EP1516681A1 - Apparatus for washing containers and trolleys - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a main shuttle assembly (22) comprising an impeller (22a) driven by an electrical motor (22b). The impeller pumps up air from a wall (2) and discharges the air towards a lower compartment of a case at an end of a shrinkage zone. The rotation of the impeller and the motor produces hot air flow directed towards a center of an enclosure (1). A dehumidifying unit (30) dries pumped air inside the enclosure. An independent claim is also included for a method of washing carriages and containers using a washing machine.

Description

The present invention relates to apparatus and installations washing laundry carts or hospitals, or large bins, requiring satisfactory disinfection.

Carts or mobile bins of laundry rooms or hospitals are used for transporting various objects such as linen, meal trays, medicines.

The transported objects usually contain germs that tend to settle on carts or mobile bins, which germs can then develop and / or spread to other objects transported later by the same carriages. This results in a risk of spreading infections by bacteria or fungi.

There is therefore a need to periodically wash trolleys and bins mobile homes and hospitals to minimize risks of spreading infections.

We have already proposed machines for washing trolleys and mobile bins comprising a closed washing chamber having at least one access door closable for the entry and exit of at least one trolley or mobile container to be washed. The enclosure includes horizontally movable wash ramps or vertically along at least one side of the washing chamber to spray a washing liquid to the trolley or carts in a sweeping motion.

In general, a wash cycle is followed by hot air drying where circulating heated air in the enclosure.

In known machines, to reach an acceptable rate, that is, drying fast enough to take out a dry cart and introduce the following trolley, it is necessary to heat the air of drying, and thus the trolley or mobile tray, at a relatively high temperature which evaporates water faster on the surface of the trolley or ferry and in the interstices. But the cart or mobile bin is then very hot at the end of the drying cycle, for example at a higher temperature at 60 ° C, and then wait for its cooling to be able to handle it in removing it from the enclosure and moving it to its point of use. This time of waiting increases the duration of the treatment cycle of the trolley mobile.

The problem proposed by the present invention is to design a new structure of washing machine of trolleys and mobile bins that allows to ensure perfect drying in a reduced cycle time, thus allowing to increase the washing rates.

The object of the invention is in particular to ensure a very efficient drying in the interstices of carts or mobile bins to be washed, in order to avoid any development of germs and fungi in these interstices because of the possible presence of moisture.

The aim of the invention is to achieve such efficient drying without increasing excessively the temperature of the trolley or mobile container at the end of the drying cycle, to allow immediate gripping of the trolley or mobile container as soon as the end of drying.

• les moyens pour produire et projeter de l'air chaud de séchage comprennent une navette principale déplaçable verticalement à proximité d'une paroi de l'enceinte de lavage, comportant un premier moyen de ventilation pour aspirer de l'air depuis ladite paroi, pour le faire circuler sur des éléments chauffants afin de le chauffer, et pour le pousser dans des canalisations de guidage appropriées qui le projettent selon une lame d'air unidirectionnelle dans l'enceinte de lavage, de sorte que la lame d'air unidirectionnelle entraíne mécaniquement les gouttes de liquide présentes sur le(s) chariot(s) ou bac(s) lors des étapes de séchage,
• la machine comprend en outre une centrale de déshumidification adaptée pour aspirer de l'air depuis l'enceinte de lavage, pour sécher l'air aspiré, pour le réchauffer et pour le renvoyer dans l'enceinte de lavage selon une circulation indépendante pendant les étapes de séchage.

To achieve these and other goals, the invention provides a washing machine trolleys and bins comprising a closed washing chamber having at least one prior passage of access to closure means for the entry and exit of at least one trolley or wash basin, with washing ramps movable along at least one side of the washing chamber for spraying a washing liquid to the trolley (s) or tank (s) in a scanning movement, and with means for producing and projecting to the cart (s) or tank (s) hot air drying; according to the invention:

• the means for producing and projecting hot drying air comprises a main shuttle movable vertically close to a wall of the washing chamber, comprising a first ventilation means for sucking air from said wall, for the circulating on heating elements in order to heat it, and to push it into appropriate guide ducts which project it in a unidirectional air space in the washing chamber, so that the unidirectional air space mechanically drives the drops of liquid present on the cart (s) or tank (s) during the drying stages,
• the machine further comprises a dehumidification unit adapted to draw air from the washing chamber, to dry the sucked air, to heat it and to return it to the washing chamber in an independent circulation during the steps drying.

Thanks to the combination of an effective mechanical training of drops and then a dehumidification of the ambient air in the enclosure, drying is particularly fast and efficient, and the risks of stagnation are eliminated moisture in the interstices of a trolley or mobile container to be washed.

