CA1162714A - Sono-actinic device for cleaning and desinfection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of cleaning small instruments requiring careful cleaning between two uses and sometimes even sterilization. A method according to the invention consists in simultaneously implementing ultrasound and an ultraviolet ray in a bath containing an object to be cleaned. An apparatus for implementing this method mainly comprises a metal tank including a cover hinged to an edge of the tank. Under the cover, forming a reflector, is located a lamp with ultraviolet rays constituting a source of actinic light; in the vicinity of the lamp a practical orifice in the reflector allows the introduction by means of a fan of an ambient air current. The objects to be cleaned supported in a basket are bathed in a liquid which is agitated by an ultrasonic generator. The device is furthermore provided with an automatic device for filling, triggering ultrasound, emptying and drying. Such an apparatus applies to the cleaning of general surgery, dental surgery, laboratory instruments, to the cleaning of mechanical parts, timepieces, jewelry and other similar objects.

Description

~ 1 The present invention is in the field of cleaning of small instruments such as surgery, dentistry tisterie, de 'Laboratoire ~ de cuisine ~ etc.O ~ qu1 necessitate en-tre deux usa ~ es a ~ ~ cleaning oi (, Jné ~ t somfo-is even a stabilization.
We know from a recent past cleaning devices using ultrasonic vib ation, these devices consist of ~ ufle way ~ enerale ~ ar a tank on the bottom or walls of which is applied ~ ene ~
rator of ultrasound such as quartz piezo-é'Lectr1que or ma (3neto ~
necking. Objects to be cleaned are placed in the fairytale tank nant a liquid which can be according to the case of water ~ additîonne ~
detergent or an organic solvent. We know that the vibr ~ t1ons ultrasound generates on a microscopic scale during the 11-~ I which of the compression and depression zones which solicit mechanically, on a microscopic scale of course, but in a way ; ~ violent objects contained in the liquid. ~ e phenomenon is known as cavitation. Etrarlgers bodies ~ resents SL ~
the surfaces to be cleaned are then torn off and dispersed in Le ll ~ uide In the case of tooling at UsaCJe Inedica ~
or scientific, the objects thus cleaned are sovereign soufnls sanitization, either nar ~ assage in an oven or a steam oven by soaking ~ fe in ase liquid ~ tisant ~ soi oar exrJosition in an enclosure with actinic radiation such as rays ultraviolet.
The consecutive sanitization operation ultrasonic cleaning ~, unless it is ste ste ~
sterilization by steaming, may not always be effective, thus if ~ if the cleaned objects include cavities ~ the stains ~ resent in the liquid consecutively 14action of ultra-sounds will be housed in these cavities or they will be sheltered from the bactericidal action of ultraviolet rays or of the chemical agent used used for sanitation.
Another disadvantage of the way of doing re described above resides in the successive manipulations ~ of ~ b-Jets to make them undergo the different cleaning operations ~
age and sanitation.
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The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device allowing the practitioner to have tools clean and sanitized after having abandoned them a certain time-in the dispositi ~, the practitioner's operations are limiting to depositing the tools in the dispositiE, to-start and remove a cleaning program when needed and after the cleaning program has been executed.
A dispositi ~ fulfilling this purpose implements, according to the invention, a process consisting in producing in the liquid in which the objects to be cleaned, such as as surgical, scientific, culinary utensils, etc ... ultrasonic agitation and simultaneously to be irradiated the liquid by means of an actinic light such as ultraviolet rays ~
It follows from this lesson that the par-soil particles contaminated with bacteria are torn from their protective support which constitute cavities of the objects to be cleaned, to be dispersed in the liquid where they are exposed to actinic radiation and thereby destroyed.
More particularly, the present invention pro-poses a method of cleaning and sanitizing objects arranged in a tank containing a cleaning liquid.
This process is characterized in that it is produced in the liquid an ultrasonic agitation and that simultaneously .
irradiate this liquid by means of actinic radiation, where it follows that contaminated stains are arra-said objects to be dispersed in the liquid where bacteria present in contaminated soil are exposed to actinic radiation and this ~ has de-trout / and where it results ~ inally that cleaning is a sanitizing cleaning.
According to another general characteristic second-However, the objects to be cleaned are kept highly exposed to actinic radiation after removal '. .

