WO2015011476A1 - Macerators - Google Patents

Macerators Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015011476A1
WO2015011476A1 PCT/GB2014/052254 GB2014052254W WO2015011476A1 WO 2015011476 A1 WO2015011476 A1 WO 2015011476A1 GB 2014052254 W GB2014052254 W GB 2014052254W WO 2015011476 A1 WO2015011476 A1 WO 2015011476A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cavity
products
macerator
sensor
value
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2014/052254
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Luke SHEPHERD
Original Assignee
The Haigh Engineering Company Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Haigh Engineering Company Ltd filed Critical The Haigh Engineering Company Ltd
Publication of WO2015011476A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015011476A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
    • B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
    • B02C19/00—Other disintegrating devices or methods
    • B02C19/0056—Other disintegrating devices or methods specially adapted for specific materials not otherwise provided for
    • B02C19/0075—Other disintegrating devices or methods specially adapted for specific materials not otherwise provided for specially adapted for disintegrating medical waste
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
    • B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
    • B02C25/00—Control arrangements specially adapted for crushing or disintegrating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
    • B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
    • B02C23/00—Auxiliary methods or auxiliary devices or accessories specially adapted for crushing or disintegrating not provided for in preceding groups or not specially adapted to apparatus covered by a single preceding group
    • B02C23/18—Adding fluid, other than for crushing or disintegrating by fluid energy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C33/02—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated heating or cooling means
    • B29C33/04—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated heating or cooling means using liquids, gas or steam
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C33/02—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated heating or cooling means
    • B29C33/04—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated heating or cooling means using liquids, gas or steam
    • B29C33/046—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated heating or cooling means using liquids, gas or steam using gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C45/72—Heating or cooling
    • B29C45/73—Heating or cooling of the mould
    • B29C45/7337—Heating or cooling of the mould using gas or steam

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to macerators.
  • the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to the operation of macerators of the type used for maceration of clinical and similar waste.
  • Macerators process solid waste products by reducing the solid product to a slurry in water, which can then be more readily disposed of through conventional drainage conduits.
  • Clinical waste typically disposed of by maceration includes pulp fibre trays and containers contaminated by bodily waste or fluids.
  • the macerator includes a chamber in which the solid product is shredded and mixed with water and an outlet through which the slurry produced passes to waste.
  • a rinse step rinses the macerator chamber clean for the next cycle.
  • Known clinical waste macerators operate with a fixed cycle in which the duration of the maceration process and the volume of water used are predetermined for a specific model of macerator.
  • the macerator operates for the same amount of time and uses the same amount of water on each cycle, irrespective of the mass or volume of products to be disposed of. This is wasteful of water, power and also of time before the macerator is available for the next load. Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the problems with existing macerators.
  • the present invention provides a macerator having a maceration cavity having an opening for insertion of products into the cavity; a closable cover to the opening; and water admission means and a slurry outlet in fluid communication with the cavity.
  • the macerator is characterised in that it further comprises a sensor arrangement to determine a value for products inserted, in use, into the cavity.
  • the macerator further comprises a control arrangement adapted, in response to a value determined by the sensor arrangement to control at least one
  • ABC ABC of: i) a start of a maceration step; ii) a duration of a maceration step; and iii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step.
  • the value determined for products inserted into the cavity is a numerical value for the number of products inserted into the cavity.
  • the sensor arrangement includes a sensor associated with the cavity opening or with the closable cover to the opening.
  • the value is a height or volume value determined by a height of products in the cavity or a volume of products in the cavity.
  • the sensor arrangement includes a sensor mounted to or adjacent the cavity.
  • the senor is an IR sensor, a non-IR light sensor, an acoustic sensor or a mechanical sensor.
  • the value is a mass value, determined by a mass of products inserted into the cavity.
  • the sensor arrangement includes a load mass sensor associated with the macerator cavity.
  • the sensor arrangement is adapted to terminate the maceration step in response to the presence of particles falling below a predetermined level.
  • a control method for a macerator comprising the steps of:- determining a value for products inserted into the cavity using said sensor arrangement; and controlling at least one of: i) a start of a maceration step; ii) a duration of a maceration step; and iii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step, said controlling step being governed by the measured value for products inserted into the cavity.
  • control method further comprises determining said value for products based on one or more of a mass of inserted product, a volume of inserted product, a height of inserted product or numerical number of inserted product.
  • a clinical waste macerator typically includes a macerator cavity into which products to be macerated are placed.
  • the cavity is adapted to rotate the products against a shredding surface to reduce the product to small particles.
  • Water is introduced to the cavity to aid decomposition of the products and aid flow of the slurry so products from the cavity at the end of the maceration step. Once maceration is complete, further water is introduced into the cavity to rinse the apparatus clean.
  • the macerator includes a cover or lid to the cavity to provide a fluid seal and to prevent contamination from the clinical waste.
  • the duration of the maceration step and the volume of water used are predetermined, by experimentation by the manufacturer, for any particular macerator. For example, maceration durations of 1 to 3 minutes and water volumes of 20-30 litres are typical. For any particular machine, the duration will be the same and the volume of water used will be the same irrespective of whether the machine is being used to dispose of a single, small waste product, or multiple or large products.
  • a sensor arrangement is provided to determine the number of products inserted into the macerator cavity, or the height of products within the cavity or the volume of products in the cavity.
  • a sensor such as an IR or other optical sensor.
  • this can be mounted in the underside of the lid or around the opening of the cavity, the count products as they pass the sensor.
  • the height or volume of products in the cavity is considered to act as a better indicator of the amount of clinical waste inserted and thereby a better indicator of the amount of maceration required.
  • the sensor arrangement can include a single sensor to provide a simple binary determination of the height of products within the cavity - whether the height is above or below a predetermined value; or the arrangement can include a plurality of height-aligned sensors to provide a more accurate determination of the content of the cavity in two dimensions; or a sensor arrangement adapted to provide a three-dimensional determination of the volume of products within the cavity.
  • the sensor arrangement includes a load mass sensor associated with the macerator cavity to determine the mass of products within the cavity.
  • a control assembly such as a control circuit, is caused to adjust the duration of the maceration step, to increase or decrease the maceration period as appropriate; and to adjust the volume of water used in the maceration step, to increase or decrease the volume of water, with respect to predetermined periods and volumes determined for the macerator.
  • the control assembly is adapted to delay the start of the maceration step until a predetermined value for the number, height, volume or mass of products has been inserted into the cavity.
  • the control assembly is advantageously configured to provide a limited predetermined delay period after expiry of which, if the predetermined value remains unsatisfied, the macerator step is started.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a macerator comprising a maceration cavity having an opening for insertion of products into the cavity; a closable cover to the opening; and water admission means and a slurry outlet in fluid communication with the cavity. The macerator further comprises a sensor arrangement to determine a value for products inserted, in use, into the cavity; and a control arrangement adapted to control at least one of: i) a start of a maceration step; ii) a duration of a maceration step; and iii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step.

