SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING SUCTION BAGS

Description

Technical field

[0001] A treatment system for opening and treating suction bags that may contain liquids and / or bodily fluids is provided.

[0002] The invention finds a preferred, and non-limiting, application in the treatment of suction bags which can be used in the medical and hospital fields in order to recover bodily fluids from patients. Applications are conceivable in the industrial field, for example, in order to separate and treat bags and their contents.

[0003] Indeed, the automated separation of a fluid initially located in an envelope makes it possible to limit contact between a user and the fluid contained in the envelope, which is advantageous in particular when the fluids may present any risks to the user. State of the art

[0004] It is thus known from the prior art and from document CN212419000U to use a processing system comprising a cutting member mounted to rotate about a vertical axis so as to define a horizontal cutting plane, the cutting member being configured to open, in width, suction pockets previously positioned in a main frame.

[0005] This type of treatment system allows the opening of suction bags to be carried out easily and without contact between a user and the contents of the suction bags. However, such a treatment system has major drawbacks, the first being the impossibility of adding one or more suction bags to the main frame until the treatment cycle of the suction bags already in place is complete. Furthermore, the opening of suction bags in their width is not optimal, since part of the contents of the suction bag may remain in the lower part of the suction bag after opening the latter in the width. Summary of the invention

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention therefore consists of providing a system for treating suction bags which makes it possible to ensure improved emptying of the suction bags and which allows the insertion of suction bags inside the treatment system simultaneously with the treatment of bags already present in the treatment system, whilst avoiding contact between a user and the contents of the suction bags.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a system for treating suction bags, and more particularly suction bags containing liquid waste, and for example liquid medical waste, comprising: a frame comprising a loading area configured to allow loading of suction bags within the frame, a cutting area in which suction bags are intended to be cut, a treatment area in which liquid waste, originating from cut suction bags, is intended to be treated, and a storage area in which treated suction bags are intended to be stored, a rotary support which is housed at least partly in the frame and which is mounted to rotate about a first axis of rotation, the rotary support comprising several receiving locations each configured to accommodate a suction bag, the rotary support being configured to move suction bags received in the receiving locations from the loading area to the cutting area and then to the storage area,a cutting member which is located in the cutting zone and which is mounted to rotate about a second axis of rotation which is substantially horizontal, the cutting member defining a cutting plane which is substantially vertical and being configured to cut at least one suction pocket received in a receiving location and located in the cutting zone.

[0008] Thus, the processing system according to the invention makes it possible to open suction bags easily and without contact between a user and the contents of the suction bags, while making it possible to add one or more suction bags to the frame simultaneously with the processing of at least one suction bag located in the cutting zone and / or with the evacuation of a suction bag in the storage zone. Furthermore, opening suction bags along their length makes it possible to optimally recover the contents of such a suction bag.

[0009] In this text, "liquid medical waste" means in particular liquid waste with an infectious risk (DASRI) and / or a chemical risk coming for example from various health and medico-social establishments, industry, as well as bodily fluids.

[0010] The treatment system may further have one or more of the following features, which may be taken alone or in combination.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first axis of rotation is substantially vertical.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the cutting plane is tangent to a virtual circle whose center is located on the first axis of rotation of the rotary support. In other words, the second axis of rotation of the cutting member extends radially relative to the first axis of rotation of the rotary support.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the cutting member is mounted to move relative to the frame in a direction of movement which is substantially vertical. Thus, the cutting member makes it possible to optimally cut suction pockets of different sizes.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the loading area of ​​the treatment system comprises at least one upper insertion opening configured to allow a plurality of suction bags to be positioned simultaneously in receiving locations of the rotating support located opposite the at least one upper insertion opening.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the receiving locations are angularly offset from each other with respect to the first axis of rotation.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the receiving locations are located at the same distance from the first axis of rotation.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the processing system comprises between two and ten reception locations, and for example six reception locations.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the processing system further comprises a drive mechanism configured to rotate the rotary support about the first axis of rotation.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises an electric actuator, such as an electric motor, a pneumatic actuator, or a manual drive mechanism, for example provided with an actuating lever.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the processing system comprises a plurality of holding devices, each holding device being associated with a respective receiving location and being configured to hold in position a suction pocket received in the respective receiving location during the cutting of said suction pocket by the cutting member.

[0021] According to one embodiment, each holding device of the treatment system comprises at least one passage opening which is substantially vertical and which is configured to allow the passage of the cutting member.

[0022] According to one embodiment, each holding device comprises a plurality of holding pads. For example, each holding pad extends from a lower face of the rotating support, and extends substantially vertically towards the ground.

