Basket for holding objects for an object processing machine and corresponding processing method

Abstract

Basket (10) for holding objects (G), having a frame (11) extending along a longitudinal direction (DL) and comprising a front wall (15) and a rear wall (16) arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction (DL), and a hydraulic distribution circuit (20) provided with at least one washing impeller (21) rotating about a vertical central axis (AC). The basket (10) comprises one or more first magnetic elements (25) arranged on a support element (26) positioned closer to the rear wall (16) in the longitudinal direction (DL).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a basket for holding objects, such as medical, surgical, or laboratory instruments, and / or pharmaceutical industrial instruments, and corresponding processing machines, particularly machines for cleaning and heat sterilizing such objects. The invention also relates to methods for processing such objects in such machines. Background Technology

[0002] Baskets for holding objects, such as medical device baskets for hospital wards, operating rooms, laboratories, and / or pharmaceutical industry equipment, are known to be inserted into processing machines configured to clean and heat-sterilize such objects.

[0003] Typically, a basket comprises a parallelepiped frame defined by perimeter posts and beams, as well as multiple connecting elements (such as rods or bars) that are connected to each other and to the posts and / or beams to define one or more planes for placing objects to be processed.

[0004] Each basket has a hydraulic distribution circuit that includes one or more rotating cleaning impellers, which are typically associated with the lower part of the respective placement plane, where possible. These impellers are vertically aligned with each other such that their respective axes of rotation are set in the same vertical direction.

[0005] Different types of baskets are used depending on the type of object being processed, such as baskets with different numbers of placement planes and / or impellers.

[0006] The hydraulic distribution circuit also includes an inlet manifold that is fluidly connected to each impeller. This inlet manifold can be connected to the machine's hydraulic supply circuit to supply the process fluid.

[0007] Each impeller includes a magnetic element at its end, which can be detected during use by a first set of magnetic detection sensors in the machine, by means of which the rotational speed of each impeller can be determined. This first set of magnetic detection sensors is connected to a control unit that controls the impeller rotational speed, by means of which different processing cycles to be used can be selected.

[0008] In addition, each basket may include its own identification device, which can be recognized or identified by the processing machine in order to correctly select the processing cycle.

[0009] The identification device can be defined by RFID tags. In this case, the machine includes a reading device capable of obtaining information about the type of basket and the equipment to be processed from the RFID tags.

[0010] While this solution is very effective, it has the disadvantage of high production costs, given that each basket must be equipped with an RFID tag.

[0011] Alternatively, the identification device can be defined by a series of magnetic identification elements, which are aligned perpendicularly to each other and attached to a rod disposed on the side wall of the basket, substantially corresponding to its centerline. The number and arrangement of the magnetic elements indicate the type of basket, and also the type of object to be processed.

[0012] In this case, the machine also includes a second set of magnetic detection sensors on its sidewalls, which are aligned perpendicularly to each other and are capable of detecting magnetic elements.

[0013] Specifically, basket identification occurs only when the basket is fully inserted into the machine, because the magnetic elements are arranged so that they align with the second set of magnetic detection sensors in both the horizontal and vertical directions only when the basket is fully positioned in the machine.

[0014] While this solution is effective, it still has the drawback of requiring two different sets of magnetic detection sensors, which increases production costs.

[0015] Therefore, there is a need to improve the basket for holding objects in an object handling machine, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0016] Examples of baskets that can be used to hold objects in machines and methods are disclosed, for example, in documents EP1743566A2, US5771909A, and US2015 / 216608A1.

[0017] Therefore, there is a need to solve the technical problem of providing a basket that allows processing machines to quickly and efficiently identify objects without the need for expensive reading devices or multiple sets of detection sensors.

[0018] In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a basket for holding objects in an object handling machine that is easy to manufacture and cost-effective.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a basket for holding objects in an object handling machine, wherein the corresponding handling method is simple and effective.

[0020] The applicant has designed, tested and implemented the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to obtain these and other objectives and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0021] The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variations of the main inventive concept.

[0022] In order to achieve the above objectives and to solve the above-mentioned technical problems in a novel and original manner, while also achieving a considerable advantage over the prior art, the basket for holding objects according to the invention includes a frame extending in a longitudinal direction and including a front wall and a rear wall parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, and two opposing side walls parallel to the longitudinal direction, and also includes a hydraulic distribution circuit provided with at least one cleaning impeller rotating about a vertical central axis, the impeller being fluidly connected to an inlet manifold.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the basket includes at least one first magnetic element disposed on a support element positioned on one of the sidewalls closer to the rear wall, in the space between the circumferential projection of at least one impeller and the lateral angle defining the rear wall. This arrangement facilitates identification and makes identification more effective when the basket is inserted into the machine, i.e., before the basket is fully inserted into the processing chamber of the machine.

