WO2014056461A1

WO2014056461A1 - Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device and washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method

Info

Publication number: WO2014056461A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2013/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lubomír SLUNSKÝ; Ladislav ZAMAZAL
Original assignee: Slunsk Lubomír; Zamazal Ladislav
Priority date: 2012-10-09
Filing date: 2013-10-07
Publication date: 2014-04-17
Also published as: DK201500058Y3; CZ305787B6; AT14735U1; DE212013000210U1; FI10901U1; DK201500058U1; CZ2012682A3

Abstract

Ancillary tank (2) has a connected circulation circuit, preferably equipped with a primary pump (4) and Venturi tube (3) with two conical diffusers (6,7) for passage of liquid, while ozone input (9) from ozone generator (1) is connected to the Venturi tube (3) nozzle (8). The ancillary tank (2) has in its lower part a discharge outlet (11), preferably with closure (12), after which a washing chamber (14) connected via secondary pump (15) and interconnected with the upper part of the ancillary tank (2) through interconnecting tube (16) can be located. Using the method according to the invention, the liquid is ozonized by circulation from and to the ancillary tank (2) through the Venturi tube (3) into which ozone is fed. Ozonized liquid is then preferably injected with jets (19) into a sealed washing space filled with residual gaseous ozone fed from the upper part of the ancillary tank (2). Circulation of liquid accompanied with ozonization is performed cyclically or continuously, processes in the washing space are performed cyclically.

Description

Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device and washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of healthcare and the field of water management. Device for disinfection and/or sterilization of water or for washing, disinfection and sterilization of various biologically contaminated objects such as trays, bedpans and ducks is solved and also a new method of performing of washing and/or disinfection and/or sterilization is designed.

Background Art

At present, ensuring disinfection and/or sterilization of water is hitherto a problem. This problem is permanent namely in the third world countries, in mobile military and healthcare stations etc. Another problem, which is still not completely satisfactorily solved, is washing, disinfection and sterilization of various biologically heavily contaminated objects namely in the field of healthcare where it concerns particularly trays, bedpans and ducks.

Automats based on steam generator are commonly used for washing and partial disinfection of various heavily contaminated objects such as trays, bedpans and ducks in the field of healthcare. They are in the form of electrical device containing a working chamber ad the steam generator connected to a water supply source. The working chamber is equipped with a water and steam inlet and a waste outlet. The device works utilising the combination of processes of washing and the action of steam. First, the contaminated objects are pre-washed. Then, steam is generated by evaporation from boiling water in the steam generator under atmospheric pressure and is fed into the working chamber where it is allowed to act on pre-washed objects. The disadvantage of the abovementioned background art is that the temperature of steam prepared in this way does not exceed 100 °C and therefore it does not have perfect disinfecting effect. This is because steam leaves behind certain background in the form of bacteria or fungal spores for example. It is well known fact that spores can survive even the effect of aggressive disinfectants in the environment, effect of high temperatures lasting for even several hours, action of radiation or acid etc. It is excluded to use aggressive chemical agents that would be able to destroy the spores after washing of the aforementioned vessels. The disadvantages of currently used steam automats and the method of washing and disinfection performed with their help are high energetic demands of the equipment and the necessity of chemical and magnetic treatment of washing water because of the necessity to eliminate the formation of unwanted sediments of the type of scale incrustation.

At present, the use of ozone for disinfection and/or sterilization of water as well as its utilisation for washing and disinfection of various healthcare objects are also known already. The devices and methods involved are of two types.

The first type of these known ozone devices is represented by the device including the generator of ozone, a compressor and an ancillary tank with a cavity filled with water. The generator of ozone, hereinafter called the ozone generator, has the output of ozone ended with a porous body located under the water level directly inside the cavity of the ancillary tank. The ozone generator generates gaseous ozone, which is conveyed into the ancillary tank where it is in dispersed state added into water. Ozone then acts in a dispersed and dissolved state, which is achieved by allowing fed ozone to bubble through the porous body into water in the ancillary tank or as the case may be with admixture of air supplied by the compressor. Part of this ozone is captured in water and the rest passes through water upwards above its level and is emptied into space. Ozone captured in water as well as the part of ozone passing through the mass of water destroys microorganisms and in significant extent also their germs. Depending on quantity and temperatures used, this results in cleaning and possibly even disinfection of water, and if there are objects placed in the water, this results also, in cleaning of these objects. As the case may be, the ancillary tank can be equipped with an outlet after which the working vessel with cleaned objects is placed. In such case the ozonized water is conveyed from the ancillary tank into this working vessel after the specified concentration of ozone is reached. The devices allow washing of inserted objects. These devices, however, are unable to reach such concentration of ozone in water to destroy all contained micro-organisms and their spores. Namely some unwanted resistant micro-organisms of bacterial, viral or mycotic origin can survive. Another disadvantage is that saturation with ozone in this device and in this way proceeds vary slowly and hence it takes a long time. For the process to be effective, the water column- must be as high as possible. The very high water column necessary for this device and method is another disadvantage bringing space and time demands.

The second type of hitherto known ozone devices for washing and disinfection is represented by the device using Venturi tube. This type of device includes ozone generator, compressor, ancillary tank with working liquid, which is usually water, and besides at least one Venturi tube. Venturi tube of this device is in the form of a nozzle with a conical diffuser having two inputs and an output. The first input is in an open space or it is connected to a hose emptying into an open space or leading from a compressed oxygen source. The second input of the Venturi tube is in the form of tube of usual shape connected to the ozone generator. Output of the Venturi tube is led out into the cavity of the ancillary tank. Hence ozone is supplied in the gaseous form directly into the cavity of the ancillary tank also in this case. To attain as high concentration of ozone as possible and as high quality of accomplished process as possible, the ozone generator is sometimes equipped with a dehumidifying element, for example it can be connected to the source gas via a dehumidifying filter. In the course of operation of the device, the ozone generator generates ozone that is led to the first input of the Venturi tube. Air from outer environment or oxygen from oxygen source is suctioned into ozone here and this mixture is blown off into the ancillary tank with working liquid, under the level of working liquid. The mixture is allowed to bubble through, which results in saturation of the working liquid with ozone. Pure oxygen is sometimes used as a carrier gas instead of air to attain higher saturation with ozone. Concentration of ozone attained in this device is higher than with the previous type. However even this device is unable to sterilize the working liquid contained or the cleaned vessels immersed into this liquid. It is able to reach the degree specified as disinfection at best. These devices are usable for purification of supply water for impotable purposes and for pre-purification of water that must still be further processed by filtration and chemically treated to be used for drinking purposes. These devices are further utilisable for washing and as the case may be maximally even for disinfection of dirty and contaminated objects such as various dishes and utensils for food purposes or vessels for health care such as trays, bedpans and ducks. Use of two or more ozone generators simultaneously in one device to attain higher concentration of ozone is known. The ancillary tank can be equipped with a filling valve connected to the source of filled water. Furthermore, there is usually contained output for outgoing gases, i.e. a mixture of ozone with oxygen, with air, or ozone alone, which did not dissolved in the working liquid, e.g. water, and also for outgoing steam as the case may be. This output is usually connected to a ventilating shaft emptying freely into an open space, for example a hood chimney. However, even multiplication of ozone generators does not help to reach such concentration of ozone in the ozonized liquid, which would reach the effect of sterilization within realistically short time. The use of higher number of ozone generators is also significantly uneconomical.

Because none of the abovementioned existing devices in itself is able to reliably ensure sterilization of objects, sterilization is hitherto commonly performed in autoclaves and UV or electric sterilizers. These are steam pressure chambers or electrically heated chambers that are able to reach significant temperatures or devices or spaces with germicide lamps or other irradiation sources allowing sterilization of inserted objects. However these devices are heavily energetically demanding and require the use of previously washed clean objects. Respective workplace must be equipped with a washer as well as an autoclave, which results in a significant spatial and manipulation load on the user. These solutions represent high acquisition costs as well as high operating costs.

Disclosure of the Invention The above-mentioned disadvantages are eliminated to a considerable extent by the invention. It is a washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing device including at least one ozone generator, at least one ancillary tank with inner cavity for ozonized liquid, and also necessary interconnecting tubes. The essence of the new solution is in that the ancillary tank is equipped with at least one circulation circuit for circulation of ozonized liquid from this ancillary tank and back into it and simultaneous enrichment with ozone, where this circulation circuit is equipped with at least one drive, its input as well as output orifices are located in the ancillary tank, and it has connected at least one ozone generator. The circulation circuit is preferably equipped with the drive of the pump type, i.e. with at least one primary pump, and with at least one Venturi tube for enrichment with ozone having a nozzle, two conical diffusers, two inputs, and one output. The conical diffusers of the Venturi tube are connected to the inner space of the ancillary tank using a circulation tube and the nozzle is connected through the second input of the Venturi tube to an ozone input from the ozone generator. So for example the first conical diffuser is connected through the first input of the Venturi tube to the circulation tube of the circulation circuit and the second conical diffuser is connected by means of the output of the Venturi tube, through another section of the circulation tube or directly, to the inner space of the ancillary tank. Circulation of the ozonized liquid is thus ensured through the conical diffusers of the Venturi tube. The Venturi tube nozzle in which underpressure is created during operation is connected through the second input of the Venturi tube to the ozone input from the ozone generator.

The ancillary tank is in its lower part preferably equipped with at least one discharge outlet, preferably with a closure.

The invented device can be used for microbial cleaning and disinfection up to sterilization of liquids, particularly of supply water and drinking water. It can be used also for washing and/or disinfection and/or sterilization of heavily contaminated objects such as for example trays, bedpans and ducks used in healthcare. The device is completely solved for the purpose of washing, disinfection and/or sterilization of these or other objects as follows. In this case, at least one washing chamber is preferably connected after the discharge outlet of the ancillary tank, and the washing chamber is also preferably equipped with a drive, for example by means of connection through at least one secondary pump.

Besides the abovementioned connection, the washing chamber is preferably connected with the ancillary tank additionally using an interconnecting tube leading from the upper part of the ancillary tank into the washing chamber. This interconnection allows outlet of gaseous ozone, which accumulates here above the level h of the ozonized liquid, into the washing chamber and its utilisation for increase of the effect of the device.

The washing chamber is preferably equipped with at least one waste outlet for drainage of dirty medium and also with a door for example hinged one, and it is further equipped with a set of jets for squirting of ozonized liquid on and/or into the objects placed here, for example trays, bedpans and/or ducks.

The ancillary tank is preferably equipped with a liquid inlet, for example a flange with a connected filling pipe and an electromagnetic valve, and it is also preferably 5 equipped with at least one detector of the level h of the filled and ozonized liquid.

In addition to the device, the invention designs also a new method of washing, disinfection and/or sterilization. The designed method can be performed with the help of the device in a suitable variant of arrangement selected according to some

10 of the previous paragraphs. The invention substantially improves and outdoes with its effect the hitherto known methods utilising for disposal of biological contamination ozone or a liquid saturated with ozone from ozone generator. The ozonized liquid in the ancillary tank or from the ancillary tank is used according to the method proposed by the invention with the aim of washing, disinfection and/or i s sterilization, while the concentration of ozone in the liquid located in the ancillary tank is increased by carrying out forced circulation of the ozonized liquid in the course of which the ozonized liquid is pumped from the ancillary tank and returned back to the ancillary tank through the Venturi tube, during which the ozonized liquid is forced through the conical diffusers of the Venturi tube and simultaneously 0 ozone generated in the ozone generator is fed into the nozzle of the Venturi tube.

Circulation is carried out at least till the ozone concentration in the liquid located in the ancillary tank reaches at least the predetermined value.

The ozonized liquid is preferably discharged from the ancillary tank and used for the given purpose within the time period that is shorter than the ozone 5 disintegration half-life at the given temperature in the medium type used.

After reaching the predetermined ozone concentration, the ozonized liquid is preferably pumped out from the ancillary tank to the washing space, into which the washed, disinfected and/or sterilized objects were previously placed, and in the case of using sealable washing chamber also gaseous ozone is pumped, while the 0 pumped out ozonized liquid is injected to the washing space in an aimed way to the area of objects placed here so that it impinge onto and/or into these objects in doses or continually within the framework of one washing cycle, and that through a set of jets. The washing space and the ancillary tank are preferably hermetically closed to surrounding space and in this state the upper part of the ancillary tank and the washing space are interconnected at least temporarily. Then the washing space can be preferably filled with utilisable gaseous ozone from the ancillary tank using its own overpressure, the ozone that was previously fed to the ozonized liquid, did not remain trapped in it, and accumulated in the space of the ancillary tank above the level h of the ozonized liquid.

In the case of selection of the procedure variants according to the two preceding paragraphs, the circulation of liquid according to the invention can be carried out continually, while in the course of this continual carrying out of ozonization of the medium, the washing space is cyclically filled with ozone from the ancillary tank and the injection of the ozonized liquid into the washing space, onto the objects placed in it and/or into these objects, is also performed cyclically.

It is not excluded to realize the procedure according to the preceding paragraph in such a way that in the course of the continual process of circulation of the liquid and supply of ozone into it in the ancillary space inside the ancillary tank, charges and treatment of objects are cyclically carried out in the washing space in the meantime. Preferably one charge of objects can be treated with two or more washing cycles. This option is implemented according to the invention in such a way that at least two cycles of injection of the ozonized liquid into the washing space filled with ozone are performed after placing the objects into the washing space and before their removal from here.

Cyclic washing of objects in the washing space is preferably carried out in such a way that new filling of the washing space with ozone is performed every time before starting of every cycle of injection of ozonized liquid into the washing space. The cycle of injection is meant here as a single injection, but also as an intermittent injection lasting for the determined time interval. The continual process of circulation of the liquid and supply of ozone into it in the ancillary space inside the ancillary tank lasts preferably during this carrying out of washing cycles.

Other option of carrying out the procedure according to the invention is that the whole process is realized cyclically, when with each cycle the ozonization of liquid is done first and then washing and/or disinfection and/or sterilization is performed, and in the case of objects placed in the hermetically sealed washing chamber interconnected with the upper part of the ancillary tank, also with one cycle of pumping of gaseous ozone into the washing space.

The designed device and method are suitable for cleaning and disinfection and/or sterilization of water as well as for washing and disinfection and/or sterilization of biologically contaminated objects such as trays, bedpans and ducks for healthcare in particular. However the designed solution can be utilised also for other objects and purposes such as for example cleaning of bottles during manufacture of beverages, for disposal of biological contamination of vessels and tools in some food productions, for treatment of tableware in an infectious environment etc. Washing and disposal of microorganisms without chemicals is achieved. A steam generator is completely omitted from the new device, which brings significant saving of electric power and of chemical agents for otherwise necessary softening of water. The device and method designed could be utilised in the production of drinking water for example in the so called third world countries suffering from shortage of drinking water. They could be used also by healthcare facilities, hotels, chemical and biological businesses and laboratories etc. The greatest advantage of the designed solution is that, in contrast to the possibilities of the background art, it allows to destroy all living micro-organisms including the resistant ones as well as their spores. The device designed for utilisation of the designed method could find large scale applications in various fields because the device can be produced at relatively low costs and also the operation of the device is economically relatively undemanding.

Review of figures on drawings

The invention is illustrated using drawings, where Fig. 1 demonstrates schematically the arrangement of the designed device in a complete assembly for the treatment with ozonized liquid in the environment of ozone in a cross-section in a side view, Fig. 2 A, B demonstrates two phases of realization of the method in the course of operation of the device according to the previous figure, Fig. 3 demonstrates the variant of the device for the use of ozonized liquid in a normal environment, and Fig. 4 shows the block diagram of electronics of the device with automatic operation. Example of embodiment of the invention

The invention is visually demonstrated on the washing, disinfecting and/or sterilization device according to the Figs. 1 to 4.

The basic constructional and functional elements of this device are at least an ozone generator 1, an ancillary tank 2, a Venturi tube 3 and necessary connecting tubes, arrangement and function of which will be described in more details hereinafter. The ancillary tank 2 has inside created a cavity for ozonized liquid, and in addition to this it has created for this liquid an outer circulation circuit allowing circulation of the ozonized liquid from the ancillary tank 2 and back to it. The circulation circuit is equipped with at least one drive to ensure intensive circulation of liquid in one direction, which is in this example demonstrated in a preferable embodiment as a primary pump 4. The circulation circuit has input and output orifices in the ancillary tank 2 and is created by means of a circulation tube 5. The demonstrated example shows the device where the circulation tube 5 is equipped with one Venturi tube 3, which has two conical diffusers 6,7 situated against each other and converging in the middle into a nozzle 8. This Venturi tube 3 has two inputs 31 ,32 and one output 33. The first conical diffuser 6 is connected through the first input 3 of the Venturi tube 3 to the circulation tube 5 of the circulation circuit and the second conical diffuser 7 is connected through the output 33 of the Venturi tube 3 directly to the inner space of the ancillary tank 2 using common means of connection, for example through a flange. The nozzle 8 is connected through the second input 32 of the Venturi tube 3 to an ozone input 9 from the ozone generator . The sequence of the aforementioned elements in this example of embodiment is considered to be the most advantageous one especially from the point of view of production costs, easy assembling, maintenance as well as lower stress on the drive due to ozone aggressivity, but otherwise from the point of view of functionality there is no significant difference whether during implementation of the invention the Venturi tube 3 is connected to one or another end of the circulation tube 5 or into the middle, and where exactly in the circulation circuit the primary pump 4 is placed. From the point of view of quality, it is expedient to insert a dehumidifying filter 0 ahead of the ozone generator 1 to reduce humidity of the source gas fed into it. The ancillary tank 2 is in its lower part fitted with a discharge outlet J , which is preferably equipped with a closure 12.

The device in the layout described above can operate without additional elements described hereinafter as a biological cleaner of the liquid contained, for example for production of drinking water, or as a washer and cleaner, when washed or cleaned objects are placed into the cavity of the ancillary tank 2.

The variant shown on Fig. 3 is the most suitable one for perfunctory sanitary washing of biologically contaminated objects such as trays, bedpans, ducks, etc.

A vessel 13, in which the washed objects are placed, is located at the outflow from the discharge outlet 1_1. The ozonized liquid, most likely water, is discharged from the ancillary tank 2 into this vessel 13 and allowed to act. This brings about the effect of washing and to a significant extent also destruction of all contained microorganisms. The ancillary tank 2 has on its top a clear opening or outlet for escape of ozone and possibly vapours ascending above the level h of the liquid.

For high quality washing, disinfection and/or sterilization, the device is solved completely in the form shown on Figures 1 and 2.

A sealable washing chamber 14 is connected after the discharge outlet H of the ancillary tank 2 via a suitable drive, preferably a secondary pump 15. This connection runs out of the lower part of the ancillary tank 2 because the discharge outlet 1 is located in the lower part of the ancillary tank 2: In addition to this connection, the washing chamber 14 is interconnected with the ancillary tank 2 also through an interconnecting tube 16 leading out from the upper part of the ancillary tank 2 for input of gaseous ozone into the washing chamber 14. The washing chamber 14 is designed as a space that is hermetically sealable to the outer environment and that can be opened to allow insertion and removal of the objects being cleaned and their perfect sanitary treatment. It is equipped with a waste outlet 17 for drainage of dirty liquid, with a hinged door 18, and with distribution elements with a set of jets 9 for transport of the fed ozonized liquid to suitable places or place and for squirting of the ozonized liquid on and/or into the objects placed here, for example trays, bedpans and/or ducks. The ancillary tank 2 can be fitted with a lid and filled by simple pouring. In the preferable embodiment, without the need for opening during filling, it is fitted with an externally controllable or automatically controllable liquid supply 20 allowing its filling with the liquid designated for ozonization, in particular with water, for 5 example through an opening with a filling pipe and an electromagnetic valve, which can be connected to water mains in the building of installation. There is also a detector 21 of the ozonized liquid level h installed in the ancillary tank 2.

The designed device makes possible to implement a new method of disinfection i o and/or sterilization and washing. It can be equipped with elements of automatic control and run with automatic operation. It can be for example equipped as shown on Fig. 4 with a control and actuating unit 22 such as a microcomputer connected to electric elements of the device, and with additional controls connected to the control and actuating unit 22, such as a door safety lock 23 with a closure sensor, 15 a timer 24, a combined controllable valve of liquid inlet 20 etc.

Function of the device is described hereinafter together with explanation of the new method according to the invention.

The cavity of the ancillary tank 2 is filled with the liquid designated for 0 ozonization, for example water, up to the height of the level h. The primary pump 4 and the ozone generator 1 are launched. Pumping of liquid out from the ancillary tank 2 to the circulation circuit is started. Circulation through this circuit takes place during which the liquid is pumped from the ancillary tank 2, forced through the Venturi tube 3, and then returned at another place back to the ancillary tank 2. 5 Liquid flows during circulation through the conical diffusers 6 _ of the Venturi tube 3 thus creating at the place of the nozzle 8 significant underpressure that aspirates into the nozzle 8 of the Venturi tube 3 ozone supplied by the ozone input 9 from the ozone generator 1 As the liquid enriched with admixture of ozone returns to the ancillary tank 2, the ozone concentration in the ancillary tank 2 increases.

30 Ozone that was not trapped in the liquid bubbles upwards through the liquid in a dispersed state and part of it is still trapped in the liquid. The liquid is enriched with more ozone with each circulation cycle. Multiple increase of ozone concentration in the ozonized liquid is achieved by repeated circulation. Possibilities of existing devices are exceeded up to multiple times and even such concentration of ozone in the ozonized liquid is attainable that has sterilization effects. Process of circulation accompanied with ozonization is carried out at least so long till the ozone concentration in the liquid located in the ancillary tank 2 reaches at least the predetermined value. This value can be selected by the user depending on whether the device is used for washing or for disinfection or whether even achievement of sterilization is required. The discharge outlet H is closed in the course of carrying out ozonization till the time when the predetermined value of ozone concentration is reached. Ozone that is not retained in the ozonized liquid is released and accumulates above the level h of the liquid in the cavity of the ancillary tank 2. In the case when the washing chamber 14 with the interconnecting tube 6 are connected to the ancillary tank 2, the accumulated ozone is with its own overpressure forced out from the upper part of the ancillary tank 2 to the interconnecting tube 16 through which it fills the washing chamber 14. This first phase of the procedure according to the invention is illustrated on Fig. 2A.

The ozonized liquid is subsequently discharged from the ancillary tank 2 and used for the given purpose within the time period that is shorter than the ozone disintegration half-life at the given temperature in the given type of liquid.

If this is the case of drinking water production, it is possible to use the device without the connected washing chamber 14 and to connect for example a tanker to the discharge outlet H of the ancillary tank 2, to discharge the processed water to the tanker and use it in the future as drinking water.

If this is the case of washing of objects and partial disinfection without the need for high degree disinfection or sterilization, it is possible to use the device without the washing chamber 14, for example in the arrangement shown on Fig 3, and thus to use for washing the ozonized liquid discharged to the vessel 1_3. In the case of the device with disconnected washing chamber 14, the interconnecting tube 16 is free or connected to a chimney or hood, or dismounted as shown on Fig. 3 and therefore the residual gaseous ozone that was not trapped in the ozonized liquid and continues above the level h is not used any longer.

If this is the case of disinfection or sterilization, the whole device is used in the arrangement according to the Fig. 1. The residual gaseous ozone that was not trapped in the ozonized liquid and continues above the level h is fully utilised as auxiliary disinfectant and sterilizing agent. After reaching the determined concentration of ozone in the ozonized liquid, the phase illustrated on Fig. 2B follows.

After reaching the predetermined ozone concentration, the ozonized liquid is pumped out with the secondary pump 5 from the ancillary tank 2 through the discharge outlet V\_ to the cavity of the washing chamber 14, into which the disinfected or sterilized objects were placed before putting the device in operation. The pumped out ozonized liquid is then fed to the washing space already filled with gaseous ozone and here it is injected in a dispersed state through the set of jets 19 in an aimed way onto and/or into the objects placed here.

The method of carrying out disinfection or sterilization and operation of the device can be performed in two ways. The first option is operation in cycles, i.e. the whole process is performed once for each washing, disinfection and/or sterilization.

The other option, preferential for considerable and large plants, is to operate the ancillary tank 2 continually and to combine this operation with cyclic operation of the washing chamber 14. It means that the circulation of liquid under simultaneous enrichment with ozone is carried out continually, and several batches of disinfected or sterilized objects are processed during this circulation when these objects are placed in the washing space, then the washing space is filled with ozone supplied from the ancillary tank 2 and the injection of ozonized liquid into the washing space inside the washing chamber 14, onto the objects placed in it and/or into these objects, is performed. Preferably one or each batch of the objects can be subjected to two or more washing cycles when filling of the washing space with ozone and injection of ozonized liquid into the washing chamber H onto and into treated objects is repeatedly performed during the period of placement of these objects in the washing space of the washing chamber 14. From the point of view of attained effect it is optimal to perform filling of the washing chamber 14 with ozone before every new injection. The washing chamber 14 can be hermetically closed throughout the processing of every batch of objects, or a discharge of contaminated liquid can be performed as needed. Different times and conditions can be set for individual washing cycles. During realization of cyclic washing, the ozonization of liquid in the ancillary tank 2 and in the circulation circuit can run continually with forced circulation of the liquid through the circulation circuit under simultaneous enrichment with ozone via the Venturi tube 3. In the meantime the objects are treated in the washing space after carrying out the determined number of washing cycles. Due to the treatment done, the objects are cleaned from impurities and contamination and, depending on the number of washing cycles and set conditions, disinfected or even sterilized. The objects treated in this way are then removed and used for the assigned purpose. With the continually performed ozonization, it is expedient to close the interconnecting tube 16 during the time when the washing chamber 14 is open.

Claims

C L A I M S

1 . Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device including at least one ozone generator (1), 5 at least one ancillary tank (2) with inner cavity for ozonized liquid, and also necessary interconnecting elements characterized by that the ancillary tank (2) is equipped with at least one circulation circuit for circulation of ozonized liquid from this ancillary tank (2) and back into it and simultaneous enrichment with ozone, where this circulation circuit is equipped with at least one drive, it has input as well 10 as output orifices in the ancillary tank (2), and it has connected at least one ozone input (9) from the ozone generator(l ).

2. Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device according to claim 1 characterized by that the circulation circuit is equipped with at least one primary pump (4) and at least i s one Venturi tube (3) having at least one nozzle (8), at least two conical diffusers (6,7), at least two inputs (31 ,32), and at least one output (33), while the conical diffusers (6,7) are connected to the inner space of the ancillary tank (2) using a circulation tube (5) and the ozone input (9) from the ozone generator (1 ) is connected through the second input (32) of the Venturi tube (3) to the nozzle (8). 0

3. Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized by that the ancillary tank (2) is in its lower part equipped with at least one discharge outlet (1 1 ), preferably with a closure (12). 5

4. Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device according to claim 3 characterized by that at least one washing chamber (14) is connected after the discharge outlet (1 1 ), preferably via at least one secondary pump (15).

5. Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device according to claim 4 characterized by that 0 the washing chamber (14) is interconnected with the ancillary tank (2) also through an interconnecting tube (16) leading out of the upper part of the ancillary tank (2) and emptying into the washing chamber (14) for flow of gaseous ozone into the washing chamber (14).

6. Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device according to claims 4 and 5 characterized by that the washing chamber (14) is equipped with at least one waste outlet (17) for drainage of dirty liquid, at least one door (18), and distribution elements with a set of jets (19) for squirting of ozonized liquid on and/or into objects placed here, for example trays, bedpans and/or ducks.

7. Disinfecting and/or sterilizing device according to claims 1 to 6 characterized by that the ancillary tank (2) is equipped with a liquid input (20), for example with a filling pipe with an electromagnetic valve, and furthermore it is equipped with at least one detector (21 ) of the level (h) of ozonized liquid.

8. Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method with utilisation of the device according to any of the claims 1 to 7, during which the liquid placed in the ancillary tank (2) is enriched with ozone generated by the ozone generator (1 ), characterized by that the concentration of ozone in the ozonized liquid is increased by carrying out circulation in the course of which the liquid is pumped out from the ancillary tank (2), forced through the Venturi tube (3), and then returned back, during which the liquid is allowed to flow through the conical diffusers (6,7) of the Venturi tube (3) and simultaneously ozone from the ozone generator (1 ) is fed into the nozzle (8) of the Venturi tube (3), when this process of circulation accompanied with ozonization is carried out at least so long till the ozone concentration in the liquid located in the ancillary tank (2) reaches at least the predetermined value.

9. Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method according to the claim 8 characterized by that the ozonized liquid is discharged from the ancillary tank (2) within the time period that is shorter than the ozone disintegration half-life at the given temperature in the used type of liquid, and used for the intended purpose.

10. Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method according to the claim 9 characterized by that after reaching the predetermined ozone concentration, the ozonized liquid is pumped out from the space of the ancillary tank (2) to another space, the washing space, into which the objects intended for washing, disinfection and/or sterilization were placed before this pumping out, and in the case of using the sealed washing chamber (14) also gaseous ozone is pumped, while the pumped out ozonized liquid is injected to the washing space in an aimed way to the positions of objects placed here preferably in a dispersed state by feeding under increased pressure through the set of jets ( 9).

1 1 . Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method according to the claim 10 characterized by that the space inside the ancillary tank (2) and the washing space are hermetically closed towards surrounding space and at least temporarily interconnected, after which, utilising ozone overpressure, the washing space is filled from the ancillary tank (2) with gaseous ozone that was previously fed to the ozonized liquid, did not remain trapped in it, and accumulated inside the ancillary tank (2) above the level (h) of the ozonized liquid.

12. Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method according to claims 10 and 1 1 characterized by that the circulation of liquid under simultaneous feeding of ozone is carried out continuously, and in the course of this circulation, the washing space is cyclically filled with ozone from the ancillary tank (2) and the injection of the ozonized liquid into the washing space and onto and/or into the objects placed in it is also performed cyclically.

13. Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method according to the claim 12 characterized by that after placing the objects into the washing space and before their removal from here, the objects located in the washing space are subjected to at least two successive cycles of washing, while injection of the ozonized liquid into the washing space filled with ozone is performed with each of these washing cycles.

14. Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method according to the claim 13 characterized by that new filling of the washing space with ozone is performed before starting each cycle of injection of ozonized liquid into the washing space.

15. Washing, disinfection and/or sterilization method according to any of the claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized by that the whole process is realized cyclically, while with each cycle, the ozonization of medium is done first and then washing and/or disinfection and/or sterilization, and in the case of use of the hermetically sealable washing chamber (14) interconnected with the upper part of the ancillary tank (2), also one cycle of pumping of gaseous ozone into the washing space are performed in succession.