US7767142B1 | 2010-08-03 | |||
US5424033A | 1995-06-13 | |||
EP0347205B1 | 1993-12-22 | |||
EP0347205B1 | 1993-12-22 |
Machine (1) for macerating disposable paper medical items, in the presence of water, comprising: - a chamber (2) arranged for containing therein the disposable medical items to be softened by water and to be macerated; - closing means (3) of said chamber (2); - means for spreading water (5) inside said chamber (2); - rotating blade means (4) for macerating said items; - motor means (7) arranged for moving said rotating blade means (4); - discharge means (6) of the macerated pulp obtained from the macerated medical items; - a control unit (8) of the treatment cycle, characterized in that it further comprises means for diffusing steam (9) inside said chamber (2), controlled by said unit, for obtaining disinfection of said chamber at the end of said treatment cycle. Machine (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said chamber (2) comprises means for measuring the temperature (10) reached therein. Machine (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said chamber (2) comprises a safety valve ( 1), arranged for preventing the pressure value inside said chamber from exceeding a preset limit value. Machine (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said means for diffusing steam (9) comprises a nozzle (12) hydraulically connected to a supply circuit (13) of said steam, provided with at least an electromagnetic control valve (14) for feeding said steam into said chamber. Machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said supply circuit (13) is associated with a steam generator (15). 6. Machine (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that said steam generator (15) comprises an electrical resistance (17), a steam temperature sensor (18), a safety thermostat (19) and water supply means (20). 7. Machine (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that said steam generator (15) is associated with a steam accumulator (16). 8. Machine (1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that said steam accumulator (16) comprises a maximum pressure safety valve (21 ). 9. Machine (1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that said safety valve (1 1 ) is hydraulically connected to said discharge means (6). 10. Machine (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that said means for measuring the temperature (10, 18) generates a signal arranged for being controlled by said unit (8) for driving said at least one electromagnetic valve (14). 1 1 . Machine (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said chamber (2) comprises an outer coating (22) of thermal insulation material. 12. Machine (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said closing means (3) of said chamber (2) comprises a steam-tight seal (23). 13. Machine (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said closing means (3) of said chamber (2) comprises a door (24) and a diaphragm (25) associated with each other with interposition of elastic means (26). |
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The invention relates to the field of machines for macerating human excrement and the disposable containers thereof.
More in detail, the invention relates to a machine for macerating disposable paper medical items softened by water, in particular containers for hospital use such as bedpans, urinals and kidney dishes, to reduce them to a pulp that can be discharged into the sewer together with their content.
The patent EP 0 347 205 B1 by VERNACARE LIMITED discloses a machine for macerating disposable paper medical items softened by water, which comprises a chamber arranged for containing therein said objects, provided with closing means, and equipped therein with rotating blade means, activated by suitable motor means, for maceration of said objects in the presence of water.
Said machine in fact comprises means for spreading water inside said chamber to wet and soften the items to be macerated and also discharge means of the pulp produced.
Said rotating blade means and said means for spreading water are controlled by a control unit.
During use of said machines, after the operations to soften and macerate the medical items and to discharge the pulp produced, it is necessary to perform a cleaning and sanitising operation of the chamber, prior to re-use.
A first cleaning and sanitising step consists in washing the chamber with water and detergent, using the same spreading means with which water is fed to the chamber to create the pulp and the same blade means, so as to mechanically remove, together with the dirt, a massive quantity of bacteria and pathogenic agents.
Unfortunately, said cleaning and sanitising operations serve only to eliminate the visible dirt from the surface, which could act as substrate for the growth of various microorganisms, but do not guarantee efficient removal of all that is "invisible", such as bacteria, fungi, spores or viruses.
Therefore, after these simple mechanical cleaning operations by washing, sanitising operations are also currently performed with the use of water supplemented with disinfectants of chemical origin.
Disadvantageously, although the use of chemical agents offers a high disinfection efficacy and high antibacterial power, they also have considerable risks.
None of the numerous categories of disinfectants that can be used proves to be much more advantageous than others with respect to all the evaluation parameters. For example, chlorine based products and many iodine based products are inexpensive but corrosive for metals, and consequently must be rinsed off immediately. Not only are quaternary ammonium salts relatively ineffective in the presence of very hard water, but they have also proved ineffective against some specific bacteria. The toxicological properties of glutaraldehyde and the unpleasant and persistent odour of phenolic substances are also well known.
Even more disadvantageously, chemical disinfectant products must be prepared in the correct concentration: excessive dilution makes the product ineffective, while a high concentration increases the risk of pollution caused by chemical residues.
