Macerator disinfection system and method

Abstract

The impregnator comprises: a hopper comprising an impregnator impeller for impregnating waste material contained in the hopper; a cover for closing the hopper; one or more light sources for emitting ultraviolet (UV) light into the hopper; and a controller that controls the light source, and light from the light source reaches the cover of the impregnator.

Description

(19) State Intellectual Property Office (12) Invention Patent Application (10) Application Publication Number (43) Application Publication Date (21) Application Number 202480077098.2 (22) Application Date 2024.11.29 (30) Priority Data 2318496.3 2023.12.04 GB (85) PCT International Application Entering National Phase Date 2026.06.04 (86) PCT International Application Application Data PCT / GB2024 / 053006 2024.11.29 (87) PCT International Application Publication Data WO2025 / 120304 EN 2025.06.12 (71) Applicant: Haiger Engineering Ltd. Address: Herefordshire, UK (72) Inventor: Jacob Shepard, Stewart, Serorian Hodges (74) Patent Agency: Beijing Dechong Zhijie Intellectual Property Agency Co., Ltd. 11467 Patent Attorney: Wu Xun (51) Int.Cl. B02C 18 / 00 (2006.01) B02C 19 / 00 (2006.01) B02C 19 / 18 (2006.01) B02C 23 / 18 (2006.01) A61L 2 / 104 (2026.01) A61L 11 / 00 (2006.01) (54) Invention Title: Impregnator Sterilization System and Method (57) Abstract: The impregnator comprises: a hopper containing an impregnator impeller for impregnating waste material contained in the hopper; a cover for closing the hopper; one or more light sources for emitting ultraviolet (UV) light into the hopper; and a controller for controlling the light sources, wherein light from the light sources reaches the cover of the impregnator. Claims 2 pages Description 7 pages Drawings 12 pages CN 122341436 A 2026.07.03 CN 1 22 34 14 36 A 1. An impregnator comprising: a hopper containing an impregnator impeller for impregnating waste material contained in the hopper; a cover for closing the hopper; one or more light sources for emitting ultraviolet (UV) light into the hopper; and a controller for controlling the light sources, wherein light from the light sources reaches the cover of the impregnator. 2. The impregnator of claim 1, further comprising a water inlet into a hopper, wherein the water inlet is configured to dispense water into the hopper to clean the inner surface of the impregnator, preferably wherein the water inlet is configured to dispense water into the hopper to clean substantially all of the inner surface of the impregnator. 3. The impregnator of claim 2, wherein the water inlet is configured to dispense water for cleaning the light source. 4. The impregnator of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the water inlet is controlled by one or more valves and / or one or more pumps, preferably wherein the valves and / or pumps are controlled by a controller.5. The impregnation machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a drain outlet in the bottom of the hopper through which impregnated waste exits the hopper during an impregnation cycle, and wherein the controller is configured to control a light source to emit UV light into the hopper after an impregnation cycle. 6. The impregnation machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is configured to emit short-wavelength UV-C light. 7. The impregnation machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper has a reflective wall. 8. The impregnation machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are positioned in a cover. 9. The impregnation machine according to claim 8, wherein the rear portion of the cover is hinged to the rear portion of the hopper, and two UVC LEDs are positioned at the rear portion of the cover, and two UVC LEDs are positioned at the front portion of the cover. 10. The impregnation machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are positioned in the base or sidewall of the hopper. 11. The impregnation machine according to claim 10, wherein one or more light sources are positioned in the base of the hopper, and wherein the base of the hopper tapers towards the drain outlet, and one or more light sources are positioned in a conical region. 12. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner surfaces of the impregnator impeller and the hopper are shaped to reflect UV light to the cover of the hopper. 13. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are covered by a transparent cover that provides a watertight separation between the light source and the impregnator chamber. 14. The impregnator according to claim 13, further comprising an inlet to the hopper, wherein the inlet directs water to the one or more light sources so that it flows over the transparent cover. 15. The impregnator according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the transparent cover is located in a tapered recess in the inner surface of the impregnator. 16. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more light sources has an associated radiator in contact with the inner surface of the hopper, and wherein the inlet directs water to the radiator. 17. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner surfaces of the hopper, the cover, and the impregnator impeller are made of stainless steel. 18. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are operable only when the cover is closed. 19. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller turns on the light source for 10 to 20 minutes after each impregnation cycle. 20. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller turns on the light source for a predetermined period of 5 hours or longer.21. The impregnator of claim 20, wherein if the impregnator cover is opened, the controller pauses the timing of the time period, and when the cover is closed again, the impregnator resumes timing to complete the time period. 22. The impregnator of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a water-cooled block associated with each of one or more light sources; and a pump that circulates water through the cooling block. 23. A method for sterilizing the interior of an impregnator, comprising: performing an impregnation cycle to impregnate waste material contained in a hopper of the impregnator, and allowing the impregnated waste to exit the hopper through a drain; distributing water into the hopper to clean the inner surface of the impregnator; and after the impregnation cycle, activating one or more light sources to emit ultraviolet (UV) light into the impregnator hopper. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising distributing water into the hopper to clean the light sources. 25. A method for sterilizing the interior of an impregnator lid, comprising: switching on a UVC LED in the lid to direct light into the impregnator hopper; and reflecting light back to the lid from the inner surfaces of the impregnator impeller and hopper. Claims 2 / 2 pages 3 CN 122341436 A Impregnator Sterilization System and Method Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for sterilizing an impregnator, particularly the hopper, impeller, and lid of an impregnator, using ultraviolet light. Background Art

