GB488927A - An apparatus for automatically washing and sterilizing bed pans and like utensils - Google Patents

Abstract

488,927. Washing bottles. MONKHOUSE, E. W. Jan. 14, 1937, No. 1142. [Class 138 (i)] [Also in Group I] In an apparatus for automatically washing and sterilizing bed-pans and like utensils and comprising a water- and steam-tight receptacle adapted to receive the bed-pan and to hold it in such a position as to empty the contents into a drain, with water and steam pipes so arranged that water and steam can be sprayed on to the bed-pan while it is held in the receptacle, timing mechanism is provided to control electrically the flow of water and steam by means of camoperated switches in circuit with magnetic water and steam valves, so that a suitable quantity of water followed by a suitable quantity of steam is allowed to impinge on the bed-pan. The device comprises a receptacle 1 having a hinged water- and steam-tight door 2, operated by a treadle and preferably counter-weighted, and having means to support the bed-pan, so that its contents can flow into a drain 5. A steam main 7 is connected by papers 8, 9, 10, 11 to an orifice in the receptacle. A magnetically controlled valve 6 in the pipe 8 can be isolated by cocks 13 if it is out of order, and is then byepassed by a branch pipe 15, controlled by valves 14, 16. A water main 7A is connected bv pipes 18, 19 to two orifices in the receptacle, and a magnetic valve 17 may be isolated by cocks 24, and byepassed by a pipe 26, which is controlled by a cock 25 and an automatic cock 30, which is opened by hand and closes after. 20 seconds. The handle 27 of a valve 26A in the steam pipe is adapted to engage a plate 28 on the door so that the door cannot be opened while the valve is open. A settable clock 29 controls cams which operate switches in the circuits of the valves 6, 17. The clock is wound up and started and the current for the valves 6, 17 switched on, e.g. by a lever near the clock, and then operates to allow water to flow for, say, 20 seconds, and, after a 2 second pause, to allow steam to flow for, say, 30 seconds. As shown the device may be in duplicate.