Liquid mixing piping

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid mixing piping system that improves work efficiency and allows for easy and simple mixing of liquids. [Solution] The first suction section 30b and the second suction section 30c are provided such that the first suction port 30b1 and the second suction port 30c1 are at the same height position P1. The first tube TU1 is connected to the first suction section 30b and also to the first tank TA1. Furthermore, the second tube TU2 is connected to the second suction section 30c and also to the second tank TA2. In this state, the piping body 2 is configured to mix the first liquid E1 drawn in by the liquid suction section 3 and the second liquid E2 drawn in by the liquid suction section 3 and discharge them.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid mixing pipe.

Background Art

[0002] In the pipes and tubes of the devices in an artificial dialysis system, protein components, urea toxins, etc. dialyzed from the patient's blood adhere every time of treatment. Therefore, if these deposits are not sufficiently removed, there is a risk of causing serious symptoms such as fever, anaphylactic shock, and infectious diseases to the patients who will receive treatment with the same dialysis device next. Therefore, the pipes and tubes of the devices in the artificial dialysis system are cleaned and disinfected using chemicals such as RO water and sodium hypochlorite. Note that the chemical solution after such cleaning and disinfection is drained into the sewage.

[0003] By the way, since the pH of sodium hypochlorite during use is 9 or more, if it is directly drained into the sewage, it will deviate from the pH standard value (exceeding pH 5 and less than 9) defined by the Sewage Law. Therefore, the drainage containing sodium hypochlorite needs to be neutralized with a neutralization device or the like to be within the drainage standard value before being drained.

[0004] However, in facilities such as clinics, it may be difficult to install a neutralization device due to space and equipment constraints.

[0005] Therefore, in order to solve such problems, a technique has been proposed in which a pH buffer solution or an acidic solution is added to sodium hypochlorite to adjust the pH of sodium hypochlorite to less than pH 9 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Therefore, by using such a technique, the pH of sodium hypochlorite can be adjusted to less than pH 9 in advance. Thus, if the pipes and tubes of the devices in the artificial dialysis system are cleaned and disinfected using sodium hypochlorite adjusted to less than pH 9 in this way, it is possible to drain the water while satisfying the pH standard value defined by the Sewage Law without installing a neutralization device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-091829 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, when the pH of sodium hypochlorite is reduced to below pH 9 using the techniques described above, the available chlorine, which is the cleaning and disinfecting component, deteriorates and decreases rapidly. Therefore, when cleaning and disinfecting the piping and tubes of the equipment in the hemodialysis system, it is necessary to manually adjust the pH of sodium hypochlorite to below pH 9 each time (between the end of treatment for one patient and the start of treatment for the next patient, and again after all treatments for the day have been completed), by mixing sodium hypochlorite with pH buffer or acidic solution, which presents a problem as the work is extremely cumbersome.

[0008] Furthermore, incorrect mixing ratios can result in an improper pH, affect cleaning and disinfecting properties, and pose a risk of generating toxic chlorine gas, making the liquid mixing process extremely difficult.

[0009] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a liquid mixing pipe that can improve workability and allows for easy and simple mixing of liquids. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The object of the present invention described above is achieved by the following means. The reference numerals in parentheses indicate the embodiments described later, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0011] The liquid mixing piping according to claim 1 comprises a piping body (2) and The pipe body (2) has a liquid suction portion (3) provided at one end (upper part 2a), The liquid suction section (3) is It is connected to the first tank (TA1) where the first liquid (E1) is stored via the first connecting pipe (first tube TU1), and to the second tank (TA2) where the second liquid (E2) is stored via the second connecting pipe (second tube TU2). The liquid suction section (3) is provided with a first suction section (30b) to which the first connecting pipe (first tube TU1) is connected, and a second suction section (30c) to which the second connecting pipe (second tube TU2) is connected. The first suction section (30b) is provided with a first suction port (30b1), The second suction section (30c) is provided with a second suction port (30c1), The first suction section (30b) and the second suction section (30c) are provided such that the first suction port (30b1) and the second suction port (30c1) are at the same height position (P1). The aforementioned first connecting pipe (first tube TU1) is, It is connected to the first suction section (30b) and also to the first tank (TA1), The second connecting tube (second tube TU2) is, It is connected to the second suction section (30c) and also to the second tank (TA2), The aforementioned piping body (2) is, The device is characterized by mixing the first liquid (E1) sucked in by the liquid suction section (3) with the second liquid (E2) sucked in by the liquid suction section (3) and then discharging the mixture.