[0002] In conventional impregnators, sterilization is usually achieved by chemical dosing. During or after an impregnation cycle, concentrated chemicals are dispersed into the hopper to sterilize surfaces that have come into contact with the material being impregnated. GB2533643 provides an embodiment of such a system.

[0003] Conventional chemical disinfection processes have several disadvantages, particularly: the periodic replacement of chemical solutions; the lack of disinfection when the container solution is depleted; the ongoing costs associated with the periodic replacement of chemicals; export / transport restrictions on chemicals; and the shelf life of chemicals.

[0004] The present invention aims to avoid these problems by using ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses that may be present in an impregnator. The present invention provides a non-chemical means for disinfecting an impregnator comprising an air space contained within a hopper, which may contain airborne pathogens.

[0005] The use of ultraviolet light to kill pathogens is known, particularly in the case of sterilizing medical or dental tools. For example, WO 2004 / 031706 describes methods and apparatus for ultraviolet sterilization, and GB 427113 describes a UV virus inactivation chamber. However, these methods generally involve sterilizing clean objects placed in a specially designed sterilization chamber, rather than seeking to use ultraviolet light to sterilize a chamber for another purpose.

[0006] The interior of an impregnator is typically wet and dirty, thus a harsh environment for a light source, which can easily be obscured by waste in the hopper. Impregnator hoppers are generally not designed to accommodate strong light sources and are not designed to ensure proper distribution of strong light energy within the impregnator to kill pathogens.

[0007] Therefore, many adjustments and improvements, as described herein, are required for effective use of UV sterilization in impregnators. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect, an impregnator includes: a hopper containing an impregnator impeller for impregnating waste material contained in the hopper; a cover for closing the hopper; one or more light sources for emitting ultraviolet (UV) light into the hopper; and a controller that controls the light sources, wherein light from the light sources reaches the cover of the impregnator.

[0009] The impregnator may also include a water inlet into the hopper. The water inlet may be controlled by the controller, which allows water to enter the hopper to facilitate the impregnation of the waste material during the impregnation cycle.

[0010] The inlet can be configured to distribute water into the hopper for cleaning the inner surface of the impregnator. The inlet can be configured to distribute water into the hopper for cleaning substantially all the inner surfaces of the impregnator. The inlet can be configured to distribute water for cleaning the light source.

[0011] The inlet can be controlled by one or more valves and / or one or more pumps. The valves and / or pumps can be controlled by a controller.

