AU711637B2

AU711637B2 - Sterilizer automatic loader/unloader

Info

Publication number: AU711637B2
Application number: AU65889/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: George Rex McLean
Original assignee: G R & C C Mclean Pty Ltd
Current assignee: G R & C C Mclean Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1995-09-28
Filing date: 1996-09-27
Publication date: 1999-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-27
Also published as: AU6588996A

Description

Zi-"i CI 2 STERILIZER AUTOMATIC LOADER/UNLOADER Introduction The present invention relates to a loading and unloading device for tray and trolley arrangements. The invention has been designed especially, but not exclusively for loading and unloading of sterilizing equipment from a sterilizing trolley to a sterilizing chamber. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention has broader application and is not limited to this particular use.

The control of infection in hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, laboratories, and the like is of the utmost importance. This is particularly so in recent years which have seen a rise in infections, particularly bacterial and viral infections. This has resulted in an increased demand being placed upon 900 •sterilizing equipment. To accommodate this increase in demand, the chambers of o••sterilizers have increased to accommodate larger loads per cycle.

0•0Description of Prior Art 15 A loading tray or loading car is generally used for carrying items to be sterilized. The loading tray is normally loaded on top of a loading trolley for the transportation of the tray and items to be sterilized to the sterilizing chamber. To load the items to be sterilized, the trolley is locked into position at the chamber •opening and the loading tray is then pushed from on top of the trolley and into the 0• 0 20 sterilizing chamber.

Once the items have been sterilized the tray and sterilized items can then be removed from the sterilizing chamber by loading the tray onto a trolley which is locked in position at the chamber opening.

Traditionally, the loading and unloading of the tray from the trolley and into the chamber has been performed manually by an operator pushing the sterilizing tray from the trolley and into the sterilizing chamber; and afterwards pulling the tray from the chamber and onto the trolley. Pushing and pulling the trolley manually involves considerable effort, in part due to the weight of the tray and the items to be sterilized being carried by the tray. As a result, the potential for injury, especially spinal and/or muscular injury, to the operator is high.

It would therefore be desirable to at least partially address the above lproblem.

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0 0 0@ 0 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 00 0 0 e0 Summary of the invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber; including an attachment means which is longitudinally movable relative to the transporting means, and a means for moving the attachment means relative to the transporting means; wherein the receptacle is releasably connectable to the attachment means, enabling the receptacle to be moved by the moving means from a first position in which the receptacle is loaded on the transporting means, to a second position, where the receptacle is loaded into a sterilizing chamber.

In one form, the attachment means includes a connecting pin, and the receptacle includes a releasable connector to connect with the connecting pin. In this way, when the releasable connector is connected to the connecting pin, the receptacle will be moved by the pin relative to the transporting means.

15 In one form, the moving means includes a driving means, such as a motor, for moving the pin relative to the transporting means. Typically, the driving means moves the pin via a chain drive. In one embodiment, the pin is attached to a link of a chain loop, with the chain extending around at least two sprockets.

Preferably, the pin is connected to the chain link via a chain lug, which is fixed to 20 and extends from the chain link. The motor acts upon the chain to drive the chain around the sprockets, thereby also moving the pin. Preferably, the lug is capable of accepting pins of various lengths.

In one form, the moving means includes a gear box.

In one form, the motor is controlled by a control box, which comprises part of the moving means.

Preferably, the control box includes at least one battery incorporated into the moving means which is provided for powering the motor. In a preferred form, the motor is powered by two high capacity sealed rechargeable batteries, which may be provided with an acoustic indicator to indicate when the battery voltage is low. However, the motor could be powered by other means including a domestic or commercial power supply.

0 0 0 00 a 900 0* @0 0 A:\C579687.DOC 4 Preferably, the control box includes ports for connecting a flexible cable connected to a hand control unit, as well as an emergency stop control and a battery charger unit.

Preferably, the hand control unit is ergonomically designed and is constructed of a high strength plastic. In one form, the control includes at least two easy touch buttons for control of the loading and unloading movements of the loading means.

Preferably, a hook is attached to the rear of the hand control for easy placement when not being used.

