Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for handling contaminated products. The apparatus may be a macerator used to dispose of pulp products, such as cardboard or starch based products, and human waste. Alternatively, the apparatus may be a bed pan washer or similar, used to clean bed pans or similar items.

Background to the Invention

The use of macerators is commonplace where waste disposal facilities do not permit the use of traditional types of toilet. Traditional toilets are often unsuitable as the large sewage pipes required are not practical or the disposal of larger items may be required. In addition, there are situations where bed ridden patients may be unable to use a traditional toilet. For example, nursing homes or hospitals may contain a number of patients utilising single-use waste collectors such as pulped paper urine bottles or bedpans. Single-use waste collectors such as these have the advantage of being inherently more hygienic in situations where cross contamination is a major concern, as well as increasing convenience for the bedridden patient. Such products are then typically disposed of in a macerator. However, to ensure the use of pulped products does reduce the risks of cross contamination, the use of the macerator must itself be hygienic.

Macerators using a 'hands free' approach to operation have been developed as a first stage in reducing the risks of cross contamination. Such a 'hands free' operation does not remove the risk of cross contamination in its entirety however. Macerators typically are placed in the corners or against the walls of sluicerooms in hospitals or nursing homes, creating areas which are difficult to clean and thus increase the risk of poor hygiene and cross contamination. In addition, it is difficult to integrate such free standing macerators into the plumbing system of the building. As such, pipework for both waste and clean water often has to be extended to the macerator from somewhat remote locations, creating more areas which are difficult to clean and increase the risk of cross contamination.

Macerators also generally require the use of a detergent or disinfectant to hygienically dispose of waste. These detergents and disinfectants are typically supplied from containers remote from the macerator itself, or out of view inside a casing of the macerator. In such a situation it is possible for the detergent or disinfectant to run out and the maceration process to be completed without a user being aware the macerator is not working optimally. The incorrect operation of a macerator, most commonly via a user attempting to macerate unsuitable materials, can also result improper disposal and a reduction in hygiene.

Similar considerations apply to bed pan washers, and to other apparatus for handling contaminated products.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wall recessed macerator, comprising:

a macerating chamber for receiving and macerating waste products;

a hood, disposed above and providing access to the macerating chamber, and having a frontal aperture through which waste products to be macerated can be placed; a cover, for closing off the frontal aperture during a macerating process; and an inlet, for dispensing liquid into the hood.

In this way, it is possible to wall recess a macerator - previously considered to be undesirable due to the requirement for a user to place their hands inside the macerator through a front loading aperture. The present invention recognises that by providing a hood, and an inlet for dispensing (cleaning) liquid into the hood, hygiene requirements can be maintained.

When installed, the macerator is mostly or entirely recessed within a wall cavity, with only its front surface exposed. The front surface may be flush with, or only slightly protrude from, the wall within which the macerator is installed.

Preferably the interior surface of the hood is shaped and dimensioned so that liquid entering the hood via the inlet flows over substantially the whole exposed interior surface of the hood. It will be appreciated that full coverage may be achieved based on a combination of the properties of the inlet (that is, to where liquid is dispensed, how much liquid is dispensed, and how forcefully it is dispensed) and the internal surface configuration of the macerator.

The cover (or hatch) may be shaped and dimensioned so that liquid entering the hood (or upper chamber) via the inlet flows over substantially the whole exposed interior surface of the cover. This ensures all surfaces are kept hygienic.

The inlet may be disposed within an upper portion of the hood. The hood may comprise substantially vertical walls, and a roof which slopes down to meet the walls.

The inlet may comprise one or more spray nozzles for directing liquid against the roof to flow over the roof, onto and down the walls, and into the macerating chamber below. Preferably, the inlet is disposed in a central region of the roof, and directs liquid outwardly against the roof. Preferably, the roof has a curved concave shape. This shape and inlet configuration has been found to provide effective coverage.

