekreuzt und verbunden sind, um ein beabstandetes Gitter bereitzustellen, wobei die Stäbe im einem Abstand voneinander getrennt sind, der größer oder gleich dem Abstand zwischen den auf den Sprüharmen (1111, 1112, 1113) angeordneten Sprühdüsen (120) ist.

Revendications

1. Lave-vaisselle (100 ; 100' ; 1000) pour casseroles et poêles, comprenant :

au moins une pompe à liquide (109 ; 109' ; 1109) ;

une chambre de lavage de vaisselles (102 ; 102' ; 1102) ;

au moins un bras de pulvérisation (111, 112 ; 111', 112' ; 1111, 1112, 1113) muni d'un nombre de buses de pulvérisation (120 ; 120') agencé dans la chambre de lavage de vaisselles (102 ; 102' ; 1102) ; dans lequel l'au moins une pompe à liquide (109, 109', 1109) est disposée en connexion fluidique avec l'au moins un bras de pulvérisation (111, 112 ; 111', 112', 1111, 1112, 1113) pour appliquer une pulvérisation à travers les buses de pulvérisation (120 ; 120') :

caractérisé en ce que

l'au moins une pompe à liquide (109 ; 109' ; 1109) est agencée pour fournir un écoulement de liquide de 100 à 250 l/min ;

les buses de pulvérisation (120 ; 120' ; 1120) sont des buses à jet plat et l'au moins une pompe à liquide (109 ; 109' ; 1109) est agencée pour appliquer une pulvérisation haute pression à travers les buses de pulvérisation (120 ; 120' ; 1120), dans la plage de 3 à 7 bars.

2. Lave-vaisselle selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'au moins une pompe à liquide (109 ; 109' ; 1109) est agencée pour fournir une pression de pulvérisation de fluide dans la plage de 4 à 6 bars.

3. Lave-vaisselle selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel deux pompes à liquide de l'au moins une pompe à liquide (109 ; 109' ; 1109) sont agencées pour fonctionner dans des systèmes de pompe séparés afin d'appliquer une pression de liquide à des bras de pulvérisation séparés (111, 112 ; 111', 112' ; 1111, 1112, 1113).

4. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel l'au moins une pompe à liquide (109 ; 109' ; 1109) est une pompe centrifuge ou une pompe centrifuge à plusieurs étages.

5. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les buses à jet plat (120 ; 120' ; 1120) sont agencées pour générer des jets en forme de bord tranchant (140).

6. Lave-vaisselle selon la revendication 5, les buses à jet plat (120 ; 120' ; 1120) étant des buses à jet plat à orifice elliptique.

7. Lave-vaisselle selon la revendication 6, dans lequel chacune des buses à jet plat à orifice elliptique (120 ; 120' ; 1120) a une largeur d'orifice (145) de 2 à 4 mm, et de préférence de 2 à 3 mm.

8. Lave-vaisselle selon les revendications 6 ou 7, dans lequel chacune des buses à jet plat à orifice elliptique (120 ; 120' ; 1120) a une longueur d'orifice (145) de 5 à 10 mm.

9. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8 précédentes, dans lequel chacun des bras de pulvérisation (111, 112 ; 111', 112' ; 1111 ; 1112 ; 1113) est doté de 4 à 6 buses de pulvérisation espacées mutuellement (120 ; 120' ; 1120).

10. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9 précédentes, dans lequel l'au moins un bras de pulvérisation comprend deux bras de pulvérisation oscillants entraînés par moteur (111, 112 ; 111', 112') agencées en parallèle dans la partie inférieure de la chambre (102 ; 102'), et un moteur électrique (200 ; 200') agencé pour faire fonctionner les bras de pulvérisation oscillants (111, 112 ; 111', 112') au moyen d'un mécanisme de liaison (210 ; 210') connecté aux deux bras de pulvérisation oscillants (111, 112 ; 111', 112') et au moteur électrique (200 ; 200') via un accouplement commun (220 ; 220').

11. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10 précédentes, comprenant un panier rectangulaire (700) pour casseroles ou poêles, dans lequel le panier (700) comprend une paroi inférieure rectangulaire ouverte en forme de grille (710) et quatre parois latérales en forme de grille (720), dans lequel la paroi inférieure (710) comprend une pluralité de tiges métalliques rondes (730) entrecroisées et reliées pour fournir une grille espacée, dans lequel les tiges (730) sont séparées d'une distance supérieure ou égale à la distance entre les buses de pulvérisation (120) telles qu'agencées sur l'au moins un bras de pulvérisation (111).

12. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10 précédentes, comprenant un panier rectangulaire (800) pour casseroles ou poêles, dans lequel le panier (800) comprend une paroi inférieure rectangulaire ouverte en forme de grille (810) et quatre parois latérales en forme de grille (820), dans lequel la paroi inférieure (810) comprend une pluralité de tiges métalliques rondes (830) disposées en parallèle entre deux parois latérales, dans lequel les tiges (830) sont séparées d'une distance supérieure ou égale à la distance entre les buses de pulvérisation (120) telles qu'agencées sur l'au moins un bras de pulvérisation (111).

13. Lave-vaisselle selon la revendication 11 ou 12, dans lequel le panier (700 ; 800) a des tiges ou rails arqués (740 ; 840) agencés pour maintenir en place deux casseroles inclinées (133a, 133b) dans le lave-vaisselle (100 ; 110').

14. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens de fixation (135) pour maintenir en place un panier pour casseroles et poêles dans le lave-vaisselle.

15. Lave-vaisselle selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9 précédentes, dans lequel l'au moins un bras de pulvérisation comprend un bras de pulvérisation horizontal inférieur (1111) agencé dans la partie inférieure de la chambre (1102), un bras de pulvérisation horizontal supérieur (1112) agencé dans la partie supérieure de la chambre (1102), un bras de pulvérisation vertical (1113) agencé dans la partie arrière de la chambre (1102), et un panier rotatif circulaire entraîné par moteur (1700) pour casseroles ou poêles, et un moteur électrique (1200) agencé pour faire tourner le panier (1700).

16. Lave-vaisselle selon la revendication 15, dans lequel le panier circulaire (1700) comprend une paroi inférieure circulaire en forme de grille (1710) et une paroi circonférentielle en forme de grille (1720), dans lequel la paroi inférieure circulaire en forme de grille (1710) comprend une pluralité de tiges métalliques rondes entrecroisées et reliées pour fournir une grille espacée, dans lequel les tiges sont séparées d'une distance supérieure ou égale à la distance entre les buses de pulvérisation (120) telles qu'agencées sur les bras de pulvérisation (1111, 1112, 1113).

Drawing