Description

Macerators
The present invention relates to macerators. In particular, the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to the operation of macerators of the type used for maceration of clinical and similar waste.
Macerators process solid waste products by reducing the solid product to a slurry in water, which can then be more readily disposed of through conventional drainage conduits. Clinical waste typically disposed of by maceration includes pulp fibre trays and containers contaminated by bodily waste or fluids. The macerator includes a chamber in which the solid product is shredded and mixed with water and an outlet through which the slurry produced passes to waste. A rinse step rinses the macerator chamber clean for the next cycle. Known clinical waste macerators operate with a fixed cycle in which the duration of the maceration process and the volume of water used are predetermined for a specific model of macerator. That is to say, the macerator operates for the same amount of time and uses the same amount of water on each cycle, irrespective of the mass or volume of products to be disposed of. This is wasteful of water, power and also of time before the macerator is available for the next load. Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the problems with existing macerators.
In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a macerator having a maceration cavity having an opening for insertion of products into the cavity; a closable cover to the opening; and water admission means and a slurry outlet in fluid communication with the cavity.
The macerator is characterised in that it further comprises a sensor arrangement to determine a value for products inserted, in use, into the cavity.
Preferably, the macerator further comprises a control arrangement adapted, in response to a value determined by the sensor arrangement to control at least one
ABC of: i) a start of a maceration step; ii) a duration of a maceration step; and iii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step.
In one embodiment, the value determined for products inserted into the cavity is a numerical value for the number of products inserted into the cavity. Suitably, the sensor arrangement includes a sensor associated with the cavity opening or with the closable cover to the opening.
In a second embodiment, the value is a height or volume value determined by a height of products in the cavity or a volume of products in the cavity. Suitably, the sensor arrangement includes a sensor mounted to or adjacent the cavity.
Suitably, the sensor is an IR sensor, a non-IR light sensor, an acoustic sensor or a mechanical sensor.
In a third embodiment, the value is a mass value, determined by a mass of products inserted into the cavity. Suitably, the sensor arrangement includes a load mass sensor associated with the macerator cavity. Conveniently, the sensor arrangement is adapted to terminate the maceration step in response to the presence of particles falling below a predetermined level.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a control method for a macerator, the macerator having a maceration cavity for macerating products and a sensor arrangement for determining a value for products inserted in the cavity, the method comprising the steps of:- determining a value for products inserted into the cavity using said sensor arrangement; and controlling at least one of: i) a start of a maceration step; ii) a duration of a maceration step; and iii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step, said controlling step being governed by the measured value for products inserted into the cavity.
ABC Preferably, the control method further comprises determining said value for products based on one or more of a mass of inserted product, a volume of inserted product, a height of inserted product or numerical number of inserted product.
The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only.
Typically, a clinical waste macerator includes a macerator cavity into which products to be macerated are placed. The cavity is adapted to rotate the products against a shredding surface to reduce the product to small particles. Water is introduced to the cavity to aid decomposition of the products and aid flow of the slurry so products from the cavity at the end of the maceration step. Once maceration is complete, further water is introduced into the cavity to rinse the apparatus clean. The macerator includes a cover or lid to the cavity to provide a fluid seal and to prevent contamination from the clinical waste.
In a conventional macerator, the duration of the maceration step and the volume of water used are predetermined, by experimentation by the manufacturer, for any particular macerator. For example, maceration durations of 1 to 3 minutes and water volumes of 20-30 litres are typical. For any particular machine, the duration will be the same and the volume of water used will be the same irrespective of whether the machine is being used to dispose of a single, small waste product, or multiple or large products.
In accordance with the present invention, a sensor arrangement is provided to determine the number of products inserted into the macerator cavity, or the height of products within the cavity or the volume of products in the cavity. Those skilled in the art will be readily able to determine suitable sensor arrangement to achieve this objective. For example, the number of products inserted into the macerator can be determined by means of a sensor, such as an IR or other optical sensor.