The macerator may comprise a foot activated trigger for causing the cover to open to expose the frontal aperture in response to a user triggering the foot activated trigger with their foot. The macerator may also comprise a contactless hand activated trigger for causing the cover to close over the frontal aperture in response to a user triggering the hand activated trigger with their hand. In response to the hand activated trigger being triggered by the user, the cover may close off the frontal aperture and then the macerating process commence.

The liquid may be dispensed from the outlet following the completion of the macerating process. However, it may also be dispensed during the macerating process, or at periodic intervals independently of the macerating process.

The cover may be slideably mounted with respect to the frontal aperture.

The macerator may comprise a loading unit, for receiving and holding a removable container which contains a chemical, and a delivery system, for delivering the chemical from the loading unit to an inlet within the macerator to be dispensed over interior surfaces of the macerator.

The macerator may comprise a controller, for controlling the operation of the macerator, and for generating status information relating to the macerator, and a bidirectional communications link for communicating the status information to an external device via the Internet, and for receiving from an external device via the Internet control information for modifying the operation of the macerator.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising:

a chamber for receiving contaminated products;

a loading unit, for receiving and holding a removable container which contains a chemical; and

a delivery system, for delivering the chemical from the loading unit to an inlet within the chamber to be dispensed over interior surfaces of the chamber.

The apparatus may be one of a macerator or a bed pan washer.

The loading unit may be movably mounted to the apparatus, and be movable between an open position in which a container can be inserted into or extracted from the loading unit, and a closed position in which the container cannot be accessed by a user and the loading unit and container are substantially located within a housing of the apparatus. A lock may be provided for locking the loading unit into its closed position. The loading unit may be hingedly mounted to the apparatus.

The container may comprise a cap which covers an opening in the container to seal the chemical within the container when the container is not in use, and the loading unit may comprise a piercing element which pierces the cap of the container to permit the chemical in the container to exit the container. Preferably, the piercing element is hollow, permitting the chemical in the container to exit the container through the piercing element. The piercing element may have an external shape and size which substantially matches an internal shape and size of the opening into the container.

The container may be received in the loading unit with its opening facing substantially downwardly, and the loading unit may comprise a reservoir into which the chemical from the container flows. In this case, the delivery system draws the chemical from the reservoir.

A controller may be provided, for controlling the operation of the apparatus, and for generating status information relating to the apparatus, and a bidirectional communications link for communicating the status information to an external device via the Internet, and for receiving from an external device via the Internet control information for modifying the operation of the apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising:

a chamber for receiving contaminated products;

a controller, for controlling the operation of the apparatus, and for generating status information relating to the apparatus; and

a bidirectional communications link for communicating the status information to an external device, and for receiving from an external device control information for modifying the operation of the apparatus.

Also, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a chamber for receiving contaminated products;

a controller, for controlling the operation of the apparatus, and for generating status information relating to the apparatus; and

a bidirectional communications link for communicating the status information to an external device, and for receiving from an external device control information for modifying the operation of the apparatus.

Also, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising:

a bidirectional communications link for communicating the status information to an external device, and for receiving from an external device control information for modifying the operation of the apparatus.

The apparatus may be one of a macerator or a bed pan washer.

A chemical delivery system may be provided, for delivering a chemical to an inlet within the apparatus to be dispensed over interior surfaces of the apparatus. The controller may be operable to determine when the supply of chemical is running low, and to generate and send low chemical status information via the bidirectional communications link.

A display may be provided, for displaying status information generated by the controller.

The controller may be responsive to a fault, event, condition or parameter change with respect to the apparatus to generate and send status information via the bidirectional

communications link.

The controller may be operable to receive control information, generated externally of the macerator based on the status information, and to use the control information to resolve the fault.

In the case of a macerator, the status information may indicate one or more of the following faults or conditions: (a) a blockage at the outlet to the macerator, (b) jamming of macerator blades; (c) failure of a motor driving the blades; (d) failure of a lid or cover to close; (e) low chemical level; (f) macerator overfull.

