FR2600691A1 - Apparatus for automatically dispensing a disinfecting solution into the flow of a sanitary receiving element or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically dispensing a disinfecting solution. …<??>Apparatus for automatically dispensing a disinfecting solution into the outflow device 9 of an element receiving a liquid from a pressurised liquid reserve 2, a metering chamber 51 communicating selectively with the pressurised reserve on the one hand, and with the outlet towards the outflow to be disinfected on the other hand, through a dispensing member 3 of the to-and-fro type actuated by a pressure-reducing assembly 8 mounted in series on the water circuit, sensitive to the consecutive differences in pressure on opening and on closing the tap 6 so as to admit the disinfecting solution into the metering chamber 51 and then to empty it towards the outflow device 9 after closure of the water supply. …<??>This invention is of interest to manufacturers of disinfection installations and apparatuses. … …

Description

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The present invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic distribution of a disinfectant solution in the flow device of a sanitary or similar element such as a sink, bathtub, cuvet5 te, basin or any other for the evacuation of liquid discharges in particular. in hospitals, analysis laboratories or others and in various industrial environments. In drainage devices, the plug 10 as well as the overflow orifice are generally sources of permanent infection and bacterial proliferation. The systematic transit of liquid substances of all kinds which are as many reservoirs as bacteriological vectors loaded with saprophytic and / or pathogenic microorganisms feeds a volume whose existence and permamence represent an insurmountable danger of reinfection or superinfection in the condition. current of the

saen-itary protection technique.

The sporadic and manual use of disinfectant substances such as, for example,

chlorine is clearly insufficient.

Scientific work carried out in the United States of America has clearly demonstrated the systematic reinfectant character of the nosocomial type.

a drainage plug within a radius of the order of one meter infecting and thereby systematically contaminating the valve located in the upper part as well as any other pipe or distribution device located in a volume close to the plug.

This hygienic deficiency has, in the opinion of specialists, serious and sometimes irreversible consequences.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and to provide a suitable solution.

without modifying the existing sanitary installation.

To this end, the object of the invention is an application

such automatic distribution of a disinfectant solution in the flow device bung, siphon or the like, of a sanitary receiving element or the like characterized in that it consists of a metering chamber in selective communication with a bactericidal reserve under pressure on the one hand and with the discharge to the flow to be disinfected on the other hand, through a distributor member actuated by a pressure-reducing unit sensitive to the pressure differences resulting from the opening of the valve

supply and to its closure in order to admit the disinfectant solution into the metering chamber and then to evacuate it towards the flow device after cutting off the arrival of the liquid by the distribution member 15.

The present invention has many specific advantages, the most important of which will be mentioned below: the concentration of the product is preserved by a delayed injection into the flow device, that is to say after the discharge flow. liquid used, for example water; - the dosing chamber guarantees the systematic delivery of a precise dose; - no mechanical components to be driven: neither motor nor metering pump; - the metering chamber is easily modifiable in volume by a simple adjustment;

- safety and reliability of the order.

The invention will be well understood on reading

of the following description given by way of nonlimiting example on the preferred embodiments given by way of nonlimiting examples with reference

to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure i is a general schematic view illustrating an example of installation within the framework of a sanitary element for a version with supply by -3 cartridge or interchangeable pressurized bomb of the automatic dispenser according to the invention; - Figure 2 is an overall view in longitudinal section of the automatic dispensing device according to the invention according to the version shown in Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control and distribution head; FIG. 4 is a series of diagrams illustrating the main phases of operation in admission and distribution by the metering chamber from the reserve of bactericidal solution; - Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a

version supplied from a pressurized fot15 constituting the reserve of the disinfectant solution.

- Figure 6 is a central enlargement of Figure 3.

As shown more particularly by way of example in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the apparatus 20 for the automatic disinfection of a drainage device from a washbasin 1 or other receiving sanitary element or equivalent or the like according to the invention is liked in its basic version by a removable reservoir 2 called to contain the disinfectant solution, for example a bactericidal solution under weak

pressure of a neutral gas.

The disinfection apparatus according to the invention

consists of the following components and parts.

A device 3 for sampling and distributing the solution is actuated by a control assembly 4 from a liquid supply, for example the water coming from the urban network via a pipe. inlet 5 connected through the apparatus to a piece of valves, for example a valve 6 by a hydraulic supply connection 7. Liquid, for example pressurized water,

brought to the disinfection apparatus by the inlet duct 5 passes through a pressure-reducing assembly 8 of the assembly

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ble 4 for controlling the sampling and distribution device 3 delivering the disinfectant solution or the like, for example bactericidal, into the flow device 9, for example a bung 10, siphon or any other similar element by a hydraulic connection internal to the body device then external.

The tank 2 is advantageously in the form of a single-use pressurized can 11 held by a mechanical assembly with a base handle 12 10 returned upwards by means of tension springs 13 individually connected to the handle 12

by a double mechanical link 14.

