SE538757C2 - An apparatus for cleaning shopping baskets - Google Patents

Abstract

22 ABSTRACT A motor driven apparatus (1) for cleaning shopping baskets (2)comprises an input station (7) configured to receive dirty shoppingbaskets (2), a washing station (9) with a housing (10a) in which ashopping basket (2) is received and treated with a washing fluid,an output station (24) configured to receive said baskets (2) afterwashing thereof, and a transfer arrangement (26) configured tomove the baskets (2) from the input station (7) to the output station(24) via said washing station (9). The transfer arrangement (26)comprises a frame-structure (27) and a gripping arrangement (29)movably mounted to said frame-structure (27). The grippingarrangement (29) comprises gripping members (34) configured togrip said basket (2) so as to enable moving thereof together withthe gripping arrangement (29), and a closing element (35)configured to close said housing (10a) of the washing arrangement(9) during washing of said basket (2) therein, which closingelement (35) is moved together with said basket (2) when this isgripped by the gripping members (34) and moved between saidstations (7, 9, 24). (Pig. 3).

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaningshopping baskets according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such an apparatus may be a mobile apparatus arranged on a truckor a trailer, but a stationary apparatus placed in a building such asa supermarket may be mentioned as a typical example withoutrestricting the invention thereto.

Such an apparatus is used for cleaning shopping baskets to beused for carrying food in shops, supermarkets or the like. Thebaskets are exposed to bacteria through the customers hands,leaking meat and diary products, the shop floor etc., and have tobe cleaned rather often in order to be suitable for use that includescontact with food products.

BACKGROUND ART An apparatus of the type defined in the introduction is alreadyknown through the document US 3 022 791, as an example.

Said document discloses a mobile type cleaning apparatus whichis configured to clean shopping carts or baskets. This apparatusis housed in a trailer of a truck and has a runway provided withguiding means therealong, overhead conveyor means for movingthe baskets or carts along said runway and a plurality ofconnecting means configured to grip said baskets or carts formoving them along said runway. The apparatus further comprisesa spray booth arranged at one point along said runway and hasnozzels for directing liquid cleaning fluid onto said baskets or cartsas they are moved through said spray booth. To clean a stack ofbaskets by means of said apparatus an operator attaches thebaskets one by one to a respective connecting means and the baskets are thereafter moved along the runway through theapparatus by means of said conveyor means and cleaned in saidspray booth.

There are several problems related to the use of such anapparatus described. Firstly, to clean a stack of baskets by meansof said apparatus an operator have to load the conveyor meanswith one basket at a time which means that the process is not fullyautomatic but need manual assistance, which is related to a highcost for cleaning said shopping baskets. Also, as the baskets arenot washed in closed rooms in said apparatus chemicals fromliquid detergents may be spread around in the air on the inside ofthe trailer and also come out therefrom, which is notenvironmentally friendly. Furthermore, if liquid detergent is spreadaround on the interior of the apparatus there is a risk that this mayimpair the function of the machinery thereof and thereby shortenthe life-span of the apparatus.

There is therefore a need for an apparatus for cleaning shoppingbaskets that is relatively cost-effective to use, is environmentallyfriendly and durable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus ofthe type defined in the introduction being improved in at least someaspect with respect to such apparatuses already known.

This object is according to the invention obtained by providingsuch an apparatus with a said gripping arrangement that furthercomprises a closing element configured to close said housing ofsaid first washing arrangement during washing of said baskettherein, which closing element is configured to be moved togetherwith said basket when this is gripped by said at least one grippingmember and moved between said stations by the transferarrangement.

The closing element allows effective washing of the baskets in saidinner space of the first washing arrangement by closing this spaceduring washing therein. The closing element thereby delimits thespace in which the baskets are treated with said washing fluidwhich means that less fluid may be used to treat the baskets andalso that no washing fluid is spread around on the interior of oroutside of the apparatus. The latter is both environmentallyfriendly as well as cost effective as the washing fluid may be takencare of and reused in the washing arrangement.

According to an embodiment of the invention said housing of thefirst washing arrangement has an upwardly directed top openingthrough which said basket is insertable into said inner space bymeans of the transfer arrangement. Such a top opening allowseasy and effective insertion of a basket into said housing.