[0012] The impregnator may also include a drain in the bottom of the hopper through which the impregnated waste exits the hopper during the impregnation cycle. Specification 1 / 7 pages 4 CN 122341436 A

[0013] The controller can be configured to control the light source to emit UV light into the hopper after the impregnation cycle. The light source can be configured to emit short-wavelength UV-C light. The UV-C light can be used to disinfect the air, surfaces and water in the hopper, i.e., to sterilize the interior of the impregnator hopper. After water is dispensed into the hopper to clean the inner surface of the impregnator (i.e., the inside of the hopper), the light source can be turned on. The light source can be turned on after substantially all the water and impregnated waste have been discharged from the hopper along with the impregnation cycle. Turning on the light source after the inside of the hopper has been cleaned with water can improve the effectiveness of UV-C light as a disinfectant.

[0014] The hopper may have a reflective wall. The light source may be positioned in the cover. The rear of the cover may be hinged to the rear of the hopper, and two UVC LEDs may be positioned at the rear of the cover, and two UVC LEDs may be positioned at the front of the cover.

[0015] The light source may be positioned in the base or sidewall of the hopper. The base of the hopper may taper towards the drain, and the light source may be positioned in this tapered region.

[0016] The impregnator impeller and the inner surface of the hopper may be shaped to reflect UV light onto the cover of the hopper.

[0017] Each light source may be covered by a transparent cover that provides a watertight separation between the light source and the immersion chamber.The impregnator may further include an inlet for entering the hopper, wherein the inlet directs water to the light source so that it flows over a transparent cover. The transparent cover may be located in a tapered recess in the inner surface of the impregnator.

[0018] Each light source may have an associated radiator in contact with the inner surface of the hopper, and the inlet directs water to the radiator. The inner surfaces of the hopper, cover, and impregnator impeller may be made of stainless steel. The light source may be operable only when the cover is closed.

[0019] A controller may turn on the light source for 10 to 20 minutes after each impregnation cycle. The controller may turn on the light source for a predetermined period of 5 hours or longer. If the impregnator cover is opened, the controller may pause the timing for that period and resume the timing when the cover is closed again to complete the period.

[0020] The impregnator may further include a water-cooled block associated with each light source and a pump for circulating water through the cooling block.

[0021] Another aspect includes a method for sterilizing the interior of an impregnator, the method comprising performing an impregnation cycle to impregnate waste material contained in a hopper of the impregnator, allowing the impregnated waste to exit the hopper through a drain, distributing water into the hopper to clean the inner surface of the impregnator, and activating one or more light sources after the impregnation cycle to emit ultraviolet (UV) light into the hopper of the impregnator.

[0022] The method may further include distributing water into the hopper to clean the light source.

[0023] Another aspect includes a method for sterilizing the interior of an impregnator lid, the method comprising activating a UVC LED in the lid to direct light into the hopper of the impregnator, and reflecting light from the impregnator impeller and the inner surface of the hopper back to the lid.

[0024] This method may be performed using the impregnator of the first aspect.

[0025] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG1 shows a cross-section of the impregnator, which shows the area inside the hopper where proper sterilization has been found to be particularly important; FIG2 shows a perspective view of an impregnator including one embodiment of the invention; FIG3 shows a top view of the impregnator of FIG2 with the lid closed and the top panel removed to show the internal features of the lid, including the positioning of the light source in the lid; FIG4 shows a cross-section of the impregnator of FIG2 and FIG3, which shows how light from the lid is reflected around the impregnator hopper in one embodiment of the invention; FIG5 shows a close-up cross-section of a light source adapted in the lid of one embodiment of the invention; FIG6 shows a view from below a horizontal cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the impregnator, where the light source is in the base of the hopper; FIG7 shows a cross-section of the impregnator of FIG6, which shows how light from a light source is distributed around the hopper; FIG8 shows the distribution of light from a light source shown in FIG7 when it contacts the lid; Figure 9 shows how the distribution of light from six light sources in the base covers the inner surface of the lid; Figure 10 shows how the distribution of light from three light sources in the base covers the inner surface of lids of hoppers of different shapes; Figure 11 shows a close-up cross-section of a light source adapted in the hopper wall according to one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating two operating modes of one embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description

[0026] Figure 1 shows the area inside the hopper 2 that has been identified as the user interaction area 20. This is the area inside the impregnator hopper 2 that the user is most likely to touch or come into contact with. In particular, it may include the inner surface of the hopper lid 3, which the user is likely to accidentally touch when the lid is open. Importantly, the user interaction area 20 includes the air volume below the lid, which can be interrupted when the lid 3 is opened, allowing suspended water droplets and other particles (which may contain pathogens) to circulate near the open lid 3 and may settle on the user. It may also include the top area of ​​the hopper wall, which may be accidentally touched when the hopper 2 is loaded. Although all areas inside the hopper 2 should be sterilized, one or more of these areas are of interest for the sake of user health and the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the impregnator unit 1, which includes a hopper 2 with a lid 3. The hopper 2 is essentially cylindrical, and the lid 3 is essentially circular. The sidewalls of the hopper are substantially vertical. The lid 3 may have an inner wall and an outer wall, with a space between the inner and outer walls to accommodate auxiliary components of the impregnator unit 1, such as locks, actuators, pumps, etc. The inner wall panel of the lid 3 may be curved and is preferably in the form of a spherical dome, which preferably reflects UV light.

[0028] The cover 3 is preferably connected to the top of the hopper 2 via a hinge at the rear of the unit. The cover 3 provides a waterproof seal to prevent waste from leaking from the hopper 2 during impregnation. The cover 3 can be opened by operation of a foot pedal 4 without requiring the operator to use their hands to open the cover 3. The cover 3 can also be closed by operation of the foot pedal or by pressing the cover 3 down itself.

[0029] The impregnator unit 1 has a water inlet 5 controlled by a controller that allows water to enter the hopper 2 to promote pulping of solid materials such as cardboard during impregnation cycles. The water inlet 5 may be located in the cover 3. The water inlet 5 may include a spray inlet at the center of the cover 3 that provides a water curtain around the entire inner surface of the hopper. One embodiment includes a spray inlet at the highest point of the inner wall of the cover 3, which distributes water in all directions around the cover 3, and then the water flows down the hopper wall. This helps to ensure that the inner surface of the impregnator is self-cleaning. Preferably, according to a predetermined impregnation cycle, the inlet 5 is controlled by one or more valves and / or one or more pumps, which in turn are controlled by a controller.

[0030] The impregnator unit 1 also has a drain at the bottom of the hopper 2 through which impregnated waste exits the hopper 2 during the impregnation cycle. The base of the hopper 2 may be conical (e.g., conical) to direct the contents of the hopper 2 toward the drain. The drain valve may preferably be operated by the controller according to a predetermined impregnation cycle.

[0031] The impregnator unit 1 also has an impregnator impeller 6 inside the hopper 3, which has blades 7 on its top surface for slurrying the contents of the hopper 2. The impeller 6 may also have blades or other shaped structures around its circumference to assist the impregnation process. The top surface of the impeller 6 may reflect UV light. It may be made of a metal such as steel or other reflective material. The top of the impeller 6 may be shaped and / or have a profile to reflect light in a predetermined direction and particularly toward the cover 3 of the impregnation unit 1. For example, the impeller 6, particularly the hub portion of the impeller 6, may be dome-shaped to guide incident light. The impeller may be truncated conical, or in the form of a spherical dome or spherical cap. The impeller 6 preferably rotates according to the guidance of a controller according to a predetermined impregnation cycle.

[0032] The impregnator unit 1 has one or more light sources 8 that illuminate the interior of the hopper 2. In one embodiment, the light sources 8 are positioned in the cover 3 of the impregnator unit 1. The light sources 8 may be positioned toward the edge of the cover. They may be on the circumference of an imaginary circle, which may be concentric with the cover and will have a smaller diameter than the cover. In one embodiment, four light sources 8 are used and positioned as shown in FIG3, with two at the rear near the hinge of the cover 3 and two at the front near the opening side of the cover 3. The positioning of the light sources 8 helps to ensure that light reaches all areas inside the hopper, and in particular, it is reflected back to the user interaction area 20 with the desired intensity.

[0033] The light sources in the cover 3 are typically guided downwards from the cover into the hopper 2. They are preferably oriented diagonally downwards and through the hopper chamber to withstand reflections reaching all areas within the chamber. This angle is preferably toward the central axis of the hopper. The light may be guided perpendicular to the curved inner surface of the cover 3.

[0034] The light sources 8 are preferably light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and preferably emit ultraviolet light. They are preferably germicidal LEDs, each with sufficient power to kill germs. In the illustrated embodiment, four 100mW LEDs with a chip diameter of 1.5 mm are used. This LED can emit short-wavelength UV-C light, which is a known disinfectant for air, surfaces, and water. The wavelength of the LED is preferably between 100 and 380 nm, and in one embodiment is specified as 265 nm–275 nm. The LED may have a wide beam angle, for example, 120 degrees.

[0035] Each LED 8 is disposed on a circuit board and forms part of an LED unit, which includes a retainer 9, a heat sink 10, and a transparent cover or lens 11 that focuses and protects the LED. Each LED unit may also include a water-cooling block 12 and a clamping plate 13. The retainer 9 is attached to the top side of the inner wall panel of the cover 3. The lens 11 may be flat and preferably slightly recessed into the inner wall of the cover 3. This allows water to flow over the lens 11 and improves the water flow used for self-cleaning in the immersion tank. The recess also helps to securely hold the lens in the retainer 9. The inner wall panel of the cover 3 may be curved, and a sealing compound (such as silicone) may be used to ensure a watertight seal between the lens 11 and the inner wall panel of the cover 3. The contour of the inner wall of the cover 3 may also improve the lens seal.

[0036] It is advantageous to use LEDs as a light source because they have a long lifespan and therefore do not require frequent replacement. They require less energy compared to alternative UV light sources that provide the same light intensity.

[0037] The inner surfaces of the hopper 2, cover 3, and impeller 6 reflect light from the light source 8. Each inner surface may be entirely reflective, or only certain parts may be reflective. For example, the impeller blade 7 may not be reflective, or a portion of the hopper wall may not be reflective. Non-reflective areas may be heated by incident light, which may itself assist in sterilizing certain parts of the impregnator. The reflective components are preferably made of a shiny material (such as metal, such as steel or aluminum). It has been found that a matte / glossy 2B cold-rolled finish on stainless steel sufficiently reflects UV light to provide effective sterilization within a reasonable time. Aluminum provides significantly greater UV reflectivity and can be used on some or all of the inner surfaces. For example, the impeller 6 may be made of or coated with aluminum.

[0038] The positioning of the light source and the shape of the reflective inner wall of the hopper 2, as well as the cover 3, are important for ensuring that UV light diffuses into all areas inside the impregnator unit 1, and particularly the user interaction area 20.In particular, light from each light source 8 is directed downwards towards the base of the hopper 2. It is reflected back towards the cover 3 from the base of the hopper, or directly or via the impeller 6. The shape of the impeller 6 causes light reflected from near the outer edge of the impeller to travel back to the wall of the hopper 2 and reach the central area of ​​the cover 3, as shown in Figure 4. Light striking the impeller 6 towards the center of the hub (possibly via the hopper wall) is reflected back to the opposite side of the cover 3. Thus, although the LED is positioned inside the cover 3 and directed into the hopper 2, the user interaction area 20 receives sufficient UV radiation to effectively disinfect it.

[0039] The user contamination source in the impregnator is airborne water droplets generated during impregnation, which can remain in the air inside the impregnator for a period of time after the cycle has been completed and can be released into the atmosphere when the cover 3 is opened. Users may take care to ensure that they do not touch the inner surface of the impregnator 1 when loading the impregnator, but some exposure to these water droplets is almost unavoidable. UV light has the advantage of directly targeting germs or pathogens that can be contained in airborne water droplets and ensuring they are harmless to the user.

[0040] A close-up of an LED and its mounting in the cover 3 is shown in Figure 4. One problem with LEDs or other types of UV light sources is that they can get hot, especially when delivering enough power to kill germs or operating for extended periods. One solution is to use heat sinks 10, typically made of metal or another good thermal conductor. In one embodiment, these are in thermal contact with the inner panel of the cover 3 and the LED panel, which helps to conduct heat away. Another or additional solution is to water-cool the LEDs 8. A water-cooled block 12 is positioned in thermal contact with each LED. The water-cooled block can be held in place by a clamping plate 13. The water-cooled block contains multiple internal channels or chambers that can be connected to a water source. Hose can be used to connect the block 12 to the water source. In one embodiment, an internal water tank and pump are present to circulate the water. Another solution is to specifically guide water flow from the inlet 5 through the lens 11 as part of the immersion circulation to cool or assist in cooling the light source 8.

[0041] Another problem in the impregnator environment is that the lens 11 of each light source unit can be covered with opaque waste material that splashes around the impregnator hopper 2 during the impregnation cycle. This can reduce the amount of light from the light source 8 entering the hopper 2 for sterilization purposes. It can also cause additional heating of the LED 8, the cover, or the lens 11. In one embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned water flow as part of the impregnation cycle can rinse the lens 11 and help keep it clean so that light can pass through. It has also been found advantageous to recess the lens 11 into the inner panel of the cover to reduce the accumulation of waste on the lens 11 and generally improve the self-cleaning process.The chamfer (e.g., 45 degrees) on the recess can improve the water flow through the lens 11 and help to rinse away any remaining waste or dirt.

[0042] One or more light sources 8 can also be mounted in the base or sidewall of the hopper 2. This can be in place of or in combination with light sources mounted in the cover 3. If this positioning is used, the sterilization process is less dependent on reflections from the hub 6 and the inner wall of the hopper 2, as the light source 8 can be more easily directed toward the user interaction area 20. Self-cleaning and cooling become more important, especially for light sources positioned in the base of the hopper, as impregnated or partially impregnated material tends to fall to the bottom of the hopper and is more likely to block light sources positioned in the base or lower sidewall.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, six light sources are evenly spaced around the base of the hopper, but different numbers of light sources can be used. There is a trade-off between the number of light sources 8 and the power required for each light source, and the cost of each light source 8 and the light source mounting is also a consideration.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7, each light source 8 is positioned in the base of the hopper 2. The base tapers to engage the sidewall of the hopper 3, and the light source 8 is preferably placed in this cone. The light source is preferably located near the widest part of the hopper, as this tends to be the area where water and impregnated waste move fastest around the hopper 2 during impregnation. Therefore, this positioning helps to reduce waste that may remain on the cover or lens 11 of the light source 8. When the blade 7 is not rotating, the water flow from the inlet 5 can be directed to flow down the hopper wall and further assist in cleaning by rinsing the cover or lens 11. In addition to assisting in cleaning, the positioning in the cone region of the base also helps to direct the light source 8 directly to the user interaction area 20.

[0045] The light source 8 is preferably oriented such that the area of ​​maximum light intensity falls on the inner surface of the cover 3, radially opposite to the positioning of the LED, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Some light may still be reflected from the wall of the hopper 2 to reach the cover.

[0046] The arrangement shown with six LEDs covers the entire user interaction area 20 with high-intensity light. The combined irradiation pattern is shown in Figure 10. An alternative arrangement with a non-circular hopper 3 and three light sources 8 is shown in Figure 11. Specification 5 / 7 pages 8 CN 122341436 A

[0047] As in other embodiments, the light source 8 is preferably an LED. A mounting for the LED in the base of the hopper is shown in Figure 11. It is substantially similar to the mounting for the LED in the cover 3, having substantially similar fixing features (retainer 9, clamping plate 13) and optional cooling features (heat sink 10, water-cooled block 12).

[0048] To ensure that each LED is properly guided, it may be mounted non-parallel to the base of the hopper or other inner surfaces in which it is positioned, as shown in Figure 11. The cone angle in the hopper base or hopper wall is determined to ensure optimal impregnation.This does not necessarily allow the LED to be directed toward the hopper cover 3 to provide direct illumination to the user interaction area 20. When the light source is positioned in the cover 3, reflections from the hopper wall or impeller 6 can be used as is, but an alternative is to independently orient the LED to facilitate direct illumination of the hopper cover. For example, in Figure 11, the LED is directed at an angle more vertical than the conical wall at the base of the hopper. This results in the space between the LED 8 and the lens 11 being an inclined truncated cone. The sidewalls of this space are coated with a material that reflects UV light (such as aluminum) to form a short light tube and to ensure that as much light as possible is transmitted through the lens 11.

[0049] If the light source 8 is positioned in the near-horizontal base of the immersion tank, the lens will not be sufficiently cleaned by the water flow in the immersion tank 1, although less light can be used to illuminate the user interaction area 20. If the light source 8 is positioned in a wall at less than 35 degrees to the vertical (such as the sidewall of the hopper 3), it will be difficult to effectively direct light directly toward the cover 3, even using the light tube as described above. Therefore, for direct illumination of the user interaction area 20, it is preferable to place the light source 8 in the conical area at the base of the hopper 2.

[0050] The controller controls the impregnator unit 1, particularly the UV sterilization system. An embodiment of the control flowchart is shown in Figure 12.

[0051] In one embodiment, there are two sterilization modes. Mode 1 turns on the UV-C LED for 10 to 20 minutes after each impregnation cycle. This is photosterilization, and for example, it has been found that 15 minutes of exposure using four 100mW LEDs arranged as shown in Figure 2 provides an average sterilization of over 90%. Mode 2 turns on the UV-C LED for a longer period of time, for example, 4 to 6 hours. According to BS 8628, it has been found that 5 hours of exposure using LEDs of the same arrangement achieves complete sterilization. This has been found to achieve an average sterilization of 99.9999%.

[0052] As a safety feature, to prevent operator exposure to UV-C radiation, the light source 8 can only be operated when the cover 3 of the impregnator 1 is closed and the hopper 2 is sealed. If the cover 3 is opened during the mode 1 sterilization cycle, it is abandoned and restarted after the next immersion cycle. Mode 2 is preferably arranged to start the sterilization cycle when the immersion chamber 1 is unlikely to be used: for example, after 11 pm, after midnight, after 1 am, after 2 am, or after 3 am. If the cover 3 is opened during the full sterilization cycle, the sterilization cycle can be paused and resumed when the cover 3 is closed or after the immersion cycle is completed. Importantly, the UV cycle does not inhibit the use of the immersion chamber 1.

[0053] One disadvantage of the light source 8 always being off when the cover 3 is open is that it is impossible to check that it is operating simply by looking at it. In any case, this would be dangerous for UV-C LEDs.Therefore, the controller can monitor the current consumption of each individual light source 8, and if the current falls outside the specified range, a warning indicator signals that the light source 8 should be replaced.

[0054] A more powerful light source can shorten the disinfection cycle time, but increases the risk of UV exposure to the user and can increase the total power consumption. In other embodiments, more or fewer LEDs than described above may also be used, and some LEDs may only be turned on in certain modes. Multiple small LEDs (e.g., 4 or 6) are preferred over fewer large LEDs (e.g., 1 or 2) because different light sources help to distribute light evenly throughout the impregnator. The two modes and LED arrangements described above are preferred because they offer a good trade-off between speed, safety and power consumption.

[0055] It should be understood that any feature described with respect to one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of one or more other embodiments, provided that it is technically feasible. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described in the specification on pages 6 / 7 of CN 122341436 A may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Instruction manual, page 7 / 7, 10 CN 122341436 A, Figure 1; Instruction manual, Figure 1 / 12, page 11 CN 122341436 A, Figure 2; Instruction manual, Figure 2 / 12, page 12 CN 122341436 A, Figure 3; Instruction manual, Figure 3 / 12, page 13 CN 122341436 A, Figure 4; Instruction manual, Figure 4 / 12, page 14 CN 122341436 A, Figure 5; Instruction manual, Figure 5 / 12, page 15 CN 122341436 A, Figure 6; Instruction manual, Figure 6 / 12, page 16 CN 122341436 A, Figure 7; Instruction manual, Figure 7 / 12, page 17 CN 122341436 A, Figure 8; Instruction manual, Figure 8 / 12, page 18 CN 122341436 A, Figure 9; Instruction manual, Figure 9 / 12, page 19 CN 122341436 A, Figure 10 Figure 11 of the instruction manual, Figure 12 of the instruction manual, Figure 13 of the instruction manual, Figure 14 of the instruction manual, Figure 15 of the instruction manual, Figure 16 of the instruction manual, Figure 17 of the instruction manual, Figure 18 of the instruction manual, Figure 19 of the instruction manual, Figure 10 of the instruction manual, Figure 12 ...2 of the instruction manual, Figure 12 of the instruction manual, Figure 12 of the instruction manual, Figure 12 of the instruction manual, Figure 13 of the instruction manual, Figure 14 of the instruction manual, Figure 15 of the instruction manual, Figure 16 of the instruction manual, Figure 17 of the instruction manual, Figure 18 of the instruction manual, Figure 19 of the instruction manual, Figure 12 of the instruction manual, Figure 12 of the instruction manual, Figure 1

