DE202016102836U1 - Improved rotary joint for a machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary joint for a machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles, comprising: - a fixed unit (12) having at least one attachment (40) provided with an internal through-channel (40a) with an inlet end (17), a closure body (42) and an inner body (41) having a passage (41a) and an end portion (43) associated with the inner passage (40a) of the attachment (40), - a movable rotation unit (14) defining an exit end (19) at least one a hollow rotor (32) rotatable about a rotation axis (Z), having an inner tubular cavity (50) defined by the rotor channel (32a) of the hollow cylinder (32), the internal passageway (40a ) of the cap (40) and the passageway (41a) of the inner body (41), the inner tubular cavity (50) being defined by the fixed unit (12) and the movable rotation unit (14), characterized in that it comprises a seal (46) between the hollow rotor (32) and the inner body (41), wherein the hollow rotor (32), the inner body (41) and the seal ( 46) has a first portion (50a) of the inner tubular cavity (50) of circular diameter with a variable diameter along the axis of rotation (Z) extending from the exit end (19) of the hollow rotor (32) to the end portion (43) of the inner Body (41) progressively increases, define.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a rotary joint for a machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose or loosened articles, e.g. B. designed for use in pharmaceutical, hospital, and food applications or for industrial use in the production of such loose articles.

In particular, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a rotary joint which is water, steam, mixtures or other liquids for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles, such as sample tube closures, drug vial closures, or small instruments or objects for use in operating rooms or laboratories can, directs.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

In pharmaceutical or hospital applications or other areas, such as foods, the need for treating, e.g. Washing and / or sterilizing, loose or loosened articles in washing and / or sterilizing machines having a walled, sealed treatment chamber in which a rotary drum receives the articles to be treated from a loading side, washes them during a treatment cycle, and / or sterilized and discharges them on a discharge side in which they are generally packaged in sterile packaging known.

Loose articles are designed to be washed and / or sterilized by introducing steam, water, water added with certain additives, special detergents or other liquids, or washing and / or sterilizing mixtures into the sealed treatment chamber.

Loose articles which are typically adapted for treatment may include, for example, lobes for tubes adapted to receive substances to be shipped for laboratory testing, closures for closing medication vials or, generally, medicine containers, or small instruments or objects incorporated in the art Operating rooms or laboratories can be used. They can be made of materials such as, for example, rubber, plastics, polymer materials, metal or metal alloys.

There is a general need to connect a hydraulic system to the rotary drum by means of a rotary joint which can provide a firm fixation to a line of the hydraulic system at one end and ensure the rotatable connection to the rotary drum at the other end.

There is a further need to generate a flow of washing and / or sterilizing agent from the hydraulic system upstream of the rotary coupling, which pressurizes the liquid and directs it to the sealed treatment chamber downstream of the rotary coupling for washing and / or sterilizing the loose articles passes.

A disadvantage to be found in the prior art is that when the liquid formed for use during the treatment of the loose articles has been passed through the rotary joint into the rotary drum, it remains in the latter, which may lead to the spread of undesirable microorganisms such as mold or bacteria.

Such conditions must be effectively prevented and avoided in areas such as health care, which always requires the highest standards of hygiene and prophylaxis.

A further disadvantage of prior art rotary joints is their short useful life as they are continually exposed to high chemical stresses and have the drawback of being susceptible to early wear, damage or failure as compared to other components of known washing and / or sterilizing machines ,

Corresponding to the rate of deterioration and the frequency and severity of failure and / or cracking, periodic checks and maintenance are to be made, and if certain damaged or broken parts of the clutches are to be replaced, or worse, the entire rotary joint could be replaced, resulting in maintenance downtime.

In the worst case, the deterioration of the components and parts of the rotary joint could lead to mechanical interference between the moving and stationary parts, which may eventually cause the machine to stop or cause breakage of other parts or mechanisms of the machine.

Therefore, there is a need to improve a rotary joint for a machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles, so that at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art is avoided.

In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a rotary joint that does not allow the fluids used to wash and / or sterilize the loose products to remain.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rotary joint that is practical and efficient.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rotary joint that is reliable and durable.

It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a rotary joint that is simple and inexpensive.

In view of avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art and accomplishing these and other objects and advantages, the Applicant has designed, tested and embodied the present disclosure.

