EP3630207A2

EP3630207A2 - Containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products

Info

Publication number: EP3630207A2
Application number: EP18732923.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francesco Costa
Original assignee: Icos Pharma SpA
Current assignee: Icos Pharma SpA
Priority date: 2017-05-26
Filing date: 2018-05-25
Publication date: 2020-04-08
Also published as: WO2018216045A3; WO2018216045A2; IT201700057779A1

Abstract

Containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, comprising a plurality of containing elements (16) for the loose products and at least a first hydraulic circuit (15) to feed at least a treatment fluid into said containing elements (16); said first hydraulic circuit (15) is fluidically connected to delivery means (41, 42, 43, 44) of the treatment fluid to the containing elements (16); the delivery means (41, 42, 43, 44) of the treatment fluid are configured to deliver the treatment fluid on the surface of the containing elements (16) in at least one direction (U) suitable to create a swirling and turbulent motion in the treatment fluid, so as to substantially keep the loose products contained in said containing elements (16) in suspension and moving in the treatment fluid.

Description

"CONTAINING DEVICE FOR A TREATMENT MACHINE, IN PARTICULAR FOR WASHING AND/OR STERILIZING LOOSE PRODUCTS" FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a containing device for loose products suitable for a treatment machine, for example washing and/or sterilizing said loose products, and usable, for example, in the pharmaceutical, medical, hospital or food field, or other.

The loose products can be, for example, small size objects, for example with sizes comprised between about 2 mm and about 20 mm, such as small capsules or spheres for bacterial cultures, small glass spheres usable in the pharmaceutical field, but also parts, such as pins or suchlike, of instruments or other objects usable in particular in said fields.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need is known in fields such as the pharmaceutical, hospital, medical or other fields, for example the food industry, to treat, such as for example to wash and/or sterilize, loose products or objects, in particular small objects or loose products, such as those listed above by way of example.

The washing of the loose products can take place, for example, manually in suitable trays and using water, generally without the addition of particular additives. At the end of the washing operation, which can also be divided into several steps, the treated products must be subjected to a drying process, which in general is very long and often not very effective.

There are also machines for washing and/or sterilizing objects, provided with a watertight treatment chamber, delimited by walls, in which a rotating drum receives the products to be treated on a loading side, washes and/or sterilizes them during a treatment cycle, and then discharges them, from the same loading side or from a different discharge side.

The rotating drums of these machines can be partitioned by means of a multiplicity of containing devices, such as for example angular containing sectors, each able to contain, with each operating cycle, a desired quantity of loose products to be treated. The containing devices can be, for example, in the form of baskets, so as to guarantee an effective washing and/or sterilization treatment.

Among the loose products treated in said machines, it is possible, for example, to provide caps for closing test tubes intended to contain substances to be subjected to laboratory analysis, closing caps for vials of drugs or generally for containers of medicines, or small instruments or objects used in operating theaters or laboratories.

The products treated in such machines can be inserted into the rotating drum by means of containing bags permeable to water and air or suchlike, or they can be inserted directly into the containing sectors of the rotating drum.

Some types of apparatuses and containers for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing objects known in the art are described for example in documents EP- A-2881062, EP-A-3072532, EP-A-559466, DE-B-102005033618, WO-A- 2004/000090, WO-A-2009/041899 and US-A-5431294.

These known apparatuses and containers, however, are not suitable for the treatment of small size products or objects, for example with sizes comprised between about 2 mm and about 20 mm, both due to the nature of the machine itself and to the type of apparatuses and devices for containing objects in such apparatuses.

The treatment of such small products, in fact, requires a washing and/or sterilization process that is not too lively or agitated, in order to guarantee that the surfaces of the objects are suitably washed and dried, preferably preventing the reciprocal contact of the objects during the washing operation and also trying to limit the contact of the objects with the parts of the washing machine. The drying process of these objects, as mentioned above, is an operation that can also be complex, delicate and long.