In the case of a bed pan washer, the status information may indicate one or more of the following faults or conditions: (a) the mains drain or the waste pipe is blocked, (b) power is interrupted during a cycle, (c) a door or lid is not successfully closed, (d) there is insufficient fluid in the cartridge or dispensing chamber, (e) the bed pan washer is overloaded, or (f) the water is not reaching a high enough temperature.

The controller may be operable to receive software updates via the bidirectional communications link.

In the case of a macerator, a sensor may be provided for detecting an amount of product being received in the macerator; and the controller may be responsive to the detected amount of product to set one or more parameters for the macerating process. The parameters set in response to the detected amount of product may comprise one or more of the macerating cycle duration and an amount of chemical and/or water to be dispensed.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a water inlet, a waste outlet from which water carrying waste exits the apparatus, and a sensor for detecting when the water exiting the apparatus via the waste outlet is clean; wherein the controller is responsive to the detection of clean water exiting the apparatus to cause a cleaning and/or macerating process of the apparatus to terminate.

In the case of a macerator, one or more sensors may be provided for detecting either or both of a volume of waste products present in the macerator and a weight of waste products present in the macerator. In this case, the controller may be responsive to the sensors detecting that the volume and/or weight of waste products is substantially zero to cause a macerating process to terminate.

Also in the case of a macerator, one or more sensors may be provided for detecting the presence of a non-maceratable item within the macerator. The controller may be operable to inhibit operation of the macerator in response thereto, to prevent damage to the macerator.

In the case of a macerator, the status information may comprise an indication of the number of macerating cycles carried out since the macerator was last serviced. The control information may define one or more parameters for the macerating process, the parameters being optimised for a product type to be macerated.

The controller may be operable to deliver water through the apparatus and to a drain when the apparatus is not handling waste products.

A display and/or an audio output device may be provided, wherein the communications link is operable to receive control information from the external device which updates display information or audio information to be output via the display or audio output device.

Preferably, the status information and control information is communicated via the Internet. Some examples of the invention include macerators that are wall recessed, and apparatus which utilise disposable cartridges and contain an internal logic circuit that allows the 'smart operation' of the macerator.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for a smart machine which overcomes or at least addresses transitional issues of fixed cycle time, fixed water and electrical consumption.

Benefits of remote communication to provide local or remote diagnostic or reprogramming using LAN or similar hardwired network or any current or future digital wireless radio transmission system, including Bluetooth or WiFi.

According to another aspect, there is provided a macerator which comprises a water inlet, a macerated waste outlet from which water carrying macerated waste exits the macerator, and a sensor for detecting when the water exiting the macerator via the waste outlet is clean; wherein the controller is responsive to the detection of clean water exiting the macerator to cause the macerating process to terminate. In other words, this feature may be provided without specifically requiring the presence of a communications link.

According to another aspect, there is provided a macerator having one or more sensors for detecting either or both of a volume of waste products present in the macerator and a weight of waste products present in the macerator; wherein the controller is responsive to the sensors detecting that the volume and/or weight of waste products is substantially zero to cause a macerating process to terminate. In other words, this feature may be provided without specifically requiring the presence of a communications link. Detailed Description

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a macerator recessed into a wall;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the front of a macerator;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the side of the macerator;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the inside surfaces of the macerator;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the cartridge insertion from the side and isometric viewpoints; and

Figure 6 is a schematic flow diagram of the operation of integrated control software.

Referring to the figures in detail, Figure 1 depicts a macerator 1 recessed into a wall 2. The macerator is of a sufficiently slim depth, approximately 0.4 to 0.6 m in this case, so that its front surface either lies in the same plane as the wall, or protrudes only a small amount (between 0 and 0.05 m in this case) from the surface. The macerator in this case is approximately 1.4 to 1.8 m in height with a width of approximately 0.5 m. Other dimensions may be desirable depending upon the installation site of the macerator and the volume of waste it is expected to dispose of. As the macerator is wall recessed it is installed more effectively into a room, saving floor space, providing less of a collision hazard, and reducing the time taken to clean and sterilise around the macerator.