ABC Suitably, this can be mounted in the underside of the lid or around the opening of the cavity, the count products as they pass the sensor.
The height or volume of products in the cavity is considered to act as a better indicator of the amount of clinical waste inserted and thereby a better indicator of the amount of maceration required. The sensor arrangement can include a single sensor to provide a simple binary determination of the height of products within the cavity - whether the height is above or below a predetermined value; or the arrangement can include a plurality of height-aligned sensors to provide a more accurate determination of the content of the cavity in two dimensions; or a sensor arrangement adapted to provide a three-dimensional determination of the volume of products within the cavity.
In a further embodiment, the sensor arrangement includes a load mass sensor associated with the macerator cavity to determine the mass of products within the cavity.
Once the product content of the cavity has been determined, a control assembly, such as a control circuit, is caused to adjust the duration of the maceration step, to increase or decrease the maceration period as appropriate; and to adjust the volume of water used in the maceration step, to increase or decrease the volume of water, with respect to predetermined periods and volumes determined for the macerator. Alternatively, the control assembly is adapted to delay the start of the maceration step until a predetermined value for the number, height, volume or mass of products has been inserted into the cavity. However, it will be appreciated that clinical waste cannot be left to accumulate indefinitely and must be disposed of promptly. As such, the control assembly is advantageously configured to provide a limited predetermined delay period after expiry of which, if the predetermined value remains unsatisfied, the macerator step is started.
ABC

Claims

Claims
1 A macerator comprising a maceration cavity having an opening for insertion of products into the cavity; a closable cover to the opening; and water admission means and a slurry outlet in fluid communication with the cavity; and further comprising a sensor arrangement to determine a value for products inserted, in use, into the cavity; and a control arrangement adapted to control at least one of: i) a start of a maceration step; ii) a duration of a maceration step; and iii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step.
2 A macerator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the value determined for products inserted into the cavity is a numerical value for the number of products inserted into the cavity and wherein the sensor arrangement includes a sensor associated with the cavity opening or with the closable cover to the opening.
3 A macerator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the control arrangement is adapted to control a start of a maceration step and delay the start of the maceration step until the number of products inserted is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number of products.
4 A macerator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the control arrangement is adapted to adjust at least one of: i) a duration of a maceration step; and ii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step in response to the numerical value determined.
5 A macerator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the value is a height value and the sensor arrangement the sensor arrangement includes a sensor mounted to or adjacent the cavity to determine a height of products in the cavity 6 A macerator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the value is a volume value and the sensor arrangement the sensor arrangement includes a sensor mounted to or adjacent the cavity to determine a volume of products in the cavity
ABC 7 A macerator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sensor is an IR sensor, a non-IR light sensor, an acoustic sensor or a mechanical sensor.
8 A macerator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the value is a mass value indicative of the mass of products inserted into the cavity and wherein the sensor arrangement includes a load mass sensor associated with the macerator cavity.
9 A control method for a macerator, the macerator having a maceration cavity for macerating products and a sensor arrangement for determining a value for products inserted in the cavity, the method comprising the steps of:- determining a value for products inserted into the cavity using said sensor arrangement; and
controlling at least one of: i) a start of a maceration step; ii) a duration of a maceration step; and iii) a volume of water admitted to the cavity for a maceration step, said controlling step being governed by the measured value for products inserted into the cavity.
10 A control method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising determining said value for products based on one or more of a mass of inserted product, a volume of inserted product, a height of inserted product or numerical number of inserted product.
ABC
PCT/GB2014/052254 2013-07-23 2014-07-23 Macerators WO2015011476A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201313124A GB2516464A (en) 2013-07-23 2013-07-23 Macerators
GB1313124.8 2013-07-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015011476A1 true WO2015011476A1 (en) 2015-01-29

