EP2407398B1 - Apparatus for collecting liquid waste materials - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for collecting liquid waste, in particular hazardous substances, with a collecting container having a collecting opening for the waste, and with a connecting piece which cooperates with the collecting opening and has a filling opening for filling the waste into the collecting container, wherein the filling opening communicates with a waste management line.

Such a device is from the DE 199 59 666 B4 known.

In the known device, the liquid hazardous substances are filled by a common connection head for filling in a container serving as a collection canister and emptying this canister and sucked out for emptying from the canister into a transport container if necessary. A disadvantage of the known device is that the connection of the connection head with the connection piece to the canister is relatively expensive, so that the canisters usually remain in place and are sucked out for emptying. This requires expensive additional lines for suction for emptying and in particular involves the risk of unwanted contamination during emptying, since a separate transport container must be connected to the emptying line.

From the EP 1 872 752 A1 a urine collection container is known in which for connecting the collecting container to a connecting piece, a flap must be pressed manually after arranging the collecting container in its collecting position down.

The EP 1 106 254 A2 shows a system and apparatus for disposing of liquid waste at a laboratory workstation, wherein a receptacle with a connection piece is attachable to a connection head and the receptacle is firmly installed at the laboratory workstation.

The FR 2 940 145 A1 relates to a device for filtering biopharmaceutical liquids, wherein quick-release closures can be provided.

From the WO 2006/088858 A2 a fluid connector with a valve is known, wherein a so-called Luer-slip is provided for establishing a connection between two connecting parts.

The problem underlying the invention is to provide a device for collecting liquid waste, with which collect liquid waste reliably and can be easily removed for disposal without the risk of contamination.

The problem is solved in that in a device of the type mentioned, the connector is designed as a quick release, which causes an automatic connection of the connector to the collecting container when arranging the collecting container in a collecting position, the quick release has a connection head in which the connector in a Anschließrichtung is movably arranged, and the connecting piece is resiliently biased in Anschließrichtung.

In this way, eliminates the costly screwing a connection head with the connector to the sump. By merely arranging the collecting container in the collecting position, a connection of the connecting piece is effected to the collecting container. To dispose of the liquid waste, the collecting container is thus removed only from the collection position and provided with a closure. It can be used in this way a standard canister with transport permit. The once located in the canister liquid waste must not be removed from the sump for transport, so there is no risk of unwanted contamination during removal from the sump. Preferably, the device according to the invention is designed explosion-proof.

The quick release has a connection head in which the connection piece is movably arranged in a connection direction. The connection piece is spring-biased in the direction of connection. In this way, the collecting container can easily be pushed under the connection head when arranging in the collection position. The fitting moves against the resilient bias against the Anschließrichtung back to effect when reaching the collection position by the spring tension a backward movement of the connector in Anschließrichtung and thus an automatic connection of the connector to the sump. This design is simple and reliable. It can also be a locking of the connector in the connection head in the position moved back against the spring tension with mechanical shut-off of the line in the connection head. This automatically prevents incorrect operation.

In a further development, the connecting piece has a, in particular conical, sealing surface which cooperates in the collecting position with the collecting opening. In this way, a sufficient tightness between the connection piece and the collection opening is effected. At the same time, the conical design of the sealing surface effects an independent positioning when arranging the collecting container in the collecting position. The sealing surface may also be formed, for example, spherical segment.

Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the connecting piece has a vent opening, which is preferably connected to a suction. By means of this vent volatile components or the gases contained in the collecting container can be sucked during filling, so that harmful gaseous components of the hazardous substances can not or only to a very limited extent in collecting the waste materials in the environment.

A further embodiment of the invention is characterized by a receptacle associated with the receptacle for receiving the collecting container in the collecting position. In this way, the correct positioning of the collecting container is facilitated in the collection position, so that a malfunction is largely excluded. It is also possible that the receptacle has a, in particular oblique, insertion section for inserting the collecting container into the receptacle. In this way, the insertion of the collecting container is facilitated in the receptacle to reach the collection position.

