EP0666117B1 - Method and device for decontamination of articles coated with a waterproof layer, in particular pillows coated - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for decontamination of items (1) with watertight surfaces esp. pillows entails their insertion into a wet cabin (2) for treatment with washing fluid followed by a rinse with ≥ two stage repetitions. At each repetition the relative item position is altered and then it is inserted into a cabin (3) for drying by gas-based means. The appts. for implementation of this process comprises the cabins, and in the wet cabin an item handling appts. as well as a turning appts.. The dry cabin adjoins the wet cabin and a conveyor appts. (11,13) is supplied for carriage of the items through both.

Description

9. The invention relates to a method and a device for decontaminating objects with a waterproof surface, in particular coated pillows, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 9, respectively.

Methods and devices for automatically cleaning workpieces are already known. GB-A-808 885, for example, shows a device of comparable generic type, in which metal workpieces are washed, rinsed and then dried. The workpieces are clamped on a transport device and they can be rotated about an axis running in the feed direction in order to ensure an optimal loading with treatment agent. However, such a device is not suitable for decontaminating objects that are not dimensionally stable, e.g. Pillow.

A device is known from US-A-3 805 317 which is particularly suitable for cleaning pillows. However, the pillows are not subjected to a wet treatment, but only fill residues such as feathers and the like are removed from the surface. For this purpose, the pillows are blown off from different nozzles. A turning process is not planned.

For hygienic reasons, plastic-coated pillows, mattresses, upholstery and the like are used in the hospital area. These objects each have to be decontaminated within relatively short periods, which was previously done manually. Obviously, this means a very high one Workload and therefore high costs. In addition, a uniform quality of decontamination is not guaranteed.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset which enables rapid and thorough decontamination with constant quality and with high work output. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method which has the features in claim 1. The invention also relates to a device which is characterized by the features in claim 9.

The system also includes an economically working equipment processing system. The decontamination solution liquor is continuously circulated and prepared during the cleaning process. The rinsing water is also returned to the decontamination boiler.

Washing and rinsing in a single wet cabin results in a high degree of economy with little equipment. The repetition of the washing and rinsing processes and the change in position of the objects carried out ensures that the entire surface is subjected to a treatment and that no inaccessible support points are formed. The subsequent drying in the drying cabin enables the objects to be available again immediately after the wet treatment. Preferably, the relative position of the objects is also changed several times during drying, so that no moisture remains at support points.

The change in position in the wet cabin is particularly advantageous because the objects are introduced into a turning basket which turns the objects into different relative positions. In addition, the items with the washing liquid and sprayed with the rinsing liquid through the turning basket. A spray bar arrangement can be used for this purpose, which is moved over the turning basket. Of course, it would also be conceivable to arrange fixed spray nozzles on the walls of the wet cabin and only to turn the objects back and forth in a basket or the like. An optimal change of position results when the objects are turned through 180 ° between two washing or rinsing processes. Depending on the application, however, smaller turning angles or intermediate positions would also be conceivable.

In the drying booth, the objects are preferably also turned in a turning basket and blown through the turning basket with heated air.

Particularly good results can be achieved if the objects in the wet cabin are washed with a wash liquor at a temperature of more than 50 ° C. This hot wash liquor, in combination with the spray pressure, ensures reliable cleaning of the surface. Relaxed fresh water with a temperature of more than 50 ° C., preferably more than 70 ° C., is then preferably used for rinsing. This not only reliably removes lye residues, but also heats up the surface of the objects in preparation for the drying process. Finally, drying takes place with heated ambient air at a temperature of more than 50 ° C., preferably of more than 80 ° C.

The device according to the invention has a very simple structure and is therefore user and maintenance-friendly. The treatment device for washing and rinsing the objects and the turning device for turning the objects are arranged in the wet cabin. The drying cabin, which contains a drying device, is connected to the wet cabin.

A particularly high degree of rationalization results from the fact that the swiveling reversing basket is designed in the wet cabin with a receiving opening, with at least one object being insertable into the reversing basket in a first operating position by means of the transport device and the same object from the in a second operating position Reversible basket is executable. As a result, the reversing basket can be loaded and emptied automatically. This is made even easier by the fact that the reversing basket is formed by parallel longitudinal profiles which extend in the transport direction, the longitudinal profiles forming parallel basket planes, between which an object is held.

