MACHINE FOR CLEANING, DISINFECTING AND DRYING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Abstract

A machine for cleaning, disinfecting, and drying personal protective equipment, characterized in that it comprises a watertight and operable enclosure (1) comprising inside: - a rotating hanging system (2) located at an upper point of the enclosure (1) and comprising a motorized drum wheel (21) comprising a plurality of cavities (211) distributed over its surface and a plurality of peripheral spherical openings (212), where in each of these spherical openings (212) a hanger (22) is secured at the bottom, which is interchangeable by mechanical fastening means (225) and where a garment of personal protective equipment is secured by means of a clamp (223) with a spring (224); - a hydraulic circuit comprising an injector bar (31) connected to a water inlet and with at least two independent pumps (32), one for each detergent; wherein the injector bar (31) comprises a pipe (311) in which a plurality of nozzles are positioned, oriented in different directions, and which project a liquid mixture of water and detergents into the interior of the housing (1); and - a drying system (4) comprising a heat pump (41) located in an upper closure of the machine's housing (1) that introduces hot air into the interior of the housing (1), fans (42) located at lateral points of the upper closure of the housing (1), and nozzles (43) positioned at points opposite the fans (42).

Description

MACHINE FOR CLEANING, DISINFECTING AND DRYING PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT INDIVIDUAL Object of the invention The present invention relates to a new machine designed for cleaning, disinfecting, and drying personal protective equipment or technical equipment, which simultaneously washes, disinfects, and dries technical clothing that can have different dimensions, weights, and accessories; and all this in a convenient, fast, efficient, and safe manner without the equipment losing the intrinsic properties of its materials. To this end, the machine of the invention comprises a watertight and operable enclosure that includes inside a rotating hanging system where the garments of the equipment are secured; a hydraulic circuit where a mixture of different detergents and water is projected under pressure from several points covering the complete geometry of the equipment; and a drying system that allows short and adjustable cycles for uniform drying; and where, in addition, the machine may include a rotating basket located at the bottom of the enclosure where technical accessories such as gloves, helmets, balaclavas, boots or similar items can be positioned. The field of application of the invention is included within the sector of cleaning, disinfection and drying of personal protective equipment, such as equipment for firefighters, security forces, divers or similar. Background of the invention Currently, there are different systems known that allow the washing of a plurality of professional garments simultaneously, such as neoprene suits or similar, but they have the disadvantage of lacking drying, as is the case, for example, of the document disclosed US2016230325A1. Various portable devices are also known that allow washing, drying and storing a technical suit, such as the disclosed document US2012291823A1, but they have the drawback that these devices are oriented to the cleaning and drying of a suit independently, and are not configured by a machine or equipment that allows simultaneous action on a plurality of technical suits, as contemplated by the present invention. Well, unlike what is currently known, the machine of the invention has a configuration that provides efficient cleaning and uniform drying, even in the least accessible areas of garments, all with a single machine. This is possible for a wide variety of technical equipment, which may include clothing of different dimensions, weights, and accessories, such as that used by firefighters, security personnel, divers, or similar professionals. In this respect, the present invention offers an improved and different solution to all the problems present in the systems known to date in this sector. Consequently, the applicant does not know of a solution as effective to the problem as the one described below. A detailed description of the invention follows, which complements the general ideas introduced at this point. Description of the invention The machine of the invention consists of a watertight and operable enclosure comprising inside a rotating hanging system, where the garments of the personal protective equipment to be treated are secured; a hydraulic circuit where a mixture of different detergents and water is projected under pressure from several points covering the complete geometry of the equipment; and a drying system that allows short and adjustable cycles for uniform drying; and where, in addition, the machine may comprise inside a rotating basket located at the bottom of the enclosure, where technical accessories, such as gloves, helmets, balaclavas, boots or similar, are positioned. Overall, the invention is geared towards the cleaning, disinfection and drying of personal protective equipment or technical equipment, allowing the treatment of several pieces of equipment at once, even when they have different dimensions, weights and / or accessories. In this sense, the rotating hanger system integrated into the machine of the invention is located at a top and central point of the enclosure, and comprises a motorized rotating drum wheel or carousel, which forms the frame of this system, and which comprises a plurality of cavities distributed over its surface and a plurality of spherical openings arranged peripherally, so that in each of these peripheral spherical openings a hanger is secured at the bottom by mechanical means of fixing, of the nut and screw type, which allows the hangers to be interchangeable. In particular, each of these hangers comprises side shoulder pads, parallel vertical profiles that act as expanders, and a spring-loaded clip located at the top of the hanger, which acts to hook or hold small, large, or very heavy garments, allowing jackets and trousers to be hung in both directions and taking advantage of openings in suits, such as Velcro lapels or similar, which facilitates adequate exposure to washing and drying. Another feature of the rotating hanger system is that it can incorporate a rack and a stand, designed to hang additional, removable hangers. This accessory is linked to the rack and they always come together. The removable hanger assembly consists of two pieces: one that attaches to the hanger and the other to the rotating carousel. The machine's hydraulic circuit comprises an injector bar connected to a water supply and at least two independent pumps, one for each detergent. Together, the hydraulic circuit is the means by which the liquid mixture of water and different detergents is projected under pressure from various points covering the entire geometry of the personal protective equipment. To achieve this, the injector bar is mechanically positioned within the rotational range of the drum wheel of the rotating hanging system, so that the hangers, as they rotate, pass between the injector bar, which comprises a plurality of nozzles oriented in different directions. Specifically, this injector bar includes a pipe or conduit where a plurality of nozzles, oriented in different directions, are positioned; these are pressurized water nozzles distributed along the length of the bar. Another detail of the invention is that the connection of the hydraulic circuit to the water supply also includes a water mixer for supplying hot water to the circuit. In the case of the independent pumps for each detergent, each pump allows for precise control of the detergent dosage in the water mixture for cleaning and disinfecting the personal protective equipment being treated, thus preventing damage to the materials. As previously mentioned, the machine of the invention also comprises a drying system that allows short, adjustable cycles for uniform drying of the equipment to be treated. This system allows the capture of hot air from the heater towards the drying area, and in this sense the drying system comprises a heat pump, which is located