DE102008014281B4 - Method, mixing system and apparatus for producing a disinfecting foam - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a disinfectant foam, wherein by means of an injector arranged in a pressure line, a foam-forming additive and a disinfecting additive in each case via a suction line from a reservoir sucks and feeds in a certain mixing ratio of the additives of a flowing in the pressure line cleaning liquid, wherein the mixing ratio of the additives is determined by dosing members arranged in the flow path between the respective storage container and the injector, and wherein the cleaning liquid mixed with the additives is sprayed onto a surface to be disinfected via a foam nozzle connected to the pressure line. In order to further develop the method so that it can be carried out in a simple manner, wherein it is ensured that an effectively disinfecting foam is formed, it is proposed according to the invention that the two additives be aspirated from the storage containers at identical flow rates. In addition, a mixing system and an apparatus for carrying out the method are proposed.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for producing a disinfecting Foam, wherein by means of an injector arranged in a pressure line a foaming additive and a disinfecting additive each via a Suction line from a storage container sucks and a flowing in the pressure line cleaning liquid supplies in a certain mixing ratio of the additives, wherein one the mixing ratio the additives through in the flow path between the respective reservoir and the injector switched dosing pretending, and wherein the mixed with the additives cleaning fluid over a connected to the pressure line foam nozzle on a to be disinfected area sprayed.

It also concerns the invention a mixing system and an apparatus for performing the method.

It is known to be an area disinfect by placing on the surface a mixture of a cleaning liquid and a disinfecting additive sprayed. As cleaning fluid can For example, pressurized water can be used. As a disinfecting additive, in particular peroxyacetic acid (PES) with the cleaning fluid be mixed. The exposure time of the disinfecting additive can extend additionally a foam-forming additive can be used, wherein the mixture from the two additives and the cleaning liquid via a foam nozzle on the to be disinfected surface applies. It then forms on the surface a foam that is an extension the exposure time of the disinfecting additive result and dissolves after some time.

A device for admixing additives and a method performed therefor for cleaning and / or disinfecting is known from DE 197 05 861 A1 known. Dosing members in the form of flow control valves, for example needle valves, allow a separate adjustment of two additives, their concentrations being separately adjustable in the ready-to-use solution. The admixture is effected by means of an injector, and in the flow direction behind the injector, an air supply line is provided for generating foam. One additive is a cleaning agent and the other additive is a cleaning booster and / or a disinfectant. A similar admixing method and a corresponding device are described in the US 4,802,630 A described.

at the preparation of the mixture of cleaning fluid and the two additives is careful on the mixing ratio to respect the additives. With wrong mixing ratio can it happens that, although a sufficient amount of foam is formed, but this has an insufficient disinfecting effect. On the other hand it can happen that, although a strongly disinfecting Effect exists, but only little foam is formed, so that the exposure time of the disinfecting additive is relatively low.

task The present invention is a method of the aforementioned To develop such a way that it can be carried out in a simple manner can, while ensuring that an effectively disinfect the Foam trains. Furthermore to a mixing system and a device for carrying out the Be provided method.

These Task is in a method of the generic type according to the invention thereby solved, that sucks the two additives with identical flow rates from the reservoirs, wherein you choose the additives in such a way that the disinfecting additive by the foam-forming additive after neutralized for some time on the surface to be disinfected. This has the advantage that the user does not need elaborate settings to achieve an optimal mixing ratio for both Must make additives. Rather, the additives are in a mixing ratio of 1: 1, d. H. with identical flow rates the cleaning fluid added.

