Abstract:
An apparatus for washing glasses and other articles, includes a washing compartment and a plurality of fluid outlets. A tray for retaining the glasses and other articles is positionable in the washing compartment. The tray has at least one fluid directing nozzle which is alignable with the fluid outlets in the washing compartment to permit fluid to flow from the nozzles through the tray and to direct the fluid into contact with the glasses and other articles. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the fluid contacts the glasses substantially tangentially. A method for washing glasses and other articles is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     (Not Applicable) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to glass washing apparatus, and more particularly to glass washing and chilling apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Restaurants, bars and other food and beverage service establishments use a number of glasses and mugs on a continual basis. These glasses and mugs must continuously be washed for reuse. Washing is accomplished by hand or by a number of known dish/glass washing apparatus. It is desirable in some instances, particularly for glasses and mugs in which beer will be served, to chill the glass or mugs so as to create a layer of frost on the outside of the glass or mug. It is desirable that such layer of frost does not include frozen droplets of water, but rather is smooth and even. In any case, it is desirable that glasses washed in warm water be chilled at least to room temperature or lower, so as to not warm chilled beverages which will be served therein. 
     Glasses and mugs used in food service establishments are commonly stored in trays which hold several glasses. Such trays can be used to store the glasses prior to washing, after washing, for storage, and the like. These trays are typically formulated from non-corrosive plastics and metals in a mesh configuration or with a plurality of drain openings to permit liquid to drain from the trays. A significant amount of time can be spent by workers placing the glasses into these trays, or taking the glasses from these trays for washing, rinsing, drying, chilling and storage. It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for washing and chilling glasses which would reduce the amount of time that workers spend moving glasses into or out of such trays. 
     Apparatus for chilling glasses commonly use conventional vapor compression refrigeration equipment to supply chilled air to the glasses. This refrigeration equipment requires significant expenditures of energy to power the compressor. It would be desirable to provide a glass washer and chiller which would reduce the energy required by the apparatus to chill the glasses. 
     The washing and chilling of glasses requires that the washing, rinsing, sanitizing, and chilling fluids thoroughly contact the surface of the glasses, including the interior surface of the glasses. Uneven or incomplete flow results in glasses which are not washed, rinsed or sanitized properly, or glasses which are not chilled or frosted evenly across the surface of the glass. It would therefore be desirable to provide a glass washing and chilling apparatus which would provide for more even flow of washing and chilling fluids around the surfaces of the glasses than is available with current apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a glass washing and chilling apparatus in which at least one tray is provided for holding a plurality of glasses. Each tray has a plurality of fluid-directing openings. The trays are insertable into a glass washing compartment having a plurality of fluid outlets. The fluid-directing openings of the trays and the fluid outlets of the washing compartment are positioned such that, upon insertion of the tray into the fluid washing compartment, the fluid-directing openings are aligned with or otherwise placed in fluid communication with the fluid outlets of the washing compartment. The fluid is thereby directed from the washing compartment into the trays in such a manner as to thoroughly contact the surface of the glasses. 
     The fluid-directing openings are preferably provided as fluid nozzles extending upward from the bottom of the tray. The glasses are stacked top-down with the opening of the glass over the upright nozzle. The nozzles retain the glasses in place, and also direct fluid from the fluid-directing opening into contact with the interior surfaces of the glass. The nozzles are preferably substantially conical in shape, with the base of the cone provided substantially at the bottom of the tray, and the fluid-directing openings provided at the vertex of the cone. 
     The fluid outlets of the washing compartment preferably are in communication with a manifold. The manifold preferably communicates to fluid sources, and suitable structure such as a switching valve switches between the various fluid sources, depending on the cycle of the apparatus. The fluid sources preferably include a source of washing liquid, rinsing liquid, sanitizing liquid and chilling liquid. The washing liquid is preferably hot water into which a detergent is added. The rinsing liquid is preferably cold water. After a time, a sanitizing solution is preferably introduced into the cold water. Finally, a rinse of cold water, which can include a chemical rinsing agent, is utilized. 
     An air stream is preferably utilized to assist in dispensing the liquids through the supply outlets and fluid-directing openings into the trays. A mist eliminator can be utilized to trap liquid which is entrained in the air stream. The air stream preferably is injected by the fluid-directing openings of the tray to create a cyclonic motion of fluids around the surface of the glasses. A preferred fluid velocity is at least 100 feet per second to generate a significant level of agitation which accelerates the cleaning of the glasses. 
     Chilling of the glasses is preferably accomplished by a cryogenic fluid such as a liquid gas source. This liquid gas is directed into the washing compartment, and flashes to a gas which contacts the glasses to chill the glasses. Liquid nitrogen is a preferred chilling fluid. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     There are shown in the drawing embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a glass washing and chilling apparatus according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevation. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line  3 — 3  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line  4 — 4  in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 4-A is a cross section taken along line  4 A— 4 A in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is the cross section of FIG. 4, with the trays removed. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line  6 — 6  in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a left side elevation of an alternative embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross section taken along line  8 — 8  in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a magnified view of area I in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment. 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment. 
