WO2011101215A1

WO2011101215A1 - System for opening a valve present on a can that is under pressure

Info

Publication number: WO2011101215A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/051122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Heckenberger
Original assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt Gmbh
Priority date: 2010-02-17
Filing date: 2011-01-27
Publication date: 2011-08-25

Abstract

A system (20) for opening a valve (51) present on a can (50) that is under pressure comprises a plunger (21) used as an actuating element for actuating the valve stem and means for displacing the plunger (21) in the direction of the valve stem, the means for displacing the plunger (21) comprising a power conversion element.

Description

Arrangement for opening one at one under pressure

standing can located valve

The present invention relates to an arrangement for opening a valve located on a pressurized can. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device which is provided for disinfecting, sterilizing and / or care of medical instruments and in which the arrangement according to the invention is used. In particular, the device should be used to prepare dental instruments. Medical or dental handpieces are tubular parts which the physician grasps as a gripping sleeve during treatment. A handpiece commonly used in dental practice is a so-called Bohrhandstück, which carries at its front end a treatment tool, in particular a drill and with its rear end by means of a coupling with a

Supply hose is coupled. Through the handpiece extend

Energy supply lines for driving the treatment instrument and fluid lines for treatment media, such as air and / or water.

There is often a distinction between so-called turbine handpieces, in which compressed air is provided for supplying a turbine disposed in the front end region, and so-called motor handpieces, which have an electric motor as the drive unit.

To maintain the function of the handpieces requires from time to time care, especially the rotatably mounted drive elements. Furthermore, the hygienic requirements, which are becoming ever more stringent in the dental practice, mean that reprocessing of handpieces must take place at regular time intervals. The successful preparation and compliance with the corresponding specifications must be documented in full by the dentist, which entails a not inconsiderable human and organizational effort.

To date, manual reprocessing of dental handpieces has been carried out by first disinfecting the instruments after use on the patient and then externally washing them off. An internal cleaning of the instruments, however, was usually not performed. In the meantime exist in the market however, there are washer-disinfectors where the instruments are treated before being oil-soaked. Machine reprocessing offers clear advantages over manual instrument care, since only a mechanical process enables safe and reproducible cleaning and care.

The previously known devices, however, can generally only be used for individual preparation steps, so that in each case separately cleaning, care and sterilization must be performed. The entirety of the equipment required for this purpose occupies a relatively large space, wherein for each of the devices each electrical, pneumatic and fluidic connections are required. The realization of a complete mechanical preparation of dental Instramente means of individual devices is therefore very cumbersome and associated with a high cost.

Another disadvantage is that the individual devices are not usually networked with each other, which is why a data exchange between the devices can not be done. This in turn leads to an additional effort of the operating personnel, since no consistently automatic documentation of the instrument preparation can be created. In addition, the instruments have to be manually transferred from device to device in intermediate steps, which requires intensive personnel deployment and a great deal of time.

Accordingly, so-called

Reprocessing equipment provided, which perform all steps for cleaning and care of the dental instruments. These are devices that use a variety of different care and cleaning media to ultimately reprocess the instruments without the intervention of a user. Such devices are thus connected to different supply container for the various media and able to selectively remove the media from the containers.

At least part of the media used by such devices is provided in spray cans. In a classical manner, such cans have on their upper side a valve which allows the removal of the medium. The

Reprocessing device has a corresponding connection device, via which the coupling with the valve is ensured. This results in the problem that the valve dome of a spray can is in an undefined height range. The effort to Öffiien the valve of the can to be made possible with a relatively low power. Furthermore, the spray can should be closed again after each operation for safety reasons.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel arrangement for Publ en a spray can, in which the aforementioned requirements are met.

This object is achieved by an arrangement for opening a valve located at a pressurized can with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent

Claims.

Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for opening a valve located on a pressurized can, which comprises a plunger serving as an actuator for actuating the valve stem and means for displacing the plunger in the direction of the valve stem. The means for displacing the plunger also have a force conversion, in particular a lever reduction.

The inventive solution ensures that a selective opening and closing of the valve of the can is achieved with a relatively small force. Further measures, which are described below, ensure reliable opening and closing of the valve.