Another advantage of the method according to the invention is that the provision of the additives is simplified, because in carrying out the process identical amounts of additives are consumed per unit time, so that identical reservoir, in particular identical volumes for the two reservoirs of the additives can be used , This results in a considerable simplification of logistics. In particular, it is ensured by the inventive method that the two additives are consumed in the same amount and therefore the two reservoirs are emptied at the same time and can be replaced by new reservoir. Therefore, the process is very easy for the user. There is no danger that the user uses too much amount of disinfecting additive or foaming additive, which may result in not only insufficient disinfecting effect but also environmental impact. Namely, the method according to the invention makes it possible to select the additives in such a way that the disinfecting additive is neutralized by the foam-forming additive after some time on the surface to be disinfected. If the mixture of the cleaning liquid and the two additives applied to the surface to be disinfected, outweighs so First, the disinfecting effect of the one additive, so that the surface is reliably disinfected. Thereafter, the neutralizing effect of the foam-forming additive predominates, so that the disinfecting additive, for example peroxyacetic acid (PES) is decomposed and therefore does not represent an environmental impact.

One additional Advantage of the method according to the invention lies in the fact that the two reservoirs when correctly performing the Method same levels have, since the consumption for both Additive is the same size. This gives the user the opportunity to the timely disinfecting effect of the foam based the water levels to control: if the water levels are different, so means this does not give a sufficient disinfecting effect is but a disorder is present.

From Advantage is, considering the flow rates of the two additives by means of identical dosing pretends. The Dosing members are in the flow path between the storage containers and the injector switched. Come to identical dosing Use, so can in a simple way identical flow rates and consequently a mixing ratio of 1: 1 between the two additives can be ensured without that the user is consuming adjustment measures must meet.

conveniently, one uses dosing members, which are not individually adjustable by the user are. The dosing units are specified by the manufacturer and can be used by the Users are not changed relative to each other, so that the manufacturer predetermined mixing ratio of 1: 1 between the two additives can not be mistakenly changed by the user can.

identical flow rates You can easily achieve this by taking the flow rates of the two additives by means of one or more diaphragms pretends. For example can be provided that in the flow path of the additives between the respective storage container and each injector switches a single aperture whose diameter the flow rate certainly. conveniently, diaphragms with a maximum diameter of 5 mm are used, in particular diaphragms with a diameter of a maximum of 1 mm, for example 0.7 mm.

Cheap is it, if you are in the flow path the additive between the respective reservoir and the injector downstream of the Dosing each a check valve arranges, with the check valves are configured identically. By means of the check valves can be avoided be that one of the additives in the reservoir of the other additive can go and there is an additive mixture can train. The check valves are hereby designed identically, so that the flow rates are not different equipped check valves in the flow paths the additives are unevenly influenced become. Despite the use of the check valves can rather a mixing ratio of 1: 1 between the additives are guaranteed. The check valves are downstream the dosing arranged. It has been shown that by an improved flow the additives while ensuring identical flow rates can be achieved.

There are known injectors, for example from the DE 197 05 861 A1 , which have two suction openings, so that two additives can be mixed directly in the injector with each other and also with the pressurized cleaning liquid. However, it has been shown that it is favorable to achieve optimal mixing of the two additives when the additives are first mixed together in a mixing chamber and then fed to a single injector only via a mixing line. Even before the additives are added to the cleaning liquid, they are first mixed directly with each other, and then the mixture of the two additives is mixed via the suction port of the injector to the cleaning liquid flowing through the pressure line. The mixture of the two additives and the cleaning liquid is then applied by means of a foam nozzle on the surface to be disinfected.

The inventive method especially in agriculture and in the food industry be used.

As mentioned in the beginning, The invention also relates to a mixing system for carrying out the explained above Process. The mixing system for adding two additives to one flowing in a main cleaning fluid indicates one of the cleaning fluid through which Injector on and a first and a second suction port, which are each connected to a suction line for sucking a Additive from a storage container, the mixing ratio of the Both additives can be predetermined by means of a dosing member. According to the invention, it is provided that the dosing configured identically and not by the user individually adjustable.

The identical dosing elements ensure in a structurally simple manner that identical flow rates and thus a mixing ratio of 1: 1 for the two additives are formed during operation of the mixing system. In order to avoid that the user erroneously changes the dosing members, they are designed so that they are from Users can not be individually adjusted.

conveniently, the dosing are each configured as diaphragms. Especially can be provided that each dosing in the form of a single Aperture is formed whose diameter is a maximum of 5 mm, in particular the aperture diameter can be a maximum of 1 mm, for example 0.7 mm.