Also, dehumidification allows fast drying without having to overheat the drying air.

Preferably, the heating elements of the main shuttle heat the drying air at a temperature between 40 ° C and 50 ° C, advantageously of the order of 45 ° C. It is thus possible to hold the trolley at the immediately after drying, without waiting for its cooling.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the main shuttle is disposed along a side wall of the washing chamber and further carries a or several washing ramps adapted to project jets of washing liquid transversely in the washing chamber below the pipes producing the transverse unidirectional air gap.

A more efficient washing is obtained by providing a secondary shuttle opposite to the main shuttle, movable vertically in front of the shuttle main and carrying one or more wash ramps.

The central dehumidification can advantageously include a second ventilation means for selectively sucking air out of the enclosure wash and pass it through an evaporator that cools the air and condenses its moisture, then through a condenser and through a heated battery that heat the air, then return it to the washing chamber.

Preferably, the dehumidification plant comprises a component which, in a first washing position, selectively selects the extracted air of the washing chamber to send it to the outside atmosphere during the steps washing, and which, in a second drying position, selectively needle the air extracted from the washing chamber to return to the washing chamber in recycling after passing through the evaporator, condenser and battery during the drying stages.

During the washing steps, the entry flap in first position of washing takes outside air to send it to the washing chamber through the evaporator, the condenser and the heating battery which is then inactive.

In an advantageous embodiment, the main shuttle and the shuttle secondary are driven each in vertical movement by a respective winch and a respective traction cable, with a tension sensor of the traction cable which provides an alarm signal to interrupt the rotation of the winch in case of detecting a voltage greater than a high threshold determined or less than one low threshold determined.

a) une étape de lavage au cours de laquelle on alimente en liquide de lavage les rampes de lavage et on déplace verticalement la navette principale et la navette secondaire pour projeter au cours d'un ou plusieurs balayages des jets de liquide de lavage sur un chariot ou bac placé dans l'enceinte de lavage,

b) une étape de rinçage, similaire au lavage, mais avec un liquide de rinçage,

c) une étape de séchage, au cours de laquelle on balaie le chariot ou bac mobile par une lame d'air transversale unidirectionnelle qui entraíne mécaniquement les gouttes de liquide de rinçage présentes sur le chariot ou bac mobile, et on assèche l'air dans l'enceinte au moyen de la centrale de déshumidification, la température de l'air de séchage dans la lame d'air transversale étant d'environ 40°C à 50°C.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of washing trolleys and trays using a washing machine as defined above, the method comprising:

a) a washing step in which the washing ramps are fed with washing liquid and the main shuttle and the secondary shuttle are moved vertically to project jets of washing liquid onto a carriage during one or more scans; or bin placed in the washing chamber,

b) a rinsing step, similar to washing, but with a rinsing liquid,

c) a drying step, during which the carriage or mobile tank is swept by a unidirectional transverse air space which mechanically drives the drops of rinsing liquid present on the trolley or mobile tank, and the air is dried in the enclosure by means of the dehumidification unit, the temperature of the drying air in the transverse air space being about 40 ° C to 50 ° C.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale de face d'une machine de lavage selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective montrant la navette de séchage et de pulvérisation de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est un diagramme schématique fonctionnel illustrant les moyens de motorisation de la navette de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique de côté illustrant la machine de la figure 1 avec sa centrale de déshumidification en fonctionnement de lavage ;
• la figure 5 illustre la machine de lavage de la figure 4 en fonctionnement de séchage ; et
• la figure 6 illustre schématiquement le fonctionnement des moyens d'obturation du passage d'accès.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a front view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the drying and spray shuttle of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 is a functional schematic diagram illustrating the motorization means of the shuttle of FIG. 1;
• Figure 4 is a schematic side view illustrating the machine of Figure 1 with its central dehumidification washing operation;
• Figure 5 illustrates the washing machine of Figure 4 in drying operation; and
• Figure 6 schematically illustrates the operation of the closure means of the access passage.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the washing machine trolleys and bins according to the invention comprises a closed washing chamber 1, of parallelepipedic general shape, limited by two lateral faces 2 and 3, one face front end 4, an anterior front face opposite to the rear end face 4, a floor 5 and a ceiling 6. The floor 5 can be an integral waterproof wall side faces 2 and 3. Alternatively, and more simply, the floor 5 can be constituted by the soil itself, previously arranged with a bung siphoid and sewage disposal. The front anterior face opposite the front end face 4 has a closable access passage for the entrance and the output of at least one trolley 7 or mobile container to be washed. The carriage 7 is mounted on casters such as casters 8 and 9.