[0023] According to one embodiment, each receiving location comprises an upper support surface which extends substantially horizontally and on which a suction bag received in said receiving location is intended to rest at least in part.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the frame comprises a support portion which is located substantially in the same plane as the upper support surfaces and which is configured to at least partially support the suction pockets during their movements in the cutting zone. Thus, when a suction pocket is moved in the cutting zone, said suction pocket is supported partly by the upper support surface of the respective receiving location and partly by the support portion, which makes it possible to maintain said suction pocket substantially vertically during its movement in the cutting zone.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the treatment system further comprises at least one liquid waste treatment device, said liquid waste treatment device being disposed in the treatment area and being configured to collect and treat liquid waste from suction pockets cut in the cutting area.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the liquid waste treatment device comprises a compartment configured to contain liquid waste from the suction pockets cut in the cutting area.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the liquid waste treatment device comprises a source of biocidal agent and is configured to inject biocidal agent from the source of biocidal agent into the compartment. Advantageously, the liquid waste treatment device is configured to inject biocidal agent from the source of biocidal agent into the compartment when the compartment contains a predetermined liquid level.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the liquid waste treatment device comprises an additional compartment configured to contain liquids from the suction pipes cut in the cutting area.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the liquid waste treatment device is configured to direct at least a portion of the liquid waste, originating from cut suction bags, to the additional compartment.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the treatment system comprises evacuation means configured to evacuate the liquid waste contained in the compartment and / or the additional compartment respectively out of the compartment and / or the additional compartment. Advantageously, the evacuation means are arranged in the frame.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the evacuation means are configured to evacuate the liquid waste contained in the compartment and / or the additional compartment by gravity flow, by injection of compressed air respectively into the compartment and / or the additional compartment or by generation of a depression at the level of an evacuation opening provided on the compartment or the additional compartment.

[0032] Such a configuration of the liquid waste treatment device makes it possible to ensure a suitable contact time between the liquid waste and the biocidal agent in the compartment and / or the additional compartment. Once the contact time between the collected liquid waste and the biocidal agent has been reached, it is possible to proceed with the evacuation of the treated liquid waste from the compartment and / or the additional compartment.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the treatment system further comprises a storage device disposed in the storage area and configured to receive and store one or more treated suction bags, said storage device being at least partially open upwards.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the frame and the rotating support delimit an evacuation opening located substantially vertically above the storage area, the evacuation opening being configured to allow the fall by gravity of a suction bag, previously treated, into the storage device when the respective reception location is located substantially vertically above the storage area.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the treatment system comprises one or more ejection means configured to eject a treated suction bag from the rotating support when the respective receiving location is located opposite the storage area.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the processing system further comprises a cover movably mounted on an upper portion of the frame between an open position in which the cover allows access to the rotating support and a closed position in which the cover prevents access to the rotating support. Advantageously, the cover is configured to at least partially cover the upper insertion opening when the cover occupies the closed position, and to at least partially release the upper insertion opening when the cover occupies the open position.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the cover is pivotally mounted around a pivot axis which is substantially horizontal.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment system, each of the receiving locations comprises a gripping device configured to alternately occupy a holding position in which the gripping device holds in position the suction bag positioned in one of the receiving locations, and a release position configured to release the suction bag.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping device is configured to alternately occupy a holding position in which the suction bag rests on an upper face of the gripping device in order to hold the suction bag in position inside the respective receiving location, and a release position in which the suction bag cannot rest on the upper face of the gripping device.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the gripping devices further comprises a first gripper part and a second gripper part.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the processing system further comprises an actuating device configured to activate the release position of each of the gripping devices when the respective receiving location is positioned in a predetermined position.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuating device may be a cam track for example.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined position is located in the storage area. Brief description of the figures

[0044] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the appended figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements. [ Fig 1 ] is an exploded perspective view of a treatment system according to the present invention; [ Fig 2 ] is a partial perspective view from above of the processing system of the Figure 1 ; [ Fig 3 ] is a top perspective view of a rotating support and cutting area of ​​the processing system. Figure 1 ; [ Fig 4 ] is a top perspective view of the rotating support of the Figure 3 ; [ Fig 5 ] is a side perspective view of the rotating support of the Figure 3 and a cutting member of the processing system Figure 1 ; [ Fig 6 ] is another side perspective view of the rotating support of the Figure 3and the cutting organ of the Figure 5 ; [ Fig 7 ] is a top perspective view of the cutting area of ​​the processing system Figure 1 ; [ Fig 8 ] is a top perspective view of the cutting area and a liquid waste treatment device of the waste treatment system Figure 1 ; [ Fig 9 ] is a bottom view of the rotating support of the Figure 3 and the cutting organ of the Figure 5 ; [ Fig 10 ] is another exploded perspective view of the processing system of the Figure 1 ; [ Fig 11 ] is a perspective view of the processing system according to a second embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 12 ] is a perspective view from below of the rotating support of the processing system of the Figure 11 ; [ Fig 13 ] is a top perspective view of the actuating device used in the embodiment of the Figure 11 . Detailed description

[0045] THE figures 1 to 10 represent a treatment system 1 configured to treat suction bags 4, and more particularly suction bags 4 containing bodily fluids to be treated, such as blood, urine.

[0046] The treatment system 1 comprises a frame 2 which may for example have a generally parallelepiped shape. The frame 2 comprises in particular a loading zone 3 configured to allow loading of suction bags 4 within the frame 2. The frame 2 also comprises a cutting zone 5 in which suction bags 4 are intended to be cut, and a treatment zone 6 in which liquid waste, originating from cut suction bags 4, is intended to be treated. The frame 2 further comprises a storage zone 7 in which treated suction bags 4 are intended to be stored.

[0047] As shown more particularly on the figures 2 to 6, the processing system 1 further comprises a rotary support 8 which is housed at least partly in the frame 2 and which is mounted to be mobile in rotation around a first axis of rotation A1. According to the embodiment visible in the figures, the first axis of rotation A1 is substantially vertical.

[0048] The rotary support 8 comprises several receiving locations 9 each configured to accommodate a suction bag 4. The rotary support 8 is configured to move suction bags 4 received in the receiving locations 9 from the loading area 3 to the cutting area 5 and then to the storage area 7.

[0049] As shown more particularly on the Figure 3, the receiving locations 9 are distributed, and advantageously regularly distributed, around the first axis of rotation A1, and are located at the same distance from the first axis of rotation A1. The processing system 1 may comprise between two and ten receiving locations 9, and for example six receiving locations 9.

[0050] The rotation system 1 further comprises a drive mechanism configured to rotate the rotary support 8 around the first axis of rotation A1. The drive mechanism may for example comprise an electric actuator, such as an electric motor 10, a pneumatic actuator, or even a manual drive mechanism, such as an actuating lever.

[0051] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the loading zone 3 comprises an upper insertion opening 11 configured to allow a plurality of suction pockets 4 to be positioned simultaneously in the receiving locations 9 of the rotary support 8 which are located opposite the upper insertion opening 11. However, the loading zone 3 could comprise several upper insertion openings 11 each having dimensions corresponding substantially to those of the receiving locations 9, and thus allowing a plurality of suction pockets 4, for example three, to be positioned simultaneously in receiving locations 9 of the rotary support 8 which are respectively located opposite the upper insertion openings 11.

[0052] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the processing system 1 further comprises a cover 12 mounted movably on an upper part of the frame 2 between a closed position in which the cover 12 at least partly covers the upper insertion opening 11 and prevents access to the rotary support 8 and therefore to the receiving locations 9 located opposite the upper insertion opening 11, and an open position in which the cover 12 at least partly releases the upper insertion opening 11 and allows access to the rotary support 8 and therefore to the receiving locations 9 located opposite the upper insertion opening 11. Advantageously, the cover 12 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis which is horizontal and which is located near an upper face of the frame 2.

[0053] As shown more particularly on the figures 5 to 7, the processing system 1 also comprises a cutting member 13 which is located in the cutting zone 5 and which is mounted to rotate about a second axis of rotation A2 which is substantially horizontal. The cutting member 13 defines a cutting plane which is substantially vertical and which is configured to cut a suction pocket 4 received in a receiving location 9 and located in the cutting zone 5. Advantageously, the cutting plane defined by the cutting member 13 is tangent to a virtual circle whose center is located on the first axis of rotation A1 of the rotary support 8. The processing system 1 advantageously comprises an electric drive motor 130 configured to rotate the cutting member 13.

[0054] The treatment system 1 further comprises a collector 50 defining the cutting zone 5, and configured to collect the liquid waste falling by gravity from the pockets cut by the cutting member 13.

[0055] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the processing system 1 also comprises a plurality of holding devices 14. Each holding device 14 is associated with a respective receiving location 9, and is configured to hold in position a suction pocket 4 received in the respective receiving location 9 during the cutting of said suction pocket 4 by the cutting member 13. Advantageously, each holding device 14 comprises a passage opening 22 which is substantially vertical and which is configured to allow the passage of the cutting member 13.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each holding device 14 comprises a plurality of holding studs 15, and for example three holding studs 15, configured to cooperate with a side wall of a suction bag received in the respective receiving location 9. Each holding stud 15 extends from a lower face of the rotary support 8, and extends substantially vertically towards the ground.

[0057] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each holding device 14 further comprises a support member 140 configured to partially cover a suction bag 4 received in the respective receiving location 9, and more particularly to cooperate with an upper face of said suction bag 4 so as to form a vertical stop. Advantageously, the rotary support 8 and the frame 2 are configured to allow, after the placement of suction bags 4 in their respective receiving locations 9 and the closing of the cover 12, a relative movement between the rotary support 8 and said suction bags 4 during the first phase of rotation of the rotary support 8, and this in such a way that each of the suction bags 4 having just been positioned on the rotary support 8 is moved, relative to the rotary support 8, from a first position (see Figure 3) in which the respective support member 140 is offset relative to the respective suction pocket to a second position (see Figure 4 ) in which the respective support member 140 partially covers the respective suction pocket.

[0058] As shown more particularly on the Figure 4 , each receiving location 9 comprises an upper support surface 16 which extends substantially horizontally and on which a suction bag 4 received in said receiving location 9 is intended to rest in part.

[0059] As shown on the Figure 2, the frame 2 comprises a support portion 17 which is located substantially in the same plane as the upper support surfaces 16 and which is configured to partly support the suction pockets 4 in particular during their movements in the cutting zone 5. Thus, when a suction pocket 4 is moved in the cutting zone 5, said suction pocket 4 is supported partly by the upper support surface 16 of the respective receiving location 9 and partly by the support portion 17, which makes it possible to maintain said suction pocket 4 substantially vertically during its movement in the cutting zone 5.

[0060] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the treatment system 1 further comprises a storage device 18 which is arranged in the storage area 7 and which is configured to receive and store one or more treated suction bags 4. Advantageously, the storage device 18 is at least partially open upwards.

[0061] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the frame 2 and the rotary support 8 delimit an evacuation opening 19 which is located substantially vertically to the storage area 7, and more particularly vertically to the storage device 18, and which is configured to allow the fall by gravity of a suction bag 4, previously treated, into the storage device 18 when the respective reception location 9 is located substantially vertically to the storage area 7.

[0062] According to another embodiment not shown in the figures, the treatment system 1 could comprise one or more ejection means configured to eject a treated suction bag 4 from the rotating support 8 when the respective reception location 9 is located opposite the storage area 7.

[0063] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the treatment system 1 further comprises at least one liquid waste treatment device 20 which is arranged in the treatment zone 6 and which is configured to collect and treat liquid waste from suction bags 4 cut in the cutting zone 5.

[0064] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the liquid waste treatment device 20 comprises a compartment 21 configured to contain liquid waste coming from the suction pockets 4 cut in the cutting zone 5. The compartment 21 is configured to be fluidically connected to the collector 50, and more particularly to a lower opening 51 of said collector 50.

[0065] Advantageously, the liquid waste treatment device 20 comprises a source of biocidal agent 23 and is configured to inject biocidal agent from the source of biocidal agent 23 into the compartment 21. The liquid waste treatment device 20 is more particularly configured to inject biocidal agent from the source of biocidal agent 23 into the compartment 21 when the compartment 21 contains a predetermined level of liquid.

[0066] According to the embodiment not shown in the figures, the liquid waste treatment device 20 comprises an additional compartment 24 also configured to contain liquids coming from the suction pockets 4 cut in the cutting zone 5. Advantageously, the liquid waste treatment device 20 is configured to direct at least a portion of the liquid waste, coming from the suction pockets 4 cut, to the additional compartment 24 when the compartment 21 contains a predetermined level of liquid. For this purpose, the liquid waste treatment device 20 may for example comprise a three-way valve and an actuator configured to move the three-way valve between two different operating positions.

[0067] The treatment system 1 further comprises evacuation means (not shown in the figures) configured to evacuate the treated liquid waste contained in the compartment 21 and / or the additional compartment 24. Advantageously, the evacuation means are arranged in the frame 2. The evacuation means may for example be configured to evacuate the treated liquid waste contained in the compartment 21 and / or the additional compartment 24 by gravity flow or by injection of compressed air respectively into the compartment 21 and / or the additional compartment 24.

[0068] Such a configuration of the liquid waste treatment device 20 makes it possible to ensure a suitable contact time between the liquid waste and the biocidal agent in the compartment 21 and / or the additional compartment 24. Once the contact time between the collected liquid waste and the biocidal agent has been reached, it is possible to proceed with the evacuation of the treated liquid waste from the compartment 21 and / or the additional compartment 24.

[0069] A second embodiment of the invention is presented in the figures 11 to 13. The second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment in that the receiving locations 9 of the rotary support 8 each comprise a gripping device 25 configured to alternately occupy a holding position and a release position. Each of the gripping devices 25 comprises a first gripper portion 26 and a second gripper portion 27. When the gripping device 25 is in the holding position, the suction bag 4, positioned in the respective receiving location 9, rests on an upper portion of the gripping device 25 formed by the first gripper portion 26 and the second gripper portion 27. Conversely, when the gripping device 25 is in the release position, the second gripper portion 27 is no longer in contact with the first gripper portion 26, which prevents the suction bag 4 from resting on the upper portion of the gripping device 25.

[0070] In this second embodiment of the invention, the processing system 1 further comprises an actuating device 28, such as a cam track for example, which is configured to activate and deactivate the release position of each of the gripping devices 25 when the respective receiving location 9 is positioned in a predetermined position. Advantageously, the predetermined position is provided in the storage area 7 and directly above the storage device 18 so that each of the suction pockets 4 is released from the gripping device 25 in order to fall by gravity inside the storage device 18.

[0071] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and limited which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements, provided that they fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A treatment system (1) for suction bags (4), comprising: - a frame (2) including a loading area (3) configured to allow loading of suction bags (4) within the frame (2), a cutting area (5) in which suction bags (4) are intended to be cut, a treatment area (6) in which liquid waste, originating from cut suction bags (4), is intended to be treated, and a storage area (7) in which treated suction bags (4) are intended to be stored, - a rotating support (8) which is housed at least partly in the frame (2) and which is mounted movably in rotation about a first axis of rotation (A1), the rotating support (8) comprising several receiving locations (9) each configured to accommodate a suction bag (4), the rotating support (8) being configured to move suction bags (4) received in the receiving locations (9) from the loading area (3) to the cutting area (5) then to the storage area (7), - a cutting member (13) which is located in the cutting area (5) and which is mounted movably in rotation about a second axis of rotation (A2) which is substantially horizontal, the cutting member (13) defining a cutting plane which is substantially vertical and being configured to cut at least one suction bag (4) received in a receiving location (9) and located in the cutting area (5).

2. The treatment system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first axis of rotation (A1) is substantially vertical.

3. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the loading area (3) includes at least one upper insertion opening (11) configured to allow a plurality of suction bags (4) to be positioned simultaneously in receiving locations (9) of the rotating support (8) located opposite the at least one upper insertion opening (11).

4. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving locations (9) are angularly offset from each other with respect to the first axis of rotation (A1).

5. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which further includes a drive mechanism configured to drive in rotation the rotating support (8) about the first axis of rotation (A1).

6. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating support (8) includes a plurality of holding members (14), each holding member (14) being associated with a respective receiving location (9) and being configured to hold in position a suction bag (4) received in the respective receiving location (9) during the cutting of said suction bag (4) by the cutting member (13).

7. The treatment system (1) according to the preceding claim, each holding member (14) includes at least one passage opening which is substantially vertical and which is configured to allow the passage of the cutting member (13).

8. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises at least one liquid waste treatment device (20), said liquid waste treatment device (20) being disposed in the treatment area (6) and configured to collect and treat liquid waste originating from suction bags (4) cut in the cutting area (5).

9. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises a storage device (18) disposed in the storage area (7) and configured to receive and store one or several treated suction bags (4), said storage device (18) being at least partially open upwards.

10. The treatment system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the frame (2) and the rotating support (8) delimit a discharge opening (19) located substantially at the vertical of the storage area (7), the discharge opening (19) being configured to allow the fall by gravity of a suction bag (4), previously treated, into the storage device (18) when the respective receiving location (9) is located substantially at the vertical of the storage area (7).

11. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises a cover (12) movably mounted on an upper part of the frame (2) between an open position in which the cover (12) allows access to the rotating support (8) and a closed position in which the cover (12) prevents access to the rotating support (8).

12. The treatment system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the receiving locations (9) includes a gripping device (25) configured to alternately occupy a holding position in which the gripping device (25) holds in position the suction bag (4) positioned in one of the receiving locations (9), and a release position configured to release the suction bag (4).