According to another embodiment of the invention said closingelement has the shape of a plate configured to close said topopening of said housing when said basket is held in a washingposition in said inner space by means of said at least one grippingmember. Such a closing element in combination with such ahousing provides an easy and effective way of closing saidhousing during washing of a basket therein.

According to another embodiment of the invention said firstwashing arrangement comprises at least one spray nozzle whichis mounted to said housing and configured to spray said firstwashing fluid to said basket. When at least one spray nozzle isused to treat said basket with said first washing fluid only a smallamount of washing fluid is required to quickly apply a thin layer ofsaid fluid to substantially the entire basket.

According to another embodiment of the invention said grippingarrangement further comprises at least one spray nozzle which isconfigured to be moved together with said basket when this isgripped by said at least one gripping member and moved betweensaid stations by the transfer arrangement, and to spray said first washing fluid to said basket when this is located in said innerspace of the first washing station. When at least one spray nozzleis used to treat said basket with said first washing fluid only a smallamount of washing fluid is required to quickly apply a thin layer ofsaid fluid to substantially the entire basket.

According to another embodiment of the invention said at least onespray nozzle of the gripping arrangement is configured to belocated inside of said basket when this is gripped by the at leastone gripping member. When a basket is treated with washing fluidfrom the inside thereof, it is ensured that the surfaces of the basketthat are configured to come in contact with food are treated withsaid fluid and thereby that no bacteria will remain on thesesurfaces.

According to another embodiment of the invention the apparatusfurther comprises a second washing station having a secondwashing arrangement, which arrangement comprises a housingdefining an inner space and configured to receive said at least onebasket therein in order to allow said basket to be treated with asecond washing fluid in said inner space, wherein said closingelement is configured to close said housing of said secondwashing arrangement during washing of said basket therein.

The second washing station improves the result of the washing ofthe baskets, so that the risk that these still have dirt or bacteriaafter washing in the apparatus is minimized.

According to another embodiment of the invention said secondwashing arrangement comprises at least one spray nozzle whichis mounted to said housing and configured to spray said secondwashing fluid to said basket. When at least one spray nozzle isused to treat said basket with said second washing fluid only asmall amount of washing fluid is required to quickly apply a thinlayer of said fluid to substantially the entire basket.

According to another embodiment of the invention said firstwashing fluid is a liquid detergent and said second washing fluidis a rinsing fluid, preferably water. These fluids are suitable forcleaning shopping baskets, as the detergent kills bacteria thereonand the rinsing fluid removes dirt, bacteria as well as the detergentfrom the baskets so that these become completely clean andsuitable for containing food.

According to another embodiment of the invention said at least onespray nozzle of the gripping arrangement is further configured tospray said second washing fluid to said basket when this is locatedin said inner space of the second washing station. When at leastone spray nozzle is used to treat said basket with said secondwashing fluid only a small amount of washing fluid is required toquickly apply a thin layer of said fluid to substantially the entirebasket According to another embodiment of the invention said firstwashing arrangement further comprises a fluid container, such asa fluid tank, configured to store said first washing fluid, whichcontainer is fluidly connected to said at least one spray nozzle ofthe housing through a feeding conduit, through which the washingfluid is fed to said at least one spray nozzle during spraying of saidbasket by means of said at least one spray nozzle, and whichcontainer is fluidly connected to said inner space of the firstwashing arrangement through a return flow conduit, through whichthe washing fluid is directed back to said container after beingsprayed on the basket, and that said return flow conduit is providedwith a filter assembly configured to purify the washing fluid beforethis is stored in the container. The filter assembly allows the firstwashing fluid to be reused which means that said washing fluidonly rarely has to be refilled, which implies low setup times andmaterial costs.

According to another embodiment of the invention the apparatusfurther comprises air blowing means configured to blow trash, suchas shopping lists and receipts, out of said basket and into a collecting container before washing of the basket. The air blowingmeans facilitate effective washing of the baskets as there will beno large pieces of trash therein to interfere with the washingthereof.

According to another embodiment of the invention the apparatusfurther comprises air blowing means configured to blow washingfluid from the basket before this is moved to the output station.The air blowing means serves to keep at least parts of the interiorof the apparatus free from washing fluids thereby extending thelife-span of the apparatus. However, as said means dries thebaskets after washing thereof this also increases the conveniencefor the customers of the supermarket.

