GB1350834A - Method and apparatus for decontaminating hollow articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1350834 Decontaminating hollow articles ARBROOK Inc 23 June 1971 [24 June 1970] 29462/71 Heading A4F [Also in Division F2] A method of decontaminating hollow articles comprises treating the articles in an automatic cycle comprising washing said articles by agitating them in a washing liquid held in a washing and disinfecting tub, removing washing liquid from the tub, rinsing the articles with a rinsing liquid and removing the rinsing liquid from the articles and tub, immersing said articles in disinfectant liquid in said tub for a time sufficient to disinfect the articles, removing the disinfectant from the articles and the tub and transferring it to a storage tank, and again rinsing the articles. Apparatus for carrying out the method, and particularly for decontaminating hospital equipment used for anaesthesia and inhalation therapy, comprises a tub 41 in which is mounted a rotary basket 42 for the articles to be treated. Water for washing and rinsing is introduced into the tub 41 via conduit 116 and spray nozzle 115, detergent having been placed in the tub 41 prior to the washing step. The washing and rinsing liquids are drained from the tub 41 via a conduit 119 and a solenoid operated changeover valve 122 set to pass the liquids to a drain pump 123. During the disinfecting step the conduit 119 is connected by the changeover valve 122 and a reversible pump 126 to a disinfectant storage tank 44. The pump 126 transfers disinfectant liquid from the tank 44 to the tub 41 for the disinfecting step and returns the used disinfectant liquid to the tank 44 after said step. The apparatus is provided with an electrical control system provided with timers for regulating the washing, rinsing, drying, and disinfecting operations, and controlling the repeated movements of the disinfectant between the tub 41 and the storage tank 44 in such manner that after 14 days the apparatus is inoperable unless the tank 44 is drained and replenished with a fresh supply of disinfectant liquid. During the washing step the articles are agitated by imparting rotary oscillations to the basket 42. A reversible motor 83 when rotated in one direction drives via belts 86, 87 a pulley 81 so that it moves downwardly on helical threads 82 on a shaft 79 and engages a detent 93 on the latter to rotate it relatively to a hollow shaft 69 secured to a gear box 68. A pinion 95 on the shaft 79 then drives via pinions 96, 98, 101, an eccentric pin 103 on the pinion 101, and a link 102, an oscillating gear rack 105 engaging a pinion 108 on the shaft 43 carrying the basket 42. The latter is thus oscillated for the washing and rinsing operations. During the drying steps the motor 83 is rotated at a higher speed in the opposite direction to disengage the pulley 81 from the shaft 79 and to couple it to the hollow shaft 69 via a clutch 78, 111, whilst the shaft 79 is coupled to the gear box 68 via a clutch 112, 113. The shaft 43 and the basket 42 then rotate continuously in one direction at high speed. Alternative basket constructions having spiral and other curved partitions are described with reference to Figs. 10 to 28 (not shown).