     FIG. 12 is a magnified view of the area II in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a tray according to the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a top plan view, partially cut away and partially in phantom, illustrating the tray as positioned in a washer compartment with some glasses in place. 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevation of tray partially cut away and partially in phantom. 
     FIG. 16 is a cross section taken along line  16 — 16  in FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 17 is a cross section taken along line  17 — 17  in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 18 is a cross section taken along line  18 — 18  in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 19 is a table illustrating a cycle time schedule according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A glass washing and chilling apparatus  20  is shown in FIGS. 1-6. The apparatus  20  include a washing compartment  24 , which is enclosed by a top wall  28 , side walls  38  and  42 , rear wall  46 , front wall  50  and bottom wall  54 . Suitable structure such as the door  58  provides access to the washing compartment  24 . 
     A fluid supply manifold  70  is provided in the wash compartment  24  in order to supply liquids to the washing compartment  24 . The manifold  70  provides a number of fluid conduits and fluid outlets for supplying fluids to the washing compartment  24 . The manifold  70  can have any construction suitable for this purpose. The manifold  70  preferably connects to one or more substantially vertically spraying branches  74  and to one or more substantially horizontally spraying branches  78 . The vertically spraying branches  74  and horizontally spraying branches  78  can be in fluid communication with each other. The vertically spraying branches  74  have upward spraying outlets  82  and downward spraying outlets  86 . Separate branches can alternatively be provided for the upward spraying outlets  82  and the downward spraying outlets  86 . The vertically spraying branches  74  are preferably provided in spaced relation so as to cover the area of the tray  100  and to position the upward spraying outlets  82  below the position of glasses in the tray  100 , and to position the downward spraying outlets  86  above the position of the glasses in the tray  100 . The horizontally spraying branches  78  are preferably provided at ends of the wash compartment  24 , so as to spray fluid inwardly toward the glasses in horizontal direction through outlets  90 . The spraying branches  74  and  78  can be provided in stacked relation within the washing compartment  24 , in order to provide for the washing of several trays of glasses stacked in the washing compartment  24 , as depicted particularly in FIG.  6 . 
     The tray  100  is shown in FIG.  13 . The tray includes side walls  104  and  108 , front wall  112  and rear wall  116 . Bottom  120  has a plurality of drain openings  124  from which fluids, and particularly gassy liquids, can drain from the tray  100 . The bottom  120  also includes a plurality of fluid directing openings, such as the bottom openings  130  and side openings  134 . The bottom openings  130  are preferably provided at the vertex of upwardly extending nozzles  140 . The nozzles  140  serve as a positioning guide on which to place glasses  146  to keep the glasses  146  over the bottom openings  130 , as shown in FIGS. 15-16. Inclined surfaces  150  surrounding each nozzle  140  can be provided to assist in centering the glass  146  over the nozzle  140 , and serve as structural elements for the tray  100 . 
     As shown in FIG. 16, each nozzle  140  preferably has a substantially conical open interior  156 , which serves to collect fluids fed to the base  160  of the nozzle  140  from the upward spraying outlet  82 , and to direct these fluids through the bottom openings  130  in a manner depicted by the arrows in FIG.  16 . Fluids thereby thoroughly coat the inside of the glasses  146 . Similarly, the downward spraying outlets  86  spray fluid downwardly onto the bottoms  158  of the inverted glasses  146 . Horizontally spraying outlets  90  in the horizontally spraying branches  78  are aligned with side openings  160  in the tray  100 , such that the fluid from the outlets  90  is directed tangentially against the sides of the glasses  146 . This creates a cyclonic motion of the fluid around each of the glasses  146 , as shown in FIG.  14 . 
     The number of vertically spraying branches  74  that are necessary will be dependent on the size of the tray  100  and the number of glasses that are to be washed. In general, one upward spraying outlet  82  is preferred for each glass that will be washed. As an example, the tray  100 , as shown in FIG. 13, is intended to hold  16  glasses, and has a nozzle  140  for each such glass. The vertically spraying branches  74  are provided in spaced relation within the washing compartment  24  such that when the tray  100  is inserted into the washing compartment  24 , the upward spraying outlets  82  will be positioned below the nozzles  140 , and the downward spraying outlets  86  will be positioned over the bottoms  158  of the inverted glasses  146 . Accordingly, four spaced vertically spraying branches  74  are necessary for each tray  100  shown in FIG. 13, however, it will be appreciated that trays capable of holding more or fewer glasses  146  are possible, and more or fewer upward spraying outlets  82  and vertically spraying branches  74  would be necessary. It is preferred that several trays  100  be stacked within the washing compartment  24 . Accordingly, the vertically spraying branches  74  are provided spaced apart and in rows, with one row positioned over the other, as shown in FIG.  6 . The trays  100  are inserted between the rows. Downward spraying outlets  86  are positioned to direct fluid onto the bottoms  158  of the glasses  146  when the trays  100  are inserted into the washing compartment  24 . 