The Apertures are preferably made of a mineral material, for example, made of sapphire material.

Downstream of Dosing members is in a preferred embodiment of the mixing system according to the invention one springless check valve each arranged, with the two check valves identical are formed. As already explained, by providing identical check valves for the Both additives reduce the risk that occurs during operation the mixing system different flow rates for the two Forming additives. The check valves Make sure that mixing of the additives in their reservoir is avoided rather, a mixture of the additives takes place only downstream Check valves. The in the storage containers therefore additives are not affected. In particular, it avoids that one additive in the reservoir by the other additive is neutralized.

The two check valves are each featherless, d. H. there are no spring elements used, which is the respective closing element of the check valves with a restoring force apply. It has become shown that such spring elements during operation of the mixing system can stick together. Furthermore there is a risk that one of the spring elements when using spring elements a greater restoring force on the associated closing element exerts as the other spring element. This could also be different flow rates for the Both additives ausbil the, so that achieved no optimal mixing ratio can be. It has been shown that by using featherless Check valves, which are identically formed, identical flow rates for the two Additives can be achieved while ensuring that the additives in the storage containers can not mix.

The check valves each have a sealing in an advantageous embodiment Can be applied to a valve seat closing element in the non-pressurized Condition of the check valve is freely movable in an adjoining the valve seat flow channel. The position of the shooting element is in such a configuration solely by the im check valve forming pressure conditions given, without the closing element in the pressureless state the check valve assumes a predetermined position.

The closing element is convenient as in the flow channel freely movable valve ball formed.

Cheap is it if the valve ball made of a mineral material is, in particular of a sapphire material. The sapphire material points a very high chemical resistance across from the used additives and can with very high dimensional accuracy be made.

Of the the respective closing element associated valve seat is preferably made of a ceramic material manufactured, preferably using zirconium dioxide. As special Cheap it turned out, if for the manufacture of the valve seat a material is used with a mixture of zirconium dioxide and yttrium. Especially when using a sapphire ball as a closing element have ceramic Materials for making the associated valve seat as very advantageously proved.

As already explained, can be provided that the two additives within an injector with each other be mixed. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the mixing system according to the invention However, the mixing system has a mixing chamber, which over the first suction port and the second suction port, the two additives supplied and from there the mixture of additives via a mixture outlet can be fed to the injector are, being downstream the suction connections in each case a dosing member and a springless check valve are arranged, where the two dosing and the two check valves are identical are designed. Such a construction of the mixing system has the advantage that the two additives initially mixed together directly can be and that then the prepared additive mixture of the cleaning liquid can be added. Identical flow rates for the two Additives are made by using identical dosing members and identical check valves guaranteed Here are the check valves manufactured without the use of a spring, so that different spring constants the flow rates the additives can not adversely affect.

Conveniently, a dosing member and a check valve each form a metering unit in the form of a prefabricated unit, which in a The mixing chamber is preferably made of stainless steel.

The Both metering units are preferably diametrically opposite each other, so that the additives meet directly in the mixing chamber and thereby optimally mixed with each other.

The Mixing chamber comprises in an advantageous embodiment by means of a pressure relief valve lockable Safety outlet. This ensures that is within the mixing chamber is not inadmissible can form high pressure. The safety outlet is preferred arranged diametrically opposite the mixture outlet.

As mentioned in the beginning, the invention also relates to a device for carrying out the initially mentioned method. The device comprises a high-pressure cleaning device with a from a motor drivable pump, at the pressure outlet with a a foam nozzle connected mixing system of the type described above is connected. The mixing system can be connected directly to the pressure outlet of the high-pressure cleaner be. But it can also be provided that the mixing system via a Pressure line, in particular over a pressure hose, connected to the pressure outlet of the high-pressure cleaner is. At the exit of the mixing system a foam nozzle is connected. For connecting the mixing system with the foam nozzle can also be a pressure line, In particular, a pressure hose are used.