In particular, apparatuses or containers known and described also in the prior art documents above do not allow, among other things, to generate in the treatment fluid of the objects a suitable swirling and turbulent motion, that is, a motion such as to substantially keep the loose products in suspension and in movement in the treatment fluid.

Moreover, in these known apparatuses and/or containers there is often an excessive reciprocal contact between the objects to be treated and/or parts of the treatment apparatus or container itself.

Other limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will be clear to a person of skill after reading the remaining part of the present description with reference to the drawings and the description of the embodiments that follow, although it is clear that the description of the state of the art connected to the present description must not be considered an admission that what is described here is already known from the state of the prior art.

There is therefore a need to perfect a device for containing loose products for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing the loose products, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is therefore a containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, in particular small objects or products, for example from about 2 mm to about 20 mm, which guarantees an effective and complete treatment cycle of the loose products.

One purpose of the present invention is also a containing device provided with a series of containing elements for the loose products made in such a way as to confer on the treatment fluid of the loose products that enter into the containing elements a swirling and turbulent motion, so as to substantially keep the loose products contained in the containing elements in suspension and moving in the treatment fluid.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, which also guarantees an effective and rapid drying process of the loose objects or products treated.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, which allows an effective treatment of the products or objects and which advantageously limits the reciprocal contacts between the objects to be treated and/or parts of the treatment device itself.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, which is compact and easily transportable in a treatment machine for loose objects or products.

Another purpose of the present invention is to prov ide a containing element, in the form of a tray, plate or suchlike, which can be used in particular in the containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, and which allows an effective treatment of small objects or products.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and perfect a method for treating loose products in which the containing device for loose products and the containing element are used effectively.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, one object of the present invention is a containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, comprising a plurality of containing elements for the loose products and at least a first hydraulic circuit to feed at least a treatment fluid into the containing elements.

According to one aspect of the invention the containing elements comprise: at least a first tray provided with a collector fluidically connectable to said first hydraulic circuit by means of at least a tubular element of the first hydraulic circuit; the collector comprising at least a nozzle to deliver the treatment fluid in a direction having at least one tangential component; and

at least a second tray in which the loose products are positioned, positionable above said first tray; the second tray is provided with slits for the passage of the treatment fluid arriving from said first tray;

the first tray, the collector and the at least one nozzle are suitable to create a swirling and turbulent motion in the treatment fluid, so as to substantially keep the loose products contained in the containing elements in suspension and moving in the treatment fluid.

The collector can be positioned in a radial direction of the first tray and is provided, on opposite sides with respect to the center of the first tray, with nozzles suitable to deliver the treatment fluid in the direction having said one tangential component.

Preferably, the slits can be arc-shaped and develop from the center to the periphery of the second tray, in a sense concordant with the direction of the swirling and turbulent motion of the treatment fluid arriving from the first tray.

Between the first tray and the second tray of the containing element an interspace is made to contain and discharge the treatment fluid.

The first hydraulic circuit can comprise at least a connection element, suitable to selectively allow the treatment fluid for the loose products or compressed air to enter into the first hydraulic circuit.

The containing device can comprise at least one drying unit connectable to a second hydraulic circuit provided with delivery elements located in proximity to the containing elements where the loose products are positioned.

The second hydraulic circuit can be fluidically connected to the first hydraulic circuit for the delivery of the treatment fluid.

Another object of the invention is a containing element for loose products, usable in a containing device and comprising:

at least a first tray provided with a collector fluidically connectable to a first hydraulic circuit by means of at least a tubular element of the first hydraulic circuit; the collector comprising at least a nozzle to deliver the treatment fluid in a direction having at least one tangential component; and

at least a second tray in which the loose products are positioned positionable above said first tray; the second tray is provided with slits for the passage of the treatment fluid arriving from said first tray,

the first tray, the collector and at least one nozzle are suitable to create a swirling and turbulent motion in the treatment fluid, so as to substantially keep the loose products contained in the containing elements in suspension and moving in the treatment fluid.

Another object of the invention is a machine for treating, in particular washing and/or sterilizing, loose products, comprising at least a containing device for loose products as defined above.