[0024] At least one impeller includes at least one second magnetic element disposed at the unconstrained end of the respective impeller, wherein at least one first magnetic element is configured such that it does not overlap with at least one second magnetic element in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] The distribution loop consists of two or more impellers parallel to each other along a central axis, each fluidly connected to an inlet header. The number of impellers indicates the type of basket selected based on the type of object being processed.

[0026] The basket includes two or more first magnetic elements aligned in a positioning direction that is laterally to longitudinally.

[0027] Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the first magnetic elements were chosen to indicate different types of baskets.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a machine for handling medical, surgical or laboratory objects, comprising a processing chamber defined by two opposing and parallel main sidewalls, an upper wall and a lower wall, and a front opening and a rear opening, wherein a front closing member and a rear closing member are associated with the front opening and the rear opening, respectively.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the chamber includes a basket for holding an object as described above, wherein the rear wall faces rearward and opens. Furthermore, the machine includes a set of magnetic detection sensors disposed on one of the main sidewalls and configured to detect both at least one first magnetic element to identify the type of basket before the basket is fully inserted into the chamber, and at least one second magnetic element located at the respective end of at least one impeller, in order to control its rotational speed during use.

[0030] In this way, a single set of magnetic detection sensors can perform both the basket type identification and impeller speed control operations. This has the advantage of reducing production costs, or even significantly reducing production costs.

[0031] The magnetic detection sensors are aligned with each other along the detection direction and are configured such that when the basket is inserted into the processing chamber, at least one first magnetic element is horizontally aligned with at least one of the magnetic detection sensors and the positioning direction is parallel to the detection direction.

[0032] Furthermore, the machine includes a hydraulic supply circuit having at least one main impeller for performing object handling, and one or more distribution devices configured to be fluidly connected to an inlet manifold to distribute the processing liquid, thereby activating at least one impeller to clean the basket when it is contained in the chamber. Specifically, a magnetic detection sensor is connected to a control unit configured to receive detection data from the magnetic detection sensor to identify the type of basket, and based on this, control and adjust the rotational speed of at least one impeller, increasing or decreasing the flow rate distributed by the one or more distribution devices.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a method for processing medical, surgical, or laboratory objects disposed in a basket for holding objects as described above, the basket being housed in a processing machine as described above.

[0034] The method includes an insertion step in which the basket is gradually inserted into the processing chamber with its rear wall facing rearward.

[0035] Furthermore, the method includes: an identification step in which the set of magnetic detection sensors detects at least one first magnetic element before the basket is fully inserted into the processing chamber to identify the type of basket; and a processing step in which the basket is fully inserted into the processing chamber, and during the processing of the object, the magnetic detection sensors detect at least one second magnetic element located at the unconstrained end of at least one impeller to control its rotational speed.

[0036] In addition, the control unit connected to the magnetic detection sensor receives detection data from the magnetic detection sensor, identifies the type of basket in the identification step, and controls and adjusts the rotational speed of at least one impeller in the processing step, increasing or decreasing the flow rate distributed by one or more dispensing devices, thereby optimizing the processing of the object. Attached Figure Description

[0037] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments (non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings), wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a basket for holding objects according to the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of the basket; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic top view of the basket; Figure 4 It contains Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a basket and an object processing machine according to the present invention; Figure 5 It contains Figure 1 A schematic representation of the hydraulic circuit of the basket handling machine; Figures 6 to 8 This is a side view of the sequence in which baskets are inserted into the object processing machine according to the invention.

[0038] It must be clearly stated that the wording and terminology used in this specification, as well as the illustrations and related descriptions in the accompanying drawings, are only intended to better illustrate and explain the invention, and their purpose is to provide non-limiting embodiments of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0039] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used as much as possible in the accompanying drawings to identify the same common elements. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be readily combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation. Detailed Implementation

[0040] refer to Figure 1 The basket 10 according to the present invention is designed and suitable for transporting objects G.

[0041] Object G may be medical, surgical, or laboratory instruments and / or pharmaceutical industrial equipment, etc. Object G may be placed in a tray or container, which is positioned on basket 10.

[0042] According to the invention, basket 10 can be inserted into machine 100 for processing object G, which is configured to perform multiple cleaning cycles according to basket 10 and thus the type of object G contained therein.