[0012] The liquid mixing pipe according to claim 2 is the liquid mixing pipe (1) described in claim 1 above, The diameter (D1) of the liquid suction portion (3) is, The liquid suction section (3) is characterized by having a diameter such that the first liquid (E1) sucked in by the liquid suction section (3) does not move to the second tank (TA2), or the second liquid (E2) sucked in by the liquid suction section (3) does not move to the first tank (TA1).

[0013] The liquid mixing pipe according to claim 3 is a liquid mixing pipe (1) according to claim 1 or 2 above, The other end (lower part 2b) of the aforementioned piping body (2) is provided with a grounding portion (4), The ground contact portion (4) is characterized by being able to make contact with a predetermined ground surface (for example, the base surface Wa of the wagon W). [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] Next, the effects of the present invention will be described with reference to the reference numerals in the drawings. Note that the reference numerals in parentheses are those of embodiments described later, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 1, the first suction section (30b) and the second suction section (30c) are provided such that the first suction port (30b1) and the second suction port (30c1) are at the same height position (P1). The first connecting pipe (first tube TU1) is connected to the first suction section (30b) and also to the first tank (TA1). Furthermore, the second connecting pipe (second tube TU2) is connected to the second suction section (30c) and also to the second tank (TA2). In this state, the first liquid (E1) drawn in by the liquid suction section (3) and the second liquid (E2) drawn in by the liquid suction section (3) are mixed in the main piping body (2) and discharged. This eliminates the need to manually mix sodium hypochlorite with pH buffer or acidic solution as in the conventional method, as the first liquid (E1) and the second liquid (E2) are drawn in equal amounts and mixed automatically. Therefore, tasks such as measuring and mixing liquids are eliminated, reducing the risk of operational errors. Furthermore, unlike conventional methods, mixing can be done immediately before use, minimizing the degradation of the cleaning and disinfecting component known as available chlorine.

[0016] Therefore, according to the present invention, workability can be improved and liquids can be mixed easily and simply.

[0017] According to the invention according to claim 2, backflow of the first liquid (E1) and / or the second liquid (E2) can be prevented from occurring.

[0018] According to the invention according to claim 3, the position of the liquid mixing pipe (1) can be stabilized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view seen from the front side of the liquid mixing pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view seen from the front side for explaining an example of use of the liquid mixing pipe according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] (a) is an enlarged view of the liquid suction part side shown in FIG. 2, and (b) is an enlarged view of the grounding part side shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory view for explaining an example of use of the liquid mixing pipe according to the same embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, the liquid mixing pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when indicating the up-down, left-right directions, it refers to the up-down, left-right as seen from the front shown in the drawing.

[0021] <Schematic Explanation of Liquid Mixing Pipe> The liquid mixing pipe according to the present embodiment can improve workability and can easily mix liquids. Specifically described, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid mixing pipe 1 is mainly composed of a pipe body 2, a liquid suction part 3, and a grounding part 4. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

[0022] <Explanation of Pipe Body> As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe body 2 is formed in a vertically long cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and the inside is hollow. For example, it is formed of a transparent resin such as polyvinyl chloride so that the inside can be visually recognized.

[0023] Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the pipe body 2 configured as described above has a liquid suction section 3 connected to the upper part 2a of the pipe body 2, and a grounding section 4 connected to the lower part 2b of the pipe body 2.

[0024] <Explanation of the liquid intake section> The liquid suction section 3 is made of, for example, an opaque resin, and as shown in Figure 1, it consists of a connecting section 30 and a connecting mechanism 31. The connecting section 30 has a cylindrical connecting body 30a with a hollow interior, as shown in Figure 1. A first suction section 30b is integrally provided on the left side 30a1 of the connecting body 30a, protruding outward, as shown in Figure 1. This first suction section 30b is hollow inside, formed in a roughly conical shape as shown in Figure 1, and is integrally provided on the connecting body 30a, sloping downwards towards the lower left in the diagram. Also, as shown in Figure 1, a first suction port 30b1 is provided at the tip of the first suction section 30b. The interior of the first suction section 30b and the interior of the connecting body 30a are in communication.