According to another embodiment of the invention each one of saidinput and output stations is configured to receive a stack ofshopping baskets and said gripping arrangement is configured togrip only one shopping basket at a time. This means that anoperator may insert a stack of shopping baskets into the apparatusand take out the same stack while the baskets have beenindividually washed in the apparatus, which ensures minimummanual interference without compromising on the washing result.

According to another embodiment of the invention said transferarrangement is a servo-controlled biaxial linear robot whichcomprises at least two motors, wherein said gripping arrangementhas a body to which said at least one gripping member and saidclosing element are mounted, which body is controllably movablevertically and laterally with respect to said frame-structure bymeans of said at least two motors. Such a transfer arrangement issuitable for this type of apparatus, as it is relatively cost-effectiveto produce and use, and is also reliable.

Further advantages as well as advantageous features of theinvention will appear from the following description of anembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a specificdescription of an embodiment of the invention cited as an example.ln the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatusaccording to the invention, Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of the apparatus with thedoor to the input station and the output station,respectively, removed therefrom, Fig. 3 is a partly-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1 of theapparatus with its outer cover removed to illustrate theinterior thereof, and with the gripping arrangement in astarting position, Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 of the apparatus whereina basket is held in a first washing position in said firstwashing station by the gripping arrangement, and Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 of the apparatus whereina basket is held in a second washing position in saidsecond washing station by the gripping arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THEINVENTION An apparatus 1 for cleaning shopping baskets 2 according to anembodiment of the invention is illustrated in the appended figures1-5 and will now be described while at the same time makingreference to all these figures. The apparatus has an outer cover 3provided with a first 4, second 5 and third 6 closable door, throughwhich doors the interior of the apparatus may be closed or openedto be reached from the outside.

The length of the cover 3 is about 5 m, the width 2 m and the height2,5 m, but its dimensions may vary widely to suit the volume ofbaskets to be cleaned therewith or due to specific dimensions ofthe room where the apparatus 1 is to be placed. The cover isprovided to reduce noise from the apparatus 1 during operationand also for safety reasons.

Within said cover 3 there is provided an input station 7 having aloading area 8 configured to receive a stack of dirty shoppingbaskets 2 thereon. The loading area is provided with basketpositioning means (not shown), such as a fixture, which isconfigured to fix the stack of baskets 2 in a suitable position onthe loading area 8.

Adjacent to the input station 7 there is provided a first washingstation 9 having a first washing arrangement, which arrangementcomprises a sink-like housing 10a defining an inner space 11a,which inner space is configured to receive a basket 2 therein toallow washing thereof in said first washing station 9. The housing10a has a bottom 12a and four lateral walls 13a extendingtherefrom and defining an upwardly directed top opening 14athrough which a basket may be inserted into said inner space 11a.

The first washing arrangement further comprises a fluid tank 15a,which is arranged below said housing 10a and configured to storea first washing fluid, preferably a liquid detergent, and a liquidpump 16a configured to feed said detergent from the tank 15a toone or more spray nozzles 17a arranged in said inner space 11aof the housing 10a, through a feeding conduit 18a. A drain 19a isarranged at the bottom 12a of the housing, through which thedetergent is led down into a return flow conduit 20a which fluidlyconnects the inner space 11a of the housing 10a to the fluid tank15a, in order to allow the detergent to flow back to the tank afterbeing sprayed on a basket 2. The return flow conduit 20a isprovided with a filter assembly 21a configured to purify thedetergent before this is stored in the fluid tank 15a to be reused during washing of another shopping basket. How such a filterassembly is formed and functions is well known in the art and willtherefore not be further described in this disclosure.

Adjacent to the first washing station 9 there is provided a secondwashing station 22 having a second washing arrangement, whicharrangement comprises a sink-like housing 10b defining an innerspace 11b, which inner space is configured to receive a basket 2therein to allow washing thereof in said second washing station22. The housing 10b has a bottom 12b and four |atera| walls 13bextending therefrom and defining an upwardly directed topopening 14b through which a basket may be inserted into saidinner space 11b.

