EP4178406A1

EP4178406A1 - Cleaning basket for cleaning breathing apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4178406A1
Application number: EP21743096.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernd Ringwald
Original assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2020-07-08
Filing date: 2021-07-07
Publication date: 2023-05-17
Also published as: US20230264240A1; CN115835807A; DE102020208546A1; WO2022008581A1

Abstract

A cleaning basket (114), a cleaning device (116), a cleaning system (110) and a method for cleaning breathing apparatus (112) are proposed. The cleaning basket (114) comprises at least one basket rack (118), and the cleaning basket (114) further comprises at least one pressure attachment (120) connectable to at least one gas-conveying element (113) of the breathing apparatus (112), wherein the gas-conveying element (113) can have pressurized gas applied to it at least while the breathing apparatus (112) is subjected to at least one cleaning fluid (122), wherein the cleaning basket (114) has at least one pressure sensor (124), wherein the pressure sensor (124) is configured to detect when pressure is applied to the pressure attachment (120), wherein the cleaning basket (114) furthermore has at least one transmission device (126) for transmitting at least one result of the pressure application detection to a cleaning device (116).

Description

Cleaning basket for cleaning breathing apparatus

technical field

The invention relates to a cleaning basket, a cleaning device and a cleaning supply system for cleaning breathing apparatus or components of breathing apparatus. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for cleaning breathing apparatus. Devices and methods of this type can generally be used to clean breathing apparatus or components thereof, for example breathing apparatus for rescue workers such as fire brigades, technical aid organizations or paramedics, breathing apparatus for divers or people in general in hostile or critical work environments and for armed forces and security forces such as police officers . The proposed devices and methods can also be used for breathing apparatus in the medical area, for example breathing masks for oxygen supply and operations. Other areas of application are also conceivable.

Technical background

Respirators, such as breathing masks or regulators, are usually part of the personal protective equipment used by rescue workers, the armed forces or security forces, for example. A large number of breathing apparatuses for different purposes are known from the prior art. For example, rescue workers such as fire brigades use respirators with filters to remove harmful components from the intake air. In many cases, however, a so-called demand valve is used as an alternative or in addition to a filter, via which the user can be ventilated with a breathing gas, for example compressed air. Regulators, which are often referred to as regulators, generally allow a user to breathe from a compressed gas cylinder or other compressed gas connection and in this way, for example, be underwater or in another non-breathable area or toxic atmosphere. For this purpose, the compressed gas, for example compressed air, from the compressed gas connection is adjusted by the demand valve to a pressure prevailing in the user's work environment.

The breathing apparatus or components thereof must generally be cleaned, sanitized, dried, checked and, if necessary, repaired and packed after each use. Cleaning is intended to remove all contamination resulting from use or storage, so that the breathing apparatus can be made available macroscopically clean and hygienically flawless, for example for the next steps in processing. The same requirements generally also apply to components of breathing devices, such as attachments and accessories for breathing masks, such as filters or regulators.

In many cases, respirators such as respirators and their accessories are either cleaned by hand or washed in modified laundry washing machines using protective bags and/or adapters. For example, a washing machine is generally known from EP 0 935 687 B1, which has a tub with a drum. A casing of the drum has a curved structure directed toward the interior of the drum, with holes being arranged at the corner points of edge contours of the curvature directed toward the outside of the drum. With such washing machines particularly gentle cleaning of equipment for rescue workers are fundamentally possible.

A holding system for breathing masks in a laundry treatment machine is known from EP 1 088 928 A1. The holding system has a carrying handle which is arranged in a drum of the laundry treatment machine so that it rotates with it and to which the respirators can be connected.

DE 200 03 743 U1 and DE 298 22 172 U1 each have devices for handling protective suits. In this case, clothes hangers are used, which include flexible air outlet nozzles. The hangers are each attached to a pivoting device. A cleaning of breathing apparatus is generally not possible or only possible with difficulty using the devices shown.

A device for cleaning breathing masks is known from DE 10 2005 033 618 B3. The device comprises a closable housing and at least one holder arranged in a carrier for at least one respirator. Furthermore are a nozzle arrangement and a brush arrangement are provided, with the respirators being brushed by a movement of the respirators. Using the disclosed device, however, an individual assignment and cleaning of accessory parts of masks is not possible. Furthermore, the cleaning of gas-carrying elements, such as lung demand valves, is not possible with the disclosed device. DE 200 03 744 Eil also discloses a device for cleaning, disinfecting and drying respiratory protection masks, which has a carrying frame with an associated nozzle system and individual treatment stations. This device is also fundamentally not suitable for cleaning gas-carrying elements and accessories.

A cleaning device for compressed air breathing apparatus is known from DE 10 2007 009 936 A1. This has a receiving space delimited by a protective grille and rotating nozzle carriers. The nozzle holders are located outside the protective grille. The disadvantage of the device shown, however, is that cleaning liquid can penetrate into gas-carrying areas.

The cleaning of sensitive components of respirators, such as lung machines, however, is usually done manually. If necessary, manual cleaning can be supported by placing it in ultrasonic cleaning devices. However, DE 10 2007 012 768 B4 discloses a method and a device for cleaning lung demand valves. The objects to be cleaned are placed on holders of a rotating element and immersed several times in a liquid bath with cleaning liquid, disinfecting liquid and rinsing liquid. In this case, lung demand valves are first pressurized with compressed air to create a seal between the valve and hose connection and then immersed in the liquid bath. However, a disadvantage of such an immersion method is that complex mounts with corresponding actuators are required in order to ensure that cleaning fluid is removed from the various cavities after cleaning by means of appropriate movements.

DE 10020 835 A1 describes a device for treating breathing masks. A receptacle for equipping with respirators is provided, in which the respirators are coupled to the receptacle by means of the respirator connection. Furthermore, it is described that a collecting device for collecting treatment agents is provided in a cabin of the device, as well as a pump for supplying the treatment agents. US 3,881,503 A discloses a device for washing and decontaminating anesthetic equipment. A nozzle system is provided through which jets of water can be sprayed onto the items to be cleaned under high pressure.

DE 11 74 169 B describes a device for cleaning breathing masks. In this case, a rotatably mounted tubular frame is provided in a housing, in which the masks to be cleaned are clamped onto holders. By means of the bogie, the respirators are moved with a rotary motion through a bath of cleaning liquid in a tub.

WO 2011/144518 A2 describes a cleaning device for cleaning breathing devices. The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber for accommodating at least one breathing device and at least one fluid device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing device. The cleaning device also has at least one pressurization device with at least one pressure connection. The pressure connection can be connected to at least one gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus. The pressurization device is set up to apply pressurized gas to the gas-carrying element.

DE 102015 108 857 A1 describes a method for maintaining at least one protective suit, in particular a chemical protective suit. The method comprises the steps: a) at least one care adapter is detachably and sealingly connected to at least one opening in the protective suit, b) a cleaning and disinfecting fluid is fed into the interior of the protective suit via the at least one care adapter and that into the interior of the protection cleaning and disinfecting fluid conducted through the protective suit is discharged from the protective suit, c) a drying gas for drying the protective suit is conducted into the interior of the protective suit via the at least one care adapter and the drying gas conducted into the interior of the protective suit is discharged from the protective suit, d) the at least a care adapter is separated from the at least one opening of the protective suit.

Despite the advantages that have been and are being achieved with the devices and methods described above, several technical challenges remain. There is also a risk of incorrect operation or technical defects if there is a seal or pressure is applied to gas-carrying elements during the cleaning process. This can result in cleaning fluid getting into gas-carrying components of the breathing apparatus. can. This entails the risk that later in use the cleaning fluid can freeze due to expanding compressed gases, for example compressed air, as a result of which the vital supply of breathing air can be interrupted.

object of the invention

It would therefore be desirable to provide devices and methods for cleaning breathing apparatus which at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, it should be ensured with the least possible outlay in terms of apparatus and with a high degree of certainty that cleaning fluid cannot penetrate into gas-carrying elements of the breathing apparatus during the cleaning process.

General Description of the Invention

This object is addressed by a cleaning basket, a cleaning device, a cleaning system and a method for cleaning breathing apparatus or components of breathing apparatus, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments, which can be realized individually or in any combination, are presented in the dependent claims.

In the following, the terms "have", "have", "comprise" or "include" or any grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive manner. Accordingly, these terms can refer both to situations in which, apart from the features introduced by these terms, no further features are present, or to situations in which one or more further features are present. For example, the expression "A has B", "A has B", "A comprises B", or "A includes B" can both refer to the situation in which, apart from B, no other element in A is present (ie to a situation in which A consists exclusively of B), as well as to the situation in which, in addition to B, there are one or more other elements in A, for example element C, elements C and D or even more Elements.

Furthermore, it is pointed out that the terms "at least one" and "one or more" as well as grammatical modifications of these terms, if they are used in connection with one or more elements or features and are intended to express that the element or feature is provided once or several times can be, usually used only once, for example at the initial introduction of the feature or element. If the feature or element is subsequently mentioned again, the corresponding term “at least one” or “one or more” is usually no longer used, without restricting the possibility that the feature or element can be provided once or more than once.

Furthermore, the terms “preferably”, “particularly”, “example” or similar terms are used below in connection with optional features, without alternative embodiments being restricted thereby. Thus, features introduced by these terms are optional features, and these features are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, and particularly the independent claims. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the invention may be practiced using other configurations. Similarly, features introduced by "in one embodiment of the invention" or by "in one embodiment of the invention" are understood to be optional features without intending to limit alternative configurations or the scope of the independent claims. Furthermore, through these introductory expressions, all possibilities of combining the features introduced here with other features, be they optional or non-optional features, remain untouched.

