Method for disposing of containers for human waste

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for treating at least one container (112) for human waste, said method comprising the following steps: a. at least one draining step, comprising emptying the contents of the container from inside at least one cleaning chamber (114) into at least one drain (116), said drain (116) having at least one odor trap (118), b. at least one cleaning step, comprising impinging at least one cleaning liquid on said container (112) in said cleaning chamber (114), and c. at least one disinfecting step, comprising at least one mixing of at least two reactive components to produce at least one disinfectant and impinging said disinfectant on said container (112). The present invention also relates to a cleaning and disinfecting device (110) for treating at least one container (112) for human waste.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for treating at least one container for human waste and to a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for treating at least one container for human waste, such as for example used in hospitals or care settings for cleaning containers such as toilet bowls, urinals, chamber pots, cesspits, wash basins, commode pans, measuring cups and other containers suitable for holding human or animal waste, in particular having a volume of at least 100 ml, in particular at least 500 ml or even at least 1000 ml, for example 1000-5000 ml. [Background technology]

[0002] A large number of washing devices and cleaning methods for treating containers for human waste are known from the prior art. The containers to be cleaned may usually contain a relatively large amount of liquid or solid waste that must be disposed of during cleaning. Conventional dishwashers are therefore generally not suitable for cleaning such containers. Moreover, such containers may contain infectious waste or be contaminated in other ways, and therefore, in addition to emptying, usually also require disinfection. Such washing devices for treating containers for human waste are therefore also usually called multiple washer-disinfectors. Besides the above-mentioned containers, they are also basically suitable for cleaning other medical items, such as those used in hospitals or elderly care facilities. Usually, however, the multiple items to be cleaned include urinals, toilets, urinary basins, washbasins, or similar containers, the cleaning of which may require the disposal of a relatively large amount of waste.

[0003] Examples of washer-disinfecting apparatuses are shown in DE 103 48 344 A1 or else in WO 2013 / 037723 A1. Essentially, the configurations of the washer-disinfecting apparatuses disclosed there may be referred to as examples in the context of the present invention, and the washer-disinfecting apparatuses shown can be used in modified and / or enhanced form in the context of the present invention. Essentially, however, other configurations are also possible. Thus, for example, the washer-disinfecting apparatus disclosed in DE 103 48 344 A1 comprises an apparatus for recooling the articles to be cleaned. The articles to be cleaned are rinsed in a chamber, followed by a pre-cleaning washing step. The articles to be cleaned contained in said chamber are then final-cleaned with water containing a rinse aid additive before carrying out a step of disinfecting the articles to be cleaned in the chamber by the introduction of steam into the chamber. With the door closed, air is forced into the chamber filled with steam, thus causing condensation of the steam within the chamber and also cooling and drying of the articles to be cleaned contained within the chamber.

[0004] In a washer-disinfecting apparatus, therefore, the articles to be cleaned are usually processed by executing a program that is usually stored in the controller of the washer-disinfecting apparatus. After the washer-disinfecting apparatus has been loaded, the user usually selects a cleaning program and starts it, usually by pressing a relevant button, for example, on a membrane keypad. In doing so, the user usually has to subjectively determine what type and / or degree of soil and / or microbial contamination is present on the articles to be cleaned. Here, however, it is basically the case that an incorrect selection of a cleaning program can lead to continued microbial contamination of the articles to be cleaned after processing.

[0005] Another technical problem in many washer-disinfectors is that, under certain conditions of microbial contamination, steam disinfection with steam is insufficient to ensure sufficient antimicrobial action against certain microorganisms. Basically, disinfectants may be added to the cleaning agent previously used for cleaning or said cleaning agent itself has an antimicrobial effect. However, it is desirable to ensure a more universal but nevertheless more reliable disinfection effect in washer-disinfectors. For example, microorganisms are known, especially in hospital and care home settings, that are not killed or are only insufficiently killed by conventional disinfection methods. In this regard, for example, the bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) can be mentioned. However, other microorganisms may also play a role in this respect. In particular, a sporicidal effect is usually not possible or not completely realizable by known methods. It is therefore desirable to provide not only destructive cleaning with a cleaning fluid, but also an effective method component with a sporicidal effect in order to inactivate any spores that may remain on the items to be washed.

[0006] Moreover, a technical challenge is that many chemical disinfectants are difficult to handle in practice: they can be, for example, highly aggressive, corrosive, flammable, or unstable, depending on the nature of the disinfection.

[0007] Basically, disinfectants and disinfection methods in many different variations are known from other fields of science and technology.By way of example only, reference is made to WO 2019 / 219220 and WO 2019 / 219959, which disclose and disinfection methods in which disinfectants are formed in situ.The disinfection methods disclosed therein are used in particular in the fields of skin disinfection, packaging disinfection, and endoscopic tube disinfection.

[0008] US Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0058053 discloses a toilet assembly with various embodiments of a cleaning system. The toilet assembly has a toilet bowl, a toilet tank, a flush valve, a rim inlet port, and a rim flow path extending from an outlet of the flush valve to the rim inlet port. The cleaning system has a reservoir for holding a liquid cleaning agent having an outlet port in fluid communication with an interior of the reservoir, and a housing for receiving the reservoir. The cleaning system further has a supply conduit in fluid communication with an interior of the reservoir, a flow control device capable of controlling flow through the supply conduit, and a control system operable by an actuator function. Upon actuation of the actuator function, the control system is configured to initiate a clean cycle by actuating the flow control device for a first period of time sufficient to deliver a dose of liquid cleaning agent from a supply conduit to an interior of the flush valve in a closed position, the flush valve positioned for delivery of fluid to the rim inlet port, and further actuating the flush valve to open the flush valve to introduce flush water to carry the dose of liquid cleaning agent through the rim inlet port into the toilet bowl.

[0009] WO 2019 / 036828 discloses a steam cleaning water closet comprising a water closet, a toilet tank and a toilet cover. A water tank and a steam generator tank are provided in the water closet and separate from the water tank. A steam generator is provided in the steam generator tank and comprises a water inlet tank, a heating pipe, a steam tank and a control assembly. A water supply pipe is provided on the water inlet tank and a steam outlet pipe is provided on the steam tank. A toilet rim at the top of the toilet body of the water closet is provided with a steam inlet pipe for circulating steam from the steam outlet pipe in a steam circulation conduit.

[0010] US Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0260728 discloses a toilet apparatus for providing an intelligent bidet dispensing system. Dynamic dispensing is disclosed that is responsive to bidet wand position, type of substance dispensed, user preference, user gender, and user identity. Cleansers, surfactants, moisturizers, medicines, deodorants, and fragrances are dispensed to the user via the bidet wand and stored in a reservoir housed within the tank area of ​​the toilet. In other embodiments, reporting the amount of reservoir substance is automated. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In view of the above-mentioned technical problems of conventional cleaning and disinfecting apparatuses, it is therefore desirable to provide a method for treating at least one container for human waste and a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for treating at least one container for human waste, which avoids, at least to a large extent, the drawbacks of known apparatuses and methods of the aforementioned type, in particular with the intention of achieving a disinfecting effect that is simple, universal and, at least to a large extent, independent of the experience of the operator, while being safe.

[0012] This object is addressed by a method for treating at least one container for human waste and a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for treating at least one container for human waste with the features of the independent claims. Several advantageous developments, which can be embodied individually or in any desired combination, are set out in the dependent claims.

[0013] In the following text, the terms "show", "have", "comprise" or "include", or any grammatical deviation therefrom, are used non-exclusively. These terms may thus express a situation in which no further features are present, or in which one or more further features are present, other than the features introduced by these terms. For example, the expressions "A shows B", "A has B", "A comprises B" or "A includes B" may express a situation in which no further components are present in A other than B (i.e., A consists exclusively of B), or in which, in addition to B, one or more further components are present in A, for example component C, components C and D, or further components as well.

[0014] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "at least one," "one or more," and grammatical modifications of these terms, when they are used in connection with one or more components or features and are intended to express that said components or features may be included one or more times, are generally used only once, for example, when said feature or component is first introduced. When said component or feature is subsequently referred to again, the corresponding terms "at least one" or "one or more" are generally not used further, but this does not exclude the possibility that said feature or component may be comprised one or more times.

[0015] Furthermore, in the following text, the terms "preferably", "particularly", "for example" or similar terms are used together with optional features, and alternative embodiments are not limited thereby. In this respect, the features introduced by these terms are optional features, and the scope of protection of the claims, in particular the independent claims, is not intended to be limited thereby. In this respect, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the invention can also be implemented using other configurations. In a similar manner, the features introduced by "one embodiment of the invention" or by "exemplary embodiment of the invention" are to be understood as optional features, and alternative configurations or the scope of protection of the independent claims are not intended to be limited thereby. Furthermore, by these introductory expressions, all possible ways of combining the introduced features with other features, whether they are optional or non-optional features, are intended to remain unaffected by these introductory expressions.

[0016] In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for treating at least one container for human waste is proposed. The method is described in more detail below and comprises the steps specified, which may preferably be performed in the order described. In principle, however, different orders are also possible. Furthermore, it is possible for two or more of the described method steps to be performed simultaneously or overlapping in time. Furthermore, one or more or all of the described method steps may be performed individually or otherwise in groups, once or several times. Furthermore, the method may comprise further method steps not described.

[0017] The above method is as follows: a. at least one draining step including draining contents of a container in at least one cleaning chamber into at least one drain, said drain comprising at least one odor trap; b. at least one cleaning step, comprising impinging at least one cleaning fluid onto said container at least once in said cleaning chamber; c. at least one disinfection step, comprising mixing at least two reactive components at least once to produce at least one disinfectant and impinging said disinfectant on said container; The method includes the steps of:

[0018] In general, the method may be carried out in at least one washer-disinfecting apparatus, in particular by one or more of the configurations described in more detail below. The term "wafer-disinfecting apparatus" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to an apparatus configured to process containers, including at least one cleaning and at least one disinfection. At least one cleaning and at least one disinfection may in particular be performed in separate program steps of a program sequence. For example, the method and / or washer-disinfecting apparatus may comprise or support a program in which at least one cleaning step and at least one disinfection step are provided as separate program steps. In particular, the washer-disinfecting apparatus may comprise or be configured or arranged as a toilet bowl cleaning apparatus.

[0019] The term "treatment" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to cleaning involving the impingement of at least one cleaning fluid with the container, as described in more detail below. The cleaning may in particular be configured such that it removes at least a large proportion of the adhering contamination from the container. Moreover, treatment includes not only cleaning but also disinfection.

[0020] The term "disinfection" and grammatical variations thereof as used herein are broad terms to be given their ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may relate specifically to microbial reduction. In general, disinfection involves the reduction of at least 10% of a specific test sample in a defined test method. -5 fold, i.e., for example, from an original population of 1,000,000 viable microorganisms, so-called colony forming units (CFU), the number of viable ones remaining is reduced to at least 10 -5 The disinfectant and antimicrobial effects may be tested, for example, by using standardized test methods and / or standardized CFU or test organisms, such as those described in European Standards CEN TC 216 WG1 and WG3.

[0021] For example, the disinfection effect can be checked and / or monitored, for example randomly. Alternatively or additionally, however, the conditions of the method may be monitored, for example by suitable sensors and / or controllers. The conditions of the method may be adjusted so that the desired disinfection effect is achieved. Thus, for example, the desired disinfection may be achieved by observing specific conditions selected from the group consisting of technical conditions, for example temperature profile, heat equivalent, concentration of chemically active components, and duration of action. For example, the technical conditions for achieving the disinfection effect may be standardized in standards that prescribe minimum standards and test methods, for example for specific equipment groups and / or specific applications.

[0022] Microbial reduction beyond disinfection is also called sterilization. Sterilization requires at least 10 -6 A microbial reduction of 0.1% is usually required.

[0023] For example, microbial reduction may be achieved by heat treatment of at least one container, and / or by chemical treatment, such as by treatment with at least one disinfectant, such as a disinfectant liquid compound, a disinfectant gas, and / or a disinfectant gas, such as steam. Disinfection may optionally lead to sterilization of the container.

[0024] The term "container for human waste" as used herein is likewise a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by the skilled person. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to a container having at least one receiving area, e.g. a cavity or recess, capable of receiving a relatively large amount of human or otherwise animal waste, e.g. at least 50 ml, in particular at least 100 ml, preferably at least 200 ml, or even at least 500 ml or at least 1000 ml. For example, a maximum amount in the range of 100 ml to 5 1, e.g. 1000 ml to 5000 ml, may be receivable. In addition to the at least one receiving area, e.g. at least one cavity, the container may also have at least one opening. The opening may be present from the beginning and / or may be created later. Moreover, the at least one opening may also be made during and / or before the process, for example by mechanically opening the container and / or by cutting and / or tearing the container as part of the proposed method. Moreover, said opening may be configured to be opened and / or closed reversibly or irreversibly. The container may have at least one container wall that may be rigid or otherwise deformable, in particular flexible. Thus, the container may for example comprise a vessel having a rigid container wall, for example made of one or more of the materials glass, plastic, ceramic and metal. Alternatively or additionally, the container may have at least one deformable container wall, for example at least one film bag, in particular made of a plastic material. Thus, the container for human waste may take the form of an initially closed container, for example in the shape of a film bag, entirely or partially. In general, the container may for example be selected from the group consisting of a urinal; a bedpan; a urine bag; a cistern; a commode pan; a measuring cup.

[0025] As described above, the method first comprises in method step a discharging the contents of at least one cleaning chamber, for example a cleaning chamber of a washer-disinfector, into at least one drain, for example a drain of a washer-disinfector. Here, discharging can be effected in particular by changing the position and / or orientation of the container, for example by tilting the contents of the container completely or partially into the drain. As will be explained later, the change of position and / or orientation can be effected as a result of the attachment of the container, for example to a swivellable washer-disinfector door, so that a change of position occurs by pivoting. Discharging can therefore be effected by the self-weight of the contents of the container. Alternatively or additionally, different types of changes of orientation are also possible, for example by a separate pivoting device. The contents can be discharged, for example, via an opening in the contents. Alternatively or additionally, different arrangements can be provided as described above, for example for opening the bag, in particular an automatic opening. In this case, a change of position is not essentially necessary, but may nevertheless be effected.

[0026] The term "cleaning chamber" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to a fully or partially closed chamber into which a container can be introduced and in which the processing of the container, or part of the processing, takes place. In particular, the washer-disinfector may be a single-chamber washer and all processing steps take place in the same cleaning chamber. Thus, what takes place in the cleaning chamber is the impingement of the cleaning fluid and, optionally, the disinfection of the container and / or the emptying of the container. For example, the washer-disinfector may be configured to carry out at least one cleaning program including at least one of the above-mentioned method steps. The cleaning chamber may in particular be fully closed and may have at least one door, for example, as described in more detail below.

[0027] As mentioned above, the contents of the container in the at least one cleaning chamber are drained into at least one drain. The term "drain" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to an apparatus configured to provide liquid waste for disposal. In particular, the drain may comprise at least one opening in the floor area of ​​the cleaning chamber. Furthermore, the drain may comprise at least one drain pipe connected to said opening. The drain pipe may have an opening, for example, at an opening in the floor of the cleaning chamber. The opening may in particular be open so that the contents of the container can flow into the drain without obstruction and simply by its own weight. For example, the cleaning chamber in the floor area may extend at least partially funnel-shaped or inclined towards the drain. The drain may for example be directly or indirectly connected to a building waste system and / or a wastewater system. The drain, in particular the drain pipe, may in particular have a cross section of at least 30 mm, in particular at least 50 mm, particularly preferably at least 70 mm, or even at least 100 mm. In this way, the above-mentioned amounts of liquid can be disposed of through the drain.

[0028] As mentioned above, the drain comprises at least one odor trap. The term "odor trap" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to a device configured to keep gas from at least one drain pipe in a direction away from the interior of the cleaning chamber. For example, the odor trap may comprise at least one siphon bend. The washer-disinfecting device may in particular be configured to drain the container into the drain in a cleaning program. As mentioned above, in a cleaning program, the draining may include draining automatically and / or draining, for example, during introduction of the container into the cleaning chamber, for example, during closing of the door, for example, connecting a mount for the container to the door and pivoting during closing of the door. Closing of the door may be fully or partially driven by a drive, for example by a motor, a mechanism, hydraulic or pneumatic, and / or fully or partially driven by human power. The contents of the vessel may flow away through the drain, and the odor trap may at least partially prevent gases or vapors from the drain from flowing back into the cleaning chamber.

[0029] As mentioned above, method step b. comprises impinging at least one cleaning liquid on the container in the cleaning chamber, in particular at least one washing step in which collision with at least one surface of the container occurs. A washing step can therefore be generally understood to mean the action of contacting the container with at least one cleaning fluid in the form of a cleaning liquid. Thus, as a generic term, the term "cleaning liquid" used herein is a broad term to be given its usual and ordinary meaning as understood by the skilled person. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term can relate in particular to a liquid and / or gas having a cleaning effect on the container, for example by the cleaning fluid washing off adhering contaminants from at least one surface of the container. This can be at least one outer surface of the container and / or otherwise at least one inner surface, for example at least one inner surface inside at least one container, which can be impinged by at least one cleaning liquid, for example via at least one nozzle.

[0030] The cleaning fluid may in particular be an aqueous cleaning fluid, in which case water may be used, optionally with the addition of one or more cleaning agents and / or auxiliaries and / or disinfectants. Such cleaning fluids are basically known from the prior art. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may, for example, comprise at least one tank through which the cleaning fluid can be supplied to the impingement device. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may comprise one or more connections for supplying the cleaning fluid, for example a fresh water connection and / or a hot water connection, which may, for example, be connected to a building supply. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail below, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may comprise one or more steam generators for impingement of steam with the container. Furthermore, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may comprise one or more metering tanks in which the additives of the cleaning fluid may be stored, for example by mixing them with other components of the cleaning fluid in a metered manner, for example by metering into water. For example, one or more cleaning agent tanks and / or one or more auxiliary agent tanks and / or one or more disinfectant tanks may be provided in and / or on the washer-disinfector. As to the specific form of the cleaning fluid, the term "cleaning fluid" relates to a cleaning fluid in liquid form.

[0031] In particular, the impaction can be performed by at least one impaction device of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, as will be described in more detail below. For example, the impaction can be performed in the form of spraying the container with cleaning liquid and / or dripping and / or jetting the cleaning liquid onto the container. In particular, the impaction device can comprise at least one nozzle for generating at least one fluid jet, in particular at least one liquid jet, which impacts the container. For example, the impaction device can comprise at least one nozzle for spraying and / or jetting at least one or more jets of cleaning liquid onto the container from one or more spatial directions in a targeted manner.