The transport device is a conveyor belt with a plurality of parallel individual belts or round profiles arranged offset to the longitudinal profiles, one basket level below the upper run of the individual belts in the first and in the second operating position. An object can be moved into the reversing basket with the conveyor belt and extended in the same way in the second operating position. There is no direct friction of the objects on the turning basket.

The treatment device for washing and rinsing is preferably a spray bar arrangement which is mounted so as to be displaceable transversely to the direction in which the objects are fed. Cross can mean at right angles to the feed direction or at an angle to the feed direction. Of course, arched movements would also be conceivable. The advancement of the spray bar arrangement enables an intensive, linear treatment of the objects. The detergent source and the detergent source are each connected to a separate spray bar arrangement. The cleaning and rinsing takes place in separate runs immediately one after the other. The exposure time of the decontamination solution can be chosen freely, as can the fresh water consumption.

In the same way, a turning basket and an identical transport device can also be arranged in the drying cabin. Nozzles for blowing the objects through the turning basket are preferably arranged under the conveyor belt in the drying cabin.

Figur 1

Einen Längsschnitt in Transportrichtung durch eine erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung,

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung gemäss Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Querschnitt durch die Ebene A-A gemäss Figur 2,

Figur 4

einen Querschnitt durch die Ebene B-B gemäss Figur 2,

Figur 5

eine Draufsicht auf einen Wendekorb, und

Figur 6

eine Seitenansicht des Wendekorbes gemäss Figur 5.

Further individual features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

A longitudinal section in the transport direction through a device according to the invention,

Figure 2

2 shows a top view of the device according to FIG. 1,

Figure 3

3 shows a cross section through the plane AA according to FIG. 2,

Figure 4

3 shows a cross section through the plane BB according to FIG. 2,

Figure 5

a plan view of a turning basket, and

Figure 6

a side view of the turning basket according to Figure 5.

Figure 1 shows a relatively highly schematic device according to the invention, which essentially consists of a hermetically closable wet cabin 2 and a drying cabin 3, which adjoins the wet cabin. In the transport direction T, two pillows 1 are passed through the system in pairs lying side by side. A supply station 25, which is provided with a conveyor belt, is used to provide and supply contaminated pillows. A housing 17 delimits the two cabins 2 and 3, the entire arrangement resting on a machine frame 42. At the entrance of the Wet cabin 2 has an entry door 18 that can be raised vertically. An intermediate door 19 which can be raised in the same way separates the wet cabin 2 from the drying cabin 3, and finally an identical exit door 20 is provided at the exit of the drying cabin. The decontaminated cushions are passed through the opened exit door 20 to a removal station 33, which leads, for example, to a transport container. The doors 18, 19 and 20 can of course be controlled separately, so that sequential actuation is possible. The equipment preparation system with fleet tanks, circulation pumps, boilers, controls, etc. is not shown.

In the wet cabin 2, a turning basket 6 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 14. Details of this swivel basket can be found in FIGS. 5 and 6. The basket consists of two parallel basket levels 9 and 9 ', which are formed by parallel longitudinal profiles 10. The basket is loaded through a receiving opening 8. Between the two Basket levels 9, 9 'are arranged on both sides of side profiles 32. These serve to guide the objects from the side.

The pivot axis 14 is mounted on both sides of the housing 17 in bearings 35, 35 '. The drive takes place via a drive device, not shown here, for example via a stepper motor and a suitable gear. The transmission contains, for example, a chain wheel 34, which is mounted on an output shaft 43 via a slip clutch 16. The slip clutch protects the system from damage in the event of an accident on the reversing basket. The output shaft is mounted in a bearing 36 in the machine frame and the connection to the swivel axis 14 takes place via a universal joint coupling 37. By turning the swivel axis 14, the reversing basket 6 can be swiveled in the swivel range S between a first operating position I and a second operating position II. In the first operating position I, the receiving opening 8 faces the entry door 18, while the entry opening in the second operating position II faces the intermediate door 19.