[0043] Before describing the machine 100 in detail, we will first describe the basket 10 used to hold the object G.

[0044] The basket 10 includes a frame 11 extending along the longitudinal direction D.

[0045] The frame is defined by perimeter posts 12 and beams 13, as well as a number of connecting elements (such as rods or bars) that are connected to each other and arranged to define one or more planes PP for placing objects G, and these planes are parallel to each other.

[0046] According to the preferred embodiment, frame 11 has a parallelepiped structure.

[0047] The frame 11 includes a front wall 15 and a rear wall 16 arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction DL, and two opposing side walls 17 and 19 parallel to the longitudinal direction D. The side walls are the first side wall 17 and the second side wall 19, respectively.

[0048] The basket 10 also includes a hydraulic distribution circuit 20, which has at least one cleaning impeller 21 that rotates about a vertical central axis AC. The cleaning impeller is fluidly connected to an inlet manifold 22 for supplying processing liquid when the basket 10 is housed in the machine 100.

[0049] Impeller 21 is pivotally connected to support arm 23 connected to inlet manifold 22.

[0050] The inlet manifold 22 can be vertically installed on one of the two side walls 17 and 19, facing outwards. For example, the inlet manifold 22 is installed on the first side wall 17.

[0051] Alternatively, according to other embodiments not shown in the accompanying drawings, the inlet manifold 22 may be disposed corresponding to the lower wall of the basket 10.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the basket 10 may be provided with two or more impellers 21, which are parallel to each other along the central axis AC, and each is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 22. Each impeller 21 and its corresponding arm 23 may be associated with a corresponding placement plane PP at the bottom, where possible.

[0053] In addition, the impellers 21 are configured such that their respective axes of rotation are aligned with the central axis AC.

[0054] It must be clarified that the number of impellers 21 indicates the different types of baskets 10, and is selected according to the type of object G to be processed present therein.

[0055] The basket 10 includes one or more first magnetic identification elements 25 disposed on a support element 26 positioned closer to the rear wall 16 in the longitudinal direction D. The support element 26 may be a rod or a long bar. Specifically, the support element 26 is disposed on one of the side walls 17, 19, in the space between the circumferential projection of at least one impeller 21 and the side angles 16a, 16b defining the rear wall 16. This arrangement facilitates identification and makes identification more effective when the basket 10 is inserted into the machine 100, i.e., before the basket 10 is fully inserted into the processing chamber 101 of the machine 100.

[0056] For example, the first magnetic element 25 is disposed on the first sidewall 17, near the side angle 16a of the rear wall 16.

[0057] The first magnetic element 25 is aligned with the positioning direction DP, which is transverse to the longitudinal direction DL. Preferably, the positioning direction DP is vertical and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL.

[0058] The first magnetic element 25 can be recognized by the machine 100 to identify the type of basket 10 and, consequently, the object G present therein.

[0059] Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the first magnetic elements 25 indicate the type of basket 10, and thus the object G to be processed.

[0060] A variety of combinations of first magnetic elements 25 can be created in the positioning direction DP, each combination indicating a type of basket 10.

[0061] For example, there may be six first magnetic elements 25, which indicate a first type of basket 10. Alternatively, there may be four first magnetic elements 25, which indicate a second type of basket 10. Alternatively, there may be three first magnetic elements 25 arranged in an alternating manner, which indicate a third type of basket 10, and so on.

[0062] Furthermore, each impeller 21 includes at least one second magnetic element 30 disposed at the unconstrained ends 31a, 31b of the respective impeller 21. It must be clarified that the first magnetic element 25 is configured such that it does not spatially overlap with the second magnetic element 30 in the longitudinal direction DL.

[0063] For example, each impeller 21 may be provided with two second magnetic elements 30, each second magnetic element being disposed at the corresponding end 31a, 31b.

[0064] The processing machine 100 includes a processing chamber 101 defined by two opposing and parallel main sidewalls 102, 103, an upper wall 104 and a lower wall 105, a front opening 106 and a rear opening 107, with a front closing member 108 and a rear closing member 109 associated with the front opening 106 and the rear opening 107, respectively.

[0065] The front closing member 108 and the rear closing member 109 may be of known type or to be created in the future; they seal the processing chamber 101. Figures 6 to 8 ).

[0066] The basket 10 is housed in the processing chamber 101, with the rear wall 16 facing the rear opening 107.

[0067] The machine 100 includes a set of magnetic detection sensors 110 disposed on one of the main sidewalls 102, 103 and configured to detect one or more first magnetic elements 25 before the basket 10 is fully inserted into the processing chamber 101 to identify the type of basket 10, and also to detect at least one second magnetic element 30 disposed at the respective ends 31a, 31b of each impeller 21.

[0068] Specifically, the magnetic detection sensors 110 are aligned with each other along the detection direction DR, and are configured such that when the basket 10 is inserted into the chamber 101, the first magnetic element 25 present on the support element 26 is horizontally aligned with the magnetic detection sensor 110, and the positioning direction DP is parallel to the detection direction DR.

[0069] Machine 100 includes a supply circuit 115 for supplying hydraulic pressure to the liquid being processed.

[0070] The supply circuit 115 includes at least one main impeller 116 for performing the processing of object G, combined with the impeller 21 of basket 10, and one or more dispensing devices 117 configured to be fluidly connected to inlet manifold 22 to dispense the processed liquid and drive the impeller 21.

[0071] Advantageously, the machine 100 may include two main impellers 116, one rotatably associated with the upper wall 104 and the other rotatably associated with the lower wall 105.

[0072] The supply circuit 115 includes at least one first pumping member 120 along its first segment 119 for pumping the processed liquid toward the main impeller 116.

[0073] The supply circuit 115 includes at least one second pumping member 122 along its second segment 121 for pumping the processed liquid to the distribution device 117, which, once connected to the inlet manifold 22, is able to pump the processed liquid to the impellers 21, thereby activating them.

[0074] The machine 100 also includes a control unit 125 connected to a magnetic detection sensor 110 and at least connected to a first pumping member 120 and a second pumping member 122.

[0075] In addition, the control unit 125 includes or is connected to a speed control device 126, which is at least connected to the second pumping member 122.

[0076] The control unit 125 is configured to receive detection data from the magnetic detection sensor 110 to identify the type of basket 10 and control and adjust the rotational speed of the impeller 21 to increase or decrease the distribution flow rate of the processed liquid distributed by the distribution device 117.

[0077] Specifically, the control unit 125 can control the operation of the second pumping member 122 by means of the speed control device 126 to modify the flow rate distributed by the distribution device 117, thereby modifying and adjusting the speed of the impeller 21 according to the type of basket 10 and the object G present therein.

[0078] In addition, the supply circuit 115 may include one or more check valves 126 disposed along the second section 121 between the second pumping member 122 and the distribution device 117.

[0079] At the bottom of the processing chamber 101, there may be a filter device 127 for filtering the processing liquid used to process the object G, which is connected to the supply circuit 115.

[0080] The operation of the machine 100 described above, corresponding to the method according to the present invention, includes the following steps.

[0081] The initial preparation step involves opening the processing chamber 101 to insert a basket 10 on which the object to be processed G is placed. Specifically, the front closing member 108 is opened, and the rear closing member 109 can be closed.

[0082] Subsequently, in the insertion step, the basket 10 is gradually inserted into the processing chamber 101 with the rear wall 16 facing the rear opening 107, i.e., with the rear closing member 109 facing backward.

[0083] The next step is the identification step, in which the set of magnetic detection sensors 110 detects the first magnetic element 25 before the basket 10 is fully inserted into the processing chamber 101 to identify the type of basket 10. Specifically, the control unit 125 receives detection data from the magnetic detection sensors 110 and identifies the type of basket 10.

[0084] Subsequently, basket 10 is fully inserted into processing chamber 101, and dispensing device 117 is fluidly connected to inlet manifold 22 of basket 10.

[0085] Then the processing steps begin, in which the processing liquid is pumped to the main impeller 116 and the distribution device 117 by means of the first pumping member 120 and the second pumping member 122, respectively, thereby driving the impeller 21 of the basket.

[0086] In this step, the magnetic detection sensor 110 detects the second magnetic element 30 in order to control the rotational speed of the impeller to properly handle the object G.

[0087] The control unit 125 receives detection data from the magnetic detection sensor 110 and controls and adjusts the rotational speed of the impeller 21 by means of the speed control device 126, increasing or decreasing the flow rate of the processing liquid distributed by the distribution device 117, thereby optimizing the processing of the object G. For this purpose, the speed control device 126 acts on the second pumping member 122.

[0088] This has the advantage of reducing, or even significantly reducing, water consumption during the processing of object G.

[0089] Obviously, modifications and / or additions can be made to the basket 10, machine 100 and method as described above without departing from the scope and range of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0090] It is equally clear that, although the invention has been described with reference to some specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to implement other equivalent forms of baskets for holding objects for object handling machines, having the features described in the claims, and thus all fall within the scope of protection defined herein.

