Tableware-washing process including a biocide

Abstract

This invention relates to a ware washing process that is conducted in the presence of a biocide. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a ware washing process including the steps of (i) washing ware in a washing cavity ( 25 ) of a ware washer ( 10 ) with water and a ware washing detergent; (ii) rinsing the ware in the ware washer with water; and (iii) introducing a biocide into the washing cavity of the ware washer in order to provide a gaseous atmosphere thereof in the washing cavity, the biocide being introduced into the washing cavity prior to or contemporaneously with or subsequently to the washing or rinsing of the ware.

1 . A ware washing process including the steps of:
 (i) washing wares in the form of items which are used in the preparation and consumption of food and drink in a washing cavity of a ware washer with water and a ware washing detergent;   (ii) rinsing the ware in the ware washer with water; and   (iii) introducing a biocide into the washing cavity of the ware washer in order to provide a gaseous atmosphere thereof in the washing cavity, the biocide being introduced into the washing cavity prior to or contemporaneously with or subsequently to the washing or rinsing of the ware, and wherein the biocide is introduced in gaseous phase into the washing cavity independently of the water.   
     
     
         2 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein the biocide is introduced into the cavity at a cavity temperature of between 15° C. to 25° C. 
     
     
         3 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein the biocide is introduced into the washing cavity at a pH of between 2 and 12. 
     
     
         4 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein the biocide is introduced at a pH of between 4 and 6 during a pre-rinse step carried out before the washing step of step (i). 
     
     
         5 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein water used in the ware washing process and exposed to the biocide is recycled. 
     
     
         6 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein the biocide is ozone. 
     
     
         7 . The ware washing process of  claim 6 , wherein the ozone is generated by means of an ozone generator having an ozone outlet in fluid flow communication with the washing cavity of the ware washer. 
     
     
         8 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein the water is at a temperature of below 35° C. 
     
     
         9 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein the ware washing detergent includes an inorganic alkali, a complexing agent and at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         10 . The ware washing process of  claim 9 , wherein the ware washing detergent comprises: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   % composition 
                 
                     
                   Component 
                   (by mass) 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                   EDTA 
                   4.00 
                 
                     
                   NTA 
                   7.00 
                 
                     
                   Caustic soda lye 
                   40.05 
                 
                     
                   Water (softened) 
                   46.70886 
                 
                     
                   Triton BG-10 
                   0.06615 
                 
                     
                   Triton CF-32 
                   0.08976 
                 
                     
                   Bayhibit ™AM or Belclene ®650 
                   0.01963 
                 
                     
                   Water (softened) 
                   2.0656 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
               
               
                
               
            
             
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         11 . The ware washing process of  claim 1 , wherein a rinse aid composition is used during rinsing, the rinse aid composition comprising at least one alkoxylated alcohol; and an acid. 
     
     
         12 . The ware washing process of  claim 11 , wherein the rinse aid composition comprises: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   % composition 
                 
                     
                   Component 
                   (by mass) 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                   Propyl alcohol 
                   40.00 
                 
                     
                   Citric Acid 
                   0.10 
                 
                     
                   Water (softened) 
                   49.40 
                 
                     
                   Synperonic ™LF/RA30 
                   5.50 
                 
                     
                   Synperonic ™LF/RA260 
                   5.00 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
               
               
                
               
            
             
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         13 . Use of a biocide in a ware washing process for washing wares used in the preparation and consumption of food and drink, the biocide being introduced into a washing cavity of a ware washer in gaseous phase, independently of water so as to provide a gaseous atmosphere thereof in the washing cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The use of  claim 13 , wherein the biocide is ozone. 
     
     
         15 . A ware washer, connectable to a source of water, the ware washer including a washing cavity, wherein ware in the form of items which are used in the preparation and consumption of food and drink may be loaded therein, a water inlet for introducing water into the washing cavity and at least one inlet for introducing detergent or rinse aid into the washing cavity, the ware washer being characterised in that it includes introduction means for introducing biocide into the washing cavity in gaseous phase and independently of water so as to provide a gaseous atmosphere thereof in the washing cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The ware washer of  claim 15 , wherein the biocide is ozone and the introduction means includes an ozone generator having an ozone outlet in fluid flow communication with the washing cavity of the ware washer.