A variety of limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having reviewed the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings and the description of the following, although it should be understood that this description of the related art is not intended to serve as an admission that the described subject matter is prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

The present disclosure is expressed in and characterized by the independent claim. The dependent claims set forth further features of the present disclosure or variants of the main principle.

In accordance with the above objects, a rotary joint for a machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles comprises at least one fixed or stationary unit configured for connection to a hydraulic system providing a treatment medium and at least one rotating movable or movable unit adapted for Connection to a rotary drum, which is in the interior of a sealed treatment chamber, which is adapted to receive the treatment medium is arranged configured.

According to the present disclosure, the fixed unit includes at least one cap, a closure body, and an inner or inner body, and defines an inlet or inlet end that connects the rotary joint to an inlet or inlet conduit of the hydraulic system.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the rotary moveable unit includes at least one hollow rotor configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and defines an exit or outlet end configured for attachment to the rotary drum via an exit or outlet conduit ,

According to a particular embodiment, the fixed unit and the rotating movable unit define an inner tubular cavity extending through the entire rotation unit from the entrance end to the exit end.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the hollow rotor having the inner or inner body and a gasket disposed therebetween defines a portion of the inner tubular cavity having a circular cross-section whose diameter varies and from the exit end of the hollow rotor to an end or end Region of the inner body increases progressively to prevent or minimize the possibility that the treatment liquid remains in the rotary joint.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the rotary joint inside the inner tubular cavity has smooth inner walls that are free of bumps or cracks to improve the drainage effect of the treatment liquid.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the entrance end has a circular cross-section and a diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the inner body such that the treatment fluid may be at a higher pressure at the exit end than at the entry end as it is directed from the hydraulic system to the treatment chamber ,

According to certain embodiments, a rotary joint of the present disclosure may be part of a treatment machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles, which has a treatment chamber in which a rotating drum is rotatably received and receives the treatment liquid introduced into the latter by the rotary joint from the hydraulic system.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, drawings, and appended claims. The drawings, which are incorporated and form a part of this specification, illustrate Embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

The various aspects and features described in the present disclosure may be applied individually whenever possible. These individual aspects, such as the aspects and features described in the appended claims, may be the subject of divisional applications.

It is noted that anything that is recognized as being known during the grant procedure is to be understood as unclaimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

1 Fig. 11 is an axonometric view showing a rotary joint according to embodiments disclosed herein attached to a machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles;

2 Fig. 13 is an axonometric view showing a rotary joint according to embodiments disclosed herein;

3 Fig. 3 is an axonometric view showing a rotary joint according to other embodiments disclosed herein;

4 a front view of the rotary coupling 2 is;

5 a cross-sectional view of the rotary coupling 4 along the line VV is.

To facilitate understanding, where possible, the same reference numerals have been used to identify like elements of the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be suitably incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will be made in detail to the various embodiments of this disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided to illustrate the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting thereof. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments. The present disclosure is intended to include such modifications and variations.

Before describing the embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the structural details and arrangement of the parts as described in the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. The present disclosure may include other embodiments and be practiced or practiced in various forms. Furthermore, the phraseology and phraseology used herein is to be considered as descriptive and without limitation.

Embodiments disclosed herein with reference to FIG 1 refer to a rotary joint 10 working in a treatment machine 56 may be used, which may be configured to include a treatment process or cycle, for example, for washing and / or sterilizing loose or loosened articles. Such a treatment machine 56 generally has a treatment chamber 58 on, passing through a middle wall 60 and sidewalls 62 in which it is intended to carry out the desired treatment cycle. The present treatment can be accomplished by means of suitable liquids or solutions passing through the rotary joint 10 which are a hydraulic system 64 with the treatment chamber 58 combines.

Typically, the treatment conditions may include specific thermal or thermal-hygrometric conditions, such as by generating and / or introducing heat and / or steam at a desired temperature in the treatment chamber (s) 58 and / or chemical conditions, for example, by introducing a predetermined amount of washing and / or sterilization chemicals into the treatment chamber 58 be obtained, pressure conditions, for example, by generating a vacuum in the treatment chamber 58 to be obtained.

For example, according to certain various embodiments, the treatment of the loose articles may involve the use of a hot water-silicone mixture, typically to protect them.