     Suitable manifold structure is preferably provided to connect vertically spraying branches  74  and the horizontally spraying branches  78  to sources for the necessary fluids. The nozzles  140  with fluid directing openings  130 , and side openings  160  illustrate one embodiment of a feature of the invention in which a tray for a dish or glass washing apparatus is provided with fluid-directing outlets which communicate with fluid sources. In the embodiment illustrated, the nozzles  140  receive fluid from the outlets  82  and the openings  160  receive fluid from the outlets  90 . The invention is not limited in this regard, however, and other fluid directing structure can be provided in the tray along with suitable means for connecting this structure to fluid supply sources. The present structure has an advantage in that no connection is necessary between the tray and the fluid supply. The positioning of the tray  100  in the washing compartment  24  positions the nozzles  140  over the outlets  82 , owing to the dimensions of the tray  100  and the position of the vertically spraying branches  74  within the washing compartment  24 . 
     The branches  74  and  78  are preferably connected by a manifold  166  to the fluid supply sources. Suitable air or gas supply apparatus, such as the centrifugal blowers  170 , can be provided to drive the fluids through the manifold  166 , branches  74  and  78  and into the washing compartment  24 . Fluids can be stored in any suitable compartment or container. There are shown in the drawings containers  174 ,  176 , and  178 . The container  174  can be used to store a rinse aid. The container  176  can be used to a supply sanitizer solution. The container  178  can provide a detergent. Supply lines  182  transport the solutions from the containers  174 ,  176 , and  178  to metering pumps  175 ,  177 , and  179 . Switching valves  184  control the flow of fluids from the various metering pumps to the manifold  166 , in order to supply the necessary compounds at the appropriate time of the operation of the apparatus. 
     Another container  190  can be used to provide a supply of coolant, such as liquid nitrogen, through a supply line  194 . Other coolants such as CO 2 , liquid air, and the combination of air and liquid nitrogen are possible. The container  190  can be placed in a location that is remote from the apparatus  20 . In such an arrangement, the supply line  194  transports the coolant from the container  190 . 
     An exhaust manifold  200  is provided in the washing compartment  24  in order to exhaust gas and vapor from the washing compartment  24 . The exhaust manifold  200  has a mesh cover  205  mist eliminator to collect liquid from the recirculating air. The recirculating air then passes through one of a plurality of openings  207  into the manifold  200 . A return line  204  returns the gas and vapor to the centrifugal circulation blowers  170 , which recirculates the gas through the manifold  166 . Liquid accumulating at the bottom of the washing compartment  24  is collected by the slopped floor  54  and returned by the sump pump  169  to the manifold  166  or passed to a drain  171 . 
     In operation, the wash cycle is initiated by operation of an on switch in a suitable controller. The switch opens a solenoid valve  183  connected to the domestic hot water supply. The liquid flows into the wash compartment  24  by way of the manifold  166 . A liquid level sensor  181  detects that the sump is full. The domestic hot water solenoid valve  183  is closed. The centrifugal circulation blowers  170  are energized, the sump pump  169  is energized and the detergent metering pump  175  is energized. The diverting valve  187  directs flow from the sump pump to the manifold  166 . A predetermined quantity of detergent is pumped from the detergent container  174  into the manifold, as the centrifugal blower  170  circulates the hot water and detergent through the manifold  166  and the branches  74  and  78 . The detergent flows through the outlets  82 ,  86  and  90  and circulates around the glasses  146 , to thoroughly wash the glasses, both inside and out. When the wash cycle times out, the diverting valve  187  directs flow to the drain  171 . The liquid level sensor  193  monitors the level in the sump and signals the controller when the sump is empty. The controller then initiates the sanitizing cycle. The solenoid valve  191  opens to allow cold water to enter the sump by way of the manifold  166 . The diverting valve  187  switches to direct flow valve to the manifold  166 . The sump pump  169  is energized to begin circulating cold water through the manifold  166  and branches  74  and  78 . The sanitizing metering pump  177  is energized and provides a predetermined amount of sanitizing solution from the container  176  and provides a predetermined amount of sanitizing solution to the manifold, which is circulated through the manifold  166  and into the washing compartment  24 . 