Each return spring 13 is hooked by its upper end to the screws such as 15 of main15 hold of an end cover 16 - ensuring the closure.

of the housings 17 of the springs 13.

The end cover 16 surrounds and is fixed

on the end of a tube-shaped sampling cap 18, the inlet of which receives and maintains the pressurized bomb 20 11.

The housings 17 could just as easily be made in the form of a concentric sleeve.

pressurized bomb 11.

The main advantage of this sheath relates to the protection of the bomb against impacts and punctures in order to avoid punctures which can cause significant damage.

The pressurized bomb 11 is thus constrained

continuously upward into the inlet of the sampling cap 18 by the action of the springs 13.

The sampling cap 18 mounted on the sampling body 19 comprises in the central part an isolation valve 20 with a non-return valve 21 in hydraulic communication via a supply duct 22 35 with the distribution chamber 23 of the device 3 of

distribution and collection.

We will now describe more particularly -5

the various organs and elements allowing the dosed distribution of the disinfectant solution.

The control 4 of the distribution device 3 is formed by the differential pressure unit 8 comprising a suction chamber 24 formed by a nozzle

converge 25 followed by a divergent nozzle 26 provided with a lateral branch 27 at the point of convergence 28. The suction chamber 24 extends inside a block 29 between two connectors 30 and 31 respectively upstream, of the bent and downstream type, of the straight type.

The lateral bypass 27 opens into a vacuum chamber 32 delimited by a cavity 33 on the one hand and by a flexible sealing membrane 34 on the other hand, covering the head 35 of the movable element 15 of the actuating mechanism 36 of the distribution device 3. This head can move transversely to the vacuum chamber 32 until contact with the opposite wall. The distribution device is of the three-way reciprocating type in the form of a piston 37 moving in a cylindrical casing 38 with a central part 39 of smaller diameter, isolated from the ends 40 and 41 by seals.

O-rings 42 and 43.

The central part 39 is divided into two sections 44 and 45 of unequal lengths separated by a sealing ring 46 mounted in a groove 47 in support stress on the inner wall of the casing by a circular elastic element 48 arranged in

back of the throat.

The sealing ring 46 delimits, with the O-rings 42 and 43, two annular chambers 49 and 50 for placing the intake and discharge respectively in communication with a metering chamber 51 whose intake volume is adjustable by the position d an elastic membrane 52 compressible inside the chamber and constituting one of its walls up to the pressure of delivery and distribution of the - 6

disinfectant solution.

The metering chamber 51 is connected to the annular chamber in use by an inlet and distribution duct 53 for filling the metering chamber 51 or its evacuation from the supply duct 22 and by a discharge duct. 54 respectively through the annular admission chambers 48

and discharge 49.

The piston 37 of the distribution chamber 23 10 is mounted in elastic thrust return by means of a compression spring 55 mounted slightly compressed at rest in a housing 56- located at the tail of the piston carrying a base 57 on which takes support

the last coil of the compression spring 55-.

According to another embodiment, the reservoir 2 can also be in the form of a

independent pressurized drum 58 (Figure 5).

According to this embodiment, the barrel comprises a bung 59 equipped with a distribution head 60 with a cartridge 61 containing a propellant gas.

pressure adjustable by an external maneuver 62.

In order to avoid any risk of danger due to the residual pressure during the replacement of the barrel 58 and to ensure the purging, a purge pot 63 is fitted at the output of the barrel, with an air outlet 64, for example of the type of. those used in sanitary facilities or

central heating.

The barrel is connected to the distribution apparatus by a flexible or rigid hydraulic connection 65 to a three-way inlet distribution element 66, connected by a hydraulic connection 67 to a piloted valve.

68 present at the inlet of the water supply circuit.

The pressure fault or the pressure falling below the minimum pressure threshold of the piloted valve 35 cuts off the inlet pipe 5. The liquid no longer reaching the tap 6, the reuse of the sanitary element requires replacement or recharging - 7

the barrel and the propellant gas cartridge.

As indicated, the disinfectant solution is preferably chosen from the bactericidal type. It will be, for example, either a chlorinated alkaline composition, or a composition of formic, glutoric and quaternary ammonium aldehyde, or even any other composition exhibiting bactericidal properties on a substance.

broad spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms.

Of course, the barrel 58 can feed plu10 sieurs dispensing devices at a time. Just

to provide a suitable supply and distribution circuit from one or more drums constituting the reserve of bactericidal solution. The power supply circuit will include a programmed or pre-programmed power supply unit 15.

The apparatus is installed with the pressurized bomb 11 in place or supplied by a drum 58 connected to the inlet of the apparatus on the path- of the bactericidal solution and on the piloted valve 68 of the water circuit 20.

The piston 37 of the dispensing device is held in the maximum retracted position by the pressure of the water forcing its head into abutment against the adjacent wall against the action of the compression spring 56. Its position isolates the communication between the duct. 'admission and distribution 53 of the metering chamber 51 and the supply duct 22

when the tap 6 is closed.