The foam nozzle can be arranged at an outlet of a spray gun, which is from the User pressed can be. Preferably, the spray gun with switchable Equipped with a first outlet and a second Outlet includes. At the first outlet, the foam nozzle can be connected and to the second outlet, a conventional high-pressure nozzle may be connected. The foam nozzle is characterized by having an air intake to the applied mixture from cleaning fluid and the two additives. The air intake allows the Generation of a foam and can, for example, according to the jet pump principle respectively. Such foam nozzles are the expert as well as switchable jet tubes with a first and a second outlet known.

The The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for the production of a disinfecting foam with a high-pressure cleaning device, a mixing system and a foam nozzle connected to an outlet of a spray gun;

2 : a schematic representation of the mixing system 1 with two identically designed metering units and

3 : a schematic representation of one of the two dosing units 2 ,

In 1 schematically a device according to the invention for the production of a disinfecting foam is shown. The device is generally denoted by the reference numeral 10 occupied and includes a high pressure cleaning device 12 with an electric motor 13 and one from the electric motor 13 driven piston pump 14 , To the pressure outlet 15 the piston pump 14 is via a pressure line 17 a mixed system 20 connected with one in the pressure line 17 switched injector 21 , at the intake opening 22 over a mixed line 24 a mixing device 26 connected. The mixing device 26 has a mix outlet 27 on, to which the mixing line 24 is connected, and a first suction port 28 and a second suction port 29 , To the first suction connection 28 is a first suction line 31 connected, which establishes a flow connection between the mixing device 26 and a first reservoir 32 for a disinfecting additive, that of the high pressure washer 12 subsidized cleaning liquid, preferably water, can be added. To the second suction port 29 is a second suction line 34 connected, which establishes a flow connection between the mixing device 26 and a second reservoir 35 which receives a foam-forming additive which is also to be added to the conveyed cleaning liquid.

The two additives are in the mixing device 26 initially mixed together immediately. For this purpose, the mixing device 26 a mixing chamber 38 on top of a first dosing unit 41 with the first suction connection 28 and via a second dosing unit 42 with the second suction port 29 connected is. Via a safety outlet 44 coming from a pressure relief valve 45 is closable, stands the mixing chamber 38 in contact with the outside atmosphere. If within the mixing chamber 38 an impermissibly high pressure forms, opens the pressure relief valve 45 and gives the safety outlet 44 free.

In the mixing line 24 that the connection opening 22 of the injector 21 with the mixing device tung 26 connects is a spring-loaded check valve 47 switched, and the injector 21 is from a bypass line 49 bridged into which a bypass valve 50 is switched.

The pressure outlet of the injector 21 is above the pressure line 17 with a spray gun 52 in flow connection, which can be actuated by the user and to which a switchable jet pipe 54 is connected with a first jet tube outlet 56 and a second jet tube outlet 57 and a switching device 58 , To the first jet pipe outlet 56 is a high pressure nozzle 60 connected and to the second jet tube outlet 57 is a foam nozzle 61 connected. By means of the switching device 58 the user can get the from the high pressure washer 12 Pressurized cleaning fluid, which by means of the mixing system 20 a disinfectant additive and a foam-forming additive are added, optionally via the high-pressure nozzle 60 or the foam nozzle 61 output. The foam nozzle has two air inlets 63 . 64 on the air can enter, which can be admixed to the mixture of the cleaning liquid and the two additives according to the jet pump principle, so that a disinfectant foam is formed, which can be directed to a surface to be disinfected.

The high pressure cleaning device 12 is via a supply line 66 with a supply of cleaning fluid, such as a supply of water 67 connected. Alternatively it can be provided that the high-pressure cleaning device 12 to a water supply network, for example, connected to a drinking water pipe.