The disadvantages of an environmental nature are just as important: the wash waters supplemented with these chemical products are discharged into the sewer, making particular purification treatments necessary to avoid polluting the environment.
The invention seeks to overcome these limits, by producing a machine for macerating disposable paper medical items, in the presence of water, complete with a system for disinfection of the components inside the chamber, at the end of the maceration and cleaning process, even without the use of chemical products.
Another object of the invention is that said disinfection process is rapid, effective and environmentally friendly.
These objects are achieved with a machine for macerating disposable paper medical items, in the presence of water, comprising:
- a chamber arranged for containing therein the disposable medical items to be softened by water and to be macerated;
- closing means of said chamber;
- means for spreading water inside said chamber;
- rotating blade means for macerating said items;
- motor means arranged for moving said rotating blade means;
- discharge means of the macerated pulp obtained from the macerated medical items;
- a control unit of the treatment cycle,
characterized in that it further comprises means for diffusing steam inside said chamber, controlled by said unit, for obtaining disinfection of said chamber at the end of said treatment cycle.
According to a first aspect of the invention, said chamber comprises means for measuring the temperature reached therein.
According to a further aspect of the invention, said chamber comprises a safety valve, arranged for preventing the pressure value inside said chamber from exceeding a preset limit value.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said means for diffusing steam comprises a nozzle, hydraulically connected to a supply circuit of said steam, provided at least with an electromagnetic control valve for feeding said steam into said chamber, and said supply circuit is associated with a steam generator.
In particular, said steam generator comprises an electrical resistance, a steam temperature sensor, a safety thermostat and water supply means.
Advantageously, said steam generator is associated with a steam accumulator.
In a preferred embodiment, said steam accumulator comprises a maximum pressure safety valve and said safety valve is hydraulically connected to said discharge means.
According to a further aspect of the invention, said means for measuring the temperature generates a signal arranged for being controlled by said unit for driving said at least one electromagnetic valve.
Advantageously, said chamber comprises an outer coating of thermal insulation material and said closing means of said chamber comprises a steam-tight seal.
In particular, said closing means of said chamber comprises a door and a diaphragm associated with each other with interposition of elastic means.
The invention presents numerous advantages.
Disinfection with steam is an operation that enables reduction of the bacterial load and/or inactivation of viruses, thus eliminating the risk of contracting microbial infections. This is a different and more effective action than cleaning and sanitisation using water and detergent, which consists merely ' in the removal of dirt without ensuring sufficient reduction in pathogenic microorganisms.
The disinfection performed by the machine according to the invention makes use of the power of steam, and advantageously reaches and guarantees high standards of bacterial reduction.
Unlike disinfectants of chemical type, the heat generated by the high temperature steam is capable of eliminating any type of pathogenic microorganism: the steam captures the polluting particles, weighing them down and causing them to precipitate and the machine, with its appropriate discharge means, eliminates them.
The use of steam also enables the environmental impact to be reduced. The machine advantageously comprises means to control the process parameters, for example means for measuring the temperature, valves for controlling the pressure and electromagnetic valves arranged along the steam feed pipes, thus ensuring maximum safety during use.
The coating layer of thermal insulation material of the chamber helps to maintain the temperature inside the chamber constant, essential for successfully performing the disinfection process.
The closing means of the chamber are advantageously not only liquid- tight, but above all steam-tight, due to the special dovetail gasket placed on the edge of the chamber and to the elastic means that presses specifically on the diaphragm.
The advantages of the invention will be more apparent below, in the description of preferred embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, and with the aid of accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 represents a hydraulic diagram of a machine for macerating disposable paper medical items according to the invention; Fig. 2 represents, in a partial section, the machine according to the invention;
Fig. 3 represents, in a partially sectional side view, the machine of
Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 represents, in a front view, a portion of the machine of Fig. 2 open;
Fig. 5 represents, in section, a portion of the machine of Fig. 2 open;
Figs. 6-8 represent, in a section according to two orthogonal planes and in an axonometric view, a component of the machine according to the invention.
With reference to the circuit of Fig. 1 and to Figs. 2-5, there is shown a machine 1 for macerating disposable paper medical items.
Said machine 1 comprises a chamber 2 arranged for containing therein said medical items and provided with rotating blade means 4 with which these items are stirred and macerated, to reduce them into fragments or shreds of extremely small dimensions.
Said rotating blade means 4 is moved by motor means 7 activated by a control unit 8.
Said chamber 2 is provided therein with means for spreading water 5 necessary first for softening the paper items to be reduced into shreds and to create a pulp, and subsequently for washing the chamber.