The opening of the tap 6 for the discharge 30 of the desired quantity of water causes a flow of water

and a pressure variation in the pressure-reducing unit 8. This flow passing through the pressure-reducing unit causes the piston 37 to move towards the pressure-reducing device 8 under the effect of the compression spring 35 55.

This movement puts the dosing chamber 51 in communication with the reserve 2 of bacterial solution.

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cide or the frut 58 by the inlet chamber 48 with a view to filling it up to a given quantity mainly depending on the position of its membrane.

This phase of filling the metering chamber 51 5 is carried out up to a quantity predetermined by its adjustment, that is to say until the pressures are balanced between that of the disinfectant solution delivered by the canister 11 or the pump. pressurized drum 58 and the pressure of

reaction of the membrane of the dosing chamber 51.

This operation is carried out fairly quickly and stops on its own despite the persistence of opening the valve 6. The closing of said valve causes the piston 37 to be withdrawn until its head 35 stops against the adjacent wall, thus returning the piston to its starting position in which it communicates the metering chamber 51 with the flow device 9, siphon, bung 10 or

another through the discharge chamber 49.

The metering chamber delivers its contents into said flow device 9 through the conduit.

intake and distribution 53 and the discharge duct 54.

This discharge taking place after the passage

water, there is no dilution of the disinfectant and therefore it retains its full effectiveness.

FIG. 4 shows in a simple and schematic manner the selective communications corresponding to the various positions of the piston 37 of the dispensing device 30, the admission of the bactericidal product into the metering chamber 51 and its evacuation towards the

flow device 9 as soon as the tap is closed.

The feeding process using a keg

or a central distribution of the bacterial product turns out to be identical.

In addition, some safety devices have been provided, such as the piloted valve 68 at the inlet of the water circuit into the device and the drain pot 63 at the

level of the distribution head of the barrel.

When the pressure in the barrel drops below a minimum value, the piloted valve cuts off the water supply, forcing the user to change the barrel. The danger of this maneuver is greatly reduced by the decompression of the residual pressure at

using the air outlet 64 of the bleed pot 63.

The disinfection operation being carried out

automatically each time the water tap is used, without external intervention, disinfection can be fully guaranteed, only the canister having to be loaded periodically by the service personnel or the barrel 15 refilled with bactericidal or other product.

In addition, the installation of such an installation can easily be carried out by the maintenance staff of the establishment or by a sanitary installer. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible in particular of the constitution of the various elements, without

depart from the scope of protection of the invention.

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Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for automatic distribution of a disinfectant solution, in particular bactericidal in the flow device of a receiving element called to receive and evacuate liquids such as for example a sanitary element for the evacuation of liquid discharges, distribution to from a reserve of pressurized liquid characterized in that it consists, in combination, of a metering chamber (51) with membrane (52) in selective communication with the reserve of disinfectant solution under pressure of one part and with evacuation to the flow device (9) to be disinfected on the other hand, through a distributor member (3) of the reciprocating type, -actuated by a pressure-reducing assembly (8) mounted in series on the circuit 15 of water, sensitive to the pressure differences resulting from the opening and closing of the supply valve in order to admit the disinfectant solution into the metering chamber (51) and then to evacuate it to the device d flow after shutting off the water supply. 2. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing member (3) is a piston (37) with a central part (39) of smaller diameter moving in a cylindrical casing (38) actuated in movements. back and forth via the pressure-reducing unit (8), piston (37) mounted in elastic return towards the pressure-reducing unit by a compression spring (55). 3. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the central part (39) of more small diameter is isolated from the ends (40 and 41) by O-rings (42 and 43), central part divided into two annular chambers for communication, admission (49) and discharge (50) in selective communication with the dosing chamber (51) - 11 via an intake and distribution duct (53). 4. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the head (35) of the piston (37) is arranged in a vacuum chamber (32) 5 connected to the pressure reducing unit (8) and covered by a waterproofing membrane (34). 5. Apparatus according to claims i to 4 taken as a whole, characterized in that the differential pressure unit (8) is a converging divergent nozzle (25-26) provided with a lateral branch (27) opening into the vacuum chamber (32) in which is housed the head (35) of the piston. 6. Apparatus according to claims 4 and 5 characterized in that the vacuum chamber (32) 15 is delimited by a cavity (33) into which open the lateral branch (27) and a sealing membrane (34) covering the head (35) of the piston (37) and closing the vacuum chamber (32). 7. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the disinfectant solution is packaged in a pressurized canister (11) mounted in elastic tension against the base of the body of the device distribution by tension springs (13). 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply of disinfectant solution is effected from an external pressurized drum (58) by a hydraulic supply link (65). 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, charac30 terized in that the supply link (65) terminates at the inlet of the apparatus at a three-way inlet distribution element (66), connected to a piloted valve. (68) present at the inlet of the water inlet circuit.