[0025] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, a second suction portion 30c is integrally provided on the central part of the right side surface 30a2 of the connecting body 30a, protruding outward. This second suction portion 30c is hollow inside, formed in a nearly conical shape as shown in Figure 1, and is integrally provided on the connecting body 30a, sloping downwards towards the lower right in the figure. Also, as shown in Figure 1, a second suction port 30c1 is provided at the tip of the second suction portion 30c. The inside of the second suction portion 30c and the inside of the connecting body 30a are in communication. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the diameter D1 of the connecting body 30a is set to 20 mm or more. The reason why the diameter D1 is set to 20 mm or more will be explained later.

[0026] On the other hand, the connecting mechanism 31 consists of a union joint with a hollow interior, and as shown in Figure 1, it connects the upper part 2a of the pipe body 2 to the connecting part 30. This connection allows the inside of the connecting part 30 to communicate with the inside of the pipe body 2.

[0027] <Explanation of the grounding point> The grounding section 4 is made of, for example, an opaque resin, and as shown in Figure 1, consists of a grounding body 40 and a supply section 41. The grounding body 40 is hollow inside and is formed in an inclined L-shape as shown in Figure 1, with the upper part 40a of the grounding body 40 connected to the lower part 2b of the piping body 2. Also, as shown in Figure 1, the supply section 41 is integrally provided on the right part 40b of the grounding body 40. The supply section 41 is hollow inside and is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 1, and is integrally provided on the right part 40b of the grounding body 40 so that the inside of the supply section 41 and the inside of the grounding body 40 are in communication.

[0028] The above explanation concerns the configuration of the liquid mixing piping 1.

[0029] <Explanation of liquid mixing piping usage examples> Next, we will describe an example of how to use the liquid mixing piping 1 configured as described above.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2 are placed on the base Wa of the wagon W. The first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2 store liquids used for cleaning and disinfecting the dialysis line of an artificial dialysis machine (not shown). Specifically, the first tank TA1 stores, for example, sodium hypochlorite, and the second tank TA2 stores, for example, a pH buffer solution or an acidic solution. Note that the specific gravities of the liquid stored in the first tank TA1 and the liquid stored in the second tank TA2 are different.

[0031] Thus, as shown in Figure 2, a liquid mixing pipe 1 is installed near the first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the liquid mixing pipe 1 is installed upright on the base Wa of the wagon W. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), a first tube TU1, made of, for example, a silicone tube or an olefin tube, is connected to the first suction section 30b of the liquid suction section 3 of the liquid mixing pipe 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), this first tube TU1 slopes downward from the first suction section 30b and is also connected to the U-shaped pipe TA1a of the first tank TA1. As a result, the inside of the first suction section 30b and the inside of the first tank TA1 are in communication via the first tube TU1.

[0032] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), a second tube TU2, made of, for example, a silicone tube or an olefin tube, is connected to the second suction section 30c of the liquid suction section 3 of the liquid mixing pipe 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), this second tube TU2 slopes downward from the second suction section 30c and is also connected to the U-shaped pipe TA2a of the second tank TA2. As a result, the inside of the second suction section 30c and the inside of the second tank TA2 are in communication via the second tube TU2.

[0033] By the way, as shown in Figure 3(a), the connecting mechanism 31 of the liquid suction section 3 of the liquid mixing pipe 1 can be rotated in the direction of arrow Y1 to loosen the connection between the pipe body 2 and the connecting section 30. As a result, the connecting section 30 can be rotated, so as shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), the orientation of the first suction section 30b of the liquid suction section 3 of the liquid mixing pipe 1 can be aligned with the U-shaped pipe TA1a of the first tank TA1, and the orientation of the second suction section 30c of the liquid suction section 3 of the liquid mixing pipe 1 can be aligned with the U-shaped pipe TA2a of the second tank TA2. Therefore, this makes it easy to connect the first tube TU1 and the second tube TU2.

[0034] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), the grounding body 40 of the grounding section 4 of the liquid mixing pipe 1 is grounded to the base Wa surface of the wagon W. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), a third tube TU3, which is made of, for example, a silicone tube or an olefin tube, is connected to the supply section 41 of the grounding section 4 of the liquid mixing pipe 1. This third tube TU3 is connected to an artificial dialysis machine (not shown).

