EP2646062A1

EP2646062A1 - Handling liquids

Info

Publication number: EP2646062A1
Application number: EP11794219.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeremy Turner
Original assignee: Tristel PLC
Current assignee: Tristel PLC
Priority date: 2010-12-01
Filing date: 2011-11-30
Publication date: 2013-10-09
Also published as: GB201020345D0; GB2486010A; HK1171713A1; WO2012073021A1; GB2486010B

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for handling liquids (80) comprises a vessel (4) for containing a liquid (80), a cap (6) having a liquid passage (56) for flow of liquid into or out of the vessel (4), and a vent tube (62) which in use is disposed within the vessel (4) between the cap (6) and a location near the base of the vessel remote from the cap; the cap further comprising : a first vent passage (58) for fluid communication between the inside of the vessel (4) and the outside of the apparatus, a second vent passage (60) for fluid communication between the vent tube (62) and the outside of the apparatus, and a switch member (10) which is movable between a first position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage (56) and the first vent passage (58) to be open and the second vent passage (60) to be closed, and a second position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage (56) and the second vent passage (60) to be open and the first vent passage (58) to be closed.

Description

HANDLING LIQUIDS

The present invention relates to apparatus for handling liquids, and to a sterilisation apparatus including the liquid-handling apparatus.

When handling liquids, particularly bulk liquids which are corrosive, irritant or toxic, it is desirable to do so without the operator coming into contact with the liquids and without airlocks fornning, which may impede or prevent transfer from one vessel to another.

An example of apparatus in which it is desirable to handle liquids without skin contact or airlock formation is apparatus for sterilising items of medical equipment such as endoscopes using a liquid sterilant such as glutaraldehyde. Endoscopes must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised after use on one patient, before use on another patient. A number of washer-disinfectors are known for carrying out such cleaning and sterilising procedures.

WO 2008/020770 discloses sterilisation apparatus which includes a tray for receiving an item to be sterilised, and a drain having a valve which is operated by an electronic controller. The controller is configured to operate opening and closing of the drain valve to control exposure time of equipment to sterilisation fluid in the tray. The controller can also keep a log of various parameters relating to sterilisation cycles, including sterilisation times and dates, and details of equipment and operators. To sterilise an item of medical equipment, the item is placed in a sterilisation compartment of the tray, and the compartment is filled with a sterilising liquid. After a predetermined time, the controller opens a valve to allow sterilant to drain from the sterilising compartment.

It is desirable to be able to fill and drain the sterilising compartment, and to be able later to re-use the drained sterilising liquid in the sterilisation compartment, without the liquid coming into contact with skin or clothing, and without airlock formation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention are specified in the independent claims. Preferred features are specified in the dependent claims.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention enables an operator to handle a liquid without coming into contact with it. The apparatus reduces or eliminates airlocks both when filling and when emptying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of sterilisation apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of a cap of an apparatus for handling liquids in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

Figures 3-5 are views of the cap of Figure 2 from different angles;

Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 5;

Figures 7a-7c are views of parts of the cap of Figure 2, showing the relationship between the valve tongue and base plate in different configurations;

Figures 8a and 8b show apparatus for handling liquids in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 9 and 10 are part-sectional views of an embodiment of a locking mechanism in the cap of Figure 2;

Figure 1 1 shows the valve tongue of the cap of Figure 2, with the locking member in two alternative positions; and

Figure 12 shows the vessel of the apparatus of Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The sterilisation apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a tray 14, apparatus 2 for handling liquids, and at least one support bracket 24 for supporting the apparatus 2. The tray 14 in this embodiment is formed from a moulded plastics material and has a sterilisation compartment 28 for receiving an item to be sterilised; for example an item of medical equipment such as an endoscope. The sterilisation compartment 28 is surrounded by an overflow compartment 30 to allow it to be filled without risk of spillage from the tray 14. The sterilisation compartment 28 has a drain outlet 18 which in this embodiment is configured to be opened and closed by a valve (not shown) controlled by an electronic controller 16. The tray may optionally be provided with a lid. The tray 14 and controller 16 are known per se from WO 2008/020770. In the illustrated embodiment, two identical apparatuses 2 for handling liquids are used. One is positioned above the tray 14 for filling the sterilisation compartment 28 with sterilising liquid via a connector hose 12 and fill nozzle 20; the other is positioned below the tray 14 for receiving drained sterilising liquid from the drain outlet 18.