[0032] As also mentioned above, the method includes at least one disinfection step in method step c. In at least one disinfection step, or in the case of multiple disinfection steps, in at least one of the multiple disinfection steps, mixing of at least two reactive components to generate at least one disinfectant is performed. Furthermore, collision of the disinfectant with a container, for example with at least one surface of the container, is performed. This may be the same at least one surface that may also be collided with in method step b., or at least one other surface. In this case, the surface may again be at least one outer surface of the container and / or at least one inner surface, for example at least one inner surface inside at least one container.

[0033] The term "reactive component" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may relate in particular to compounds configured to undergo a chemical reaction with each other, alone or under the influence of one or more additives, such as a catalyst. Thus, for example, a reactive component may include at least one component A and at least one component B that may react with each other as reactants, alone or under the influence of one or more additives, and may be capable of producing, for example, at least one component or compound AB or C as a product, and optionally also additional products or by-products. The reaction may be homogeneous or heterogeneous. The reaction may occur by itself when multiple reactants are brought into contact with each other, or it may require further initialization, such as chemical initialization, thermal initialization, photochemical initialization, or catalytic initialization. Thus, for example, the reaction may occur depending on whether certain environmental conditions are present or not. Said environmental conditions can be caused or determined, for example, by temperature, by pH, by the presence of one or more catalysts, or by other parameters, or by a combination of the aforementioned and / or other parameters. Thus, for example, the pH may be specifically set so that initially no reaction occurs, and then, for example, the pH may be adjusted so that the reaction can occur, for example, on the container. For example, the reactive components are mixed and applied to the container, and it is possible to mix before application, during application or after application, with the pH not causing a reaction. The pH may then be adjusted so that the reaction is initiated on the container, for example, by specific application of an acid and / or alkaline solution. Alternatively or additionally, it may be initiated by specific irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light, or in some other way. Again, this may alternatively or additionally be initiated, for example, by mechanical action, for example, by the action of ultrasound. Ultrasound may, for example, destroy or dissolve the separation, for example encapsulation, between the reactive components, and thus the action of ultrasound may bring the reactive components into contact and react.The reaction can be one-step or multi-step.

[0034] The term "disinfectant" used herein is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may relate to a compound, chemical, or otherwise a mixture of chemicals that has an antibacterial effect, in particular a disinfecting effect, or otherwise a sterilizing effect. In particular, a disinfectant may exhibit at least one effect selected from the group consisting of a sporicidal effect; a virucidal effect, in particular a complete virucidal effect; a fungicidal effect; a bactericidal effect. Furthermore, the disinfectant may have a destructive effect against at least one parasite selected from the group consisting of a plurality of unicellular human pathogen parasites, preferably Euglenozoa, Parabasalidea, Diplomonadida, Entamoebidae, Heterolobosea, or Alveolata, and a plurality of multicellular human pathogen parasites, preferably Platyhelminthes, Platyzoa, Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Annelida, Pentastomida, Arachnida, or Insecta.

[0035] As also mentioned above, method step c. involves at least one mixing of at least two reactive components. The term "mixing" used herein is a broad term that should be given its usual and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to the action of bringing at least two reactive components into contact with each other so that they can react with each other to produce disinfectant, either directly in one step or indirectly in multiple steps, either alone or under the influence of one or more auxiliary agents. Various possibilities are possible and will be described in more detail below.

[0036] Thus, the reactive components may be present, for example, in the same or different material states, and the reactive components may be mixed homogeneously or heterogeneously or have at least one common interface with each other after they are mixed. Thus, for example, when mixing the reactive components, a liquid may be generated that comprises the reactive components, in particular a liquid selected from a liquid mixture, a solution, a suspension, an emulsion or a dispersion, and the reactive components may further react immediately or after a time delay to form at least one disinfectant. The reactive components may be contacted with each other in a pure form. Alternatively, at least one of the reactive components may be incorporated in at least one auxiliary and / or carrier, for example in at least one solvent. The auxiliary or carrier, which may be used interchangeably, may be, for example, a solid, liquid or gas. The same carrier may be used for at least two reactive components, or different carriers may be used.

[0037] Thus, the mixing may, for example, comprise a plurality of reactive components, each in liquid form or contained in a liquid, that are brought into contact with each other or brought together, for example in a mixing chamber, mixing container, mixing vessel, pump, mixing section, and / or in a jet. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing may, however, comprise at least one of the plurality of reactive components, each in liquid form, that is introduced to at least another of the plurality of reactive components. Again, alternatively or additionally, the mixing may, for example, comprise at least one of the plurality of reactive components being applied to at least one surface, for example at least one container surface of a container, and then at least a second reactive component of the plurality of reactive components being applied to said surface, and / or said surface being exposed to an atmosphere, for example a gas or vapor atmosphere, that comprises at least a second reactive component of the plurality of reactive components. Again, alternatively or additionally, the mixing may, for example, comprise the plurality of reactive components being introduced into a cleaning chamber and / or being applied alternately to the container one or more times. Thus, as mentioned above, the mixing can take place inside or outside the cleaning chamber. As mentioned above, the mixing in the cleaning chamber can take place by alternate application of the reactive components to the container or in some other way. Again, alternatively or additionally, at least one carrier can be present, for example in solid form, wholly or partially, and at least one of the reactive components can be embedded in the carrier. For example, a tub made of a soluble carrier with at least two chambers in which the reactive components are present can be considered. Upon contact with at least one solvent, for example water, for example before or during impact with the container, the tub can then, for example, dissolve, and the reactive components can mix. Various possibilities are considered and are explained in more detail below.

[0038] As mentioned above, the container can be impacted by at least one disinfectant. As described in more detail below, this impact generally involves the container being contacted with at least one disinfectant on at least one surface, preferably over a large area. There are several possibilities for this, which are also described in more detail below. For example, the disinfectant itself may be applied to the container. Alternatively, at least one of the reactive components may be applied to the container, and a chemical reaction of the reactive components described above may occur on the container itself, in which at least one disinfectant is formed. Thus, at least one disinfectant may be generated in whole or in part in a space different from the container, and then applied to the container, for example to at least one of the above-mentioned inner or outer surfaces of the container, and / or at least one disinfectant may be generated in whole or in part on the container itself, for example to at least one of the above-mentioned inner or outer surfaces of the container. Regardless of this, the impact of the disinfectant with the container includes at least one container being contacted in whole or in part with at least one disinfectant at least at one time.

[0039] Either approach, generating the disinfectant outside the container and then applying the disinfectant to the container, or generating the disinfectant in the container itself, has advantages that can be utilized depending on a given situation.

[0040] When the disinfectant is produced outside the container, for example, the mixing ratio can be precisely set, allowing for more precise control of the reaction producing the disinfectant.

[0041] In contrast, when the disinfectant is generated directly on the container in whole or in part, for example by reacting at least two reactive components on at least one surface of the container, this has the advantage that the components can be applied separately from each other, one by one, or simultaneously. In the case of a rapid reaction and subsequent rapid decomposition of the disinfectant, the service life of the disinfectant generated directly on the surface can be better utilized, since the disinfectant does not have to be applied to the container first and valuable time cannot be lost. Furthermore, the generation of undesirable gases, which may occur, for example, during the decomposition of the disinfectant, can also be better controlled when the disinfectant is generated directly on the surface of the container, so that, for example, gas is not generated at all or is generated to a reduced extent, or the disinfectant can already be washed off from the surface of the container before the disinfectant decomposes and generates gas.

[0042] Thus, the method may generally include in situ generation of the disinfectant from at least two reactive components in the washer-disinfector used in the method. The term "in situ" may indicate that the disinfectant is generated within the washer-disinfector itself. This encompasses several possibilities: generation inside the washer-disinfector but outside the cleaning chamber, generation in the cleaning chamber of the washer-disinfector but before impact with the container, or generation on the surface of the container. Combinations are also possible.

[0043] The method comprises the steps of: d. at least one final rinse step, comprising impinging said container at least once with at least one rinse aid liquid; It may further include.

[0044] A final rinse step d. may be performed before the disinfection step c. and / or after the disinfection step c. Multiple final rinse steps are also conceivable.

[0045] The term "final rinse step" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular generally relate to the impingement of at least one rinse aid liquid with at least one article to be cleaned. The rinse aid liquid may be a cleaning fluid that includes at least one rinse aid additive. The rinse aid is in particular used in the washing process and may be differentiated from the cleaning liquid, which may also be called a washing liquid or a washing fluid. Thus, for example, the washing liquid may include water with at least one cleaning agent additive, while the rinse aid liquid includes water with at least one rinse aid additive that speeds up the drying of the container and / or promotes the dripping or flowing of the rinse aid liquid from the container surface without residue.

[0046] The method comprises the following method steps: e. at least one steam disinfection step, in particular downstream of a final rinsing step and / or a disinfection step, which comprises impinging vapor, in particular steam, on said container at least once; It may further include.

[0047] For example, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may comprise at least one steam generator, whereby vapor, e.g. steam, is generated. The steam generator may comprise, for example, at least one water reservoir. Alternatively or additionally, the steam generator may comprise, for example, at least one heating device, e.g. at least one heating coil. The steam generator may be, for example, connected to the cleaning chamber via at least one steam line. For the impingement in method step e., the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may comprise, for example, at least one steam nozzle, which may be separate, e.g. from the impingement device for the cleaning step and / or any final rinsing step. Alternatively or additionally, the steam nozzle and the impingement device for the cleaning step and / or any final rinsing step may be combined in whole or in part.

[0048] As mentioned above, the mixing in step c. can be configured in different ways, which are also combinable with each other. In particular, the mixing in step c. comprises at least one mixing of a plurality of reactive components, i.e. contacting a plurality of reactive components with each other, in which: A plurality of reactive components are mixed, a disinfectant is generated in the mixture, and the mixture is applied to a container; A plurality of reactive components are applied to a container and mixed on the container, and a disinfectant is generated in the mixture on the container; applying at least one first reactive component of the plurality of reactive components to the container, exposing the container to which the first reactive component has been applied to an atmosphere containing at least one second reactive component of the plurality of reactive components in the cleaning chamber, mixing the plurality of reactive components on the container, and generating a disinfectant in the mixture on the container; The method may include mixing reactive components at least once, the reactive components being selected from the group consisting of:

[0049] Examples are described in further detail below.

[0050] As mentioned above, the reactive components, at least one of the reactive components or the disinfectant may be present independently of each other in pure form or in combination with one or more further substances, for example one or more carriers. Thus, for example, the disinfectant may be contained in at least one carrier, in particular in at least one solvent, in particular in water. Basically, the carrier may in particular be a fluid, i.e. a liquid and / or a gas. Aerosols and / or mists may also be used. In particular, the carrier may comprise, for example, an aqueous carrier, since water or a solvent containing water generally poses fewer problems than other solvents, in particular with regard to disposal via drains.

[0051] The disinfectant and the carrier, in particular the solvent, may form an active solution, which may optionally further comprise one or more additional additives. The term "active solution" as used herein is a broad term to be given its usual and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular generally relate to a fluid medium, in particular a liquid, which may contain at least one disinfectant, further at least one carrier, and optionally one or more additives. For example, the carrier may contain at least one solvent. The active solution may be or contain, for example, a solution of at least one disinfectant in at least one carrier, a dispersion of at least one disinfectant in at least one carrier, a suspension of at least one disinfectant in at least one carrier, or an emulsion of at least one disinfectant in at least one carrier. The container may generally be impinged by at least one active solution, in particular in method step c.

[0052] As mentioned above, method step c. may in particular comprise mixing at least one of the reactive components with at least one carrier. This may be the same carrier, which may contain the disinfectant, e.g. the same solvent, or it may be just at least one component of this carrier, e.g. the disinfectant, e.g. at least one component of a multi-component solvent.

[0053] Other possible configurations relate to multiple reactive components. For example, the multiple reactive components may include at least one oxidizing agent and at least one anion of an acid. The term "oxidizing agent" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and general meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may relate in particular to a substance that may accept other substances and, as a result, itself be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the term may relate to a substance that can absorb at least one electron, i.e., act as an electron acceptor. The term "anion of an acid" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and general meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may relate in particular to a single or multiple negatively charged ions, i.e., anions, that an acid may form as a result of one or more positively charged hydrogen ions or protons, i.e., H+ ions.

[0054] In particular, reference can be made to the above-mentioned documents WO 2019 / 219220 and WO 2019 / 219959 for possible reactive components and also for possible disinfectants that can be used in the context of the present invention. But in principle, other reactive components and / or disinfectants are also conceivable. For example, instead of or in addition to peroxynitric acid, other active ingredients with corresponding reactive components can be used as disinfectants. Thus, for example, chlorine-based disinfectants and / or peroxycarboxylic acids can be used.

[0055] As a result of the reaction of at least two reactive components, the method may comprise the in-situ generation of disinfectant in the washer-disinfector as described above. Thus, the disinfectant is preferably formed only during the method, in particular in the washer-disinfector. This also allows the use of unstable, aggressive or flammable disinfectants that are difficult or impossible to use without in-situ generation. This may increase the spectrum of activity for antimicrobial action and / or improve the antibacterial effect. The storage and stockpiling of relatively harmless raw materials is also safer and easier to implement than in the case of unstable, aggressive or flammable disinfectants.

[0056] In particular, disinfectants are intended to remove reactive nitrogen compounds (reactive nitrogen oxide species, RNOS), especially peroxynitrate (ONOOH), peroxynitrite anion (ONOOOH), and - ); reactive oxygen compounds (reactive oxygen species, ROS), in particular H2O2; peroxycarboxylic acids, in particular peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOOH); anions of peroxycarboxylic acids, in particular the anion of peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOOH); - ); and chlorine compounds, especially hypochlorous acid (HClO), the anion of hypochlorous acid (ClO - ), chlorous acid (HClO2), anion of chlorous acid (ClO2-), chloric acid (HClO3), anion of chloric acid (ClO3 - ), oxygen chloride, in particular oxygen dichloride.

[0057] The plurality of reactive components, or at least one of the plurality of reactive components, may include, or generate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and / or ozone (O3), for example, as particular oxidizing agents in a chemical reaction.

[0058] Furthermore, at least one of the multiple reactive components, in particular the different reactive components, is nitrate (NO3 - );Nitrite (NO2 -); Carboxylic acids, especially acetic acid (CH3COOH); Anions of carboxylic acids, especially the anion of acetic acid (CH3COO - ); Hypochlorite (ClO - );Chlorite (ClO2 - );Chlorate (ClO3 - ) may contain at least one component selected from the group consisting of:

[0059] The reactant components may be in at least one combination, particularly Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrite (NO2 - ) Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrates (NO3 - ) Carboxylic acids and oxidizing agents, especially hydrogen peroxide, especially acetic acid (CH3COOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) Hypochlorite (ClO - ) and acids, especially hypochlorite (ClO - ) and an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid and nitric acid. Chlorite (ClO2 - ) and acids, especially chlorite (ClO2 - ) and an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid. Chlorate (ClO3 - ) and acids, especially chlorates (ClO3 - ) and an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid. The composition may comprise as a combination of at least one first reactive component and at least a second reactive component selected from the group consisting of:

[0060] So, for example, the disinfectant peroxynitric acid (ONOOH) has the reaction: H2O2+NO2 - +H3O + →ONOOH+2H2O This allows the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrite (NO2 - )

[0061] Concerning the possible concentrations and parameters of the mixture of the reactive components, reference may also be made, by way of example, to the above-mentioned documents WO 2019 / 219220 and WO 2019 / 219959. In particular, regarding the concentration of the reactive components, regarding the pH of the disinfectant and / or of the active solution containing the disinfectant on the container, as well as regarding the preferred mixing time, reference may be made to the above-mentioned documents. However, other compositions and / or concentrations and / or parameters are also conceivable.

[0062] Further, alternatively or additionally, the disinfectant peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOOH) can be used to react with, for example, CH3COOH+H2O2→CH3COOOH+H2O It can be prepared by the reaction of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the two reactive components.

[0063] Further, as an alternative or in addition to one or both of the above options, the disinfectant oxygen dichloride (ClO2) can be used to treat, for example, the reaction: ClO3 - +H + →ClO2+H2O This results in chlorate (ClO3 - It can be prepared by the reaction of citric acid (CH3COOH) and an acid, specifically citric acid (CH3COOH) as the multiple reactive component, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

[0064] Additionally, as an alternative or in addition to one or both of the above options, the disinfectant hypochlorous acid (HClO) can be used to treat, for example, the reaction: ClO - +H + →HClO This allows hypochlorite (ClO) to be identified as a reactive component. - ) and an acid such as citric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, or acetic acid.

[0065] The hypochlorite ions can be provided in a first reactive component or solution comprising, for example, a salt of hypochlorous acid in an alkaline solution, which can be mixed with a second reactive component comprising, for example, the acid.

[0066] Other formulations of disinfectants from multiple reactive components are also contemplated.

[0067] Unlike direct introduction of disinfectant, multiple reactive components can be selected so that they are relatively easy to handle.For example, peroxyacetic acid, peroxynitric acid, or oxygen dichloride are unstable, flammable, and highly reactive, and therefore they are difficult to handle and can be used in a cleaning and disinfecting device.As a result of the on-site generation, especially in the cleaning chamber, of two or more reactive components that are themselves easier to handle, active and possibly short-lived multiple disinfectants are generated only in the cleaning chamber, especially on the surface of the container to be cleaned, where they exert their effect in a targeted manner.

[0068] Thus, at least one of the reactive components may generally comprise, for example, hydrogen peroxide, i.e., H2O2, and / or ozone, i.e., O3, in particular as oxidizing agent. In principle, other oxidizing agents can also be used. However, hydrogen peroxide is generally an oxidizing agent that is easy to handle in cleaning and disinfecting devices and is very effective. The aforementioned acids are also easy to handle. Similarly, nitrates, nitrites, chlorates, chlorites or hypochlorites can also be simply provided in the form of the corresponding salts, for example sodium salts, for example in the form of an aqueous solution of said salts. For example, the formula M x Nitrite, such as NaNO2, may be provided along with NO2.

[0069] Other substances may also be present in addition to the reactive components. These may be, for example, auxiliary agents such as surface active agents, surfactants, foaming agents, fragrances, or combinations of the aforementioned auxiliary agents. Furthermore, alternatively or in addition, further auxiliary agents may be present, such as acids, bases, or buffers.

[0070] Method step c. may in particular be carried out such that the time that elapses between the mixing of the at least two reactive components and the impact with the container is not more than 75 s, in particular not more than 20 s, in particular not more than 15 s, if the mixing does not take place on the container surface in any case. The time window may for example be between 1 s and 20 s. For example, a time of 2 to 3 s may elapse between the mixing of the at least two reactive components and the impact with the container, for example in the case of the above-mentioned reaction of the reactive components hydrogen peroxide and nitrate and / or nitrite ions.

[0071] Furthermore, the disinfectant may be present as an active solution or in the active solution, for example as a solid solution, a dispersion, a suspension or an emulsion. The carrier used, in particular the solvent, may be, for example, water. As mentioned above, the carrier may act as a carrier for one or more of the reactive components, in particular hydrogen peroxide, and / or nitrate and / or nitrite ions, which are mixed, for example, on the exterior surface of the container or only on the surface of the container. In particular, when using water as a carrier for the disinfectant and / or one or more of the reactive components, the conditions may be set, for example, such that a pH of 2.1 to 6.8 exists in the active solution, in which the disinfectant and the carrier are contained.