The transport into the turning basket 6 or out of the turning basket 6 takes place via a conveyor belt 11 which has a plurality of parallel individual belts 44 (FIG. 5). These individual belts are offset from the longitudinal profiles 10 of the reversing basket 6 and in the two operating positions I and II the basket levels 9 and 9 'lie below the level of the upper run 12 of the individual belts 44. Obviously, a cushion 1 can initially be so without touching the reversing basket 6 are introduced in this. Washing and rinsing in the two operating positions I and II also takes place practically without touching the turning basket and only lying on the individual belts 44.

The turning basket 7 in the drying cabin 3 and the associated conveyor belt 13 are designed practically exactly the same as described above in connection with the wet cabin 2.

A treatment device for washing and rinsing is arranged transversely displaceably above the turning basket 6 in the wet cabin 2. Details of this can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The treatment device consists of a first spray bar arrangement 4 and a second spray beam arrangement 5. The two spray beam arrangements are separately connected to a detergent source 38 or to a detergent source 39. A flexible hose guide 24 ensures that an undisturbed supply of the liquids is possible in any position. The spray bar arrangements 4, 5 are displaceable between the two rest positions R on both long sides of the device. In these rest positions, the spray bar arrangements lie outside the swivel range S of the turning basket 6. A pulling device 23 is provided for the drive.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 that each spray bar arrangement has an individual section 40 and 41. These individual sections extend over the turning basket in the operating position I or in the operating position II. Control valves can be provided which direct the washing liquid or the rinsing liquid only into the individual section under which the turning basket 6 is located. At the bottom of the wet cabin II there is a collecting trough 21, via which the washing liquid or the rinsing liquid is discharged and fed to the equipment preparation system via a lifting pump. An exhaust air fan 22 is also connected to the wet cabin II, by means of which the vapors which form in the wet cabin 2 can be extracted. This is particularly important when the entrance door 18 is opened so that no disturbing immissions can occur.

In the drying cabin 3, collecting tubes 30 are arranged under the conveyor belt 13 at right angles to the direction of transport T. These manifolds are provided with individual air nozzles 15, which are directed upwards. The manifolds 30 are supplied with hot air via feed lines 29. This hot air is generated in a heat exchanger 27 which is fed with ambient air via a hot air fan 26. The heat exchanger is connected to an existing steam supply network via a steam connection 28, so that the ambient air can be heated. The exhaust air saturated with moisture from the drying cabin 3 is extracted and disposed of by an exhaust air fan 31.

The device according to the invention operates approximately as follows: A maximum of six pillows 1 are provided on the loading station 25. The first two are automatically inserted into the wet cabin 2 or into the reversing basket 6, for which purpose the entrance door 18 must be opened automatically. After closing the entrance door 18, the spray bar arrangement 4, 5 moves over the turning basket 6, which is still in the operating position I. A weak alkali of, for example, 60 ° C. is sprayed onto the pillows 1 from the detergent source 38. The special arrangement of the spray nozzles ensures optimal coating of the surface. As soon as the spray bar arrangement has reached a rest position R, the turning basket is turned into operating position II. The same process is now repeated, it being evident that the side of the pillow which previously formed the contact surface is painted. The washing process can be repeated several times, the operating position always changing between the washing processes. After the washing process has ended, the rinsing process takes place, with fresh water being sprayed onto the pillows from the rinsing agent source 39 with relaxing agent, for example at 80 ° C. Here too, both sides of the pillows are alternately treated by swiveling the reversing basket.

At the end of the wet treatment, the turning basket is in the Operating position II, so that its receiving opening 8 faces the intermediate door 19. This is now opened and automatic actuation of the conveyor belts 11 and 13 leads to a transfer into the drying chamber 3 or into the turning basket 7. Here, too, the turning basket is pivoted several times while hot air is blown out of the nozzles 15 against the pillows. During the drying process, the wet cabin 2 is of course already loaded with a new pair of pillows. After the exit door 20 has been opened, the dried pillows are removed from the drying cabin 3 and transferred to the removal station 33. The hot air drying takes place at a temperature of approx. 90 ° C.

Of course, the system could also be used for objects other than pillows. For example, heat and / or cold storage materials welded into bags for medical purposes or plastic parts of all kinds can also be decontaminated. The configuration of the turning baskets would have to be adapted to the respective circumstances.