Each apparatus 2 comprises a vessel 4 for containing a liquid, a cap 6 having a liquid passage for flow of liquid into or out of the vessel, and a switch member 10 which is movable selectively to open or close the liquid passage and vent passages within the cap 6 to reduce or prevent airlocks, as will be described in more detail later.

In this embodiment each vessel 4 is a flagon made of a moulded plastics material such as HDPE. Each vessel 4 has an integrally-moulded front handle 8 and an external circumferential groove 25 which co-operates with a flagon bracket 26 on the support bracket 24. With the generally parallel arms of the flagon bracket 26 engaged in the groove 25, the flagon body 4 is securely mounted on the support bracket 24. In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1 , a lower support bracket 24b is bolted to the underside of the tray 14. An upper support bracket 24a is secured to a robust side bracket 23 which is bolted to the underside of the tray 14. It will be understood that various bracket arrangements may be employed to support the flagon bodies 4 and various fixing means well known per se to those skilled in the art of engineering may be employed to secure the or each bracket 24 relative to the tray 14.

After an item in the sterilisation compartment 28 has been sterilised for a predetermined time, the controller 16 opens the drain outlet 18 and sterilising liquid (for example glutaraldehyde) is transferred under gravity from the sterilisation compartment 28 to the lower apparatus 2. The two apparatuses 2 may then be disconnected from the hoses 12, swapped over, and the hoses 12 reconnected so that the full flagon 4 is suspended above the tray 14 and the empty flagon 4 is positioned below the tray 14. It will be appreciated that a single apparatus 2 could be used. The apparatus 2 with an initially full flagon 4 is positioned above the tray 14 to fill the sterilisation compartment. While sterilisation takes place, the emptied apparatus 2 may then be removed from the bracket 24a and switched to the lower position shown in Figure 1 , on the support bracket 24b, and connected to the drain outlet 18. After draining of the sterilisation compartment, the now-full apparatus 2 is returned to its 'fill' position above the tray. Underneath the flagon 4, a base handle 9 (Figure 8b) is provided in this embodiment, to facilitate lifting of the flagon 4 when the flagon 4 is upside down.

Referring to Figures 3-5, an embodiment of the assembled cap 6 is illustrated. The cap 6 has a top member 36 with a spout 32 for ingress and egress of liquids, and a screw thread 37 for securing the cap 6 to the flagon 4 by engagement with a corresponding screw thread 27 on the neck 29 of the flagon 4 (Figure 12). A base plate 50 in the cap 6 has a liquid passage 56, a first vent passage 58, and a second vent passage 60. A vent tube 62 is fluidly connected to the second vent passage 60 and is disposed between the base plate 56 and a location near the base of the flagon 4 remote from the cap 6. The switch member 10 is pivotable about a spindle 52 between a first position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage 56 and the first vent passage 58 to be open and the second vent passage 60 to be closed, and a second position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage 56 and the second vent passage 60 to be open and the first vent passage 58 to be closed.

Referring now to Figure 2, the cap 6 is assembled from the top member 36, base plate 50, top plate 72 and valve tongue 42, using suitable fixing means. The valve tongue 42 comprises a valve plate 44 which in this embodiment is integrally formed with the switch member 10 and a rotary bolt 46. The valve plate 44 is pivotally mounted on the spindle 52 between the base plate 50 and top plate 72. The switch member 10 is disposed through a front opening 70 in the top member 36 for operation by a user.

In this example the fixing means are threaded inserts 38 which are received in sockets 54 on the top member 36 and the base plate 50, and bolts 40 which have a screw-threaded shank and a head with a hexagon socket, which are screwed into the inserts 38. The base plate 50 is secured to the top plate 72 by nine bolts 40 which are disposed through holes 73 in the top plate, one of which bolts 40 is received in a socket in the spindle 52. The top member 36 is secured to the base plate 50 by three bolts 40. Many other suitable fixing means will be well known to those skilled in the engineering arts. O'-rings 34 are provided at each location where fluid openings are located and where a fluid-tight seal needs to be made.