at a central upper point of the machine's envelope where hot air is introduced into the center of the chamber; fans located at lateral and upper points of the envelope; and nozzles positioned at points opposite the fans, so that the hot air from the heater is used. Consequently, the drying system of the machine of the invention achieves uniformity of drying, even in areas such as sleeves or legs, in short and adjustable cycles between 2 and 4 hours, through its programming in a side box comprising the envelope on an outer side; and all this, in a different and improved way to what is known to date in this sector. Another detail of the invention is that the machine may also comprise a rotating basket located at the bottom of the compartment, which rotates in unison with the movement of the drum wheel or carousel of the rotating hanging system. The rotating basket consists of a flat base where personal protective equipment accessories such as gloves, helmets, balaclavas, boots, or similar items can be placed. This basket offers good access to water and detergent, proper hot air circulation during drying, stability for accessories placed on its rotating surface even with varying weights and materials, and safe operation throughout the entire washing and drying cycle. Therefore, the machine of the invention washes, disinfects and dries technical clothing that can be made up of garments with different dimensions, weights and accessories; and all this in a convenient, fast and safe way without the equipment losing the intrinsic properties of its materials. Throughout the description and claims, it is understood that the term includes and / or its variants and does not intend to exclude other technical features or additional elements. Brief description of the figures of the invention To complete the description being made and to help in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is included as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figure 1 is a perspective plan of the cleaning, disinfection and drying machine that is the subject of the invention, showing the external appearance of the machine assembly. Figure 2 is an elevation view of the machine of the invention, according to Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan of a longitudinal section AA of the machine of the invention, according to Figure 2, showing the arrangement of the elements included inside the machine's enclosure. Figure 4 is a perspective drawing of the rotary hanging system of the machine of the invention. Figure 5 is an elevation drawing of the rotary hanging system of the machine of the invention, according to Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective plan of a hanger of the rotary hanging system of the machine of the invention, according to Figure 4. Figure 7 is a side view of a hanger of the rotary hanging system of the machine of the invention, according to Figure 6. Figure 8 is a perspective plan of the injector bar of the hydraulic circuit of the machine of the invention. Figure 9 is an elevation view of the injector bar of the hydraulic circuit of the machine of the invention, according to Figure 8. Figure 10 is a plan view of the injector bar of the hydraulic circuit of the machine of the invention, according to Figure 9. Figure 11 is a detail drawing of the drying system of the machine of the invention, showing the drying system in a front view. Figure 12 is a perspective plan of the rotating basket of the machine of the invention. Description of some ways of carrying out the invention As can be seen in detail in the figures, in one possible embodiment the machine of the invention comprises a watertight and operable enclosure (1) comprising inside: a rotating hanging system (2), where the garments of the personal protective equipment to be treated are secured; a hydraulic circuit, where a mixture of water and at least two detergents is projected under pressure from several points covering the complete geometry of the equipment; and a drying system (4) that allows uniform drying of the equipment; where in addition, the machine may comprise inside a rotating basket (5) located at the bottom of the enclosure (1), where technical accessories such as gloves, helmets, balaclavas, boots or similar are positioned. The machine of the invention is oriented to improve in a different way the cleaning, disinfection and drying of various personal protective equipment, by means of a machine that is made up of a sealed enclosure (1) with access to its interior through a hermetic door (11), which in a convenient, quick and safe way a user can introduce and secure different technical equipment inside for washing and drying without these equipment losing the properties of its materials. To this end, as shown in the figures, the rotating hanging system (2) of the machine of the invention is located at a top and central point of the enclosure (1), and comprises a motorized rotating drum wheel (21) or carousel which, in turn, comprises a plurality of cavities (211) distributed over its surface and a plurality of peripheral spherical openings (212); so that, in each of these spherical openings (212) a hanger (22) is secured at the bottom by mechanical fastening means (225), of the nut and screw type, which allows the hangers (22) to be interchangeable. Specifically, as shown, each of these hangers (22) comprises side shoulder pads (221), parallel vertical profiles (222) that act as expanders, and a clip (223) with a spring (224) located at a higher point of the hanger (22); so that this clip (223) acts as a hooking or holding element for technical garments of different sizes and weights, allowing proper exposure to washing and drying. The hydraulic circuit of the machine of the invention comprises an injector bar (31) connected to a water inlet (not shown) and at least two independent pumps (32), one for each detergent. The hydraulic circuit is the means by which the liquid mixture of water and different detergents is projected under pressure from various points, covering the entire geometry of the personal protective equipment. As shown in the figures, the injector bar (31) is positioned within the rotational range of the drum wheel (21) of the rotating hanging system (2), so that the hangers (22) pass around the injector bar (31) as they rotate. As depicted, this injector bar (31) comprises a pipe (311) or conduit in which a plurality of nozzles are positioned, oriented in different directions. Specifically, the nozzles of the injector bar (31) are pressure nozzles (312) distributed along a pipe (311). Another detail of the invention is that the connection of the hydraulic circuit with the water inlet also comprises a water mixer for supplying hot water to the circuit. Each of the independent pumps (32) for dosing each detergent allows for precise control of the detergent dosage in the water mixture for cleaning and disinfecting the personal protective equipment being treated, thus preventing damage to the materials. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic circuit consists of two independent pumps (32). As previously mentioned and illustrated in the figures, the machine of the invention also comprises a drying system (4) that draws hot air from the heater into the drying area. This drying system (4) includes a heat pump (41) located in an upper section of the machine's enclosure (1) that introduces hot air into the interior; fans (42) positioned at lateral and upper points of the upper section of the enclosure (1); and nozzles (43) positioned opposite the fans (42), thus utilizing the hot air from the heater. Furthermore, the electromechanical components are housed in a side compartment (12) located in the body of the enclosure (1). Finally, another detail of the invention, as shown in the figures, is that the machine may include a rotating basket (5) located at the bottom of the enclosure (1), which rotates in unison with the movement of the drum wheel (21) or carousel of the rotating hanging system (2). This rotating basket (5) comprises a flat base support (51) where personal protective equipment accessories such as gloves, helmets, balaclavas, boots, or similar items can be placed; and vertical rods (52) that connect the base support (51) to the drum wheel of the rotating hanging system (2).