**The macerator requires a water supply, a sewage drain and an electrical supply. It is preferable that these are supplied by pipes concealed within the wall. The concealment of these supplies in the wall again reduces the difficulty of cleaning around the macerator and, in addition, removes potential trip hazards. It will be appreciated that access to the pipes may still be required, in order that water and electrics can be switched off, and in order that these parts can be serviced and replaced when required. This access can be achieved through the use of removable panels in the wall, and/or in the lowermost part of the macerator.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, Figure 2 depicts that the macerator comprises a front loaded upper chamber 3 (also referred to as a hood), accessed through a front hatch 4. The upper chamber 3 is approximately 0.45 m deep, 0.45 m wide and 0.45 m in height (in the present case) and it is into this chamber that the user places pulp products and waste to be disposed of by maceration. Waste may be placed into the upper chamber 3 via the front hatch 4. The front hatch 4 is large enough to enable the waste material to be placed inside the upper chamber 3. To facilitate this, the front hatch 4 is preferably approximately 0.35 m wide and 0.25 m high, although these dimensions may change depending on the waste and pulp products to be disposed of. When the macerator is not in use, the front hatch 4 remains closed by a hatch door 5, sealing the upper chamber 3 from the exterior.

Turning to Figure 3, when waste is placed into the upper chamber 3 and released by the user, the waste drops down into a macerating chamber 11 beneath the upper chamber 3. In order to gain access to the upper chamber 3, the hatch door 5 is opened by a foot-activated trigger 6 near the base of the macerator 1. The foot-activated trigger 6 may take the form of an infra-red sensor, kick plate or pedal. When the foot-activated trigger 6 is activated, the hatch door 5 will open, driven for example by a motor, or a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator. This hands-free operation enables a user, typically carrying one or more soiled pulp products for maceration, to open the hatch door 5 without the requirement to place the soiled items on a surface. This assists with hygienic disposal. In addition, the front surface of the macerator comprises a hand-activated switch 7. After the soiled materials are placed into the upper chamber 3, the front hatch 4 must be closed and the upper chamber 3 sealed by the hatch door 5. Only after the upper chamber 3 is sealed is the waste macerated. This prevents waste exiting the macerator during the maceration process. To close the front hatch 4 with the hatch door 5, the user moves a hand over the hand-activated switch 7, which automatically closes the door without the user being required to touch the macerator.

Hand switch 7 is preferably a proximity sensor, containing an infra-red source and infra-red detector. In this case, the infra-red detector detects a user's hand when it is moved close to the detector, due to an increase in the reflected infra-red radiation. When the level of infra-red light detected exceeds a defined threshold, due to reflections from the infra-red source by the user's hand, the closing of the front hatch 4 with the hatch door 5 with a motor is triggered by a logic circuit contained within the macerator. The threshold level of the detector can be adjusted to enable a high degree of selectivity regarding the commencement of the door closing process, allowing the macerator to be used in a wide range of environments without the risk of false input signals. The use of a proximity sensor removes an area of contact with the device, concomitantly assisting with hygienic disposal. It will be understood that proximity sensors working on principles other than infra-red could also be used. Such techniques are known to the skilled person.

It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, rather than providing a hand-activated switch, the foot-activated trigger 6 could be activated by the user for a second time once they have finished placing items into the upper chamber 3. Alternatively, an elbow-activated trigger or other trigger type could be provided. In other embodiments, the hatch door 5 may automatically close and the maceration cycle begin a predetermined time after the foot-activated trigger has been triggered to open the hatch door 5.

The logic circuit of the macerator 1 may also be used to control the closing of the hatch door. Sensors may be used to detect the strain in the motor closing the hatch door 5. If the level of strain exceeds a particular pre-determined value, the motor stops and the hatch door ceases to move. Such a feature is one of safety, preventing a user from inadvertently trapping a finger or hand in the closing hatch door 5. In such a situation, it is preferable that an alarm or audible warning is sounded. After the hatch door 5 has successfully closed, the macerator may again use the internal logic system to check for any faults. If a fault is detected, it is displayed to the user on a screen 9 and the macerator will not operate. Provided there are no faults detected by the logic system, the waste will be macerated. The screen 9 may also provide other information to the user of the macerator, such as symbols, words or instructions for its use, and also commercial information (advertising). Audio could also be provided - e.g. audio instructions to the operator. For conveying information most effectively, a colour display may be provided.