Claims

1. An impregnating apparatus comprising: A hopper containing an impeller for impregnating waste material contained in the hopper; The lid is used to close the hopper; One or more light sources are used to emit ultraviolet (UV) light into the hopper; The controller controls the light source, in which Light from the light source reaches the lid of the impregnator.

2. The impregnator of claim 1 further includes a water inlet into a hopper, wherein the water inlet is configured to distribute water into the hopper to clean the inner surface of the impregnator, preferably wherein the water inlet is configured to distribute water into the hopper to clean substantially all of the inner surface of the impregnator.

3. The immersion apparatus of claim 2, wherein the inlet is configured to dispense water for cleaning the light source.

4. The impregnator according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the inlet is controlled by one or more valves and / or one or more pumps, preferably wherein the valves and / or pumps are controlled by a controller.

5. The impregnation machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a drain outlet in the bottom of the hopper through which the impregnated waste exits the hopper during the impregnation cycle, and wherein the controller is configured to control a light source to emit UV light into the hopper after the impregnation cycle.

6. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is configured to emit short-wavelength UV-C light.

7. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper has a reflective wall.

8. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are positioned in the cover.

9. The impregnator of claim 8, wherein the rear portion of the cover is hinged to the rear portion of the hopper, and two UVC LEDs are positioned at the rear portion of the cover and two UVC LEDs are positioned at the front portion of the cover.

10. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are positioned in the base or sidewall of the hopper.

11. The impregnator of claim 10, wherein one or more light sources are positioned in the base of the hopper, and wherein the base of the hopper tapers toward the drain outlet, and one or more light sources are positioned in the conical region.

12. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impregnator impeller and the inner surface of the hopper are shaped to reflect UV light to the hopper cover.

13. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are covered by a transparent cover that provides a watertight separation between the light sources and the impregnator chamber.

14. The impregnator of claim 13 further includes an inlet for entering the hopper, wherein the inlet directs water toward one or more light sources so that it flows over the transparent cover.

15. The impregnator according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the transparent cover is located in a conical recess in the inner surface of the impregnator.

16. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of one or more light sources has an associated heat sink in contact with the inner surface of the hopper, and wherein an inlet directs water toward the heat sink.

17. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner surfaces of the hopper, the cover, and the impregnator impeller are made of stainless steel.

18. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more light sources are operable only when the lid is closed.

19. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller turns on the light source for 10 to 20 minutes after each impregnation cycle.

20. The impregnator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller turns on the light source for a predetermined period of 5 hours or longer.

21. The dipper of claim 20, wherein, If the impregnator cover is opened, the controller pauses the timing of the time period, and when the cover is closed again, the impregnator resumes timing to complete the time period.

22. The impregnating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: A water-cooled block, said water-cooled block being associated with each of one or more light sources; and A pump that circulates water through a cooling block.

23. A method for sterilizing the interior of an impregnation vessel, comprising: Perform an impregnation cycle to impregnate the waste material contained in the hopper of the impregnator, and allow the impregnated waste to exit the hopper through the drain outlet; Water is distributed into the hopper to clean the inner surface of the impregnator; and One or more light sources are switched on after the impregnation cycle to emit ultraviolet (UV) light into the impregnator hopper.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising distributing water into a hopper to clean the light source.

25. A method for sterilizing the interior of an impregnator lid, comprising: Turn on the UVC LED in the cover to direct light into the impregnator hopper; and The light is reflected back to the cover from the inner surface of the impeller and hopper of the impeller.

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