Claims (18)

1. Method of decontaminating items, said items, in particular covered pillows, having a water-tight surface, wherein said items (1) are introduced into a wet compartment (2) and therein first treated with a washing liquid and subsequently with a rinsing liquid, and wherein said items are introduced from the wet compartment (2) into a dry compartment (3) and therein dried by means of a gaseous drying agent, characterized in that the items in the wet compartment are introduced into a turn-over basket (6), said turn-over basket turning the items into different relative positions, and that the items are subjected to spraying through said turn-over basket by the washing liquid and by the rinsing liquid, wherein not only the washing sequence but also the rinsing sequence is repeated at least twice, and wherein the relative position of the items (1) is changed within the wet compartment for each new washing or rinsing sequence.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative position of the items during drying within the dry compartment is changed at least once.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the washing liquid and the rinsing liquid are sprayed from a spray-beam arrangement onto the items, said spray beam being moved above the turn-over basket.
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, between two washing or rinsing sequences, the items are turned through 180°.
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the items in the dry compartment (3) are introduced into a turn-over basket (7), said turn-over basket turning the items into different relative positions during drying, and that the items are subjected to blowing by heated air through the turn-over basket.
6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, for washing, the items in the wet compartment are impinged upon by a washing lye with a temperature in excess of 50°C.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that, for rinsing, the items in the wet compartment are impinged upon by fresh water at a temperature in excess of 50°C.
8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, for drying, the items in the dry compartment are impinged upon by ambient air with a temperature in excess of 50°C, and preferably in excess of 80°C.
9. Device for decontaminating items, said items, in particular covered pillows, possessing a water-tight surface, and said device possessing a wet compartment (2) in which a treatment device for washing and rinsing said items (1), as well as a turn-over device for turning said items, is arranged, and possessing a dry compartment (3) adjacent to said wet compartment, a drying device for drying said items being arranged in said dry compartment, and possessing a transport device (11, 13) for transport of said items through the wet compartment (2) and through the dry compartment (3), characterized in that the turn-over device is formed as a pivotable turn-over basket (6) with a pick-up opening, wherein, in an initial operating position (I), at least one item can be introduced into said turn-over basket by means of the transport device (11) and wherein, in a second operating position (II), the same item can be extracted from said turn-over basket.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the treatment device is formed by a spray-beam arrangement (4, 5) mounted to be able to displace transversely to the feed direction of the items.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a washing liquid source (38) and a rinsing liquid source (39) are each connected to a separate spray-beam arrangement (4, 5).
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the turn-over basket can be pivoted between the first and the second operating positions about a pivot axis (14) arranged on the opposite side of the exit opening (8), and that the spray-beam arrangement is able to be displaced into a lateral rest position (R) which lies outside of the pivoting area of the turn-over basket.
13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the spray-beam arrangement (4, 5) in each case possesses two individual sections, said sections lying consecutively in the direction of transport, and that in each operating position (I, II) the turn-over basket (6) is allocated its own individual section.
14. Device according to one of the claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the turn-over basket (6) is formed by parallel longitudinal profiles (10) extending in the direction of transport, wherein said longitudinal profiles form parallel basket planes (9, 9') between which an item (1) is held and that the transport device is a transport belt (11) with a plurality of parallel individual belts arranged to be offset in relation to the parallel longitudinal profiles, wherein, in the first and in the second operating position in each case one basket plane lies beneath the upper span (12) of the individual belts.
15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the dry compartment (3) possesses a turn-over basket (7) and a transport belt (13), said basket and transport belt being formed to be the same with regard to function and construction as the turn-over basket (6) and the transport belt (11) in the wet compartment (2), and that nozzles (15) for the emission of drying air are arranged beneath the transport belt (13) of the dry compartment.
16. Device according to claim 9 and claim 15, characterized in that the pivoting axes of the turn-over baskets are connected to a drive device by means of a friction clutch (16).
17. Device according to one of the claims 9 to 16, characterized in that separately controllable doors (18, 19, 20) are arranged at the entrance to the wet compartment (2), at the exit of the dry compartment (3), and between the wet compartment and the dry compartment.
18. Device according to one of the claims 9 to 17, characterized in that a pick-up station (25) with a transport device for introduction of the items into the wet compartment is arranged in front of the wet compartment (2), and that a removal station (33) is arranged subsequent to the dry compartment (3) for leading the items away out of the dry compartment.

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