The maceration process, best visualised with the help of Figure 3, involves a first stage of introducing water into the upper chamber 3, to flow down into the maceration chamber 11 to soak the waste material to be macerated. Following this, a motor 10 is used to spin chopping blades, located substantially in the centre of the macerator 1, in the maceration chamber 11, cutting the waste into small pieces. During this chopping process water may continue to be pumped into the upper chamber 3, to flow down into the maceration chamber 11. It will be appreciated that, during the maceration process, pieces of waste material may be ejected from the maceration chamber onto the internal walls of the upper chamber 3 and/or the maceration chamber 11. Preferably, the water is introduced into uppwe chamber 3 in such a way that it flows over the entire interior surface of the upper chamber 3 and maceration chamber 11, constantly removing waste from the interior surfaces during the maceration process, and guiding the waste back into the lower region of the maceration chamber 11, where it can be further macerated.

Water is preferably induced to flow over the entire interior surfaces of the upper chamber 3 and maceration chamber 11 due to both the way in which water is introduced into the upper chamber 3, and the shape of the upper chamber 3 and maceration chamber 11. It is preferable that the water is introduced at the top of the upper chamber 3 in such a way that it flows down the walls of the upper chamber 3 and those of the maceration chamber 11 below it. It is also preferable that the interior surfaces of the upper chamber 3 and maceration chamber 11 are substantially smooth and substantially continuous, such that the water predominantly flows across them without disturbance.

During the maceration period, the macerated waste and water flows out of the bottom of the macerator 1 via a sewage drain. It is preferable that after maceration is complete the interior surfaces of the waste chamber 3 and maceration chamber 11 are flushed with water to remove any residual waste. It is preferable, but not essential, that the water used for this flushing period is introduced via the same method as during maceration. The water used for flushing the macerator may leave the macerator via the sewage drain. Subsequently, the maceration process is complete and the motor 10 is switched off.

During the maceration period, flushing period, or both, dosing fluid such as, but not limited to, a disinfectant or detergent may be added to the water introduced into the upper chamber 3 and maceration chamber 11. The addition of the disinfectant or detergent may be continuous during the maceration process, continuous during the flushing process or periodic during either or both. It is preferable that this detergent or disinfectant is added from a cartridge 12 present in a cartridge slot 8 on the front of the macerator 1, as shown in Figure 2.

While it is conventional to flush the macerator through with water, and optionally chemicals, during and immediately after a maceration cycle, the present system is also operable to periodically (either at regular intervals, on demand, or in response to a detected blockage in the drain) flush the macerator through with water to keep the drains (to which the macerator is connected) clear of pulped waste. This flushing operation is independent of the operation of the macerator, and may simply involve driving a predetermined volume of water into and through the macerator, out of the waste outlet, and into the drains. Conventionally, flushing through of drains within a hospital or other establishment would require manual intervention separately from the macerator.

More generally, the macerator can provide automated services at periodic intervals, such as, but not limited to, automated water pump operation to flush the sewer or automated chemical dosing to maintain surface treatment inside the machine (i.e. triggering the dosing at times other than immediately following a maceration cycle). The time interval and duration of any automated even can be managed through the controller, and updated or configured through the bidirectional communications link.