Claims

1. A machine for cleaning, disinfecting, and drying personal protective equipment, characterized in that it comprises a watertight and operable enclosure (1) comprising inside: - a rotating hanging system (2) located at an upper point of the enclosure (1) and comprising a motorized drum wheel (21) comprising a plurality of cavities (211) distributed over its surface and a plurality of peripheral spherical openings (212),where in each of these spherical openings (212) a hanger (22) is secured at the bottom, which is interchangeable by mechanical fastening means (225) and where it secures a garment of the personal protective equipment by means of a clip (223) with a spring (224); - a hydraulic circuit comprising an injector bar (31) connected to a water inlet and with at least two independent pumps (32), one for each detergent; where the injector bar (31) comprises a pipe (311) where a plurality of nozzles are positioned, which are oriented in different directions and which project a liquid mixture of water and detergents into the interior of the housing (1); and - a drying system (4) comprising a heat pump (41) located in an upper closure of the housing (1) of the machine, which introduces hot air into the interior of the housing (1), fans (42) located at lateral points of the upper closure of the housing (1),and nozzles (43) positioned at points facing the fans (42).

2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamp (223) with a spring (224) is located at an upper point of the hanger (22).

3. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the hanger (22) comprises lateral shoulder supports (221) and parallel vertical profiles (222).

4. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzles of the injector bar (31) are pressure nozzles (312).

5. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rotating basket (5) comprising a flat base support (51) and vertical rods (52) connecting the base support (51) to the drum wheel of the rotating hanging system (2).