Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-13
2001-07-24
El-Arini, Zeinab (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Combined
C134S019000, C134S025200, C134S026000, C134S039000, C134S040000, C134S0570DL, C134S113000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264758
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a method for removing carbon, particularly with reference to, but not exclusively limited to, removal of carbon from cooking utensils and equipment, and an apparatus for use with the method.
In commercial kitchens, many utensils become coated with carbon after use which cannot be removed using conventional cleaning methods. It is know to remove the carbon from cooking utensils by soaking them in a tank of a solution which is effective at removing carbon. The utensils are generally soaked overnight to remove carbon and often require soaking up to 24 hours in solution to remove the carbon effectively. Using a commercially available chemical in solution, the tank will enable cleaning of utensils for approximately 1 month before fresh solution is required. Since emptying the tank is a difficult task, it must be done by trained technicians. Similar systems exist which use a cold solution in a plastic tank, again which must be emptied on a regular basis by authorized personnel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for removal of carbon and apparatus for use therewith.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removing carbon from utensils comprising the steps of:
providing a tank, filling the tank with a batch of solution effective in removing carbon from utensils, soaking utensils in the tank filled with carbon removing solution for a period from 2 to 24 hours, reusing the same batch of carbon removing solution for multiple soaking treatments until the effectiveness of the solution has deteriorated, then automatically emptying the batch of solution from the tank to waste, and refilling the tank with a fresh batch of carbon removing solution.
Preferably the step of automatically emptying comprises pumping the batch of carbon removing solution to waste.
In that way the system is automated to allow untrained personnel to empty the tank.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removing carbon from utensils comprising the steps of providing a tank, providing a pump and a tank arranged so as to be able to pump liquid from the tank to waste, filing the tank with a batch of solution effective to remove carbon from utensils, soaking utensils in a tank for a period from 2 to 24 hours, using the same batch of solution for multiple soaking treatments until the effectiveness of the solution deteriorates, then automatically pumping the batch of solution from the tank when the effectiveness of the solution has deteriorated and refilling the tank with a fresh batch of solution.
In the present specification the terms “automatic” and “automatically” shall mean the automation of the emptying of the tank so that the tank does not need to be emptied manually. The terms shall include indicating to an operator that the tank should be emptied, the operator then effecting non-manual emptying of the tank, for example by actuating a drain valve to allow the solution to flow to waste or by activating a pump to pump the solution to waste. The terms also encompass full automation whereby solution is emptied from the tank without reference to an operator.
Preferably the step of filling the tank with solution comprises filling the tank with water and adding a chemical concentrate to dissolve in the water to form the solution.
In that way the tank can be filled from the mains water supply and the chemical can be sold as a concentrate to reduce the space that the chemical takes up in storage.
In a preferred embodiment the method includes the step of heating the solution prior to and/or during soaking of the utensils.
Preferably, the method includes the step of indicating that the solution requires replacement.
In a preferred embodiment a parameter which relates to the effectiveness of the solution is sensed. The parameter sensed is preferably the number of repetitions of the soaking step. The number of repetitions of soaking the utensils is preferably in a range of 10-100, most preferably in the range of 20-50. In that way the system is emptied before the solution loses effectiveness.
The step of emptying out the tank preferably comprises flushing the tank with fresh water while emptying the contents of the tank to waste to remove any build-up of sludge or carbon deposits in the tank.
In a preferred embodiment, the step of emptying out the tank includes spraying the side walls of the tank with clean water to wash off limescale build up on the walls.
The step of refilling the tank with solution preferably comprises circulating water in the tank to dissolve the chemical concentrate.
In another embodiment, the sensed parameter comprises the time elapsed from filling the tank. The pre-determined period of time is preferably in the range from two weeks to two months, most preferably one month.
Preferably both the number of repetitions of the soaking step and the time elapsed from filling the tank are sensed and the tank is emptied when the first preset parameter level is reached.
The method may comprise automatically sensing the parameter or parameters and automatically emptying the tank when the pre-set level of the parameter or parameters has been reached. Alternatively, when the pre-set level of the parameter or parameters has been reached there may be a further step of indicating the requirement to change the solution.
In that way, in periods of heavy usage, when the batch of solution is used frequently, the batch will be emptied more quickly and the tank refilled. However, in period so light usage, the solution will be refreshed at pre-determined intervals, most preferably one month so that the solution does not loss its effectiveness.
In a preferred embodiment the step of sensing the parameter comprises the step of sensing the pH of the carbon removing solution and emptying the tank when the pH reaches a pre-determined level.
In another embodiment the step of sensing the parameter comprises the step of sensing the proportion of grease in the solution and emptying the tank when the proportion of grease reaches a pre-determined level.
Preferably, the method includes sensing two or more of the aforementioned parameters and collating that data to determine when the batch of solution should be pumped from the tank.
In one embodiment the method includes providing a tank having two parts, a first part for spraying the utensils and the second for soaking them, the method further comprising the step of spraying soiled utensils with liquid at high pressure before soaking them. Preferably the utensils are sprayed before and after soaking.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a carbon removing apparatus for use with the method of any of claims
1
to
21
in which the apparatus comprises a tank, including an inlet for carbon removing solution, an opening for utensils to be placed into the tank and a drain arranged to allow emptying of carbon removing solution in the tank from the tank to waste, the tank being arranged to allow soaking of utensils in the batch of carbon removing solution for 2 to 24 hours and to allow storage of the batch until the batch loses effectiveness.
Preferably a pump is provided for pumping carbon removing solution in the tank to waste.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided carbon removing apparatus for use with the aforesaid method, the apparatus comprising a tank, including an inlet for carbon removing solution, an opening for utensils to be placed into the tank and a pump in fluid communication with the tank arranged to allow emptying of carbon removing solution in the tank from the tank to waste, the tank being arranged to allow soaking of utensils in a batch of carbon removing solution for 2 to 24 hours and to allow storage of the batch until the batch loses effectiveness.
Preferably, the inlet for carbon removing solution comprises a duct which is attached in use, to a mains water supply and an opening for allowing pouring of the concentrate which, when dissolved in water, forms the carbon removing solution. The co
Perry Jonathon
Perry June Annie Lynch
Barnes & Thornburg
El-Arini Zeinab
LandOfFree
Method for removing carbon from kitchen utensils and the like does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for removing carbon from kitchen utensils and the like, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for removing carbon from kitchen utensils and the like will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2437276