Thus, it is preferably provided that the means for displacing the plunger have an actuating lever which is coupled to the plunger. Preferably, the lever may be coupled via a clamping piece with the plunger, wherein at a

Actuation of the lever clamped the clamping piece with the plunger. Upon release of the lever, in turn, the clamping between the plunger and the clamping piece is preferably also released, if the plunger does not engage in the valve

actuated position is. However, as long as the plunger is in a valve actuating position, the arrangement is designed such that a

Unlocking between plunger and clamping piece through the valve is prevented. In this way it is ensured that upon release of the lever automatically closes the previously operated or opened valve again. It can also be a spring be provided, which biases the clamping piece in a valve non-actuated position.

As a further advantageous measure means may further be provided, which bias the plunger in a voltage applied to the valve stem position, wherein, however, the force of this means is dimensioned such that the valve is not actuated.

The various elements of the arrangement according to the invention can be arranged together on a carrier element, which is intended to be placed on the can to be opened.

The arrangement according to the invention is used in particular for use in a device for disinfecting, sterilizing and / or maintaining medical, in particular dental, instruments. However, the system is not on the

Application limited in the dental field but can generally be used to open a can.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 shows a sectional view of a process or rinsing chamber of a

Device for disinfecting. Sterilization and / or care of dental instruments; and FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention for opening a valve located on a can.

FIG. 1 shows first schematically the embodiment of a device for disinfecting, sterilizing and / or maintaining medical, in particular dental

Instruments, the device is generally provided with the reference numeral 1 below. The central element of the care device 1 according to the invention is a

Pressure vessel 2, which encloses a process or rinsing chamber 3. In this

Flushing chamber 3, the instruments to be cleaned or maintained 4 are arranged during the process flow. The arrangement of the instruments 4 takes place here by means of an instrument carrier, on which a plurality of slots or couplings 5 are arranged. Preferably, different couplings 5 are provided so that instruments 4 can be processed with coupling systems from different manufacturers. As the instrument carrier used in the present case, the lid 6 of the process chamber 3. This cover 6 provides the fluidic coupling of the to be cleaned Instruments 4 to a supply system safely. He is going through one

Locking device clamped on the collar of the pressure vessel 2 and sealed against this. About integrated in the cover 6 connecting pipes then the individual instruments 4 and their channels can be acted upon individually or jointly with a cleaning and / or care agent.

In the following, the process flow in the cleaning and / or care of the instruments 4 will first be described in general terms. This is before the start of the

Preparation the pressure tightness of the process chamber 3 checked. This ensures that the cover 6 is inserted correctly and locked with the pressure vessel 2. A correct connection of the Fiuidleitungen between the cover 6 and in the collar of the pressure vessel 2 extending lines is checked.

To supply water to the device 1, tap water is preferably filtered by means of an osmosis system with or without a downstream mixed-bed ion exchanger, the dissolved salts being removed. The water at a quality of

<15 μ8 / αη is passed into a device-side reservoir, the level is controlled by a level switch, which is designed as a float switch, and the quality via a conductivity sensor. The inlet into the reservoir is designed for hygienic reasons with a so-called free fall distance.

When preparing the instruments with the aid of the device according to the invention, the following steps are then carried out successively: a) cleaning

First, water from the reservoir described above in the

Process chamber 3 passed, this can be done via a pump or by suction via vacuum. In the process chamber 3, the water is heated by means of heating elements to about 45 ° C. It is ensured that the temperature is not above 45 ° C to prevent coagulation of protein. The water is further circulated by means of a pump and spray nozzles, which on the lateral surface of the pressure vessel 2 or in a

Centraldom are mounted on the outer surfaces of the instruments 4 directed to clean them. The cleaning water can be passed through the instruments 4 and / or the spray channels of the instruments 4 and / or for external cleaning through the spray nozzles of the process chamber 3.