According to embodiments, the use of a rotary joint 10 for the aforementioned connection, a connection between a fixed part, for example the hydraulic system 64 , and a moving part, like one inside the treatment chamber 58 arranged rotary drum 57 to provide.

The connection of the hydraulic system 64 with an entry or inlet zone 16 the rotary joint 10 can by using an inlet or inlet conduit 66 obtained, the connection between an outlet or outlet 18 the rotary joint 10 and the rotary drum 57 through an exit or outlet conduit 68 can be obtained.

According to certain various embodiments, an actuator 52 be provided, which is configured to the rotary drum 57 to drive, and also the attached discharge line 58 and according to at least a part of the rotary joint 10 to rotate.

An actuator 52 As used in connection with embodiments disclosed herein, it may be conventional to generate rotational motion of itself or be configured to convert linear motion into circular motion.

The actuator 52 can be a motor element 54 which is configured to the rotary drum 57 to be driven, and operated by a power source, such as an electric current, a hydraulic fluid pressure or a pneumatic pressure.

According to embodiments, as with reference to the 2 - 5 can describe the rotary joint 10 a fixed, stationary unit 12 for connection to it to the entrance line 66 and a rotating mobile or mobile unit 14 for connection to the outlet pipe 68 exhibit.

According to various embodiments, the fixed unit 12 and the rotating mobile unit 14 be arranged contiguous and through the inner walls 49 an inner tubular cavity 50 to define the passage of the treatment fluid.

According to further different embodiments, the inner walls 49 an inner tubular cavity 50 with a relative to a rotational axis Z circular cross-section define, which extends substantially along the entire extent of the rotary joint 10 between the entry zone 16 and the exit zone 18 extends.

According to various embodiments, which with reference to 5 described, the inner walls may have an inner tubular cavity 50 with a first part 50a which has a circular cross section relative to a rotation axis Z, and a second part 50b , which has a circular cross section relative to an entrance axis X, define which extends substantially along the entire extent of the rotary joint 10 between the entry zone 16 and the exit zone 18 extends. The intersection of the rotation axis Z and the entrance axis X may form an inclination angle α, which is an angled region 15 between the entry zone 16 and the exit zone 18 and consequently between the first part 50a and the second part 50b of the inner tubular cavity 50 Are defined.

The angle of inclination α may extend from 0 ° to 180 °, preferably from 60 ° to 120 °, more preferably from 80 ° to 100 ° and most preferably from 85 ° to 95 °.

According to possible embodiments, the rotary joint 10 have a substantially L-shaped configuration.

According to possible embodiments, the fixed unit 12 the rotary joint 10 in turn an essay 40 , an inner or inner body 41 and a closure body 42 exhibit.

According to possible embodiments, as in relation to 5 described, the essay can 40 be hollow and an internal passageway 40a passing through the interior walls 49 is defined.

The inner passageway 40a of the essay 40 can the entry zone 16 and the inner body 41 at least partially corresponding to the second part 50b of the inner tubular cavity 50 link.

According to various embodiments, the essay 40 and the closing body 42 also be formed from one piece.

According to various embodiments, with reference to the 2 . 3 and 5 described, the essay can 40 also on the closure body 42 by means of fastening elements, such as clamping screws 34 to be attached.

The essay 40 and the closing body 42 can be made of high quality cast iron or steel, for example, which is a suitable Material for applications in the healthcare sector, which is suitable, for example, with the processing conditions of the processing machine 56 to get in touch.

According to various embodiments, the inner body 41 at least one hole 47 and through the clamping screws 34 be attached, which is through the at least one hole 47 extend that in the inner body 41 is formed, and allow its translation in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation Z.

The inner body 41 can against the rotating mobile unit 14 through a compression ring 44 be pressed, which between the essay 40 and the inner body 41 is arranged and surrounds the latter and coaxial with the axis of rotation Z acts.

Furthermore, the inner body 41 a passageway 41a of the first part 50a of the inner tubular cavity 50 exhibit.

According to various embodiments, the essay 40 in the entry zone 16 the rotary joint 10 tight with a bunch 48 be connected, which has an outer first flange 26 has, and thereby a connection to the inlet conduit 66 provide.

The essay 40 and the covenant 48 can be connected to each other by fasteners or welding, otherwise the essay 40 and the covenant 48 be formed from one piece.