Another object of the invention is a method to treat, in particular wash and/or sterilize, loose products, comprising at least a step of feeding a treatment fluid to a containing device of loose products provided with a plurality of containing elements where loose products to be treated are positioned; generating a swirling and turbulent motion of the treatment fluid delivered to the containing elements, so that the loose products inside the containing elements remain substantially in suspension and in movement in the treatment fluid.

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and attached claims. The drawings, which are integrated and form part of the present description, show some forms of embodiment of the present invention, and together with the description, are intended to describe the principles of the disclosure.

The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics described in the specification or in the attached dependent claims, can be the object of divisional applications.

It is understood that any aspect or characteristic that is discovered, during the patenting process, to be already known, shall not be claimed and shall be the object of a disclaimer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of the containing device for loose products according to the invention, in an inactive position, for example inserted into a treatment machine, for example for washing and/or sterilizing loose products; - fig. 2 is a schematic view from the loading side of a treatment machine for loose products according to the invention;

- fig. 3 is a front view of the present containing device in the inactive position of fig. 1 and fig. 2;

- fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the present containing device in an active work position;

- fig. 5 is a view in lateral elevation of the present containing device in the active work position;

- fig. 6 is a section view, considered along the lines VI- VI of fig. 3, of one of the containing elements of the containing device for loose products;

- fig. 7 is a three-dimensional view of an entrance and containing part of a treatment fluid in the containing element;

- fig. 8 is a plan view of the containing part shown in fig. 7.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative. With reference to the attached drawings, fig. 1 shows a device 10 for containing loose products, for example of the type mentioned in the preamble, that is, loose products with sizes comprised between about 2 mm and about 20 mm, such as small capsules or spheres for bacterial cultures, small glass spheres usable in the pharmaceutical field, but also parts of instruments such as pins or suchlike, or other objects usable in particular in said fields.

The containing device 10 comprises a support frame 1 1 provided with sliding means 12, suitable to allow the insertion and removal of said device 10 into and from a machine 20 for treating loose products, for example for washing and/or sterilizing loose products.

The support frame 1 1 can be made by means of a series of tubular elements 19 substantially directed in a longitudinal direction L and a series of tubular elements 21 substantially directed in a transverse direction T.

The treatment machine 20, shown schematically in fig. 2, comprises a loading aperture 13, which can be closed watertight by means of a sliding door or suchlike, not shown in the drawings.

The device 10 for containing loose products is put inside a treatment chamber 14 made inside the treatment machine 20.

The containing device 10 comprises at least a first hydraulic circuit 15 in which at least one fluid for treating the loose products flows toward a plurality of containing elements 16 of the loose products.

We wish to clarify that here and hereafter in the description, the term "hydraulic circuit" means an assembly of tubular elements fluidically connected to each other and suitable to convey and/or deliver a fluid, for example a treatment fluid such as water or suchlike, but also drying air, compressed air or other.

The containing elements 16 can, for example, be in the form of trays, plates, pads or suchlike and will be described in detail below.

The containing elements 16 are, in this example, aligned in two longitudinal rows, but naturally the number and disposition of the containing elements 16 can be different from what is shown here.

In general, the present containing device 10 can comprise a plurality of containing elements 16, which can be disposed in the most suitable manner, for example according to the kind of treatment required for the loose products, the machine in which the treatment is performed and the sizes of the loose products or objects, or other.

The first hydraulic circuit 15 can comprise, for example, a series of first tubular elements 17, disposed for example in a horizontal direction above the frame 1 1.

The first tubular elements 17 are fluidically connected to a series of second tubular elements 18, directed for example in a substantially vertical direction and suitable to supply the containing elements 16 of the loose products with the treatment fluid.

Preferably, one of the second tubular elements 18 is provided for each of the containing elements 16.

The treatment fluid, for example water, is fed to the first hydraulic circuit 15 by means of a suitable connection 22, which can be connected to pump means or suchlike provided inside the treatment machine 20.

The connection 22 can alternatively be connected to means to deliver compressed air inside the first hydraulic circuit 15, to carry out purging, cleaning or similar operations.