[0035] Thus, as described above, after installing the liquid mixing pipe 1 near the first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2 as shown in Figure 2, the first liquid E1 is injected into the first tank TA1 and the second liquid E2 is injected into the second tank TA2 as shown in Figure 4. The first liquid E1 is sodium hypochlorite injected and stored in the first tank TA1, and the second liquid E2 is pH buffer solution injected and stored in the second tank TA2. It is preferable that the volumes of the first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2 are the same.

[0036] Thus, in this state, when suction is started by the metering pump of the artificial dialysis machine (not shown), the first liquid E1 stored in the first tank TA1 shown in Figure 4 is drawn up by the suction through the first tube TU1. The first liquid E1 drawn up by the first tube TU1 then flows into the main piping body 2 through the first suction section 30b and connecting body 30a shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, the second liquid E2 stored in the second tank TA2 shown in Figure 4 is drawn up by the suction through the second tube TU2. The second liquid E2 drawn up by the second tube TU2 then flows into the main piping body 2 through the second suction section 30c and connecting body 30a shown in Figure 4. As a result, the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 are mixed within the main piping body 2.

[0037] Incidentally, the mixed first liquid E1 and second liquid E2 have a pH of less than 9. In this mixing, since the specific gravity of the first liquid E1 in this embodiment is 1.135 and the specific gravity of the second liquid E2 in this embodiment is 1.105, the liquid level heights shown in Figure 4 are made different to take this difference in specific gravity into account. That is, in this embodiment, assuming that the volumes of the first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2 are the same, the amounts of the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 added are not the same but different (for example, 10L of the first liquid E1 and 9.3L of the second liquid E2 are added). This makes the volume ratio of the mixed first liquid E1 and second liquid E2 1:1.02~1.03, so that the mixed first liquid E1 and second liquid E2 have a pH of less than 9. The above amounts of added liquids were determined in advance by experiment.

[0038] Thus, the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2, mixed in this manner, are discharged from the supply unit 41 shown in Figure 4 and supplied to an artificial dialysis machine (not shown) through the third tube TU3 shown in Figures 2 and 3(b).

[0039] Therefore, this method eliminates the need to manually mix sodium hypochlorite with pH buffer or acid solution, as was done in the past. Instead, it is simply a matter of injecting a predetermined amount of liquid E1 into the first tank TA1 and a predetermined amount of liquid E2 into the second tank TA2. Thus, the operation becomes extremely simple.

[0040] Furthermore, by following the above procedure, the mixture is automatically handled after the injection process, eliminating the need for measuring and mixing liquids, thus reducing the risk of errors. Moreover, unlike conventional methods, mixing can be done immediately before use, minimizing the degradation of the cleaning and disinfecting component known as available chlorine.

[0041] Therefore, according to this embodiment, workability can be improved, and liquids can be mixed easily and simply.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the first suction section 30b and the second suction section 30c are installed above the liquid level of the first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2 when full, so that the same amount of the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 are drawn up. In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the position P1 of the first suction port 30b1 of the first suction section 30b and the position P1 of the second suction port 30c1 of the second suction section 30c are at the same height. As a result, in this embodiment, the same amount of the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 are drawn up. Furthermore, in addition to the above, there are the following advantages.

[0043] In other words, when the first liquid E1 rises to the first suction port 30b1 of the first suction section 30b, and the second liquid E2 rises to the second suction port 30c1 of the second suction section 30c, there is a difference in the liquid level of the first liquid E1 stored in the first tank TA1 and the liquid level of the second liquid E2 stored in the second tank TA2. Therefore, following the principle of siphon, where liquid flows from a higher place to a lower place, there is a possibility that the first liquid E1 will flow into the second tank TA2 via the second suction section 30c, or that the second liquid E2 will flow into the first tank TA1 via the first suction section 30b.

[0044] Therefore, to prevent the above-mentioned inflow from occurring, it is conceivable to install check valves on the first suction section 30b side and the second suction section 30c side.

[0045] However, if a check valve is installed, the pressure loss difference of the check valve may prevent the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 from being drawn up in equal amounts.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the above-mentioned inflow from occurring even without a check valve, the first suction section 30b and the second suction section 30c are installed so as to be above the liquid level when the first tank TA1 and the second tank TA2 are full, and furthermore, the positions P1 of the first suction port 30b1 of the first suction section 30b and the second suction port 30c1 of the second suction section 30c are at the same height.

