EP3876810A1

EP3876810A1 - Cleaning and sanitization apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3876810A1
Application number: EP19806062.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio Zardini
Original assignee: Steelco SpA
Current assignee: Steelco SpA
Priority date: 2018-11-09
Filing date: 2019-10-18
Publication date: 2021-09-15
Also published as: WO2020095335A1

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning and/or sanitization of tools and devices or objects to be washed (17) originating from a hospital, a laboratory, or another location where devices are produced that contain chemical and/or bacterial contaminants. The apparatus comprises a washing chamber (11) for washing and/or sanitization of the objects to be washed (17), circuits (20) for feeding and circuits (30) for discharging a washing liquid, with or without cleaning substances, suitable to wash the objects to be washed (17) and circuits (40) for feeding a drying fluid for sanitization, cleaning and possibly drying the washing chamber (11).

Description

“CLEANING AND SANITIZATION APPARATUS”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a cleaning and sanitization apparatus, or washing machines, more specifically washing machines for washing hospital and/or laboratory tools and devices and/or tools and devices from other locations where devices containing contaminants are produced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Washing and sanitization machines for tools, devices and/or components, hereafter referred to as“objects”, originating from a hospital, laboratory or another location where devices and/or components or other objects are produced which contain contaminants, both chemical and also biological, have long been known.

The washing and sanitization operation of said objects has to remove all that is deposited on the object that has to be cleaned and has to also possibly affect and, in any case, remove what can be present in the material thus deposited on the objects to be treated.

This operation has to affect the objects to be treated but has to also guarantee that at the end of the cycle components of what has been removed from these objects do not also remain, at least in an aggressive and hazardous condition, in the treatment chamber where the step of washing and sanitization occurs.

Known machines also use very aggressive products for the washing, both against physical components and also against bacterial, pathogenic or similar components.

Machines that perform these types of processes are described for example in US-A-3,876,469; US-A-5,225,160; US-A-5,511,570; DE-A-19509877; EP-A- 0,679,406; WO-A-97/20493; EP-A-0,848,958; EP-A-0, 870,511 ; EP-A- 0,972,529; JP-A-2001-11285; EP-B-1,673,111; EP-B- 1,767, 226, EP-B- 2,033,611 and in many other patent documents.

Said machines, after the cleaning and washing cycle of the hospital tools and/or devices contained therein has been completed, provide a cycle of cleaning, drying and sanitization of the washing chamber.

This cycle occurs by means of one or more cleaning, and possibly drying, fluids which can comprise air, air and steam or only steam; possibly, suitable inerting substances can be added to these fluids.

In some cases, the cleaning and drying fluid, after the sanitization operation, is dispersed in the air, or in a separate space, possibly after possible filtration.

For example, in the case of the machines described in EP-B-1, 673,111, EP-B- 1,767,226 and EP-B-2,033,611, the cleaning fluid, which exits the washing chamber, is sent to the discharge pipe of the washing liquids.

This cleaning fluid is sometimes also sent downstream of the seal chamber present in a siphon typically located in the lower part of the washing chamber. This siphon normally contains water and acts as a means of closing the washing chamber toward the outlet.

In many cases, the sending of the cleaning fluid is actuated with a pipe that provides a non-return valve to prevent the vapors present in the zone after the liquid seal of the siphon from entering the washing chamber.

It is also known that the liquid which is present in the siphon and which acts as a stopper at the end of the washing cycle is, in fact, normally clean water as the final residue of the same washing cycle.

In some cases, inerting substances can be added to the water.

It is also known that, in the case of particularly aggressive substances, used for washing, these can endure in the washing chamber in the form of traces.

It is also known that microorganisms, bacteria or other pathogens or aggressive chemical substances present in the materials, which should be removed with the washing, sometimes endure in the washing chamber.

This endurance may not be insignificant, but sometimes it can be considered as such until hospital products, of the substantially uniform type, are washed in the washing chamber.

In any case, this possible endurance is not a positive fact given the aggressiveness of certain components, or of bacteria and/or microorganisms or of chemically activated substances.

The situation changes when different hospital products follow one another in the washing chamber, which require different washing and sanitization cycles with different cleaning products, which have different destinations, and which carry bacteria, microorganisms, pathogens or other substances, even harmful or contaminant, that are even considerably different.

It is also known that the cleaning fluid as above can influence the endurance of the aggressive products and/or the residual materials, which have remained in the washing chamber, carrying them with it in the evacuation, which causes both problems of contamination of the cleaning fluid, and also unpredictable consequences of proliferation or chemical action.

In fact, due to the great heterogeneity and variability of types and composition of products to be removed and of hospital and laboratory fluids, it is known that bacteria, pathogens or microorganisms that are particularly invasive and harmful can be present or develop, or particular chemical substances can be dispersed.

It is known that these residual components have to be removed as quickly and as effectively as possible, because once dispersed there may be no reliable and effective methods and/or tools to inert them.

For example, these residual components, or other, can endure in the comers, or in the most inaccessible recesses that are created in the treatment chamber, in the connections of the chamber, in the proximity to the internal components of the chamber, in the pipes, or in general in any point whatsoever of the chamber and of the paths connected to the chamber, which allow them to endure and possibly proliferate.

It is also known that drops of condensation, frost, or dew which can be present in the treatment chamber before the cleaning step can contain contaminants present in the material to be washed. It is also known that this occurrence can promote the endurance, or proliferation, of contaminating elements and release components in the various washes.