Family

ID=49119139

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2014/052254 WO2015011476A1 (en) 2013-07-23 2014-07-23 Macerators

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2516464A (en)
WO (1) WO2015011476A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3942939A1 (en) * 2020-07-21 2022-01-26 Deere & Company Setting degree of maceration based on forage nutritive values
EP3942938A1 (en) * 2020-07-21 2022-01-26 Deere & Company Method and system for preparing a feed ration based on degree of maceration

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2563822B (en) * 2017-06-12 2022-03-09 The Haigh Eng Company Ltd Macerating method and macerator apparatus
GB2599635A (en) * 2020-09-30 2022-04-13 Vernacare Ltd Connected macerator

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008138069A1 (en) * 2007-05-15 2008-11-20 Pioneer Waste Management Australia Pty Limited Putrescible organic waste treatment
WO2009060187A2 (en) * 2007-11-06 2009-05-14 Ddc Dolphin Limited A macerator
US20100270404A1 (en) * 2009-04-28 2010-10-28 Aurora Office Equipment Co., Ltd. Shanghai type protection device for shredders
EP2460933A1 (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-06 Seed Co. Ltd. Pulp making device of used paper recycling apparatus and used paper recycling apparatus
US20130175373A1 (en) * 2012-01-10 2013-07-11 SteriMed Medical Waste Solutions UK Ltd. Integrated medical waste management system and operation

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4247806B2 (en) * 2000-06-29 2009-04-02 株式会社小松製作所 Cone crusher crushing control device
FI122462B (en) * 2008-06-27 2012-01-31 Metso Minerals Inc Method and equipment for controlling the crushing process
EP2522430A1 (en) * 2011-05-13 2012-11-14 ABB Research Ltd. Method of observing a change of mass inside a grinding unit

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008138069A1 (en) * 2007-05-15 2008-11-20 Pioneer Waste Management Australia Pty Limited Putrescible organic waste treatment
WO2009060187A2 (en) * 2007-11-06 2009-05-14 Ddc Dolphin Limited A macerator
US20100270404A1 (en) * 2009-04-28 2010-10-28 Aurora Office Equipment Co., Ltd. Shanghai type protection device for shredders
EP2460933A1 (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-06 Seed Co. Ltd. Pulp making device of used paper recycling apparatus and used paper recycling apparatus
US20130175373A1 (en) * 2012-01-10 2013-07-11 SteriMed Medical Waste Solutions UK Ltd. Integrated medical waste management system and operation

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3942939A1 (en) * 2020-07-21 2022-01-26 Deere & Company Setting degree of maceration based on forage nutritive values
EP3942938A1 (en) * 2020-07-21 2022-01-26 Deere & Company Method and system for preparing a feed ration based on degree of maceration
US11758926B2 (en) 2020-07-21 2023-09-19 Deere & Company Setting degree of maceration based on forage nutritive values

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201313124D0 (en) 2013-09-04
GB2516464A (en) 2015-01-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2015011476A1 (en) Macerators
EP2788538B1 (en) Washing machine
BR112012026537A2 (en) spear
US9079187B2 (en) Macerator device intended to be connected to a WC bowl
ATE449522T1 (en) COOKING APPARATUS
KR101730580B1 (en) Food crushing machine with data storage and wireless communication function
CN106436845A (en) Control device for food waste processor and control method of control device
KR20130113114A (en) Apparatus for squeezing food waste for kitchen sink
CN206860412U (en) A kind of air compressor air storage tank automatic sewage discharging device
CN106149835B (en) Ventilator and method for removing odor of ventilator
PH12016500518A1 (en) Garbage processing device
CN202595795U (en) Water recycle device for solar silicon chip production
CN202415969U (en) Automatic energy-saving washing machine
CN208742569U (en) A kind of thermal cycle chemical reaction kettle
JP2008253900A (en) Operation device of disposer
CN110655223A (en) Automatic change domestic sewage purification device
CN210538836U (en) Rice noodle preparation all-in-one machine
CN204056737U (en) Storage rice device
CN203373181U (en) Waste cooking oil treatment machine
CN202031141U (en) Drainage cover for washing basin
CN204456365U (en) Shredded paper flush toilet
CN103976654A (en) Water purifier device with external heating and heat preservation bag
CN204964271U (en) Food is treater for safety inspection
CN203145108U (en) Garbage storing device arranged on kitchen cabinet countertop
HRP20120749T1 (en) Apparatus and discontinuous method for cleaning waste water

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 14753114

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 14753114

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1