Another development of the invention is characterized by a filling position sensor assigned to the collecting position, wherein the collecting container is preferably arranged above or below the filling level sensor during positioning in the collecting position. By means of this filling position sensor assigned to the collecting position, it is achieved that the filling level of the collecting container in the collecting position can be easily monitored without an additional attachment of a filling level sensor in the collecting container being required here. Depending on the sensor signal, a valve located in front of the connection piece, in particular in the connection head, can be actuated to shut off the line. This prevents accidental misuse.

The fill level sensor can detect the fill level capacitively or be designed as an ultrasonic sensor. When using an ultrasonic sensor arranged above or below the collecting position, it is not only possible to monitor the achievement of a maximum filling level. Rather, the degree of filling of the collecting container is continuously quantitative detectable. When using an ultrasonic sensor, it is also advantageous if the ultrasonic sensor is formed integrally with a coupling element. As a coupling element, for example, serve a gel pad. In this case, the ultrasonic sensor integrated with the coupling element can be automatically coupled to the collecting container when arranging the collecting container in the collecting position. This makes operation particularly easy.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the collecting container and the connecting piece are arranged in the collecting position in a collecting area, wherein the collecting area is preferably arranged in a lower cabinet under a working surface. Arranging the collecting container and connecting piece in the collecting area makes it possible to provide an extraction for this collecting area. In this way, any remaining contaminants escaping residual pollutants can be reliably sucked off, so that a threat to operating personnel is avoided. Simple is the design as a base cabinet, which can be carried out on the one hand explosion proof and on the other hand allows a simple suction through its closed shell. An overhead work surface makes it easy to handle containers for liquid waste.

If an extract is provided with preferably a plurality of receptacles for collecting container, can be spent by simply inserting the statement or the collection container in the collection position. It is therefore only the desired number of collection containers to position on the statement. By inserting the extract, an automatic connection of the collecting container to the associated connection pieces is then effected. If a, preferably the extract associated tub, in particular for hazardous substances, is provided, accidentally spilled hazardous substances are safely collected in case of incorrect operation, so that a risk or contamination of the work area is avoided. It is also advantageous if the tub is height adjustable. In this case, an adaptation to different heights of the collection container is possible. Preferably, the respective collecting container is assigned a separate receptacle. As a result, manufacturing tolerances of the collecting container can be easily compensated.

It is also advantageous if a, designed in particular as a funnel spout for the waste is provided, which is in communication with the line, wherein preferably a shut-off valve is provided. Such a spout facilitates the emptying of liquid waste containers for collection in the collection containers. A shut-off valve makes it possible to prevent unwanted leakage of gaseous pollutants from the sump back from the spout. It is also advantageous if the spout, in particular with a, preferably spring-loaded, flap, is closable. In this way, a tightness of the spout is automatically achieved so that gaseous pollutants remain safely in the sump.

In the invention, it is also advantageous if a modular design is provided with a plurality of collecting containers and a plurality of connecting pieces. Since a variety of collection containers can be connected at the same time and often different hazardous substances must be collected separately, such as solvents, oil and acids or bases, a collection station can be constructed here like a box, which allows easy operation.

Another advantage is an arrangement of the device in a walk-in trigger. This ensures that gaseous pollutants escaping from containers of liquid waste material are also sucked off when filling, without any risk to operating personnel.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 2

die wesentlichen Komponenten der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 und

Fig. 3

einen Anschlusskopf in vergrößerter Darstellung.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a device with the features of the invention in a schematic representation,

Fig. 2

the essential components of the device of Fig. 1 and

Fig. 3

a connection head in an enlarged view.

Fig. 1 shows a device 10 with the features of the invention in a schematic representation. Shown is a workplace 10 for the disposal of liquid pollutants. The workstation 10 has a table top 12 arranged on a frame 11. Under the table top 12, a base cabinet 13 with a housing 14 and an extension 15 is arranged. As a rear boundary of the workplace 10, a rear wall 16 is attached to the frame 11. In the area of the rear wall 16, a faucet 17 is arranged above a wash basin 18 in the table top 12.

