Pan cleaning machine with automated modular cleaning mechanisms and rolling carriage system
AssigneeFood Machinery Engineering, LMTD
InventorsNorman G Schmidt, Orlando Janzen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pan cleaning machine includes a carriage-on-track conveyor system for transporting pans through a cleaning section in a tipped or inverted orientation. The cleaning section comprises modular cleaning mechanisms mounted on swing arms, which can be actuated and adjusted by a control system based on pan geometry and debris conditions. The cleaning mechanisms include quick-release brush units and air knives, enabling high-throughput, continuous cleaning with minimal downtime. Sensor input enables automated selection of cleaning routines, detection of unclean pans or warped conditions, and dynamic adjustments during cleaning. A method of continuous automated cleaning is also provided.
Claims21
A pan cleaning machine comprising:
- a cleaning section;
- an at least one frame;
- an at least one interchangeable modular cleaning mechanism in a plurality of interchangeable modular cleaning mechanisms, the at least one frame mounting the at least one interchangeable modular cleaning mechanism thereon with an at least one swing arm;
- and
- a controller adapted to selectively actuate the at least one swing arm such that the at least one swing arm moves the at least one cleaning mechanism to a cleaning position engaging pans in the cleaning machine.
A pan cleaning machine comprising:
- a plurality of modular cleaning mechanisms mounted to swing arms;
- and a control system programmed with cleaning routines for different pan types, wherein the control system is configured to select which cleaning mechanisms to deploy based on sensor input detecting pan geometry, debris conditions, or pan geometry and debris conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.