Referring to Figure 4, this schematically illustrates the inside of the upper chamber 3 and the maceration chamber 11. It can be seen that these are respectively upper and lower regions of a continuous region. In particular, the upper chamber 3 is the region above the dashed line in Figure 4, while the maceration chamber 11 is the region below the dashed line. In the present case, the roof of the upper chamber 3 is concave, and curves/slopes down from its highest point near the centre of the roof to meet the walls of the upper chamber 3, and also to meet the inside of the hatch door 5. Water and/or chemicals are introduced into the upper chamber 3 by an inlet 20, which in this case comprises a set of outwardly directed jet nozzles, which project the water and/or chemicals outwardly onto the curved and sloped roof surface. The inlet receives water (carrying chemicals if required) via an inlet pipe 22. Due to the sloped roof, and due to the force with which water exits the jet nozzles, the water/chemical flows outwardly across the roof, down the walls and hatch door 5 of the upper chamber 3, and further down into the maceration chamber 11, where it joins any water already present in the bottom region of the maceration chamber 11, or alternatively exits via a waste outlet visible at the base of the maceration chamber 11. The route taken by the water is indicated by the directional arrows in Figure 4. In order that the water/chemical does not escape around the hatch door 5, lower and upper seals 25a, 25b are provided between the hatch door 5 and aperture within which it is mounted. While a small amount of waste and/or chemicals may build up around these seals, this area can be easily wiped down by a user.

Referring back to Figure 2, beneath the front hatch 4 is provided a cartridge slot 8 for receiving a cartridge holding chemicals for introduction into the water to be injected into the upper chamber 3 via the inlet 20. The cartridge slot 8 will not be described further in relation to a wall recessed macerator, but is described with respect to Figure 5 below for a non-wall recessed macerator.

In particular, Figure 5 depicts another macerator (not wall recessed in this case) which provides a cartridge based chemical introduction system. While the macerator of Figure 5 is not wall recessed, it will be appreciated that the cartridge based chemical introduction system as described herein can also be provided in a wall recessed macerator, and is in fact present (but not described in detail) as feature 8 in the macerator of Figures 1, 2 and 3. In Figure 5,a cartridge 12 can be inserted into the cartridge slot 8 of the macerator by a user. Cartridges, would usually, but not exclusively, contain liquid disinfectants, detergents or mixtures of the two. The cartridge 12 may fit into the cartridge slot 8 via a click and fit mechanism. A preferred embodiment is a cartridge 12, containing a volume of approximately 1 L, and preferably a tamper proof pierceable cap 13 that is to be pushed into the cartridge slot 8. Upon full insertion, the pierceable cap 13 may be pierced by a hollow piercing pin 14. The piercing of the pierceable cap 13 by the hollow piercing pin 14 may allow some, or all of the contents of the cartridge to move into a dosing reservoir 15. From the dosing reservoir the liquid may be introduced into the water to be delivered to the upper chamber 3 and maceration chamber 11, preferably using a dosing pump.

Preferably, the cartridge slot 8 is hinged 16. A hinged connection of the cartridge slot 8 to the main body of the macerator is preferable as it allows the cartridge 12 to be contained within the body of the macerator during the macerator's operation, yet easily accessed when the cartridge 12 is empty and requires changing. In addition, it is desirable, but not essential, that the cartridge slot 8 can be secured in a closed position with a lock 17, thus preventing a patient or member of the public from accessing the chemical contained in the cartridge 12. The lock 17 may be unlocked with a suitable key, available only to authorised personnel.

The macerators described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4 may be provided with a controller, or logic circuit, capable of 'smart operation', as seen in Figure 6. To facilitate this, the macerator may be provided with a bidirectional communication link (although a unidirectional communications link could be provided, although would result in reduced functionality). The communications link would enable status information to be communicated, preferably over the Internet, to a remote device or server. Similarly, the communications link would enable control information to be received, again preferably over the Internet, from a remote device or server. The control information may directly trigger an event at the macerator, or alternatively may be used to update settings etc. at the macerator. The communications link may comprise a wired or wireless (e.g. WiFi) to a local hub, with the local hub then providing access to the Internet (to which the remote device or server has access). Instead of WiFi, other wireless solutions, e.g. Bluetooth, could be used. Generally, the communications link will allow for remote servicing and diagnosis of the macerator, and will permit remote modifications to operating parameters of the macerator.