The inner area of the waistband 48 which is proximal to the entry zone 16 defines an entry end 17 that advantageously has a circular cross-section for connection to the hydraulic system 64 having such an end has an entrance diameter D1.

According to various embodiments, the inlet diameter D1 and the first flange 25 a size that coupling this with an inlet duct 66 with a commercial size possible.

According to various embodiments, as with reference to the 2 - 5 can be described, a fastening unit 20 to secure the entry line 66 at the federal government 48 be used.

According to possible embodiments, the fastening unit 20 a clamping screw 24 , a sealing element 25 and a lock ring 22 include.

According to possible embodiments, the locking ring 22 the covenant 48 and the entrance line 66 surround and enclose on the outside.

According to further various embodiments, the sealing element 25 For example, be a simple mother, a wing nut or similar corresponding elements.

The for holding an entrance pipe 66 inside the entrance end 17 the rotary joint 10 necessary force can be achieved by pressing the with the locking ring 22 connected clamping screw 24 be provided and through the sealing element 25 be held in position.

According to various embodiments, with reference to 5 described, the fixed unit 12 with the rotating moving unit 14 be connected in various ways, for example by means of support elements 30 rotating the rotating moving unit 14 allow and / or by means of a seal 46 , the continuity between the rotating moving unit 14 and the fixed unit 12 can provide and due to the friction caused by the rotation of the rotating moving unit 14 relative to the fixed unit 12 arises, limited wear effects.

Due to the effect of the spring 44 and the progressive wear of the seal 46 becomes the inner body 41 progressing in the direction of the rotating mobile unit 14 be moved.

If the value of this shift reaches preset limits, the worn seal 46 be replaced by new ones.

According to various embodiments, the seal 46 For example, be formed from carbon, carbon graphite, steel / graphite, a ceramic material or other suitable materials.

The use of these materials is particularly suitable to increase the life of the seal and to permit a less frequent replacement of these.

According to various embodiments, the rotating movable unit 14 a hollow rotor 32 and a second flange 28 exhibit.

Furthermore, the hollow rotor 32 a rotor channel 32a of the first part 50a of the inner tubular cavity 50 exhibit.

According to various embodiments, the second flange 28 to the exterior of the hollow rotor 32 in the exit zone 18 the rotary joint 10 be attached.

The hollow rotor 32 and the second flange 28 may be formed of steel, for example. According to possible embodiments, the hollow rotor 32 and the second flange 28 be formed from one piece.

According to possible embodiments, the support elements 30 between the fixed unit 12 and the rotating mobile unit 14 be arranged.

According to various embodiments, with reference to 5 are described, the support elements 30 between the closing body 42 and the hollow rotor 32 be arranged.

Preferably, the hollow rotor 32 to support elements 30 be mounted as bearings, bronze brushes, radial bearings, thrust bearings, or a combination of these.

According to various embodiments, with reference to the 4 and 5 can be described, an elastic ring 36 be provided, which is adapted to protect the zone in which the support elements are arranged, and thereby to define a guiding and sealing element.

As mentioned above, the connection between the rotating movable unit 14 and the fixed unit 12 through the seal 46 be provided, which is a connection between the hollow rotor 32 and the inner body 41 can allow.

Thus, the length can be determined by succession of the hollow rotor 32 , the seal 46 and the inner body 41 is covered, the first part 50a of the inner tubular cavity 50 define, thereby have a circular cross-section with a diameter which varies along the axis of rotation Z.

The inner area of the hollow rotor, which is proximal to the exit zone 18 is arranged defines an exit end 19 which advantageously has a circular cross-section, for connection to the rotary drum 57 , wherein this end has an exit diameter D3.

According to various embodiments, the exit diameter D3 may have a size that couples with an exit conduit 68 commercial size allows.

The second flange 28 can holes 38 having a connection with the outlet conduit 68 made possible by means of fasteners.

According to possible embodiments, the second flange 28 evenly spaced holes 38 in which, for example, the screws and / or shaft screws for connection to the outlet line 68 can be introduced.

It can be advantageously provided that of an outlet end 19 in which the circular cross-section has an exit diameter D3 to an end or end region 43 of the inner body 41 in which the circular cross-section has an intermediate diameter D2, the values of the diameter progressively increase, so that the intermediate diameter D2 may be larger than the exit diameter D3, to stagnate the treatment liquid in the interior of the rotary joint 10 to avoid.