[0047] Therefore, by doing so, it becomes possible to draw up equal amounts of the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 in a way that prevents the aforementioned inflow from occurring.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the diameter D1 (see Figure 1) of the liquid suction section 3 (connecting body 30a) is set to 20 mm or more. This is for the following reasons.

[0049] If the diameter D1 of the liquid suction section 3 (connecting body 30a) is small (less than 20 mm), the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 may accumulate in the piping body 2, potentially causing the first liquid E1 to flow into the second tank TA2 via the second suction section 30c, or the second liquid E2 to flow into the first tank TA1 via the first suction section 30b.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, the diameter D1 (see Figure 1) of the liquid suction section 3 (connecting body 30a) is set to 20 mm or more to prevent the above-mentioned situation from occurring. As explained above, it is conceivable to provide a check valve to prevent the above-mentioned situation from occurring, but for the reasons explained above, a check valve is not provided in this embodiment.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), the grounding body 40 of the grounding part 4 is grounded to the base Wa surface of the wagon W for the following reasons.

[0052] In other words, if the grounding body 40 of the grounding part 4 is not in contact with the base Wa surface of the wagon W, the position of the liquid mixing pipe 1 shown in Figure 2 will not be stable. Therefore, when the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 are drawn up, the liquid mixing pipe 1 shown in Figure 2 may move up and down. As a result, it may not be possible to draw up equal amounts of the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2, and consequently, the volume ratio of the mixed first liquid E1 and second liquid E2 may differ from what was expected.

[0053] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to stabilize the position of the liquid mixing pipe 1 shown in Figure 2, the grounding body 40 of the grounding part 4 is grounded to the base Wa surface of the wagon W.

[0054] <Explanation of variations> It should be noted that the shapes shown in this embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. For example, the shapes of the piping body 2, liquid suction part 3, and grounding part 4 exemplified in this embodiment are merely examples and can be changed to various shapes. For example, in this embodiment, the first liquid E1 and the second liquid E2 are exemplified as having different specific gravities, but they are not limited to this, and may have the same specific gravity.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the first suction section 30b and the second suction section 30c are tilted downwards, but they do not necessarily have to be tilted downwards.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the first tube TU1 is connected to the U-shaped pipe TA1a of the first tank TA1 by sloping downwards from the first suction section 30b, and the second tube TU2 is connected to the U-shaped pipe TA2a of the second tank TA2 by sloping downwards from the second suction section 30c. However, it is not necessary to connect them by sloping downwards. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1 Liquid mixing pipe 2. Piping body 2a Upper part (one end) 2b Lower part (other end) 3. Liquid suction section 30b First suction section 30b1 First suction port 30c Second suction section 30c1 Second Inlet 4 Grounding part TA1 Tank No. 1 TA2 Tank No. 2 E1 1st liquid E2 2nd liquid TU1 First tube (first connecting tube) TU2 Second tube (second connecting tube) D1 diameter P1 position W Wagon Wa base

Claims

1. The main piping unit and The pipe body has a liquid suction portion provided at one end, The liquid suction section is, It is connected to a first tank where the first liquid is stored via a first connecting pipe, and to a second tank where the second liquid is stored via a second connecting pipe. The liquid suction section is provided with a first suction section to which the first connecting pipe is connected, and a second suction section to which the second connecting pipe is connected. The first suction section is provided with a first suction port, The second suction section is provided with a second suction port. The first suction section and the second suction section are provided such that the first suction port and the second suction port are at the same height. The first connecting pipe is, It is connected to the first suction section and also to the first tank, The second connecting pipe is, It is connected to the second suction section and also to the second tank, The aforementioned piping body is A liquid mixing pipe comprising a first liquid drawn in by the liquid suction section and a second liquid drawn in by the liquid suction section, which are mixed and discharged.

2. The diameter of the liquid suction section is, The liquid mixing pipe according to claim 1, wherein the pipe has a diameter such that the first liquid sucked in at the liquid suction section does not move to the second tank, or the second liquid sucked in at the liquid suction section does not move to the first tank.

3. The other end of the aforementioned piping body is provided with a grounding portion. The liquid mixing pipe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grounding portion is capable of being grounded to a predetermined ground.

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