The second washing arrangement is similarly configured as thefirst washing arrangement and also comprises a f|uid tank 15b,which is arranged below said housing 10b and configured to storea second washing f|uid, preferably water, and a liquid pump 16bconfigured to feed the water from the tank 15b to one or morespray nozzles17b arranged in said inner space 11b of the housing10b, through a feeding conduit 18b. The spray nozzles 17a-b ofthe first and second washing arrangements are formed by a nozzlepipe provided with holes, through which the respective washingf|uid jets as this is fed through said pipe at high pressure.However, the spray nozzles 17a-b may be any type of spraynozzles suitable for distributing f|uid over an object.

A drain 19b is arranged at the bottom 12b of the housing 10b ofthe second washing arrangement, through which drain the wateris led down into a return flow conduit 20b which fluidly connectsthe inner space 11b of the housing 10b to the f|uid tank 15b, inorder to allow the water to flow back to the tank after being sprayedon a basket 2. The return flow conduit 20b is provided with a filterassembly 21b configured to purify the water before this is storedin the f|uid tank 15b to be reused during washing of anothershopping basket.

The filter assemblies 21a-b of the first and second washingarrangements are consequently implying that the apparatus maybe used for a long time period before it requires a refill of any ofthe washing fluids. This means that the apparatus isenvironmentally friendly and that the operator work-time neededto keep this running is minimized.

The second washing arrangement is further provided with highpressure air blowing means 23 which is arranged around the topopening 14b of the housing 10b at the inside thereof, and isconfigured to blow the water from the basket 2 as this is movedout of said housing.

Adjacent to the second washing station 22 there is provided anoutput station 24 having a loading area 25 configured to receive astack of shopping baskets after washing thereof in the secondwashing station 22. The output station is configured to be reachedthrough the third door 6 of the outer cover 3 so that this door maybe opened and a stack of clean shopping baskets taken out fromthe output station through the third door when the baskets havebeen washed by the apparatus 1.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a transfer arrangement, in theform of a servo-controlled biaxial linear robot 26, configured tomove the baskets 2 from the input station 7 to the output station24 via said first 9 and second 22 washing stations. The robotcomprises a frame-structure 27 including two upright standingaluminium beams 28 interconnected at bottom and top portionsthereof by a respective aluminium beam 28a-b extending betweenthem, as well as a bridge 30 and a gripping arrangement 29movably mounted to said frame-structure 27.

The bridge 30 consists of aluminium beams mounted to andextending between said two upright standing aluminium beams 28,and is movable up and down along said upright standing beams bya first motor 31. The gripping arrangement 29 comprises a body,in the form of a short aluminium beam 32, mounted to said bridge 11 30 and extending therefrom in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal extension of the bridge. The short aluminium beam 32is movable along said bridge 30 by means of a second motor 33.

Said first 31 and second 33 motors are configured to drive a re-spective shaft to rotate, which shafts are in turn connected to cogbelts located in an upright standing aluminium beam 28 and analuminium beam of the bridge 30, respectively, which cog beltsdrives the bridge to move up and down along the upright standingbeams and the gripping arrangement 29 to move along said bridge.This type of robot construction is well known in the art and willtherefore not be further described in this disclosure. However, therobot 26 may be operated differently than described above.

The gripping arrangement 29 comprises four gripping members 34each configured to grip an edge portion of a basket 2 so as toenable moving of the basket together with the grippingarrangement. The gripping members are arranged at the undersideof a closing element 35 with the shape of a plate mounted to saidshort aluminium beam 32, which closing element is configured toclose the housing 10a-b of the first and second washingarrangement, respectively, as a basket 2 is inserted therein.

The gripping members 34 are preferably configured as tong-likemembers configured to be able to grip an edge portion of anyshopping basket 2 on the market, either by self or manualadjustment thereto. The jaws of the tong-like gripping membersmay be configured in many possible ways to suit this use, and arepreferably operated to move between an open and closed positionby means of an electrical motor (not shown) arranged at thegripping arrangement 29.

The gripping arrangement 29 further comprises one or a pluralityof spray nozzles 36 located below said closing element 35. Thespray nozzles are formed by a nozzle pipe provided with holes,through which a washing fluid jets as this is fed through said pipeat high pressure. However, the spray nozzles 36 may be any type 12 of spray nozzles suitable for distributing fluid over an object. Thenozzle pipe is fluidly connected to a connecting pipe 37 whichprojects up through an opening of the closing element 35,thereafter extends along the short aluminium beam 32 at theunderside thereof and terminates in a first connection portion 38.The closing element 35 is mounted to the short aluminium beam32 via said connecting pipe 37.

The first connection portion 38 is configured to be connected to asecond connection portion 39 arranged at the housing 10a of thefirst washing station 9 and fluidly connected to the fluid tank 15athereof via said feeding conduit 18a, so that when a basket 2 islocated in said first washing position (see Fig 4) this is sprayedwith liquid detergent fed from the fluid tank 15a to the spraynozzles 36 of the gripping arrangement 29 which are located insideof said basket when this is gripped by the gripping members 34.

The spray nozzles 36 of the gripping arrangement 29 is also usedto spray water to the basket 2 when this is located in a secondwashing position (see Fig 5) in said second washing station. Thefirst connection portion 38 of the connecting pipe 37 is thenconnected to a third connection portion 40 arranged at the housing10b of the second washing station so that the nozzles 36 of thegripping arrangement are fluidly connected to the fluid tank 15b ofthe second washing arrangement via the feeding conduit 18bthereof.

Hereinafter a method for cleaning a stack of dirty shopping baskets2 by means of the apparatus 1 will be described.

An operator, such as an employee of a supermarket, opens thefirst door 4, sets the basket positioning means to suit the type ofbaskets to be cleaned and places said stack of shopping basketson the loading area 8 of the input station 7 (see Fig 2). Theoperator also checks if any washing fluid needs to be refilled. 13 The outer cover 3 of the apparatus is provided with a control panel41 having a display 42, through which control panel the operatormay choose between washing programs with different lengths etc.The display is used to visualize menus of settings etc., and alsohow much time there is left of a washing program in operation.

The operator closes the first door 4 and presses a start button onthe control panel to start a chosen washing program. All said doors4-6 of the outer cover 3 have to be closed before the apparatus 1starts operating, as the apparatus comprises a safety device (notshown) configured to sense if any of the doors is open, and to stopthe apparatus from operating in such a case. Such a safety deviceis provided for safety reasons, for the operator as well as for themachinery of the apparatus 1.

Fig 3 shows the inside of the apparatus 1 in a starting position, i.e.at the time when the operator presses the start button. ln thisfigure and also in figures 4 and 5 the front wall of each housing10a-b is cut away so that the inner spaces 11a-b of the housingsare visualized. From said starting position the grippingarrangement 29 is lowered down towards the basket 2 at the topof the stack located in the input station 7, and this is gripped bythe gripping members 34. The transfer arrangement 26 lifts saidbasket from the stack by means of the gripping arrangement 29and first 43a and second 43b air blowing means arranged betweenthe input station 7 and the first washing station 9 blow trash, suchas shopping lists and receipts, out of the basket and into acollecting container 44 configured to collect the trash.

The first air blowing means 43a has nozzles configured to directthe air to the underside of the basket 2 so that the trash is blownup from the bottom thereof, and the second air blowing means 43bhas nozzles configured to direct the air to a side of the basket soas to blow the trash that is blown up in the air by the first airblowing means 43a in a direction towards an opening of saidcollecting container 44. The apparatus 1 may also comprise avision-system configured to scan the inside of the basket as this 14 is gripped by the gripping members 34 in the input station 7, andcontrol the air blowing means 43a-b to only start a said blowingoperation as there is trash in the basket 2. Such a vision-systemmay then also scan the basket after such a blowing operation, soas to ensure that this is free from large pieces of trash beforebrought to the first washing station 9.

The basket 2 is thereafter moved to the first washing station 9 bymeans of the transfer arrangement 26 and inserted into the innerspace 11a of the housing 10a thereof, through the top opening 14aof the housing together with the gripping members 34 and thespray nozzles 36 of the gripping arrangement 29 (see Fig 4). Whenthe basket is lowered down in said inner space the first connectionportion 38 is connected to the second connection portion 39 andthe closing element 35 closes the top opening 14a of the housing10a. The liquid pump 16a feeds the spray nozzles 17a, 36 withliquid detergent from the fluid tank 15a and the nozzles apply thisto the basket 2, preferably through high-pressure.