The compressed air delivery means can be provided on board the treatment machine 20, therefore a unit to control and regulate the functioning of the machine 20 can decide which treatment fluid to send to the first hydraulic circuit 15, that is, water or suchlike for the washing and/or sterilization of the loose products inside the containing elements 16, or compressed air, for cleaning, purging or other operations.

The first hydraulic circuit 15, which is positioned substantially below the containing elements 16 of the loose products, can be connected to a second hydraulic circuit 23 to deliver the treatment fluid over the containing elements.

The second hydraulic circuit 23 can comprise, for example, a main tubular element 24 from which further branches 25 branch off.

At the end of the branches 25 delivery elements 26 are disposed above the containing elements 16, to deliver the treatment fluid, for example holed elements of a hemispherical or other shape.

The second hydraulic circuit 23 can be fluidically connected, in a fixed or removable manner, to the first hydraulic circuit 15, by means of a tubular element 27 for example, such as a flexible pipe or suchlike, schematically shown in broken lines.

To this purpose, the first hydraulic circuit 15 comprises a branch 28, 28' from which a first connection element 29 branches off for one end of the tubular element 27. The other end of the tubular element 27 can be connected to a second connection element 30 of the second hydraulic circuit 23.

The branch 28 can comprise another connection element 31 , suitable to allow the connection of another tubular element 32, for example a flexible pipe or suchlike, to connect the first hydraulic circuit 15 with a drying unit 33.

The branch 28 can be located on the side of the first hydraulic circuit 15 where the connection 22 is positioned, or it can be positioned on the opposite side, see the branch 28' in fig. 3.

The drying unit 33 substantially comprises a pipe 37 with on one side an air inlet mouth 34, for example for hot and filtered air, to be sent to the second hydraulic circuit 23.

In particular, the end of the pipe 37 of the drying unit 33 opposite the end where the mouth 34 is made is connected to the tubular element 24 of the second hydraulic circuit 23, so as to be able to distribute the air to the various branches 25.

The other tubular element 32 is connected to the pipe 37 of the drying unit 33 in correspondence with a connection element 38 near to the inlet mouth 34.

The first hydraulic circuit 15, see fig. 4, comprises another connection element 35 for another tubular element 36 to connect with the pipe 37 of the drying unit 33.

This other tubular element 36 is connected to the pipe 37 of the drying unit 33, preferably in an intermediate zone thereof, so as to carry out a suitable rinsing with water or suchlike, or a suitable purging with compressed air.

From the comparison of fig. 1 with fig. 4 or of fig. 2 with fig. 5, it can be seen that the present containing device 10 can be positioned in at least a first inactive configuration, figs. 1 and 2, in which the second hydraulic circuit 23 is in a raised position with respect to the containing elements 16, and at least a second active position, in which the second hydraulic circuit 23 is lowered so that the branches 25 have the corresponding delivery elements 26 suitably close to the containing elements 16.

Preferably, in the active position of the containing device 10, the delivery elements 26 are positioned along a central axis Z of the containing elements 16. The inactive position of the containing device 10 is suitable to allow a convenient insertion of the loose products above the containing elements 16.

Moreover, the inactive position allows the convenient entry of the containing device 10 into the treatment chamber 14 through the aperture 13, since, in this position, the drying unit 33 is in a retracted position and contained substantially inside the overall bulk of the device 10.

To pass from the active position to the inactive position, the containing device 10 is provided with articulated means 39 connected on one side to the frame 1 1 and on the other side to the second hydraulic circuit 23.

The articulated means 39 can be driven by means of one or more levers 40 protruding externally from the containing device 10.

The levers 40 are preferably disposed in a plane, both in the active position of the containing device 10, fig. 4, and also in the inactive position, fig. 1.

In this example, therefore, a rotation of the levers 40 of about 180° will determine, in one direction, the passage of the containing device 10 from the active position to the inactive position, hence with the second hydraulic circuit 23 raised, and in the other direction the passage of the containing device 10 from the inactive position to the active position, hence with the second hydraulic circuit 23 lowered.

Each of the containing elements 16, which as we said can be for example in the form of a tray or suchlike, comprises a first containing tray 41 , fluidically connected to the second tubular element 18 of the first hydraulic circuit 15 and, for example, with a substantially circular shape. Advantageously, the first tray 41 can be defined by a radius R.

The first tray 41 comprises a collector 42 on the bottom, fluidically connected to the second tubular element 18 and provided with one or more nozzles 43 and 44 to deliver the treatment fluid.

Preferably, the second tubular element 18 is connected to the center of the collector 42 and in correspondence with the central axis Z of the first tray 41. The nozzles 43 and 44 are suitable to deliver the treatment fluid on the surface of the first tray 41 in a direction having at least one tangential component U, which is therefore substantially perpendicular to the radius R of the first tray 41.

The nozzles 43 and 44 thus create in the first tray 41 a swirling and turbulent motion of the treatment fluid in direction V.

The collector 42 is preferably directed from one side and the other with respect to the central axis Z of the first tray 41 along the diameter thereof: the nozzles 43 and 44 are disposed in a specular position, tilted with respect to the central axis Z, so that they have tangential components U directed in the same direction and in such a way as to accentuate the swirling effect.

Substantially, therefore, with respect to the center of the first tray 41, a first series of nozzles 43 is located on one side 53 of the collector 42 and the other series of nozzles 44 is located on the opposite side 54 of the collector 42.

Preferably and in such a way as to create uniformity in the swirling motion, the number of nozzles 43 located on the side 53 of the collector 42 is equal to the number of nozzles 44 located on the side 54 of the collector 42.

As can be understood, in fact, in order to generate a swirling motion of the treatment fluid, a single nozzle 43 or 44 could be sufficient, even of different sizes from what is shown, located between the center of the first tray 41, hence the central axis Z, and the periphery of the first tray 41.

The swirling flow in direction V will be created, as we said, if the direction of the flow of treatment fluid exiting from the nozzle or nozzles comprises a tangential component U, that is, substantially perpendicular to the radius R of the first tray 41.

Preferably, however, two series of nozzles 43 and 44 are provided, disposed as shown, so as to generate a swirling motion of the treatment fluid of suitable intensity and uniformity.

The periphery of the first tray 41 comprises a raised annular edge 45, such that the first tray 41 can contain an adequate quantity of treatment fluid.

The containing element 16 comprises a second tray 46, suitable to rest on the first tray 41, provided with a respective annular edge 47.

The loose products to be treated are positioned on the second tray 46, for example of a substantially circular shape. The second tray 46 is mobile and can be removed from the containing element 16, while the first tray 41 is substantially fixed and, as seen, connected to the first hydraulic circuit 15.

The second tray 46 comprises a series of slits 48, 48', suitable to allow the passage of the treatment fluid arriving from the first tray 41.

The slits 48 and 48' are also suitable to allow the discharge of the treatment fluid, in a drying step of the loose products.

As can be seen, the sizes of the slits 48 and 48' can be different and disposed alternately one with respect to the other, in order to alternate the swirling effects of the treatment fluid on the loose products.

The slits 48 and 48' are preferably arched and are directed in accordance with the direction V of the swirling flow of the treatment fluid, so as substantially to amplify the swirling action generated in the first tray 41.

In particular, the arched slits 48 and 48' develop, from the center to the periphery of the second tray 46, in the direction V of the treatment fluid which circulates in a vortex.

Therefore, between the second tray 46 and the first tray 41, an interspace 49 is substantially made in which the treatment fluid is collected and which allows a suitable drainage thereof from the second tray 46, during the drying step of the loose products.

The second tray 46 is also provided with a series of pegs 50 (see fig. 3 for example), protruding radially and suitable to engage, by means of a slight rotation of the second tray 46 around the central axis Z and with respect to the first tray 41, in corresponding abutments 51, made for example on the annular edge 45 of the first tray 41 (see figs. 7 and 8 for example).

The pegs 50 engaged in the corresponding abutments 51 guarantee greater stability of the second tray 46 during the treatment of the loose products.

For example, it can be hypothesized that the abutments 51, see fig. 7 for example, are disposed equidistant on the annular edge 45 of the first tray 41, so as to accommodate corresponding pegs 50 located equidistant on the annular edge 47 of the second tray 46.

The second tray 46, which is mobile, can comprise suitable handles 52 in order to be removed from the first tray 41 and rotated with respect to the latter at the moment when it is positioned.

In one functioning mode of the present containing device 10 and the treatment machine 20, it can be hypothesized that in the first instance the containing device 10 is positioned in an inactive configuration, that is to say with the second hydraulic circuit 23 raised with respect to the first hydraulic circuit 15 and to the containing elements 16.

In this situation, preferably, the loose products or objects to be treated are positioned in the containing elements 16, that is, in the second trays 46, which can already be positioned on the corresponding first trays 41 and fluidically connected to the first hydraulic circuit 15.

The containing device 10 is positioned inside the treatment chamber 14 of the machine 20 and, therefore, by means of one of the levers 40 located near the aperture 13 of the machine 20, it is taken into the active position, then the second hydraulic circuit 23 is lowered and the drying unit 33 extended.

Before or after this lowering step of the second hydraulic circuit 23, the first hydraulic circuit 15 is connected, by means of the connection 22, to a hydraulic circuit inside the machine and suitable to selectively supply the treatment fluid, for example water for washing and sterilizing the loose products, or compressed air for purging and cleaning the tubular elements of the hydraulic circuits, or other.

When the washing cycle is started, a suitable quantity of treatment fluid, for example water, is sent from the first hydraulic circuit 15 to the first tubular elements 17 and then to the second tubular elements 18, below the first trays 41 of the containing elements 16.

As we said above, thanks to the nozzles 43 and 44 of the collector 42, the treatment fluid assumes a swirling flow in direction V, so as to create turbulence in the treatment fluid, which passes through the slits 48 and 48' of the first tray 41.

The slits 48 and 48' advantageously amplify the swirling motion of the treatment fluid around the loose products.

In the interspace 49 made between the first tray 41 and the second tray 46, therefore, a certain quantity of treatment fluid is always present, which is subjected to the swirling motion. Thanks to the swirling and turbulent flow of the fluid which passes through the slits 48 and 48', the loose products located above the second tray 46 are kept substantially in suspension and in movement with limited reciprocal contacts, so as to be subjected to an effective treatment, for example a washing treatment. Without this swirling and turbulent flow of the treatment fluid, the loose products would substantially always rest on the bottom of the second tray 46 and the reciprocal contacts would be greater.

The treatment fluid is delivered to the first hydraulic circuit 15 with a pressure and a flow rate such as to allow the suspension and movement of the loose products in the treatment fluid and a certain constant overflow of the treatment fluid above the annular edge 47 of the second tray 46: the treatment fluid which overflows from the second tray 46 carries away the impurities removed from the surface of the loose products.

The pressure at which the treatment fluid is supplied to the first hydraulic circuit 15 can be, for example, about 1-2 bar.

While the treatment fluid overflows from the second tray 46, naturally, the loose products to be treated continue to remain in a situation of suspension and movement in the treatment fluid, in a swirling and turbulent condition.

It is also possible to alternate washing and discharge cycles of the treatment fluid, in which each washing step can last for a few minutes.

During the washing steps, the treatment fluid, for example water, is also sent to the second hydraulic circuit 23 through the tubular element 27 and to the pipe 37 of the drying unit 33 through the tubular elements 32 and 36, in order to keep these parts of the device 10 constantly rinsed.

The treatment fluid also comes out from the delivery elements 26 of the second hydraulic circuit 23, contributing to a better treatment of the loose products.

When the washing step is finished, the loose products contained in the second trays 46 of the containing elements 16 are dried.

In order to proceed with drying, a stream of air, preferably hot and filtered air, is sent by means of a fan or suchlike provided on board the machine 20 to the inlet mouth 34 of the drying unit 33.