There is therefore the need to perfect a cleaning and sanitization apparatus and a corresponding method that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a cleaning and sanitization apparatus that prevents harmful or contaminant residues, which have possibly remained in the washing chamber at the end of the washing operation, from also being introduced into the surrounding environment together with the cleaning fluid.

The purpose of the present invention is also to simplify the plant engineering of machines for washing hospital or laboratory products.

This simplification also has the further purpose of preventing the cleaning fluid from dispersing in the air and going to sites not sufficiently equipped for their recovery and/or inerting of said undesired components.

The purpose of the simplification as above is also to make, in any case, a washing machine of the type being discussed compact, in order to simplify the discharge circuits, as well as control and maintenance activities, guaranteeing a more complete cleaning of the chamber system at the end of the washing of the materials inserted.

Furthermore, the purpose of the simplification proposed by the present invention is to prevent dangerous components that are passing through the discharge circuit of the cleaning liquid from getting stuck, or being deposited, during the regular washing and maintenance functioning.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cleaning and sanitization apparatus and method which achieve energy savings in cleaning and/or drying operations.

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 some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for cleaning and/or sanitization of tools and devices or objects to be washed, originating from a hospital, laboratory, or another location where devices containing contaminants are produced.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a washing chamber for washing and/or sanitization of said objects to be washed.

The chamber is associated with circuits for feeding and discharging at least one liquid suitable to wash the objects to be washed.

Also present are possible circuits for feeding as well as circuits for discharging at least one cleaning and drying fluid for sanitization, cleaning and drying of the washing chamber.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the circuit for discharging the cleaning and drying fluid comprises means for purifying the fluid from possible residual components present in the chamber.

These means are advantageously configured to determine at least one barrier of purifying water, liquid and/or sprayed and/or nebulized, able to be passed through by the fluid.

According to a first variant, the circuit for discharging the cleaning and drying fluid comprises at least one evacuation pipe located in any position whatsoever, useful and/or advantageous, of the cleaning chamber, also based on its structure and composition.

According to another embodiment, the circuit for discharging the washing liquid comprises a siphon system, in which there is a liquid seal possibly connected to the pipe for the evacuation of the cleaning and drying fluid.

This variant provides that the discharge of the cleaning and drying fluid into the siphon occurs in relation to the liquid present therein, not in the zone downstream of the outlet that contains the liquid seal, but in the liquid seal itself.

This allows the liquid that forms the liquid seal to purify the cleaning fluid retaining the possible harmful substances that the cleaning and drying fluid can carry with it.

This also allows to discharge the harmful substances into the containers for the recovery and/or inerting of the washing substances, since they are already present there.

This also allows to simplify the circuit for discharging the cleaning fluid since the non-return valve is eliminated with the associated reduction in production and maintenance costs.

According to another variant, the evacuation pipe that enters the siphon has a plurality of holes, for example located circumferentially, so that, with the passage of the cleaning fluid, a number of micro-jets of cleaning and drying fluid are formed which cooperate with the liquid seal.

According to a variant, the cleaning and drying fluid at exit from the main washing chamber passes through a mixing chamber in which, due to Venturi effect, it is mixed with washing liquid, for example liquid water, becoming purified.

According to a variant, the cleaning and drying fluid at exit from the main washing chamber travels through an autonomous washing chamber, in which it interacts with water, liquid and/or nebulized, becoming purified.

According to another variant, the autonomous washing chamber has separating partitions which form alternate transit cages which influence the interaction between the cleaning fluid and the water, liquid and/or nebulized.

It is also a possible variant to provide that the autonomous washing chamber as above comprises a level of liquid water.

It is also a variant that the autonomous washing chamber provides jets of water, liquid and/or nebulized, which act, advantageously but not exclusively, in countercurrent with the flow of cleaning fluid.

It is also a variant to provide that the evacuation pipe enters the autonomous washing chamber in the form of one or more tubes, possibly perforated, located below the liquid head.

In some embodiments, the cleaning and possibly also drying fluid, once it has been purified of the contaminants thanks to these variants, can be dispersed directly in the air or, to simplify the circuit, introduced into the pipe for discharging the washing liquid into the siphon or downstream thereof.

According to other embodiments, an apparatus is provided for cleaning and/or sanitization of tools and devices or objects to be washed originating from a hospital, laboratory, or another location where devices containing contaminants, chemical and/or bacterial, are produced. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises:

- a washing chamber for washing and/or sanitization of the objects to be washed;

- circuits for feeding and circuits for discharging at least one washing liquid, with or without cleaning substances, suitable to wash the objects to be washed and/or a cleaning fluid for sanitization and/or cleaning;

- circuits for feeding as well as circuits for discharging at least one drying fluid. In one embodiment, the washing chamber is associated with a drying circuit with drying fluid, the drying circuit being configured to recirculate the drying fluid in the washing chamber.

In yet other embodiments, a method is provided for cleaning and/or sanitization of tools and devices or objects to be washed originating from a hospital or laboratory, or another location where devices are produced on which products to be eliminated containing contaminants are deposited. According to some embodiments, the method as above comprises:

- at least one washing step in which at least one object to be washed is inserted in a washing chamber and treated with at least one washing liquid;

- at least one step of discharging the washing liquid through a discharge circuit;

- at least one step of cleaning the washing chamber in which at least one cleaning fluid is introduced into the washing chamber;

- at least one step of discharging the cleaning fluid through a discharge circuit.

According to a variant embodiment, the method comprises a drying step which provides to recirculate a drying fluid in the washing chamber.

In particular, therefore, according to another variant, after the washing the cleaning fluid is dispersed or removed in one way or the other, and possibly the drying fluid, advantageously hot air, is introduced into the chamber for drying purposes, by means of a drying circuit.

The drying fluid, advantageously hot, can be made to recirculate continuously with respect to the washing chamber, with or without transit through a filtering system. Moreover, with each recirculation, the hot drying fluid can be made to pass through a heater, in order to keep it at the desired temperature.

In some embodiments, the circuit for discharging and the circuit for feeding the at least one drying fluid define the drying circuit with hot air in continuous, or intermittent or recirculating flow associated with the washing chamber.

In some embodiments, it is provided, for example before the drying, to cool the washing chamber. To this end, in example embodiments, a flow of water directed to or flowing along at least one wall of the washing chamber can be supplied, for example made to cooperate with the flow of hot air. In this way, advantageously it is possible to cool the chamber before the drying and condense the steam present therein after the cleaning or sanitization.

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 shows in very simplified terms a possible cleaning and sanitization apparatus equipped according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 shows a possible variant of the evacuation pipe;

- fig. 3 shows a possible variant of the evacuation end of the evacuation pipe;

- fig. 4 shows a possible variant of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of the autonomous chamber of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 6 shows a possible alternative embodiment of the autonomous chamber of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 7 shows a possible alternative embodiment of the autonomous chamber of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 8 shows a possible alternative embodiment of the autonomous chamber of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 9 shows a possible alternative embodiment of the autonomous chamber of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 10 shows a possible variant of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- figs. 11 and 12 show other possible variants of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 13 shows a detail of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- fig. 14 shows a possible variant of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus of the present invention;

- figs. l4a and 14b show other possible variants of the cleaning and sanitization apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

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.

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 an example of a possible solution 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.

With reference to the attached drawings, we describe a cleaning and sanitization apparatus 10, hereafter referred to as apparatus 10 for short.

Here and in the present description the term‘washing’ can be understood as washing and/or activity using liquids, hot and/or cold with or without the use of chemical agents, the washing cycle itself being known and varying according to the type of hospital or laboratory product, or of other origin, to be washed.

The term‘washing liquid’ will be used with reference to the liquid that is used in the washing cycles, which can be water, or possibly water to which chemical agents have been added.

In some embodiments, different types of washing liquids can also be used, for example water containing additives can be used for washing and water not containing additives can be used for possible rinsing operations or to promote the condensation of the steam, as explained below.

Furthermore, the term‘sanitization’ can be understood as a washing, thermal disinfection and/or sterilization treatment, typically using water, controlled water, hot air and/or steam or in general cleaning fluids, liquids or aeriform substances, for a predetermined or variable time depending on the specific needs and cases.

Here and in the present description the term‘cleaning and/or drying fluid’ is used with reference to air, steam or mixtures of air and steam which are used in the sanitization and/or drying step.

In some embodiments, different types of cleaning and/or drying fluids can be used, for example steam can be used to carry out the sanitization and air to carry out the drying.

The apparatus 10 can be used for the treatment of hospital material and laboratory material, or similar or comparable material.

The apparatus 10 comprises a washing chamber 1 1 for washing and/or sanitization of objects to be washed 17. The apparatus 10 also comprises a first circuit 20 for feeding washing liquids, a first circuit 30 for discharging washing liquids, with or without cleaning substances, suitable for washing the objects to be washed 17 and/or a cleaning fluid for the sanitization and/or cleaning of the objects.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a second circuit 40 for feeding cleaning and/or drying fluids and a second circuit 50 for discharging cleaning and/or drying fluids for sanitization, cleaning and/or drying the washing chamber 11.

In some cases, in fact, a step of drying the washing chamber 11 can also be provided, generally by means of air, in particular hot air.

The washing chamber 11 is connected to the first feed circuit 20, to the first discharge circuit 30, to the second feed circuit 40 and to the second discharge circuit 50.

The washing chamber 11 is, typically, a chamber which, when working, is closed, typically by means of a door.

The washing chamber 11 can be constructed with variable sizes and shapes based on the objects intended to be treated therein.

The washing chamber 11 has to therefore be understood as having sizes and shapes suitable to accommodate inside it an object to be washed 17, or even more objects to be washed or treated in general, originating from hospitals or laboratories or from another location where devices or objects are produced generally containing contaminants, or on which contaminants are present.

According to some embodiments, the second circuit 50 for discharging the cleaning and/or drying fluid comprises purification means 32, 55, 62 configured to purify the cleaning and/or drying fluid of possible residual components present in the washing chamber 11. These purification means 32, 55, 62 provide, for example, at least one barrier of purifying water, liquid, sprayed and/or nebulized, which is passed through by the cleaning and/or drying fluid.

In some embodiments, the washing chamber 11 comprises first introduction means 12 for introducing washing liquids and/or cleaning and/or sanitization fluids, for example but not only washing nozzles, a discharge seating 13, a discharge element 15 for discharging cleaning and/or drying fluids, an access door 16 and second introduction means 14 for introducing cleaning and drying fluids, which in an example case, combinable with all the embodiments described here, can comprise a non-return door or valve, such as a clapet valve or other suitable mean which can be actuated when needed.

The discharge element 15 of the cleaning and/or drying fluid can be placed in the most appropriate location based on the conformation of the chamber, and there can be more than one.

The first introduction means 12 are connected to the first feed circuit 20, which can be variously conformed and variously manageable, even sequentially.

The discharge seating 13 is located in the most suitable position of the chamber 11. In the case of the example shown in fig. 1, the discharge seating 13 is connected to the first discharge circuit 30.

The second introduction means 14 are connected to the second circuit 40 for feeding cleaning and/or drying fluids, which can be liquid and/or aeriform, with or without possible additives.

In the case of the example described using fig. 1, the discharge element 15 is connected to the second discharge circuit 50.

The first feed circuit 20, by way of example, comprises a tank 21, a pump 22 and some feed pipes 23.

At least one steam generator 45 (see for example figs. 10 and 14) and/or means for introducing one or more cleaning and/or inerting additives can also be present.

The feed pipes 23 connect the tank 21 to the pump 22 and the pump 22 to the first introduction means 12.

Control, management and/or event detection means, also programmable, can be present.

By way of example, the first discharge circuit 30 comprises a siphon 31 in which a liquid seal 32 is present, the level of which forms a head 57. In these embodiments, the liquid seal 32 can perform the function of the purification means as above in order to purify the cleaning and/or drying fluid comprised in the second discharge circuit 50.

Moreover, the first discharge circuit 30 also comprises an outlet 33 connected, or connectable downstream, with other devices or containers.

During the washing of the object to be washed 17, the washing liquid introduced by the first introduction means 12, after having involved the surface of the object to be washed 17, is evacuated through the discharge seating 13 of the washing chamber 11 , arriving in the siphon 31.

In the final washing step, which can be for example a rinsing step, clean water is normally used which, being the last to pass through the siphon 31, actually makes up the liquid seal 32.

After the washing step, the step of cleaning and sanitization of the washing chamber 11 with the cleaning fluid and possible drying is carried out.

The second circuit 40 for feeding the cleaning and/or drying fluid by way of example comprises a filter 41, a fluid moving device 42, a heater 43 and at least one pipe 44 for cleaning and drying fluid.

The fluid moving device 42 can be any mean whatsoever suitable to move air, steam, mixtures of air and steam, or in general other fluids, including the cleaning and/or drying fluid, and for example can be a pump or a fan. Hereafter, therefore, when used, the term‘fan’ can also be replaced with the term‘pump for recirculating or sending gaseous fluid’, based on the specific needs. The term ‘fan’ can be used with reference to possible embodiments of a fluid moving device 42, but the use of this term is to be considered as a non-limiting example, since it is also possible to also contemplate the use of a pump or other machine or device for moving fluids.

The fluid moving device 42 makes the cleaning and/or drying fluid, for example water, air, gas or steam, or mixture thereof, pass through the filter 41, whose filtering degree is of the desired value, and passes through the heater 43, heating and possibly becoming unsaturated or saturated steam.

The cleaning and/or drying fluid is injected, or introduced, by the pipes 44 into the washing chamber 11, through the second introduction means 14.

After the cleaning and sanitization step, the cleaning and/or drying fluid, which normally is advantageously, but not necessarily, in the form of steam or aeriform, in the example of fig. 1 is discharged into the outlet 33 through the second discharge circuit 50.

The second discharge circuit 50 comprises at least one evacuation pipe 51 which connects to the washing chamber 11 in the most suitable position.

According to the embodiment described using fig. 2, in the pipe 51 there can be present one or more diaphragms 53 for controlling the transit of cleaning and/or drying fluid and/or retarder means, for example to obtain liquid barriers or slowdown factors, which possibly ensure as another factor that the washing liquids do not flow back into the washing chamber 11.

A first end of the evacuation pipe 54 is connected to the discharge element 15 of the washing chamber 11.

The discharge element 15, as indicated above, can be present in any part whatsoever of the washing chamber 11 based on the type of cleaning and/or drying fluid and on the structure of the washing chamber 11.

The other exit end of the second discharge circuit 50, that is, the evacuation end 52, connects with the first discharge circuit 30.

According to the example of fig. 1, the evacuation end 52 of the second discharge circuit 50 is inserted into the siphon 31, below the level of the liquid seal 32.

Moreover, advantageously, the evacuation end 52 is inserted at least partly in the segment toward the outlet 33.

According to the variant described using fig. 3, the evacuation end 52 has a plurality of holes, of a desired shape and size, which inject the cleaning and/or drying fluid into the liquid seal 32 guaranteeing a total cleaning of the cleaning and drying fluid itself.

By doing this, the cleaning and/or drying fluid is in turn cleaned by the liquid of the liquid seal 32 and can be freely expelled into the air.

The liquid seal 32 therefore constitutes a barrier of purifying liquid water for the cleaning and drying fluid.

Moreover, the liquid of the liquid seal 32 is free to also flow inside the evacuation pipe 51.

The presence of this liquid in the evacuation pipe 51 constitutes, in itself, a barrier which prevents the return flow of air and/or other components into the evacuation pipe 51 toward the washing chamber 11, favorably making the presence of a valve not necessary.

Advantageously, this solution therefore simplifies the design and guarantees a better and safer functioning of the washing chamber 1 1.

In embodiments schematically described using figs. 11 and 12, the apparatus 10 can provide a mixing chamber 62, which intercepts the flow of cleaning and/or drying fluid coming from the washing chamber 11, associating it and mixing it with a flow of washing liquid coming from the tank 21.

In particular, the first feed circuit 20 can provide auxiliary feed pipes 23a, which introduce the washing liquid into the mixing chamber 62, while the second discharge circuit 50 can provide a first evacuation pipe 5la which introduces the cleaning and/or drying fluid into the mixing chamber 62.

The mixture at exit from the mixing chamber 62 is discharged into the first discharge circuit 30 by means of a second evacuation pipe 5 lb.

In embodiments described using fig. 11, the mixture at exit from the mixing chamber 62 is discharged into the liquid seal 32, in correspondence with the discharge seating 13.

According to possible variants described using fig. 12, the mixture at exit from the mixing chamber 62 can be discharged into the portion of liquid seal 32 in correspondence with the outlet 33, or downstream of the liquid seal 32, directly into the outlet 33.

In some embodiments, the mixing chamber 62 is configured as a pipe with a variable cross-section, so as to generate, due to the Venturi effect, speed variations in the flow of washing liquid, associated with pressure gradients in the first evacuation pipe 51a, which cooperate to mix together the washing liquid and the cleaning and drying fluid.

In embodiments schematically described using figs. 11 and 12, the washing liquid is introduced into the mixing chamber 62 in correspondence with the entrance of the second evacuation pipe 51b, thus generating a pressure gradient in the first evacuation pipe 51 a which draws in the cleaning and drying fluid.

In possible variants schematically described using fig. 13, the mixing chamber 62 can be configured as an injector, for example a Venturi injector, in which the first evacuation pipe 51a is associated with a narrowing 62a of the cross-section of the mixing chamber 62, in correspondence with which the speed of the washing liquid increases, creating a negative pressure that draws in the cleaning and drying fluid.

The mixing chamber 62 therefore allows to purify the cleaning and drying fluid of any residual components present in the washing chamber 1 1 , since it is configured as a mean which allows the cleaning and/or drying fluid to pass through a barrier of washing liquid.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, such as the example one described using fig. 4, the second discharge circuit 50 can be more complex and provide a chamber for washing the cleaning and drying fluid, or another autonomous washing chamber 55, in addition to the main washing chamber 11.

Using figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 possible example embodiments of the autonomous washing chamber 55 are described in more detail. In these embodiments, the autonomous washing chamber 55 performs the function of the purification means to purity the cleaning and drying fluid comprised in the second discharge circuit 50.

This autonomous washing chamber 55 is provided specifically for cleaning the cleaning and drying fluid exiting the main washing chamber 11.

The autonomous washing chamber 55 can be connected to a system for feeding water or other washing liquids with additives or not.

In the embodiment described using fig. 4, the autonomous washing chamber 55 is connected by way of example to the first feed circuit 20, through the auxiliary feed pipes 23 a.

The auxiliary feed pipes 23 a can be connected to an external water supply network and/or to the tank 21, to guarantee the supply of water and/or washing liquid to the autonomous washing chamber 55 during the step of washing the cleaning and drying fluid.

For simplicity of the description, hereafter we will consider the variant in which the autonomous chamber 55 is fed with water, but this should not be considered as a limiting factor.

In the embodiment of the present invention described using fig. 4, the cleaning and drying fluid is introduced into the autonomous washing chamber 55 through the first evacuation pipe 51a connected to the discharge element 15 of the main washing chamber 1 1.

Moreover, in the embodiment of the present invention described using fig. 4, the second evacuation pipe 51b can discharge the liquids and fluids contained in the autonomous washing chamber 55 into the first discharge circuit 30.

According to a variant described using fig. 4, the evacuation end 52 of the second evacuation pipe 51b can be introduced into the first discharge pipe 30 in correspondence with the liquid seal 32, in a similar way to the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

However, since in the embodiment described using fig. 4 the second evacuation pipe 51b can also evacuate the water, in addition to the cleaning and drying fluid, variants are also achievable, and in line with the inventive idea of the present invention, in which the evacuation end 52 is introduced at any point whatsoever of the first discharge pipe 30.

In particular, in fig. 4, in correspondence with the dashed line, three alternative variants of this type are shown, wherein the evacuation end 52 is introduced downstream of the liquid seal 32, into the liquid seal 32 from above and into the liquid seal 32 from below.

In an embodiment in which the evacuation end 52 is introduced into the liquid seal 32 from above, the evacuation end 52 is immersed below the level of the head 57 for a length comprised in the range 2÷l5mm, advantageously between 3 and 10mm, more favorably between 5 and 7mm.

In the variants in which the evacuation end 52 is introduced downstream of the liquid seal 32, it is sufficient to provide one or more loops 51c in the development of the second evacuation pipe 51b to allow the formation of a barrier of liquid water which prevents the return of air into the autonomous washing chamber 55.

It is important to emphasize that this variant must not be considered conceptually different from the variant shown in fig. 1 , on the contrary, they must be considered two different embodiments which allow to purify the cleaning and drying fluid by means of passing through barriers of purifying water, liquid, sprayed and/or nebulized.

In the embodiments of the autonomous washing chamber 55 described using figs. 5 and 6, the water can be introduced into the autonomous washing chamber 55 by the auxiliary feed pipes 23a through pressure nozzles 60, which can nebulize it or not.

The water introduced by the auxiliary feed pipes 23a can be sent into the autonomous washing chamber 55 to form the head 57 (figs. 5, 7 and 8) and/or to feed pressure nozzles 58 (figs. 5 and 6) variously disposed and of the type considered suitable to create barriers to the transit of the cleaning and drying fluid.

In the variants described using figs 5, 7 and 8, the autonomous washing chamber 55 provides the presence of a possible overflow 56, that is, a discharge aperture, in the second evacuation pipe 51b, which regulates the amount of water present in the autonomous washing chamber 55 and the level of the head 57.

In figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 the cleaning and/or drying fluid by way of example enters the autonomous washing chamber 55 from below, while in fig. 9 it enters the chamber 55 from above.

In the case of fig. 5, the cleaning and/or drying fluid that enters the autonomous washing chamber 55 is intercepted by one or more barriers of purifying water, sprayed and/or nebulized, possibly separated by separating partitions 59, present in the autonomous washing chamber 55. Once these separating partitions 59 have been cleared, the cleaning and drying fluid is evacuated together with the purifying water in the second evacuation pipe 51b. In the case of fig. 6, the cleaning and/or drying fluid that enters the autonomous washing chamber 55 is intercepted by one or more liquid barriers possibly separated by separating partitions 59 present in the autonomous washing chamber 55. Once these separating partitions 59 have been cleared, the cleaning and drying fluid meets a barrier of nebulized water that promotes purification. In fig. 7 the cleaning and/or drying fluid enters the autonomous washing chamber 55 in which it is purified by a plurality of jets of water, which can possibly also nebulize it.

In this case, since the presence of the liquid head 57 in the autonomous washing chamber 55 is not provided, it is preferable to provide a shut-off valve 60 to prevent the washing liquids from contaminating the contents of the chamber 55.

In embodiments described using fig. 8, the first evacuation pipe 51a introduces the cleaning and drying fluid under the base of the liquid head 57, through a terminal portion 5 Id which has a plurality of circumferential holes variously disposed. This promotes the creation of micro-jets of fluid that at least partly pass through the water present in the chamber 55. In this case, a liquid barrier is created in the pipe 5 la which prevents the washing liquids from contaminating the contents of the chamber 55. In fig. 9 the cleaning and/or drying fluid coming from the pipe 5 la has to transit through two or more walls of water formed below the liquid head 57, in which holes 61 are present.

In the embodiment described using fig. 10, the substances used to clean and/or disinfect, as well as possibly for sanitization, can also comprise steam, generated, for example, by a steam generator 45 in the first feed circuit 20 and introduced into the main washing chamber 11 through the first introduction means 12. For example, in this case the steam can be used to carry out a so-called thermal disinfection or sterilization treatment.

A step of final cleaning and drying of the washing chamber 11 by means of a cleaning and/or drying fluid, possibly air, or other can also be provided.

In the event, for example, only air is used, the first evacuation pipe 5 la, the second evacuation pipe 5 lb and the autonomous washing chamber 55 cooperate with the fluid moving device 42, the filter 41 and possibly also with the heater 43, to create a closed circuit for the recirculation of drying air.

The filter 41 in this case can be for example an absolute filter, such as for example a HEP A (High Efficiency Particulate Filter) or other type of filter suitable for the purpose.

Downstream of the filter 41 there is for example a conveying chamber (not shown in fig. 10) or a direct connection with the main washing chamber 11 can be provided.

Advantageously, the recirculation can also, for example, provide to constantly maintain the air, controlled by the heater 43, at the desired temperature.

Thanks to the action of the fluid moving device 42, the air is sucked from the washing chamber 11 through a discharge element 15 which can be or can comprise a valve element or non-return mean, such as a clapet element 15a or other suitable mean such as a siphon or other.

The discharge element 15 is suitably designed so that the possible pressure, present in the chamber 11 during washing and sanitization, is not able to drive it.

In particular, the discharge element 15 is such as to guarantee the hermetic seal of the main washing chamber 11 during the washing and sanitization steps, but also the outflow of the air during the drying step, that is, when the fluid moving device 42 applies a depression upstream of the non-return valve element, or other suitable mean.

The air, brought for example to the desired temperature, is introduced into the autonomous washing chamber 55 and retaken from there in a closed circuit passing through a barrier of liquid, sprayed and/or nebulized water.

The air is introduced into the main washing chamber 11 through the second introduction means 14 which can be or can comprise valve elements or non- return means, such as a clapet valve or others having the same purpose, in order to avoid return contamination.

The barrier of water, liquid, sprayed or nebulized, is possibly made inside an autonomous washing chamber 55.

In an example form, the autonomous washing chamber 55 has separating partitions 59, or other suitable means, to convey the flow of air toward liquid, sprayed or nebulized jets generated by pressure nozzles 58.

The separating partitions 59 are by way of example provided with holes 61 present at the base of the autonomous washing chamber 55 to maintain a minimum liquid head 57 in the autonomous washing chamber 55.

The paths for feeding and/or discharging and/or maintaining the head 57 are not shown in fig. 10.

In the event the liquid head 57 is present, such as for example in the embodiment shown in fig. 9, the air is introduced into the autonomous washing chamber 55 by the first evacuation pipe 51a to a level below the liquid head 57, in order to guarantee a liquid barrier to the autonomous washing chamber 55 for any eventuality.

Moreover, in the event the liquid head 57 is present, the air can be expelled through the second evacuation pipe 5 lb to a level above the liquid head 57, since, possibly, it has to carry with it as little humidity as possible.

In some embodiments, the fluid moving device 42 can be suitable to move the cleaning and/or drying fluid with a power sufficient to overcome the resistance of the liquid, sprayed and/or nebulized barrier(s), if necessary.

In one embodiment, the fluid moving device 42 has a prevalence comprised in the range 100÷150mm/H2O, preferably between 120÷130mm/H20.

It is also obvious that the embodiments of the autonomous washing chamber 55 shown in figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, or also other equivalent embodiments, can be used in the embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in fig. 10, or in other equivalent embodiments.

In embodiments schematically described using fig. 14, the apparatus 10 can provide to recirculate the drying fluid inside the washing chamber 11, by means of a drying circuit.

In these embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises the washing chamber 11 for washing and/or sanitization of said objects to be washed 17, circuits 20 for feeding and circuits 30 for discharging at least one washing liquid, with or without cleaning substances, suitable to wash the objects to be washed 17 and/or a cleaning fluid for sanitization and/or cleaning, circuits 40 for feeding as well as circuits 50 for discharging at least one drying fluid.

In these embodiments, the washing chamber 11 is associated with a drying circuit with drying fluid, the drying circuit being configured to recirculate the drying fluid in the washing chamber 11.

Favorably, the drying circuit with drying fluid uses hot air, in particular with continuous, or intermittent or recirculating flow.

In one variant, the circuit 50 for discharging and the circuit 40 for feeding the at least one drying fluid define the drying circuit with recirculation as above.

In one variant, moreover, the feed circuit 20 is configured to introduce a liquid to cool the washing chamber 1 1.

In these embodiments, therefore, after the washing and cleaning or sanitization operation, the drying is carried out, thus providing the recirculation of the drying fluid.

In view of the fact that the drying fluid is recirculated, preliminarily it is advantageous to provide that residual components present in the washing chamber 11 after cleaning or sanitization, are abated and then drawn by the drying fluid.

In possible implementations, this abatement can therefore be carried out by means of cooling, for example in the event the residual components as above are saturated steam deriving from a sanitization operation, for example thermal disinfection and/or sterilization.

In these implementations, the apparatus 10 can be configured, for example, to condense the residual steam of the sanitization by means of cooling. This cooling, by way of example, can be obtained by means of a flow of cold liquid, for example cold water, introduced into the washing chamber 11 by means of the first introduction means 12 of the feed circuit 20.

For example, the cooling step can be timed, also in coordination with the previous cleaning step and the subsequent drying step.

In these embodiments, the first introduction means 12 can comprise one or more dispensers 12a, from which the cold liquid can exit falling downward by gravity, for example in a flow mode that touches at least one wall of the washing chamber 11, or it can be dispensed inside the latter in a different manner.

In some embodiments, the circuit 50 for discharging and the circuit 40 for feeding the at least one drying fluid define the drying circuit with hot air with a continuous, or intermittent or recirculating flow, associated with the washing chamber 11.

For example, the evacuation pipe 51 can be connected to the second feed circuit 40 immediately upstream of the fluid moving device 42, so as to create a closed circuit for the recirculation of air, or drying fluid, as shown by way of example in fig. 14.

In some embodiments, the drying circuit can cooperate with non-return means associated with the washing chamber 11 such as those described above; for example, the evacuation pipe 51 can be connected to the chamber 11 by means of the discharge element 15 provided with a clapet element 15a which acts as a non- return mean, or equivalent element.

In the cases where the second feed circuit 40 provides the filter 41, the evacuation pipe 51 can also be connected upstream of the filter 41, as shown by way of example in fig. 14.

These embodiments are particularly advantageous since they allow to efficiently carry out the steps of drying both the object to be washed 17 and also the washing chamber 1 1.

In particular, the flow of cold washing liquid can condense the residual steam present in the washing chamber 11 at the end of the sanitization.

Once the steam has been condensed and abated, the air, or drying fluid, can be recirculated, for example, in a closed circuit inside the chamber 11 , to carry out the drying. Advantageously, closed recirculation drying is economical and efficient, since the residual heat is not dispersed.

According to needs, the flow of hot air can also be dispersed or made to transit through the heater 43 in a non-continuous manner, for example based on the temperature of the fluid at exit from the chamber 11.

The cooling is advantageously intended to condense the saturated steam in the chamber 11 so that in the subsequent drying step the drying fluid is introduced into the washing chamber 11 free of steam residues.

In this way, for example, the steam is also prevented from being recirculated by the fan 42 and by the heating means 43, risking compromising its functioning.

Also in the embodiments described using fig. 14, purification means can be provided configured to purify the cleaning and drying fluid of possible residual components present in the washing chamber 11. In particular, in these embodiments, the purification means comprise interception means 63, advantageously with a function of separating or intercepting vapors or water.

The interception means 63 are favorably associated with the drying circuit. For example, the interception means 63 are disposed in the segment of the evacuation pipe 51 comprised between the discharge element 15, in this case configured as a recovery element, and the fluid moving device 42, in order to suitably intercept the recirculated cleaning and drying fluid at exit from the chamber 11 and possibly purify it of possible residual components, such as for example possible residual steam.

In some embodiments, the interception means 63 can be of the mechanical or fluid type.

Possible examples of interception means 63 are shown in figs. 14a and 14b, and can comprise means for abating condensation, for example an inverse siphon 64 or an equivalent mean for intercepting and discharging condensation.