The heating of the washing medium can be carried out during the circulation, so that the surfaces to be cleaned are first cleaned with cold washing medium. The Detergent may in this case be added in the form of powder or in tablet form in the process chamber 3 or be metered from a corresponding reservoir. The washing medium may consist of surfactants or phosphates and have a pH above 10. To end the

Washing process, the water is drained from the pressure vessel 2. b) Rinse - neutralization

in a subsequent step, the water is then passed from the reservoir into the process chamber 3 and then heated to about 45 ° C to 60 ° C. During the recirculation of the water rinse aid or neutralizer is added from another storage tank. Alternatively, due to the higher temperature in the

Compared to the step a) now also a second component of a

Cleaning tablet to be dissolved. The liquid is in turn directed parallel or delayed or in the interval operation by the instruments 4 and the spray channels or directed via the spray nozzles on the outer surfaces of the instruments 4. The rinse aid or neutralizer used is in particular phosphoric acid esters having a pH of from 3 to 5.

The liquid can in turn be drained from the pressure vessel in the sewer or remains in the container to the later care of the

Instruments 4 to take out excess excess care product or to rinse the oily instrument outer surface with warm liquid briefly. In this case, the liquid is drained only after the care process, where it may be helpful to pressurize the instruments 4 with compressed air to prevent ingress of water spray into the interior of the instruments 4. c) Maintain

In a third step, care products are directed from a care product reservoir into the interior of the instrument so that the gears and bearings are lubricated. The care agent can be injected in liquid form as oil or from a pressure cell in a compressed air jet. It is also possible to use the oil over in the

Foam blowing agent containing foam and fill the inside of the instrument with this oil-air foam. The air bubbles collapse relatively quickly in this case, so that the oil forms a uniform thin film of oil throughout the instrument interior. As lubricants biodegradable fatty acid ester oil / white oil mixtures are used. d) Rinse off After the care process described above, the instruments can be rinsed on the outer surface with the rinsing liquid still in the container. Alternatively, via a pump fresh water from the

Supply container of the process chamber 3 and directed via the spray nozzles on the instrument outer surfaces. e) Sterilization - pre-vacuum

To sterilize the instruments, the process chamber 3 is supplied with fresh water from the reservoir. In the process chamber 3 is for venting a

Connected vacuum device, wherein the pressure within the process chamber 3 is monitored or registered.

With the help of the vacuum device, the air is sucked out of the process chamber 3. The vacuum is up by heating the water over heating elements

Atmospheric pressure reduced. The process chamber 3 is then filled with steam, and this process can be repeated several times, depending on the sterilization program.

The evaporated water volume can be replenished at each vacuum cycle, and alternatively, the entire amount of water required for steam generation can be introduced into the process chamber 3 at the beginning of the sterilization cycle.

Alternatively to the steam generation over located in the process chamber 3

Heating elements can be steam for pressure equalization during the venting or for sterilization also located outside of the process chamber 3

Steam pressure vessel to be supplied. f) drying and cooling

After completion of the sterilization, the instruments 4 are dried, in which the water vapor in the process chamber 3 is brought to the condensation. This is achieved by cooling the container wall or elements contained in the container, for example by passing water drawn from the supply container through them. The water can be supplied continuously or in intervals. After completion of the cooling process is the

Derived water. Since there is now a temperature below 50 ° C. within the camera 3, the lid 6 can be opened. The reprocessing cycle for the instruments 4 is thereby completed. From the above description shows that with the device 1, a fully automatic reprocessing of dental instruments is possible. Interventions by

Operating personnel are not required, so there is a very comfortable system. It can of course be deviated from the casserole for preparing the instruments described.

The above-described procedure is further apparent that in the

Preparation of instruments various chemical substances for cleaning, care and disinfection are used. The substances are usually in different state forms (solid, powdery or liquid) and packaging

(Spray cans, liquid dispenser bottles or tablets) offered and used.

In particular, in the case of a spray can as a reservoir for a substance to be used by the device 1, it must be ensured that a reliable opening and closing of the spray can is ensured. The valve located on the can should be open only during the period of removal of the medium, then the valve should be closed again for safety reasons.

Now there is the problem that the valve dome of a spray can is in an undefined height range. For cost and space reasons, opening and closing of the can should preferably be done with the aid of a lifting magnet. However, this should be designed as small as possible, which is why a force conversion is required to provide a sufficiently high force to open the can valve available. Finally, the system should be able to automatically adapt to different cathedral heights as possible.