An emergency stop control may be placed on the transporting means to suit the operator. It is preferable that the emergency stop button be positioned such that it is easily accessible.

Preferably, the motor and sprockets are secured to a sub-frame. The method of securement could take any suitable form, including fasteners or 15 welding. In one form, the motor and sprockets are removably secured to the subi o frame such as by screw threaded fasteners.

Preferably, the sub-frame is secured to the frame of the transporting means. In one embodiment, the sub-frame is releasably connected to the frame 9:o9 of the transporting means by screw-threaded fasteners, although other means for 20 connection are possible. This is advantageous because the arrangement could be sold separately from the transporting means and then installed by securing the sub-frame to the frame of the transporting means, rather than having to separately secure each of the motor, sprockets and so on separately to the transporting means. In this way, the motor and sprockets can be attached to or removed from the transporting means, as desired, as one unit. Also, this enables the motor and sprockets to be positionally adjusted as one unit relative to the transporting means, to enable correct alignment of the motor and sprockets on the transporting means. Also, this enables the pin and coupling to be aligned correctly.

Preferably, the chain extends around at least three sprockets, with the third sprocket being provided on a spring mount so as to ensure the chain is tensioned 1577- so as to prevent the chain slipping on the sprockets.

A:\C79687.DOC Preferably, the chain also extends around a fourth sprocket which is connected to the motor drive output shaft.

Preferably, the receptacle to be used in conjunction with the loading means is in the form of a tray, on top of which the items to be sterilized are carried.

Preferably, the transporting means is in the form of a trolley. In the arrangement envisaged, the tray can be loaded onto the trolley to enable the tray to be moved from one location to another, as desired.

Preferably, the trolley includes a carrying portion upon which the tray can be placed, and wheels to enable the trolley to be moved when necessary.

Preferably, the tray is slidable onto and off of the trolley. In this way, the tray can be loaded onto and removed from the trolley when necessary.

S. In one form, the lower side of the tray and the upper side of the trolley include a mating track and groove arrangement. This provides a means for aligning the tray when being loaded onto and unloaded from the trolley, which extends lengthwise substantially along the tray underside and the trolley upperside. The track and groove arrangement also provides a way of at least partially securing the tray to the trolley so that unwanted relative sideways *movement between the tray and trolley during transportation is at least partially 20 avoided. It is to be appreciated however that the tray and trolley may include other means for assisting in the loading and unloading of the tray from the trolley.

O These include rollers or wheels provided on at least one of the tray and trolley to enable the tray to be rolled onto or off of the trolley.

In a most preferred form, the pin and driving means are at least partially S 25 movable in a direction which is parallel to the orientation of the track and groove arrangement. In this way, the pin and driving means act to slide the tray, with the assistance of the track and groove arrangement, onto and off of the trolley.

Preferably the chain and sprockets are located below the rail and groove arrangement, such that they will not interfere with the loading and unloading of the tray. In this way, they are also less likely to be damaged from impacting various objects during operation.

A:\C579687.DOC Preferably, the trolley's upper surface includes an aperture through which the pin can slidably extend and thereby connect with the tray's connector.

Preferably, the pin extends downwards from the underside of the tray. However, it is to be appreciated that the trolley may not include an upper surface, thereby obviating the need for an aperture to be provided.

Preferably, a locking arrangement is provided to secure the tray to the trolley, so as to prevent the tray moving relative to the trolley, especially when being transported. This locking arrangement could take any suitable form, including a slip bolt or latch, which connects the tray to the trolley.

Preferably, a further locking arrangement is provided to prevent unwanted trolley movement relative to the sterilizing chamber when loading and unloading "the tray from the trolley and into the sterilizing chamber. This locking arrangement could take any suitable form, including a slip bolt or latch to connect °:4o the trolley to the chamber. Preferably, the driving means is at least partially 15 enclosed by a protective cover. The cover would be provided to protect items o from becoming entangled in the chain, sprockets and motor of the moving means.

The cover would also protect the driving means from being damaged as a result of knocks and the like. The cover could be made of any suitable material including plastic or sheet metal.