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It should be understood that the simulated action tanee of ultrasound and ultraviolet rays is not equivalent to their successive use; indeed the agi-microscopic ration of the liquid entrained at the end of a macroscopic agitation which has the effect : to bring in the bacteria extracted by micro agitation copics in the ultraviolet irradiation field; so in its result the action of ul, traviolets could be equiva ~ ente a.l'itation of a liquid a ~ ant by itself a bactericidal effect; but we also know that the agents hactericidal chemicals, such as chlorine or products.
çhlores, can have a harmful effect on surfaces of these little medical or scientific outlls.
The present invention also relates to a device for cleaning and sanitizing characteristic objects rise in that it includes to act in combination:
a tank intended to contain a liquid of.
cleaning;
an ultrasonic generator to produce in the liquid from the tank ultrasonic agitation;
. a source of actinic radiation to irradiate the liquid with ultraviolet radiation simultaneously : ~ ultrasonic agitation; and : 25 means to support them in the liquid. objects to be cleaned.
, According to another characteristic of such an arrangement . ... . . .

actinic radiation source is located under a reflector ring arranged above the tank.
According to a secondary characteristic, the device tif includes means for heating the liquid which can be advantageously a resistance bonded to the tank by means of a silicone elastomer and preferably on one side outside of the tank.
According to another secondary characteristic, the device comprises means for filling the tank with liquid, means for, said tank being full, to establish therein macroscopic circulation of the liquid and means for empty said tank of its liquid.
According to another secondary characteristic, the device of the invention comprises means for introducing ambient air under the tank cover in the vicinity from the actinic radiation source, the air introduced is intended for drying cleaned objects and being itself subjected to the sanitizing action of radiation.
According to another secondary characteristic of the invention, the device comprises programming means tion of the tines to order the following operations, after switch on the appliance, close the cover and manual control of the start of the cycle:
- activation of the filling means, 'heating means ~ -fage, de-source of radiation and air fan ambient, and cooling fan, '' - after a determined period dl, - inhibition of the means of filling and simultaneously activating the ul-bother, - after a determined duration d2, inhibition of the generator of ultrasound, activation of the emptying means, - after a determined duration d3, inhibition of the means of emptying, and inhibiting the cooling fan, - after a determined duration _ ~ consecutive to inhibition .. j '':

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said emptying means, inhibition of the source of radiation and ambient air fan the system then returning to its initial state.
The radiation source and the air fan ambient can advantageously be reactive for a new duration determined by closing the cover and be inhibited by opening it; it results from this provision on the one hand a security with regard to the risks electrocution related to relatively high voltage present in the radiation source when it is active, and on the other hand that a period of sterilization of air follows an introduction of non-sterile ambient air after opening the cover.
The present invention will be better understood, details will appear and variants of reali-sation will be given to the description which will be made in relation to the figures of the attached plates in the ~ uelles:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the device of the invention comprising all of the means to ensure its automatic operation, Fig. 2 is an anointing / time diagram Fig. 3 is a cavalier representation ecor-a variant of execution of the device of the invention, and Fig. 14 is a schematic illustration of a -variant of the filling and emptying mode.
On ig. 1 a device of the invention is mainly consists of a metal tank 1 and a - 30 cover 2 articulated on an edge 3 of the tank. Under the neck circle 2, forming a reflector, the curvature of which can be cylindrical or parabolic, or tou ~ e other elm per-putting the radiation concentration in the tank under-adjacent, is located a ramp 4 with UV rays ~ _ 4 _ .

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constituting the source of actinic light. In the neighbourhood from ramp 4 an orifice 5 made in the reflector allows the introduction by means of a fan 6 and in di, rection of ramp 4, of an ambient air current which will discharged through the gap between the tank and the cover.
In the tank 1 a basket 7 is suspended within liquid 8 which can be natural water, distilled or demineralized; objects such as symbolized in 9 and intended to be cleaned are placed in the basket.
On the outside of the bottom of the tank is reported the ultrasonic generator which consists of a aluminum plate 10 glued against the bottom of the tank and intended to protect the piezoelectric crystal and to adapt '' its requirement at the frequency of reasoning of the tank, a washer 11 glued to the plate 10 and forming an insulator thermal, and the transducer 12 sticks to the washer 11 and constitutes by an electric piezo quartz ~ and its electro ~
of; advantageously the glue used for these collages is a cyanoacrylic glue.
On the outside of a wall of the tank is reported by bonding using a silicone elastomer t ' a heating resistor 13 intended to heat the liquid t ~ obverse the walls of the tank; resistance 13 is under ...:: ~. -................................................