On the left in the figure on the side of the table top 12 3 spouts 19, 20, 21 are arranged for the liquid waste, which are formed in the embodiment shown as a funnel 19, 20, 21. At its lower end, the funnels 19, 20, 21 in the embodiment shown by means of shut-off valves 22, 23, 24 are closed. In addition, on the side facing away from the shut-off valves 22, 23, 24 open end of the funnel 19, 20, 21 flaps 25, 26, 27 are arranged, which are designed in the embodiment shown by means not shown in the figure springs self-closing.

As can also be seen from the figure, the housing 14 and the drawer 15 of the lower cabinet 13 form in their interior an inner space 28 in which seats 29, 30, 31 are provided for collecting container 32. Overall, three collection containers are provided in the embodiment shown, of which only one collecting container 32 can be seen in the figure. The collecting container 32 is a standard plastic canister 32. In the interior 28, in the figure, a contact switch 33 is arranged in the upper left corner of the lower cabinet 13 and is triggered when the drawer 15 is closed.

Fig. 2 shows the essential functional components of the workplace 10 in a schematic representation. The table 11, 12 and the base cabinet 13 are omitted for clarity. As can be seen from the figure, the funnels 19, 20, 21 are connected by means of the shut-off valves 22, 23, 24 to lines 34, 35, 36. At its other end, the lines 34, 35, 36 connected to connection heads 37, 38, 39, which will be discussed in more detail below. The connection heads 37, 38, 39 are each assigned to one of the receptacles 29, 30, 31. In addition, sensors 40, 41, 42 are arranged in the region of the receptacles 29, 30, 31.

In the Fig. 2 It can also be seen that, in addition to the canister 32, two further similar canisters 43, 44 are arranged in a height-adjustable trough 45. The canisters 32, 43, 44 each have on their upper side nozzles 46, 47, 48, which serve as filling openings in a known manner. The canisters 32, 43, 44 also recordings 49, 50, 51 are assigned in the trough 45.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed representation of the connection head 39 with the receptacle 29 representative of the connection heads 38, 37 with the receptacles 30, 31. As can be seen from the figure, the line 36 is attached to the connection head 39. In addition, a further line 52 is arranged on the connection head 39, which communicates with a suction not shown in the figure.

At the sensor 40 end facing the connection head 39, a connecting piece 43 is arranged, which is biased by a spring 54 in the figure downwards and against the spring 54 in the figure can be pushed back into the connector 39. The connecting piece 53 is sealingly guided in the connection head 39. Not shown in the figure are means in the connection head 39 for locking the connection piece 53 in a pushed back into the connection head 39 position and to shut off the lines 36, 52 in this position. In addition, the fitting 53 has a conical sealing surface 55 for cooperation with the nozzle 48 of the canister 44. Not shown in the figure are also two openings in the connecting piece 53, which point downwards in the figure and are in fluid communication with the lines 36, 52, respectively.

In addition, the receptacle 29, which is formed in the figure as Blechstanz- and edge part, on its sides two insertion sections 56, 57 on. The insertion sections 56, 57 are formed by bending from the sheet metal body of the receptacle 29.

Hereinafter, the operation of the workplace 10 based on FIGS. 1 to 3 explained in more detail. The workplace 10 is used for collecting liquid waste, in particular hazardous substances for disposal. For this purpose, the work station 10 is arranged in a walk-in trigger, so that volatile components of the hazardous substances do not lead to a health hazard to the operating personnel. For the same purpose serve the faucet 17 and the sink 18. Here, for example, a water jet pump can be connected to directly suck unwanted substances. In addition, liquid waste, which may be fed to the sewer, be disposed of via the sink 18 in a conventional manner.

For collecting liquid hazardous substances, these are poured into the respective funnels 19, 20, 21 after opening of the respective valve 22, 23, 24 and the associated flap 25, 26, 27. Here, the funnels 19, 20, 21 may be provided for similar or different waste materials. The waste materials then pass through the respective funnels 19, 20, 21 and the associated valves 22, 23, 24 via the lines 34, 35, 36 to the respectively associated connection heads 37, 38, 39.