In a first aspect, a cleaning basket for cleaning breathing apparatus is proposed. The cleaning basket comprises at least one basket frame. Furthermore, the cleaning basket comprises at least one pressure connection that can be connected to at least one gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus. The gas-carrying element can be subjected to pressurized gas at least during loading of the breathing apparatus with at least one cleaning fluid. Furthermore, the cleaning basket has at least one pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is set up to recognize a pressurization of the pressure connection. The cleaning basket also has at least one transmission device for transmitting at least one result of the detection of the pressurization to a cleaning device.

The term "cleaning basket" as used herein, also referred to as "rinse basket", is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a portable holding device in which items to be cleaned are held can, in a cleaning device, such as a dishwasher, can be introduced and then can be removed from the cleaning device again in a cleaned state. The cleaning basket can thus be reversibly introduced into the cleaning chamber. Accordingly, the cleaning chamber can have, for example, at least one receptacle for the cleaning basket. Alternatively, the cleaning basket can also be permanently installed in a cleaning device, for example. For example, the cleaning basket can be fastened in a rail system of the cleaning device and inserted into a cleaning chamber of the cleaning device via this and pulled out of the cleaning chamber again after cleaning. Furthermore, cleaning baskets can also be used for temporary storage of items to be cleaned. In particular, the cleaning basket can have a large number of openings so that liquid can drip off downwards. The cleaning basket can in particular have an essentially cuboid shape, with a basket base which can have a square or generally rectangular outline, for example, and which has a support surface for placing the cleaning basket on a flat work surface. Optionally, one or more basket walls can extend upwards from the basket floor, for example with a raised edge and also optionally other elements such as handles. Furthermore, the cleaning basket can have a plurality of mask holders or other holders for the items to be cleaned, in particular the breathing apparatus. In addition, the cleaning basket has at least one pressure connection, as explained above and as explained in more detail below.

The term "cleaning" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a process in which items to be cleaned are freed from adhering macroscopic or also microscopic impurities and/or in which such impurities are at least partially removed. In addition, a disinfection effect can optionally be exercised.

The term "breathing apparatus" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term may refer particularly, without limitation, to a device suitable for protecting a user's respiratory tract from harmful influences and/or is set up to apply one or more respiratory gases to the user's airways. For example, the breathing apparatus can be a device that is set up to completely or partially filter ambient air and/or to provide breathing gas to at least one user. These breathing devices can be complete, ready-to-use breathing devices or components thereof, so that in the following no conceptual distinction is made between breathing devices and their components.

In particular, the breathing apparatus can include at least one breathing mask, also referred to as a breathing mask. The term "respirator" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or appropriate meaning. The term may refer in particular, without limitation, to a device which is part of breathing apparatus and which is adapted to cover all or part of a user's face, in particular a mouth area and/or nose area. The cover can be used in particular to protect the user's respiratory tract from pollutants and/or the introduction of respiratory gases into the respiratory tract and/or the discharge of respiratory gases from the respiratory tract. The respirator can also cover other parts of the user's face and/or head, such as the eyes. Accordingly, the breathing mask can in particular also have at least one transparent viewing window. The respirator can also have at least one seal for sealing an interior of the respirator from an exterior, the interior being delimited, for example when the respirator is in operation, by the respirator itself, the user's head and the seal of the respirator. In particular, the breathing mask can be convex, with at least one cavity being formed that is partially closed off by the breathing mask and the edges of which are formed, for example, by the at least one seal. In particular, the breathing mask can have a wall that is preferably completely or partially flexible and covers the mouth and nose and optionally other areas of the face such as the eyes. In particular, the seal can have at least one sealing lip, which seals the respirator against the face, so that said interior space is formed as a sealed area between the face and the respirator. Furthermore, as will be explained in more detail below, the respirator mask can have at least one attachment for attachment to the user's head, for example at least one strap, at least one attachment strap or at least one attachment which consists of several straps and is often referred to as a strap or spider will. The breathing mask can, for example, have at least one Have opening and can be set up, for example, to allow air supply or respiratory gas supply. For example, the breathing mask can have at least one thread for connecting a breathing gas supply. Furthermore, the breathing mask can have at least one exhalation valve, for example. For example, the respirator mask can be made entirely or partially from a flexible material, in particular from at least one elastomeric material, for example rubber and/or silicone.

In addition, the breathing apparatus can have at least one gas-carrying element. The term "gas-bearing element" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to an element or a combination of elements which, when the breathing apparatus is used by a human or animal user, can be exposed to a breathing gas or otherwise come into contact with the breathing gas. In particular, this can be a lung demand valve and/or a breathing tube with at least one valve. In particular, the gas-carrying element can be an element which has at least one hose and/or at least one other type of gas-carrying device with an interior space and/or at least one valve, which generally must not be subjected to cleaning fluid. For example, the gas-carrying element can be an area of the breathing apparatus that is pressurized during operation at a pressure above normal pressure, for example a gas-carrying area of a breathing apparatus above normal pressure, for example above 1.5 bar, in particular above 2 bars. In particular, it can be a breathing gas-carrying area of a lung governed demand valve, in which case the lung governed demand valve can in principle be a single-stage or multi-stage demand valve. The gas-carrying element can, for example, be part of a first stage and/or a second stage and/or optionally further stages of the lung governed demand valve or else a complete lung governed demand valve. For example, the gas-carrying element can be an area between a hose connection and a valve of a demand valve, or the gas-carrying element can comprise such an area.

The term "basket frame" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, refer in particular to a basic mechanical structure of the cleaning basket, which in particular can have a basket floor, as well as one or more basket walls, which can extend in particular from the basket floor. The basket frame can in particular be made entirely or partially from at least one material selected from the group consisting of a synthetic material and metal. The basket frame can, for example, be designed entirely or partially as a wire frame, for example as a wire mesh. As an alternative or in addition, the basket frame can also be designed entirely or partially as a plastic frame, for example as a plastic frame with a number of openings, for example as a plastic grid. Overall, the basket frame can have, for example, one or more openings so that cleaning fluid can flow out of an interior of the basket frame. The basket frame can, for example, have a cuboid basic structure in whole or in part, for example with a rectangular support surface.

The term "pressure port" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to any connecting element in principle, to which the at least one gas-carrying element can be connected, in order to provide pressurized gas from the pressurization device to the at least one gas-carrying element. A connection between the pressure connection and the gas-carrying element is generally to be understood as a fluidic connection, in particular a gas connection, so that the pressurized fluid of the pressurization device can flow into the gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus, in particular into an interior space of the gas-carrying element. can be transferred, preferably without any fluid loss and/or pressure loss occurring at this connection. The pressure connection can include at least one mechanical connection element, in particular a positive and/or non-positive connection, so that the breathing apparatus, in particular the gas-carrying element, can be firmly connected to the pressure connection. For example, this can be a screw connection and/or a clamp connection and/or a clamping connection, for which purpose the pressure connection and/or the breathing apparatus can each have at least one mechanical connection element. In particular, this can be a plug-in connection in the form of a quick-action coupling and/or a thread, for example a coupling piece for a breathing connection of a demand valve. A quick coupling is generally understood to be a gas-tight and/or liquid-tight plug-in connection between two fluid-carrying components, which are mechanically secured by a mechanical fixation that can be produced and released in a simple and quick manner, in particular without using a screw cap can, for example, by at least one clamping hook and/or a bayonet catch and/or a screw cap, for example a union nut. The connection can be made in particular without tools. In particular, the pressure connection can comprise a plurality of fixed or exchangeable adapters for connection to different types of gas-carrying elements. Using these adapters, a number of different gas-carrying elements can be connected directly or indirectly to the pressure port, for example different types and/or different types of gas-carrying elements, for example different makes or manufacturers. For example, an adapter set with a plurality of different coupling pieces (for example coupling pieces of a quick coupling) and/or threads can be provided for connecting different gas-carrying elements. For example, this can involve different quick coupling systems and/or standard threads. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one pressure connection can also be designed as a fixed pressure connection for a specific type of connecting element or for a specific type of gas-carrying element. It is particularly advantageous if the pressure connection and/or its coupling system are set up in such a way that on the one hand no gas can escape if no counterpart is connected and that in this case no other medium, for example cleaning fluid, can enter the gas-carrying element.

The pressure port may be directly or indirectly connected or connectable to the pressurization device. As will be explained in more detail below, there are several possibilities with regard to the design of the pressurization device. For example, this can be fully or partially integrated into the cleaning basket, for example in the form of at least one compressed gas bottle. In this case, for example, there can be a compressed gas line between the integrated pressurization device and the pressure connection in the cleaning basket. In this compressed gas line example, at least one valve can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, the pressurization device can also be accommodated, for example, in whole or in part in a cleaning device, in the cleaning chamber of which the cleaning basket is placed, in the form of a pressure application device integrated into the cleaning device and/or in the form of a connection of the cleaning device, for example to an on-site compressed gas network or an on-site compressed gas line. In this case, for example, the cleaning basket can be connected to the pressurization device via at least one compressed gas line. This compressed gas line can be connected automatically, for example, when the cleaning basket is inserted into the cleaning chamber as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively or additionally, however, the compressed gas line can also be connected manually, for example manually to a corresponding connection on the cleaning basket when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device. A cleaning system comprising the cleaning basket and the cleaning device, which is described in more detail below, can thus also comprise the at least one compressed gas line which connects the pressurization device and the pressure connection. The compressed gas line can be part or all of the cleaning basket or can also be part or all of another part of the cleaning system, for example the cleaning device or as a separate component.

The term "pressurization device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a device which is set up to be able to provide a fluid, in particular a gas, at a pressure above normal pressure, for example a pressure of at least 1.5 bar, preferably a pressure of at least 2 bar. The Druckbeaufschlagungsvor direction is set up to apply the gas-carrying element with compressed gas. A compressed gas can generally be understood to mean any gas which has a pressure above normal pressure, ie a pressure above 1 bar. In particular, this can involve a pressure above 1.5 bar, in particular above 2 bar, and particularly preferably above 3 bar. In particular, the pressurization device can be set up in such a way that the pressurization with the compressed gas takes place in such a way that all cleaning fluid is kept away from an interior space of the breathing apparatus to which the compressed gas has been applied. The compressed gas can be, for example, compressed air or another gaseous medium with an overpressure, for example nitrogen, carbon dioxide or the like. In particular, an inert gas can be used as the compressed gas. The cleaning device can in particular be designed in such a way that the pressurization takes place via the pressurization device during at least one cleaning process, for example during at least one program step of a single-step or multi-step cleaning program. In particular, the pressurized gas can be applied at the same time as the cleaning fluid is applied to the breathing apparatus. The pressurization device can in particular have at least one valve, in particular at least one valve which can be controlled by a controller of the cleaning device. The pressurization device can, in particular, have at least one element selected from the group consisting of: at least one external pressure connection for connection to an external compressed gas source, in particular an on-site compressed gas line and/or a compressed gas bottle, to the cleaning device; and/or a compressed gas source integrated into the cleaning device, in particular an integrated compressed gas cylinder and/or an integrated compressor; and/or a compressed gas source integrated into the cleaning basket, in particular an integrated compressed gas bottle and/or an integrated compressor.

As explained above, the pressure connection can in particular comprise at least one positive and/or non-positive connection element. This connection element can be set up to produce a mechanical connection with the gas-carrying element in addition to the gas-tight connection. In particular, this at least one connecting element can have at least one quick coupling and/or at least one thread. In general, the pressure connection can be fully or partially integrated into the cleaning basket. The cleaning basket can generally have at least one detachable compressed gas connection to the cleaning device, so that the compressed gas can be made available to the cleaning basket via the cleaning device, for example if the pressurization device is fully or partially integrated into the cleaning device and/or if the pressurization device is fully or partially comprises an external pressure port connected to the cleaning device. The detachable compressed gas connection between the cleaning basket and the cleaning device can, for example, be closed manually and/or automatically when the cleaning basket is introduced into the cleaning chamber and/or can be decoupled manually or automatically when the cleaning basket is removed from the cleaning chamber. For example, the cleaning basket and the cleaning device can have corresponding compressed gas connection parts which can be coupled to one another, in particular in a reversible manner.

The pressurization device is set up to apply pressurized gas to the gas-carrying element. A compressed gas is generally understood to be any gas which has a pressure above normal pressure, ie a pressure above 1 bar. In particular, this can involve a pressure above 1.5 bar, in particular above 2 bar, and particularly preferably above 3 bar. Be particularly preferred, the pressurization device is set up such that the pressurization with the compressed gas takes place in such a way that all the cleaning fluid is kept away from an interior of the breathing apparatus which is acted upon by the compressed gas. The compressed gas can be, for example, compressed air or another gaseous medium with an overpressure, for example nitrogen, carbon dioxide or the like. In particular, an inert gas can be used as the compressed gas. The cleaning device can in particular be designed in such a way that the pressurization via the pressurization device takes place during at least one cleaning process, for example during at least one program step of a single-step or multi-step cleaning program. In particular, the pressurized gas can be applied at the same time as the cleaning fluid is applied to the breathing apparatus. The pressure connection can accordingly be arranged in particular within the cleaning chamber, so that the pressurized gas and cleaning fluid can be applied simultaneously.

As stated above, the cleaning basket has at least one pressure sensor which is set up to detect pressurization of the pressure connection. The term "pressure sensor" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to any element or device that is set up to qualitatively or quantitatively record the pressurization. In this case, the pressure sensor can, for example, fall back on measuring principles which are fundamentally known to a person skilled in the art. For example, the pressure to be detected can cause a change in at least part of the pressure sensor, for example at least one change selected from the group consisting of a displacement, a change in position, a change in orientation, a deformation, a strain or a rotation, which are detected qualitatively or quantitatively can, for example by means of at least one measuring principle selected from the group consisting of a mechanical measuring principle, an optical measuring principle and an acoustic measuring principle. As explained above, the pressure application can be detected by the pressure sensor qualitatively or quantitatively. A combination of qualitative and quantitative detection is also conceivable, for example if several pressure sensors are included. A qualitative detection can be carried out, for example, by determining whether or not at least a specified minimum pressure is present, whereby the minimum pressure can be fixed or can also be variably adjustable, for example by a user and/or automatically by the cleaning device for example, to allow an adjustment to a cleaning program or a cleaning program step. A quantitative assessment can, for example, take place that the pressure sensor generates at least one detectable measured variable, for example at least one measurement signal, which correlates with the applied pressure. This measurement signal can also be or include, for example, a position of at least one measuring element or at least one indicator of the pressure sensor that correlates at least partially with the pressure.

According to these options for designing the pressure sensor, the result of detecting the application of pressure can also be designed. This result can include at least one piece of information that describes the application of pressure qualitatively and/or quantitatively. For example, the information can include binary or Boolean information which indicates whether or not the pressurization has reached the at least one minimum value described above. “Reached” can mean “is greater than” or “is at least as great as”. Quantitative information, on the other hand, can include, for example, at least one measured value or another measurement variable or its transmission variable, which can assume more than two values and which, for example, quantitatively describes the value of the pressurization over at least one measurement range and/or in at least three stages. The information can be in various forms, for example in at least one form selected from the group consisting of: a mechanical form, for example a position of a mechanical indicator; magnetic information, for example an orientation or other configuration of a magnetic field; electrical information, such as analog or digital electrical information; optical information, for example a color, intensity or position of at least one optical element.

As also stated above, the cleaning basket has at least one transmission device for transmitting at least one result of the detection of the pressurization to a cleaning device. The term "transmission device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to any device in principle, by means of which at least one piece of information can be transmitted, in particular from one device to another device. The design of the transmission device can be adapted accordingly to the options described above for designing the result of the detection of the application of pressure. Accordingly, the transmission device can have at least one interface, for example, selected from the group consisting of a mechanical, a magnetic, an electrical and an optical interface.

In particular, the pressure sensor can have at least one movable element, ie at least one element which can change at least one position and/or orientation, for example in two or more positions, stepwise or continuously. This movable element can be movable, in particular, as a result of the pressurization. Thus, the movable element can be equipped with at least one hydraulic surface or can be connected to it, on which the pressure of the pressurization device can act. In particular, the movable element can be moved against a restoring force by the application of pressure. This restoring force can, for example, include gravity and/or at least one elastic restoring force, for example a spring force. For example, the at least one movable element can have at least one element selected from the group consisting of a spring-loaded piston and a gravity-returning piston. However, other types of moveable elements that can act as indicators of pressurization are also conceivable, as those skilled in the art will recognize. In particular, the movable element can have at least one magnetic element. This magnetic element can, for example, be part of the piston mentioned above or be coupled to it. The configuration of the pressure sensor with the movable or movably mounted element represents a particularly simple and robust solution, which is also particularly suitable for the special conditions inside a cleaning chamber, for example the high humidity. The solution is not prone to failure, easy to implement and insensitive to steam and changing atmospheric conditions in the cleaning chamber, for example.

The cleaning basket can furthermore, in addition to the transmission device or also as part of the same, have at least one indicator which is set up to visually indicate a result of the detection of the pressurization of the pressure connection. This indicator can, for example, be a color indicator, for example a color indicator which changes at least one position of at least one colored element according to the result of the detection of the pressurization. For example, a colored piston can be pushed out of a housing by applying pressure, which is visually recognizable. Other possibilities are also conceivable. As stated above, the cleaning basket can also have at least one mask holder for holding at least one respirator in the cleaning basket. The term "mask holder" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its common and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term may particularly refer, without limitation, to a device configured to hold at least one respirator, particularly during a cleaning operation. The mask holder can in particular have at least one projection which extends from the cleaning basket and in particular from a bottom of the cleaning basket and/or a wall of the cleaning basket, for example into an interior space of the cleaning basket and/or upwards from the cleaning basket, and which is set up to hold and/or fix the at least one breathing mask, in particular at a distance from a bottom of the cleaning basket. The mask holder can, for example, be made entirely or partially of at least one plastic and/or entirely or partially of at least one metallic material. The Mas kenhalter can also be fully or partially connected to the basket frame or be integrally formed with the basket frame.

Furthermore, the cleaning basket can have at least one suction element, which has at least one suction opening and is set up to extend into the at least one breathing mask held by the mask holder. The suction element can be set up to be subjected to negative pressure and to suck cleaning fluid out of at least one interior of the respirator into the suction opening. The term "suction element" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a device or an element which is set up to remove at least one fluid from a predetermined area by means of the suction process, in particular by applying a negative pressure. In particular, the suction element can have at least one element selected from the group consisting of a tube, a hose and a channel, the element having at least one opening through which fluid can enter the element and the element itself being subjected to a negative pressure . For example, the element can have at least one connection to at least one negative pressure source or vacuum source or to connect at least one negative pressure source or vacuum source, the connection being fluidically connected to the at least one opening, which can also be referred to as a suction opening. Accordingly, as used herein, the term "suction port" is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to an opening in a wall of the suction element, through which fluid can enter an interior space, for example a lumen that can be subjected to negative pressure, of the suction element. In principle, the opening can have any desired cross-section, for example a round, oval or polygonal cross-section. For example, a single opening or a plurality of openings can be provided in the wall of the suction element. For example, the at least one suction opening can comprise at least one through-opening in at least one wall of a tube, a hose or a channel of the suction element.