The base plate 50 has a front flange 53 which has a cut-out or slot portion 55, for engagement with a corresponding stop tab 33 on an upper surface 31 of the flagon body (Figure 12). When the cap 6 is fully screwed on to the flagon body 4, engagement of the tab 33 in the slot 55 acts as a stopper so that accidental turning of the cap 6 relative to the flagon 4 is inhibited.

The top plate 72 has an upper vent opening 74 which communicates with the atmosphere via the front opening 70 in the top member 36. The top plate 72 also has an upper liquid opening 76 which is in register with the spout 32 and the liquid passage 56 in the base plate 50. The top plate 72 is provided with a moulded upper cage member 77 which in use co-operates with a lower cage member 79 to form a locking cage structure, the use of which will be described in more detail later.

The valve plate 44 has a pair of valve plate liquid openings 66, either of which can be brought into and out of alignment with the liquid passage 56. The valve plate 44 also has a first vent opening 68 and a second vent opening 69, which can be brought into and out of alignment with, respectively, the first vent passage 58 and the second vent passage 60 in the base plate 50. The valve plate 44 is provided with an arcuate slot 64 through which is disposed a rotation-limiting pin 61 on the base plate. In this example the pin 61 is structurally identical to the sockets 54 and serves as such a socket, but additionally serves to limit the extent to which the switch member 10 (and hence the valve plate 44) can be turned.

Referring now to Figure 7, different positions of the switch member 10 are illustrated.

In the first position (Figure 7a) and the second position (Figure 7b) one of the valve plate liquid openings 66 is aligned with the liquid passage 56 in the base plate 50. In either of these positions, liquid can pass into or out of the flagon 4 through the spout 32. In the first position, the first vent opening 68 in the valve plate 44 is aligned with the first vent passage 58 so that air in the headspace within the flagon 4 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere. With the apparatus 2 the right way up (with cap 6 at the top, Figure 8a) liquid 80 can drain into the flagon 4 through the spout 32, while air is displaced from the headspace through the first vent passage 58, thereby preventing airlocks and promoting controlled liquid transfer. The second vent passage 60 is closed by the valve plate 44 when the switch member 10 is in the first (drain) position.

In the second position (Figure 7b), the second vent opening 69 in the valve plate 44 is aligned with the second vent passage 60 so that the remote end of the vent tube 60 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere. With the apparatus 2 upside down (with cap 6 at the bottom, Figure 8b) liquid 80 is dispensed from the flagon 4 through the spout 32, while air enters the base of the flagon through the second vent passage 60 and vent tube 62, thereby preventing airlocks and promoting controlled liquid transfer. The first vent passage 58 is closed by the valve plate 44 when the switch member 10 is in the second (fill) position.

When the switch member 10 is moved to a third (closed) position (Figure 7C) which in this embodiment is intermediate between the first and second positions, the openings in the valve plate 44 are brought out of fluid communication with the passages in the base plate 50. The valve plate 44 obturates the liquid passage 56 and the first and second vent passages 58,60 in the base plate 50 and the inside of the flagon 4 is sealed off from the atmosphere. In the closed position, the apparatus 2 can be moved around without danger of leakage.

The invention provides apparatus for handling liquids while minimising or eliminating user contact with the liquid and airlocks during liquid transfer. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the apparatus 2 further comprises a lock mechanism for preventing movement of the switch member 10 to one of the first position and the second position. The lock mechanism is gravity-operated and comprises a locking member 78 (Figure 6), in this example a ball bearing, which is trapped within the cage structure defined by the upper 77 and lower 79 cage members. The locking member 78 is free to move axially under gravity between the two extreme positions shown in Figure 1 1 , but is substantially prevented from transverse movement relative to the axis by ribs 51 on the base plate 50 and on the underside of the top plate 72. The rotary bolt 46 on the valve plate 44 comprises a first bolt member 82 and a second bolt member 84. Each bolt member has a respective inward facing surface 86,88 facing towards the locking member 78. Each bolt member also has an arcuate groove 90 which is shaped to receive a projecting part of a rib 51 on the top plate 72 or the base plate 50. With the apparatus 2 in the 'fill' position where it will fill an external container (ie, with cap at the bottom) the locking member 78 drops under gravity to bear against the underside of the upper cage member 77 in the top plate 72. With the locking member in this position, the second bolt member 84 can be turned anticlockwise as viewed. Thus, the user can move the switch member from the third (closed) position to the second position in which the vent tube is open to atmosphere and the first vent passage is closed. The first bolt member 82 cannot be turned clockwise as shown in Figure 9 to any significant extent because its face 86 will bear against the locking member 78 which is prevented from transverse movement by a rib 51 . Thus, the switch member 1 0 cannot be moved to the first position when the apparatus 2 is upside down. This prevents a user from accidentally opening the first vent passage 56 at a time when liquid in the flagon would pass through it and create a potentially dangerous spillage.