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dependence on a regulator l3l which ~ makes its informatiorl of mar-che-stop 132 on a sensor suitably located on the tank at neighborhood of resistance 130 Filling, circulation movens and vidan ~ e include Ull tubular circuit 14 emerging from a leaves at a low point l5 of the tank, and on the other hand at a point 16 located on a side wall near the bottom, on the cir ~ cooked is mounted a pump 17 mainly intended to make cir ~
pour the liquid into the tank, the pump l7 is. of the "~ osltif" type that is to say that she doesn’t admit ~ as, ~ ltarret ~ the past of, upstream of the pump, a r, re ~ has been performed on circult 14 mier pricking l8 which ~ through a first solenoid valve 19 con--~, duit a eaout 20D Advantageously the piqua ~ e 18 is located in vertical position below circuit 14 so as to allow . gravity fall and niegeage of dense soil ; born in the circuit, according to an alternative embodiment not repr ~ -: feel, this stitching 18 conforms to cSrclone so as to accen ~
kill the gravity trap phenomenon ~ In front of the ur pump second piqua ~ e 21 leads ~ through a second ëlet: ro-v ~ nne 22 to a reserve of liquid 2 ~. A pipe too p.Le.Ln 24 dQbou-song in the vicinity ~ e of the edge su ~ erieur of ld tank is rellée au conduit é ~ out downstream of 12 electro ~ anne l ~. The device also carries an oscillator 28 whose ~ OnCtiQri is to produce a oscillating electric voltage of frequency proper to bury in : vibration transducer 12, it still includes ~ a fan 29 intended to cool by ~ pulse air taken outside ~ the power oraanes such as, for example, the transducer and ~:
; the oscillator; the circuit comprerld again a detector, such ; than an ILS microswitch, of open position closing of the circuit : 1 30 cooked) or closed with cover 2.
~ The automatic operation of a device ~ positive of the invention, as will now be describedJest provided by a programmer 26 which is preferably t ~ ea . logic circuits ~ integrated ~ operating according to the sequential mode from a base of tem.s ~ which can be solt an oscillator with ~:: crystal, or any other source of regular frequency such as I example that the frequency of the sector; the developer could , ~
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also be of the electro-mechanical type but with the disadvantage less flexibility, adjustment The programmer 26 acts on the organs operators of the device te ~ s that motor ~ resistance ~ oscillator, electromagnet etc..O, ~ a ~ Intermediate of a power state ~ e 27 constitutes for example m ~ o electro-magnetic relays. The programmer 26 as well as the power stage 27 receive the energy required ~ their operation in the form of voltage suitable electric ~ from a food outlet. 25 ~ who is she ~
even connected to the mains via a general switch 30.
The lines shown in dash on the fig.l represent the 1iaisons electrical is of order ~
of power, between the programmer, the power stage and the various operating bodies; the tension state of these Lines is of the binary type and it says either active all voltage), SOlt inhibited (off).
We have represented on the diagram of the fig.2 the states of each of the lines in fig.l, taken from as the operating cycle unfolds at SU.L ce dia gram manual interventions, or even independent ~ u operating cycle ~ are represented by dashed arrows topped with the letter ~.
We will now be able to run it ment of an operating cycle referring to fig.l and 2n La oemière o ~ eration, the tank being sup ~ dare to contain objects to clean and the coilvercle being closed, consists ~ put the dis ~
positive under tension by means of the switch 30, then ini-~, tier the cycle by pressing a push-button 31, the appearance of a tension at the edge of the pusher 31 entered;
in active state of lines 33 and 37, that is to say that the electro-valve 22 is open which allows the passage of liquid 23 from the reserve in the tank and that the ramp ~ is on and the tilateur 6 switched on, the transition from the liana to the active state triggers a duration count dl predetermines ~ j this duration cor ~
`, responds to the estimated filling time of 1 ~ tank 1, the ter ~
me of this count causes the return of line 33 to the state inhibits, and therefore the ermeture of the solenoid valve 22, and if ~
; multanement passes al ~ active state li ~ nes 34 and 35; the .,.
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passage ~ the activated state of line 34 has the effect of heating the resistance 13 t ~ the transition to the activated state of the li-gene 35 has the effect of starting simultaneously pe nompe 17 oscillator 28 and fan 29 the ~ assa ~ e of line 35 in the activated state ae ~ alement to trigger a second counting of predetermined duration d2 the cerme of this comotage ~ ro-simultaneously evokes the return of line 34 to the inhibited state and the passage of line 36 to the activated state the duration of ~ predeter-mine is the duration estimated necessary for cleaning and liasepr tisation of objects by the combined action of uitra ~ sound waves and ultraviolet rays. The transition from liyne 36 to the state active triggers a third count of predetermined duration d3 whose term fixes the return of line 36 to 1 11 inhibited state the activated state of line 36 corresponds to 1 r opening of the ~
tro-valve 19 and the duration d3 is that estimated necessary for the Vl-danger of the tank. Passage 3 the inhibited state of line ~ 6 a also has the effect of triggering a fourth duration count predetermined d4 whose term rovo ~ ue the return ~ inhi- state line line 37, i.e. causes the shutdown of the ramp 4 and the fan stop 6 ~ ~ this last stage objects are in principle dry and sanitized, if they are conve ~
quite willing, and are surrounded by an air itself sanitized maintaining operation for the duration d4 of the ramr ~ e, consecutive ~ emptying of the tank, has rermls ~ the air which d replaced the liquid in the tank to undergo sanitization by the ultraviolet rays.
It is expected that if the cover comes be lifted, for example ~ to allow the removal of an object from ~ - the tank, (passage of the li ~ ne 32 in the activated state) closing the cover (return from line 32 al ~ inhihé state) re ~ lace for a new duration in line 37 ~ the activated state. The tank does not ra again filled for a new operating cycle that ~ a-near a new impulse given to the push button 31.
In fig. 3 a device is represented.
tif of the invention in one of its particular forms of execution ~ tion r the representation being incomplete in this ~ ul concerns the ; or ~ operator donkeys ~ and being flayed with regard to the ~ elements ~ of carcass and fermenting room, the elements of this figure 1 .-~ 7 :.,:. . ~