Furthermore, the inner walls can 49 the rotary joint 10 smooth and free of bumps and / or cracks, thereby further avoiding the aforementioned sticking.

On the other hand, the inlet diameter D1 can be greater than the intermediate diameter D2 and thus the outlet diameter D3, the treatment liquid being in the outlet zone 18 may have a greater pressure than in the entry zone 16 if it is from the hydraulic system 64 to the treatment chamber 58 is directed.

It is to be understood that changes and / or additions to the rotary joint described hereinabove 10 can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It is further to be understood that the present disclosure has been provided with reference to certain specific examples, and one skilled in the art will obviously envision other equivalent embodiments of a rotary joint 10 which has the features set out in the claims and thus falls within the scope of protection defined thereby.

While the above description relates to embodiments of the disclosure, further additional embodiments may be provided without departing from the main scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims (12)

A rotary joint for a machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles, comprising: - a fixed unit ( 12 ), which at least one with an inner passage ( 40a ) with an entry end ( 17 ) ( 40 ), a closure body ( 42 ) and a through-channel ( 41a ) and an inner passageway ( 40a ) of the article ( 40 ) end region ( 43 ) having inner body ( 41 ), - an outlet end ( 19 ) defining a movable rotation unit ( 14 ), which at least one with a rotor channel ( 32a ), about a rotation axis (Z) rotatable hollow rotor ( 32 ), an inner tubular cavity ( 50 ) passing through the rotor channel ( 32a ) of the hollow cylinder ( 32 ), the inner passageway ( 40a ) of the article ( 40 ) and the passageway ( 41a ) of the inner body ( 41 ), wherein the inner tubular cavity ( 50 ) through the fixed unit ( 12 ) and the movable rotation unit ( 14 ), characterized in that it comprises a seal ( 46 ) between the hollow rotor ( 32 ) and the inner body ( 41 ), wherein the hollow rotor ( 32 ), the inner body ( 41 ) and the seal ( 46 ) a first part ( 50a ) of the inner tubular cavity ( 50 ) of a circular diameter with a variable diameter along the axis of rotation (Z), which from the outlet end ( 19 ) of the hollow rotor ( 32 ) to the end area ( 43 ) of the inner body ( 41 ) progressively increases. A rotary joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner tubular cavity ( 50 ) through inner walls ( 49 ), which is smooth and has no bumps and / or cracks. Rotary coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the entry end ( 17 ) has a circular cross-section, and is provided with an inlet diameter (D1), which is greater than an intermediate diameter (D2) of the end region ( 43 ) of the inner body ( 41 ). Rotary coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment ( 40 ) in an entry zone ( 16 ) with a bunch ( 48 ) connected is. Rotary coupling according to claim 4, characterized in that the collar ( 48 ) with a first flange ( 26 ) and a fastening unit ( 20 ) is provided. Rotary coupling according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening unit ( 20 ) a locking ring ( 22 ), a clamping screw ( 24 ) and a sealing element ( 25 ) having. Rotary coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable rotary unit ( 14 ) a second flange ( 28 ), which on the hollow rotor ( 32 ) near an exit zone ( 18 ) is attached. Rotary coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner passage ( 40a ) of the article ( 40 ) with an angled area ( 15 ) for connection to the end region ( 43 ) of the inner body ( 41 ) is provided. Rotary coupling according to claim 8, characterized in that the angled region ( 15 ) an angle of inclination (α) between the axis of rotation (Z) and an inlet axis (X) of the inner through-channel ( 40a ) having a size between 80 ° to 100 °, in particular 85 ° to 95 °. Rotary coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a spring ( 44 ) configured to act coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation (Z) to move the inner body (10) 41 ) against the movable rotation unit ( 14 ). Rotary coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises holes ( 47 ) and clamping screws ( 34 ) configured to carry out the attachment ( 40 ) to the closing body ( 42 ) and the inner body ( 41 ) by means of the clamping screws ( 34 ), which pass through the holes ( 47 ) of the inner body ( 41 ). Treatment machine for washing and / or sterilizing loose articles, wherein the machine ( 56 ) with a treatment chamber ( 58 ) and a rotary joint ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11, which is designed to cause a treatment liquid suitable for washing and / or sterilization to be introduced into the treatment chamber ( 58 ) to flow.

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