20 Preferably, once the pin has guided the tray into the sterilizing chamber the pin automatically disconnects from the tray connector so that the trolley can be moved away from the chamber, if required, to allow for sterilizing to commence.

In one form, once the pin reaches the point at which the tray is unloaded form the trolley, the pin is guided around the end sprocket and releases from the tray's connector. However, this disconnection could occur by any other suitable means.

Preferably, at the same time that the pin disconnects from the tray's connector, the power to the motor is automatically switched off. This may take the form of a pressure sensitive switch acting between the tray and trolley which is activated upon loading the tray into the chamber. However, any suitable means could be used. In this respect, end stops may be included as limit switches to limit the travel of the pin and chain around the sprockets.

Alternatively, an electronic current sensing control unit may be used. Likewise, A:\C579687.DOC i_ XL when the tray is fully loaded onto the trolley, it is preferable that the power to the motor is automatically switched off. This could occur by any suitable means.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that rather than providing the moving means on the transporting means, it could instead be provided on the receptacle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber, including an attachment means which is longitudinally movable relative to the receptacle, and a means for moving the attachment means relative to the receptacle, wherein the transporting means is releasably connectable to the attachment means, enabling the receptacle to be moved relative to the transporting means by moving the moving means from a first position in which the receptacle is loaded on the transporting means to a second position, in which the receptacle is loaded into a sterilizing chamber.

In this arrangement the connecting pin would move longitudinally relative S 15 to the receptacle; and the transporting means would include a fixed connection which would be releasably connectable to the pin.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of *6 the invention. In the drawings: Description of the accompanying drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the attachment means and means for moving the attachment means.

FIG. 2 illustrates the attachment means and means for moving the attachment means attached to a transporting means, with a receptacle loaded in a sterilizing chamber.

Referring to the drawings: A means 1 for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber A is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle is in the form of a tray B and the transporting means is in the form of a trolley C. The means 1 is provided with a sub-frame 2 which is securely but Sreleasably connected to the frame of trolley C via fixing bolts 3.

A:\C579687.DOC _L 1_ II_ II_; The means 1 includes an attachment means, which in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a connecting pin 4. The connecting pin 4 is designed to releasably attach to the tray B via a mating connector (not shown) provided on the tray B.

The means 1 also includes a moving means 5 for moving the connecting pin 4 longitudinally relative to the trolley C. The means 1 includes a motor 6 which is connected to a drive sprocket 7. The motor 6 provides the mechanical drive for moving the connecting pin 4 relative to the trolley C. The motor 6 is a 12/24 DC permanent magnet motor. The means 1 also includes a gear box 8 connected to the motor. Both the motor 6 and the gear box 8 are mounted under the sub-frame 2.

OI* The motor 6 is enclosed by a removable protective cover 9. The cover 9 is fixed to the underside of the sub-frame 2 by screws (not shown).

S•The moving means 5 also includes a control box 10 which is mounted 15 under the sub-frame 2. The control box 10 includes two high capacity sealed *f •e rechargeable batteries 11a b which electrically power the motor 6, and an acoustic battery low arm indicator (not shown) for indicating when the batteries require recharging/replacement.

A chain loop 12 extends around the drive sprocket 7 and sprockets 13 and 14. The motor 6, via the drive sprocket 7, drives the chain 12 around sprockets 13 and 14. An additional sprocket 15 is also provided on a movable arm 16 to **ensure that tension is maintained in the chain 12, such that chain slip or derailment is less likely to occur.

The connecting pin 4 is connected to and upstanding from the chain 12 via a chain lug 17. In this way, the motor 6 can be operated such that the pin 4 can be moved, via the chain 12, between a first position D from where the tray B can be urged by the pin 4 into the sterilizing chamber, as in Figure 2; to a second position E in which the tray B could be urged by the pin 4 so as to be fully loaded onto the trolley C.

To assist in the movement of the tray B by the pin 4 longitudinally relative to the trolley C, the trolley C is provided with grooves 18 and the tray B is A:\C579687.DOC 9 provided with tracks 19. The tracks 19 and grooves 18 are sized and positioned so as to enable the tracks 19 to locate and slide in the grooves 18.