In the embodiments described here, the interception means 63, when configured as means for abating condensation, can have an entrance 65 located at a height greater than the exit 66 and an intermediate portion 67, for example the inverse siphon 64 or equivalent mean, in which possible contaminants, such as for example steam, are abated.

In embodiments schematically described using fig. 14b, the intermediate portion 67 can provide inside it interception elements, or diverting partitions 67a, which facilitate the eventual condensation of residues.

This intermediate portion 67 according to figs. 14a and 14b, or according to equivalent embodiments, therefore allows to recirculate the air substantially without water.

Where necessary, either in the interception means 63 or downstream thereof, means for collecting and discharging the possible water can be present.

Upstream of the interception means 63, there can be present a control and regulation valve 69 associated with the evacuation pipe 51.

According to a variant, the first feed circuit 20 can be fed by means of two separate feed networks, one which supplyes hot water, for sanitization, one cold water, for cooling the chamber 11. In this case, two tanks 21 can be provided, one for the hot water and one for the cold water.

In embodiments described by way of example using fig. 14, in the event the first feed circuit 20 is fed only with cold water, the presence of a boiler 68 is advantageously provided, although in some cases not necessarily, to heat the water when necessary.

Also in the embodiments described using fig. 14, in a variant a steam generator 45 can be provided, associated with the first feed circuit 20 to generate steam which is introduced into the washing chamber 11 through the first introduction means 12. Therefore, in these embodiments the steam acts as a cleaning fluid for sanitization and/or cleaning supplied by the feed circuit 20.

Embodiments described here also concern a method for cleaning and/or sanitization of tools and devices or objects to be washed 17 originating from a hospital or laboratory, or other location where devices are produced on which products to be eliminated containing contaminants are deposited.

In some embodiments, the method comprises:

- at least one washing step in which at least one object to be washed 17 is inserted in a washing chamber 11 and treated with at least one washing liquid;

- at least one step of discharging the washing liquid through a discharge circuit 30;

- at least one step of cleaning the washing chamber 11 in which at least one cleaning fluid is introduced into the washing chamber 1 1 ; - at least one step of discharging the cleaning fluid through a discharge circuit 50. in some embodiments, the method comprises a drying step which provides to recirculate a drying fluid in the washing chamber 11. This drying step can be associated with the cleaning step.

In particular, the drying step can use hot air, in particular carried out with a continuous, or intermittent or recirculating flow.

In some embodiments, as described above, before the drying step a step of washing and/or cooling the washing chamber 11 is provided, by means of which for example to abate residual components present in the washing chamber 11. Moreover, in association with the recirculation of the drying flow during the drying step, a step of purifying at least the drying fluid can be provided.

In this purification step, at least the drying fluid cooperates with the interception means 63 with the function of separating or intercepting vapors or water.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts and/or steps may be made to the cleaning and sanitization apparatus 10 and to the corresponding method 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 cleaning and sanitization apparatus and corresponding method, 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. Apparatus for cleaning and/or sanitization of tools and devices or objects to be washed (17) originating from a hospital, a laboratory, or another location where devices are produced that contain chemical and/or bacterial contaminants, said apparatus comprising:

- a washing chamber (11) for washing and/or sanitization of said objects to be washed (17);

- circuits (20) for feeding and circuits (30) for discharging at least one washing liquid, with or without cleaning substances, suitable to wash said objects to be washed (17) and/or a cleaning fluid for sanitization and/or cleaning;

- circuits (40) for feeding as well as circuits (50) for discharging at least one drying fluid;

characterized in that the washing chamber (11) is associated with a drying circuit with drying fluid, the drying circuit being configured to recirculate said drying fluid in said washing chamber (11).

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said drying circuit with drying fluid is of the hot air type, in particular with continuous, or intermittent or recirculating flow.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the circuit (50) for discharging and the circuit (40) for feeding the at least one drying fluid define the drying circuit with recirculation.

4. Apparatus as in claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said feed circuit (20) is configured to introduce a liquid to cool said washing chamber (11).

5. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises purification means, configured to purify at least the cleaning fluid of possible residual components present in the washing chamber (1 1).

6. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said purification means are associated with said drying circuit.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said purification means comprise interception means (63) with the function of separating or intercepting vapors or water.

8. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the drying circuit cooperates with non-return means associated with the washing chamber (11).

9. Method for cleaning and/or sanitization of tools and devices or objects to be washed (17) originating from a hospital, a laboratory, or another location where devices are produced on which products to be eliminated containing contaminants are deposited, said method comprising:

- at least one washing step in which at least one object to be washed (17) is inserted in a washing chamber (11) and treated with at least one washing liquid;

- at least one step of discharging said washing liquid through a discharge circuit (30);

- at least one step of cleaning the washing chamber (11) in which at least one cleaning fluid is introduced into the washing chamber (11);

- at least one step of discharging said cleaning fluid through a discharge circuit (50);

characterized in that said method comprises a drying step which provides to recirculate a drying fluid in said washing chamber (11).

10. Method as in claim 9, characterized in that said drying step uses hot air, in particular carried out with a continuous, or intermittent or recirculating flow.

11. Method as in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that before the drying step a cooling step of said washing chamber (11) is provided.

12. Method as in claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that in association with the recirculation of the drying flow during the drying step, a step of purifying at least the drying fluid is provided.

13. Method as in any claim from 9 to 12, characterized in that at least said drying fluid cooperates with interception means (63) with the function of separating or intercepting vapors or water.