Patent GB-717834-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveyor for use in dishwashers
IPC: A47L15/24
Filed: 1951-05-09
Abstract: 717,834. Dishwashing machines. HOBART MANUFACTURING CO. May 9, 1951 [May 16, 1950], No. 10895/51. Class 138 (1) [Also in Group XXX] A continuous conveyer for use in a dishwasher having a wash chamber containing wash sprays, comprises a pair of continuous side members movable generally horizontally through the chamber past the wash sprays, a plurality of spaced cross members secured to the side members, and a plurality of separating members supported on the cross members and including fingers extending in vertical planes outwardly from the conveyer and arranged in spaced relation over the conveyer surface for receiving the dishes edgewise in generally upright position between them, the wash sprays being directed through the conveyer. Preferably wash sprays are provided both above and below the conveyer. As shown, a dishwashing machine comprises an endless conveyer 50 of open construction which transports the dishes in generally upright position but with a rearward slope of about 20 degrees through a chamber 20 provided with wash sprays 25, 26 adapted to wash off particles of food which fall into a sump 21 provided with a pump 22 protected by a filter 27 for recirculating the water. The dishes then pass to the washing chamber 30, separated from chamber 20 by a gap 40, in which are rotating spray arms 34 and 36, beyond which is a flexible curtain 32 followed by rinsing sprays provided by rotating spray arms 35, 37 and final rinse sprays 38, 39. The washing and rinsing chambers have sumps 41, 42 respectively. The conveyer comprises a spaced pair of endless chains 60 having rollers 63 running on upper and lower tracks 51, 55, cross bars 65 joining the pivot pins of opposite links on the two chains, and a series of resilient pairs of fingers 70, Fig. 3, spaced by spacers 80, Fig. 5, extending along and supported by each pair of adjacent cross bars. The pairs of fingers 70 and spacers 80 are each made of a single length of resilient wire and are each provided with a pair of front loops 71, 81 respectively, and a pair of rear loops 72, 82 respectively to receive the front and rear cross bars, respectively, of an adjacent pair. When thus supported, Fig. 8, the fingers 75 of the pairs of fingers are rearwardly inclined at about 20 degrees to the vertical. The pairs of fingers include a forwardly extending loop 77 inclined at about 15 degrees to the horizontal. Dishes or trays to be washed may be placed either in the transverse spaces 88, or in the longitudinal spaces 87, e.g. in the case of very large trays. As shown a dish 90 in the space 88 is supported on the loops 77 and rests against the fingers 75 which may be provided with plastic caps 95 fixed in place by rivets. A small dish 90 may be supported on one of the loops 77 and on a portion 83 of a spacer 80. Articles placed in the spaces 87 are supported either on loops 77 or on portions 85 of the spacers 80. Cups and other small articles may be placed in wire mesh trays 99, Fig. 1, adapted to rest upon a plurality of the pins. A comb-like platform at the feed end of the conveyer prevents articles being placed on the conveyer where it passes around the end sprockets. At the discharge end a combined hood and comb-like member 125 is supported on a lever 126-129 pivoted at 130 to the conveyer frame and which is provided 'with a bar 136 normally caused to close a switch 135 in the driving motor circuit by means of a spring 137. Any article not removed from the conveyer contacts the member 125 and moves it and the bar 136 forward thus opening the switch 135 and stopping the conveyer.