     When the sanitizing rinse cycle times out, water returns to the sump, and the sanitizing fluid is pumped to the waste drain. The liquid level sensor monitors the level in the sump, and signals the controller when the sump is empty. The controller then initiates the cold water rinse cycle. The solenoid valve  191  opens to allow cold water to enter the sump. The directing valve  187  switches to direct flow back to the manifold. The main circulating pump is energized, to begin circulating the cold water through the branches  74  and  78 . The rinse aid metering pump is energized and provides a predetermined amount of rinse aid solution from the container  178  to the cold water in the manifold, which is distributed through the manifold  166  into the washing compartment  24 . 
     When the rinse cycle times out, the water returns to the sump and is pumped to the waste drain. The liquid level sensor monitors the level in the sump and signals the controller when the sump is empty. The blower  170  continues to operate to purge any liquid from the manifold system. The controller then initiates the freeze cycle. The solenoid valve  201  opens to allow liquid nitrogen to flow from the container  190 , through the manifold  166 , and is injected with air to circulate about the glasses  146  and to thereby frost water remaining on the glasses from the rinse cycle. When the freeze cycle times out, the liquid solenoid valve  201  closes. 
     A temperature indicator can be provided to indicate the temperature of the washing compartment  24 . An indicator on the control panel, such as an icon, indicates that the freeze cycle is completed and preferably sounds an audible signal. The signal can be acknowledged by pushing a “Cancel” icon on the control panel and the apparatus goes into a “Stand-By” mode. The temperature of the compartment is monitored. When the temperature exceeds the programmable set point, the liquid nitrogen solenoid valve opens and allows liquid nitrogen to flow for a programmable period of time, or until the temperature set point is reached. This cycle repeats until the door of the washing compartment is opened; when the door is opened, the machine is de-energized. 
     The timing of the various cycles is subject to variation. The controller can be programmable, such as the various cycle times can be modified by the user. A currently preferred cycle time schedule, together with desired temperatures, is provided in FIG.  19 . The wash cycle preferably operates for a maximum of about one minute, with temperatures of at least 120° F. The sanitizing cycle operates for at least about ½ minute, with temperatures of at least about 75° F. The rinse cycle operates for about 1 minute and at temperatures of about 75° F. The freeze cycle operates for about 1 minute and at temperatures below at least about 23° F. The total cycle time is, therefore, approximately 3½ minutes, which permits the rapid cycling of glasses through the apparatus, to provide a steady supply of clean, frosted glasses. The timing required for each cycle is minimized by the nature of the cyclonic motion of fluids in the washing compartment. 
     The apparatus of the invention can be provided in different forms. FIGS. 7-11 shown an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the apparatus is formed integrally with beverage tap  210 . The beverage tap  210  is connected by suitable connecting conduits to beverage supply containers (not shown). In this manner, the washing and chilling apparatus of the invention can be provided at beverage service locations where space is at a premium. Further, a cold storage compartment  216  can be provided in which to store frosted glasses which have been processed through the washing compartment  24 , as shown in FIG.  8 . The cold storage compartment  216  is fashioned to the side of the washing compartment  24  with top wall  224 , bottom wall  226  and side wall  228 . The cold storage compartment  216  can be maintained at a desired temperature by conventional refrigeration apparatus, or by a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen from the container  190 , in order to maintain the desired temperature. Proper cycling of the liquid nitrogen into the cold storage container is accomplished by suitable temperature sensor, control valve, and gas supply structure. The cold storage compartment  216  can be accessed by a suitable door  230 . 
     The recirculation blowers  170  are preferably located in a protective cabinet. The cabinet can be fashioned from walls  236 ,  240 ,  242 , and  244 . As shown in FIG. 11, the control panel  248  can be provided in one of the walls, such as the front wall in order to provide ready access and connections to the circulation pumps, solenoid valves and the like. 
     The manner in which the trays  100  are positioned in the washing compartment  24  is capable of variation. It is preferable that movable drawers are provided in order to facilitate the placement of the trays  100  into and out of the washing compartment  24 . The slides for the trays need to support the weight of a filled tray when pulled out of the washing compartment. There is shown in FIG. 9 drawers structure which is suitable, however, the invention is not limited in this regard. The drawers  254  can have support flanges  260  which rest on casters  268 . The casters  268  rest on a base flange  272  which is connected to the walls of the washing compartment  24 , such as the wall  46  shown in FIGS. 9 and 12. The drawers  254  can be pulled out of the washing compartment  24  to allow the placement of a tray  100  on the drawer  254 . The tray  100  and drawer  254  are then pushed into the washing compartment. It is important that the tray  100  and drawer  254  are suitably dimensioned and positioned such that the nozzles  140  are positioned over the outlets  82  when the drawer and tray are inserted into the washing compartment  24 . The drawer  254  should have openings which coincide with the outlets  82  and nozzles  140  so as to permit the flow fluid from the outlets  82  into the nozzles  140 . Also, the positioning of the trays must properly align the openings  160  and the sides of the trays with the outlets  90 . Alternatively, the washing compartment can be provided with a frame upon which the frame rests.