[0091] In the appended claims, the reference marks in parentheses are for ease of reading only and should not be regarded as limiting factors regarding the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A basket (10) for holding an object (G), having a frame (11) and a hydraulically operated distribution circuit (20), the frame (11) extending in a longitudinal direction (DL) and comprising a front wall (15) and a rear wall (16) parallel to each other and two opposing side walls (17, 19) parallel to the longitudinal direction (DL), the distribution circuit (20) being provided with at least one cleaning impeller (21) rotating about a vertical central axis (AC) and fluidly connected to an inlet manifold (22), characterized in that, The basket (10) includes at least one first magnetic element (25) disposed on a support element (26) positioned on one of the side walls (17, 19) closer to the rear wall (16), in the space between the circumferential projection of at least one impeller (21) and the side angles (16a, 16b) defining the rear wall (16).

2. The basket (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one impeller (21) includes at least one second magnetic element (30) disposed at a corresponding unconstrained end (31a, 31b) of the impeller (21), wherein the at least one first magnetic element (25) is configured so as not to overlap with the at least one second magnetic element (30) in the longitudinal direction (DL).

3. The basket (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The distribution loop (20) includes two or more impellers (21) that are parallel to each other along the central axis (AC) and each is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold (22), wherein the number of impellers (21) indicates the different types of baskets (10) selected according to the type of object (G) to be processed.

4. The basket (10) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, The basket includes two or more first magnetic elements (25) aligned transversely to the positioning direction (DP) of the longitudinal direction (DL).

5. The basket (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The number and arrangement of the first magnetic elements (25) are selected to indicate different types of baskets (10).

6. A machine (100) for handling a medical, surgical, or laboratory object (G), comprising a handling chamber (101) defined by two opposing and parallel main sidewalls (102, 103), an upper wall (104) and a lower wall (105), and a front opening (106) and a rear opening (107), wherein a front closing member (108) and a rear closing member (109) are respectively associated with the front opening and the rear opening, characterized in that, The machine includes, within the processing chamber (101), a basket (10) for holding an object (G) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rear wall (16) faces the rear opening (107), and is characterized in that the machine includes a set of magnetic detection sensors (110) disposed on one of the main side walls (102, 103) and configured to detect both the at least one first magnetic element (25) to identify the type of the basket (10) before the basket (10) is fully inserted into the processing chamber (101), and at least one second magnetic element (30) located at the corresponding ends (31a, 31b) of the at least one impeller (21) in order to control its rotational speed during use.

7. The machine (100) according to fundamental claim 6, characterized in that, The magnetic detection sensors (110) are aligned with each other along the detection direction (DR) and are configured such that when the basket (10) is inserted into the processing chamber (101), the at least one first magnetic element (25) is horizontally aligned with at least one of the magnetic detection sensors (110), and the positioning direction (DP) is parallel to the detection direction (DR).

8. The machine (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The machine includes a hydraulic supply circuit (115) and a control unit (125), the supply circuit (115) having at least one main impeller (116) for performing the processing of the object (G) and one or more distribution devices (117) configured to be fluidly connected to the inlet manifold (22) to distribute the processing liquid, thereby activating the at least one impeller (21) of the basket (10) when the basket (10) is contained in the processing chamber (101), wherein a magnetic detection sensor (110) is connected to the control unit (125), the control unit being configured to receive detection data from the magnetic detection sensor (110) to identify the type of the basket (10), and based thereon control and adjust the rotational speed of the at least one impeller (21) to increase or decrease the flow rate distributed by the one or more distribution devices (117).

9. A method for processing a medical, surgical, or laboratory object (G) disposed in a basket (10) for holding an object (G) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the basket being housed in a processing machine (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the method comprising: The insertion step involves gradually inserting the basket (10) into the processing chamber (101) with the rear wall (16) facing the rear opening (107); the identification step involves a set of magnetic detection sensors (110) detecting at least one first magnetic element (25) before the basket (10) is fully inserted into the processing chamber (101) to identify the type of the basket (10); The process involves a process step in which the basket (10) is fully inserted into the process chamber (101), and during the processing of the object (G), the magnetic detection sensor (110) detects at least one second magnetic element (30) located at the unconstrained end of the at least one impeller (21) to control its rotational speed.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The control unit (125) connected to the magnetic detection sensor (110) receives detection data from the magnetic detection sensor, identifies the type of the basket (10) in the identification step, and controls and adjusts the rotational speed of the at least one impeller (21) in the processing step, increasing or decreasing the flow rate distributed by the one or more dispensing devices (117), thereby optimizing the processing of the object (G).

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