Referring to Figure 6, an example operation flow is illustrated. In this flow, at a step SI a user operates the foot switch to open the hatch door. Once the hatch door has opened, the user loads the machine with waste products at a step S2. At a step S3, the user moves his hand over the hand switch to close the hatch door, in response to this, the lid close motor (or other actuator) is activated at a step S4. Throughout the closing of the hatch door, the load on the actuator is monitored, to ensure that a user's hand or other obstruction is not trapped in the hatch, that the hatch door is jammed, or that there is a problem with the actuator. If the load on the motor is determined to be above a threshold value, then at a step S5 motor will stop trying to close the hatch door, an alarm will sound and a warning message will be displayed on the screen of the macerator. Status information may be automatically transmitted via the communications link, potentially being used to diagnose the problem, and/or to summon an engineer to fix the macerator. If at the step S4 it is determined that the load on the door actuator is acceptable, then the hatch door will close, and at a step S6 it will be determined whether there is too much waste material in the macerating chamber (overload condition). If the amount of waste material in the macerating chamber is too great, then at a step S7 a warning will be displayed on the macerator screen, and the user prompted to remove some of the waste products. If the amount of waste material in the macerating chamber is acceptable, then at a step S8 the maceration cycle settings may be optimised for the load level (amount of waste products in the macerating chamber). In order to achieve steps S6, S7 and S8, a sensor may be provided which detects the weight of material deposited into the macerating chamber, or which detects the volume of materials present. At a step S9, it is determined whether there is sufficient detergent (or other chemical) present in the dosing reservoir. If not, then at a step S10 a warning is displayed on the screen, and the user is prompted to change the cartridge. Again, an automatic notification may be sent (or have been sent in response to the chemical level dropping to a low level), to trigger a service engineer to replace the cartridge. If insufficient chemical is available, then the macerator may not be able to undertake a macerating cycle on hygiene grounds. If sufficient chemical is present, then at a step Sll the maceration cycle begins. However, in parallel with this, if the chemical level is low at a step S13, then additional chemical may automatically be ordered by way of status information transmitted over the communications link at a step S14. Following the step Sll, it is determined at a step S12 if water is leaving the macerator clean. If so, this indicates that the waste products have been successfully macerated and flushed away. If not, then at a step S15 the maceration cycle time is compared with a time limit, and if the time limit has not been reached then the maceration cycle continues at a step S17. If however the time limit has been reached, then the maceration cycle terminates at step S16, the display is updated to indicate that the macerator requires attention from an engineer, and an engineer may be directly summoned via the communications link.

If at the step S12 the water exiting the macerator is clean, then the macerating cycle ends at a step S18. At this point, the interior surfaces of the upper chamber and macerating chamber are flushed with water containing a chemical (from the nozzles in the roof of the upper chamber) to sterilise the inside of the macerator. A counter is incremented at a step S19, the counter being indicative of the number of macerating cycles which have taken place since the macerator was previously serviced. The value of the counter is compared with a set limit. If the limit has been reached, then at a step S20 the display indicates that a service engineer is required to service the macerator, and an equivalent notification may be sent via the communications link. If the set limit has not been reached, then at a step S21 the cycle is complete. At a step S22, the macerator is again ready for operation. Until then, the hatch door remains closed. The communications link may enable the software and firmware of the macerator to be updated remotely, potentially reducing the time required to service the macerator and increasing its reliability. As described above, the 'smart' macerator may also count the number of maceration cycles which have been undertaken since installation or the previous service. This information could be displayed on the screen 9, informing the user of maintenance is next required, potentially reducing the time the macerator is out of service.