For example, the front end face can be closed by a flap 10, as shown in FIG. 6, the rolling shutter being able to be wound on a drum 11 pivoting around a transverse shaft 12 itself driven by a geared motor 13 and whose position is marked by a disc 14 fitted on the shaft 12 and associated with an optical sensor 15.

The geared motor 13 is equipped with an integrated torque limiter.

A high position sensor 16 limits the rise stroke of the shutter 10. A low position sensor 17 limits the lowering of the shutter rolling 10.

Washing ramps 18, 19, 20 and 21 are mounted movably on both sides. other of the enclosure 1, along the side walls 2 and 3. The washing ramps 18 at 21 are oriented horizontally along the respective lateral faces 2 and 3, and are shaped to direct a plurality of jets of washing liquid into direction of the opposite side face 3 or 2, that is to say towards the center of the enclosure 1.

The first two washing ramps 18 and 19 are carried by a main shuttle 22, mounted vertically movable near the first side wall 2 of the enclosure 1. The main shuttle 22 is guided in its vertical movement along vertical guides 23 integral with the walls of the enclosure 1, and is driven by a first traction cable 24 solicited by a first winch top 25.

The other two washing ramps 20 and 21 are carried by a shuttle secondary 26 which is itself in vertical displacement along second vertical guides 27 and which is driven by a second traction cable 28 itself biased by a second upper winch 29.

The main shuttle 22 is box-shaped, with an air inlet 22c side opposite the side wall 2, and with a slot-shaped air outlet 22e on the opposite side.

The main shuttle 22 contains a first ventilation means 22a, consisting of a turbine with axial suction and radial discharge, driven by a 22b electric motor. The turbine 22a draws air through the axial inlet 22c at adjacent to the side wall 2, and delivers air through a radial passage 22d towards the lower compartment of the box with the 22nd lateral outlet in the form of a slot at the end of a progressive dihedral narrowing zone 22f. The box thus formed constitutes a suitable guide pipe. A heating element 22g is disposed for example downstream of the turbine 22a. In this way, the shuttle 22, by rotation of the motor 22b and the turbine 22a, can produce a hot air flow in the form of a horizontal blade directed towards the side wall opposite 3 that is to say towards the center of the enclosure 1. The hot air blade coming out of the main shuttle 22 is a unidirectional air knife which causes mechanically drops of liquid present on the carriage 7 or mobile container when drying steps.

The chamber 1 is associated with a dehumidification unit 30, adapted to suck air from the enclosure 1, to dry the sucked air, for the reheat and return it to enclosure 1 in a separate circulation of the air flow produced by the main shuttle 22 during the steps of drying.

The power of the heating elements 22g is chosen so that, when drying stages, heating elements 22g of the main shuttle heat the air to a temperature between 40 ° C and 50 ° C.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the washing ramps 18 and 19 are disposed below the air outlet 22e. In this way, the washing ramps 18 and 19 project the jets of washing liquid transversely into the chamber 1 below means producing the air knife.

Considering Figure 2, we find the shuttle 22, with two bearings sides 122 and 222 shaped to slide along vertical guides such as the first vertical guide 23 of FIG. 1, ensuring a constant orientation of the main shuttle 22. There is the narrowing zone 22f, the air outlet 22.

There are also two washing ramps 18 and 19 which have, distributed along their length, respective spray nozzles such as nozzles 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e on the ramp 18. Each nozzle 18a-18e produces a jet of washing liquid, during the washing steps, as illustrated in the figure.

In the embodiment illustrated, the upper washing ramp 18 is associated with two transverse washing ramps 31 and 32 placed horizontally respectively near the access passage and near the front face posterior 4 opposite of the enclosure 1. The transverse washing ramps 31 and 32 are freely pivotable upwards by rotation about the axis of the ramp 18 which is rotatably mounted on the shuttle 22, so as to avoid all risks of shocks or destructive support of a transverse ramp 31 or 32 on a during a vertical sweeping movement of the shuttle 22. Thanks to the possibility of rotation, the transverse ramps 31 or 32 can remain in abutment on a possible obstacle during a descent movement of the main shuttle 22, without risk of significant degradation. In addition, a position sensor can detect the rotation of the transverse washing ramps 31 and 32, and interrupt then the operation of the first upper winch 25 to stop the movement the main shuttle 22 in the event of an obstacle.

The first upper winch 25 and the second upper winch 29 are of preferably associated with a corresponding cable voltage sensor 24 or 28 which provides an alarm signal to interrupt the rotation of the winch 25 or 29 in case of detecting a voltage greater than a high threshold determined or less than one low threshold determined. In this way, when the main shuttle 22, or the shuttle 26, or the associated washing ramps 18-21, meet an obstacle during a vertical descent movement, the voltage sensor of cable detects a cable voltage below a determined low threshold corresponding to the weight of the corresponding shuttle and its load, which involves generating an alarm signal and stopping the corresponding winch 25 or 29.

Similarly, when the main shuttle 22 or secondary 26 or corresponding washing ramps 18-21 encounter an obstacle during a vertical translation movement upwards, the cable tension sensor detects a cable voltage higher than the determined high threshold, and causes stopping the corresponding winch 25 or 29.

We can now refer to Figure 3, which illustrates schematic means of training of the main shuttle 22. We find the first cable 24, driven by the winch 25 which is itself requested by a gearmotor 25a and a shaft 25b, with a counting disc 25c wedged on the shaft 25b, and with a detection cell 25d which allows to know the position from the shuttle. A 25th high position sensor limits the rise stroke of the main shuttle 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, schematically illustrating the structure of the dehumidification plant 30.

The dehumidification unit 30 is advantageously placed in upper position above the enclosure 1, for example above the ceiling 6.

The central dehumidification 30 is contained in a box 41 which communicates with the enclosure 1 by an air inlet 42 and an air outlet 33.

The box 41 also communicates with the outside atmosphere by a main entrance 34 and a main exit 35.

The central dehumidification essentially comprises a second ventilation means 36, an evaporator 37, a condenser 38 and a battery 39 which are mounted in series to be traversed by the same current air from the entrance 42 to the exit 33. In this way, the second means of ventilation 36 selectively draws air from the enclosure, through the inlet 42, to make it pass through the evaporator 37 which cools it and condenses its moisture, then through the condenser 38 that heats it, and through the battery heater 39 which warms it again to return it to the enclosure 1 by the exit 33.

Upstream of the evaporator 37, there is provided an inlet flap 40 at two positions illustrated respectively in Figures 4 and 5.

In the first position illustrated in Figure 4, or washing position, the inlet flap 40 selectively needle air extracted from the chamber 1 by the inlet 42 to send it to the outside atmosphere through the main exit 35. At the same time, the second ventilation means 36 draws air from the outside atmosphere through the main entrance 34, to send it inwards from enclosure 1 through exit 33.

During the drying steps, the inlet flap 40 takes the second position shown in Figure 5. In this second position, the main entrance 34 and the main output 35 are put in direct communication and isolated from the enclosure 1. The second ventilation means 36 draws air inside the enclosure 1 by the inlet 42, causes it to dry by the evaporator 37 and then its heating by the condenser 38 and the heating battery 39, and returns it in enclosure 1 through exit 33.

a) une étape de lavage au cours de laquelle on alimente en liquide de lavage les rampes de lavage 18-21 et on déplace verticalement la navette principale 22 et la navette secondaire 26 pour projeter au cours d'un ou plusieurs balayages verticaux des jets de liquide de lavage sur un chariot 7 ou bac mobile placé dans l'enceinte 1,

b) une étape de rinçage, similaire à l'étape de lavage, mais en utilisant un liquide de rinçage,

c) une étape de séchage, au cours de laquelle on balaie le chariot 7 ou bac mobile par une lame d'air transversale produite par la navette principale 22 et qui entraíne mécaniquement les gouttes de liquide de rinçage présentes sur le chariot 7 ou bac mobile, et on assèche simultanément l'air dans l'enceinte 1 par la centrale de déshumidification 30, la température de l'air de séchage étant d'environ 40°C à 50°C.

During the operation of the machine, it is advantageous to implement a method of washing trolleys and bins comprising:

a) a washing step in which the washing ramps 18-21 are fed with washing liquid and the main shuttle 22 and the secondary shuttle 26 are displaced vertically to project during one or more vertical sweeps washing liquid on a carriage 7 or movable tray placed in the enclosure 1,

b) a rinsing step, similar to the washing step, but using a rinsing liquid,

c) a drying step, during which the carriage 7 or mobile tank is swept by a transverse air space produced by the main shuttle 22 and which mechanically drives the drops of rinsing liquid present on the carriage 7 or mobile container and the air is simultaneously dried in the chamber 1 by the dehumidification unit 30, the temperature of the drying air being about 40 ° C to 50 ° C.

In the embodiment illustrated, the enclosure 1 is designed to contain a single carriage. We can naturally conceive an enclosure 1 that can contain two carts placed one behind the other. We can also design a speaker 1 having an entrance passage closable by a first roller shutter, and a opposite outlet passage closable by a second shutter, constituting a tunnel in which the carriages are moved unidirectionally from the entrance to the exit.