In their collection position, the canisters 32, 43, 44 are in the inserted state of the drawer 15 in the receptacles 29, 30, 31 such that the openings of the nozzle 46, 47, 48 respectively below the sealing surfaces 55 of the connecting pieces 53 of the connection heads 37, 38, 39 are arranged. In this way, the liquid waste from the lines 34, 35, 36 pass through the openings in the fittings 53 via the nozzle 46, 47, 48 in the canisters 32, 43, 44. This is the from the canisters 32, 43, 44 When filling displaced gas sucked through the communicating with the lines 52 openings in the fittings 53 each. In this way, virtually no gaseous constituents of the waste materials reach the interior 28. Nevertheless, from the canisters 32, 43, 44 by remaining leaks or natural diffusion rates exiting gaseous constituents of the waste materials are by means of a not shown in the figures suction in a conventional manner from the Lower cabinet 13 sucked.

In the collecting position of the canisters 32, 43, 44, in which these are arranged in the receptacles 29, 30, 31 respectively below the connection head 37, 38, 39, the canisters 32, 43, 44 are in contact with at their upper portion the sensors 40, 41, 42. The sensors 40, 41, 42 are fill level sensors 40, 41, 42, which detect the level in the canisters 32, 43, 44 in a capacitive manner. As soon as one of the sensors 40, 41, 42 has detected a maximum fill level in the respectively associated canister 32, 43, 44, this is communicated to a potential user via a signal, for example a light signal or another suitable type of display. In this way, the user is prompted to remove the respective canister 32, 43, 44 for disposal and to replace it with an empty canister 32, 43, 44. For this purpose, the user opens the extract 15, wherein the three canisters 32, 43, 44 from the receptacles 29, 30, 31 be pulled out. In this case, the respective connector slides on the respective nozzle 46, 47, 48 initially in the Fig. 3 against the spring 54 upwards, so as to discharge the respective canister 32, 43, 44 from a communication connection of fitting 53 and port 46, 47, 48. In this case, the connecting pieces 53 are each locked in their upper positions in the connection heads 37, 38 39 and the lines 34, 35, 36, 52 are shut off in the connection heads 37, 38, 39.

In the open state of the drawer 15, the canisters 32, 43, 44 are then freely accessible. The canister to be replaced is closed by screwing a cap on the respective nozzle 46, 47, 48 and can be supplied in a conventional manner for disposal. Since standard canisters can be used which need not be provided for operation in the collecting device 10 with additional breakthroughs, for example for the vent or a level sensor, the existing transport permit remains and the filled canisters can be transported in a known manner.

Subsequently, an empty canister 32, 43, 44 placed in the associated receptacle 49, 50, 51. The receptacles 49, 50, 51 in combination with the receptacles 29, 30, 31 while doing same manufacturing tolerances of the canisters 32, 43, 44, so that even with relatively large deviations a secure fit of the canisters 32, 43, 44 after closing the Excerpt 15 is ensured in the respective receptacles 29, 30, 31. Specifically, when the drawer 15 is closed, the respective canister 32, 43, 44 is inserted into the respective receptacle 29, 30, 31 in such a way that the respective connection piece 46, 47, 48 slides under the respective connection piece 53. In this case, the respective connection piece 53 in the Fig. 3 pushed back against the spring 54 back, and so the locking of the connecting pieces 53 in the connection heads 37, 38, 39 dissolved. After complete reaching their collection position in the receptacles 29, 30, 31 are the canisters 32, 43, 44 then each again in such a way below the connection heads 37, 38, 39 that the respective associated connection pieces 53 centered in the nozzle 46, 47, 48th are arranged, wherein the sealing surfaces 55 in each case at the upper edge of the nozzle 46, 47, 48 loaded by the springs 54 complete. In this collection position, the canisters 32, 43, 44 are again in contact with the sensors 40, 41, 42, so that a further fill level monitoring can take place here and the blocking of the lines 34, 35, 36 in the connection heads 37, 38, 39 is canceled.