In addition, the use of a communication connection may allow faults with the macerator to be communicated back to a service base. As such, some faults with the macerator may be repaired remotely using the communication connection, or alternatively the correct service engineer deployed with the appropriate parts and tools to repair the macerator. The progress of the repair process may also be updated on the macerator's screen 9, informing the user as to when the macerator will be operational again. Faults transmitted to a service base may include, but are not limited to:

• If the mains drain or the waste pipe is blocked;

• If the chopping blades jam;

• If the motor 10 stops during the maceration process;

• If power is interrupted during a cycle;

• If the hatch door 8 is not successfully closed;

• If there is insufficient fluid in the dispensing chamber 15;

• If the water tank is not filling, or is taking too long to fill;

• If too much pulp material is loaded into the macerator.

The ability to detect the mass of pulp products and waste material in the macerator is not only desirable for detecting when the macerator has been overfilled. The ability to detect the amount of mass to be disposed of in the macerator may allow the volume of water or detergent and the timescales of the maceration process to be automatically optimised by the macerator's logic circuit. Here, the preferred water volume, detergent volume and maceration cycle length may be changed, individually or in parallel, to reduce the cost of each cycle to the user whilst still effectively disposing of the waste.

In some embodiments, sensors may be provided for detecting either or both of a volume of waste products present in the macerator and a weight of waste products present in the macerator. Some embodiments may utilise only one of these metrics. The controller may be responsive to the sensors detecting that the volume and/or weight of waste products is substantially zero to cause a macerating process to terminate. This means that the macerator can vary the length of the macerating cycle to save power and water.

Similarly, the macerator may comprise one or more sensors for detecting the presence of a non- maceratable item within the macerator. Such sensors could be vibration sensors, noise sensors, or a sensor monitoring the resistance on the motor. In any case, the controller is operable to inhibit operation of the macerator in response to the detection of the maceratable item.

Furthermore, the timescales of the maceration process or the volume of water or detergent may be optimised according to the pulp materials used at a hospital, nursing home or other location where the macerator is installed. In such a scenario, if the pulp materials used at the installation location are changed, this information could be communicated to the manufacturer of the macerator and the required optimisations made over the communication link.

Preferably, the logic circuit may automatically order replacement supplies of detergent or disinfectant for the macerator. Here, a sensor may detect a low level of fluid in the dispensing chamber 11 and this information be relayed by the communication link to the service depot where replacement supplies are dispatched. Replacement supplies may be in the form of new cartridges 12 to be inserted into the cartridge slot 8. Alternatively, without a communication link, a warning that there is only a small amount of detergent or disinfectant remaining in the dispensing chamber may be displayed on the screen 9, alerting the user that new supplies are required.

It may also be preferable that in addition to warning displayed on the screen 9, audible alerts are used to communicate with the user. Audible alerts may range from alarms if there is a fault with the macerator to verbal (audio) instructions on the macerator's use. For example, it may be desirable for a message regarding the materials suitable for maceration be played each time the macerator is used, preventing damage to the macerator or the waste pipes becoming blocked due to the attempted maceration of unsuitable materials. The system may permit a number of audible instructions, some or all of which can be tailored to individual site requirements. They may be modified locally at the machine, or remotely using the communications link.

It will be understood that remote notification of faults or status conditions may instigate an automatic email to the site at which the macerator is based, to notify appropriate personnel of the condition. Using a direct communication link or through a web service, staff will have access to live machine data as well as historical records of activity. Through permission based accesses, site staff may have the ability to modify some or all of the machine parameters.

In the above description, embodiments of the invention are explained in relation to a macerator. However, some embodiments are also applicable to other devices for handling waste products, such as a bed pan washer, which instead of macerating pulp products containing waste, solid products containing waste are washed. Similarly with a macerator, chemical additives to the water introduced into a bed pan washer can be provided in cartridge form, using the mechanism described above. Similarly, the "smart" operation - e.g. bidirectional communication link and intelligent logic, can also be employed in a bed pan washer. If the mains drain or the waste pipe is blocked, if power is interrupted during a cycle, if a door or lid is not successfully closed, if there is insufficient fluid in the cartridge or dispensing chamber, if the bed pan washer is overloaded, or if the water is not reaching a high enough temperature, these conditions and faults can be monitored and reported, and operating parameters such as wash cycle time and temperature can be controlled.