A hand control 20 is provided for controlling the loading means 1. The hand control 20 connects to the control box 10 via a flexible cable 21 which attaches to the side of the control box 10 via a port 22.

The control box 10 also includes ports (not shown) for connecting an emergency stop button (not shown) and a battery charger unit 23.

A lock 24 is provided on the trolley C. The lock 24 is provided to connect to an attachment (not shown) provided on the sterilizing chamber A at or near the chamber opening F. The lock 24 and attachment are provided to ensure that the trolley C is accurately aligned with the chamber opening F during loading and unloading of the tray B, and to ensure that it will not move around while the loading means 1 is being operated. The lock 24 is operated by a locking lever which is manually operated.

S 15 Finally, it is to be appreciated that modifications and/or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

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Claims

2. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is movably connected to the transporting means. S
3. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber, including an attachment means which is longitudinally movable relative to the receptacle, and a means for moving the attachment means relative to the receptacle, wherein the transporting means is releasably 20 connectable to the attachment means, enabling the receptacle to be moved relative to the transporting means, by moving the moving means from a first position in which the receptacle is loaded on the transporting means to a second position, in which the receptacle is loaded into a sterilizing chamber.
4. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 3, wherein the attachment means is movably connected to the receptacle. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment means includes a connecting pin, and the receptacle includes an open-sided connector Rfor receiving and releasably connecting to the pin. A:\C579687DOC 4sB4 S 4. 4 4 .4 4 6 B B S *r 4 *4 4 4 BO 4 4B4 11
6. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes a connecting pin, and the transporting means includes an open- sided connector for receiving and releasably connecting to the pin.
7. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for moving the attachment means includes a chain loop which extends around at least two sprockets and a motor for driving the chain around the sprockets.
8. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 7, wherein the pin is connected to the chain loop, such that movement of the chain around the sprockets moves the pin around the sprockets.
9. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 8, wherein the chain and sprockets are arranged such that the chain extends between the sprockets in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the relative movement between the 20 receptacle and the transporting means.
10. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the receptacle and transporting means are provided with a groove and rail combination which extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the relative movement between the receptacle and the transporting means, allowing the receptacle to slide on the groove and rail combination relative to the transporting means enabling the receptacle to be loaded from the transporting means into a sterilizing chamber. 44 440 B. 4 S @4 S O A:\C579687.DOC I;
11. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the moving means includes a chain tensioning means.
12. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 11, wherein the chain tensioning means includes a third sprocket which is resiliently mounted for tensioning the chain.
13. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the motor and sprockets are mounted to the underside of a sub-frame element. •Ig. S al °14. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into i °B a sterilizing chamber according to claim 13, wherein the sub-frame element is connected to the frame of either the receptacle or transporting means. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the motor is S, 20 battery powered.
16. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into Sto a sterilizing chamber according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the moving means includes a control box connected to the underside of the sub-frame for °operating and controlling the motor.
17. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to lock the transporting means to the sterilizing chamber to enable the receptacle to remain aligned with the chamber while being loaded and unloaded from the transporting means. A:\C579687.DOC T 13
18. A method of reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means to a sterilizing chamber, including the steps of: positioning the receptacle, which is loaded upon the transporting means, in front of the sterilizing chamber opening, locking the transporting means in place in front of the sterilizing chamber opening, commencing unloading of the receptacle from the transporting means by causing a connecting pin to move longitudinally relative to the transporting means thereby towing the receptacle, via an open sided connector, from the transporting means into the sterilizing chamber.
19. A method of reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 18, wherein the pin disconnects from the 0S S"open sided connector once the receptacle has been loaded into the sterilizing S 15 chamber. A method of reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber according to claim 18 or 19, wherein when retrieving the 20 receptacle from the sterilizing chamber, the pin engages the open sided i 20 connector and pulls the receptacle from the sterilizing chamber. 0* °21. A means for reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. A method of reversibly loading a receptacle from a transporting means into a sterilizing chamber substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 30 June 1999 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: MCLEAN HEALTHCARE AA:\C579687.DOC