The suction element can be fully or partially connected to the mask holder and/or integrated into the mask holder. Accordingly, the suction element can also be designed as part of the mask holder, for example, and/or can be permanently or detachably connected to the mask holder. Alternatively or additionally, however, the suction element can also be connected in whole or in part in a fixed or detachable manner to other components of the cleaning basket or be integrated in whole or in part in other components of the cleaning basket. The suction element can also be connected to the basket frame. A fixed or also a detachable connection is conceivable here. For example, the suction element can be set up to be detachably connected to one or more other components of the cleaning basket, for example the basket frame or the mask holder, and to be removed, for example, for cleaning purposes.

As stated above, the suction member can be configured to extend into the respirator held by the mask holder. Accordingly, the suction element can in particular have an elongated element, for example an element whose longitudinal extent exceeds its lateral extent by at least a factor of 2, for example by at least a factor of 3. In particular, the suction element can accordingly be configured, for example, as a hose or tube or also as a loop of a hose or tube in order to extend into at least one interior space of the breathing mask. Spatially, the suction element can be positioned in particular in such a way that it protrudes from the mask holder or protrudes from the mask holder, so that when the respirator mask is mounted on the mask holder, the suction element extends into an interior space formed, for example, by a wall of the respirator mask is assigned to the mask holder, extends inside. The suction element can be rigid or also preferably flexible, as will be explained in more detail below, so that the suction element can be introduced flexibly into the interior, for example, and can be introduced specifically into a space on a seal of the breathing mask in order to suck off cleaning fluid there suck.

As stated above, the suction element can also be set up to be subjected to negative pressure. As stated above, this application of low pressure and thus the suction process can take place during the application of the at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing apparatus or after the application of the cleaning fluid, for example during a drying step or before a drying step. By subjecting the suction element to negative pressure, cleaning fluid is sucked out of the at least one interior space of the breathing mask into the suction opening. For this purpose, the suction element, as explained above, can have at least one lumen, for example, which is surrounded by a wall of the suction element, for example, a lumen of a tube, a hose or a channel of the suction element. The suction opening can, for example, penetrate the wall which encloses the lumen, so that cleaning fluid can enter the lumen through the suction opening. In particular, the lumen can be elongated. The lumen can, for example, be or can be connected to at least one negative pressure source, also referred to as a vacuum source, at at least one connection point, for example at least one socket or another type of connection point.

Further advantageous refinements can relate to the transmission device. Various options for designing the transmission device have already been mentioned above. In particular, the transmission device can have at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic transmission element, in particular a movably mounted magnetic element whose position can be changed by the application of pressure; a mechanical actuating element, in particular a movably mounted mechanical element whose position can be changed by the application of pressure; an optical element, in particular a movably mounted and optically detectable element whose position can be changed by the pressurization; a magnetic transmission element, in particular a movably mounted magnetic element whose position can be changed by the application of pressure; a mechanical actuating element, in particular a a movably mounted mechanical element whose position can be changed by the pressurization; an optical element, in particular a movably mounted element whose position can be changed by the application of pressure and can be optically detected; an acoustic element; an electronic element; an electro-magnetic element, in particular an electromagnetic element, which is set up to generate and/or change an electrical signal as a result of the pressurization; an electronic element; a mechanical-electrical converter, in particular an element that is set up to convert pressurization into an electrical signal, in particular a mechanical-electrical converter selected from the group consisting of an element that is based on the use of strain gauges and can change an electrical resistance in an electrical conductor by the pressurization, an element that can change an electrical resistance in an electrical semiconductor based on crystalline structures by the pressurization, or an element that is based on crystalline structures by the pressurization can generate an electrical voltage; a mechanical-acoustic transducer, in particular an element that can generate an acoustic signal as a result of the pressure being applied, for example either directly and/or indirectly, in particular by generating an electrical-acoustic sound. The at least one pressure sensor can in particular directly or indirectly transmit the result of the detection of the pressurization wirelessly to the cleaning device, for example by directly measuring the pressure in the cleaning basket with radio transmission to the cleaning device, for example via RFID and/or Bluetooth, in particular low-energy Bluetooth .

The at least one cleaning basket can also have at least one energy source and/or at least one energy store, in particular for supplying energy to the at least one pressure sensor and/or the transmission device. For example, at least one battery and/or at least one accumulator can be provided in the at least one cleaning basket. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one cleaning basket can also have at least one electrical interface for the external power supply. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one cleaning basket can also have at least one energy generating device and/or at least one energy converter, for example at least one energy harvesting system, in particular a converter which is set up to convert vibrations, pressure, temperature or other forms of energy to convert into electrical energy. In this way, the at least one pressure sensor and/or the at least one transmission device can be supplied with energy. These options for transmitting information can be used well and without problems, particularly in the hot and humid atmosphere in a cleaning chamber of the cleaning device. The devices described can in particular be wholly or partially connected, coupled or identical to the above-described at least one movable element, which can be moved by the application of pressure.

In a further aspect, a cleaning device for cleaning breathing apparatus is proposed. The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber for accommodating at least one cleaning basket proposed here, for example according to one or more of the configurations described above and/or according to one or more of the configurations described in more detail below. The cleaning device also has at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing apparatus. Furthermore, the cleaning device has at least one interface for receiving the at least one result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket.

The term "cleaning device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a device which is set up to free items to be cleaned from adhering macroscopic or also microscopic contamination or to at least partially eliminate such contamination. In addition, a disinfection effect can optionally be exercised. As will be explained in more detail below, the cleaning device can be designed in particular as a dishwashing machine, for example as a converted dishwasher. The dishwasher can, for example, be designed as a single-chamber dishwasher, in particular as a commercial single-chamber dishwasher with a multi-circuit washing system, as a front-door dishwasher or as a hood-type dishwasher, in particular as a pass-through dishwasher. Dishwashers with water changes, in particular so-called single-circuit systems, can also be used. As an alternative or in addition to dishwashers, other types of cleaning devices can also be used.

As stated above, the cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber. The term "cleaning chamber" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. In particular, the term may refer, without limitation, to a fully or partially enclosed chamber within which the cleaning process may be fully or partially performed. The cleaning chamber can in particular have at least one housing which completely or partially encloses the cleaning chamber. A single cleaning chamber can be provided, or several cleaning chambers can also be provided, for example sequentially. The cleaning chamber can, for example, have at least one opening for loading the cleaning chamber with the items to be cleaned. For example, this can be an opening with a flap arranged on a front side of the cleaning chamber and/or a top side of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, hoods are also possible at the end of the cleaning chamber, for example in the context of so-called hood dishwashers or pass-through dishwashers. Other configurations are basically possible, please include.

As stated above, the cleaning chamber is set up to accommodate the at least one cleaning basket, for example according to one or more of the configurations described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. For this purpose, the cleaning chamber can, for example, have at least one basket holder, for example at least one rail into which the cleaning basket can be pushed, and/or at least one holding device or transport device, by means of which the basket can be moved into the cleaning chamber, out of the cleaning chamber or can be transported through the cleaning chamber.

As stated above, the cleaning device also has at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing apparatus. In this way, the application device can be designed in particular for the application of the at least one cleaning fluid in the cleaning chamber to the breathing apparatus. The application device can have, for example, at least one tank for receiving the at least one cleaning fluid and, for example, one or more nozzles. In particular, the application device can have, for example, at least two nozzle arms accommodated in the cleaning chamber. In addition, the application device can have further elements, such as one or more pumps for transporting the cleaning fluid to the at least one nozzle, and one or more pipelines. The application device can be controlled in particular by at least one controller of the cleaning device. The term "applying device" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to any device in principle, by means of which the items to be cleaned within the cleaning chamber can be subjected to the at least one cleaning fluid, in particular the at least one cleaning liquid. The application device has, for example, at least one nozzle system with at least one nozzle, for example with one or more nozzle arms, which can be arranged, for example, above and/or below the items to be cleaned. Furthermore, the application device can include at least one pump and at least one line system for providing cleaning liquid to the nozzle system. In this case, for example, a nozzle system and a line system for applying cleaning liquid from a tank can be provided, as well as at least one corresponding pump. Alternatively or additionally, for example, at least one nozzle system can also be acted upon directly from a supply line, without a pump being required for this. The cleaning device can be designed in particular as a cleaning device with two tanks, a washing tank and a rinsing tank. Accordingly, the loading device can include in particular a washing system and a rinsing system, with the washing system for example having the washing tank and a washing nozzle system as well as a washing pipe system and a washing pump, for example a circulating pump. The rinsing system can have, for example, a rinsing tank that is separate from the wash tank, as well as a rinsing nozzle system, a rinsing line system and optionally a rinsing pump. The after-rinse nozzle system and the washing nozzle system can be designed completely or partially separately, for example. Optionally, however, these nozzle systems can also be combined in whole or in part, for example in a common housing.

As explained above, the application device can in particular have at least one nozzle. This at least one nozzle can in particular include at least one nozzle selected from the group consisting of: a spray nozzle; a flushing nozzle; a spray arm, in particular a rotatable spray arm; a nozzle that can be operated in circulation mode.

The term "cleaning fluid" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and ordinary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. the The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a liquid which, when it hits the items to be cleaned, can develop a cleaning effect. Accordingly, the term “cleaning liquid” is also used in the following instead of the term “cleaning fluid”, without restricting the use of other fluid media. In particular, the cleaning liquid can comprise an aqueous liquid, for example water and/or water with one or more additives, for example with one or more cleaning concentrates and/or rinse aids and/or disinfectants. The cleaning fluid can be applied to the respirator in such a way that a single cleaning liquid is used or in such a way that a combination of several cleaning liquids is used. If several cleaning liquids are provided, the different cleaning liquids can be applied simultaneously or sequentially. For example, the cleaning basket with the breathing apparatus can remain stationary within a cleaning chamber of a cleaning device and can be subjected to the various cleaning liquids and/or cleaning fluids one after the other.