The basket is thereafter moved together with the grippingarrangement 29 to the second washing station 22 and inserted intothe inner space 11b of the housing 10b thereof through the topopening 14b of the housing 10b together with the grippingmembers 34 and the spray nozzles 36 of the gripping arrangement29 (see Fig 5). The first connection portion 38 is connected to thethird connection portion 40 and the closing element 35 closes thetop opening 14b of the housing 10b. The liquid pump 16b feedswater from the liquid tank 15b of the second washing arrangementthrough the feeding conduit 18b thereof to the spray nozzles 17bin said housing and to the spray nozzles 36 of the grippingarrangement 29. Accordingly, water is sprayed to the basket 2,preferably through high-pressure, and the detergent as well asremaining dirt thereon is rinsed off.

As the detergent is removed from the basket 2 the high pressureair blowing means 23 of the second washing arrangement blowshigh pressure air, preferably but not necessaršiy hot high pressure air, to the outer sides of the basket simultaneously as this is slowlylifted up from the housing 10b through the top opening 14b thereof,so that the water is blown off the basket and down in said housing.The high pressure air blowing means 23 used for drying and theair blowing means 43a, 43b used to blow trash out of the baskets2 are individual parts of the same air blowing arrangement, whicharrangement comprises a fan 45 which feeds said three air blowingmeans 23, 43a, 43b with air.

The clean basket 2 is thereafter put down at the loading area 25in the output station 24 by means of the transfer arrangement 26and the gripping members 34 of the gripping arrangement 29releases the basket. The transfer arrangement 26 then moves thegripping arrangement 29 towards its starting position (shown in Fig3) so as to repeat the steps described with the next basket in thestack located at the input station 7. When all baskets inserted inthe apparatus 1 are washed and stacked in the output station 24the display 42 indicates that the washing program is finished andthe operator opens the third door 6 to take out the clean baskets2 from the apparatus 1.

Such a washing program described is fully automatic, andmanually interference is only needed for example when the fluidcontainers 15a-b have to be refilled, which are then reachedthrough said second door 5, or the gripping members 34 have tobe set to suit another type of baskets.

Through the apparatus 1 according to the invention a relativelysmall and low-cost apparatus for cleaning shopping baskets 2 isprovided. lt is extremely easy to handle and use and is able toprocess one basket in only about O,5-1 min. lt is in addition to thisenvironmentally friendly.

The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embod-iment thereof described above, but many possibilities to modifi-cations thereof will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in 16 the art without departing from the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

Any of the first and second washing fluids may be another fluidthan those described. lf first and a second washing fluids are usedin the apparatus, these may for example be water steam anddisinfectant.

The apparatus may for example be configured with only onewashing station, which in such a case may have spray nozzlesconfigured to successively spray two different washing fluids to abasket, or to spray only one washing fluid to the basket, such aswater steam or a dissolving detergent.

The apparatus may of course further comprise other cleaningstations and arrangements than those described, such as an UV-radiation arrangement or a brushing arrangement, and also forexample a drying station.

The number of doors arranged at the apparatus may vary to suitthe use thereof, between only one door to 5, 6 or even more.

“A stack of baskets” is in this disclosure to be interpreted as atleast two baskets stacket together. However, even if a station ofthe apparatus is configured to receive a stack of baskets, this mayof course also receive only one basket.

The control panel may of course be configured differently thandescribed, and for example consist of only a display with touch-screen function or only buttons and no display.

Claims (6)

Claims 17

1. A motor driven apparatus (1) for cleaning shopping baskets (2), comprising:an input station (7) configured to receive at least one dirtyshopping basket (2), a first washing station (9) having a first washingarrangement, which arrangement comprises a housing(10a) defining an inner space (11a) and configured toreceive said at least one basket (2) therein in order toallow said basket (2) to be treated with a first washing fluidin said inner space (11a),an output station (24) configured to receive said basket(2) after washing thereof, anda transfer arrangement (26) configured to move saidbasket (2) from the input station (7) to the output station(24) via said first washing station (9), said transferarrangement (26) comprises: o a frame-structure (27), and o a gripping arrangement (29) movably mounted to said frame-structure (27), which gripping arrangement(29) comprises at least one gripping member (34)configured to grip said basket (2) so as to enablethereof with the gripping moving together arrangement (29), characterized in that said gripping arrangement (29) further comprises a closing element (35) configured to close said housing (10a) of said first washing arrangement during washing of said basket (2) therein, which closing element (35) is configured to be moved together with said basket (2) 18 when this is gripped by said at least one gripping member(34) and moved between said stations (7, 9, 22, 24) by thetransfer arrangement (26). 5