which are found in the schematlque representation of the fig.lfi ~ urent with the same references. So reflector 2 is embedded in a cover box 40, the reflector is ce of a plurality of orifices 5 located in the vicinity of the ramp 4 and preferably ~ uste above it, in the space included ~ - between the cover box and the reflector is the tilateur 6 which takes light from outside and forces its pass ge ~ through the holes 5r The tank 1 comprises, glued ~ the face ex-terieure of its base ~ the aluminum washer 10 on which estlui itself sticks the transducer 12. The tank 1 is su ~ carried by a co ~ circle 41 case itself supported by a base ~, ~ j in the com space ~ ris between the tank ~ the cover box and the base are ~ laced the various operating organs and such as, shown ~ ur la ~ igure, the fan ; cooling 29 and the pump 170 Avanta ~ ingly the base the cover box and the tank box are made in olyester resin reinforced with glass fibers.
In another form of execution no shown in the figures, the cover and S011 ~ neck pad ~
~ `circle are supported ~ the way of a gallows arm by ur.
tubular mast planted in one of the side edges of the boitifr tank; the mast can simultaneously cou ~ isser vertically in its housing and turn around its axisO Vertical movement ~
i ~ of the mast can be advantageously assisted by a counterweight or ; ~ a spring. In this embodiment the control members; ``
and the power stage are 10 (3és in the cover box ~
the mat also serving as galn ~ e ~ la Eois for the passage of li-power and for the passage of air from the tank housing to the lid case then in the vicinity of the ~ amp ~
In fig. 4 a device 50 of liin ventlon of any type is provided with a liquid circuit particular especially intended ~ ensure the filling of the cu ~
ve from a tank 51 located ~ ou a bench 56 and dien drain into another tank ~ 2 also located under ~ aillasse 56. Such a provision will be useful when 'the cleaning liquid being a llquide dlun a certain price, ~ el ,, that ~ alcohol, organic solvent, etc .., we wish to recover this ~
,, him in view of his recvclage apras treatment ~ ~ following this vs:

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dispose the solenoid valves of the fi ~ .l are replaced res-pectively by positive pumps 53 and ~ 4 while ~ om-pe SS has the same situation and plays the same role as the pump 17 of fig.l, of course in this provision they cannot have, no more than the pump and the electro ~ valves of the fiq.l active state ~ imultane ~ it must be as soon as the hau ~
suction and discharge tor ~ pump 54 will be sufficient te to ensure the rise of the liquid from the reserve ~ 1 to the tank.
Although examples of realization have been given, so many operating modes Realization mations it should be understood that the ~ scope of the present invention is not reduced to these examples but that it extends ~ the entire cham ~ defined by the characteristics which follow.

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Claims (9)

The achievements of the invention about which them an exclusive property right or lien is claimed, are defined as follows: 1. Method for cleaning and sanitizing objects jets arranged in a tank containing a cleaning liquid, characterized in that a liquid is produced in the liquid ultrasonic radiation and simultaneously irradiate this li-which by means of actinic radiation, whence it results that contaminated soils are torn from said ob-jets to be dispersed in the liquid where bacteria present in contaminated soils are exposed to actinic radiation and thereby destroyed, hence it ultimately results in cleaning being cleaning sanitizer. 2. Cleaning and sanitizing device of objects, characterized in that it comprises to act in combination:
a tank intended to contain a liquid of cleaning;
an ultrasonic generator to produce in the liquid from the tank ultrasonic agitation;
a source of actinic radiation to irradiate said liquid with simultaneous ultraviolet radiation ment to ultrasonic agitation; and means to support within said liquid said objects to be cleaned. 3. Device according to claim 2, charac-terized in that it further comprises a heating means some cash. 4. Device according to claim 3, charac-terized in that said liquid heating means is a resistance bonded to the tank by means of an elastomer silicone. 5. Device according to claim 2, charac-terized in that it further comprises means for filling said tank of cleaning liquid, means for, la-said tank being full of liquid, establish a circulation therein macroscopic tion of the liquid, and means for emptying said tank of its liquid. 6. Device according to claim 2, in which the tank comprises a cover, characterized in that that it further comprises means for introducing ambient air under the cover of said tank in the vicinity from said actinic radiation source, the ambient air being intended for drying the cleaned objects and being itself subjected to a sanitizing action of radiation actinic. 7. Device according to claim 2, charac-terized in that said actinic radiation source consists of a lamp with ultra-violet rays. 8. Device according to claim 2, in which the tank comprises a cover, characterized in that that it includes a means of heating the liquid, means to fill the tank with cleaning liquid, means for, the tank being full of liquid, establish a circulation there macroscopic lation of the liquid, means for draining the liquid from the tank, means comprising a fan to introduce ambient air under the cover of the tank in the vicinity of said actinic radiation source, the ambient air being intended for drying the cleaned objects and being itself subjected to a sanitizing action of the ray-actinic, a cooling fan intended further cooling said ultrasonic generator, said device being characterized in that it further comprises programming means comprising:

means to activate the filling means wise, the heating medium, the radiation source actinic, the ambient air drying fan, and the cooling fan;
means to inhibit, after a first duration determined, the means of filling and simultaneously activate the ultrasonic generator;
means to inhibit, after a second fixed time, the ultrasound generator and activate the means of emptying;
means to inhibit, after a third fixed duration, the means of emptying and the fan cooling; and means to inhibit, after a fourth fixed duration following the inhibition of said means the actinic radiation source and the ambient air dryer for drying, the device finding then its initial state. 9. Device according to claim 2, charac-terized in that said ultrasonic generator comprises an aluminum plate glued against the bottom of the tank, a thermal insulation washer glued against the plate and a piezoelectric quartz sticks against this washer.