[0072] In particular in the case of the above-mentioned reaction of the reactive components hydrogen peroxide and nitrate and / or nitrite ions, the concentration of the nitrate and / or nitrite ions, in particular in the mixed active solution with both reactive components before the reaction, may for example be in the range of 5 to 500 mM (corresponding to 5 to 500 x 0.001 mol / l), in particular in the range of 8 to 200 mM, in particular in the range of 10 to 100 mM, for example 50 mM.

[0073] In general, the concentration of a disinfectant on the surface of a container over time may for example be considered for effectiveness, and the so-called Haber effectiveness parameter H is derived therefrom:

number

[0074] Here, c D is the concentration of disinfectant on the surface of the container, and H is determined from the integral of this concentration over time t within the application interval (t1, t2).

[0075] Specifically, for the above-mentioned use of peroxynitric acid, the Haber effectiveness parameter H can be, for example,

number

[0076] Here, [ONOOH] is the concentration of peroxynitric acid on the surface of the container.

[0077] In general, the method may in particular be carried out such that the Haber efficacy parameter H is in the range of 10 mM·s to 400 mM·s, in particular in the range of 10 mM·s to 200 mM·s, in particular in the range of 20 mM·s to 100 mM·s, in particular in the case of the use of peroxynitric acid as disinfectant. The desired efficacy parameter in the method may in particular be set via the concentration of the disinfectant and / or via the action time. The monitoring may for example be carried out via at least one sensor, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0078] The container may for example be bombarded with at least one disinfectant and / or at least one active solution, which may comprise at least one carrier, at least one disinfectant, optionally one or more additives, for a specified action time. The action time may for example begin by contact of the container with the disinfectant and / or active solution and may for example end by washing off the disinfectant or in some other way. The action time may be infinite or finite. The washing off may be replaced and / or supplemented by the impact of steam with the container, for example according to method step c. For example, the action time may be limited, for example, to 90 seconds or less, to 50 seconds or less, to 30 seconds or less, or to 15 seconds or less. For example, the action time may be between 1 s and 90 s. For example, the action time may be between 1 s and 10 seconds, in particular between 2 seconds and 3 seconds. Method step c. may thus generally comprise at least one action step, in which a disinfectant acts on the container for a specified action time.

[0079] A further optional possibility concerns the impingement in method step c. Thus, the impingement in method step c. may in particular include at least one impingement, where at least one type of impingement is selected from the group consisting of: spraying; jetting; dripping; gas treatment; steam treatment; mist, in particular cold mist. If the reactive components are only mixed in the cleaning chamber, for example in the atmosphere of the cleaning chamber and / or on the surface of the container, the reactive components may also be applied in each case by different types of impingement. Thus, for example, one of the reactive components may be sprayed into the container, while another of the reactive components may be, for example, atomized and applied to the container as condensation from a mist. The reactive components may then be mixed, for example, entirely or partially on the container surface or entirely or partially in the atmosphere of the cleaning chamber. The mixing may further be assisted by further devices, for example by at least one fan for circulating the mist.

[0080] As mentioned above, the method may, in addition to the method steps a. to c., and optionally further in addition to any method steps d. and / or e., further method steps not mentioned. In particular, the method may further comprise at least one evacuation step. In an evacuation step, gases, in particular nitrogen oxide-containing gases, may in particular be forcibly exhausted from the cleaning chamber. The evacuation step may in particular be performed after method step c., for example immediately after method step c., or within a specified time interval, for example within a time interval of 1 s to 90 s. For example, the evacuation step may be performed after the end of method step c., but for example before performing any method step e., within a time interval of 5 s to 90 s, in particular within a time interval of 10 s to 60 s. Alternatively or additionally, the evacuation step may however be performed after method step d. and / or after method step e.. The last possibility may in particular have the advantage that the time for performing the method may be saved. In this case, the evacuation of steam in the steam disinfection e. can be combined in time with the step of evacuation of steam in the disinfection step c., and thus it is possible to dispense with carrying out the evacuation step multiple times. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, carrying out an evacuation step after the steam disinfection e. and / or after the final rinsing step d. can have the advantage that the steam from the disinfection step c. is further diluted with water and / or steam from the final rinsing step d. and / or from the steam disinfection e. The last possibility can have the advantage in particular that the time for carrying out the method can be saved. However, it is also possible to carry out any evacuation step multiple times. Thus, one or more evacuation steps can generally be carried out, for example, after one or more of the method steps c., d. and e.

[0081] The evacuation step may however be carried out several times, for example once after carrying out the method step c. and at least once more after carrying out the optional method step e. Thus, for example, in a first evacuation step downstream of the method step c., gas containing nitrogen oxides (NOx) can be exhausted from the cleaning chamber, while in a second evacuation step downstream of the method step e., steam is exhausted from the cleaning chamber. Thus, the method may for example comprise method steps a. to c. and optionally d. followed by a first evacuation step, followed by a method step e, followed by a second evacuation step. In this way, the disinfection step c. and the optional steam disinfection step e. may be clearly separated, at least one evacuation step may be carried out between the disinfection steps c. and e., and at least one evacuation step may optionally be carried out after the steam disinfection step e. This means, for example, that harmful gases from the method step c., and optionally also steam and moist air unpleasant for the operator, may be exhausted in an evacuation step before the door of the cleaning chamber is opened, and their release into the room air may be prevented.

[0082] The evacuation step may in particular be carried out such that it comprises discharging gas from the cleaning chamber through at least one bypass into a drain downstream of the odor trap. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may thus comprise at least one bypass, for example at least one pipeline, connecting the cleaning chamber with the drain downstream of the odor trap, in particular the siphon. The bypass may for example comprise at least one check valve and / or at least one other type of valve preventing gas from flowing back from the drain into the cleaning chamber.

[0083] The exhaust step may in particular be performed forcibly. This may be achieved, for example, by increasing the pressure in the cleaning chamber and / or by introducing at least one exhaust medium into the cleaning chamber, in particular under positive pressure. For this purpose, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may, for example, comprise at least one supply line for the exhaust medium, in particular having at least one valve, and / or at least one fan, for example for forcibly introducing air into the cleaning chamber. Alternatively or additionally, gas may be sucked out of the cleaning chamber in the exhaust step.

[0084] As mentioned above, at least one evacuation step may in particular be performed multiple times. In particular, an evacuation step may be performed at least once after the disinfection step c., preferably before the optional steam disinfection step e. Furthermore, an evacuation step may optionally be performed at least once after the optional steam disinfection step e.

[0085] As an alternative or in addition to the evacuation step, the method may include at least one conversion step. In the conversion step, the gas from the cleaning chamber, for example the nitrogen oxide-containing gas, may in particular be fed to at least one conversion device for chemical and / or physical and / or biological treatment of at least a portion of the gas. The conversion device may for example comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of a catalyst, a filter and a scrubber. The filter may for example comprise activated carbon, since activated carbon is good at binding, for example, nitrogen oxides, and in particular NO2. The conversion step may also be carried out such that it includes at least one step in which the catalyst and / or the filter are regenerated and / or made reusable. This may for example be achieved on a zeolite material as a catalyst, and / or on a filter material, and / or in some other way, for example chemically, by the action of temperature.

[0086] Thus, for example, nitrogen oxide-containing gases can be converted into gaseous nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water in a humid atmosphere by a catalyst, for example a platinum-containing catalyst and / or a palladium-containing catalyst. The conversion step can be carried out in the cleaning chamber itself, or it can include discharging the gas from the cleaning chamber, for example by exhaust and / or suction, and feeding said gas to a conversion device, for example a filter and / or a catalyst and / or a scrubber. After treatment by the conversion device, the gas can be sent in at least one manner selected from the group consisting of: the gas is returned to the cleaning chamber, in particular in a circulation process or circulation method; the gas is released into the surrounding area; the gas is discharged into the discharge system; the gas is discharged into a drain downstream of the odor trap. The first possibility can be carried out, for example, by repeatedly sending the gas through the conversion device, for example, in a circulation mode. The circulation method can be carried out, for example, until the treated gas meets certain quality requirements, for example until at least one gas component no longer exceeds a concentration threshold, for example, in the cleaning chamber. The quality requirements can be measured, for example, by at least one sensor. Thus, the gases after the disinfection process can be decomposed, for example, on one or more catalysts in a circulation method. Alternatively or additionally, they can be combined with water, for example in a scrubber. The water can then be used, for example, in a subsequent cleaning method, for example in a subsequent washing step and / or in a subsequent washing step of a rinse cycle. Alternatively or additionally, the water can be disposed of, for example, via a drain.

[0087] At least one optional conversion step can be carried out continuously or in batches. It may be carried out as an alternative or in addition to the described evacuation step. With regard to the possible times during which the conversion step can be carried out in the above method, reference can be made to the possible times of the evacuation step. Thus, for example, the conversion step can be carried out in particular after method step c., for example immediately after method step c., or within a specified time interval, for example within a time interval of 1 s to 90 s. Alternatively or additionally, the conversion step may however be carried out after method step d. and / or after method step e. With regard to the options, reference can be made to the description of the evacuation step.

[0088] As mentioned above, the method may include further method steps. Thus, the method may include, for example, at least one drying step. The drying step may, for example, be downstream of the disinfection step and / or the steam disinfection step. As mentioned above, the method may, for example, initially include method steps a.-c., and optionally include method step d., which is preferably upstream of method step c. After carrying out method step c., a first evacuation step is then carried out, which may optionally be followed by a steam disinfection step e., and optionally at least one second evacuation step and a drying step. The second evacuation step and the drying step may be separate method steps or may be wholly or partially common method steps.

[0089] As will be further described below, one or more sensors may be used in the method. In particular, one or more sensors may be used to monitor one or more of the method steps a. to c., and / or optionally any method steps d. and / or e., and / or one or more parameters that play a role in and characterize the execution of the method steps. In particular, one or more sensors may be used to monitor at least one disinfection step, or one or more substeps thereof. For example, the mixing of the reactive components on the container and / or the impact of the disinfectant with the container may be monitored by one or more sensors. This monitoring may be used, for example, for the control of the method, in particular the disinfection step, in particular for feedback control. Alternatively or additionally, this monitoring may also be used to detect malfunctions that may affect in particular the disinfection of the container. If a malfunction is detected, the method may, for example, comprise the output of a warning signal to the user.

[0090] Thus, the method may generally comprise the use of at least one sensor as described. The sensor may in particular comprise: a) the sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one component selected from the group consisting of: a disinfectant; at least one active solution comprising a disinfectant; at least one of the plurality of reactive components; at least one of the plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product produced in the reaction of the plurality of reactive components; and / or b) the sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one reaction product in the cleaning chamber or on a surface of the vessel selected from the group consisting of: acid produced; gas produced by the reaction; and reaction by-products. The method may be configured in at least one manner selected from the group consisting of:

[0091] When the sensor is configured according to variant a), this at least one characteristic of the at least one component can be detected within the cleaning chamber or outside the cleaning chamber, for example in a line system through which the at least one component flows, as described in more detail below.

[0092] As mentioned above, the sensor may be used, for example by the at least one controller, to affect the method. In particular, the disinfection process may include affecting at least one parameter of the disinfection process in response to at least one sensor signal of the sensor. The parameter may be selected, for example, from the group consisting of: a mixing ratio of the reactive components; a concentration of at least one of the reactive components; a concentration of the disinfectant.

[0093] As described in more detail below, one or more filter elements may be used in the method. As described in more detail below, the method may in particular be carried out using at least one cleaning and disinfecting apparatus. Thus, the at least one filter element may in particular be part of the at least one cleaning and disinfecting apparatus. The filter element may in particular be arranged in at least one line system through which at least one component flows, for example in at least one line of the line system, for example the line system of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus. For example, this may be a disinfection line system. The at least one component may in particular be selected from the group consisting of a disinfectant; at least one active solution containing a disinfectant; at least one of a plurality of reactive components; at least one of a plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product generated in the reaction of a plurality of reactive components.

[0094] The filter element may in particular be used to process at least one component, for example to avoid precipitation, particle formation, or similar undesirable effects. Furthermore, the filter element may also be part of the monitoring of the functioning of the method, for example a disinfection process. Thus, for example, the method may further include measuring at least one pressure in the line system upstream and downstream of the filter element, by at least one pressure sensor, in particular at least one differential pressure. For example, if the filter element becomes clogged, for example due to aging effects and / or the formation of undesirable components in the components flowing through the filter, this may be detected based on the pressure. The method may in particular be performed in several ways, including: the sterilization process is controlled by at least one pressure signal; and / or The pressure signal is monitored and at least one piece of information, in particular at least one warning, is output to a user in case of deviation of the pressure signal from at least one determined normal value, from at least one determined normal profile or from at least one determined normal range. It may be composed of at least one of the following.

[0095] For example, if the viscosity rises due to deviation from the normal range, due to the disinfectant composition, due to a concentration that deviates from the normal range, or similar effects, this can be detected on the filter element based on the pressure, for example by an increase in the differential pressure. The disinfection process can then be controlled, for example by specifically influencing the concentration, for example by said pressure signal. Alternatively or additionally, a warning can be output, for example, if there is a deviation from the normal range. Such effects may also be recorded.

[0096] In a further aspect of the invention, a washer-disinfecting apparatus for treating at least one container for human waste is proposed, said washer-disinfecting apparatus being adapted to carry out the proposed method in one or more of the configurations described above and / or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below. For possible definitions and options of the washer-disinfecting apparatus reference may thus be made to the description of said method.

[0097] The washer-disinfecting apparatus comprises at least one cleaning chamber, as described above. Furthermore, the washer-disinfecting apparatus comprises at least one odor trap, in particular at least one drain with a siphon bend. Furthermore, the washer-disinfecting apparatus comprises at least one impingement device for impinging at least one cleaning fluid into a container in said cleaning chamber. The term "impingement device" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may in particular relate to a device configured for impinging at least one cleaning fluid into a container. For example, the impingement may take place in the form of spraying of the container with the cleaning fluid and / or dripping of the cleaning fluid into the container and / or jetting of the cleaning fluid into the container. In particular, the impingement device may comprise at least one nozzle for generating at least one fluid jet that impinges on the container. For example, the impingement device may comprise at least one nozzle that sprays and / or ejects at least one or more jets of cleaning fluid into the vessel from one or more spatial directions in a targeted manner.

[0098] As mentioned above, the term "cleaning fluid" is to be understood as a generic term and may include liquid cleaning fluids and gaseous cleaning fluids. Liquid cleaning fluids are also called cleaning liquids. If multiple cleaning fluids are provided for treating containers in the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, different impingement devices or else a common impingement device may be provided for these different cleaning fluids. Thus, for example, at least one impingement device may comprise at least one cleaning system, which has at least one cleaning nozzle usable for the above-mentioned cleaning process, in which the container is impinged by at least one cleaning liquid in the form of at least one cleaning liquid.

[0099] For at least one optional final rinse step, the impingement device may, for example, optionally comprise at least one final rinse system, for example having at least one final rinse nozzle. The cleaning system and the final rinse system may be totally or partially separate, but may also be totally or partially combined. In particular, the cleaning system may comprise at least one cleaning tank and at least one cleaning line system. The final rinse system may comprise at least one final rinse tank and at least one final rinse line system.

[0100] Furthermore, the impingement device for at least one optional steam disinfection step may comprise at least one steam system, which may comprise, for example, at least one steam nozzle, at least one steam generator, and at least one steam line. Again, for example, the steam system may be wholly or partially separate from the cleaning system and the final rinse system, or may be wholly or partially combined with one or both of these systems. Thus, for example, the final rinse line system may also be wholly or partially used as a steam line, just as, for example, a final rinse nozzle may also be wholly or partially used as a steam nozzle. Separate designs are also conceivable.

[0101] Furthermore, the impingement device for carrying out at least one disinfection step c. may comprise at least one disinfection system. As will be explained in more detail below, the disinfection system may comprise, for example, at least two reservoirs for reactive components and at least one disinfection nozzle for impingement of one or both of the reactive components into the container, the impingement being carried out in liquid and / or gaseous form. Furthermore, the disinfection system may comprise at least one disinfection line system, which may, for example, supply the reactive components and optionally one or more carriers to the at least one disinfection nozzle.

[0102] The washer-disinfector further comprises at least two reservoirs for the accommodation of at least two reactive components. These may in particular be reservoirs for liquids. Said reservoirs may be fully or partially closed, for example as canisters and / or other types of reservoirs.

[0103] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus further comprises at least one controller for the control of at least one cleaning program. The term "cleaning program" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and general meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may relate in particular to a sequence of program steps that are used to clean the items to be cleaned and in which the items to be cleaned are treated in different ways. At least one of the program steps involves the impingement of at least one cleaning fluid. A plurality of program steps with different impingements of different cleaning fluids may be provided. For possible configurations, reference may be made, for example, to the method according to the invention.

[0104] The term "controller" as used herein is a broad term to be given its ordinary and common meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. The term is not limited to a specific or adapted meaning. Without limitation, the term may relate in particular to a device, in particular an electronic device, configured to drive, control, regulate or in any other way affect at least one function of another device. The controller may be centralized or distributed and / or may comprise at least one data processing device, for example, programmed to control a cleaning program. For example, the data processing device may be configured to set one or more, or all, of a plurality of program parameters of the cleaning program, for example, in a specified order and / or on a specified time schedule. The controller may be centralized and / or in the form of a single component, or may be distributed and comprise multiple control components. For example, the controller may comprise one or more processors, which may optionally be wirelessly or non-wirelessly connected to each other for exchanging information and / or commands. At least one controller, e.g. at least one optional data processing device, may generally be integrated, in whole or in part, with at least one cleaning chamber in a common module, e.g. in a common housing. Alternatively or additionally, at least one controller, e.g. at least one optional data processing device, may generally be arranged, in whole or in part, outside the module of the washer-disinfecting device comprising the cleaning chamber, e.g. outside the housing surrounding the cleaning chamber, e.g. as an external controller. At least one controller may comprise one or more control components, e.g. multiple data processing devices, which control components may be connected to each other, e.g. via at least one interface and / or at least one data connection, e.g. for exchanging data and / or general information and / or control commands.In general, the controller may comprise, wholly or partly, at least one data processing device that serves not only the control of the washer-disinfector but also at least one other purpose, e.g., a PC. In general, the controller may comprise one or more control components, each of which may be realized wholly or partly as a hardware component and / or wholly or partly as a software component. If multiple control components are provided, they may be different hardware components that may be spatially separated, e.g., in the form of multiple data processing devices. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may comprise multiple control components that may be embodied in the same hardware, e.g., as software components in the same data processing device.

[0105] The controller may in particular be configured to perform at least method steps b. and c., and optionally method steps d. and / or e., in particular as program steps of a cleaning program.

[0106] The controller may in particular be configured to control the disinfection process. Here, the controller may, for example, be specifically adapted to the desired antimicrobial action, for example automatically and / or based on suitable settings by the operator. Thus, the operator may, for example, influence the disinfection process, for example the duration and / or intensity of the disinfection process, by the controller. For example, the type of microbial contamination and its control may be settable here. For example, it may be specifically set whether the disinfection is effective against a certain type of pathogen, for example against the typical hospital pathogen Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), or whether the disinfection has a sporicidal effect, for example a complete sporicidal effect. For this purpose, the type and / or concentration of the disinfectant and / or the duration of the disinfection process may be settable, for example by the controller. Explicitly, the previously defined and verified Haber effectiveness parameter H may then be influenced and set by the controller. The disinfection method is thus verifiable (by the A0 value) and reliable.

[0107] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may in particular comprise at least one disinfection system, which may be, for example, part of an impaction device. In particular, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may comprise at least one mixing device, which may be configured to mix a plurality of reactive components. With regard to possible configurations of the mixing action, reference may be made to the above description of the mixing in method step c., and the mixing device may generally be a device for performing the above-mentioned mixing action in one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments. In particular, the mixing device may be configured to mix a plurality of reactive components before impact with the container in at least one device selected from the group consisting of a mixing chamber; a mixing section; a pump, in particular a centrifugal pump; a nozzle, in particular a mixing nozzle. Thus, the mixing device may generally comprise not only a reservoir, but also at least one further device. The mixing chamber may in particular be a chamber separate from the reservoir, in which the plurality of reactive components, alone or, for example, with the addition of one or more carriers and / or additives, may be brought together before they are then applied to the container, for example, in particular, via at least one nozzle or mixing nozzle. The mixing section may in particular comprise at least one fluid conduit, e.g. at least one flow tube and / or at least one nozzle, e.g. a flow nozzle, through which the reactive components may flow, e.g. alone or with one or more carriers and / or additives. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing section may comprise at least one mixing device, e.g. selected from the group consisting of a static mixer and / or a pump, e.g. a centrifugal pump. The mixing nozzle may generally be at least one nozzle configured to atomize at least one of the reactive components, or at least two reactive components, alone or with one or more carriers and / or additives, so that they impinge on the container, e.g. come into contact with each other on the path between the mixing nozzle and the container, and may e.g. react with each other on this path or on the surface of the container. The reactive components may be present in the same or different states of matter.Thus, for example, at least one of the multiple reactive components may be sprayed in liquid form into the container by a mixing nozzle, either alone or with one or more carriers and / or additives, while at least one other of the multiple reactive components, either alone or with one or more carriers and / or additives, may be introduced in gaseous form, e.g. as an aerosol or as a mist, into the cleaning chamber where it may react with the first of the multiple reactive components, e.g. on the surface of the container.

[0108] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may further comprise at least one treatment tank for the treatment of at least one of the reactive components. The treatment tank may generally be a tank connected to at least one of the reservoirs. The treatment tank may also be connected to at least one reservoir for at least one carrier, in particular a reservoir for water. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may be configured to mix at least one reactive component with the carrier in the treatment tank. The treatment tank thus serves to introduce the reactive component, or at least one of the reactive components, into at least one carrier, thereby making it possible, for example, to set the concentration in a specific manner, and thus also to facilitate, for example, the atomization or misting of the at least one reactive component.

[0109] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may in particular comprise at least one metering pump configured to introduce a determineable amount of at least one reactive component into the treatment tank, for example the metering pump may in particular further be controlled by the controller, for example with respect to the time of the metered addition of the at least one reactive component and / or additive and / or with respect to a determined amount.

[0110] The treatment tank may in particular be connected to the reservoir via at least one supply line having at least one valve. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may in particular be configured to introduce the carrier into the treatment tank via the supply line. This introduction may for example be driven by gravity or otherwise by at least one further metering pump. For example, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may be configured to control the valve accordingly, in particular by a controller, for example to introduce a specified amount of the carrier into the treatment tank via the supply line. For example, a timer may be provided to optionally define the amount of the carrier.

[0111] In particular, the supply line may protrude into the processing tank. Thus, for example, the mouth of the supply line may be immersible in a predetermined amount of reactive components contained in the processing tank. The controller may for example be configured to first introduce at least one reactive component into the processing tank, for example by suitable control of a metering pump. The controller may further be configured to then introduce at least one carrier into the processing tank, for example by suitable control of a valve, said carrier being particularly introduced such that it flows from the inside out into the reactive components through the mouth of the supply line immersed in the reactive components. This may allow a better and faster mixing of the reactive components with the carrier, which may be advantageous in particular in the case of fast-running reactions, which may lead in particular to a good uniformity in the distribution of the reactive components in the carrier.

[0112] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may further comprise at least one steam generator for the generation of steam. The steam generator may in particular comprise at least one reservoir, in particular for water, and at least one heating device for the generation of steam, for example the steam generator may be connected via at least one steam line to at least one steam nozzle on the cleaning chamber. The above-mentioned reservoir for the carrier may in particular be at least partially identical to the reservoir of the steam generator. Thus, for example, water may be taken from the reservoir of the steam generator as a carrier for at least one reactive component.

[0113] At least one reactive component, in particular several reactive components, can be treated by introducing them into at least one carrier. Thus, a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus generally comprises, for example, at least two treatment tanks, and different reactive components can be treated in the treatment tanks.

[0114] After one or more of the reactive components are processed, they can be mixed. Thus, the washer-disinfecting apparatus can be configured in particular to combine the reactive components from the treatment tank, mixed with at least one carrier, to produce a disinfectant. This combining can include or be part of the mixing described above, for example in one or more of the above-mentioned variations. The combining can thus be performed outside the container, for example in a mixing chamber, in a mixing section, by a mixing nozzle, or by a combination of the above-mentioned possibilities, or for example on the container, for example by combining the treated reactive components on the container surface.

[0115] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may further comprise at least one pump configured to pump the reactive components mixed with at least one carrier from the treatment tank and apply them to the container. Said pump may in particular be part of the impingement device. Here, a separate disinfecting pump may be provided, which for example generates the necessary pressure and / or supplies the treated reactive components to at least one disinfecting nozzle.

[0116] Further possible configurations concern the process control and monitoring of the cleaning process, in particular the disinfection step. Thus, the washer-disinfector may in particular comprise at least one sensor, as described above with respect to the method. The sensor may in particular measure at least one parameter and / or at least one measurable variable related to the operation of the washer-disinfector. This may in particular be at least one physical and / or chemical and / or biological variable. The relevant sensors, for example electrical and / or electro-optical and / or electromechanical sensors, are basically known to the person skilled in the art. Examples are described in more detail below.

[0117] In particular, at least one sensor a) the sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one component selected from the group consisting of: a disinfectant; at least one active solution comprising a disinfectant; at least one of the plurality of reactive components; at least one of the plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product produced in the reaction of the plurality of reactive components; and / or b) the sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one reaction product in the cleaning chamber or on a surface of the vessel selected from the group consisting of: acid produced; gas produced by the reaction; and reaction by-products. The method may be configured by at least one method selected from the group consisting of: Combinations of the above possibilities are also possible.

[0118] According to the above mentioned variant a), the sensor may thus be configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one component selected from the group consisting of: a disinfectant; at least one active solution comprising a disinfectant; at least one of the reactive components; at least one of the reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product generated in the reaction of the reactive components. Said by-product may be formed, for example, in liquid form or else in gaseous form.

[0119] In this way, it is possible to monitor, in particular, that the mixing ratio between the at least one carrier and the at least one reactive component and / or disinfectant is set correctly. The sensor can be arranged, for example, in the at least one treatment tank, in the at least one supply line, in the cleaning chamber or in any other place where monitoring is meaningfully possible.

[0120] In particular, in one or both of the above mentioned options a) and / or b), the sensor may in particular comprise at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a conductivity sensor, a level sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a light sensor, in particular a light sensor for detecting yellowing, a sensor for detecting spectroscopic properties, in particular a sensor having one or more light emitting diodes with defined wavelengths and one or more light detectors, a level sensor, a gas sensor, a pH sensor. The light sensor may for example comprise at least one absorption sensor, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0121] The spectroscopic characteristics can be captured, for example, by at least one spectral camera and / or at least one hyperspectral camera. The light emitting diodes can be individual or combined, for example in the form of a multicolor light emitting diode. The at least one photodetector can be configured in various ways, for example by having corresponding spectral line characteristics.

[0122] By way of example only, one or more of a plurality of substances selected from the group consisting of nitrogen oxides, nitrates, nitrites, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrate, and peroxynitrite anions may be optically detected, for example, by optically detecting, qualitatively and / or quantitatively, the yellowing of water in the presence of nitrates, nitrites, nitrogen oxides, peroxynitrate, or peroxynitrite anions.

[0123] In particular, but not exclusively, when the sensor is at least partially configured according to the method a), the sensor may be arranged in at least one line system, in which the components flow. In particular, this may be at least one line of the at least one line system, in which the at least one component flows. In particular, the sensor may thus be a flow sensor in this case, or in other cases, i.e. a sensor capable of measuring at least one property of the at least one flowing medium. In particular, the sensor may be an optical sensor capable of measuring at least one optical property of the at least one flowing medium, in particular of the at least one component.

[0124] As described above, the at least one sensor may be configured for process control and may measure, for example, optically, electrically, mechanically, or in some other manner, at least one characteristic of the disinfectant, at least one active solution containing the disinfectant, at least one of the reactive components, at least one of the reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, or at least one of the combinations of substances described above that may be used for process control. Thus, for example, optical, electrical, or mechanical characteristics may be used to infer the concentration. As described in more detail below, the at least one sensor may be particularly coupled to at least one controller, and feedback control may be performed, for example, to adjust and / or regulate the concentration of the substances described above, individually or in combination.

[0125] As already mentioned, the at least one sensor may comprise at least one light sensor. In particular, the at least one sensor may comprise at least one light absorption sensor. The light absorption sensor may in particular comprise at least one light source and at least one light detector. The light source and the light detector may be arranged, for example, on both sides of the cell in which the at least one medium used in the method and / or in the cleaning and disinfecting device is present. In particular, this may be a fluid medium, for example a liquid, that may flow through the cell. In particular, the medium has already been mentioned above and may be at least one component used in the context of the disinfection process, in particular a component selected from the group consisting of: a disinfectant; at least one active solution comprising a disinfectant; at least one of a plurality of reactive components; at least one of a plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product generated in the reaction of a plurality of reactive components. As described in more detail below, the active solution comprising a disinfectant may in particular be monitored by at least one sensor, for example an absorption sensor, in particular in a flow state.

[0126] At least one optional absorption sensor can essentially be adjusted to the absorption or spectral properties of the medium to be measured, for example at least one component. Thus, the spectral properties of the medium and / or its components are essentially known, for example in the form of an absorption curve. In this way, for example by using the Beer-Lambert law, the absorption properties can be used to infer one or more concentrations. For example, at least one light source and / or at least one photodetector can be adjusted to these spectral properties. For example, the light source may emit in the ultraviolet spectral range and the photodetector may likewise be sensitive in the ultraviolet spectral range. However, other spectral ranges are also conceivable, depending on the situation to be measured.

[0127] As also mentioned above, the sensors, in particular the optical sensors and / or other types of sensors, may in particular be connected to at least one controller. As mentioned, the controller may be configured in one part or in multiple parts. Thus, for example, at least one control component may optionally be configured in particular for processing the sensor signal of at least one sensor and / or for at least one processing step to be controlled by the sensor, for example a disinfection step. Thus, the controller may be configured in one part or in multiple parts, for example, may comprise at least one disinfection controller configured in particular for controlling at least one disinfection step.

[0128] Thus, the controller may for example be configured to control the disinfection process by at least one sensor signal of the sensor, in particular by feedback control, and thus the controller may in particular be configured to influence by the sensor signal at least one parameter of the disinfection process, in particular at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: the mixing ratio of the reactive components; the concentration of at least one of the reactive components; the concentration of the disinfectant.

[0129] The at least one sensor, in particular the at least one optical sensor, in particular the optical absorption sensor, may in particular be configured to measure at least one characteristic of the disinfectant, of the disinfectant-containing active solution, or of the precursor, or of one or more of some components, for example of the reactive components. In this regard, options a) and b) above may be referred to. The at least one characteristic may for example be captured as an actual value by the controller via at least one sensor signal of the at least one sensor and compared therefrom with at least one target value to generate, for example, a corresponding control signal and / or other information, for example, regarding the monitored components. The at least one sensor signal may for example be or comprise at least one absorption signal indicative of the degree of absorption of the monitored components. In general, the at least one sensor signal may be measured statically. Alternatively or additionally, for example, a plot of at least one signal of the at least one sensor against time may also be monitored. For example, the controller may be configured to compare a plot of at least one signal of the at least one sensor against time with at least one target plot. In general, the controller may be configured to infer, for example, one or more errors, such as an incorrect mixing ratio, incorrect and / or aged reactive components, or other types of errors, from at least one sensor signal and / or its plot versus time. For example, the relevant errors may be stored in the controller and assigned to a specific sensor signal and / or plot of said sensor signal. Machine learning methods may be used here, for example, by using a number of specific sensor signals with known errors, or their plot versus time, as training data, and then being able to infer the corresponding errors during actual use via the trained model.

[0130] As mentioned above, the at least one sensor can be located in various locations, such as outside the cleaning chamber, in a plurality of the following locations: at least one processing chamber; at least one mixing device; at least one mixing chamber; at least one bypass; at least one mixing section; at least one mixing nozzle; The at least one sensor may be disposed in one or more of: at least one of the plurality of reservoirs; at least one processing tank; at least one supply line. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one sensor may be disposed in the reaction chamber, e.g., in the cleaning chamber, and may be configured to measure at least one property, e.g., on a surface of the vessel.

[0131] As described above with respect to the proposed method, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus may further comprise at least one filter element. In particular, the filter element may be arranged in at least one line system through which at least one component, in particular at least one fluid component, flows. The component may in particular be selected from the group consisting of: disinfectant; at least one active solution containing disinfectant; at least one of a plurality of reactive components; at least one of a plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product generated in the reaction of a plurality of reactive components.

[0132] As also mentioned, the function of the at least one filter element can be used in various ways. Thus, the at least one filter element can in particular exert a treatment effect on at least one component, in particular the retention of particles and / or solid or highly viscous components. Alternatively or additionally, the filter element can act as a sensor, for example by measuring and / or monitoring the pressure upstream and downstream of the filter element, as described above. In this way, for example, contamination and / or changes in composition can be detected, since for example changes in composition can lead to changes in the pressure conditions upstream and downstream of the filter element.

[0133] Thus, as mentioned above, the washer-disinfecting apparatus may in particular further comprise at least one pressure sensor. The at least one pressure sensor may in particular be configured to measure the pressure in the line system upstream and downstream of the filter element, in particular at least one differential pressure. The controller may in particular be configured to capture at least one pressure signal of the pressure sensor. There are several ways how the controller may process this pressure signal. In particular, the controller may be configured in several of the following ways: the controller being configured to control the disinfection process by, for example, adjusting the mixing ratio and / or the concentration of at least one of the at least two reactive components via the at least one pressure signal; the controller is configured to monitor the pressure signal and to output at least one information, in particular at least one warning, to a user if the pressure signal deviates from at least one identified normal value, from at least one identified normal profile, or from at least one identified normal range. It may be composed of at least one of the following.

[0134] As mentioned above, the washer-disinfecting apparatus comprises at least one impaction device. Said impaction device may in particular be configured for performing at least one cleaning step, optionally for performing at least one final rinse step and / or at least one steam disinfection step. The washer-disinfecting apparatus may thus be configured to use an impaction device for at least one cleaning step. The washer-disinfecting apparatus may further comprise at least one disinfection impaction device, said disinfection impaction device being part of the impaction device or being separate from the impaction device. Thus, for example, the disinfection impaction device may comprise at least one disinfection nozzle, which may for example be separate from the at least one washing nozzle. In this way, for example, mixing of the cleaning liquid with one or more fluids of the disinfection step may be avoided. The washer-disinfecting apparatus may in particular be configured to use a disinfection impaction device in the disinfection step. The disinfection impaction device may in particular comprise at least one spray nozzle as part of the at least one disinfection nozzle, and the washer-disinfecting apparatus may be configured to apply at least one component to the container by means of the spray nozzle. The component may be selected from the group consisting of a plurality of reactive components, a disinfectant, and at least one auxiliary agent, in particular at least one carrier. The disinfection impingement device may in particular further comprise at least one atomizer, which may be configured to generate at least one fluid medium, for example selected from the group consisting of steam and aerosol, as an alternative or in addition to at least one spray nozzle. If an atomizer is used, it may in particular be used in combination with at least one fan, for example at least one circulation fan, which may circulate the mist generated by the atomizer in the cleaning chamber. The fluid medium may in particular comprise at least one component selected from the group consisting of a plurality of reactive components, a disinfectant, and at least one auxiliary agent, in particular at least one carrier.

[0135] As mentioned above, the washer-disinfecting apparatus may in particular comprise at least one door to the cleaning chamber. Said door may in particular be a flap door, for example a flap door with a horizontal pivot. The flap door may in particular comprise at least one mount for at least one container, so that for example said container can be connected to the door. The washer-disinfecting apparatus may in particular be configured such that when the flap door is closed, the contents of the container are discharged into a drain, for example by tilting the container.

[0136] As mentioned above, the washer-disinfector may further comprise at least one bypass. For possible configurations of the bypass, reference may be made to the above description. The gas may be discharged from the cleaning chamber through the bypass into a drain downstream of the odor trap. The washer-disinfector may further comprise at least one exhaust device configured to exhaust gas from the cleaning chamber through the bypass into a drain. The exhaust device may in particular comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of a blower, a fan, and a compressed gas source.

[0137] As also mentioned above, the washer-disinfecting apparatus may be configured to perform at least one conversion step. Thus, the washer-disinfecting apparatus may comprise the following features: The conversion apparatus may be configured to chemically and / or physically and / or biologically treat the gas, in particular the nitrogen oxide-containing gas, from the cleaning chamber. As mentioned above, the conversion apparatus may comprise, for example, at least one catalyst, and / or at least one filter, and / or at least one scrubber. The washer-disinfecting apparatus may in particular be configured to convey the gas after treatment by the conversion apparatus such that it is selected from the group consisting of: the gas is returned to the cleaning chamber; the gas is discharged into the surrounding area; the gas is exhausted into the application system; the gas is exhausted into a drain downstream of the odor trap. The washer-disinfecting apparatus may comprise, for example, a pump and / or a suction device that sucks the gas from the cleaning chamber, feeds it to the conversion apparatus, and then, optionally, discharges it into the surrounding area, exhausts it into a drain, or returns it to the cleaning chamber.

[0138] The method and washer-disinfector according to one or more of the proposed configurations have numerous advantages over known methods and devices of similar type. Thus, a multi-component method using multiple reactive components that are simply combined and reacted in the washer-disinfector can generate a disinfectant in situ. Said disinfectant can have a short duration but a high level of effectiveness. Indeed, as in the case of washer-disinfectors, devices that must meet high hygiene requirements can benefit from a short duration disinfectant with a high level of effectiveness.

[0139] In particular, the above-mentioned use of peroxynitric acid, which can be prepared in situ, for example by chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and nitrite, brings numerous advantages here for the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus. Thus, it generally has a very short life span, usually 1 second, under normal conditions, i.e. at room temperature and at a pH of less than 10. Storage therefore requires great efforts, for example only by freezing at -80°C and pH=14, preservation is possible. However, the proposed method allows several reactive components to be brought together in succession, and the disinfectant to be generated fresh just before, during or immediately after impact with a container. The disinfectant peroxynitric acid generated in situ, however, has a high antibacterial effect.

[0140] The disinfectant may thus be produced from at least two reactive components that may be brought together, for example, immediately prior to the desired effect. Alternatively, the mixing may already be carried out in advance and the mixture may be stored in premixed form, for example under passive ambient conditions. In the case of a mixture of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide, inactivation may be carried out, for example, by setting the pH, for example by storing the mixture at pH=14. At the desired time for effect, the pH may be changed for activation, for example by adding an acid as an auxiliary.

[0141] For mixing on the container and impingement with the container, several possibilities are considered, which may also be combined. Thus, the reactive components may be mixed, for example, just before impingement, for example, before spraying. They may continue to react after impingement with the container, for example, beyond the mixing time. For example, a mixing nozzle with at least two inlets may be used to mix the reactive components.

[0142] Alternatively or additionally, the reactive components may be mixed during the collision itself. Thus, they may mix, for example, in the spray stream, and in turn, for example, it may be possible to use one mixing nozzle or multiple nozzles with multiple spray streams that overlap each other. The reactive components are already mixed, as they then collide with the container, where they may react or continue to react. For example, a first reactive component may be sprayed from at least one first nozzle, and a second reactive component may be sprayed from at least one second nozzle, and multiple spray streams from multiple nozzles may overlap.

[0143] Again, as an alternative or in addition to one or both of the possibilities described above, the reactive components may each impinge on the vessel separately but overlapping in time, or simultaneously, where they may mix and react.

[0144] Again, as an alternative to or in addition to one or both of the possibilities described above, the reactive components may each impinge on the container separately, one at a time, and react therein. For example, the cleaning chamber may first be filled with, for example, a gas or plasma including the first reactive component, and the second reactive component may, for example, be sprayed into the cleaning chamber. For example, the cleaning chamber may first be filled with a plasma including hydrogen peroxide, whereby, for example, sodium nitrate may then be sprayed.

[0145] Also in this case, as an alternative or in addition to one or both of the possibilities mentioned above, the reactive components can each impinge on the container separately and one by one. This action can be repeated, so that, for example, the reactive components can each impinge on the container separately and one by one. The different reactive components can have the same or different material states. Thus, for example, a first reactive component, for example sodium nitrate, can be applied first. After said application, the second reactive component can then be applied, for example, in the form of a gas, in particular a plasma. Thus, for example, the cleaning chamber can be filled with plasma treatment air, for example containing ozone and / or hydrogen peroxide, which is used for impingement on the container. For example, the first component can then react with the second component on the container surface. Alternatively, the two reactive components can be applied to the container, for example, one by one, as a liquid, once or multiple times.

[0146] The collision of one or more of the reactive components with the container may be combined in whole or in part with another method step. Thus, for example, at least one of the reactive components may already be applied to the container in a cleaning step and / or downstream and in any final rinse step. For example, sodium nitrate may be present in the water film on the container after the final rinse. In the context of a disinfection step, which may be combined in whole or in part with a drying step, for example, ozone and / or hydrogen peroxide-containing gas may be introduced into the cleaning chamber, for example, where the ozone may react with the air humidity in the cleaning chamber. The contact of sodium nitrate with the container may cause a reaction.

[0147] When the reactive components comprise at least one oxidizing agent, the oxidizing agent may include, for example, ozone and / or hydrogen peroxide. As mentioned above, ozone may react with, for example, steam or water and generate hydrogen peroxide. Ozone may, for example, be provided separately and / or may be generated in situ within the cleaning device, for example electrically and / or optically, for example by ultraviolet lamps (UV lamps). A reducing agent, for example, sodium nitrate, may, for example, be applied beforehand, for example in an aqueous solution, or may be sprayed into the cleaning chamber.

[0148] Alternatively or in addition to one or more of the possibilities described above, the reactive components may be premixed, but kept in an inactive form to prevent the generation of the disinfectant. This may be done, for example, by setting the pH, as described above. Thus, for example, an alkaline condition may prevent or at least delay the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and nitrite. Activation may be done, for example, just before, during, or after the impact. The activation may be done, for example, by a change in pH, by irradiation with UV light, by heating, by a catalyst or chemical initiator, by spraying with an acid and / or alkaline solution, or by certain other ways, or by a combination of the possibilities described above and / or other possibilities. If at least one chemical activator is used, for example an acid, alkaline solution, initiator, or catalyst, they may be applied in various ways. Thus, the impact may be done, for example, by spraying. Alternatively, the activator may be mixed into wax balls, which may then be mechanically crushed, for example, in a circulation pump and / or nozzle. Various other possibilities are also conceivable.

[0149] As mentioned above, there are various ways in which the method steps can be combined, modified or advantageously adapted in another way. For a washer-disinfector, the following sequence of several steps: Discharge process a. At least one pre-cleaning step in which pre-cleaning at low temperature is performed; b. a washing step which may comprise, for example, a hot water wash; Disinfection process c. Optional final rinse step d. Optional steam disinfection process e. Optionally further comprising or in combination with at least one optional evacuation step. may in particular be used a method comprising:

[0150] In the evacuation step, gases may be exhausted from within the cleaning chamber into a drain downstream of the odor trap.

[0151] Alternatively or additionally, the gas may however be exhausted into the surrounding area of ​​the washer-disinfector via at least one filter and / or catalyst.

[0152] Overall, the present invention can be used to realize a simple, rapid, yet highly effective disinfection method, which represents a considerable advantage, especially in the field of cleaning of care products, due to its universal spectrum of activity and its ease of integration into existing devices and methods.

[0153] In summary, and without limiting further possible configurations, the following embodiments are proposed:

[0154] Embodiment 1 A method for treating at least one container for human waste, comprising the following steps: a. at least one draining step including draining contents of a container in at least one cleaning chamber into at least one drain, said drain comprising at least one odor trap; b. at least one cleaning step, comprising impinging at least one cleaning fluid on said container at least once in said cleaning chamber; and c. at least one disinfection step, comprising mixing at least two reactive components at least once to produce at least one disinfectant and impinging said disinfectant on said container; The method comprises:

[0155] d. At least one final rinse step, comprising impinging at least one rinse aid liquid on said container at least once. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

[0156] Embodiment 3 e. At least one steam disinfection step, comprising at least one impingement of steam on the container, in particular downstream of the final rinse step and / or the disinfection step. 13. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising:

[0157]

[0026] Embodiment 4: The mixing in step c. mixing a plurality of said reactive components, forming said disinfectant in the mixture, and applying said mixture to said container; applying said plurality of reactive components to said container and mixing said components on said container, said disinfectant being generated in said mixture on said container; applying at least one first reactive component of the plurality of reactive components to the container, exposing the container to which the first reactive component has been applied to an atmosphere containing at least one second reactive component of the plurality of reactive components in the cleaning chamber, mixing the plurality of reactive components on the container, and generating the disinfectant in the mixture on the container; 13. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising mixing at least once reactive components selected from the group consisting of:

[0158] Embodiment 5. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the disinfectant is contained in at least one carrier, particularly in at least one solvent, in particular in water.

[0159] Embodiment 6. The method according to the preceding embodiment, wherein said disinfectant and said carrier, in particular a solvent, form an active solution and said container is impinged by said active solution, in particular in method step c.

[0160] Embodiment 7. The method of any one of the preceding two embodiments, wherein step c. comprises mixing at least one of the plurality of reactive components with the carrier.

[0161] Embodiment 8. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the reactive components comprise at least one oxidizing agent and at least one anion of an acid.

[0162] Embodiment 9 The disinfectant is a compound that is capable of reacting with reactive nitrogen compounds, in particular peroxynitrate (ONOOH) and peroxynitrite anion (ONOO - ), reactive nitrogen compounds (reactive nitrogen oxide species, RNOS), reactive oxygen compounds (reactive oxygen species, ROS), in particular H2O2, peroxycarboxylic acids, in particular peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOOH), anions of peroxycarboxylic acids, in particular the anion of peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOOH), - ), and chlorine compounds, especially hypochlorous acid (HClO), the anion of hypochlorous acid (ClO - ), chlorous acid (HClO2), anion of chlorous acid (ClO2 - ), chloric acid (HClO3), anion of chloric acid (ClO3 - ), oxygen chloride, in particular oxygen dichloride.

[0163] Embodiment 10: The reactive components include hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); ozone (O3); H +3. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of an acid, particularly at least one acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and acetic acid.

[0164] Embodiment 11 The reactive components are nitrates (NO3 - ), nitrite (NO2 - ), carboxylic acids, especially acetic acid (CH3COOH), anions of carboxylic acids, especially the anion of acetic acid (CH3COO - ), hypochlorite (ClO - ), chlorite (ClO2 - ) and chlorate (ClO3 - 11. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of:

[0165]

[0026] Embodiment 12: The reactant components are hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrite (NO2 - ); Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrates (NO3 - ; carboxylic acids and oxidizing agents, especially hydrogen peroxide, especially acetic acid (CH3COOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); hypochlorite (ClO - ) and acids, especially hypochlorite (ClO - ) and an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid; chlorite (ClO2 - ) and acids, especially chlorite (ClO2 - ) and acids selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid; chlorate (ClO3 - ) and acids, especially chlorates (ClO3 - 5. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a combination of at least one selected from the group consisting of: acetic acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid.

[0166] Embodiment 13. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the disinfectant exhibits at least one effect selected from the group consisting of a sporicidal effect; a virucidal effect, in particular a complete virucidal effect; a fungicidal effect; and a bactericidal effect.

[0167] Embodiment 14. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the impingement in method step c. comprises at least one type of impingement selected from the group consisting of: spraying; jetting; dripping; gas treatment; steam treatment; fume, in particular cold fume.

[0168] Embodiment 15. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one evacuation step, said evacuation step comprising, in particular forcibly evacuating gases, in particular nitrogen oxide-containing gases, from said cleaning chamber.

[0169] Embodiment 16. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the exhaust step includes forcing gases out of the cleaning chamber through at least one bypass into the drain downstream of the odor trap.

[0170] Embodiment 17. The method according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the evacuation step is performed at least once after a disinfection step, preferably before any steam disinfection step.

[0171] Embodiment 18. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one conversion step, said conversion step comprising supplying gas, in particular nitrogen oxide-containing gas, from said cleaning chamber to at least one conversion device for chemical and / or physical and / or biological treatment of at least a portion of said gas.

[0172] Embodiment 19. The method of the preceding embodiment, wherein the conversion device comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a catalyst, a filter, and a scrubber.

[0173] Embodiment 20. The method of any one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein after treatment by the conversion device, the gas is delivered in a manner selected from the group consisting of: the gas is returned to the cleaning chamber; the gas is released into the surrounding area; the gas is exhausted into the discharge system; and the gas is exhausted into a drain downstream of the odor trap.

[0174]

[0036] Embodiment 21. A method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising using at least one sensor, the sensor comprising: a) said sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one component selected from the group consisting of said disinfectant; at least one active solution comprising said disinfectant; at least one of said plurality of reactive components; at least one of said plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product produced in the reaction of said plurality of reactive components; b) the sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one reaction product in the cleaning chamber or on a surface of the vessel selected from the group consisting of: acid produced; gas produced by the reaction; and reaction by-products. The method comprises at least one technique selected from the group consisting of:

[0175]

[0046] Embodiment 22. The method of the preceding embodiment, wherein the disinfection process includes affecting at least one parameter of the disinfection process in response to at least one sensor signal of the sensor.

[0176] Embodiment 23. The method of the preceding embodiment, wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of: a mixing ratio of the plurality of reactive components; a concentration of at least one of the plurality of reactive components; and a concentration of a disinfectant.

[0177] Embodiment 24. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising using at least one filter element, the filter element being disposed in at least one line system through which at least one component flows, the component being selected from the group consisting of the disinfectant, at least one active solution comprising the disinfectant, at least one of the reactive components, at least one of the reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water, and at least one by-product produced in the reaction of the reactive components.

[0178] Embodiment 25 A method according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the method further comprises measuring at least one pressure in the line system upstream and downstream of the filter element by at least one pressure sensor, in particular by at least one differential pressure.

[0179]

[0031] Embodiment 26. The method according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the method comprises: the disinfection process is controlled by at least one pressure signal; The pressure signal is monitored and at least one piece of information, in particular at least one warning, is output to a user in case of deviation of the pressure signal from at least one determined normal value, from at least one determined normal profile or from at least one determined normal range. The method comprises at least one of:

[0180] Embodiment 27 A washer-disinfector for treating at least one container for human waste, said washer-disinfector comprising at least one cleaning chamber and further comprising at least one odour trap, in particular at least one drain having a siphon bend, said washer-disinfector further comprising at least one impingement device for impinging at least one cleaning fluid against said container in said cleaning chamber, said washer-disinfector further comprising at least two reservoirs for containing a plurality of reactive components, said washer-disinfector further comprising at least one controller for controlling at least one cleaning program, said washer-disinfector configured to perform a method according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0181] Embodiment 28. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to the preceding embodiment, in which the controller is configured to perform at least method steps b. and c., and optionally method steps d. and / or e., in particular as program steps of a cleaning program.

[0182] Embodiment 29. The washer-disinfector of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one mixing device, the mixing device configured to mix the plurality of reactive components.

[0183] Embodiment 30. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the multiple reactive components before impact with the container, in particular in at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a mixing chamber; a mixing section; a nozzle, in particular a mixing nozzle; and a pump, in particular a centrifugal pump.

[0184] Embodiment 31 A washer-disinfector according to any one of the preceding embodiments relating to a washer-disinfector, wherein the washer-disinfector comprises at least one treatment tank for treatment of at least one of the reactive components, the treatment tank being connected to at least one of the reservoirs, the treatment tank being connected to at least one reservoir for at least one carrier, in particular a reservoir for water, and the washer-disinfector is configured to mix the at least one reactive component with the carrier in the treatment tank.

[0185] Embodiment 32. A washer-disinfector as described in the preceding embodiment, wherein the washer-disinfector comprises at least one metering pump, the metering pump configured to introduce an identifiable amount of the at least one reactive component into the treatment tank.

[0186] Embodiment 33 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus as described in any one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the treatment tank is connected to the reservoir via at least one supply line having at least one valve, and the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus is configured to introduce the carrier into the treatment tank via the supply line.

[0187] Embodiment 34. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus as described in the preceding embodiment, wherein the supply line protrudes into the treatment tank such that an opening of the supply line is immersible in a predetermined amount of the reactive component contained in the treatment tank.

[0188] Embodiment 35. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of the preceding four embodiments, further comprising at least one steam generator for generating steam, the reservoir for the carrier being at least partially identical to the reservoir of the steam generator.

[0189] Embodiment 36. A washer-disinfector according to any one of the preceding five embodiments, wherein the washer-disinfector comprises at least two treatment tanks, and wherein different reactive components can be treated in the treatment tanks.

[0190] Embodiment 37. A washer-disinfector as described in the preceding embodiment, wherein the washer-disinfector is configured to combine the reactive components from the treatment tanks mixed with the at least one carrier to produce the disinfectant.

[0191] Embodiment 38. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of the preceding embodiment, further comprising at least one pump, the pump configured to pump the plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier from the treatment tank and apply them to the container.

[0192]

[0046] Embodiment 39 further comprises at least one sensor, the sensor comprising: a) said sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one component selected from the group consisting of said disinfectant; at least one active solution comprising said disinfectant; at least one of said reactive components; at least one of said reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product produced in the reaction of said reactive components; b) the sensor is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one reaction product in the cleaning chamber or on a surface of the vessel selected from the group consisting of: acid produced; gas produced by the reaction; and reaction by-products. 2. The washer-disinfector of any one of the preceding embodiments, relating to a washer-disinfector configured with at least one technique selected from the group consisting of:

[0193] Embodiment 40 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the sensor comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a conductivity sensor; a level sensor; a pressure sensor; a flow sensor; a light sensor, in particular a light sensor for detecting yellowing; a sensor for detecting spectroscopic properties, for example a spectrometer and / or a hyperspectral camera; a sensor having one or more light-emitting diodes, in particular having a defined wavelength, and / or a multi-colour light-emitting diode, and in particular one or more light detectors, in particular a corresponding plurality of light detectors; a level sensor; a gas sensor; a pH sensor.

[0194] Embodiment 41 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the sensor is configured, at least in part, according to method a), and wherein the sensor is arranged in at least one line system through which the components flow, in particular in at least one disinfection line system.

[0195] Embodiment 42. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the sensor comprises at least one light absorption sensor, in particular at least one light source and at least one light detector, in particular at least one light absorption sensor having a light source emitting in the ultraviolet spectral range and at least one light detector sensitive in the ultraviolet spectral range.

[0196] Embodiment 43. A washer-disinfector according to any one of the preceding four embodiments, wherein the sensor is connected to the controller.

[0197] Embodiment 44. A washer-disinfector according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is configured to control the disinfection process by a sensor signal of at least one of the sensors, in particular by feedback control.

[0198] Embodiment 45. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus as described in the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is configured to influence at least one parameter of the disinfection process in response to the sensor signal, in particular at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: a mixing ratio of the plurality of reactive components; a concentration of at least one of the plurality of reactive components; a concentration of a disinfectant.

[0199] Embodiment 46 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, further comprising at least one filter element, the filter element being arranged in at least one line system through which at least one component flows, the component being selected from the group consisting of: the disinfectant; at least one active solution comprising the disinfectant; at least one of the reactive components; at least one of the reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, in particular water; at least one by-product produced in the reaction of the reactive components.

[0200] Embodiment 47 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to the preceding embodiment, further comprising at least one pressure sensor, said pressure sensor being configured to measure the pressure, in particular at least one differential pressure, in the line system upstream and downstream of the filter element.

[0201] Embodiment 48. A washer-disinfector as described in the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is configured to capture at least one pressure signal of the pressure sensor.

[0202]

[0046] Embodiment 49. The controller performs the following operations in a number of ways: the controller being configured to control the sterilization process according to the at least one pressure signal; the controller is configured to monitor the pressure signal and to output at least one piece of information, in particular at least one warning, to a user if the pressure signal deviates from at least one determined normal value, at least one determined normal profile or at least one determined normal range. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to the preceding embodiment, comprising at least one of the following:

[0203] Embodiment 50 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, wherein the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus is configured to use the impact device for at least one cleaning step, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus further comprises at least one disinfecting impact device, the disinfecting impact device being separate from the impact device, and the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus is configured to use the disinfecting impact device in the disinfection step.

[0204] Embodiment 51 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the disinfecting impingement device comprises at least one spray nozzle, and the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus is configured to apply at least one component to the container by means of the spray nozzle, the component being selected from the group consisting of a plurality of reactive components, a disinfectant, and at least one auxiliary, in particular a carrier.

[0205] Embodiment 52 A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the disinfecting impingement device comprises at least one atomizer, the atomizer being configured to generate at least one fluid medium selected from the group consisting of steam and aerosol, the fluid medium comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of a reactive component, a disinfectant and at least one auxiliary agent, in particular a carrier, and the disinfecting impingement device optionally further comprises at least one fan, in particular a circulation fan, for circulating the fluid medium generated by the atomizer, in particular in the cleaning chamber.

[0206] Embodiment 53 A washer-disinfector according to any one of the preceding embodiments relating to a washer-disinfector, wherein the cleaning chamber comprises at least one flap door having at least one mount for the container, and the washer-disinfector is configured such that when the flap door is closed, the contents of the container are discharged into the drain.

[0207] Embodiment 54. A washer-disinfector according to any one of the preceding embodiments relating to a washer-disinfector, further comprising at least one bypass, through which gas can be discharged from the cleaning chamber into the drain downstream of the odor trap.

[0208] Embodiment 55. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus as described in the preceding embodiment, further comprising at least one exhaust device, said exhaust device being configured to convey gas from the cleaning chamber through said bypass into said drain, in particular an exhaust device selected from the group consisting of a blower, a suction device, a fan, and a compressed gas source.

[0209] Embodiment 56. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus as described in any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one conversion device configured to chemically and / or physically and / or biologically treat gas, such as a nitrogen oxide-containing gas, from the cleaning chamber.

[0210] Embodiment 57. A cleaning and disinfecting apparatus according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the conversion apparatus comprises at least one apparatus selected from the group consisting of a catalyst, a filter, and a scrubber.

[0211] Embodiment 58. A washer-disinfector as described in any one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the washer-disinfector is configured to communicate the gas after treatment by the conversion device in a manner selected from the group consisting of: the gas is returned to the cleaning chamber; the gas is released into the surrounding area; the gas is exhausted into the discharge system; and the gas is exhausted into a drain downstream of the odor trap.

[0212] Further details and features will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in particular in conjunction with the dependent claims, whereby the individual features may be embodied by themselves or several may be embodied together in combination. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments, which are represented diagrammatically in the figures, whereby identical reference signs in the individual figures refer to components which are the same or have the same function or which correspond to one another in terms of their function. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0213] [Figure 1] 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of a washer-disinfector for treating at least one container for human waste. [Diagram 2] 4 shows further exemplary embodiment details of the washer-disinfector; [Diagram 3] 1 shows a flow chart of one exemplary embodiment of a method for treating at least one container for human waste. [Figure 4] 1 shows a plot of the concentration of the disinfectant peroxynitric acid versus time. [Diagram 5] Figure 1 shows the measured inactivation of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) in a toilet bowl flushing system by disinfection with in situ generated peroxynitric acid. [Figure 6] 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a washer-disinfector having an optical sensor and a filter element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0214] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of a washer-disinfector 110 for treating at least one container 112 for human waste. The exemplary embodiment of the washer-disinfector 110 is depicted in a cleaning position. The washer-disinfector 110 is in particular configured to perform a method for treating at least one container 112 for human waste. One possible exemplary embodiment of such a method is depicted in Fig. 3 and described in more detail below.

[0215] The washer-disinfector 110 comprises at least one cleaning chamber 114. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the washer-disinfector 110 is illustratively a single-chamber washer, with all processing steps occurring within the same cleaning chamber 114.

[0216] Furthermore, the washer-disinfector 110 comprises at least one drain 116 having at least one odor trap 118, in particular a siphon bend. As depicted in FIG. 1, the drain 116 may comprise at least one opening 120 in the floor area of ​​the cleaning chamber 114 and / or may open into the opening 120. Furthermore, the drain 116 may comprise at least one drain pipe 122 connected to the opening 120. Said drain pipe 122 may have an opening, for example, at the opening 120 in the floor of the cleaning chamber 114. Said opening may in particular be open so that the contents of the container may flow into the drain 116 only based on its weight, without any obstruction.

[0217] Furthermore, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 comprises at least one impingement device 124 for impinging at least one cleaning fluid against the container 112 in the cleaning chamber 114. For example, the at least one impingement device 124 may comprise at least one cleaning system 126, for example having at least one cleaning nozzle 128. Furthermore, the cleaning system 126 may comprise at least one cleaning tank 130 and at least one cleaning line system 132. The cleaning line system 132 may in particular connect the cleaning nozzle 128 to the cleaning tank 130, so that the cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning tank 130 can be supplied to the cleaning nozzle 128 via the cleaning line system 132. For example, at least one pump 133 may further be provided in the cleaning tank 130 and / or in the cleaning line system 132 for supplying the cleaning fluid under pressure to the at least one cleaning nozzle 128. The cleaning system 126 may be usable for a cleaning process, for example in the form of at least one cleaning liquid, in which at least one cleaning liquid is impinged against the container 112.

[0218] For any final rinse step, the impingement device 124 may, for example, optionally comprise at least one final rinse system 134 having, for example, at least one final rinse nozzle 136. The final rinse system 134 may comprise at least one final rinse tank 138 and at least one final rinse line system 140. The final rinse line system 140 may fluidly connect the final rinse nozzle 136 to the final rinse tank 138, so that the container 112 may be impinged by a final rinse liquid stored in the final rinse tank 138 via the final rinse nozzle 136. As depicted in FIG. 1, the cleaning system 126 and the final rinse system 134 may be combined in whole or in part. Thus, for example, the cleaning tank 130 may be used as the final rinse tank 138. Similarly, the cleaning nozzle 128 may be used as the final rinse nozzle 136, and the cleaning line system 132 may be used as the final rinse line system 140. However, other designs are contemplated, for example designs in which the washing system 126 and the final rinse system 134 are wholly or partially separate from one another.

[0219] Furthermore, the impingement device 124 may comprise at least one steam system 142 for at least one optional steam disinfection step. Said steam system 142 may comprise, for example, at least one steam nozzle 144, at least one steam generator 146 and at least one steam line 148. The cleaning and disinfecting device 110 may thus further comprise at least one steam generator 146 for the generation of steam. The steam generator 146 may in particular comprise at least one reservoir 150, in particular for water, and at least one heating device 152, for example at least one heating coil, for the generation of steam. The steam generator 146 may be connected, for example, via a steam line 148 to the steam nozzle 144 on the cleaning chamber 114. In this exemplary embodiment, the steam system 142 is at least partially separate from the cleaning system 126 and the final rinsing system 134. However, other configurations are contemplated herein, such as a steam system 142 that is entirely separate from the washing system 126 and the final rinse system 134, or a complete combination of these systems. Thus, for example, the final rinse line system 140 may also be used in whole or in part as a steam line 148, such as, for example, the final rinse nozzle 136 may be used in whole or in part as a steam nozzle 144.

[0220] The washer-disinfector 110 further comprises at least two reservoirs 154 for the accommodation of at least two reactive components. These may in particular be reservoirs 154 for liquids. Said reservoirs 154 may be fully or partially closed, for example as canisters and / or other types of reservoirs 154. In particular, reactive component A and reactive component B may each be provided with a reservoir 154.

[0221] Furthermore, the impingement device 124 may comprise at least one disinfection system 156 for performing at least one disinfection step, in particular disinfection step c. of the method for treating at least one container 112, which is described in more detail in FIG. 3. Said disinfection system 156 may comprise, for example, at least two reservoirs 154 for reactive components and at least one disinfection nozzle 158 for the impingement of one or both of the reactive components on the container 112, said impingement being performed in liquid and / or gaseous form. Furthermore, the disinfection system 156 may comprise at least one disinfection line system 160, which may, for example, supply the reactive components and optionally one or more carriers to the at least one disinfection nozzle 158. Thus, the disinfection system 156 may comprise at least one pump 161, which may, for example, be configured to supply one or more of the reactive moieties from the reservoirs 154 to the disinfection nozzle 158 via the disinfection line system 160 under pressure.

[0222] The washer-disinfecting device 110 further comprises at least one controller 162 for the control of at least one cleaning program. For a possible configuration of said cleaning program, reference may be made to the method for treating at least one container 112 for human waste, which is explained in more detail in FIG. 3. Said controller 162 may be centralized or distributed and / or may comprise at least one data processing device 164, for example, programmed to control the cleaning program. For example, the data processing device 164 may be configured to set one or more or all of a plurality of program parameters of the cleaning program, for example in a specified order and / or on a specified time schedule. The controller 162 may be centralized and / or in the form of one component, or may be distributed and comprise several control components. For example, the controller 162 may comprise one or more processors 166, which may optionally be wirelessly or non-wirelessly connected to each other for the exchange of information and / or commands. The at least one controller 162, e.g. at least one optional data processing device 164, may generally be integrated, in whole or part, with the at least one cleaning chamber 114 in a common module, e.g. in a common housing. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one controller 162, e.g. at least one data processing device 164, may be arranged, in whole or part, outside the module of the washer-disinfector comprising the cleaning chamber 114, e.g. outside the housing surrounding the cleaning chamber 114, e.g. as an external controller. The at least one controller 162 may comprise one or more control components, e.g. multiple data processing devices 164, which may be connected to each other, e.g. via at least one interface and / or at least one data connection 168, e.g. for exchanging data and / or general information and / or control commands.

[0223] The controller 162 may in particular be configured to perform at least method steps b. and c., and optionally method steps d. and / or e., of the method for treating a container 112 for human waste described in further detail in FIG. 3, in particular as program steps of a cleaning program.

[0224] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 may further comprise at least one mixing device 170. The mixing device 170 may be configured to mix the reactive components. In particular, the mixing device 170 may be configured to mix the reactive components before impingement with the container 112, in particular in at least one device selected from the group consisting of a mixing chamber, a mixing section, a pump, and a mixing nozzle. In this exemplary embodiment, the mixing device 170 comprises at least one mixing section 172. The mixing section 172 may in particular comprise at least one fluid conduit, for example at least one flow tube and / or at least one flow nozzle, through which the reactive components may flow, for example, alone or with one or more carriers and / or additives. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing device 170 may comprise at least one mixing nozzle 174. The mixing nozzle 174 may generally be at least one nozzle configured to atomize at least one of a plurality of reactive components, or at least two reactive components, either alone or together with, for example, one or more carriers and / or additives, so that they impinge on the container 112 and, for example, may contact each other on the path between the mixing nozzle 174 and the container 112 and, for example, may react with each other on this path or may otherwise react with each other on the surface of the container 112.

[0225] Further, the washer-disinfector 110 may in particular comprise at least one door 176 to the cleaning chamber 114. In this exemplary embodiment, said door 176 is a flap door 178. For example, the flap door 178 may have a horizontal pivot. The flap door 178 may in particular comprise at least one mount 180 for the at least one container 112, so that, for example, said container 112 may be connected to the door 176. The washer-disinfector 110 may in particular be configured such that when the flap door 178 is closed, the container 112 is tilted, for example, such that the contents of the container 112 are drained into the drain 116.

[0226] Furthermore, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 may comprise at least one bypass 182. As depicted in FIG. 1, said bypass 182 may comprise, for example, at least one pipeline 184 connecting the cleaning chamber 114 and the odor trap 118, in particular the drain 116 downstream of the siphon. Gas may be able to be discharged from the cleaning chamber 114 via the bypass 182 into the drain 116 downstream of the odor trap 118. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 may further comprise at least one exhaust device, not depicted in FIG. 1. Said exhaust device may be configured to discharge, in particular exhaust, gas from the cleaning chamber 114 via the bypass 182 into said drain 116. The exhaust device may in particular comprise at least one device selected from the group consisting of a blower, a fan, a suction device, and a compressed gas source. The bypass 182 may further comprise at least one check valve 186 and / or at least one other type of valve that prevents gas from flowing back from the drain 116 into the cleaning chamber 114.

[0227] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 may further comprise at least one conversion device 189, in particular for chemical and / or physical and / or biological treatment of at least a portion of the gas from the cleaning chamber 114. Said conversion device 189 may comprise, for example, at least one device selected from the group consisting of a catalyst, a filter and a scrubber. For example, the conversion device 189 may be arranged in a treatment pipe 191 that branches off from the cleaning chamber 114 and may be separate from the bypass 182 or may be fully or partially combined with the bypass 182. A pump 193 may be provided, for example a circulation pump, which sucks in the gas from the cleaning chamber 114 and conveys it past the conversion device 189. The gas thus treated may then be returned to the cleaning chamber 114 as depicted in FIG. 1, or may be discharged into a drain 116, or into the surrounding area or into a discharge system. This may, for example, reduce the nitrogen oxides in the gas. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 may, for example, be operated in circulation mode. The pump 193 may be controlled, for example by the controller 162, so that the treatment of the gas by the conversion device 189 may be integrated into the above method as one or more conversion steps, for example after the disinfection step c. has been performed.

[0228] The washer-disinfecting apparatus 110 may comprise at least one disinfecting impingement device 183. Said disinfecting impingement device 183 may be part of the impingement device 124. Alternatively, the disinfecting impingement device 183 may be separate from the impingement device 124, as shown in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. Thus, for example, the disinfecting impingement device 183 may comprise at least one disinfecting nozzle 158, which may be separate from the at least one cleaning nozzle 128. In this way, for example, mixing of the cleaning liquid with one or more fluids of the disinfection process may be avoided. The washer-disinfecting apparatus 110 may be particularly configured to use the disinfecting impingement device 183 in the disinfection process.

[0229] The disinfecting impingement device 183 may in particular comprise at least one spray nozzle 185 as part of the at least one disinfecting nozzle 158. The cleaning disinfecting device 110 may be configured to apply at least one component to the container 112 by the spray nozzle 185. Said component may be selected from the group consisting of a plurality of reactive components, a disinfectant, and at least one auxiliary agent, in particular at least one carrier. The disinfecting impingement device 183 may in particular further comprise at least one atomizer 187, which may be configured, as an alternative or in addition to the at least one spray nozzle 185, for example to generate at least one fluid medium selected from the group consisting of steam and aerosol. Said fluid medium may be circulated in particular in the cleaning chamber 114 by at least one optional fan, in particular at least one circulation fan. The fluid medium may in particular comprise at least one component selected from the group consisting of a plurality of reactive components, a disinfectant, and at least one auxiliary agent, in particular at least one carrier.

[0230] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of details of a further alternative exemplary embodiment of the washer-disinfecting apparatus 110. In this exemplary embodiment, in particular the structure of the impaction device 124 and the structure of the disinfecting impaction device 183 are modified. The rest of the configuration of this washer-disinfecting apparatus 110 substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, so reference may be made here to the description of Figure 1.

[0231] As represented in Fig. 2, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110, in particular the disinfecting impingement apparatus 183, may comprise at least one treatment tank 188 for the treatment of at least one of the plurality of reactive components. Said treatment tank 188 may generally be a tank connected to at least one of the plurality of reservoirs 154. For example, reactive component A and reactive component B may each be provided with a treatment tank 188 which may be connected to the corresponding reservoir 154. The treatment tank 188 may be connected to at least one reservoir 190 for at least one carrier, in particular a reservoir for water. Said reservoir 190 for at least one carrier may be fully or partially combined with the cleaning tank 130, the final rinsing tank 138 and / or the reservoir 150 of the steam generator 146. Thus, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, the cleaning system 126, the final rinsing system 134, the steam system 142 and, optionally, the disinfection system 156 may be partially or completely combined.

[0232] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110, in particular the disinfecting impingement apparatus 183, may be configured to mix the at least one reactive component with the carrier in the treatment tank 188. The treatment tank 188 may thus serve to introduce the reactive component, or at least one of the reactive components, into the at least one carrier, thereby making it possible, for example, to set the concentration in a specific manner and thus also to facilitate, for example, the atomization or misting of the at least one reactive component. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one reactive component may be mixed with the at least one carrier in another way, for example in at least one common line and / or pump, for example in a supply line to the treatment tank 188 and / or in a line downstream of the treatment tank 188.

[0233] The washer-disinfecting apparatus 110, in particular the disinfecting impingement apparatus 183, may in particular comprise at least one metering pump 192 configured to introduce an identifiable amount of the at least one reactive component into the treatment tank 188. For example, the metering pump 192 may be controlled by the controller 162, in particular further, for example with respect to time of the metered addition of the at least one reactive component and / or additive and / or with respect to a specified amount. The metering pump 192 may for example be time controlled.

[0234] The processing tank 188 may in particular be connected to the reservoir 190 via at least one supply line 194, optionally having at least one valve 196. Said valve 196 may comprise, for example, a two-way valve. As an alternative to using the valve 196, a valve-less configuration is also conceivable, for example, by filling the processing tank 188 from the washing tank 130, for example, by overflow.

[0235] The washer-disinfectant 110 may in particular be configured to introduce the carrier into the treatment tank 188 via the supply line 194. This introduction may be, for example, gravity driven or driven by at least one further metering pump. For example, the washer-disinfectant 110 may be configured to control the valve 196, in particular by the controller 162, as appropriate, for example to introduce a specified amount of the carrier into the treatment tank 188 via the supply line 194. For example, a timer may be provided as appropriate to define the amount of the carrier.

[0236] In this exemplary embodiment, the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 thus includes at least two of the multiple treatment tanks 188, and multiple different reactive components may be treatable in the treatment tanks 188 by introducing them into at least one carrier.

[0237] Furthermore, the washer-disinfector 110 may comprise at least one sensor 198. The sensor 198 may be arranged, for example, in at least one of the treatment tanks 188. As depicted in FIG. 2, one sensor 198 may in particular be arranged in each of the treatment tanks 188. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor 198 in the treatment tank 188 may comprise a level sensor 200. For example, the sensor 198 may comprise a conductivity sensor 202 configured to detect a fill level in the treatment tank 188. However, additional sensors and / or other configurations of the sensor 198 are also contemplated.

[0238] The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 may further comprise at least one pump 204 configured to pump the reactive components mixed with at least one carrier from the treatment tank 188 and apply them to the container 112. Said pump 204 may furthermore serve as the mixing device 170 itself or be part of the impingement device 170. The pump 204 may in particular be a centrifugal pump in order to achieve a sufficient mixing effect. The pump 204 may in particular be part of the impingement device 124. Here, a separate disinfection pump 206 may be provided, which for example generates the necessary pressure and / or supplies the treated reactive components to the at least one disinfection nozzle 158.

[0239] After one or more of the reactive components are processed, they may be mixed. Thus, the washer / disinfector 110 may be particularly configured to combine the reactive components from the processing tank 188, mixed with at least one carrier, to generate a disinfectant. This combining may include mixing the reactive components. The combining may be performed outside the vessel 112, e.g., in the mixing device 170, or, e.g., by combining the treated reactive components on the vessel 112, e.g., on a vessel surface. In this exemplary embodiment, the mixing device 170 may also include a mixing section 172 and / or a mixing nozzle 174, and / or a pump 204.

[0240] The washer-disinfecting apparatus 110 may further comprise one or more further sensors 198, for example arranged on the mixing device 170, in particular on the mixing section 172 as shown in FIG. 2. Other arrangements of the sensor 198 are also conceivable, for example in a bypass to the mixing section 172 and / or in a branch to the mixing section 172. Here, the sensor 198 may in particular comprise an optical sensor 208. The optical sensor 208 may be configured to detect yellowing. The yellowing of the water in the presence of nitrates, nitrites, nitrogen oxides, peroxynitrates or peroxynitrite anions may thus be detected optically, qualitatively and / or quantitatively. Here, other sensors 198 may also be arranged, for example pressure sensors and / or flow sensors. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor 198 may also be installed directly in the chamber wall of the cleaning chamber 114, for example to analyze and / or monitor the state of the disinfection process. The opening of the door 176 may be released in response to the contents of the cleaning chamber 114, for example by the controller 162 monitoring the sensor signals of the sensors 198, particularly the sensors 198 in the walls of the cleaning chamber 114, and releasing the door 176 if one or more release conditions are met. Thus, for example, it is possible to prevent harmful substances from reaching the surrounding area from the cleaning chamber 114. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 162 may monitor the progress of the disinfection process in the cleaning chamber 114. However, other configurations of the sensors 198 are also contemplated.

[0241] 2, the washer-disinfector 110 may further include at least one optional filter 210. The filter 210 may be configured to filter the cleaning fluid, the final rinse liquid, the carrier containing multiple reactive components, and / or the disinfectant. The filter 210 may in particular be part of the impactor 124 and / or the disinfecting impactor 183.

[0242] Figure 3 shows a flow chart of one exemplary embodiment of a method for treating at least one container 112 for human waste. In general, said method may be performed in at least one washer-disinfector 110, in particular by one or more of the exemplary embodiments described in Figures 1 and 2. However, other designs of the washer-disinfector 110 are also conceivable.

[0243] The method includes a number of steps specified in more detail below. These steps may be performed in the specified order. However, a different order is fundamentally possible. Furthermore, two or more of the specified method steps may overlap in time or may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, one or more of the specified method steps may be performed once or repeatedly. In addition to the specified steps, the method may comprise further method steps not mentioned here.

[0244] The method includes the following steps: a. at least one draining step (identified by reference numeral 212) including draining the contents of the container in at least one cleaning chamber 114 into at least one drain 116, said drain 116 being equipped with at least one odor trap 118; b. (identified by reference numeral 214) at least one cleaning step including impinging at least one cleaning fluid on said container 112 at least once in said cleaning chamber 114; c. At least one disinfection step (identified by reference numeral 216) including at least one mixing of at least two reactive components to produce at least one disinfectant and impinging said disinfectant into said container 112. Contains:

[0245] In method step a., emptying of the container 112 can be performed in particular by changing the position and / or orientation of the container 112, for example by fully or partially tilting the contents of the container 112 into said drain 116. The change of position and / or orientation can be performed, for example, by mounting the container 112 on a mount 180 of the door 176 of the pivotable washer-disinfector 110, the change of position occurring by pivoting. In this way, emptying can be performed by the weight of the contents of the container.

[0246] Furthermore, the impingement of the container 112 in method step b. may be performed by at least one impingement device 124 of the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110. In particular, a cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning tank 130 may be applied to the container 112 via the impingement device 124.

[0247] In method step c., the mixing of the at least two reactive components can in particular be carried out by the mixer 170 of the washer-disinfector 110. The disinfectant thus produced can be applied to the container 112 via the impactor 124, in particular via the disinfection impactor 183.

[0248] The method comprises the steps of: d. At least one final rinse step (identified by reference numeral 218) including impinging at least one rinse aid liquid on said container 112 at least once. It may further include.

[0249] In this exemplary embodiment, the final rinse step d. is preferably carried out before the disinfection step c. However, it is also conceivable that the final rinse step d. is carried out after the disinfection step c. Several final rinse steps are also possible, for example one final rinse step d. before the disinfection step c. and one after the disinfection step c.

[0250] The method includes the following method steps: e. (identified by reference number 220) at least one steam disinfection step, in particular downstream of a final rinse step and / or a disinfection step, including at least one impingement of steam on said vessel 112; It may further include.

[0251] In particular, the method may further comprise at least one evacuation step (identified by reference number 222), in which gases, in particular nitrogen oxide-containing gases, may be exhausted, in particular forcibly, from the cleaning chamber 114. The evacuation step may be performed after the end of method step c., but also, for example, before performing any method step e.

[0252] The evacuation step may however be performed multiple times, for example once after performing method step c. and at least once more after performing optional method step e. Thus, for example, in a first evacuation step downstream of method step c., gases including nitrogen oxides (NOx) may be exhausted from the cleaning chamber 114, while in a second evacuation step downstream of method step e., steam is exhausted from the cleaning chamber 114.

[0253] Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the method may comprise, for example, method steps a.-c. and optionally d., followed by a first evacuation step, followed by method step e., followed by a second evacuation step. In this way, the disinfection step c. and the optional steam disinfection step e. may be clearly separated, at least one evacuation step may take place between the disinfection steps c. and e., and at least one evacuation step may take place optionally after the steam disinfection step e. This means, for example, that harmful gases from the method step c., and optionally steam and moist air uncomfortable for the operator, may be exhausted in an evacuation step before the door 176 of the cleaning chamber 114 is opened, and their release into the room air may be prevented. In the evacuation step, gases may be exhausted from the cleaning chamber 114, particularly forcibly, via the bypass 182 of the cleaning disinfection device 110 into the drain 116 downstream of the odor trap 118.

[0254] As mentioned above, as an alternative or in addition to the evacuation step, at least one optional conversion step may be performed, for example by conversion device 189, and thus may be performed at the times in the method described with respect to the evacuation step, however, other configurations are contemplated.

[0255] Furthermore, the method may comprise at least one drying step (identified by reference number 224). The drying step may for example be downstream of the disinfection step and / or the steam disinfection step. As depicted in FIG. 3, the method may for example initially comprise method steps a. to c., optionally method step d., which is preferably upstream of method step c. After carrying out method step c., a first evacuation step is then carried out, optionally followed by a steam disinfection step e., optionally a second evacuation step and a drying step. The second evacuation step and the drying step may be a common method step, in whole or in part. Other configurations are also conceivable, for example in which the second evacuation step and the drying step are separate method steps.

[0256] Exemplary embodiment 1: Measuring disinfectant concentration plots For the microbiological tests, the disinfectant used was peroxynitric acid. The carrier and solvent used was water. The active solution used was therefore an aqueous solution of peroxynitric acid.

[0257] The production of peroxynitric acid was tested by using an apparatus corresponding to the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 1, which includes a disinfection system 156 and a disinfection impingement device 183. In general, a check valve can be optionally provided in each case between the pump 161 and the reservoir 154. Furthermore, for the test, a part of the mixed liquid is discharged between the pump 161 and the disinfection nozzle 158 and is fed via a throttle valve and a delay line to an optical sensor, not depicted in FIG. 1, for example a UV-VIS spectrometer, for monitoring the concentration. Since a direct time-dependent measurement of the disinfectant concentration, in particular the concentration on the surface of the container 112 to be cleaned, is generally difficult, an optical sensor, which for example spectroscopically detects yellowing in a flow cuvette, is used to determine an approximate value of this concentration. This makes it possible to quantify the concentration of the disinfectant, for example ONOOH, in particular by ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. Here, it must be ensured that the nozzle in the measuring device is operated at the same pressure and with the same flow rate as in the normal cleaning process, optionally as a result of the use of further valves or other components. If the flight time of the disinfectant liquid from the nozzle to the article to be cleaned is not negligible, it can be simulated in the measurement device by a delay line. The time-dependent absorbance A can be measured using a time resolution Δt fine enough for the respective process, using a UV / VIS flow cuvette with an absorption length L suitable for the respective process.

[0258] Quantification of the concentration of the disinfectant, e.g., ONOOH, on the surface of the container 112 can then be performed by curve fitting, where the concentrations of the disinfectant, e.g., ONOOH, and possibly other absorbing species i, are used as free parameters. Here, for example, the model function

number

[0259] As an example, FIG. 4 illustrates the reaction profile that occurs when using stock solution A (110 mM H2O2 and 140 mM H3PO4 in distilled water) and stock solution B (100 mM NaNO2 in distilled water) with an injection time of 0.8 s. The figure illustrates a plot of the concentration c of ONOOH versus measurement time t, where the concentration c is determined optically as described above. The injection time can be seen in FIG. 4 by the concentration plateau at the beginning of the process. In this example, the efficacy parameter H according to equation (2) above and the measurements depicted in FIG. 4 is 37.2 mMs. To further increase the efficacy parameter, when using the same stock solutions, the injection time may be extended and / or the reaction time in the hose system may be adjusted to form a plateau at a higher ONOOH concentration.

[0260] Exemplary embodiment 2: Quantification of efficacy For the microbiological test, an aqueous solution A of 300 mM H2O2 (corresponding to 300 x 0.001 mol / l) was prepared by using it as the first reactive component. Water was therefore also used as the carrier and solvent of the first reactive component. As an additive, phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was further added to the solution of the first reactive component at a concentration of 60 mM (corresponding to 60 x 0.001 mol / l), resulting in an overall solution with a pH of 1.8. Furthermore, 0.1% of a weak acid rinse aid and softener (Doyen SK22E™ by manufacturer etol Eberhard Tripp GmbH, 77728 Oppenau, Germany) was added to the first solution. This resulted in a first active solution.

[0261] The second reactive component used was an aqueous solution of 100 mM NaNO2 with a calculated pH of 8.

[0262] The efficacy parameter used in the above studies performed had a value of 144 mM·s.

[0263] For the microbiological tests, test samples in the form of toilet bowls were inoculated with C. difficile spores. For this purpose, 20 μl of spore solution was applied in each case to 5 different positions and subsequently allowed to dry for 60 minutes.

[0264] Afterwards, a disinfection process was carried out with an active solution in the above device corresponding to Fig. 1. Several suction hoses were brought together via a T-piece in front of the pump 161 and connected to the pump 161. The two raw materials were mixed for the first time in the T-piece. The reaction started from this point. By way of example, the rest of the hose system was designed so that about 2 s elapsed between the first contact between the two components and the impact of the article to be cleaned.

[0265] The microorganisms on the articles to be cleaned were continuously sprayed with the active solution for a period T. Depending on the amount applied, the period T in the experiments was 6 s for a spray of 90 ml of active solution or 12 s for a spray of 180 ml of active solution.

[0266] Without limiting other possibilities, the efficacy parameters were determined in the following way: Thus, from the microorganism point of view, the liquid element with a certain ONOOH concentration is always the first to reach the surface of the article to be cleaned over the spraying period T. The concentration is determined by the time delay between the first contact of the disinfecting components and the moment of impact with the surface. In the example investigated, the mixed disinfectant impacts the surface after 2 s. The ONOOH concentration is about 12 mM after 2 s. This results in Haber efficacy parameters of 12 mM x 6 s = 72 mM·s and 12 x 12 s = 144 mM·s for the two spraying times tested.

[0267] After the disinfection step, the cleaning chamber 114 was filled with fresh air for 10 seconds and the toilet bowl was then removed from the cleaning chamber 114.

[0268] As a control, nebulization was performed with 180 ml of distilled water.

[0269] In the next step, the spores were covered and scraped with 30 ml of neutralizing agent immediately after the toilet bowl was removed from the cleaning chamber 114. They were then scraped, covered with a lid, and agitated on a horizontal shaker at 200 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0270] The reduction factor was then quantified. For this purpose, the harvested solution obtained as described above was incubated on nutrient medium at 36°C for 5 days. Finally, the colony forming units (CFU) were counted at different dilution levels and the reduction factor was determined.

[0271] The results of these tests for the inactivation of C. difficile spores in the washer-disinfector 110 by peroxynitric acid are depicted as a bar graph in FIG. 5, where the logarithmic reduction logR is plotted for three different conditions: reference numeral 510 shows the results of a test in which the samples were subjected to rinsing only, reference numeral 512 shows the results of a test in which the spray volume of the above-mentioned active solution was 90 ml and the action time was 6 s, and reference numeral 514 shows the corresponding results with a spray volume of 180 ml of active solution and an action time of 12 s.

[0272] The reduction is divided into a pure destructive component 516 and a disinfecting component 518. The sum of both components is the active component.

[0273] Furthermore, two limit values ​​are depicted as dashed lines in Figure 5. Thus, line 520 represents the destruction requirements according to European standards EN 17126 and EN 13697. Line 522 represents the reduced detection limit.

[0274] The above results clearly show that Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), a stubborn hospital pathogen, can also be efficiently eliminated by the above described method of on-site production of the disinfectant ONOOH, exceeding the relevant standards.

[0275] FIG. 6 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the washer-disinfector 110 in a schematic manner. This is only a partial depiction. For the remainder of the washer-disinfector 110, reference can be made to other exemplary embodiments, in particular to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 or to the embodiment according to FIG. 2. In this case too, the washer-disinfector 110 comprises a disinfection impingement device 183 with a number of reservoirs 154. They can be connected to the disinfection line system 160 and optionally via a pump 161 and also, as in the other exemplary embodiments, via at least one optional distributor 610 to at least one disinfection nozzle 158 of the washer-disinfector 110. For possible options for mixing the components from the reservoirs 154, reference can be made to the above description of FIGS. 1 and 2. Basically, any of the above-mentioned options for mixing the components can also be realized in this exemplary embodiment and / or this exemplary embodiment can also be integrated, for example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and / or 2.

[0276] In the exemplary embodiment of the washer-disinfector 110 shown in Fig. 6, two optional features are embodied, which may be used cumulatively or individually in the depicted example of the washer-disinfector 110 or else in other washer-disinfectors 110 according to the invention. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 6, the sensor 198 is again provided as a first option, and the filter element 612 is provided as an alternative or additionally usable second option. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, both of these components 198, 612 are provided in the disinfection line system 160, the depicted exemplary embodiment showing a positioning between the pump 161 and the distributor 610. However, alternatively or additionally, a positioning of one or both of these components 198, 612 in a different position, for example in a different position in the disinfection line system 160, is also conceivable.

[0277] In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the sensor 198 is configured to detect at least one characteristic of an active solution comprising a disinfectant, for example, particularly within the disinfection line system 160.

[0278] By way of example, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, the sensor 198 is an optical sensor 614, e.g., an absorption sensor, which may, e.g., measure the absorption characteristics of the active solution in the disinfection line system 160. For this purpose, the optical sensor 614 may, e.g., comprise at least one flow cell 616, which may, e.g., be fluidly integrated in the disinfection line system 160 and through which the active solution may flow. The flow cell may, e.g., be fully or partially transparent. Furthermore, the optical sensor 614 may comprise at least one light source 618 and at least one photodetector 620. A connecting line between the light source 618 and the photodetector 620 may cross the flow cell 616, such that the light emitted by the light source 618 passes through the flow cell 616, where it interacts with the active solution, and is finally detected by the photodetector 620. The wavelength of the light source 618, and / or its spectral characteristics, may be tailored to the nature of the active solution and / or associated components to be detected. For example, an ultraviolet light source 618, such as a light emitting diode emitting in the ultraviolet spectral range, emits the active ingredients peroxynitrate (ONOOH) or peroxynitrite anion (ONOOOH), as described above. - ) may be used. However, alternatively or in addition to light emitting diodes, other types of light sources may be used, e.g. lasers, incandescent lamps, or other types of light sources. Essentially, the light detector 620 may comprise at least one any light sensitive element, for example tuned to the spectral characteristics of the light source 618. For example, this may be a light sensitive semiconductor detector, e.g. a photodiode, a photoresistor, or a similar light sensitive semiconductor detector. Other types of light sensitive elements may alternatively or additionally be used.

[0279] The light source 618 may, for example, be electrically connected via at least one electrical wire 621 to a constant current source 622 and have a constant current applied to it by said constant current source 622. However, how the light source 618 is electrically controlled may be tailored to the type of light source 618.

[0280] 6, the photodetector 620 may, for example, be connected to at least one signal converter, such as to at least one signal amplifier 624, via at least one wire 623. Alternatively or additionally, other types of signal conversion are also contemplated, such as analog-to-digital conversion or a similar type of signal conversion.

[0281] At least one sensor signal of a sensor 198, e.g., a light sensor 614, may be transmitted, for example, to the controller 162. In the example of an exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, the light sensor 614 may be connected, for example, to the controller 162 via a signal amplifier 624, directly or otherwise, wirelessly or via at least one electrical wire 626.

[0282] For example, the controller 162 may be composed of several parts, as shown by way of example in FIG. 6. Thus, the controller 162 may comprise at least one disinfection controller 628, for example a microcontroller, configured to control the disinfection process. Said disinfection controller 628 may be a software component entirely or partially and / or a hardware component. Optionally, it may be separate from a central machine controller 630, which is also associated with the controller 162 and which controls other functions of the washer-disinfector 110, for example the cleaning process. The central machine controller 630, which may also be called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), may be connected to the disinfection controller 628, for example, via one or more intermediate components 632, for example via at least one input / output board (I / O board).

[0283] As described above, the controller 162 may be configured to generate a corresponding control signal in response to at least one sensor signal of the at least one sensor 198. Thus, the controller 162 may be connected, for example, wirelessly and / or electrically via at least one control line 634, to the pump 161 and / or to other components. This may result in a controlled system, for example, for control, regulation, or adjustment of one or more parameters of the sterilization process.

[0284] As also mentioned above, Fig. 6 embodies an option that may be realized as an alternative or in addition to the sensor element 198, in which at least one filter element 612 is provided. As can be seen, also provided in this exemplary embodiment upstream and downstream of the filter element 612 are pressure sensors 636, 638, which may be fluidly connected, for example, to the disinfection system 160 via pressure lines 640, 642, respectively, upstream and downstream of the filter element 612. Instead of the two pressure sensors 636, 638, for example, a single differential pressure sensor may be used.

[0285] The sensor signals of the pressure sensors 636, 638 may in turn be transmitted to the controller 162, for example, as also depicted in Figure 6. For example, this may be accomplished wirelessly or otherwise, for example, via electrical wires 644, 646. Again, this may be done to a specific sterilization controller 628 responsible for controlling the sterilization process.

[0286] In this way, the controller 162 may, for example, monitor the functioning of at least one filter element 612. As the filter element 612 ages and / or if the filter element 612 becomes clogged, the differential pressure dropped across the filter element 612 may, for example, increase, and thus the controller 162 may, for example, detect this situation and, for example, output a corresponding warning. Alternatively or additionally, the differential pressure may provide information about the composition of the active solution in the disinfection line system 160 and / or of at least one component in the disinfection line system 160. Thus, the composition may, for example, have an effect on the viscosity, which in turn may be reflected in the differential pressure. Also in this way, the controller 162 may, for example, generate at least one corresponding signal in order to adjust the viscosity to a target value, for example by appropriate adjustment of the composition of the active solution. Various types of control are conceivable.

[0287] A washer-disinfector 110 in one or more of the variations described above, as shown in Figure 6, may be used, for example, to treat or avoid spores or other pathogens, as described above. Various use strategies are contemplated herein.

[0288] The multi-part configuration of the controller 162 shown in Fig. 6 can in particular be used for advantageous communication. Thus, the controller can for example be a primary computer / secondary computer system (master / slave system). For example, the disinfection controller 628, for example a microcontroller, may be used as a secondary computer, whereas the central machine controller 630 may for example act as a primary computer. The disinfection controller 628 may then be controlled by the central machine controller 630. However, the communication can for example not be realized directly, but optionally via at least one further module, in this case for example at least one intermediate component 632, for example a so-called input / output (I / O) board, as described above. This can for example depend on the structure of the overall system of the washer-disinfector 110, for example a hospital disinfector.

[0289] For example, a bus system 648 may be used for communication between the intermediate components 632, particularly the I / O boards, and the central machine controller 630 or CPU. Communication between the intermediate components 632, particularly the I / O boards, and the sterilization controller 628, e.g., a microcontroller, may be realized, for example, via wireless communication and / or via at least one digital signal line 650.

[0290] In particular, at least two separate data lines may be available in the communication direction from the intermediate component 632, in particular the I / O board, to the sterilization controller 628, in particular the microcontroller. They may be read, for example, at defined digital inputs of the sterilization controller 628, for example the microcontroller. For example, as a result of switching of a signal level (0 or 1) on the signal line and a binary evaluation in the sterilization controller 628, different states, for example 4 or 22 different states, may be detected and / or processed. Said different states may be detected and / or processed, for example, as deactivation, stop, error or similar commands or information. The decision regarding the state of the output of the intermediate component 632, in particular the I / O board, and thus of the data lines, may be made, for example, by the central machine controller 630 or the CPU.

[0291] The reverse communication direction, i.e. from the sterilization controller 628, in particular the microcontroller, to the intermediate component 632, in particular the I / O board, can be realized in a similar manner or according to the same principle. However, for example at least four separate signal lines can be available for this purpose. They allow the signaling of 16 or 24 different statuses, results, filling levels, error conditions or similar information. In order for the central machine controller 630 or CPU to be able to decide how to proceed, the signal levels present at the inputs of the intermediate component 632, in particular the I / O board, can in particular be evaluated. In particular, the results can then be transmitted by the bus system 648 to the central machine controller 630 or CPU. The results can then in particular form the basis for further decisions.

[0292] 6 allows for example a measurement method to be realised which can be used for process validation of a method for processing at least one container 112, which is performed, for example, in the washer-disinfector 110. In general, the process validation can also be part of the documentation, for example in an electronic logbook of the washer-disinfector 110.

[0293] In particular, the sensors 198, in particular the optical sensor 614, may be used for process verification. As mentioned above, it may be based on the use of a light source 618, for example in the form of an ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (UV-LED) including a corresponding photoelectric sensor or photodetector 620. By using the photodetector 620, the incident light may be converted into an electrical quantity.

[0294] For example, the disinfection controller 628, in particular the microcontroller, may initiate a measurement by the sensor 198, in particular by the light sensor 614, at a defined time, which may be specified, for example, by the central machine controller 630 or the CPU. This may in particular be an intensity measurement and / or an absorption measurement. For example, as a result of the absorption properties of the active ingredient solution, for example of the chemical components in the fluid mixture, which change over time, a specific output voltage profile may be established at the output of the light detector 620. Said voltage profile may depend, for example, on the composition of the contents of the flow cell 616 and / or of the active ingredient solution. In particular, this may mean that if one or both of components A and / or B are absent and / or the concentration of one or both of said components is incorrect, in particular deviates from the target, this error is reflected in the output voltage, or signal, of the light detector 620, or in its profile. For example, the use of an optional signal amplifier 624, which amplifies the output signal of the light detector 620 by a number of times, may ensure that even small errors are detected, for example.

[0295] The controller 162, e.g., the disinfection controller 628, may check whether the sensor signal of at least one sensor 198, e.g., the signal of the photodetector 620, meets one or more targets and / or may use said signal as an input signal for control. For example, the actual value of the sensor signal may be compared with a corresponding value stored in at least one database. From the evaluation of the sensor signal, the controller 162 may then make a decision regarding the process sequence. For example, corresponding control signals may be generated, which may be transmitted, e.g., via the control line 634. Alternatively or additionally, the information and / or the decision may be transmitted to the central machine controller 630, e.g., via at least one intermediate component 632. There, they may be used, for example, to influence the process sequence of the method.

[0296] As mentioned above, various types of sensors 198 may be provided in the washer-disinfector 110. Furthermore, the disinfection controller 628, in particular the microcontroller, may take on further tasks, in particular tasks related to the disinfection process. Thus, for example, the disinfection controller 628 may take on further evaluation tasks, in particular because of the usually limited number of analog inputs of the intermediate component 632, for example on at least one I / O board. Thus, for example, the disinfection controller 628 may monitor at least one filling level, for example in at least one of the multiple reservoirs 154. Here, for example, at least one filling level in at least one of the multiple reservoirs 154 and / or in at least one treatment tank 188 may be monitored. For example, reference may be made to the embodiment in FIG. 2. For example, at least one level sensor 200, for example in at least one reservoir 154 and / or in at least one treatment tank 188, may be used for this purpose. The level sensor 200 may for example comprise at least one conductivity sensor, so that the filling level can be measured, for example, by one or more conductivity electrodes. They can report the filling level in each monitored container. This can ensure that the required filling amount is available for each cleaning process. The monitoring can be performed by the sterilization controller 628.

[0297] As mentioned above, one or more pressure sensors may be monitored by the disinfection controller 628, for example pressure sensors 636, 638. Said pressure sensors 636, 638 may be, for example, piezoresistive pressure sensors. They may be wholly or partially separate from the sensor 198 or else may be wholly or partially integrated in the sensor 138, in particular the optical sensor 614, for example in the sensor housing. As mentioned above, the pressure sensors 636, 638 may be used to detect and evaluate pressure changes in the disinfection line system 160, for example in the hose system, before and after the filter element 612. These pressure conditions may provide information, for example, regarding various system conditions, for example regarding the condition of the filter element 612 itself, regarding the properties of the active ingredient solution or regarding the condition of the disinfection impingement device 183, for example the spray nozzle 185. For example, if the pressure increases, this may indicate, for example, increasing contamination in the disinfection impingement device 183 and / or in the filter element 612. Or further, as mentioned above, the differential pressure can be used to say about the viscosity and / or the composition of the active ingredient solution. Furthermore, multiple indications of the differential pressure can be evaluated, since they can provide information about, for example, the location of contamination, for example upstream or downstream of the filter element 612, especially at the spray nozzle 185. If an increasing contamination is detected early, appropriate measures can be taken, for example by the disinfection controller 628. This can prevent, for example, insufficient cleaning and / or insufficient disinfection of the container 112. It is thus possible to continually ensure that, in particular, the active ingredient used reaches the container 112 in the required amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0298] 110 Cleaning and disinfecting equipment 112 Container 114 Cleaning chamber 116 Drain 118 Odor Trap 120 aperture 122 Drain pipe 124 Collision device 126 Cleaning System 128 Cleaning nozzle 130 Cleaning Tank 132 Cleaning Line System 133 Pump 134 Final Rinse System 136 Final rinse nozzle 138 Final Rinse Tank 140 Final Rinse Line System 142 Steam System 144 Steam Nozzle 146 Steam Generator 148 Steam Line 150 Reservoir 152 Heating device 154 Reservoir 156 Disinfection System 158 Disinfection nozzle 160 Disinfection Line System 161 Pump 162 Controller 164 Data Processing Device 166 processors 168 Data Connections 170 Mixing equipment 172 Mixed Section 174 Mixing Nozzle 176 Doors 178 Flap Door 180 Mount 182 Bypass 183 Disinfection collision device 184 Pipeline 185 Spray nozzle 186 Check valve 187 Atomizer 188 Treatment Tank 189 Conversion Device 190 Reservoir 191 Processing Pipe 192 Metering pump 193 Pump 194 Supply Line 196 Valves 198 Sensors 200 Level Sensor 202 Conductivity Sensor 204 Pump 206 Disinfection Pump 208 Optical Sensor 210 Filters 212 Emptying process 214 Cleaning process 216 Disinfection process 218 Final Rinse Process 220 Steam disinfection process 222 Exhaust process 224 Drying process 510 Rinse only 512 90ml of active solution and 6s of action time 514 180ml of active solution and 12s of action time 516 Destructive Components 518 Disinfectant ingredients 520 Requirements for EN17126 and EN13697 522 Detection limit 610 Distributor 612 Filter element 614 Optical Sensor 616 Flow Cell 618 Light source 620 Photodetector 621 Electric wire 622 Constant current source 623 Electric wire 624 Signal Amplifier 626 Electric wire 628 Disinfection Controller 630 Central Machine Controller 632 Intermediate Component 634 Control Line 636 Pressure Sensor 638 Pressure Sensor 640 Pressure Line 642 Pressure Line 644 Electric wire 646 Electric wire 648 Bus System 650 Digital Signal Lines

Claims

1. A method for treating at least one container (112) for human waste, comprising the following steps: a. at least one draining step including draining the contents of the container in at least one cleaning chamber (114) into at least one drain (116), said drain (116) comprising at least one odor trap (118); b. at least one washing step, comprising impinging at least one cleaning fluid on said container (112) at least once in said cleaning chamber (114); and c. at least one disinfection step, comprising mixing at least two reactive components at least once to generate at least one disinfectant and impinging said disinfectant into said container (112); Including, The method includes generating the disinfectant in situ from the at least two reactive components within the washer-disinfector (110), the disinfectant being generated within the washer-disinfector (110) itself.

2. d. at least one final rinse step, comprising impinging at least one rinse aid liquid onto said container (112) at least once; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. e. at least one steam sterilization step, comprising impinging steam on said container (112) at least once; The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The mixing in step c. mixing a plurality of said reactive components, forming said disinfectant in the mixture, and applying said mixture to said container (112); the plurality of reactive components are applied to the container (112) and mixed on the container (112), and the disinfectant is generated in the mixture on the container (112); applying at least one first reactive component of the plurality of reactive components to the container (112), exposing the container (112) to which the first reactive component has been applied to an atmosphere containing at least one second reactive component of the plurality of reactive components in the cleaning chamber (114), mixing the plurality of reactive components on the container (112), and generating the disinfectant in the mixture on the container (112); The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising mixing at least once reactive components selected from the group consisting of:

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the disinfectant is contained in at least one carrier, the disinfectant and the carrier forming an active solution, and the container (112) is impinged by the active solution.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein step c. comprises mixing at least one of the reactive components with the carrier.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of reactive components comprises at least one oxidizing agent and at least one anion of an acid.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the disinfectant comprises at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of reactive nitrogen compounds, reactive oxygen compounds, and chlorine compounds.

9. The reactive components include hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), H + 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of:

10. The reactive components include nitrates (NO 3 - ), nitrite (NO 2 - ), carboxylic acid, acetic acid (CH 3 COOH), anion of carboxylic acid, anion of acetic acid (CH 3 COO - ), hypochlorite (ClO - ), chlorite (ClO 2 - ) and chlorate (ClO 3 - The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of:

11. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one evacuation step, the evacuation step comprising exhausting gases from the cleaning chamber (114), the evacuation step comprising exhausting the gases from the cleaning chamber (114) through at least one bypass (182) into the drain (116) downstream of the odor trap (118).

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising at least one conversion step, said conversion step comprising supplying said gas from said cleaning chamber (114) to at least one conversion device (189) for chemical, physical or biological treatment of at least a portion of said gas.

13. The method further includes using at least one sensor, the sensor comprising: a) said sensor (198) is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one component selected from the group consisting of said disinfectant, at least one active solution containing said disinfectant, at least one of said plurality of reactive components, at least one of said plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, at least one by-product produced in the reaction of said plurality of reactive components; b) said sensor (198) is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one reaction product in said cleaning chamber (114) or on a surface of said vessel (112) selected from the group consisting of acid produced, gas produced by the reaction, and reaction by-products. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least one technique selected from the group consisting of:

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sterilization process includes affecting at least one parameter of the sterilization process in response to at least one sensor signal of the sensor (198).

15. 15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising using at least one filter element (612), the filter element (612) being disposed in at least one line system (160) through which at least one component flows, the component being selected from the group consisting of the disinfectant, at least one active solution containing the disinfectant, at least one of the plurality of reactive components, at least one of the plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, and at least one by-product produced in the reaction of the plurality of reactive components.

16. 16. A washer / disinfector (110) for treating at least one container (112) for human waste, the washer / disinfector (110) comprising at least one cleaning chamber (114) and further comprising at least one drain (116) having at least one odour trap (118), the washer / disinfector (110) further comprising at least one impingement device (124) for impinging at least one cleaning fluid against the container (112) in the cleaning chamber (114), the washer / disinfector (110) further comprising at least two reservoirs (154) for containing a plurality of reactive components, the washer / disinfector (110) further comprising at least one controller (162) for controlling at least one cleaning program, the washer / disinfector (110) being configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. 17. The washer-disinfector (110) of claim 16, further comprising at least one mixer (170), said mixer (170) configured to mix the plurality of reactive components.

18. 20. The washer-disinfector (110) of claim 17, wherein the mixer (170) is configured to mix the plurality of reactive components prior to impacting the container (112).

19. 19. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) comprises at least one treatment tank (188) for treatment of at least one of the plurality of reactive components, the treatment tank (188) being connected to at least one of the plurality of reservoirs (154), the treatment tank (188) also being connected to at least one reservoir (190) for at least one carrier, and the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) is configured to mix the at least one reactive component with the carrier in the treatment tank (188).

20. 20. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) of claim 19, wherein the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) comprises at least one metering pump (192), the metering pump (192) configured to introduce an identifiable amount of the at least one reactive component into the treatment tank (188), the treatment tank (188) being connected to the reservoir (190) via at least one supply line (194) having at least one valve (196), the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) configured to introduce the carrier into the treatment tank (188) via the supply line (194), the supply line (194) projecting into the treatment tank (188) such that an opening of the supply line (194) is immersible in a predetermined amount of the reactive component contained in the treatment tank (188).

21. 21. The washer / disinfector (110) of claim 19 or 20, wherein the washer / disinfector (110) comprises at least two treatment tanks (188), different reactive components can be treated in the treatment tanks (188), and the washer / disinfector (110) is configured to combine the reactive components from the treatment tanks (188) mixed with the at least one carrier to produce the disinfectant.

22. and at least one sensor (198), said sensor (198) comprising: a) said sensor (198) is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one component selected from the group consisting of said disinfectant, at least one active solution containing said disinfectant, at least one of said plurality of reactive components, at least one of said plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, and at least one by-product produced in the reaction of said plurality of reactive components; b) said sensor (198) is configured to detect at least one characteristic of at least one reaction product in said cleaning chamber (114) or on a surface of said vessel (112) selected from the group consisting of acid produced, gas produced by the reaction, and reaction by-products. The washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) according to any one of claims 16 to 21, configured with at least one technique selected from the group consisting of:

23. 23. The washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) of claim 22, wherein the sensor (198) is configured, at least in part, with method a), and the sensor (198) is disposed in at least one line system (160) through which the component flows.

24. The washer-disinfector (110) of claim 22 or 23, wherein the sensor (198) comprises at least one light absorption sensor (614).

25. The washer-disinfector (110) of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the controller (162) is configured to control the disinfection process by means of at least one sensor signal of the sensor (198).

26. 26. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) of any one of claims 16 to 25, further comprising at least one filter element (612), the filter element (612) being arranged in at least one line system (160) through which at least one component flows, the component being selected from the group consisting of the disinfectant, at least one active solution comprising the disinfectant, at least one of the plurality of reactive components, at least one of the plurality of reactive components mixed with at least one carrier, and at least one by-product produced in the reaction of the plurality of reactive components.

27. 27. The washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) of claim 26, further comprising at least one pressure sensor (636, 638), the pressure sensor (636, 638) configured to measure pressure in the line system (160) upstream and downstream of the filter element (612), and the controller (162) configured to capture at least one pressure signal of the pressure sensor (636, 638).

28. The controller (162) the controller (162) is configured to control the sterilization process according to the at least one pressure signal; the controller (162) is configured to monitor the pressure signal and output at least one piece of information to a user if the pressure signal deviates from at least one identified normal value, at least one identified normal profile, or at least one identified normal range.

28. The washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) of claim 27, comprising at least one of:

29. The washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) according to any one of claims 16 to 28, wherein the washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) is configured to use the impaction device (124) for at least one cleaning step, the washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) further comprising at least one disinfecting impaction device (183), the disinfecting impaction device (183) being separate from the impaction device (124), and the washer-disinfecting apparatus (110) is configured to use the disinfecting impaction device (183) in the disinfection step.

30. The disinfection impingement device (183) a spray nozzle (185), wherein the cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) is configured to apply at least one component to the container (112) by means of the spray nozzle (185), the component being selected from the group consisting of the reactive component, the disinfectant, and at least one auxiliary; An atomizer (187), the atomizer (187) configured to generate at least one fluid medium selected from the group consisting of a steam and an aerosol, the fluid medium including at least one component selected from the group consisting of the reactive component, the disinfectant, and at least one auxiliary agent.

30. The washer-disinfector (110) of claim 29, comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of:

31. The reactive nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of peroxynitrate (ONOOH) and peroxynitrite anion (ONOO − ); The reactive oxygen compound is selected from the group consisting of H2O2, peroxycarboxylic acid, peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOOH), anion of peroxycarboxylic acid, anion of peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOO-), The method according to claim 8.

32. The method of claim 8, wherein the chlorine compound is selected from the group consisting of hypochlorous acid (HClO), anion of hypochlorous acid (ClO-), chlorous acid (HClO2), anion of chlorous acid (ClO2-), chloric acid (HClO3), anion of chloric acid (ClO3-), oxygen chloride, and oxygen dichloride.

33. The method of claim 9, wherein the acid is at least one acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and acetic acid.

Images