2. An apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (10a) of the first washing arrangementhas an upwardiy directed top opening (14a) through which said basket (2) is insertable into said inner space (11a) bymeans of the transfer arrangement (26).

3. . An apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said closing element (35) has the shape of a plateconfigured to close said top opening (14a) of said housing(10a) when said basket (2) is held in a washing position insaid inner space (11a) by means of said at least one gripping member (34).

4. . An apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first washing arrangementcomprises at least one spray nozzle (17a) which is mountedto said housing (10a) and configured to spray said firstwashing fluid to said basket (2).

5. An apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first washing arrangement further comprises afluid container (15a), such as a fluid tank, configured tostore said first washing fluid, which container (15a) isfluidly connected to said at least one spray nozzle (17a) ofthe housing (10a) through a feeding conduit (18a), throughwhich the washing fluid is fed to said at least one spray 19 nozzle (17a) during spraying of said basket (2) by meansof said spray nozzle (17a), and which container (15a) isfluidly connected to said inner space (11a) of the firstwashing arrangement through a return flow conduit (20a),through which the washing fluid is directed back to saidcontainer (15a) after being sprayed on the basket (2), andthat said return flow conduit (20a) is provided with a filterassembly (21a) configured to purify the washing fluid before this is stored in the container (15a).

6. An apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said gripping arrangement (29)further comprises at least one spray nozzle (36) which isconfigured to be moved together with said basket (2) whenthis is gripped by said at least one gripping member (34)and moved between said stations (7, 9, 22, 24) by thetransfer arrangement (26), and to spray said first washingfluid to said basket (2) when this is located in said innerspace (11a) of the first washing station (9). . An apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one spray nozzle (36) of the grippingarrangement (29) is configured to be located inside of saidbasket (2) when this is gripped by the at least one grippingmember (34). . An apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) further comprisesa second washing station (22) having a second washing arrangement, which arrangement comprises a housing 11 12. (10b) defining an inner space (11b) and configured toreceive said at least one basket (2) therein in order to allowsaid basket (2) to be treated with a second washing fluid insaid inner space (11b), wherein said closing element (35)is configured to close said housing (10b) of said secondwashing arrangement during washing of said basket (2) therein. . An apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said second washing arrangement comprises at leastone spray nozzle (17b) which is mounted to said housing(10b) and configured to spray said second washing fluid tosaid basket (2). .An apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 8-9, characterized in that said first washing fluid is a liquiddetergent and said second washing fluid is a rinsing fluid, preferably water. .An apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 8-10 in combination with claim 6, characterized in that said atleast one spray nozzle (36) of the gripping arrangement(29) is further configured to spray said second washingfluid to said basket (2) when this is located in said inner space (11b) of the second washing station (22). An apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in that the apparatus (1) further comprisesair blowing means (43a-b) configured to blow trash, such as shopping lists and receipts, out of said basket (2) and 13. 14. 15. 21 into a collecting container (44) before washing of thebasket(2) An apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in that the apparatus (1) further comprisesair biowing means (23) configured to blow washing fluidfrom the basket (2) before this is moved to the output station (24). An apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in that each one of said input (7) and output(24) stations is configured to receive a stack of shoppingbaskets (2) and that said gripping arrangement (29) isconfigured to grip only one shopping basket (2) at a time. An apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in that said transfer arrangement is a servo-controlled biaxial linear robot (26) which comprises at leasttwo motors (31, 33), and that said gripping arrangement(29) has a body (32) to which said at least one grippingmember (34) and said closing element (35) are mounted,which body (32) is controllably movable vertically andlaterally with respect to said frame-structure (27) by means of said at least two motors (31, 33).