In particular, said means for spreading water 5 comprises a spray nozzle that receives the water, through a pipe 27, from a supply tank 28 placed inside the machine 1 , from which a pump 29 draws.
The tank 28 is also connected to a tank 31 for containing a liquid detergent. Said chamber 2 is closed at the top by appropriate closing means 3 with liquid-tight and steam-tight seal, while it is provided, on the bottom, with discharge means 6 through which both the pulp of macerated and pulped medical items and the wash water of the chamber are removed.
Said chamber 2 is also equipped therein with means for diffusing steam 9. The important step of disinfection of the chamber is performed by means of said steam.
Said means for diffusing steam 9 comprises a nebulising nozzle 12, hydraulically connected to a supply circuit 13 of said steam.
Said supply circuit 13 is provided with at least an electromagnetic control valve 14 for feeding said steam into said chamber.
Said chamber 2 comprises means for measuring the temperature reached therein, in particular a temperature sensor 10.
Said means for measuring the temperature generates a signal arranged for being managed by said control unit 8 to control the electromagnetic valve 14 arranged along the steam feed circuit 13. For example, if the temperature measured is too low to perform correct and effective disinfection of the chamber, by adjusting the opening of the electromagnetic valve 14, the quantity of steam fed in is increased.
Moreover, to maintain high temperatures inside the chamber and to guarantee a correct level of disinfection without wasting energy, said chamber 2 comprises an outer coating 22 of thermal insulation material.
Placed inside the chamber 2 is a safety valve 1 1 , arranged for preventing the internal pressure value, due to the feed of steam, from exceeding a predetermined limit value.
In particular, said safety valve 1 1 is hydraulically connected to said discharge means 6, so that, if excessively high pressures are reached, the chamber can be vented.
With reference to the hydraulic diagram of Fig. 1 and to the detail illustrated in Figs. 6-8, said supply circuit 13 is associated with a steam generator 15.
Said steam generator 15 comprises therein supply means 20 of the water to be transformed into steam, connected to a tank 30, an electrical resistance 17 required to heat the water and cause evaporation, a steam temperature sensor 18 and a safety thermostat 19.
Said steam generator 15 is connected to a steam accumulator 16.
Said steam accumulator 16 comprises a maximum pressure safety valve 21 to avoid overloads that can damage the whole hydraulic circuit.
With particular reference to the sections of Figs. 2, 3 and 5, said closing means 3 of said chamber 2 comprise a door 24, a diaphragm 25 and a steam-tight seal 23 interposed between the edge of said chamber 2 and said diaphragm 25.
During closing of the chamber 2, said seal 23, of dovetail type, is arranged to adapt perfectly to the edge of the diaphragm 25.
Said door 24 and said diaphragm 25 are associated with each other with interposition of elastic means 26.
In particular, said elastic means 26 comprise coil springs which are compressed during closing of the chamber, between said door 24 and said diaphragm 25, to enable a reciprocal adjustment movement and ensure perfect seal of said seal 23 on the diaphragm 25.
Operation of the machine 1 according to the invention is described below.
The disposable paper medical items to be macerated are placed inside the chamber 2. Once the chamber 2 is closed and perfect steam-tight seal of the seal 23 is ensured, the maceration process is activated: the means for spreading water 5 introduce a first quantity inside the chamber, subsequently the rotating blade means 4 reduce the items contained into small fragments and shreds of paper, softened by further water introduced.
The pulp obtained is then eliminated by the discharge means 6 provided on the bottom of the chamber 2.
The subsequent steps consist in washing with water and detergent and final disinfection of the chamber 2. The disinfection step is controlled by the specific control unit 8 which processes the data transmitted by the temperature sensors 10 and 18, activating or deactivating the electromagnetic valve 14 which controls the flow of steam fed in.
A first cleaning operation takes place with rinsing of the walls and of the bottom of the chamber using water and detergent introduced by the means for spreading water 5.
Disinfection instead takes place by the steam delivered by the special nozzle 12 which completely saturates the chamber 2 and, due to the high temperatures reached, reduces the bacterial loads present.
At the end of the wash step, the disinfection step starts. At the end of this latter step, the control unit 8 passes to the step to cool the chamber to a temperature that is not dangerous for the operator by the feeding cold water by the diffuser 5. At the end of said step, it controls opening of the discharge means 6 to remove the waste water produced.
The machine 1 is thus ready to be used again.
Naturally, the same machine can be used to macerate other disposable products, also made of other materials compatible with discharge into the sewers.
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