From here the air is sent along the pipe 37 and therefore mainly to the second hydraulic circuit 23, from where it arrives to the loose products through the delivery elements 26. The delivery elements 26, for example comprising semi- spherical elements provided with holes, guarantee an effective drying of the loose products contained on the second tray 46.

Advantageously, by means of the present drying unit 33, it is possible to reduce by about a third the duration of the traditional drying steps of the loose products. The drying step can last for example about 30 minutes.

When the treatment machine 20 is not operative for treatment or drying cycles, it is possible to deliver compressed air inside the hydraulic circuits 15 and 23 and inside the drying unit 33 through the connection 22, as explained previously.

Advantageously, during the discharge step of the treatment fluid and/or in the drying steps of the loose products, the treatment fluid, for example water, advantageously flows from the interspace 49, thus leaving the second upper tray 46 dry, where the loose products are contained.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Containing device for a treatment machine, in particular for washing and/or sterilizing loose products, comprising a plurality of containing elements (16) for the loose products and at least a first hydraulic circuit (15) to feed at least a treatment fluid into said containing elements (16), said containing device being characterized in that said containing elements (16) comprise:

- at least a first tray (41) provided with a collector (42) fluidically connectable to said first hydraulic circuit (15) by means of at least a tubular element (18) of said first hydraulic circuit (15), said collector (42) comprising at least a nozzle (43, 44) to deliver the treatment fluid in a direction having at least one tangential component (U); and

- at least a second tray (46) in which the loose products are positioned above said first tray (41), said second tray (46) being provided with slits (48, 48') for the passage of the treatment fluid arriving from said first tray (41),

said first tray (41), said collector (42) and said at least one nozzle (43, 44) being suitable to create a swirling and turbulent motion (V) in the treatment fluid, so as to substantially keep the loose products contained in said containing elements (16) in suspension and moving in the treatment fluid.

2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said collector (42) is directed in a radial direction ( ) of said first tray (41) and is provided, on opposite sides (53,

54) with respect to a central axis (Z) of said first tray (41), with nozzles (43, 44) suitable to deliver the treatment fluid in at least said direction having said at least one tangential component (U).

3. Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said slits (48, 48') are arc- shaped and develop from the center to the periphery of the second tray (46), in a sense concordant with the direction of the swirling and turbulent motion (V) of the treatment fluid arriving from said first tray (41).

4. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that between the first tray (41) and the second tray (46) of the containing element (16) an interspace (49) is made to contain and discharge the treatment fluid.

5. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first hydraulic circuit (15) comprises at least a connection element (22), suitable to selectively allow the treatment fluid or compressed air to enter into said first hydraulic circuit (15).

6. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one drying unit (33) connectable to a second hydraulic circuit (23) provided with delivery elements (26) located in proximity to said containing elements (16) where the loose products are positioned.

7. Device as in claim 6, characterized in that said second hydraulic circuit (23) is fluidically connected to said first hydraulic circuit (15) for the delivery of the treatment fluid by means of one or more tubular elements (27, 32, 36).

8. Containing element for loose products, usable in a containing device as in any of the claims from 1 to 7, said containing element being characterized in that it comprises:

- at least a second tray (46) in which the loose products are positioned positionable above said first tray (41), said second tray (46) being provided with slits (48, 48') for the passage of the treatment fluid arriving from said first tray (41),

9. Machine for treating, in particular washing and/or sterilizing, loose products, characterized in that it comprises at least a containing device (10) for loose products as in any of the claims from 1 to 7.

10. Method to treat, in particular wash and/or sterilize, loose products, characterized in that it comprises at least a step of feeding a treatment fluid to a containing device (10) of loose products as in any of the claims from 1 to 7 and provided with a plurality of containing elements (16) as in claim 8 where loose products to be treated are positioned; generating a swirling and turbulent motion of the treatment fluid delivered to said containing elements (16), so that the loose products inside the containing elements (16) remain substantially in suspension and moving in the treatment fluid.