After closing the drawer 15, the contact switch 33 is triggered beyond. By means of the contact switch 33, the operational readiness for a safe collecting can be displayed, for example, by means of a signal light not tracked in the figures. But it is also possible to couple the contact switch 33 with a siren, which in an open state of the drawer 15 or in a not fully closed state, a warning signal may be supported by an optical warning signal to indicate that a safe collection of hazardous substances in not in this condition is possible. But it can also be the lines 34, 35, 36 are closed with the existing valves. <B><u> REFERENCE LIST: </ u></b> 10 countertop 34 management 11 frame 35 management 12 tabletop 36 management 13 cabinet 37 connection head 14 casing 38 connection head 15 abstract 39 connection head 16 rear wall 40 sensor 17 water basin 41 sensor 18 water basin 42 sensor 19 funnel 43 canister 20 funnel 44 canister 21 funnel 45 tub 22 shut-off valve 46 Support 23 shut-off valve 47 Support 24 shut-off valve 48 Support 25 flap 49 admission 26 flap 50 admission 27 flap 51 admission 28 inner space 52 management 29 admission 53 connector 30 admission 54 feather 31 admission 55 sealing surface 32 canister 56 insertion 33 contact switch 57 insertion

Claims (15)

1. Device for the collection of liquid wastes, in particular hazardous substances, with a collecting container (32, 43, 44) that has a collecting opening for the wastes, and with a connection piece (53) that cooperates with the collecting opening and has a filling opening for filling the wastes into the collecting container (32, 43, 44), wherein the filling opening is connected with a pipe (34, 35, 36) for the wastes, characterised in that the connection piece (53) is designed as a quick closure that causes the connection piece (53) to automatically connect to the collecting container (32, 43, 44) when the collecting container (32, 43, 44) is being set up in a collection position, the quick closure possesses a connecting head (37, 38, 39) in which the connection piece (53) is arranged to be moveable in a direction of closure, and the connection piece (53) is resiliently pre-stressed in the direction of closure.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that provision is made to lock the connection piece (53) in the connecting head (37, 38, 39) in a backwardly moved position away from the direction of closure, in particular with a mechanical shut-off of the pipe (34, 35, 36), preferably in the connecting head (37, 38, 39).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that when the collecting container (32, 43, 44) is being set up in the collection position the connection piece (53) is moved backwards against the pre-stressed spring force away from the direction of closure, in order that when the collection position is attained, a backward movement of the connection piece (53) is caused by the spring tension and thereby the connection piece automatically connects onto the collecting container (32, 43, 44).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection piece (53) possesses an, in particular conical, sealing face (55) that in the collection position cooperates with the collecting opening.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection piece (53) possesses a vent that is preferably connected to an extraction system.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by an adapter (29, 30, 31) attached to the connection piece (53) for receiving the collecting container (32, 43, 44) in the collecting position, wherein the adapter (29, 30, 31) preferably possesses an, in particular inclined, insertion section (56, 57) for inserting the collecting container (32, 43, 44) into the adapter (29, 30, 31).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a filling level sensor (40, 41, 42) assigned to the collecting position, wherein the collecting container (32, 43, 44), on being positioned in the collecting position, is preferably arranged above or below the filling level sensor (40, 41, 42).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the filling level sensor (40, 41, 42) capacitively measures the filling level or is designed as an ultrasound sensor (40, 41, 42), which is preferably integrally designed with a coupling element, in particular with a gel pad.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the collecting container (32, 43, 44) and the connection piece (53) are arranged in the collecting position in a collecting area (28), wherein the collecting area (28) is arranged in a base cabinet (13) beneath a work surface (12).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that an extraction system is provided for the collecting area (28).
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a discharge (15) with preferably a plurality of receivers (49, 50, 51) for collecting containers (32, 43, 44) and/or by a pan (45), preferably associated with the discharge (15), in particular for hazardous substances, wherein the pan (45) is particularly preferably height adjustable.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterised in that the collecting container (32, 43, 44) is positioned in the collecting position by inserting the discharge (15) by means of adapters (29, 30, 31) for each collecting container (32, 43, 44), in particular, the adapter (29, 30, 31) possesses two insertion sections (56, 57).
13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a nozzle for the waste, in particular designed as a funnel (19, 20, 21), which is connected to the pipe (34, 35, 36), wherein preferably a non-return valve (22, 23, 24) is provided and/or the nozzle (19, 20, 21) is in particular sealable with a preferably spring loaded cover (25, 26, 27).
14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a modular configuration with a plurality of collecting containers (32, 43, 44) and a plurality of connection pieces (53).
15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by an assembly in an accessible fume hood.

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