The mixing device 26 is in 2 shown enlarged. It includes a housing made of stainless steel 70 that the mixing chamber 38 surrounds and four in total, diametrically opposite each other in pairs 72 . 73 . 74 . 75 having. In a first shot 72 is the first dosing unit 41 used, which is designed as a prefabricated unit. The first shot 72 diametrically opposite is the second shot 73 arranged, which is the second dosing unit 42 receives, which is identical to the first dosing unit 41 , A third shot 74 takes a connection nipple 77 the mixed line 24 on, and the third recording 74 diametrically opposite is the fourth shot 75 into which the pressure relief valve 45 is used.

As already explained, the two metering units 41 and 42 identically formed. The dosing unit 41 is in 3 shown schematically. It comprises a cylindrical metering housing 81 , the outside a circumferential annular groove 82 having a sealing ring 83 receives. The dosing housing 81 has a through hole 85 on, starting from a first end face 86 up to a second end face 87 runs and includes several stages. Starting from the first front side 86 defines the through hole 85 a first section 89 , which is a support plate 90 receives and at the about a first, radially inwardly directed stage 91 a second section 92 connects, the one sealing ring 93 receives, which a ceramic valve body 94 surrounds in the circumferential direction. The valve body 94 is in a third section 96 inserted, extending over a radially inward second stage 97 to the second section 92 followed. The support plate 90 turned away forms the valve body 94 a spherical valve seat 99 out, at the level of a third, radially inward stage 100 the through hole 85 is arranged. About the third stage 100 joins the third section 96 a central flow channel 102 at. Starting from the third stage 100 extends the central flow channel 102 to a fourth, radially outwardly directed step 103 to which a first extension section 104 the through hole 85 followed. To the first extension section 104 closes over a fifth, radially outward step 106 a second extension section 107 the through hole 85 at. The second extension section 107 flows into the second end face 87 and takes along with the first extension section 104 a cross-sectionally T-shaped plug 109 on, in the amount of the first extension section 104 a circumferential annular groove 110 in which a sealing ring 111 is arranged, and one coaxial with the longitudinal axis 113 the through hole 85 arranged through hole 114 having. At his the valve body 94 facing end face 116 carries the stopper 109 two perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 113 of the metering housing 81 and mutually perpendicular transverse grooves 118 . 119 ,

The front side 116 of the plug 109 forms a stop for one in the central flow channel 102 freely movable closing body in the form of a valve ball made of sapphire 121 , which seal against the spherical valve seat 99 can be applied and in combination with the valve seat 99 forming valve body 94 a springless check valve 123 formed.

The in the first section 89 inserted support plate 90 is from a tiered passage 125 penetrated by an input section 126 and an exit section 127 , The exit section 127 takes a Blendenhal ter 129 on, the one aperture 130 supports. The aperture holder 129 is under the diaphragm 130 with the support plate 90 bonded.

The aperture 130 is made of a ceramic Material, preferably made of sapphire and has in the illustrated embodiment, an inner diameter of 0.7 mm. The valve body 94 is formed in the form of a cylindrical sleeve and preferably has an inner diameter of less than 5 mm, in particular about 2 mm.

On the outside, the first front side closes 86 a only in 2 illustrated connection nipple 132 at. The connection nipple 132 protrudes from the case 70 the mixing device 26 out, whereas the Dosiergehäuse 81 from the first shot 72 of the housing 70 is recorded.

As already explained, the second dosing unit 42 designed identically as the first dosing unit 42 , It also has an aperture 130 on and a springless check valve 123 that of one in a central flow channel 102 freely movable valve ball 121 made of sapphire and a valve body 94 with a spherical valve seat 99 is formed, wherein the valve body 94 made of a ceramic material, preferably using a mixture of zirconium dioxide and yttrium.

The use of the mixing system 20 with a single injector 21 and a mixing device 26 , the identical dosing units 41 and 42 has, ensures that from the two storage containers 32 and 35 Additives are sucked in at the same flow rate, mixed together and then mixed into the cleaning liquid. The flow rates can not be changed by the user, they are through the dosing in the form of the aperture 130 specified. The identically designed check valves 123 Make sure that the two additives are only in the mixing chamber 38 can mix with each other without the risk that the one additive enters the reservoir of other additive. The check valves 123 go alone due to the forming pressure conditions in their closed or in their open state, they have no spring elements for resetting the respective valve ball 121 out. This avoids the risk that, due to different spring constants of the spring elements, different flow rates for the two additives could form.