This problem is solved with the aid of an arrangement according to the invention, which will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. This is a generally provided with the reference numeral 20 arrangement which - as shown - is placed with the aid of a support member 25 on top of a spray can 50. The actuation of the top of the spray can 50

arranged valve 51 is carried out primarily via a plunger 21 which is selectively moved by means of the inventive arrangement 20 up or down to close the can 50 and to open. Further elements of the inventive arrangement are a lever 22 for power transmission, which is coupled at its end with a - not shown - lifting magnet. At the

opposite end of the lever 22 is coupled to a clamping piece 23 which cooperates in a special way with the plunger 21. The mode of operation of the arrangement 20 according to the invention is as follows: By pulling on the lever 22, a tilting of the clamping piece 23 is effected due to the special coupling. This clamp takes the plunger 21 and pushes it down. The arrangement of the elements is such that there is a lever reduction, which allows to use relatively small lifting magnet.

When moving back the lever 22 is a release between the

Clamp 23 and the plunger 21st One located on the outer circumference of the plunger 21

Spring 24 now pushes the clamping piece 23 back to the starting position, but the plunger 21 remains at the previous position.

If necessary, this process can be repeated more often, with each

Moving the lever 22 of the plunger 21 in the sense of a pumping movement is gradually moved downwards.

At a certain time, the plunger 21 is then down so far that it opens the valve 51 of the spray can 50. In this state, the medium in the can 50 can be removed. Now, if the lever 22 is moved back again, so there is initially no unlocking between clamping piece 23 and plunger 21, as this is prevented by the spring of the can valve 51. The plunger 21 is accordingly pressed together with the clamping piece 23 up until a position is reached in which the clamping between the clamping piece 23 and plunger 21 is released again. In this state, the can 50 is closed again by the valve 51. Furthermore, the plunger 21 is now in a position in which it immediately opens again the valve 51 upon a renewed actuation of the lever 22.

The previous description can be seen that with the invention

Arrangement 20 in a simple manner, the valve 51 of the box 50 can be opened and closed. This is achieved independently of the height of the valve dome, since the system may automatically adjust to the height due to the initially described pumping motion. This pumping described above could also be omitted if, with the aid of another spring, the plunger 21 is advanced in such a way that it bears directly against the valve 51. The spring force in this case, however, must be sized so that it is less than the force required to open the can valve 51.

It should be noted that the arrangement according to the invention could also be realized in a hydraulic manner, wherein however the effort for this is greater than in the illustrated embodiment. It should also be recalled that the shown system can generally be used to open the valve of a can and is not limited to the dental field.

Claims

claims

An arrangement (20) for opening a valve (51) located on a pressurized can (50) comprising

· Serving as an actuating element plunger (21) for actuating the

Valve stem as well

• means for displacing the plunger (21) in the direction of the valve stem, wherein the means for displacing the plunger (21) have a force conversion.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1.

characterized,

in that the means for displacing the plunger (21) comprise an actuating lever (22) which is coupled to the plunger (21).

3. Arrangement according to claim 2,

characterized,

that the lever (22) via a clamping piece (23) is coupled to the plunger (21), wherein upon actuation of the lever (22) the clamping piece (23) is clamped to the plunger (21).

4. Arrangement according to claim 3,

characterized,

that upon release of the lever (22), the clamping between the plunger (21) and the clamping piece (23) is released if the plunger (21) is in a non-actuated position of the valve (51).

5. Arrangement according to claim 3 or 4,

characterized,

an unlocking between plunger (21) and clamping piece (23) is prevented by the valve (51) as long as the plunger (21) is in a position actuating the valve (51).

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 4,

characterized, a spring (24) is provided which biases the clamping piece (23) into a position which does not actuate the valve (51).

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that means are provided which bias the plunger (21) into a position in contact with the valve stem, the force of the means being such that the valve (51) is not actuated.

8. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the elements of the arrangement (20) are arranged on a carrier element (25) which is intended to be placed on the can (50) to be opened.

9. Device (1) for disinfecting, sterilizing and / or maintaining medical, in particular dental instruments (4), comprising connection means for connecting storage containers (50) for media used by the device (1), in particular cleaning or care products,

characterized,

in that the connection devices have at least one arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims.