Receiving container for receiving objects and method for operation thereof

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a receiving container (5) for receiving objects (75), comprising: a locking chamber (15); a receiving chamber arranged below the locking chamber (15); an outer door (10) which, when opened, allows the objects (75) to be inserted into the locking chamber (15) and, when closed, closes the locking chamber (15) to the outside; and an inner door (55) which, when closed, separates the receiving chamber from the locking chamber (15) and, when opened, allows the objects (75) to fall from the locking chamber (15) into the receiving chamber due to gravity. In one aspect of the invention, the receiving container (5) has, according to the invention, a disinfection device (30) which, when activated by a control device (50) of the receiving container (5), carries out at least one disinfection step.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Container for holding objects and methods for its operation

[0003] The invention relates to a receiving container for receiving objects, comprising a lock chamber and a receiving space arranged below the lock chamber, an outer door which, when opened, allows the objects to be introduced into the lock chamber and, when closed, seals off the lock chamber from the outside, and an inner door which, when closed, separates the receiving space from the lock chamber and, when opened, allows the objects to fall from the lock chamber into the receiving space under the force of gravity. Such a receiving container is known from European patent EP 3 565 769 B1.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of further improving a receiving container of the type described.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a receptacle having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the receptacle according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0006] According to the invention, the receiving container has a disinfection device which, when activated by a control device of the receiving container, carries out at least one disinfection step.

[0007] A significant advantage of the receptacle according to the invention is that the container's own disinfection device makes it possible to further reduce the risk of unwanted germ spread. For example, the disinfection device can be used to disinfect the lock chamber before it can be opened for the insertion of objects. The disinfection device can also be used to disinfect a collection container or a collection bag located therein before these can be removed from the receptacle.

[0008] It is advantageous if at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device is arranged in the area of ​​the lock chamber and, when activated, disinfects at least a section of the lock chamber.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, it can be advantageously provided that at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device is arranged below the lock chamber and, when activated, disinfects at least an upper region of the receiving chamber.

[0010] From a design perspective, it is particularly advantageous if at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device is attached to a bag closure element of a bag closure device and is movable with it. Such a design makes it easy to disinfect the outside of the collection bag, for example, before it is or can be removed from the receptacle.

[0011] With a view to a high degree of freedom from germs, it is also considered advantageous if the control device is designed in such a way that after each closing process of the outer door it triggers at least one disinfection process concerning the lock room and / or at least one disinfection process concerning the upper area of ​​the receiving room.

[0012] If the objects located in the lock room are to be disinfected before they fall into the receiving space, it is considered advantageous if the control device is designed in such a way that it triggers at least one of the disinfection processes relating to the lock room after each closing process of the outer door and before the subsequent opening of the inner door.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the control device is designed such that, after each opening of the inner door and before the subsequent closing of the inner door, it triggers a disinfection process, during which both the inner wall area of ​​the empty lock chamber and the upper area of ​​the receiving chamber are disinfected. With this design, because the inner door is open, the connecting channel between the lock chamber and the receiving chamber is also disinfected.

[0014] In order to disinfect the empty lock chamber before the outer door can be opened again and further objects can be inserted, it is considered advantageous if the control device is designed in such a way that after each re-closing of the inner door it triggers at least one of the disinfection processes relating to the lock chamber, specifically before a subsequent unlocking of the outer door which is locked when the inner door is open, and thus disinfects both the inner wall areas of the empty lock chamber and the side of the inner door facing the lock chamber. The receiving container preferably has a bag closing device which can close a collecting bag which is introduced, in particular suspended, into the receiving space below the inner door, from the outside, in particular radially from the outside, before the bag is removed from the receiving container.

[0015] The control device is preferably designed such that, after the collection bag has been finally closed, for example by welding or gluing, it triggers external disinfection of the collection bag or at least disinfection of the upper area of ​​the collection bag. This procedure minimizes the risk of contamination of operating personnel when changing the collection bag.

[0016] The disinfection device preferably comprises at least one spray nozzle, in particular in the form of a mist nozzle, which is suitable for spraying or atomizing a disinfectant. A pump is preferably connected to the at least one spray nozzle, which pumps the disinfectant to the spray nozzle in pumping mode. It is advantageous if the receiving container has a maintenance chamber located below the lock chamber and to the side of the receiving chamber, in which a disinfectant container containing the disinfectant can be inserted and connected to the pump.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the disinfection device can comprise a radiation source suitable for generating germicidal electromagnetic radiation as a disinfection component. The control device is preferably connected to the at least one radiation source and activates it in disinfection mode. The electromagnetic radiation or its maximum radiation intensity is preferably in a wavelength range between 10 nm and 300 nm. The electromagnetic radiation is preferably generated by means of a mercury vapor lamp, a quartz lamp (e.g., low-pressure mercury vapor lamp), a black light lamp, a light-emitting diode, or a cold cathode tube.

[0018] The receiving container preferably has a maintenance door which makes the receiving space accessible from the outside, in particular from the front or from the side, and which enables a collecting bag to be inserted into the receiving space and a filled collecting bag to be removed from the receiving space.

[0019] In the receiving space, below the lock chamber, there is preferably a horizontally movable collecting container which is suitable for receiving the collecting bag and, when the maintenance door is open, can be pulled out of the receiving space at least far enough so that the collecting bag can be removed from the collecting container or inserted into it.

[0020] Such a collection container advantageously performs a multiple function: For example, it works synergistically with a disinfection device that uses disinfectant: On the one hand, the collection container serves to hold a collection bag and thus to collect objects that fall into the collection container from the lock room due to gravity; on the other hand, it enables the collection bag to be disinfected from the outside with chemical disinfectants after the collection bag has been closed, whereby the collection container then serves to collect excess disinfectant and prevents the remaining interior of the collection container from becoming contaminated with disinfectant.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if the collection container is a collection drawer held by a rail mechanism that allows the collection drawer to be moved horizontally. Such a rail mechanism enables the collection bag to be moved from the interior of the collection container with little effort and thus in a way that is gentle on the back, and the collection bag to be removed without having to bend down into the interior of the collection container. Furthermore, when the collection drawer is extended from the collection container, the rail mechanism allows the interior of the collection drawer to be easily wiped clean, for example to remove excess disinfectant.

[0022] The rail mechanism preferably comprises at least one rolling element and / or at least one sliding element; the horizontal displacement of the collecting drawer preferably involves horizontal rolling or sliding of the collecting drawer in or on the at least one rolling element and / or the at least one sliding element.

[0023] An upper edge of the collection container is preferably sealed to the outside by means of at least one seal. Such a seal can, for example, prevent disinfectant from penetrating radially outward and entering other interior regions of the receiving container below the lock chamber during disinfection of the channel area between the lock chamber and the collection chamber with the inner door open. The at least one seal or at least one of the seals can be formed by a sealing ring attached to the upper edge of the collection container.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the at least one seal or at least one of the seals is mounted on the side of the inner door facing the collecting container.

[0025] The interior door is preferably a telescopic sliding door with two or more telescopic elements. A sealing element is preferably attached to the side of each telescopic element facing the collection container. When the telescopic sliding door is closed, the sealing elements form a closed seal that seals the collection container.

[0026] At least one disinfection component of the disinfection device is preferably arranged below the lock chamber. For example, at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device can be mounted on the side of the inner door facing the collecting container, in particular on a telescopic element of the inner door.

[0027] The side wall of the collecting container preferably has one or more through holes below the upper edge.

[0028] Bag closure elements of a bag closure device are preferably moved through the through hole(s) in the direction of the interior of the collecting container in order to close a collecting bag located in the collecting container.

[0029] At least one of the bag closure elements, preferably all of the bag closure elements, are preferably equipped with disinfection components such as spray or mist nozzles or electromagnetic radiation sources. The disinfection components are thus moved or displaced along with their respective associated bag closure element. The disinfection components attached to the bag closure elements enable disinfection of the collection bag from the outside.

[0030] It is advantageous if each of the bag closure elements is attached to a telescopic element of a telescopic sliding door and is moved along with the associated telescopic element, wherein the bag closure elements are moved through the through-hole(s) located below the upper edge of the collecting container and the telescopic elements are moved in a plane above the upper edge of the collecting container.

[0031] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control device monitors the condition of the receiving container and, by means of a transmitting device, transmits a condition signal describing the condition of the receiving container by radio or wire, for example as a mobile radio message. Such a condition signal can, for example, describe the fill level of the receiving space or collection container or collection bag; alternatively or additionally, the condition signal can describe the fill level of a disinfection container of the disinfection device with disinfectant and / or the charge level of an energy storage device. Condition signals are preferably only generated and transmitted when critical conditions are reached, i.e. the receiving space is full or almost full, the disinfection container is empty or almost empty, or the energy storage device is empty or almost empty.The receiving container preferably has a fill level measuring device and / or weighing device which can measure the fill level of a collecting container or a collecting bag and / or the weight of the collecting container or the collecting bag and generates a fill level signal indicating a full collecting container or a full collecting bag at least when the fill level of the collecting container or collection bag and / or the weight of the collecting container or collection bag has reached a predetermined fill level and / or weight threshold. The control device is preferably connected to the fill level measuring device and transmits the fill level signal wirelessly or by wire by means of the transmitting device. A sensor for measuring weight is preferably integrated in the above-mentioned rail mechanism.

[0032] It is advantageous if the receiving container has a cooling system that cools the collection container or the collection drawer and thus the collection bag during operation; a cooling system can advantageously slow the proliferation of germs. The cooling system is preferably arranged behind the collection container or the collection drawer in the sliding direction and is covered by the latter when the collection container or the collection drawer is pushed in.

[0033] To enable operation of the receptacle even in the event of a power grid failure or even when separated from a power grid, it is advantageous for the receptacle to have an energy storage device and a charging system that enables charging of the energy storage device. The charging system preferably comprises an electromagnetic coupling point for wireless charging. The control device preferably transmits a charging request signal wirelessly, for example with the assistance of the aforementioned transmitting device, when the charge level of the energy storage device reaches or falls below a lower threshold.

[0034] The above-mentioned energy storage device is preferably arranged below the collecting container or the collecting drawer and is preferably separated therefrom by a partition plate.

[0035] It is particularly advantageous if the energy storage device is housed in a double floor below the collecting container or the collecting drawer.

[0036] It is advantageous if the receiving container is a laundry collector and the receiving space is a laundry receiving space. Alternatively, the receiving container can be a waste container and the receiving space can be a waste receiving space.

[0037] As already mentioned, the collection container or the collection drawer work synergistically with the disinfection device, for example when chemical disinfection of a collection bag is to be carried out from the outside before it is removed from the container; the collection container serves both to collect the contaminated objects and to collect excess disinfectant.

[0038] In view of the other advantages of the collection container or the collection drawer, namely, for example, with regard to a low-force and thus back-friendly movement of the collection bag from the interior of the collection container and removal of the collection bag without bending down into the interior of the collection container, a collection container without a disinfection device is also regarded as an invention.In other words, the invention also relates to a receiving container which is characterized in that it has a maintenance door which makes the receiving space accessible from the outside, in particular from the front or from the side, and enables a collecting bag to be introduced into the receiving space and a filled collecting bag to be removed from the receiving space, and in the receiving space below the lock space there is a horizontally movable collecting container which is suitable for receiving the collecting bag and, when the maintenance door is in the open position, can be pulled out of the receiving space at least far enough that the collecting bag can be removed from the collecting container or inserted into it.

[0039] The receiving container preferably has one or more of the partial features described above in connection with the receiving container with disinfection device, in any desired combination.

[0040] With regard to the described advantageous transmission of status signals for the purpose of targeted maintenance, a receiving container is also regarded as an invention which has a transmitting device which can transmit a status signal describing the status of the receiving container by radio or wire. It is advantageous, for example, if a control device monitors the status of the receiving container and uses the transmitting device to transmit the status signal describing the status of the receiving container by radio or wire, for example as a mobile radio message. Such a status signal can - as mentioned - describe, for example, the fill level of the receiving space, the fill level of a disinfection container of the disinfection device with disinfectant and / or the charge level of the energy storage device.The latter receptacle also preferably has one or more of the partial features described above in connection with the receptacle with disinfection device, in any desired combination.

[0041] In view of the above-described advantageous effect of a cooling system on the proliferation of germs, a receptacle is also considered to be an invention that has a cooling system that cools the receiving space or at least a collecting container of the receptacle during operation. The latter receptacle also preferably has one or more of the partial features described above in connection with the receptacle with a disinfection device, in any desired combination.

[0042] In view of the above-described advantageous effect of a dedicated energy storage device in the event of a power grid failure or for operation independent of a power cable, a receptacle comprising an energy storage device and a charging system that enables charging of the energy storage device is also considered an invention. The latter receptacle preferably also comprises one or more of the partial features described above in connection with the receptacle with a disinfection device, in any desired combination.

[0043] The invention also relates to a method for operating a receiving container, in particular one as described above. According to the invention, such a method involves performing at least one disinfection step, with which at least a portion of the receiving container is disinfected by means of a disinfection device.

[0044] Disinfection should preferably be carried out after closing the outside door or after closing the inside door.

[0045] The at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is preferably carried out in the lock room and / or in the upper area of ​​the receiving room.

[0046] The at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is preferably carried out with the outer door locked.

[0047] The at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is preferably carried out in the lock room, namely after the inner door has been opened and before the inner door has been closed again.

[0048] The at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is preferably carried out in the lock chamber, namely after the previously opened inner door has been closed again and before a subsequent unlocking of the outer door which was locked when the inner door was open, wherein both the inner wall areas of the empty lock chamber and the side of the inner door facing the lock chamber are disinfected.

[0049] The at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is preferably carried out with at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device arranged below the lock chamber, and preferably at least an upper region of the receiving chamber is disinfected. In the latter variant, the disinfection preferably takes place after the previously opened interior door has been closed again.

[0050] It is advantageous if the receiving container has a bag closure device that can close a collecting bag, which is inserted into the receiving space below the inner door, in particular a suspended one, from the outside, in particular radially from the outside, before the collecting bag is removed from the receiving container. After closing the collecting bag, the receiving space and thus the collecting bag are preferably disinfected, or at least the upper region of the receiving space and thus the upper region of the collecting bag are disinfected.

[0051] It is also advantageous if the disinfection device comprises at least one spray nozzle , in particular in the form of a mist nozzle , and the disinfection includes spraying or misting a chemical disinfectant such as an alcohol .

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, it can be advantageously provided that the disinfection device comprises at least one radiation source which is suitable for generating germicidal electromagnetic radiation, and the disinfection includes irradiation with the electromagnetic radiation.

[0053] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments; in this case, Fig. 1-7 show, by way of example, various views of a first exemplary embodiment of a receiving container according to the invention, on the basis of which exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention are also explained,

[0054] Figure 8 shows a preferred mode of operation of the receiving container according to Figures 1 to 7,

[0055] Figure 9 shows a closed collecting bag and a collecting drawer used to collect objects, to hold the collecting bag and to collect disinfectant,

[0056] Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of a receiving container according to the invention and

[0057] Fig. 11- 14 different views of the first and second

[0058] From example .

[0059] For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

[0060] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a receiving container 5 according to the invention. An outer door 10 is shown in its open position; in its closed position, the outer door 10 seals an internal lock chamber 15 of the receiving container 5.

[0061] Figure 1 also shows a collecting container designed as a collecting drawer 20 and which can be pulled out of the interior of the receiving container 5 along a sliding direction R perpendicular to the image plane in Figure 1. The collecting drawer 20 is held by and guided by a rail mechanism which enables horizontal displacement and thus horizontal withdrawal of the collecting drawer 20 from the receiving container 5. The rail mechanism is not shown in detail in Figure 1 for reasons of clarity.

[0062] The receiving container 5 further comprises a maintenance door 25, which is shown in its open position in Figure 1; in the closed state, the maintenance door 25 prevents access to the collecting drawer 20 and pulling the collecting drawer 20 out of the interior of the receiving container 5.

[0063] Figure 2 shows the receiving container 5 according to Figure 1 in a top view. Components of a disinfection device 30 can be seen, which can be controlled by a control device 50. Figure 2 shows a disinfectant container 35, a connecting hose 40, and two disinfection components in the form of mist nozzles 45 of the disinfection device 30. Preferably, at least eight mist nozzles 45 are present.

[0064] Figure 3 shows the receiving container 5 according to Figure 1 in a cut-away cross-sectional view. The control device 50 and the components of the disinfection device 30 already explained in connection with Figure 2 can be seen, as well as an inner door 55. In its closed state, as shown in Figure 3, the inner door 55 separates the lock chamber 15 from the collecting drawer 20 below it, so that objects located in the lock chamber 15 cannot fall into the collecting drawer 20 or into the receiving space formed by the collecting drawer 20.

[0065] Figure 4 shows the detail marked with reference symbol A in Figure 3 in greater detail. It shows the structure of the interior door 55, which is designed as a telescopic sliding door and comprises, for example, two telescopic elements 60. The telescopic elements 60 can each be moved horizontally outwards to open the interior door 55. In Figure 4, to open the interior door 55, the left telescopic element 60 is moved to the left and the right telescopic element 60 is moved to the right.

[0066] Figure 4 also shows two bag closure elements 65 of a bag closure device which is suitable for closing a collection bag suspended in the collection drawer 20. In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 4, the two bag closure elements 65 are each attached to an associated telescopic element 60 of the inner door 55, so that they are each moved along with the associated telescopic element 60. If the inner door 55 is closed and the telescopic elements 60 of the inner door 55 are moved radially inwards, the collection bag suspended in the collection drawer 20 is also closed accordingly. If the inner door 55 is opened again and the telescopic elements 60 are moved radially outwards, the collection bag is opened again, so that further objects can be inserted.A final closing of the collecting bag, for example by welding or gluing, only takes place when this is triggered by the control device 50.

[0067] Figure 4 also shows that the bag closure elements 65 can also be equipped with disinfection components, for example in the form of spray nozzles or mist nozzles 45 for spraying or misting chemical disinfectants such as alcohol, or in the form of beam sources for generating germicidal electromagnetic radiation. The disinfection components make it possible, after the collection bag has been finally closed, to disinfect the outer skin of the collection bag, at least the upper section of the collection bag, so that when the collection bag is manually removed from the collection drawer 20, the risk of transmission of germs or bacteria for an operator removing the collection bag from the collection drawer 20 is minimized.

[0068] The collection drawer 20 ensures that the disinfectant sprayed onto the collection bag by the disinfection device 30 remains within the collection drawer 20 and that the other interior areas of the receptacle 5 are not contaminated. During maintenance or cleaning of the receptacle 5, the collection drawer 20 can be cleaned easily and without great effort, and the disinfectant accumulated therein can be removed.

[0069] In addition or as an alternative to the disinfection components attached to the bag closure elements 65, further disinfection components of the disinfection device 30 not shown in the figures can be attached to the telescopic elements 60, either on the side of the inner door 55 facing the collecting drawer 20 and / or on the side of the inner door 55 facing the lock chamber 15.

[0070] To enable particularly simple insertion of the bag closure elements 65 of the bag closure device from the outside, the collecting drawer 20 is preferably equipped with two through holes 70 on the side wall—below the upper edge of the collecting drawer 20. Through these two through holes 70, the bag closure elements 65 can be moved horizontally toward the interior of the receiving container 5 in order to close the collecting bag located in the receiving container 5.

[0071] Since the through holes 70 are arranged below the upper edge of the collecting drawer 20, the bag closure elements 65 are moved in a plane below the plane of the upper edge and below the plane of the telescopic elements 60 of the inner door 55; this advantageously enables a particularly large-area disinfection of the outer skin of the collecting bag after it has been finally closed.

[0072] In order to prevent disinfectant from reaching other areas of the receiving container 5 after disinfection in the area of ​​the collecting drawer 20, at least one seal is preferably provided. Such a seal can be designed as a ring seal and placed on the upper edge of the collecting drawer 20. Alternatively or additionally, a sealing element can be attached to the side of each of the telescopic elements 60 of the inner door 55 facing the collecting drawer 20; when the telescopic sliding door is closed, the sealing elements can form a closed seal that seals the collecting drawer 20.

[0073] Figures 5 and 6 show the receiving container 5 after the inner door 55 has been opened by moving its telescopic elements 60 radially outward. It can be seen that when the inner door 55 is open, the lock chamber 15 is directly connected to the interior of the collecting drawer 20, which functions as a receiving chamber, and the interior of the collecting bag located therein, and that objects 75 previously located in the lock chamber 15 can fall into the collecting drawer 20 and the collecting bag due to gravity.

[0074] Figure 6 shows the details marked with reference symbol A in Figure 5 in more detail.

[0075] Figure 7 shows the receiving container 5 in a sectioned view in the area of ​​the bag closure device. It can be seen that when the outer door 10 is open, the bag closure elements 65 close the collection bag located in the collection drawer 20, and the inner door 55 is also closed.

[0076] Figure 8 shows the operation of the control device 50 in more detail using a flow chart.

[0077] If the control device 50 detects in a detection step 800 by means of an outside door sensor, for example a contact switch related to the outside door, that the outside door 10 has been closed, it locks the outside door 10 and triggers a first-type disinfection step 810. In the first-type disinfection step, the disinfection components, for example the mist nozzles 45, of the disinfection device 30 in the area of ​​the lock chamber are activated, and disinfectant is sprayed from the disinfectant container 35 into the lock chamber 15 by means of the spray nozzles using a pump. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 50 can feed germicidal electromagnetic radiation into the lock chamber 15 using disinfection components in the form of radiation sources.After the first type of disinfection step 810 has been completed, the control device 50 opens the inner door 55 so that objects located in the lock chamber 15 can fall into the collecting drawer 20 located below the lock chamber 15 and the collecting bag located therein.

[0078] Subsequently, the control device 50 triggers a second-type disinfection step 820, i.e., while the inner door 55 is still open and a flow connection exists between the lock chamber 15 and the collection drawer 20. During this second-type disinfection step, the inner walls of the lock chamber 15 as well as the transition area between the lock chamber 15 and the collection drawer 20 are disinfected. Furthermore, the interior of the collection bag is disinfected.

[0079] After completion of the second type of disinfection step 820, the control device 50 closes the inner door 55. Since, in the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 1 to 7, the bag closure elements 65 of the bag closure device are firmly connected to the telescopic elements 60 of the inner door 55, during the closing of the inner door 55, the bag closure elements 65 are also moved through the through holes 70 in the side wall of the collecting drawer 20 into the interior of the collecting drawer 20, whereby the collecting bag is at least temporarily closed.

[0080] In a subsequent third-type disinfection step 830, the control device 50 again activates the disinfection components of the disinfection device 30 relating to the now empty lock chamber 15, so that the inner walls of the lock chamber 15, as well as the side of the inner door 55 facing the lock chamber 15, are disinfected again. This third-type disinfection step ensures that, before the outer door 10 is subsequently opened, all areas of the lock chamber 15 accessible from the outside are disinfected and that a person reaching into the lock chamber 15 can only come into contact with disinfected surfaces.

[0081] The control device 50 can then unlock the outer door 10 again so that further objects can be introduced into the lock chamber 15.

[0082] If the control device 50 determines by means of a fill level measuring device and / or weighing device that the fill level of the collecting drawer 20 or the collecting bag and / or the weight of the collecting drawer 20 or the collecting bag has reached a predetermined fill level and / or weight threshold, it activates - in the closed position of the inner door 55 - the bag closure elements 65 and triggers a final closure of the collecting bag, preferably by welding or gluing.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, the control device 50 can trigger the final closing of the collecting bag located in the collecting drawer 20 if a control command for the final closing has been generated from the outside by the operator.

[0084] As soon as the collection bag has been closed, but before the maintenance door 25 is unlocked, the control device 50 triggers a fourth type of disinfection step 840, in which the outside of the closed collection bag is disinfected, at least in its upper region, using the disinfection components attached to the bag closure elements 65. Figure 9 shows, in an enlarged schematic representation, the disinfection of the outer skin of the collection bag 80 after the bag closure elements 65 have finally closed the collection bag 80.

[0085] After completion of the fourth type of disinfection step, the maintenance door 25 is unlocked in an unlocking step so that it can be opened, the collecting drawer 20 can be pulled out from the interior of the receiving container 5 and the collecting bag can be changed.

[0086] Incidentally, not all of the disinfection steps described above need to be performed. However, it is advantageous to at least perform the third and fourth disinfection steps.

[0087] The fill level measuring device and / or weighing device preferably comprises a sensor integrated into the sliding mechanism, which detects the weight force exerted on the sliding mechanism by the collecting drawer 20. Alternatively or additionally, the fill level measuring device can comprise one or more optical or acoustic sensors that measure the fill level optically or acoustically (e.g., ultrasound); such optical sensors can, for example, be mounted on the inside of the inner door 55 and positioned with the bag closure elements 65 in the closed position of the inner door 55 above the opening of the collecting drawer 20.

[0088] In order to slow the proliferation of bacteria in the collection bag, it is advantageous if the receiving container 5 is equipped with a cooling system that cools the collection drawer 20. Such a cooling system is preferably arranged behind the collection drawer 20, as seen in the insertion direction of the collection drawer 20, and is concealed by it.

[0089] In order to enable operation of the receiving container 5, at least temporarily, without connection to a power supply network, the receiving container 5 is preferably equipped with an energy storage device 85, for example in the form of a battery or an electrical capacitor, as shown in Figure 10. The energy storage device 85 is preferably arranged below the collecting drawer 20 in the region of the bottom of the receiving container 5 and thus in the immediate vicinity of an electromagnetic coupling point 90, which serves for wireless charging of the energy storage device 85.

[0090] The energy storage device 85 is preferably separated from the collecting drawer 20 by a partition plate and is preferably accommodated in a double floor below the collecting drawer 20.

[0091] The receiving container 5 also preferably has a transmitting device 95 connected to the control device 50, with which the control device 50 can generate a maintenance signal, for example in the form of a mobile radio message SMS, when the fill level of the collection bag or the collection drawer 20 has reached or exceeded a predetermined maximum fill level. The control device 50 can also use the transmitting device 95 to generate a charging request in the form of a charging request signal, for example also in the form of a mobile radio message SMS, when the charge level of the energy store 85 reaches or falls below a lower threshold. Figures 11 to 14 show the receiving containers 5 according to Figures 1 to 7 and 10 again in other representations.In these figures one can see, among other things, the bag closure elements 65, which can be moved horizontally from the outside through the through holes 70 on the side wall of the collecting drawer 20 towards the interior of the receiving container 5 in order to close the collecting bag located in the receiving container 5.

[0092] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0093] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all the embodiments described above can be combined with one another in any desired manner in order to form further other embodiments of the invention.

[0094] All features of subclaims can also be combined individually with each of the subordinate claims, either individually or in any combination with one or more other subclaims, in order to obtain further embodiments.

[0095] Reference sign

[0096] 5 receiving containers

[0097] 10 Exterior door

[0098] 15 Lock room

[0099] 20 On the catch drawer

[0100] 25 Maintenance door

[0101] 30 Disinfection facility

[0102] 35 disinfectant containers

[0103] 40 connecting hose

[0104] 45 mist nozzles

[0105] 50 Control device

[0106] 55 Interior door

[0107] 60 telescopic element

[0108] 65 Bag closure element

[0109] 70 through hole

[0110] 75 items

[0111] 80 On collection bag

[0112] 85 energy storage units

[0113] 90 electromagnetic coupling point

[0114] 95 transmitting device

[0115] 800 detection steps

[0116] 810 First type disinfection step

[0117] 820 Second type disinfection step

[0118] 830 Disinfection step of the third kind

[0119] 840 Disinfection step of the fourth kind

[0120] R sliding direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Receptacle (5) for receiving objects (75) with - a lock chamber (15) and a receiving chamber arranged below the lock chamber (15), - an external door (10) which, when opened, allows the objects (75) to be introduced into the lock chamber (15) and, when closed, closes the lock chamber (15) to the outside, and - an inner door (55) which, in the closed state, separates the receiving space from the lock chamber (15) and, in the open state, allows the objects (75) to fall from the lock chamber (15) into the receiving space due to gravity, characterized in that - the receiving container (5) has a disinfection device (30) which, when activated by a control device (50) of the receiving container (5), carries out at least one disinfection step.

2. Receptacle (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device (30) is arranged in the region of the lock chamber (15) and, upon activation, disinfects at least a section of the lock chamber (15).

3. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device (30) is arranged below the lock chamber (15) and, when activated, disinfects at least one upper area of ​​the recording room.

4. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device (30) is attached to a bag closure element (65) of a bag closure device and is movable therewith.

5. Receptacle (5) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device (50) is designed such that after each closing operation of the outer door (10) it triggers at least one disinfection process relating to the lock chamber (15) and / or at least one disinfection process relating to the upper region of the receptacle chamber.

6. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the control device (50) is designed such that after each closing process of the outer door (10) and before the subsequent opening of the inner door (55), it triggers at least one of the disinfection processes relating to the lock chamber (15).

7. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the control device (50) is designed in such a way that after each opening of the inner door (55) and before the respective subsequent re-closing of the inner door (55) triggers a disinfection during which both the inner wall area of ​​the empty lock room (15) and the upper area of ​​the receiving room are disinfected.

8. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the control device (50) is designed such that after each re-closing of the inner door (55), it triggers at least one of the disinfection processes relating to the lock chamber (15), specifically before a subsequent unlocking of the outer door (10) which is locked when the inner door (55) is open, and thus disinfects both inner wall areas of the empty lock chamber (15) and the side of the inner door (55) facing the lock chamber (15).

9. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the receiving container (5) has a bag closure device which can close a collecting bag (80) which is introduced, in particular suspended, into the receiving space below the inner door (55), from the outside, in particular radially from the outside, before it is removed from the receiving container (5), and - the control device (50) triggers a disinfection of the receiving space and thus of the collecting bag (80) or at least a disinfection of the upper region of the receiving space and thus of the upper region of the collecting bag (80) after the collecting bag (80) has been closed.

10. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the disinfection device (30) comprises at least one spray nozzle, in particular in the form of a mist nozzle (45), which is suitable for spraying or atomizing a disinfectant, and - the disinfection device (30) comprises a pump connected to the at least one spray nozzle, which pumps the disinfectant to the spray nozzle in pumping operation.

11. Receptacle (5) according to claim 10, characterized in that the receptacle (5) has a (15) and a maintenance chamber located laterally next to the receiving chamber, in which a disinfectant container (35) containing the disinfectant can be inserted and connected to the pump.

12. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the disinfection device (30) comprises a radiation source suitable for generating germicidal electromagnetic radiation, and - the control device (50) is connected to the at least one radiation source and activates it in disinfection mode.

13. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the receiving container (5) has a maintenance door (25) which makes the receiving space accessible from the outside, in particular from the front or from the side, and enables a collecting bag (80) to be inserted into the receiving space and a filled collecting bag (80) to be removed from the receiving space, and - in the receiving space below the lock chamber (15) there is a horizontally movable collecting container which is suitable for receiving the collecting bag (80) and, when the maintenance door (25) is in the open position, can be pulled out of the receiving space at least far enough for the collecting bag (80) to be removed from the collecting container or inserted into it.

14. Receptacle (5) according to claim 13, characterized in that the collecting container is a collecting drawer (20) which is held by a rail mechanism which enables horizontal displacement of the collecting drawer (20).

15. Receptacle (5) according to claim 14, characterized in that the rail mechanism comprises at least one rolling element and / or at least one sliding element and the horizontal displacement of the collecting drawer (20) includes a horizontal rolling or sliding of the collecting drawer (20) in or on the at least one rolling element and / or the at least one sliding element.

16. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the collecting container has an upper edge which is sealed by at least one seal.

17. Receptacle (5) according to claim 16, characterized in that the at least one seal or at least one of the seals is formed by a sealing ring mounted on the upper edge of the collecting container.

18. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 16 to 17, characterized in that the at least one seal or at least one of the seals is mounted on the side of the inner door (55) facing the collecting container.

19. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 18, characterized in that - the inner door (55) is a telescopic sliding door with two or more telescopic elements (60) and a sealing element is attached to the side of each of the telescopic elements (60) facing the collecting container, - whereby the sealing elements form a closed seal that seals the collecting container.

20. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 19, characterized in that at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device (30) is mounted on the side of the inner door (55) facing the collecting container, in particular a telescopic element (60) of the inner door (55).

21. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 20, characterized in that - the side wall of the collecting container has one or more through holes (70) below the upper edge, and - Bag closure elements (65) of a bag closure device are moved through the through hole(s) (70) in the direction of the interior of the collecting container in order to close a collecting bag (80) located in the collecting container.

22. Receptacle (5) according to claim 21, characterized in that - each of the bag closure elements (65) is attached to a telescopic element (60) of a telescopic sliding door and is moved along with the associated telescopic element (60), - wherein the bag closure elements (65) are moved through the through-hole(s) (70) located below the upper edge of the collecting container and the telescopic elements (60) are moved in a plane above the upper edge of the collecting container.

23. Receptacle (5) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that at least one of the bag closure elements (65), preferably all bag closure elements (65), is equipped with at least one disinfection component which enables disinfection of the collection bag (80) from the outside.

24. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving container (5) comprises a transmitting device (95) and the control device (50) transmits a status signal describing the status of the receiving container (5) by radio or by wire by means of the transmitting device (95).

25. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the receiving container (5) has a fill level measuring device and / or weighing device which can measure the fill level of a collecting container or a collecting bag (80) and / or the weight of the collecting container or the collecting bag (80) and generates a fill level signal indicating a filled collecting container or a filled collecting bag (80) at least when the fill level of the collecting container or the collecting bag (80) and / or the weight of the collecting container or the collecting bag (80) has reached a predetermined fill level and / or weight threshold and - with the level measuring device the control device (50) which transmits the fill level signal by radio or wired means by means of a transmitting device (95).

26. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (5) has a cooling system which, during operation, cools the receiving space or at least a collecting container of the receptacle (5).

27. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (5) has an energy storage device (85) and a charging system which enables charging of the energy storage device (85).

28. Receptacle (5) according to claim 27, characterized in that the charging system comprises an electromagnetic coupling point (90) for wireless charging.

29. Receiving container (5) according to one of the preceding claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the energy storage device (85) is arranged below the collecting container or the collecting drawer (20) and is separated from it by a partition plate.

30. Receptacle (5) according to one of the preceding claims 26 to 29, characterized in that the energy storage device (85) is accommodated in a double floor below the collecting container or the collecting drawer (20).

31. Container (5) for receiving objects (75) with - a lock chamber (15) and a receiving chamber arranged below the lock chamber (15), - an outer door (10) which, when opened, allows the objects (75) to be introduced into the lock chamber (15) and in the closed state closes off the lock chamber (15) to the outside, and an inner door (55) which closes the receiving chamber in the closed state from the lock chamber (15) and in the open state allows the objects (75) to fall from the lock chamber (15) into the receiving chamber due to gravity, characterized in that - the receiving container (5) has a maintenance door (25) which makes the receiving space accessible from the outside, in particular from the front or from the side, and enables a collecting bag (80) to be inserted into the receiving space and a filled collecting bag (80) to be removed from the receiving space, and - in the receiving space below the lock chamber (15) there is a horizontally movable collecting container which is suitable for receiving the collecting bag (80) and, when the maintenance door (25) is in the open position, can be pulled out of the receiving space at least far enough for the collecting bag (80) to be removed from the collecting container or inserted into it.

32. Receptacle (5) according to claim 31, characterized in that the receptacle (5) has one or more of the partial features listed in the preceding claims 1 to 30.

33. Receptacle (5) for receiving objects (75) with a lock chamber (15) and a receiving chamber arranged below the lock chamber (15), - an external door (10) which, when opened, allows the objects (75) to be introduced into the lock chamber (15) and, when closed, closes the lock chamber (15) to the outside, and - an inner door (55) which, in the closed state, separates the receiving space from the lock chamber (15) and, in the open state, allows the objects (75) to fall from the lock chamber (15) into the receiving space due to gravity, characterized in that - the receiving container (5) has a transmitting device (95) which can transmit a status signal describing the status of the receiving container (5) by radio or by wire.

34. Receptacle (5) according to claim 33, characterized in that the receptacle (5) has one or more of the partial features listed in the preceding claims 1 to 32.

35. Container (5) for receiving objects (75) with - a lock chamber (15) and a receiving chamber arranged below the lock chamber (15), - an external door (10) which, when opened, allows the objects (75) to be introduced into the lock chamber (15) and, when closed, closes the lock chamber (15) to the outside, and - an inner door (55) which, when closed, separates the receiving space from the lock space (15) and, when opened, prevents the objects from falling due to gravity. de (75) from the lock chamber (15) into the receiving chamber, characterized in that the receiving container (5) has a cooling system which, during operation, cools the receiving chamber or at least a collecting container of the receiving container (5).

36. Receptacle (5) according to claim 35, characterized in that the receptacle (5) has one or more of the partial features listed in the preceding claims 1 to 34.

37. Container (5) for receiving objects (75) with - a lock chamber (15) and a receiving chamber arranged below the lock chamber (15), - an external door (10) which, when opened, allows the objects (75) to be introduced into the lock chamber (15) and, when closed, closes the lock chamber (15) to the outside, and - an inner door (55) which, in the closed state, separates the receiving space from the lock space (15) and, in the open state, allows the objects (75) to fall from the lock space (15) into the receiving space due to gravity, characterized in that the receiving container (5) has an energy store (85) and a charging system which enables the energy store (85) to be charged.

38. Receptacle (5) according to claim 37, characterized in that the receiving container (5) has one or more of the partial features listed in the preceding claims 1 to 36.

39. Method for operating a receiving container (5), in particular one according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least one disinfection step is carried out, with which at least a section of the receiving container (5) is disinfected by means of a disinfection device (30).

40. Method according to claim 39, characterized in that the at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is carried out in the lock chamber (15) and / or in the upper region of the receiving chamber.

41. Method according to one of the preceding claims 39 to 40, characterized in that the at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is carried out with the outer door (10) locked.

42. Method according to one of the preceding claims 39 to 41, characterized in that the at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is carried out in the lock room (15), namely after the opening of the inner door (55) and before the closing of the inner door (55) again.

43. Method according to one of the preceding claims 39 to 42, characterized in that the at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is triggered in the lock chamber (15), namely after the previously opened inner door (55) has been closed again and before a subsequent unlocking of the outer door (10) which is locked when the inner door (55) is open, wherein both the inner wall areas of the empty lock chamber (15) and the side of the inner door (55) facing the lock chamber (15) are disinfected.

44. Method according to one of the preceding claims 39 to 43, characterized in that the at least one disinfection step or at least one of the disinfection steps is carried out with at least one disinfection component of the disinfection device (30) which is arranged below the lock chamber (15), and at least an upper region of the receiving chamber is disinfected.

45. Method according to claim 44, characterized in that the disinfection takes place after the previously opened inner door (55) has been closed again.

46. ​​Method according to one of the preceding claims 39 to 45, characterized in that - the receiving container (5) has a bag closure device which has a bag opening in the receiving space below the in- inner door (55) introduced, in particular suspended, collecting bag (80), from the outside, in particular radially from the outside, before it is removed from the receiving container (5), and - after closing the collecting bag (80), disinfection of the receiving space and thus of the collecting bag (80) or at least disinfection of the upper area of ​​the receiving space and thus of the upper area of ​​the collecting bag (80).

47. Method according to one of the preceding claims 39 to 46, characterized in that - the disinfection device (30) comprises at least one spray nozzle, in particular in the form of a mist nozzle (45), and the disinfection includes spraying or misting a disinfectant.

48. Method according to one of the preceding claims 39 to 47, characterized in that - the disinfection device (30) comprises at least one radiation source suitable for generating germicidal electromagnetic radiation, and - disinfection includes irradiation with electromagnetic radiation.

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