As will be readily understood, the washing ramps 18-21 are supplied with washing or rinsing liquid by flexible lines which ensure the conduction of fluids while allowing translational movements vertical of the main 22 and secondary 26 shuttles. 22g of the main shuttle 22, and the 22b engine of the main shuttle 22, are supplied with electrical energy by flexible conductors which allow the vertical movement of the main shuttle 22.

Due to the fact that the second ventilation means 22a and 22b are embedded in the main shuttle 22, producing the drying air stream is particularly efficient, reliable, and inexpensive and allows a good drying efficiency.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations contained in the field of the claims below.

Claims (10)

A washing machine for trolleys and trays, comprising a closed washing chamber (1) having at least one prior closure access passage (10) for the entry and exit of at least one trolley washing (7), with washing ramps (18-21) movable along at least one side (2, 3, 4) of the washing chamber (1) to spray a washing liquid to the ) trolley (s) or pan (s) in a sweeping motion, and with means for producing and projecting to the trolley (s) or tank (s) hot air drying,
characterized in that the means for producing and projecting hot drying air comprises a main shuttle (22) movable vertically close to a wall (2) of the washing chamber (1), comprising a first ventilation means (22a, 22b) for sucking air from said wall (2), for circulating it over heating elements (22g) to heat it, and for pushing it into appropriate guide ducts (22f) which project it along a blade of unidirectional air in the washing chamber (1), so that the unidirectional air space mechanically drives the drops of liquid present on the trolley (s) or tank (s) during the drying steps, the machine further comprises a dehumidification unit (30) adapted to suck air from the washing chamber (1), to dry the sucked air, to heat it up and to return it to the washing chamber ( 1) in an independent circulation during the drying stages. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating elements (22g) of the main shuttle (22) heat the drying air at a temperature between 40 ° C and 50 ° C. Washing machine according to one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that the main shuttle (22) is arranged along a side wall (2) of the washing chamber (1) and further carries one or more washing ramps (18, 19) adapted to project jetting washing liquid transversely in the washing chamber (1) below the pipes (22f) producing the transverse unidirectional air gap. Washing machine according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that it comprises a secondary shuttle (26) opposite to the main shuttle (22), movable vertically facing the main shuttle (22) and carrying one or more washing ramps (20, 21). Washing machine according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the dehumidification unit (30) comprises second ventilation means (36) for selectively sucking air from the washing chamber (1) and passing it through an evaporator (37) which cools air and condenses its moisture, then through a condenser (38) and through a heating battery (39) which heat the air, then return it to the washing chamber (1). Washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the dehumidification unit (30) comprises an inlet flap (40) which, in a first washing position, selectively needle the air extracted from the washing chamber ( 1) to send it to the outside atmosphere during the washing steps, and which, in a second drying position, selectively needle air extracted from the washing chamber (1) to return to the enclosure of recycling washing after passage through the evaporator (37), the condenser (38) and the heating battery (39) during the drying steps. Washing machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that , during the washing steps, the inlet flap in the first washing position withdraws outside air and sends it into the washing chamber (1) through the evaporator (37), the condenser (38) and the heating battery (39) which is then inactive. Washing machine according to one of Claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the main shuttle (22) and the secondary shuttle (26) are each driven in vertical movement by a respective winch (25, 29) and a respective traction cable (24, 28), with a tension sensor of traction cable (24, 28) which provides an alarm signal to interrupt the rotation of the winch (25, 29) when a voltage higher than a determined upper threshold or lower than a determined lower threshold is detected. Washing machine according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that the main shuttle (22) further carries two transverse wash ramps (31, 32) disposed horizontally respectively near the access passage and near the opposite rear end face of the washing chamber (1). ), the transverse washing ramps (31, 32) being freely pivotable upwardly about an axis of rotation along one of the side washing ramps (18, 19), so as to remain in abutment on a possible obstacle during a downward movement of the main shuttle (22). A method of washing trolleys and bins employing a washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: a) a washing step in which the washing ramps (18-21) are fed with washing liquid and the main shuttle (22) and the secondary shuttle (26) are moved vertically for projection during one or several scans of the jets of washing liquid on a trolley (7) or tank placed in the washing chamber (1), b) a rinsing step, similar to washing, but with a rinsing liquid, c) a drying step, during which the carriage (7) or moving tray is swept by a unidirectional transverse air slab which mechanically drives the drops of rinsing liquid present on the carriage (7) or mobile container, and the air is dewatered in the chamber (1) by means of the dehumidification unit (30), the temperature of the drying air in the transverse air space being approximately 40 ° C to 50 ° C.

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