When the apparatus is the right way up (Figure 10), the locking member drops into the lower cage member 79 in the base plate 50. Now, the first bolt member 82 is free to move anticlockwise as shown, but the second bolt member is prevented by the locking member 78 from moving clockwise as shown. Thus, the switch member 10 cannot be moved to the second position when the apparatus 2 is right way up. This prevents a user from accidentally closing the first vent passage 56 and opening the vent tube 62 to atmosphere, which could result in liquid being expelled to atmosphere through the vent tube when the flagon is being filled with liquid.

Although the invention has for convenience been illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment and that many changes and modifications may be introduced within the scope of the following claims. In particular, it will be appreciated that the valve plate which in the illustrated embodiment is rotary could alternatively be adjustable by translational motion between the first and second positions and the optional third position.

The articles 'a' and 'an' are used herein to mean 'at least one' unless the context otherwise requires.

Claims

1 . Apparatus for handling liquids, the apparatus comprising a vessel for containing a liquid, a cap having a liquid passage for flow of liquid into or out of the vessel, and a vent tube which in use is disposed within the vessel between the cap and a location near the base of the vessel remote from the cap; the cap further comprising:

a first vent passage for fluid communication between the inside of the vessel and the outside of the apparatus,

a second vent passage for fluid communication between the vent tube and the outside of the apparatus, and

a switch member which is movable between a first position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage and the first vent passage to be open and the second vent passage to be closed, and a second position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage and the second vent passage to be open and the first vent passage to be closed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the switch member is movable to a third position in which it causes or permits the liquid passage, the first vent passage and the second vent passage all to be closed so as to seal the inside of the vessel from atmosphere.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cap includes a base plate and a valve plate,

the base plate having disposed therein the liquid passage, the first vent passage and the second vent passage;

the valve plate mounted in relation to the base plate and formed with or connected to the switch member;

wherein movement of the switch member to the first position will move the valve plate and bring openings in the valve plate into alignment with the liquid passage and with the first vent passage but not with the second vent passage; and wherein movement of the switch member to the second position will move the valve plate and bring openings in the valve plate into alignment with the liquid passage and with the second vent passage but not with the first vent passage.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, wherein movement of the switch member to the third position will move the valve plate and bring open ings in the valve plate out of flu id commun ication with the liquid passage and the first and second vent passages.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a lock mechanism for preventing movement of the switch member to one of the first position and the second position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lock mechanism is gravity- operated so as automatically to prevent movement of the switch member to the first position when the apparatus is upside down with the cap below the vessel.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lock mechanism automatically prevents movement of the switch member to the second position when the apparatus is the right way up with the cap above the vessel.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the lock mechanism includes a locking member contained within a locking cage and free to move within the locking cage under gravity.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the locking member is a ball bearing.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising a first bolt member and a second bolt member which are laterally movable by movement of the switch member.

1 1 . Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein movement of the switch member to the first position is prevented by the locking member blocking movement of the first bolt member when the apparatus is upside down.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein movement of the switch member to the second position is prevented by the locking member blocking movement of the second bolt member when the apparatus is the right way up.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the first and second bolt members and the switch member are attached to or integrally formed with the valve plate.

14. Steril isation apparatus for steril ising items of med ical equ ipment, comprising:

a tray having a sterilisation compartment for receiving an item to be sterilised, and a drain outlet from the sterilisation compartment;

apparatus for handling liquids as specified in any preceding claim; and a first bracket for positioning the vessel so as to allow liquid from the vessel to fill the sterilisation compartment by flow under gravity when the switch member is in the second position.

15. Sterilisation apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a second bracket for positioning the vessel so as to allow liquid from the drain outlet to flow under gravity into the vessel when the switch member is in the first position.