The inventive method for producing a disinfectant foam can be performed by the user in a simple manner, it being ensured due to the identical flow rates of the two additives that sets an optimal disinfecting effect, the two additives are consumed in the same amount per unit time, so that the two storage tanks 32 and 35 have identical water levels. Different levels indicate the user is disturbed with possibly insufficient disinfecting effect of the foam.

Claims (17)

A method for producing a disinfecting foam, wherein sucked by means of an injector arranged in a pressure line foaming additive and a disinfecting additive in each case via a suction line from a reservoir and in a certain mixing ratio of the additives of a flowing in the pressure line cleaning liquid, wherein the mixing ratio the additives by pretending in the flow path between the respective reservoir and the injector dosing members pretending, and wherein the mixed with the additives cleaning liquid is sprayed via a connected to the pressure line foam nozzle on a surface to be disinfected, characterized in that the two additives with identical Aspirates flow rates from their reservoirs, wherein the additives are selected such that the disinfectant additive by the foam-forming additive after some time on the to be disinfected Fl neutralized. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that you have the flow rates of the two additives by means of identical dosing pretends. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the user does not use individually adjustable dosing members. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the flow rates of the two additives by means of one or more diaphragms pretends. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that in the flow path of the additives between the respective storage container and the injector downstream of the dosing each a check valve arranges, with the check valves are configured identically. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the two additives are first in a mixing chamber mixed together and then over feed a mixing line to a single injector. Mixing system for admixing two additives to a cleaning liquid flowing in a pressure line, for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, with an injector through which the cleaning liquid can flow ( 21 ) and with a first and a second Suction connection ( 28 . 29 ), each to a suction line ( 31 . 34 ) are connectable for sucking an additive from a storage container ( 32 . 35 ), wherein the mixing ratio of the additives in each case by means of a dosing member ( 130 ), characterized in that the dosing members ( 130 ) are identical and not individually adjustable by the user. Mixing system according to claim 7, characterized in that the dosing each as a diaphragm ( 130 ) are formed. Mixing system according to claim 8, characterized in that the diaphragms ( 130 ) are made of a mineral material. Mixing system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that downstream of the metering members ( 130 ) identically designed, springless check valves ( 123 ) are arranged. Mixing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the check valves ( 123 ) sealingly against a valve seat ( 99 ) can be applied ( 121 ), which in the non-pressurized state of the check valve ( 123 ) in a to the valve seat ( 99 ) subsequent flow channel ( 102 ) is freely movable. Mixing system according to claim 11, characterized in that the closing element as in the flow channel ( 102 ) freely movable valve ball ( 121 ) is configured. Mixing system according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the closing element ( 121 ) is made of a mineral material. Mixing system according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the mixing system is a mixing chamber ( 38 ), which via the first suction port ( 28 ) and the second suction port ( 29 ) the additives can be supplied and from which a mixture of the two additives via a mixing outlet ( 27 ) the injector ( 21 ) is fed, downstream of the suction ports ( 28 . 29 ) a dosing member ( 130 ) and a springless check valve ( 123 ), wherein the two dosing members ( 130 ) are configured identically, and wherein the two check valves ( 123 ) are configured identically. Mixing system according to claim 14, characterized in that in each case a dosing member ( 130 ) and a check valve ( 123 ) a dosing unit ( 41 . 42 ) in the form of a prefabricated unit, which in a mixing chamber ( 38 ) surrounding housing ( 70 ) is used. Mixing system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the mixing chamber ( 38 ) one by means of a pressure relief valve ( 45 ) lockable safety outlet ( 44 ). Apparatus for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, with a high-pressure cleaning device ( 12 ), which is one of a motor ( 13 ) drivable pump ( 14 ), at the pressure outlet ( 15 ) with a foam nozzle ( 61 ) connected mixing system ( 20 ) is connected according to one of claims 7 to 16.