As further explained above, the cleaning fluid can in particular comprise at least one cleaning fluid selected from the group consisting of: an aqueous cleaning fluid; a cleaning fluid with at least one cleaning solution; a cleaning fluid with at least one rinse aid; a cleaning fluid with at least one disinfectant; a post-rinse fluid; demineralized water; a heated cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning fluid heated to a temperature of 30°C to 70°C and particularly preferably 60°C.

“Application with cleaning fluid” can generally be understood as any contacting of the items to be cleaned, in this case the breathing apparatus, with the at least one cleaning fluid. This can be done, for example, in the form of a direct application, for example by spraying, dripping, irradiating or a combination of the above and/or other direct types of application, in which the cleaning fluid impinges directly on the items to be cleaned, for example the breathing apparatus and/or the breathing mask . This embodiment of the loading can be done in particular with a fixed cleaning chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the application can also take place in such a way that the cleaning chamber is completely or partially filled with cleaning fluid, so that the cleaning product accommodated in the cleaning chamber comes into contact with the cleaning fluid at least in one position of the cleaning chamber. This embodiment of the impingement can be used in particular in an embodiment of the cleaning chamber as a movable cleaning chamber, for example in the form of a drum. Combinations of the types of loading mentioned and/or other types of loading are also possible. Irrespective of whether the cleaning chamber is designed to be rigid or movable, the cleaning fluid can be applied in simple operation by the cleaning fluid only once cleaning the good, for example the breathing apparatus and/or the breathing mask, is applied. Alternatively or additionally, however, cleaning can also be carried out in circulation mode, in that cleaning fluid is applied to the items to be cleaned several times. Such circulating operations and circulation circuits are known, for example, from conventional dishwashers.

The cleaning device can be set up, for example, to carry out at least one cleaning program using the application device, for example controlled by at least one controller of the cleaning device, in which the items to be cleaned, for example the at least one cleaning basket with the breathing apparatus, are held stationary in the cleaning chamber and successively one or more cleaning steps of the cleaning program is applied in different ways with cleaning fluid, for example initially in at least one washing step with the at least one washing fluid and in at least one rinsing step with the at least one rinsing fluid. Furthermore, at least one drying step can be provided which, for example in one cleaning chamber with stationary accommodation of the items to be cleaned, can be downstream of the application of the cleaning fluid. Accordingly, the cleaning device can be designed in particular as a programmed machine. Alternatively, however, the cleaning device can also be designed as a transport cleaning device, for example, in which the cleaning basket with the breathing apparatus is transported through one or more cleaning zones.

The term "tank" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a fully or partially closed container which is set up to hold at least one fluid, in particular at least one liquid. As stated above, the at least one tank can have at least one washing tank, for example. This at least one wash tank can be arranged, for example, in a floor of the cleaning chamber or can also be fluidically connected to a floor of the cleaning chamber, so that cleaning fluid can flow from the cleaning chamber into the wash tank. For example, the wash tank can be separated from the cleaning chamber by at least one screen. In addition to the at least one wash tank, the at least one tank may also include one or more include more tanks. For example, the at least one tank can have at least one post-rinse tank, which can be configured separately from the wash tank, for example. In the at least one final rinsing tank, for example, at least one final rinsing fluid, also referred to as final rinsing fluid, can be processed, for example temperature-controlled, while a washing step is still taking place in the cleaning chamber. The rinse tank can, for example, include at least one boiler.

The cleaning device also has at least one interface for receiving the at least one result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket. The term "interface" as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a device of basically any configuration that is set up to receive at least one piece of information and then optionally process it completely or partially and/or forward it, for example to at least one controller. The interface can be designed in particular as a counterpart to the transmission device described above, so that the interface can be set up in particular to receive information provided by the transmission device. Accordingly, reference can be made to the possibilities described above with regard to possible configurations of information transmission, with the person skilled in the art recognizing that a specific possibility of information transmission by the transmission device can be assigned a corresponding device for information reception in the interface. In particular, the interface can have at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic interface, in particular an interface with at least one magnetic sensor for detecting at least one magnetic field; a mechanical interface, in particular a mechanical interface with at least one mechanical sensor, in particular a mechanical sensor for detecting at least one position of a mechanical adjusting element; an optical interface, in particular an optical interface with at least one optical sensor for optically detecting at least one position of at least one optically detectable element; at least one electrical interface, for example an electrically conductive connection; at least one radio interface, in particular an interface that is suitable for using the RFID technology; an acoustic interface such as a microphone; an electronic interface. In particular, the interface can have at least one reed sensor, ie a magnetic switching element. The reed sensor can be set up in particular to at least one To detect the position of at least one movably mounted magnetic element of the cleaning basket that can be changed in position by the pressurization.

The cleaning device can also include at least one controller which is set up to control at least one cleaning program in the cleaning device. The term "control" as used herein is a broad term that should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a one-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device, which is set up to fully or partially control and/or regulate an operation of the cleaning device. In particular, the controller can be set up to change one or more operating parameters of the cleaning device, in particular to control and/or regulate them, for example at least one temperature, at least one pressure, at least one pump output, at least one valve position, at least one heating output or a combination of two or more of the operating parameters mentioned. In particular, the controller can include at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor. The controller can in particular be set up in terms of programming, for example in order to control or carry out at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device. Accordingly, the controller can be set up partially by hardware and/or alternatively or additionally, fully or partially by software. Furthermore, the controller can include at least one volatile and/or non-volatile data memory. Furthermore, the controller can include at least one interface, for example a man-machine interface for inputting commands and/or for outputting information, and/or a wireless or wired interface for the unidirectional or bidirectional exchange of data and/or commands between the Cleaning device and at least one other device before. In particular, the controller can include at least one computer and/or at least one processor. The controller can in particular be a central or decentralized machine controller of the cleaning device.

In particular, the controller can be set up, for example set up by programming, to control the application of at least one compressed gas to the gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus in at least one program step of the cleaning program, while at the same time the at least one cleaning fluid can be applied to the breathing apparatus. Furthermore, the controller can be set up to in at least one program step, applying negative pressure to the suction element so that cleaning fluid that penetrates the at least one interior space of the breathing mask is at least partially sucked into the suction opening.

In particular, the controller can be set up to receive the result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket from the interface. This can be done in that the interface is wholly or partially part of the controller and/or that the interface communicates with the controller, for example via at least one data line and/or at least one signal line or is connected wirelessly. The result of the recognition of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket can be transmitted unchanged from the interface to the controller or, for example, after modification, conversion or pre-processing.

As stated above, the cleaning device can also have at least one pressurization device. In other words, the pressurization device can be part or all of the cleaning device. For possible configurations and options, reference can be made to the above description of the cleaning basket. The pressurizing device can be connectable to the cleaning basket and can be set up to pressurize the at least one gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus with compressed gas via the pressure connection of the cleaning basket during the loading of the breathing apparatus with the at least one cleaning fluid.

The cleaning device can also have at least one additional pressure sensor, ie at least one additional pressure sensor in addition to the at least one pressure sensor of the cleaning basket. The at least one further pressure sensor, which can be part of the cleaning device, can be set up to monitor the pressurization by the pressurization device. In addition to the detection by means of the at least one pressure sensor in the cleaning basket, there can be at least one further pressure monitoring in the cleaning device, so that, for example, a complete pressurization system, comprising pressure-retaining parts of the cleaning device and pressure-retaining parts of the cleaning basket, can be designed to be pressure-monitored .

The controller of the cleaning device can be set up to receive at least one signal from the additional pressure sensor. This signal can, for example, be an electrical be a cal signal, which can be transmitted, for example, wired or wirelessly from the min least one additional pressure sensor to the controller. It can be an analog or a digital data signal.

The controller can, for example, be directed to evaluate the signal, in particular by means of a corresponding program-technical design and/or also by means of a corresponding electrical circuit. In particular, the controller can be set up to recognize a connection process of a pressure connection of a cleaning basket to the pressurization device on the basis of a pressure fluctuation in the signal, in particular a sudden, time-limited pressure drop. In particular, the controller can be set up to carry out one or more specific actions according to the recognition of the connection process, for example enabling a cleaning process and/or issuing a warning to a user of the cleaning device.

In general, the controller can be set up in particular to carry out at least one action, selected from the group consisting of, according to the result of the detection of the pressurization by the at least one pressure sensor of the cleaning basket and optionally also by the at least one further optional pressure sensor of the cleaning device : A release of the application of the breathing apparatus with the at least one cleaning fluid, in particular upon detection of pressurization of the pressure port, in particular upon detection of pressurization of the pressure port with a minimum pressure; a blocking of the application of the breathing apparatus with the at least one cleaning fluid, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection is not detected, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure is not detected; a release of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device, in particular upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure port, in particular special upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure port with a minimum pressure; a blocking of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection is not detected, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure is not detected; a closing of at least one opening device of the cleaning device, in particular a time-delayed closing, in particular a closing upon detection of pressurization of the pressure connection, in particular upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure, with an automatic program start of at least one cleaning program after closing, in particular the time-delayed closing, is possible; an output of at least one item of information about the pressurization of the pressure connection to a user of the cleaning device, in particular an output of a warning notice, in particular if the application of the at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing apparatus is to be started if the pressure connection is not recognized as being pressurized with a minimum pressure; logging of at least one piece of information about the pressurization of the pressure connection, in particular logging of a warning and/or if a cleaning program is started after a warning, in particular logging by the at least one controller; blocking the cleaning device as a function of at least one piece of information about the pressurization of the pressure connection, in particular blocking the start of a cleaning program when the pressure falls below the minimum; an automatic start of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device, in particular upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure.

Furthermore, the controller can be set up to log cleaning processes in the cleaning device. For example, data logs about the cleaning processes in the cleaning device can be created and optionally stored in at least one volatile or non-volatile data memory of the cleaning device and/or transmitted via at least one data interface to at least one other device, for example to at least one external computer. The protocols can store one or more operating parameters of the cleaning processes, for example, as well as other information, in particular times, information about the items to be cleaned or about a user. Furthermore, the logging can include the respective detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket and optionally also the signal of the further pressure sensor or information derived therefrom about the pressurization by the pressurization device. For example, it can be traced by evaluating the logs whether the pressurization has taken place or not, and in particular whether and/or if a rinsing program was then started despite the lack of pressurization.

In particular, the cleaning device can be set up to use at least two different types of cleaning baskets. For example, the cleaning device can be set up to automatically recognize the type of cleaning basket that is currently being held or is to be held in the cleaning chamber. In particular, the controller can be set up to adapt at least one cleaning program to the recognized type of cleaning basket. In particular, the cleaning device can be set up to differentiate between at least two different types of cleaning baskets, in particular cleaning baskets with a pressure connection and cleaning baskets without a pressure connection. To identify the type of cleaning basket, the cleaning device can in particular have at least one basket identification device, the basket identification device being set up to identify the at least one cleaning basket in the cleaning chamber. In this way, the presence of the cleaning basket and/or the type of cleaning basket can be automatically detected. The basket recognition device can in particular be set up to distinguish at least two different types of cleaning baskets, in particular cleaning baskets with a pressure connection and cleaning baskets without a pressure connection. The basket recognition device can be set up, for example, to directly recognize the type of cleaning basket or a part thereof, for example via a specific shape of the cleaning basket, which can be recognized in particular optically or mechanically. In the case of a mechanical detection, the cleaning basket can have a geometric shape, for example, which actuates a switch in the cleaning chamber directly if it is present and/or leaves the switch unactivated if the shape is absent. The switch can also be actuated indirectly, for example by a magnet in the geometric form actuating a reed switch in the wall of the washing chamber or not.

Alternatively or additionally, however, the at least one cleaning basket can also have at least one identifier which describes the type of cleaning basket or allows the type of cleaning basket to be inferred. The at least one identifier can, for example, have at least one identifier selected from the group consisting of: an optical identifier, in particular a barcode and/or a QR code; a magnetic identifier, in particular a magnetic stripe or some other type of magnetic coding; an electrical identifier, in particular an identification chip. The basket detection device can in particular be a corresponding one Have a reading device for recognizing and/or reading the at least one identifier.

In another aspect, a cleaning system for cleaning breathing apparatus is proposed. The cleaning system comprises at least one cleaning basket proposed here, for example according to one or more of the configurations described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. Furthermore, the cleaning system comprises at least one cleaning device proposed here, for example according to one or more of the configurations described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below.

The term "cleaning system" as used herein is a broad term which should be given its ordinary and current meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to any specific or adapted meaning. The term can, without limitation, relate in particular to a system, ie to a total of at least two functionally interacting components, which is used for cleaning in the sense of the above definition. With regard to possible definitions and configurations of the cleaning basket and the cleaning device, reference can be made to the above or following descriptions, definitions and options of these system components in the above description or in the following description.

In another aspect, a method of cleaning a respirator is proposed. The method comprises the use of at least one cleaning system proposed here, for example according to one or more of the configurations described above and/or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. The method also includes the steps specified below. These steps can be performed in the order listed. However, a different sequence is also possible in principle. Furthermore, two or more of the method steps mentioned can be carried out with a time overlap or simultaneously. Furthermore, one or more of the process steps mentioned can be carried out repeatedly, once or several times. In addition to the steps mentioned, the method can comprise further method steps which are not mentioned. The method includes the following steps: a) placing the respirator in the cleaning basket; b) connecting at least one gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus to the pressure connection of the cleaning basket; c) subjecting the gas-carrying element to pressurized gas; d) introducing the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device; e) detection of pressurization by means of the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket; and f) transmission of the result of the detection of the pressurization to the cleaning device.

For possible configurations of these method steps, reference can be made to the above description of the system components of the cleaning system.

The method can further include the following step: g) checking the result of the detection of the pressurization and, if the result shows that the gas-carrying element is pressurized gas, pressurizing the breathing apparatus with at least one cleaning fluid.

Accordingly, as explained above, the controller can be set up, for example, to only enable the entire cleaning program and/or the at least one program step in which the breathing apparatus is subjected to the at least one cleaning fluid if the result of the detection of the pressurization says that the gas-carrying element is acted upon by compressed gas. This query or condition can, for example, only be part of the method if the cleaning device and/or the basket recognition device have recognized that the cleaning basket in the cleaning chamber is a cleaning basket with a pressure connection and not, for example, a cleaning basket without pressure connection, especially for cleaning other components of personal protective equipment.

The method can also include the following step: h) monitoring the pressurization of the pressure connection of the cleaning basket by a pressurization device of the cleaning device by means of at least one additional pressure sensor of the cleaning device.

The query in step g) above can also be applied analogously to the result of step h). The result of the monitoring can also flow into the release of the application of at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing apparatus, for example as an additional condition. This can also be done, for example, depending on whether a cleaning basket with a pressure connection has been recognized or not. The cleaning basket, the cleaning device, the cleaning system and the method have numerous advantages over known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, the above-described disadvantages of known devices and methods can be avoided, at least to a large extent. In general, the process reliability of the cleaning process of safety-relevant respiratory protective equipment parts can be significantly increased by means of the present invention. Operating errors, for example due to missing or incorrect connection, in particular of the compressed gas line to the cleaning basket, can be avoided in this way. Any other failure of the pressurization device, in one or more of the possibilities described above, as well as other technical defects can be detected in this way and appropriate measures can be initiated. For example, an interruption in an on-site compressed air supply and/or a failure of a valve in the compressed gas supply, for example a compressed air solenoid valve, can be detected. The controller can take appropriate measures, such as stopping or preventing a cleaning process and/or displaying a warning or error message that indicates the problem at hand.

From a technical point of view, the proposed solution can be implemented in a comparatively simple manner by simply modifying the cleaning basket and/or the cleaning device. For example, baskets relevant to compressed air, i.e. cleaning baskets with a pressure connection, can be equipped with a spring- or gravity-resetting piston which moves a magnet in its position when compressed gas is present, in particular when compressed air is present, for example in hoses and/or the piping of the cleaning basket can. A correspondingly positioned receiver of the interface of the cleaning device, for example a reed switch in the cleaning device, for example the dishwasher, can recognize the shifted position of the magnet as an indicator of the compressed air present and can thus, for example, give the control the release to start the cleaning process . The information about the successful or existing compressed gas connection, for example the reed switch signal, can be used by the controller in various ways, for example also to close at least one opening device of the cleaning device, in particular time-controlled, for example after a predetermined number of times Seconds after detecting pressurization. For example, the controller can trigger a time-controlled closing of the hood on hood-type dishwashers, for example after a certain number of seconds after connecting a compressed gas line, in particular a compressed air line. The butt or that Movable elements designed in a different way can also be equipped, for example, to enable visual recognition of the pressure applied, for example with means of color markings.

The interface, for example the reed switch, can be integrated in particular in the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device, for example on or in a side wall. However, other positions are also conceivable, for example directly on the cleaning basket, in which case, however, signal transmission to the controller can involve a certain challenge. However, information can also be transmitted to the controller in this case via additional electrical contacts and/or wireless transmission. By means of the proposed devices and the method can thus in particular cleaning processes of lung demand valves without pressurization, for example as a result of a compressed air hose not coupled between the cleaning device and the cleaning basket, reliably prevent.

The at least one further pressure sensor, which can optionally be provided in the cleaning device, is also easy to implement and can bring about considerable advantages. For example, at least one pressure sensor can be used in a machine-side compressed air line in the direction of flow, for example after a valve, in particular a solenoid valve, and for example before a compressed air connection in the cleaning chamber to the cleaning basket. If a cleaning basket with a pressure connection is now inserted into the cleaning chamber and automatically recognized by the cleaning device, for example by means of a basket coding described above, the controller can wait until the connection of the cleaning basket to the pressurization device is recognized. For example, the controller can expect a brief dip in the pressure sensor signal, which can occur, for example, when the cleaning basket is connected to the pressure connection to the pressurization device and the air first spreads in the lines of the cleaning basket and is only then compressed. This signal, which indicates a short-term drop in pressure, can be provided by the controller as a trigger signal for one or more hand movements, for example. For example, this signal can be used as a trigger signal for a time-delayed closing of the opening device, for example the hood. Alternatively or additionally, failure of the expected signal to trigger one or more actions by the controller. For example, if there is no signal, the controller can prevent manual closing of the opening device, in particular the hood, and/or starting the cleaning program and/or output an error message that indicates the lack of compressed air connection to the cleaning basket and which, for example, can only start the cleaning program after renewed confirmation.

The optional at least one pressure sensor in the cleaning device can thus be used, for example, to generally monitor the required gas pressure, for example the air pressure, in order in particular to detect any fault in the compressed gas supply, in particular the compressed air supply, and to take appropriate measures. For example, error messages can be displayed and/or further use of the cleaning device in the event of a fault can only be permitted after additional confirmation.

Furthermore, as stated above, the controller can also provide logging in general. For example, flushing parameters can be automatically documented, which can also include the correct pressurization of the at least one gas-carrying element, for example the correct coupling of the compressed air line, and/or the pressure of the pressurization. In this way, it is also possible to check whether the process was carried out correctly and whether, for example, the correct working pressures were maintained. Overall, process reliability can thus be significantly increased. In particular, pressure monitoring can be implemented in the entire pressurization system, for example in the entire air system. The monitoring can take place both in the cleaning basket and in the cleaning device by means of simple pressure sensors and/or corresponding pressure switches.

In summary, the following embodiments are proposed without restricting further possible configurations:

Embodiment 1: Cleaning basket for cleaning breathing apparatus, comprising at least one basket frame, further comprising at least one pressure connection that can be connected to at least one gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus, wherein the gas-carrying element can be pressurized with compressed gas at least while the breathing apparatus is being subjected to at least one cleaning fluid, wherein the cleaning basket has at least one pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being set up to detect pressurization of the pressure connection, the cleaning basket also having at least one transmission device for transmitting at least one result of the detection of the pressurization to a cleaning device. Embodiment 2: Cleaning basket according to the previous embodiment, wherein the pressure sensor has at least one movable element, wherein the movable element is movable by the pressurization.

Embodiment 3: cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the movable element can be moved against a restoring force by the pressurization.

Embodiment 4: Cleaning basket according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the movable element has at least one element selected from the group consisting of a spring-loaded piston and a gravity-returning piston.

Embodiment 5: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the movable element has at least one magnetic element.

Embodiment 6: The cleaning basket according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one indicator, wherein the indicator is configured to visually indicate a result of the detection of the pressurization of the pressure port.

Embodiment 7: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one mask holder for holding at least one respirator in the cleaning basket.

Embodiment 8: Cleaning basket according to the previous embodiment, further comprising at least one suction element, the suction element having at least one suction opening and being arranged to extend into the respirator held by the mask holder, the suction element being arranged to communicate with Un To be pressurized and suck cleaning fluid from at least one interior of the respirator into the suction opening.

Embodiment 9: Cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transmission device has at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic transmission element, in particular a movably mounted magnetic element whose position can be changed by the pressurization; a mechanical actuating element, in particular a movable one mounted and changeable by the pressurization in a position mechanical element's; an optical element, in particular a movably mounted optically detectable element whose position can be changed by the application of pressure; an acoustic element; an electronic element; an electromagnetic element's, in particular an electromagnetic element, which is set up to generate and/or change an electrical signal as a result of the pressurization; an electronic element; a mechanical-electrical converter, in particular an element that is set up to convert a pressurization into an electrical signal, in particular a mechanical-electrical converter selected from the group consisting of an element, which is based on the use of strain gauges and through the pressurization can change an electrical resistance in an electrical conductor's, an element based on crystalline structures by the pressurization can change an electrical resistance in an electrical semiconductor or an element based on crystalline structures by the pressurization can generate an electrical voltage; a mechanical-acoustic transducer, in particular an element that can generate an acoustic signal through the pressurization supply, for example directly and / or indirectly, in particular special by an electrical - acoustic sound generation.

Embodiment 10: Cleaning device for cleaning breathing apparatus, comprising at least one cleaning chamber for accommodating at least one cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments, the cleaning device also having at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing apparatus, the cleaning device also having at least one interface for receiving the at least one result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket.

Embodiment 11: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the interface has at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic interface, in particular an interface with at least one magnetic sensor for detecting at least one magnetic field; a mechanical interface, in particular a mechanical interface with at least one mechanical sensor, in particular a mechanical sensor for detecting at least one position of a mechanical actuating element; an optical interface, in particular an optical interface with at least one optical sensor for optically detecting at least one position of at least one optically detectable element; an electrical interface, for example an electrically conductive connection; a radio interface, in particular an interface suitable for using RFID technology; an acoustic interface, such as a microphone; an electronic interface.

Embodiment 12: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, the interface having at least one reed sensor, in particular a reed sensor which is set up to detect at least one position of at least one movably mounted and by the pressure application to detect a position changeable magnetic element of the cleaning basket.

Embodiment 13: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, further comprising at least one controller, wherein the controller is set up to control at least one cleaning program in the cleaning device.

Embodiment 14: The cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is set up to receive the result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket from the interface.

Embodiment 15: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the cleaning device also has at least one pressurization device, wherein the pressurization device can be connected to the cleaning basket, wherein the pressurization device is set up to pressurize the at least one gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus while the breathing apparatus is being pressurized with the to apply compressed gas to at least one cleaning fluid via the pressure connection of the cleaning basket, wherein the cleaning device also has at least one additional pressure sensor, wherein the at least one additional pressure sensor is set up to monitor the pressurization by the pressurization device.

Embodiment 16 Cleaning device according to the previous embodiment, wherein the controller is set up to receive at least one signal from the further pressure sensor.

Embodiment 17: Cleaning device according to the previous embodiment, wherein the controller is arranged to, due to a pressure fluctuation in the signal, in particular a sudden drop in pressure, to recognize a connection process of a pressure connection of a cleaning basket to the pressurization device.

Embodiment 18: Cleaning device according to one of the four preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is set up to carry out at least one action according to the result of the detection of the pressurization and optionally also according to a signal from the further pressure sensor, selected from the group consisting of: a release the application of the breathing apparatus with the at least one cleaning fluid, in particular when a pressurization of the pressure port is detected, in particular when a pressurization of the pressure port is detected with a minimum pressure; a blocking of the application of the breathing apparatus with the at least one cleaning fluid, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection is not detected, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure is not detected; a release of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device, in particular upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure port, in particular special upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure port with a minimum pressure; a blocking of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection is not detected, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure is not detected; a closing of at least one opening device of the cleaning device, in particular a time-delayed closing, in particular a closing upon detection of pressurization of the pressure connection, in particular upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure, with an automatic program start of at least one cleaning program after closing, in particular the time-delayed closing, is possible; an output of information about the pressurization of the pressure connection to a user of the cleaning device, in particular an output of a warning, in particular if a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure is not detected, an application of the at least one cleaning fluid to the breathing apparatus is to be started; logging of at least one piece of information about the pressurization of the pressure port, in particular logging of a warning and/or when after a warning, a cleaning program is started, in particular a logging by the at least one controller; blocking the cleaning device as a function of at least one piece of information about the pressurization of the pressure connection, in particular blocking the start of a cleaning program when the pressure falls below the minimum; an automatic start of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device, in particular upon detection of a pressurization of the pressure connection with a minimum pressure.

Embodiment 19: Cleaning device according to one of the five preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is set up to log cleaning processes in the cleaning device, the logging of the respective detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket and optionally also the signal of the additional pressure sensor or includes information derived therefrom about the pressurization by the pressurization device.

Embodiment 20: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device, further comprising at least one basket recognition device, wherein the basket recognition device is set up to recognize the at least one cleaning basket in the cleaning chamber.

Embodiment 21 cleaning device according to the previous embodiment, wherein the basket recognition device is set up to distinguish at least two different types of cleaning baskets, in particular cleaning baskets with a pressure connection and cleaning baskets without a pressure connection.

Embodiment 22: Cleaning system for cleaning breathing apparatus, comprising at least one cleaning basket according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning basket, further comprising at least one cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device.

Embodiment 23: A method of cleaning respirator comprising using the cleaning system of the preceding embodiment, further comprising the steps of: a) placing the respirator in the cleaning basket; b) connecting at least one gas-carrying element of the breathing apparatus to the pressure connection of the cleaning basket; c) subjecting the gas-carrying element to pressurized gas; d) introducing the cleaning basket into the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device; e) detection of pressurization by means of the pressure sensor of the cleaning basket; and f) transmission of the result of the detection of the pressurization to the cleaning device.

Embodiment 24: Method according to the previous embodiment, further comprising: g) checking the result of the detection of the pressurization and, if the result shows that the gas-carrying element is pressurized with pressurized gas, pressurizing the respirator with at least one cleaning fluid.

Embodiment 25: Method according to any one of the preceding relating to a method

Embodiments further comprising: h) monitoring of pressurization of the pressure connection of the cleaning basket by a pressurization device of the cleaning device by means of at least one further pressure sensor of the cleaning device.

Brief description of the figures

Further details and features emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in particular in connection with the dependent claims. Here, the respective features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. From the exemplary embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate elements that are the same or have the same function or that correspond to one another in terms of their functions.

Show in detail: FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning system with embodiments of a cleaning device and a cleaning basket in a side view; and

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a cleaning basket in a perspective

Opinion.

Figures 3 and 4 are flow charts of methods for cleaning breathing apparatus.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 110 for cleaning breathing apparatus 112. Cleaning system 110 comprises at least one cleaning basket 114 and at least one cleaning device 116. Cleaning basket 114 comprises at least one basket frame 118 and at least one element 113 of breathing apparatus 112 that can be connected to at least one gas-carrying element Pressure connection 120. The gas-carrying element 113 can be pressurized with pressurized gas at least while the breathing apparatus 112 is being pressurized with at least one cleaning fluid 122. The cleaning basket 114 comprises at least one pressure sensor 124 which is set up to detect pressurization of the pressure connection 120 . Furthermore, the cleaning basket 114 comprises at least one transmission device 126 for transmitting at least one result of the recognition of the pressurization to the cleaning device 116.

The cleaning device 116 comprises at least one cleaning chamber 128 for receiving the at least one cleaning basket 114. The cleaning device 116 also has at least one application device 130 for applying the at least one cleaning fluid 122 to the breathing apparatus 112. In addition, cleaning device 116 includes at least one interface 132 for receiving the at least one result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor 124 of the cleaning basket 114. A transmission of the at least one result of the detection of the pressurization is shown in Figure 1 by way of example by an arrow from the Transmission device 126 of the cleaning basket 114 to the interface 132 is shown.

Furthermore, the cleaning device 116 can include a controller 134, for example. The controller 134 can be set up in particular to carry out at least one cleaning control program in the cleaning device 116. For example, the controller 134 can also be set up to receive the result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor 124 of the cleaning basket 114 from the interface 132 .

The cleaning device 116 can, for example, furthermore have at least one pressurization device 136 . In particular, the pressurization device 136 can be connectable to the cleaning basket 114 . Furthermore, the pressurization device 136 can be set up to apply compressed gas to the at least one gas-carrying element 113 of the breathing apparatus 112 during the loading of the breathing apparatus 112 with the at least one cleaning fluid 122 via the pressure connection 120 of the cleaning basket 114 . In particular, the cleaning device 116 can have at least one pressure sensor, for example a further pressure sensor 137, for example for monitoring the pressurization by the pressurization device 136. In particular, the controller 134 can be configured to receive at least one signal from the pressure sensor 137 of the cleaning device 116, in particular a signal from the pressure sensor 137 for monitoring the application of pressure by the pressure application device 136. For example, the controller 134 can be configured to Pressure fluctuation in the signal, in particular a sudden drop in pressure, to detect a connection process of a pressure connection of a cleaning basket 114 to the pressurizing device 136 .

As also shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning basket 114 can have, for example, at least one mask holder 138 for holding at least one respirator 140 in the cleaning basket 114 . Furthermore, the cleaning basket 114 can comprise at least one suction element 142 . In particular, the suction element 142 can have at least one suction opening 144 and can be configured to extend into the respirator mask 140 held by the mask holder 138 . For example, the suction element 142 can also be set up to be subjected to negative pressure and to suck cleaning fluid 122 out of at least one interior of the respirator 140 into the suction opening 144 . Thus, cleaning fluid 122, which collects in an interior of the respirator 140, for example during the loading of the respirator 112, e.g. the gas-carrying element 113 and the respirator 140, can be sucked out of the interior of the respirator 140. For this purpose, for example, the cleaning device 116 can also include at least one vacuum line 146, for example a vacuum line, which is connected via a further pressure connection 120 can be connectable to the suction element 142 . Furthermore, the cleaning device 116 can have a Venturi nozzle 148, for example to generate the negative pressure. A water separator 150, which is preferably also included in the cleaning device 116, can be set up, for example, to return the cleaning fluid 122 sucked out of the interior of the breathing mask 140 into the cleaning chamber 128. Furthermore, the cleaning device 116 can have a valve 152, for example a solenoid valve, for selectively opening and/or closing the vacuum line.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning basket 114. In particular, the pressure sensor 124 of the cleaning basket 114 can have a movable element 154, for example, with the movable element 154 being able to be moved, for example, by the pressurization. For example, the movable element 154 can be moved against a restoring force by the application of pressure. In particular, the movable element 154 can be a spring-loaded piston 156, for example, so the restoring force can correspond to a force of a spring force, for example. The movable element 154 can have at least one magnetic element 158, for example. In the exemplary embodiment of the cleaning basket 114 shown in FIG. 2, a possible extent of movement, in particular a travel path 160, of the magnetic element 158 is illustrated by way of example by an arrow. As already explained above, the cleaning basket 114 comprises at least one transmission device 126 for transmitting at least one result of the detection of the pressurization to the cleaning device 116. For example, the transmission device 126 can have a magnetic transmission element, with the transmission device acting as a counterpart to the one from the cleaning Device 116 included interface 132 can be configured. In particular, the interface 132 can include, for example, a magnetic switching element 162, in particular a reed sensor 164. In the embodiment of the cleaning basket 114 shown here, for example, the above-described movement of the movable element 154 with the at least one magnetic element 158 of be detectable by the reed sensor 164.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flowchart of a method for cleaning breathing apparatus 112 including use of cleaning system 110 is shown. The method includes at least the following steps: a) (identified by reference numeral 166) loading the respirator 112 into the cleaning basket 114; b) (identified with reference numeral 168) connecting at least one gas-carrying element 113 of the breathing apparatus 112 to the pressure connection 120 of the cleaning basket 114; c) (identified with reference numeral 170) loading of the gas-carrying element 113 with compressed gas; d) (identified by reference numeral 172) inserting the cleaning basket 114 into the cleaning chamber 128 of the cleaning device 116; e) (identified with reference numeral 174) detection of the pressurization by means of the pressure sensor 124 of the cleaning basket 114; and f) (identified by reference numeral 176) transmission of the result of the detection of the pressurization to the cleaning device 116.

Figure 4 shows another flow chart of a method for cleaning breathing apparatus

112 using the cleaning system 110. In particular, the method may further include one or more of the following steps: g) (identified by reference numeral 178) checking the result of the detection of the pressurization and, if the result shows that the gas-carrying element 113 is pressurized, pressurizing the breathing apparatus 112 with at least one cleaning fluid 122; and h) (identified with reference numeral 180) monitoring the pressurization of the pressure connection 120 of the cleaning basket 114 by a pressurization device 136 of the cleaning device 116 by means of at least one further pressure sensor 137 of the cleaning device 116.

List of reference symbols cleaning system breathing apparatus gas-carrying element cleaning basket cleaning device basket frame pressure connection cleaning fluid pressure sensor transmission device cleaning chamber admission device interface control pressure admission device pressure sensor mask holder respirator mask suction element down suction opening vacuum line venturi nozzle water separator valve moving element spring-loaded piston magnetic element travel magnetic switching element reed sensor step a) step b) step e ) step d) step e) step f) step g) step h)

Claims

Expectations

1. Cleaning basket (114) for cleaning breathing apparatus (112), comprising at least one basket frame (118), further comprising at least one pressure connection (120) which can be connected to at least one gas-conducting element (113) of the breathing apparatus (112), the gas-conducting element (113) can be pressurized with compressed gas at least while the breathing apparatus (112) is being acted upon by at least one cleaning fluid (122), the cleaning basket (114) having at least one pressure sensor (124), the pressure sensor (124) being set up to To recognize pressurization of the pressure connection (120), wherein the cleaning basket (114) further comprises at least one transmission device (126) for transmitting at least one result of the detection of the pressurization to a cleaning device (116).

2. Cleaning basket (114) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pressure sensor (124) has at least one movable element (154), wherein the movable ele ment (154) is movable by the pressurization.

3. cleaning basket (114) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable Liche element (154) by the application of pressure against a restoring force is movably be.

4. cleaning basket (114) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable Liche element (154) comprises at least one magnetic element (158).

5. Cleaning basket (114) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one mask holder (138) for holding at least one respiratory mask (140) in the cleaning basket (114), further comprising at least one suction element (142), the suction element (142) has at least one suction opening (144) and is set up to extend into the respirator mask (140) held by the mask holder (138), the suction element (142) being set up to be subjected to negative pressure and cleaning fluid (122) from at least one interior of the breathing mask (140) into the suction opening (144).

6. cleaning basket (114) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission device (126) comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic transmission element; a mechanical actuator's; an optical element; an acoustic element; an electronic element; an electromagnetic element; a mechanical-to-electrical converter; a mechanical-acoustic converter.

7. Cleaning device (116) for cleaning breathing apparatus (112), comprising at least one cleaning chamber (128) for accommodating at least one cleaning basket (114) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (116) also has at least one loading device (130) for Applying the breathing apparatus (112) to at least one cleaning fluid (122), where the cleaning device (116) also has at least one interface (132) for receiving the at least one result of the detection of the pressure application by the pressure sensor (124) of the cleaning basket ( 114).

8. Cleaning device (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein the interface (132) comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic interface; a mechanical interface; an optical interface; an electrical interface; a radio interface; an acoustic interface; an electronic interface.

9. Cleaning device (116) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (116), wherein the interface (132) has at least one reed sensor (164) which is set up to detect at least one position of at least one movably mounted and to be detected by the pressurization in a position changeable magnetic element (158) of the cleaning basket (114).

10. Cleaning device (116) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (116), further comprising at least one controller (134), wherein the controller (134) is set up to run at least one cleaning program in the cleaning device (116) to control, wherein the control (134) is set up to receive the result of the detection of the pressurization by the pressure sensor (124) of the cleaning basket (114) from the interface (132).

11. Cleaning device (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cleaning device (116) further comprises at least one pressurization device (136), the pressurization device (136) being connectable to the cleaning basket (114), the pressurization device (136) is set up to apply compressed gas via the pressure connection (120) of the cleaning basket (114) to the at least one gas-carrying element (113) of the breathing apparatus (112) during the loading of the breathing apparatus (112) with the at least one cleaning fluid (122), wherein the cleaning device (116) also has at least one further pressure sensor (137), the at least one further pressure sensor (137) being set up to monitor the application of pressure by the pressure application device (136).

12. Cleaning device (116) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control (134) is set up to receive at least one signal from the further pressure sensor (137), the controller (134) being set up to fluctuate due to a pressure in the Signal a connection process of a pressure connection (120) ei Nes cleaning basket (114) to the pressurization device (136) to recognize nen.

13. Cleaning device (116) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the controller (134) is set up to carry out at least one action according to the result of the detection of the pressurization, selected from the group consisting of: a release of the pressurization of the breathing apparatus (112 ) with the at least one cleaning fluid (122); blocking exposure of the respirator (112) to the at least one cleaning fluid (122); a release of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device (116); blocking at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device (116); closing at least one opening device of the cleaning device (116); outputting information about the pressurization of the pressure port (120) to a user of the cleaning device (116); logging of at least one piece of information about the pressurization of the pressure port; a blocking of the cleaning device depending on at least one piece of information about the pressurization of the pressure port; an automatic start of at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device.

14. Cleaning system (110) for cleaning breathing apparatus (112), comprising at least one cleaning basket (114) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning basket (114), further comprising at least one cleaning device (116) according to one of the preceding, a cleaning device (116) related claims.

A method of cleaning respirator (112) comprising using the cleaning system (110) of the preceding claim, further comprising the steps of: a) placing the respirator (112) in the cleaning basket (114); b) connecting at least one gas-carrying element (113) of the breathing apparatus (112) to the pressure connection (120) of the cleaning basket (114); c) subjecting the gas-carrying element (113) to pressurized gas; d) introducing the cleaning basket (114) into the cleaning chamber (128) of the cleaning device (116); e) detection of pressurization by means of the pressure sensor (124) of the cleaning basket (114); and f) communicating the result of the pressurization detection to the cleaning device (116).